25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because, in his divine forbearance, he had passed over former sins.
26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith.
28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.
29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also,
30 since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.
31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.
Romans 3:25-31, ESV
When asked why Jesus died on the cross, most Christians would answer something about our sins being forgiven. And while that is a correct answer, it is not a full answer. I would love to compile a list of scripture speaking to the “why” of Jesus dying on the cross, but today we are looking specifically at this passage from Romans 3. And in it, we see reasons that do not revolve around us.
It’s important to note two things:
- God put Jesus forward as payment for His wrath.
- It was to show God’s righteousness.
YES, there are many other reasons, but why aren’t these near the top of our personal lists of answers?
The sacrifice required blood, and the gift requires our faith in Jesus.