“Why Did Jesus Have to Die?” Sermon Series

Why Did Jesus Have to Die - asburylv page header

The crucifixion of Jesus stands at the heart of the Christian faith, yet it raises profound questions that many believers grapple with:

“Why did Jesus have to die?”
“Did God need for Jesus to suffer?”
“How does His death so long ago absolve us of our sins today?”

If you’ve ever wondered about these questions, simply said “I believe in the crucifixion, I just don’t fully understand it,” or had questions about the significance of Jesus’ death, join us for this six-week series as we explore the various theories of atonement and seek to understand the meaning of the crucifixion.

March 1, 2026 // The Crucifixion as God's Word // John 1:1, 14; 1 Corinthians 15:22, 45

For centuries, people have tried to explain the crucifixion—asking How does it work? or Why did Jesus have to die? But maybe we’re asking the wrong questions. Instead of looking at the cross as a formula to understand, what if we saw it as a message from God? What if the real question is: What is God trying to say to us through the crucifixion of Jesus?

March 8, 2026 // Penal Substitution or Selfless Offering? // Colossians 2:13-14; Hebrews 10:10-13

We all carry guilt and shame from our past—moments we regret, words we can’t take back, and actions we wish we could undo. But the cross reminds us that forgiveness isn’t something we earn—it’s something Jesus freely gave. No matter how deep our sins, God’s grace is deeper. He doesn’t want us to live in guilt but to walk in the freedom of His forgiveness, knowing that our sins were nailed to the cross once and for all.

March 15, 2026 // Passover, Covenant and Redemption // Exodus 12:21-22; Luke 22:19-20

For years, many have struggled to understand how Jesus’ death brings salvation. Rather than seeing the cross as a formula, we should ask: What is God saying to us? Through the lens of the Exodus story, the Passover lamb, and the covenants God made throughout history, we begin to see the cross as God’s ultimate declaration of love, redemption, and freedom.

March 22, 2026 // Selfishness or Selflessness? // Matthew 16:24; Ephesians 5:2, Galatians 2:20

Why did Jesus have to die? Rather than simply determining how the cross “works,” we need to shift the focus to what God is trying to say to us through it. Jesus' life, ministry, and, especially, His death, are God’s way of speaking truth, grace, and purpose into our lives.

March 29, 2026 // The Crucifixion and God’s Love // 1 John 4:8, John 3:16, John 15:13

The meaning of the cross is not as a transaction for God, but a message for us. The crucifixion was never about changing God's heart toward us, but changing our hearts toward Him. It was God's Word made flesh reaching its highest expression. Through Jesus’ suffering and death, God was declaring His deep, unfailing love for humanity.

April 5, 2026 // Easter - The Victory of Christ // Hebrews 2:14-15; 1 John 3:8; John 20:21

On Easter Sunday, we'll explore the powerful image of Christus Victor—Christ the Victor—who confronts and defeats the forces of evil on the cross. Through stories, scripture, and raw human experience, we’re reminded that Jesus didn’t just suffer for us, but with us, absorbing the weight of sin, pain, injustice, and death itself.