Why did Jesus have to die on the cross?

The necessity of Christ's death on the cross is rooted in the righteousness of God. It is through His sacrificial atonement that believers are redeemed from their sins, as expressed in 1 Peter 2:24: 'Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree.' This act was not only to satisfy divine justice but to bring reconciliation between God and humanity. Jesus' death was essential to fulfill the prophetic scriptures and to serve as the final sacrifice required for atonement, thus removing the guilt and punishment for sin. In doing so, He established a new covenant of grace, assuring believers of their forgiveness and eternal security.