Theology of Sacrifice

When someone asks a Christian, "why did Jesus have to die?" the response is typically one of two things: 1) "because there had to be a sacrifice for sin;" or 2) "because God loved us." Or when you read Chapter 3, verse 16 of the Book of John in the Bible, there are two ways to read it: 1) For God so loved the world that he gave his only son so that whoever believes in Him would not perish, but have eternal life; or 2) For God so loved the world that he gave his only son so that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have eternal life. Why do you think Jesus died? Where do you put the emphasis in the verse, John 3:16?

Imagine being a son who has a very wealthy father and you work your fingers to the bone in hopes of winning his approval. Then you have your younger brother leave the family early with his inheritance and squander it on fast living. But your brother comes back hat-in-hand and your father lavishes more riches on him. How would you feel. Angry? Bitter? Absolutely.

Your father sees your emotion and you tell him about your sacrifice and lack of reward. He responds with, "but I never asked you to sacrifice. You are always with me and everything I have is yours. You could have just asked for whatever you wanted and I would have given it to you; no sacrifice required." Then how sad and frustrated would you be at your "wasted" sacrifice.

The only sacrifice that the Christian God asks of people is a "broken and contrite heart." He wants us to acknowledge that we need Him. He wants us to love Him and know His love. There is no other sacrifice required. As was the elder son with his father, we are always with God and everything He has is ours.