For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing but to those who are being saved it is the power of God…—1 Corinthians 1:18For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.—1 Corinthians 2:2
Many, if not most, Christians when they are asked, "Why did Jesus die on the cross?" will give an answer something like this:
To die for our sins. This of course, as far as it goes, is a biblical answer.
To die for our sins. This of course, as far as it goes, is a biblical answer.
But the answer doesn't end there. Most Christians will continue to explain why Jesus died on the cross by parroting back phrases they have been taught, such as:
• "He died for our sins so we wouldn't have to"
• "He took our place"
• He "substituted for us."
• "He took our place"
• He "substituted for us."
So a more complete answer many give often sounds something like this:
• "Jesus died for our sins—he saved us from the penalty we would have had to pay—he saved us from an eternal torture of hell, because that is surely where God would have sent us if Jesus didn't die for our sins."
So many, if not most, Christians start with the simple biblically based answer, Jesus died for our sins, and then add many additional ideas and thoughts that are far more religious in origin than they are biblical. For instance, many have been taught that the "wrath of God" was the reason why the cross was necessary. God was angry and upset— someone had to pay for the evil of sin.
