Why did Jesus have to die to save us? And how is that saving us?
That is an excellent question. First, let us look at how Jesus (and his saving death) fulfills all the Scriptures. In the very beginning, Adam and Eve were tempted by the serpent and sinned against God by their disobedience. The consequence of their sin was that they were doomed to die and were banished from the Garden of Eden.
Jesus, the Son of God, came to save us from sin and death. Remember what is said at Mass about the Eucharist which is a quote from John the Baptist when he saw Jesus: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” (Jn 1:29) Why does John call Jesus “the Lamb of God”? Scripturally, this is the key and should remind us of two very important Old Testament passages.
First, we think of the Passover lamb, where Moses in Egypt was instructed by God to say, “Go and procure lambs for your families, and slaughter them as Passover victims. Then take a bunch of hyssop, and dipping it in the blood that is in the basin, sprinkle the lintel and the two doorposts with this blood. But none of you shall go outdoors until morning. For the LORD will go by, striking down the Egyptians. Seeing the blood on the lintel and the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over that door and not let the destroyer come into your houses to strike you down.” (Ex 12:21-23) It was through the blood of the lamb that the Hebrews were saved from death and freed from slavery in Egypt. So too we are saved by Jesus’ blood poured out for us—the new covenant.
Second, we think of the suffering servant prophesied by Isaiah, “But he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins. Upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed. We had all gone astray like sheep, each following his own way; But the LORD laid upon him the guilt of us all. Though he was harshly treated, he submitted and opened not his mouth; Like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before the shearers, he was silent and opened not his mouth…. Because he surrendered himself to death and was counted among the wicked; And he shall take away the sins of many, and win pardon for their offenses.” (Is 53:5-7;12b) Scripturally, this gives us an good idea of what Jesus’ death meant, but it might not totally satisfy your question, so I will continue the discussion next time.
-Fr. Greg
