Question 24: Why was it necessary for Christ, the Redeemer, to die?

Answer: Since death is the punishment for sin, Christ died willingly in our place to deliver us from the power and penalty of sin and bring us back to God. By His substitutionary atoning death, He alone redeems us from hell and gains for us forgiveness of sin, righteousness, and everlasting life.

Kids Answer: Christ died willingly in our place to deliver us from the power and penalty of sin and bring us back to God.

Key Scripture: Colossians 1:21-22

Additional Scripture: Colossians 2:16; Hebrews 4:16; 1 John 4:10

The death of Jesus is maybe the most theologically loaded concept in all of Christianity. When Christ died He bore the wrath of God for your sin upon Himself. When Christ died He paid the debt that you owed to God on account of your sins. When Christ died He gave to you His own righteousness. When Christ died He broke the power of the Law to condemn you. When Christ died He made it possible for you to approach the throne of God. In short, everything you owed was put on Christ and everything Christ owned was put on you. In the words of Charles Spurgeon, “You stand before God as if you were Christ because Christ stood before God as if He were you.”

Questions to ask: (To help process the truth we learned. Ask yourself, a friend, your group, or your family questions to talk through it together)

• What does it mean that Christ bore God’s wrath?

• Why does it matter that Christ gave you His righteousness?

• WhIs there anything else that Christ did on the cross?