Why did Jesus Die on the Cross? – God Ordained It

1. Read: 1 Corinthians 2:7-8 – “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”

2. About the Text:

1) Paul is writing about God’s wisdom vs. man’s wisdom.

2) He speaks about not knowing anything except Christ and Him crucified (2:2).

3) Only God’s wisdom would send His Son, Jesus (also God Himself), to the cross.

4) If mankind had known God’s mind, they would not have crucified Jesus.

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. Galatians 4:4-5 – “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”

2. Ephesians 3:11 – “according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord”

3. 2 Timothy 1:9 – “who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,”

4. 1 Peter 1:18-20 – “you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.”

1. John 5:30 – “I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.”

2. John 8:29 – “And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.”

3. Hebrews 10:8-10 – “Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

4. Luke 22:42 – “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”

5. Hebrews 5:8-9 – “though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.”

1. Jesus told the disciples what He must do – “From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day” (Matthew 16:21).

2. Matthew 26:53 – “Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?”

3. Philippians 2:5-8 – Read.

4. John 10:17-18 – “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

5. Titus 2:13-14 – “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”

6. Jesus’ offering was a free-will offering.

1. Why did Jesus die on the cross? God ordained it in His wisdom!

1) It was part of God’s eternal purpose.

2) It was the Father’s will.

3) It was Jesus will.

2. Why did they will this?

1) Hebrews 2:10 – “For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.”

2) 1 Timothy 2:4-6 – “who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time”

3. Invitation