Did Jesus Really Have To Die?

Then Jesus said to them, ‘I shall be

with you a little while longer, and then

I go to Him who sent Me. You will seek Me

and cannot find Me,

and where I am you cannot come.”

John 7:33-34

            Jesus Christ had to die! According to the laws of the Roman Empire Jesus had to die for He said that He was a king, or at least He said that Pilate called Him a king: “And they began to accuse Him, saying, ‘We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.’ “Then Pilate asked Him, saying, ‘Are You the King of the Jews?’ “He answered him and said, ‘It is as you say” (Luke 23:2–3). Is this what Jesus said that we are not to pay taxes to Caesar? No! ‘Show Me the tax money. “ So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, ‘Whose image and inscription is this?’ “They said to Him, ‘Caesar’s.’ “And He said to them, ‘Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s’” (Matthew 22:20–21). They lied! We are to give to Caesar that which belongs to Caesar, yet, there are many who claim to be Christian and hide income by being paid under the table, or paying workers, under the table. They travel in their vehicles, (airplanes excluded) faster than the posted speed limit. Yet, the law, Caesar’s Law that is not opposed to God’s law is a speed limit. So many travel as though the devil was chasing them and with a sign of the fish known as a Christian sign, or the words: Jesus loves on the back window, or bumper sticker. Some witness that is! Did not Jesus say to give to Caesar what belong to Caesar? Yes! Yes, Jesus had to die and when the Pharisees and chief priests heard the crowd murmuring they sent officers to take Him. (John 7:32), Many people had come to believe in Him, but this belief was superficial at best for they were still looking for signs, more signs that what Jesus had done: “And many of the people believed in Him, and said, ‘When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these which this man has done” (Mathew 7:31)? Today, there are many denominations within the Christian Religion that are seeking more signs, more revelations, more of everything as though those signs done by Jesus were not enough for faith. These sign seekers are seeking Jesus Christ in those signs they perceive as what they were and are supposed to accomplish as though by those signs people will come to belief. Signs and wonders are the “buzz” word of the day, speaking in some gibberish tongue as though they have some special revelation from God, as though with them is the Christ: but is this true? “”Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, “Look He is there!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect” (Mark 13:21–22). Don’t be deceived and follow after signs and wonders. Follow God, and do that which a true Christian will do: keep the commandments of God and those commands: i.e., speed limits, and keeping your lives free from doing wrong for a Christian has the Holy Spirit to aid us in doing so, but too often we park the Holy Spirit outside the door while we sin and this willfully.

            Yes, Jesus had to die by the secular law of Rome and He came to die for a purpose larger than the laws of Rome. He came to save the lost, the elect, and this gathering will occur when Jesus comes back to earth on the Last Day: “And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven” (Mark 13:27). This coming of Jesus occurred at Hs virgin birth and His coming again is a promise a promise that God would send “Shiloh” the Messiah. This is for us a promise that should cause us to obey Him: “”The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people” (Genesis 49:10). We are to be obedient and leave the consequences to God.

            Satan was waiting for Jesus to die, because he thought this to be the doom of Jesus, the Messiah. We can read Revelation chapter 12 where John wrote to this very fact. Satan thought by this very act upon the cross whereby Jesus died would be for him to annihilate the counsel and purpose of God. Satan thought this death of Jesus would end the blessing given to Abraham: “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice” (Genesis 22:18). The long awaited hope of the Jews or the Messiah was in their midst and yet they did not fully understand this fact. Furthermore, when Jesus said that He was going away and they could not find Him; this raise more concern and confusion. How is it possible for a person seeking Jesus and cannot find Him? You may ask this very question. The Greek is clear on this subject of not being able to find Jesus even though you seek Him. The Greek of John 7:34: ζητήσετέ με καὶ οὐχ εὑρήσετέ, καὶ ὅπου εἰμὶ ἐγὼ ὑμεῖς οὐ δύνασθε ἐλθεῖν. I reddened the important Greek word: δύνασθε, this means not to have the power, so a person even though seeking Jesus cannot find Him for they do not have the power that gives the ability to find Him. How then can anyone find Him? Great question! “On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘ if anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink (cf. Isaiah 55:1). He who believes in Me, as the Scripture ahs said, out of his heart will flow rives of living water” (John 7:37–38).

            You can find Jesus and this by the enabling and drawing of God (John chapter 6). Are seeking Him with a thirst to know Him? If so then you will live forever for out of you will flow living waters.

And he showed me a pure

            River of water of life,

Clear as crystal, proceeding

            From the throne of God

And of he Lamb.

                        Revelation 22:1

Praise God for He has save you

Richard L. Crumb