Why did Jesus have to die?

Jesus' death was a necessary act of atonement mandated by God's justice, as He bore the penalty for the sins of His people. Scripture teaches that 'the soul that sinneth must surely die' (Ezekiel 18:4) and that all have sinned and fall short of God's glory (Romans 3:23). By willingly sacrificing Himself, Jesus fulfilled the legal requirements of the law, allowing for the imputation of His perfect righteousness to believers. His substitutionary atonement ensures that those who trust in Him are justified and reconciled to God, as stated in Romans 5:1.