The crucifixion of Jesus was cruel, ugly and bloody; but necessary!
Just how vital was Jesus’ sacrifice? How did it accomplished what God wanted? Let’s begin in Hebrews 1:1-3. These verses clearly show the importance of Christ’s role in the plan of God… Christ fulfilled the first phase of his mission “when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high”.
Jesus’ sacrifice is founded on the principle that there is no forgiveness of sins without the shedding of blood, Hebrews 9:22. This was first established when Adam and Eve tried to cover themselves with leaves, but the angel of God covered them with animal skins. This principle was also re-affirmed under Moses; Leviticus 17:11, cp Hebrews 9:19,20 with the blood of calves and goats being used to make atonement. With this foundation established, it follows that the principle would also apply to Jesus’ sacrifice, and so it does for: “we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins:. are “saved through his blood,” Ephesians 1:7.
So it is that Christ gave his life as a ransom to “save sinners”! I Timothy 1: 15 Paul acknowledges his own sin and personal need of Jesus and recognizes that without his sacrifice, there is no possible forgiveness. If there is no forgiveness, there is no hope for any of mankind. God required the sacrifice of Jesus. It was necessary for the salvation of God.
The responsibility placed upon Jesus as the ‘Christ’ is, he was “offered once to bear the sins of many”, Hebrews 9:28; 10:12. This is what the LORD required, for “the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all”, Isaiah 53:6. Jesus willingness to obey his Father and die for the sins of others was necessary, because it answered the condition whereby God was willing to forgive our sins. The door was now opened for reconciliation to God!
The message of John the Baptist declared that Jesus would take away the sins of the world, John 1:29-31 He also reminded the Jews that Christ’s ministry is strongly connected with Israel’s redemption. The offering of a lamb has been the typical sacrifice for sin from earliest times – ‘the lamb slain from the foundation of the world’ Revelation 13:8. Jesus is identified as the “Lamb”, 1 Peter 1:19 This implies the plan of God was already established from the beginning.