Understanding the Sacrifice Through Bible Verses on Why Jesus Died for Us
Parents, as our children grow, they start asking profound questions, such as why the sky is blue or why birds fly. Among the more profound questions they might ask, especially if you’re raising them in the Christian faith, is “Why did Jesus die for us?” While it’s a deep and complex topic, it’s essential to find simple and relatable ways to answer them.
You might be wondering: how can I explain this concept to my child? What Bible verses can I use to guide them? Well, that’s exactly what we’ll explore today. We’ll discuss some key Bible verses on why Jesus died for us and break them down into simple terms.
1. To Forgive Our Sins:
The most direct reason Jesus died on the cross was to forgive our sins. Every human being makes mistakes. These mistakes are called ‘sins’ in the Bible.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:23
This verse tells us that the consequence of our mistakes (sins) is spiritual death, but God offers us eternal life instead. How? Through Jesus. When Jesus died on the cross, he took the punishment we deserved for our mistakes so that we could be forgiven and have a relationship with God.
2. To Show God’s Great Love:
You know how much you love your child, right? Well, God’s love for us is even greater. In fact, it’s so big that He sent Jesus, His only Son, to die for us.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
This might be one of the most famous Bible verses. It emphasizes how much God loves us. He loved us so much that He gave us Jesus to save us from our mistakes.
3. To Make Us Family:
God wants to be close to us. He wants us to be part of His family. When Jesus died for us, He made that possible.
“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,” – John 1:12
When we believe in Jesus and what He did for us, we become part of God’s big family. Just like when you adopt a pet, and it becomes part of your family, God adopts us into His family.
4. To Show Us the Right Path:
Jesus didn’t just die for our mistakes. He also showed us how to live. By following Jesus’ teachings, we learn how to love, be kind, and help others.
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6
Jesus is like a big brother, guiding us, and showing us the right path. When we follow Him, we’re walking on the best path for our lives.
5. To Defeat Death:
Death can be a scary thought. But because of Jesus, we don’t have to be afraid.
“For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.” – 1 Corinthians 15:21
When Jesus died on the cross, it wasn’t the end of His story. Three days later, He came back to life! This shows us that with God, there’s always hope, and death isn’t the end.
6. To Heal Our Hearts:
Sometimes, we feel hurt inside. Maybe we’re sad, lonely, or scared. Jesus understands these feelings. By dying on the cross, He provided a way for our hearts to heal.
“But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds, we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:5
This verse tells us that Jesus took all our pain, sadness, and mistakes upon Himself. When we believe in Him, He gives us peace and heals our hurt.
7. To Show Unconditional Love:
This verse is a reminder of God’s unconditional love.
“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
Jesus didn’t wait for us to become perfect; He died for us while we were still flawed, showing that His love doesn’t depend on our perfection.
8. To Show Purpose:
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.” – 1 Peter 3:18
Here, the focus is on the purpose of Jesus’ sacrifice: to reconcile us with God. His suffering was not in vain; it was a path to bring us closer to the divine.
Reflecting on the Impact
Understanding why Jesus died for us isn’t just about knowing the verses; it’s about feeling their impact on our lives. As moms, we can draw strength from these words. They remind us that we’re loved unconditionally, that we’re forgiven, and that we have a constant source of hope. In our daily challenges, these verses can be a source of comfort, guiding us through tough times and reminding us of the love that surrounds us.
Bringing It Into Our Daily Life
How can we keep these verses alive in our day-to-day lives? It might be as simple as starting our day with a moment of reflection or sharing these verses with our children as a way to teach them about love and forgiveness. In moments of doubt or struggle, recalling these verses can offer a beacon of light, reminding us of the bigger picture and the love that holds us.
When your child asks why Jesus died for us, you can say:
- To forgive our mistakes: Jesus took the punishment for our wrongs.
- Because God loves us so much: He gave us Jesus to show His love.
- To make us part of His family: When we believe in Jesus, we’re adopted into God’s family.
- To guide us: Jesus shows us the best way to live.
- To defeat death: Jesus came back to life to give us hope.
- To heal our hearts: Jesus understands our pain and offers healing.
These Bible verses on why Jesus died for us help us understand God’s love and plan for our lives. Remember, when explaining to your child, keep it simple and relatable. Just like you’d explain why it’s essential to wear a coat in the cold or look both ways before crossing the street, explain the love and sacrifice of Jesus in a way they can understand.
The ESV Student Study Bible is a great choice for your child who wants to explore the Bible more. It’s packed with easy-to-understand notes, colorful maps, and interesting facts that make the Bible come alive.
Up next, learn more about the circumstances that led to the death of Jesus in my article: Teaching Kids About Why Jesus Was Crucified and What It Means.
