I wrote last week about the question, “Why did Jesus die?” and how it didn’t satisfy me to say Jesus died to pay the price of our sins. I’m not saying that wasn’t true, only it was never enough of an explanation for me.

I’ve come to think Jesus died because he was an absolutely good person, and this wicked, sinful world hates goodness. That meant the world hated Jesus. So Jesus died because sin worked its evil way on him. I believe the Father allowed Jesus to be killed because he does not force people to be good, but used that awful deed as an opportunity to work the most amazing, surprising miracle of all–the resurrection. Where the world brings death, God brings life. Jesus dies so as to bring about that victory, and that is given for all of us. The gift of victory over death is all the more amazing because we don’t deserve it. We contribute to the sin in the world, yet we receive this blessing. That’s the love of God at work.

I add another piece to this. Jesus s also an example to us. He did good in this world despite the evil that was done to him. To follow Jesus is to do the same, to do good even though we don’t receive good in return. We do the good not because it makes us worthy of receiving the gift of life, but because we have received God’s gift.  It’s an expression of thanks.

That’s my pondering on the death of Jesus.

Read 1 Corinthians 15:55-58 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne