Jesus died so we could live. His death on Calvary's cross was not an accident or a surprise to God. It was an absolute necessity in His plan for our salvation.

The Lord declared that death is the penalty for those who sin (Gen. 2:17), and every person since Adam and Eve has sinned (Rom. 3:23). Yet, in love He longed to rescue us. God could not merely say, "I feel sorry for you. I love you. I will just save you, overlook your sin, and forget about it." No, an absolutely holy and just God could not treat sin so lightly. The penalty for sin must be paid; guilt must be removed.

Here's the marvel of it all: Jesus Christ, God's Son, took our sin, carried it to Calvary, paid the penalty, and rose on the third day. Jesus, the absolutely sinless One, bore the guilt of our sin, as predicted by the prophet Isaiah (Isa. 53). His resurrection was the proof that the Father accepted His sacrifice and that justice was done.

That was 2,000 years ago, long before you and I were born. It was all prepared by God. It was all of grace. All we have to do is receive what He has prepared. God's offer today is "that whoever believes in [Jesus] should not perish but have everlasting life" (Jn. 3:16).

Do you have everlasting life? That's why He died.  — M.R. De Haan