Alpha | Session 3 | Why Did Jesus Die?

Why is the cross the symbol of Christianity?

‘… the Son of God… loved me and gave himself for me’ (GALATIANS 2:20)

1. THE PROBLEM

‘All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.’ (Romans 3:23).

• Pollution of sin (Mark 7:20–23)
• Power of sin (John 8:34)
• Penalty for sin (Romans 6:23)
• Partition of sin (Isaiah 59:2)

2. THE SOLUTION

• ‘The self-substitution of God’ (1 Peter 2:24)
• Agony of the cross (Isaiah 53:6)

3. THE RESULT

• The cross shows:
  • You are infinitely valuable to God
  • Jesus is the supreme example of love (John 15:13)
  • God is not aloof from suffering
  • The powers of evil have been defeated: the resurrection wasn’t the reversal of a defeat; it was the manifestation of a victory

• The partition has been removed (2 Corinthians 5:19)
  • Reconciliation with God and in other relationships
• The penalty has been paid
  • Justified (‘Just-as-if-I’d never sinned’)
• The power of sin has been broken
  • If the Son sets you free, you really will be free’(John 8:36, NLT)
• The pollution has been removed
  •  ‘… the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.’ (1 John 1:7)
  • When you are forgiven, you want to forgive