Why did Jesus die?

1
Why did Jesus die?
2
Why did Jesus die?

• His enemies put him to death.
• This is the obvious answer. His enemies plotted
  against him and caught Jesus in the Garden of
  Gethsemane.
• But, Christians today believe that Jesus died
  because he chose to.

3
Why did Jesus die?

• Jesus went deliberately to his death.
• Jesus could have avoided his arrest and death,
  but he didnt.
• He went to Jerusalem knowing what would happen
  he predicts the Suffering of the Son of Man many
  times.
• At the Last Supper Jesus knows that Judas is
  going to betray Jesus yet he does nothing to stop
  him.
• Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray
  even though he knew Judas would bring soldiers
  there.

4
Why did Jesus die?

• Jesus death was a sacrifice.
• In the Old Testament people were told to offer
  certain sacrifices to God, often by killing a
  lamb.
• Jesus death was the perfect sacrifice, offered
  to God, to reconcile the human race to him.
• Jesus said, The Son of Man did not come to be
  served, but to serve, and to give his life as a
  ransom for many. In some way Jesus death
  removes the barrier of sin separating God and
  people.

5
What does Jesus death mean for Christians today?

• Without the death of Jesus, human beings have no
  chance of being close to God or of being forgiven
  for their sins.
• Jesus is our saviour and lord.
• Through Jesus death and resurrection we also may
  have new life in heaven after death.

6
Questions

• 1. What does the word sacrifice mean?
• 2. Why is Jesus often called the Lamb of God?
• 3. Do you think this is a good title for Jesus?
  Explain why?
• 4. Explain 3 reasons why Jesus died?
• 5. Explain two ways in which the crucifixion is
  relevant to Christians today?
• Extension Task
• Many people wear crosses and crucifixes. Why do
  they do so? Is it right for people who are not
  Christians to wear them?
• AQA Page 36-37