How did Jesus die for our sins?
Here's the answer:
Jesus was willingly crucified to pay the price for our sins so that we can be God’s children forever.
Before God sent Jesus to Earth, people sinned, just like they do today. God says that sin leads to death and separates us from Him. A system of sacrifice was instituted with the idea that if an animal like a lamb was killed, it’s death was a substitute for the death the sinner deserved. This system was not perfect, because every time a person sinned, another animal had to be sacrificed. Although people sacrificed animals without any defects or blemishes (for example: a perfectly white lamb without any deformities, injuries, or colored spots)—none were perfect enough to get rid of all sin once and for all.
God sent His Son Jesus to live with us and teach us how to live holy lives. Most importantly, Jesus came as the one perfect sacrifice that had the power to cover all sins for all eternity. Why was Jesus the perfect sacrifice? Jesus was fully God, but also fully human. He faced all of the temptations to sin, just like we do—but He never sinned. Not once. That meant that Jesus was never selfish, never lied, never hurt anyone, never stole, was never jealous of someone’s new cool toy… you get the idea. Jesus is totally pure. He is the only person to ever live on Earth and not deserve death for His sins.
Jesus told His followers many times that He came to die for us, but they never really thought He meant He would actually die. When Jesus was arrested, beaten, and nailed to a cross through His hands and feet (crucifixion), his friends were surprised and scared, but Jesus was brave and willing to die for us. Even though He never sinned, Jesus was willing to be the substitute for the death you and I deserve because we do sin. His death was very painful, and for a little while He experienced the separation from God (His Father) that He doesn’t want you or me to face. While on that cross Jesus took all of my sins, and all of your sins and paid the price with His very life.
The story doesn’t end there, though! Although Jesus really died and was buried, Jesus came back to life three days later. Jesus is so powerful, that He defeated death! When we choose to follow Jesus, believe that He died for our sins, and accept his sacrifice as a gift that allows us to live with God forever, we have that same power fighting for us each and every day. It is the power that helps us learn to live more like Jesus every day.
Bible Truth
"Instead, he made himself nothing. He did this by taking on the nature of a servant. He was made just like human beings. He appeared as a man. He was humble and obeyed God completely. He did this even though it led to his death. Even worse, he died on a cross!" (Philippians 2:7-8).
"God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life." (John 3:16).
