Why Did Christ Die?

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; - 1 Corinthians 15:3

    The death of our Lord Jesus Christ was more than a judicial rendering of the demands of God’s holy law for the punishment of our sins. Indeed it was that, however, the reason of our Redeemer giving his life a ransom for his sheep is equally important, and is much too often passed over in our haste to be doctrinally correct. The divine motive of this incomprehensible transaction was the everlasting love God for his children. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him (1 Jn 4:9).

    Had there been no love for us there would have been no Redeemer provided. The glory of God is most perfectly and completely revealed by the Son when he gave his life for those he loved. Oh what love, wondrous love, for me was shown! When by faith we see our Saviour dying, we must not only see justice satisfied, we must see God’s love fulfilled, magnified, and glorified! Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine (Ez 16:8).

    God is satisfied as he rests in his love! Not only did Christ die to satisfy the justice of God legally, he died to express his love and that we might live forever with him in glory. The love of God and the death of Christ is in such harmony that justice smiles, closes the book, strikes its gavel, and declares from the courts of heaven, echoing throughout eternity, “Case closed. All charges against the accused are dismissed.” Now if that is not good news for a wretch such as the likes of me, I don’t know what is!

“I’m redeemed by love divine!
Glory, Glory, Christ is mine!"