Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

One of the most important things about Christianity is understanding why Jesus had to die. Though Muslims believe that he did not die, the truth is borne out by history that he was crucified, both Jesus enemies and his friends believed that he was crucified, but his friends saw him rise from the dead and were witnesses of it. Jesus was victorious over death because God raised him from it.

The death of Jesus Christ, and the reason for it is what separates Christianity from all other religions. Each religion recognises that none of us are worthy to stand before God. In this much we all agree. Buddists claim that as we live good lives, so we are re-born nearer and nearer to God, until eventually we become Gods. Muslims believe that salvation lies in total submission to God’s message while in this life. However, according to the Bible salvation can only be found in the death of Jesus Christ and his resurrection to life in victory over death. Here is why.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

God and man were not always separated. In the beginning, God created man for friendship and to have a family. The Bible shows how God came down to talk with Adam and his wife in the garden He had created for them. God was spending time with His earthly family. The Bible also records how temptation and death entered into the human race, and that Adam’s whole family was sold into the slavery of sin. Every human has been born into a life of chains – unable to free themselves from the power of sin.

Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Since that time, all men have been sinners and come short of the Glory of God. We can see this by the evil that shows itself in all the actions of man. Even at his best, no man can avoid the contamination of sin, and God is clear in His word – the soul that sins must die.

Ezekiel 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

So far this is simple. Sin cannot dwell where there is a Holy God, just as darkness cannot dwell where there is light. Every wrong deed of man will have a punishment. Every thief that is caught is subject to the law and the penalties that are given by the judge.

God saw this situation, and was not happy with it. Just as light is more powerful than darkness, so the Love of God is far more powerful than sin and death. God was not prepared to let each and every man be born just to sin and die. He wanted to be back with His earthly family, but in order to be a lawful and just God, the penalty of sin had to be paid somehow. If you were fined by a judge for something you had done, and could not pay, what would you do? You would find someone else to pay the fine for you.

Just as in many legal systems, there are qualifications God has for accepting a substitute payment. Not just anyone could pay the price, but it had to be a member of the human race. But no member of the human race was worthy to die for another person’s sins; every one of us had to die for our own sins. There was no humanly possible way past this problem and back into true fellowship with God our Father and creator.

So God, who is rich in mercy provided a way by sending Jesus. By the virgin birth He was not part of the sin of Adam’s family. By the way He lived His life, totally sin free, He proved that He was able to pay the price required – a death for the sins of others. And by the grace of God’s laws, the death of Jesus provides a way for all of us to get back into the family of God.

2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Not only does He take our sins away by paying the price, but by His death Jesus also gives us His righteousness. This is a big word, but the meaning is simple. Righteousness means that you are right before God.

Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

This is why Jesus had to die; to pay the penalty of sin, so that we could be a part of the family of God once again. This is called redemption, and if you can have faith and believe Jesus died for your sins, then it is for you as well.