Why was it necessary for Christ to die

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Introduction

Matthew 16:21. From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

From the passage, the Lord Jesus said He must go to Jerusalem. He knew that He would suffer many things, and be killed, and on the third day He would be raised again.

• Did Jesus believe HIs death was necessary? Yes
• Did Peter believe it was necessary for Jesus to die? (Matthew 16:22. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.). No
• Who inspired or influenced Peter to contradict what Christ had spoken? (Matthew 16:23. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.). satan.

Consider John 10:11-18

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

• Verse 11: Did Jesus freely give His life or did others take it from Him? (I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.). He freely gave His life.
• Verse 15: (As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.). Jesus said, I I lay down my life for the sheep.
• Verse 18: (No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.).
  • Could any man take the life of the Son of God from Him? No.
  • Who was it that freely gave His life on the cross? the Lord Jesus.

Consider Luke 4:28-30

And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,
And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.
But he passing through the midst of them went his way.

• What happened when the angry mob tried to kill Jesus? (Luke 4: 30. But he passing through the midst of them went his way). he disappeared from their midst.
• Do you think it would have been possible for the Lord's enemies to kill Him before it was time for Him to die on the cross? (John 7:30. Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.). No.

Consider Matthew 26:47-54

And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.
And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him.
And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.
Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

• Verse 53: We learn that Jesus could have prayed and the Father would have given Him. legions of angels. ^[1] to rescue Him from those men who were seeking to arrest Him and kill Him.
  • Did Jesus pray this prayer? No.

Consider John 18:2-6

And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.
Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

• What happened to the band of officers when Jesus said I AM HE? they went backwards and fell to the ground.
• Wo was really in complete control of the situation, the arresting officers or the Son of God? the Son of God.

Consider John 3:14

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

• Was it necessary for the Son of man to be lifted up on the cross? Yes.

• Which of these is correct? The Son of man

  1. Should be lifted up.
  2. Might be lifted up.
  3. Must be lifted up
  4. May be lifted up.

• The correct answer is Must be lifted up. His dealth on Calvary's cross was an absolute necessity.

Conclusion

We have seen that it was absolutely necessary for Jesus to die on the cross. Now we must learn why He had to die. To understand why the Lord Jesus had to die, we must study the Four Basic Facts of the Gospel. Seeing you on the next one.