Why Did Jesus Die?

Was it a cosmic error?

Reflecting on this during Easter, it’s not easy to understand the significance of this event. Did Jesus, like so many other people, put himself in the crosshairs of corrupt political and religious rulers for a cause he believed in?

Or did Jesus make the ultimate sacrifice for what is called “penal substitution” for all of us? (That is, “You did wrong, now you must pay. So Jesus paid the debt.”)

Or was there more going on behind the curtains, such as ushering in a new spiritual domain (kingdom) of God?

Or locking up Satan (symbolically) and freeing those who died under the spell of the misdirection, illusions, and temptations that surround us?

Or did Jesus lack the power to prevent his own death?

Or did this somehow further the peace for which Jesus came?

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Bright New Day - Gemini — Bright New Day – Gemini

The ancient tradition of sacrifice

The ancients thought that if you committed a wrong act, then you must give up something of value. But first, you had to reconcile with whoever you had wronged. You had to make it right. We should do as much today.

Everyone sacrificed. If you offended God, you sacrificed. People are imperfect and can carry destructive guilt that interferes in relationships. Sacrifice was a way of “atoning,” that is, making amends or reconciling. A penalty (penal) was in order.

For the nation emerging during the time of Abraham, one lesson from Abraham’s experience was that sacrifice could not be of humans. Humans were sacrosanct. They were God’s creation and not to be taken lightly. Throwing them into the volcano was wrong. Carrying merciless guilt was wrong.

So for Abraham, killing a goat was the avenue God gave him for sacrifice. The penalty allowed a substitution: the goat. This was penal substitution.

The later Israelites (later Jews) had all kinds of rules for breaking the 613 commandments in their law. They had all kinds of sacrifices, including sacrifices of thankfulness, intended to bring individuals closer to God. These sacrifices were primarily offered by priests, and included animal, grain, and money offerings.

The end of sacrifice

“I want mercy, not sacrifice.” (Hosea 6:6, Matthew 9:13).

God has no need of burnt offerings. God wants mercy for His people. They were not to be mired in the guilt of wrongdoings. They were to be free. Imperfect, not held back by that.

The priests were mostly at the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. Had the Jewish Temple continued, it would be a large slaughterhouse for the millions of people in Israel and around the world.

The commandments and traditions of the fathers took precedence over the words of the prophets, no matter how true their sayings. They ignored the prophets and Jesus. The Sadducees, who were the ruling power in Jewish religion, sacrificed an animal in the Temple every day to ceremoniously atone for the sins of the nation and keep it in good standing with God.

Jesus indicated that He is the new Temple of God. He indicated that the Temple would be torn down. And in 68 and 128 AD, just as Jesus said, the Temple was destroyed by the Romans and the nation of Israel dispersed into hiding in the hills or into other nations.

Jesus told the people that for forgiveness, simply reconcile with others and ask God. No priest, Temple, or anything else was needed. Just ask God. The truth will set you free (John 8:31-32).

Being forgiven and living as Jesus showed us to live sets us free from the chains of wrongdoing that keep us mired in guilt and bad relationships, and from living lives that are fulfilling and happy. (Freedom Bible Verses.)

Jesus came to end sacrifice and set us free

Jesus had earthly power. His apostles carried knives for defense. They were willing to stand against the few Roman soldiers who came for Jesus.

Instead, Jesus knew that Judas would betray him and encouraged him to do it quickly. When His apostles reached for their knives, Jesus told them to stop. He went willingly to do what He knew He must do: end sacrifice and free the people from everlasting wrongdoing and guilt.

It was no mistake of history or lack of power. It was the ultimate demonstration of power by changing sacrifice forever, ending the tyranny of wrongdoing in people’s lives, ending the power of Satan’s spell on the people, and bringing people into the spiritual domain of God, which is now and forever.

Satan is defanged. The power of wrongdoing over us is finished. We are no longer to be held down by the grip of guilt. We’re free. “… through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.” Hebrews 2:14)

We celebrate the accomplishment of Jesus

Jesus triumphed over the power of wrongdoing to enslave us, over corrupt leaders who hold us back, over Satan’s evil spell of endless temptation and guilt, over the need to sacrifice. This is the peace and light load that Jesus brought to this world as a baby. We are no longer held back. We can thrive. We can have the abundant life Jesus promised.

We are set free! Celebrate our freedom.

“With hate, we have more to lose than gain – break the cycle” – Dorian Scott Cole

Probability Space

What probability spaces can we open in our minds to demonstrate the love of God and our own love of others, to help the world be a better place for all, so that people want to follow the Way Jesus showed us to live?

(A probability space is where all of the elements necessary for something to happen are present and it’s almost inevitable. All it takes is intention.)

Potential Space

If you think creatively and allow your mind to wander and explore, how can we help others understand the purpose of Jesus, the church, and keep it separated from government and radical religionists who want to keep us trapped by the guilt of wrongdoing?

Would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. This helps me improve my work.
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Below is information for church planning to minister to new generations, building a community of action, service opportunities, education opportunities for new generations, and descriptions of the author’s nonfiction books.

Some things that you might love

Would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. This helps me improve my work.

Please subscribe to my Patheos Newsletter.

Below is information for creating change in my new book, Unleash Movements that Matter: Break Through Barriers to Change.

My new book. Unleash Movements that Matter: Break Through Barriers to Change.

My new book, Unleash Movements that Matter: Break Through Barriers to Change, which I wrote for new generations, I research and explain in great detail what it takes to create change in our world. (An audio presentation is in progress.)

Ministering to New Generations – strong impact course

How can churches minister to new generations if they won’t come to church? The church has been losing people at 1% a year, and now most of new generations won’t come.

I developed and presented a course on understanding and working with new generations. I would like to say I had rave reviews, but on a scale of 1 to 5 it averaged 4.5. Well, some people were raving.

The course helps people understand new generations, their values, and their differences. It helps people understand how to build a bridge to them and minister to them. The old worn-out things we used to do don’t work, and for good reason. This solutions focused course enables people to find new ways, appropriate ways, to minister to these generations in their local circumstances. It’s for church groups and generates deep discussion.

Free video preview of the course

Course on Udemy: <a href=”https://www.udemy.com/course/understanding-and-working-with-new-generations/learn/lecture/46266901#overview”>Understanding and Working with New Generations</a>

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– Dorian

Our answer is God. God’s answer is us. Together we make the world better.

Restore and recreate. Take time to celebrate life. Laugh, sing, and dance regularly, even every day. Happy. This is why we dance to celebrate life: Reindeer actually running and dancing.

Building a Community of Action

New Way Forward community

Can we make positive change in our world and end a lot of suffering?

Helen Keller, who was both blind and deaf, said: “Although the world is full of suffering, it’s also full of the overcoming of it.”

The human spirit yearns for a world without suffering, but it’s through facing challenges that we progress. The world isn’t perfect, but together we can create a future with less hardship. Famine, discrimination, gun violence, and injurious economic and educational disparities are complex problems, yet understanding their root causes empowers us to find solutions.

Launching in first quarter 2025, the New Way Forward community will connect individuals seeking practical solutions and creating lasting change. We’ll focus on understanding problems and their solutions, and how to effectively create change.

Join us in building a brighter tomorrow! New Way Forward on Facebook.

Civic service opportunities

Do Unto Others Kindness Campaign, and civic engagement.

UCC service opportunities.

PC USA programs and services.

United Methodist Church Volunteer Opportunities.

Join or support Zero Hour and amplify the voices of youth organizing for climate action.

Peoples Hub. Resistance, Resilience, Restoration, Re-imagination. Online Popular Education. For movement workers to learn, connect, collaborate, and strategize – in and across the disability justice and solidarity economy movements.

Stakeholder Capitalism – a video podcast series from the World Economic Forum. Can capitalism be made to work for all of us – and to improve rather than destroy the state of the planet?

General service and aid opportunities (on One Spirit Resources Website). To add your service opportunity to the One Spirit Resources list, contact the author (me) through Facebook Messenger. Note that I only friend people I know.

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Education Opportunities for new generations

Becoming an Entrepreneur – MITx online

Evaluating Social Programs – MITx online

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Bible scripture verses are New American Standard Version (NASB), unless noted.

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Author and books

New Generations Walk with Jesus: Newer generations feel unloved, alone, lost, stressed, and are searching for a deeper spiritual connection that they don’t find in the church. This book draws on fifty years of the author’s quest to understand people, religion, and spirituality, and his work with many denominations. It provides a deep analysis of pressing questions these generations have, without denominational baggage.

Appease the Volcano: What does God require from people? The voices of the ancients from many religions echo much of the same things: It starts with law, then mercy and forgiveness, then love. Love is a major emphasis in all major religions and replaces law.

The Prophetic Pattern: Ancient and Modern Prophecy: How to distinguish the intent of various types of prophecies and oracles, both ancient and modern.

Preparing For the Future Of Work and Education: Analysis of the kinds of jobs that AI and Robotics will displace, and the educational requirements for them. AI will replace or augment thirty percent of jobs. This is an in-depth analysis citing many authoritative sources.

Author Website: Dorian Scott Cole