Why Did Jesus Have to Die? A Christian Answer That Balances Justice and Mercy

Why did Jesus have to die? Even as a Christian committed to defending the faith, I admit this question is emotionally difficult. The typical answers you find often sound too polished. I have wrestled with them, too. But let us ask—what would the alternative be?

If God created the heavens and the earth with a word (Genesis 1:1), could He not simply say, “Let there be forgiveness,” and make it so? That sounds simple. But would that kind of salvation truly work?

Imagine a world where even the worst of humanity—murderers, traffickers, abusers—automatically receive forgiveness without repentance, without justice, and without transformation. That would not be grace. It would be injustice. It would erase the value of righteousness and mock the suffering of victims. Real forgiveness must confront real sin. A price must be paid.

From the earliest pages of Scripture, God established a principle: “without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness” (Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 9:22). In the Old Testament, this was symbolized through animal sacrifices. A spotless lamb would die in the place of the sinner—not as a ritual, but as a sign pointing to something greater.

That greater fulfillment came in Jesus. He is called “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). He was not just a teacher or martyr. He was God Himself, entering history to offer the final sacrifice for sin (Isaiah 53:5; Hebrews 10:10). No more lambs. No more altars. Just one name—Jesus—and one requirement: a heart willing to turn back to God (Romans 10:13).

Now, consider this. Imagine needing to buy a lamb every time you sinned. That is a lot of lambs. Jesus paid the ultimate price once and for all. That is not cheap grace. That is costly love.

So, is there any alternative to Jesus’ death that upholds both justice and mercy? I cannot think of one. Can you? If not, maybe it is time to stop looking for another way and simply thank God for the one He has already given.

That is the clearest answer I have been able to reach. But if you believe there is a better one—one that deals honestly with sin, justice, and forgiveness—I am willing to hear it. How would it work?

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