Bree
Active Member
- Why did Jesus have to suffer and die to redeem humans? Why didn’t God just cancel the death sentence?
God’s law states that “the wages sin pays is death.” (Romans 6:23) Rather than hide this law from Adam, God told him that the penalty for disobedience would be death. (Genesis 3:3) When Adam sinned, God, “who cannot lie,” kept his word. (Titus 1:2) Adam passed on to his descendants not only sin but also the wages of sin—death.
Although sinful humans deserve the penalty of death, God extended to them “the riches of his undeserved kindness.” (Ephesians 1:7) His provision to redeem mankind—sending Jesus as a perfect sacrifice—was both profoundly just and supremely merciful.
- When did Jesus die?
Jesus died at “the ninth hour” from sunrise, or at about three o’clock in the afternoon of the Jewish Passover. (Mark 15:33-37, footnote) That date corresponds to Friday, April 1, 33 C.E., according to modern calendars.
- Where did Jesus die?
Jesus was executed at “the so-called Skull Place, which is called Golʹgo·tha in Hebrew.” (John 19:17, 18) This site was “outside the city gate” of Jerusalem in Jesus’ day. (Hebrews 13:12) It may have been on a hill, since the Bible says that some observed Jesus’ execution “from a distance.” (Mark 15:40) However, the present location of Golgotha cannot be determined with certainty.
- How did Jesus die?
Although many believe that Jesus was crucified—executed on a cross—the Bible reports: “His own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree.” (1 Peter 2:24, King James Version) Bible writers used two Greek words to refer to the instrument of Jesus’ execution—stau·rosʹ and xyʹlon. Many scholars have concluded that these words refer to a beam or an upright stake made of one piece of wood.
- How should Jesus’ death be remembered?
On the night of the annual Jewish Passover, Jesus instituted a simple procedure with his followers and commanded them: “Keep doing this in remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians 11:24) Hours later, Jesus was put to death.
Bible writers compared Jesus to the lamb sacrificed at the Passover. (1 Corinthians 5:7) Just as the Passover celebration reminded the Israelites that they had been freed from slavery, so the Memorial of Jesus Christ’s death reminds Christians that they have been freed from sin and death. The Passover, held on Nisan 14 according to the lunar calendar, was a yearly celebration; the early Christians likewise observed the Memorial once each year.
Annually, on the date corresponding to Nisan 14, millions of people worldwide commemorate Jesus’ death.
For more on this topic, visit our website www.jw.org