This question lies at the heart of Christianity: Why would an all-powerful God humble Himself to the point of death for our sins? To many, this seems unthinkable. But when we look closely at the Bible, we discover that this act is not a contradiction to God's greatness—it is a profound display of His love, justice, and mercy.


God made it Clear that No One can Pay for His/Her own wins

One of the many unique messages of the Bible is that humanity can never pay for its sins. No one is ever good enough to earn God's acceptance because a holy God cannot tolerate any form of sin. 

From the very beginning, God knew this, and the Old Testament reveals His plan to rescue us.

In Genesis 3, after Adam and Eve sinned, they tried to cover their shame with fig leaves. But God provided them with animal skins instead (Genesis 3:21), symbolizing that sin requires a costly payment—death. This pattern repeats throughout Scripture.

The Law given to Israel highlights humanity’s inability to fully obey God. The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) show God’s perfect standards, but no one could keep them perfectly. “There is no one who does good, not even one” (Psalm 14:3).

Sacrifices in the Temple pointed to the seriousness of sin. Leviticus 17:11 states, “For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves.” Yet these sacrifices were temporary. They could not remove sin permanently (Psalm 51:16-17).

God’s ultimate plan was foretold by the prophets. Isaiah 53:6 declares, “The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” God knew we couldn’t pay for our sins, so He provided the perfect substitute: the Messiah. This is the fulfillment of His mercy and justice. 


God’s Perfect Justice Demands Perfect Payment for Sin

The Bible reveals that God is perfectly holy and just. In His justice, God cannot ignore sin or let it go unpunished. Habakkuk 1:13 says, “Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing.”

Sin creates a separation between humanity and God, not only because it offends His holiness but because it demands a penalty. In the Torah (Old Testament), this principle is clearly illustrated. Leviticus 17:11 states, “It is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.” This idea shows the seriousness of sin—it leads to death (Genesis 2:17; Romans 6:23).

However, God’s justice is not the whole story. God is also a God of mercy, and His mercy finds a way to meet the demands of His justice.


God’s Perfect Mercy Provides a Perfect Substitute

In the Old Testament, we see God’s mercy in the sacrificial system He gave to Israel. The lamb sacrificed during Passover (Exodus 12) was a powerful picture of substitution: the lamb died so the people could live. But these sacrifices were only temporary—they pointed forward to something far greater.

The prophet Isaiah spoke of a coming Savior who would bear humanity’s sins. Isaiah 53:5 says, “He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.” This prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.


Why Jesus Had to Die

Jesus is unique. He is not merely a prophet or a righteous man; He is God in human form (John 1:1, 14). This is critical because only God Himself could bear the infinite weight of humanity’s sins and still conquer death.

  1. The Perfect Sacrifice: Jesus lived a sinless life, fulfilling the Law completely (Matthew 5:17). Unlike animal sacrifices, His life was pure and perfect, making Him the ultimate sacrifice for sin.

  2. The Infinite Payment: Because Jesus is God, His death has infinite value, sufficient to pay for all the sins of the world (John 3:16).

  3. A Personal Display of Love: Jesus’ death is not just about paying a debt; it’s a demonstration of God’s love for you personally. Romans 5:8 says, “God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”



The veil was torn into two, from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51)

When Jesus died on the cross, the Gospel of Matthew tells us that the veil of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51). This veil separated the Holy of Holies—the most sacred place in the temple—where only the high priest could enter, and only once a year, to offer sacrifices for the people's sins. The veil represented the barrier between a holy perfect God and sinful humanity.

The tearing of the veil at the moment of Jesus’ death is deeply significant. It symbolizes that through Jesus' sacrifice, the barrier between God and humanity was permanently removed. No longer is access to God restricted to a high priest. No longer the shedding of blood is required. Instead, through Jesus, everyone who believes in Him can now approach God directly.

The fact that the veil tore from top to bottom emphasizes that this was a divine act. God Himself tore the veil, showing that the separation caused by sin had been overcome through the death of Jesus. Jesus’ sacrifice provided the way for forgiveness, reconciliation, and a personal relationship with God.

Through Jesus, God reached out to humanity with a complete love, offering complete access and the assurance of salvation for all who believe in Him.



Why Didn’t God Just Forgive Without a Sacrifice?

Some may wonder why God didn’t simply forgive sin without requiring a sacrifice. Imagine a judge in a courtroom who lets a guilty criminal go free without any penalty. Would that judge be just? No. Justice requires that wrongs are addressed.

Similarly, God’s perfect justice demands that sin is dealt with. But here is the beauty: Instead of making us pay the penalty, He stepped in to pay it Himself.


What Does This Mean for You?

Because Jesus died and rose again, you can have complete assurance of forgiveness and salvation. In John 19:30, Jesus declared, “It is finished.” This means the debt of sin has been paid in full. You no longer need to strive to earn God’s favor—it is freely given through faith in Jesus.

This assurance is a promise of peace with God, something no human effort or ritual can achieve. Jesus invites you to come to Him, trust in His sacrifice, and experience this peace today.

God’s willingness to die for humanity’s sins is not a contradiction to His greatness but a profound expression of His love. It shows that God values you so much that He was willing to be merciful to all mankind. This incredible act of mercy brings together God’s perfect justice and perfect love together in a way that no human effort could ever achieve.

Will you accept this gift of forgiveness and eternal life? Jesus’ sacrifice offers a relationship with God that is full of love, peace, and the assurance of salvation. 

The choice is yours. God personal invitation to you: 

  • Isaiah 1:18: “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”
  • Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
  • John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
  • Revelation 3:20: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”