9 In this was manifested the
love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the
world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is
love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the
propitiation for our sins. – 1 John 4:9-10
No one disputes that Jesus Christ suffered on the
cross. But the idea that His suffering was necessary has been the subject of
scorn from those who have criticized and ridiculed Christianity through the
centuries. The truth that Jesus had to suffer to pay for our
sin is also what sets Christianity apart.
Muslims, for example, show respect for the person of
Christ, but see the cross as a stumbling block. They regard His atonement
through suffering as foolishness. Friedrich Nietzsche dismissed the very
concept of Jesus’ suffering, saying, “God on a cross—preposterous!”
As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we resolutely
stand against such ridicule and embrace His cross. This is a vivid illustration
of 1 Corinthians 1:18: “For the preaching of the cross is to them that
perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”
It
was essential for Jesus to suffer:
To
pay for the sins of mankind. First John 4:10 says, “[God] loved us, and sent his Son to be the
propitiation for our sins.” The key word is propitiation,
meaning payment. It wasn’t enough for
Him to die. Jesus had to pay a debt—our
debt, for our sin. The payment was necessary.
To
satisfy the demands of God’s wrath. As much as God loves you, He hates your sin
with a holy, burning hatred beyond comprehension. The only way He could embrace
you in spite of your sin was for someone else—someone perfect and holy—to pay
for it (Romans 5:1).
To
purchase the opportunity for our sins to be forgiven. No longer do you have
to carry your sin. You can be forgiven. God laid all your sinfulness on Jesus
as He willingly suffered and died upon the cross. The debt was paid, opening
the door to your forgiveness.
To
provide the way to eternal life. To have a gift, you must choose to receive it
(Romans 6:23). Do you know Jesus Himself is the gift of eternal life? His
suffering is the reason that gift is possible.
The glory of the gospel is this: Jesus paid a debt
He did not owe, because we owed a debt we could not pay. While we are the ones
who need to be saved from God’s wrath, He is the one who saves us—through His
Son, Jesus Christ. “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.” (2
Corinthians 5:21).
You can be forgiven and washed clean, because
Jesus is the propitiation. He gave His life to restore your
relationship with God. As the Father laid all the sinfulness of the world on
His Son, Jesus suffered and died, offering forgiveness and eternal life to all
who believe (John 3:16).