The movie “Baahubali: The Beginning” in 2015 left the audience with a burning question, “Why Kattappa killed Baahubali?” The media has created so much hype on this question all over India and beyond that crowds have flocked to watch the recent release of “Baahubali 2: The Conclusion.” They were eager to find an answer to this mystery. This movie is said to have made an all-time record in the Indian film industry.
Multitudes of people have found an answer to their long awaited question after watching the movie, but what happened after that? They all went back to their usual routine of life. It did not make any difference in their lives, except that it brought some momentary thrill to their emotions and millions of money to the makers of the movie.
I still do not know why Kattappa killed Baahubali. And even if I come to know, it may satisfy my fleeting curiosity, but it is in no way going to change my life. It is not a question of utmost importance.
However, there is a question more important than “Why Kattappa killed Baahubali?” It is, “Why was Jesus killed?” Unlike the question in the Baahubali movie, this is a real question, for Jesus was really killed on the cross. This is not an entertaining idea, but an eternal truth. The importance and seriousness of this question cannot be exaggerated. This is the question that can change your life for eternity.
Before going further, it should be noted that although it was the joint effort of both Jews and Romans in putting Jesus to death, the Lord Jesus voluntarily surrendered Himself to be killed by them. He asserted, “I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again” (Jn. 10:17, 18).
Moreover, His death did not take Him by surprise, for the Lord Jesus predicted His own death before He was killed: “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise” (Mk. 9:31).
But, why was Jesus killed? Author John Piper wrote the book "50 Reasons Why Jesus Came To Die". This article briefly presents three reasons why Jesus was killed. Or, it may be more appropriate to ask, “Why did Jesus voluntarily lay His life on the cross?”
1. JESUS DIED ON THE CROSS TO RECONCILE US TO THE TRUE, LIVING GOD
The Holy Scripture discloses that there is only One, True, Living God who is Self- Existent, Creator, Infinite, Sovereign, Unchanging, Incomparable, Holy, Loving, Personal, and Eternal (Exo. 3:14; Ps. 71:16; 86:8; 115:15; 147:5; Heb. 13:8; 1 Pet. 1:16; 1 Jn. 4:16; Isa. 40:11; 1 Tim. 1:17).
At one time the human race knew this God intimately, but through sin, all mankind became separated from God. Man in his sinful state has lost the godly knowledge and relationship with this wonderful God, consequently becoming His enemy.
However, “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). Christ died so that we would be reconciled to God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and walk in intimate fellowship with Him (Rom. 5:10; 1 Pet. 3:18).
2. JESUS DIED ON THE CROSS FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF OUR SINS
The Holy Scripture declares that all have sinned and that the wages of sin is death (Rom. 3:23; 6:23).
In order to save us from this eternal death, “He (Jesus) appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin” (1 Jn. 3:5). “He was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities” (Isa. 53:5). “He (Jesus) has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself” (Heb. 9:26).
Since Christ died for the sins of people, our sins are forgiven only in Christ, for He alone sacrificed His life on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins.
3. JESUS DIED ON THE CROSS TO GIVE US ETERNAL LIFE
The Holy Scripture says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). When we repent of our sins and trust in Christ, God forgives our sins in Christ, our penalty for sin is blotted out and we receive the gift of eternal life. In Christ Jesus, instead of eternal death, there is eternal life.
Stated another way, if the wages of sin is eternal death for sinners, then the wages of Christ’s death is eternal life for those who believe in Him. Christ Jesus died and rose from the dead so that those who believe in Him will also rise from the dead to eternal life. In His own words, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live...Do you believe this?” (Jn. 11:25-26)
CONCLUSION
Dear friend, “Why was Jesus killed?” is the most important question on the face of the earth. It is so important because the eternal destiny of your life (and of everyone) is hinged upon your acceptance or rejection of what Jesus did on the cross for the forgiveness of your sins. Would you call upon Jesus with repentance for the forgiveness of your sins and for the gift of eternal life? Assuredly, you will be amazed to see yourself changed, not merely for a moment, but forever.
Related Articles:
___________________________Enquiries:
messageforourage@gmail.com
