God created earth and man perfectly. But when Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command, He had to punish them. A judge who pardons law-breakers isn’t a good judge. Likewise, overlooking sin would make the holy God unjust. Death in hell is God’s just consequence for sin. “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Even good works cannot make up for wrongs against the holy God. Compared to His goodness, “All our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment” (Isaiah 64:6b).

Ever since Adam’s sin, every human has been guilty of disobeying God’s righteous laws. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Sin is not just big things like murder or blasphemy but also includes lying, lusting, and stealing. Even the love of money or hatred of enemies is sin. Because of sin, everyone deserves death – eternal separation from God in hell.

Although God banished Adam and Eve from the garden, He didn’t leave them without hope of paradise. He promised to send a sinless Sacrifice to take the punishment they deserved (Genesis 3:15). Until then, men would sacrifice innocent lambs as a substitute for their punishment. Sacrificing an animal showed men’s acknowledgement that their sin required death, repentance from that sin, and faith in the future Sacrifice from God who would bear their penalty. God reaffirmed His promise of the perfect Sacrifice with men such as Abraham and Moses.

By sending Jesus to earth, God fulfilled His promise of a Savior from sin. Unlike us, Jesus never sinned. Thus, God sacrificed Jesus as our perfect Substitute. He took the punishment we deserve for sin: death. “God made Him [Jesus], who knew no sin, to be sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Thus, Jesus was more than a Prophet. God made Him Savior and Lord! (See Philippians 2:6-11.)

During His life, crowds thronged Him for healing and teaching, but the religious leaders scorned Him. At God’s appointed time, He delivered Jesus to be sacrificed for sin. Mobs cried out, “Crucify Him!” Soldiers beat, mocked, and crucified Him. As Isaiah foretold, Jesus was crucified in between two criminals and was buried in a rich man’s tomb. But He didn’t remain in the grave. Because God accepted His sacrifice, He fulfilled another prophecy by raising Jesus from the dead (Psalm 16:10; Isaiah 26:19). 

 Therefore, Jesus had to die to provide the only way to paradise. If you believe Jesus died and resurrected to save you, turn from your own ways and trust Jesus alone! Follow Him as your beloved Master, for He will strengthen you through His Word, the Bible.