John 19:16-37, "Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led <him> away. {17} And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called <the place> of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: {18} Where they crucified him, and two others with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. {19} And Pilate wrote a title, and put <it> on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. {20} This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, <and> Greek, <and> Latin. {21} Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. {22} Pilate answered, What I have written I have written. {23} Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also <his> coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. {24} They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did. {25} Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the <wife> of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. {26} When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman , behold thy son! {27} Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own <home>. {28} After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. {29} Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put <it> upon hyssop, and put <it> to his mouth. {30} When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. {31} The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and <that> they might be taken away. {32} Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. {33} But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: {34} But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. {35} And he that saw <it> bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. {36} For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. {37} And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced."

A. Our study today is --- to every Bible-loving, born again, truly saved person --- the Most Precious of All Subjects.

1. That He Died is an Historic Fact --- but there are many "views", "ideas", "interpretations." and "theories" as to Why He Died.

2. God's Word is explicit that Christ Died For Us!

3. Isaiah 53:5-6, "But he <was> wounded for our transgressions, <he was> bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace <was> upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. {6} All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."

4. John 1:29, "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."

5. Rom. 5:6, "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." --- V. 10, "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life."

6. 1 Cor. 15:3, "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;"

7. 2 Cor. 5:21, "For he hath made him <to be> sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."

8. Gal. 3:13, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed <is> every one that hangeth on a tree:"

9. Heb. 9:26, "For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself."

10. 1 Peter 3:18, "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:"

B. Positively --- The Death of Our Lord Was Unique And Deeply Significant --- The Death of The Lord Jesus Was:

1. Pre-determined --- In Eternity

Acts 4:26-28, 1 Peter 1:19-20, Rev. 13:8

2. Predicted --- In The Old Testament

Gen. 3:15, Isa. 53, Luke 24:25-27, Acts 10:43

3. Pictured --- In The Types

Gen. 22, Exo. 12

4. Prominent --- In The Gospels

Matt. 27:45-50, Mark 15:33-41, Luke 23:44-49, John 19:30-37

5. Predominant --- In The Epistles

Rom. 5, 6, 1 Cor. 1:23, Gal. 1:4, Heb. 9:26, 1 Peter 2:21-24

6. Principal --- Theme In Heaven

Rev. 1:5-7, 5:6-12

7. Permanent --- Theme-Song of The Ages

Rev. 5:9-12

C. Negatively --- "Why Did Jesus Die?"

1. He did not die a Suicide's Death --- Isa. 53:8

2. He did not die of Old Age, Accident or Disease.

--- John 10:18

3. He did not die as a Political Hero --- Luke 24:21

4. He did not die simply as an Example --- John 15:13

5. He did not die simply as a Martyr --- Acts 7:54-60

6. He did not die simply to show God's Love --- Rom. 5:8

7. He did not die because He Was A Sinner --- Luke 23:4

I. The Lord Jesus Came Into The World To Die.

A. His death Was A Necessity.

Heb. 9:22, "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."

B. Jesus was Not Surprised or Disappointed when He found He must die --- He knew it from the beginning.

Matt. 16:21, "From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day."

C. It was Planned In Eternity Past.

Rev. 13:8, "And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."

II. The Lord Jesus Died Willingly, Voluntarily.

John 10:18, "No man taketh 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 commandment have I received of my Father."

Matt. 26:53, "Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?"

III. The Lord Jesus Died As A Sacrifice For Sin, As The Sin-Bearer, & As A Sin-Offering, To Put Away Sin.

Isa. 53:5-6, "But he <was> wounded for our transgressions, <he was> bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace <was> upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. {6} All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."

John 1:29, "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."

1 Cor. 15:3, "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;"

2 Cor. 5:21, "For he hath made him <to be> sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."

Heb. 9:26, "For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself."

1 Peter 2:24, "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed."

IV. The Lord Jesus Died As Our Substitute, Bearing The Penalty Belonging To Each of Us.

A. Yes, it was For Us, that He hung and suffered there.

Isa. 53:5, "But he <was> wounded for our transgressions, <he was> bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace <was> upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."

John 10:11, "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."

1 Peter 3:18, "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:"

B. Thus, we see Why God Has Not dealt with us according to our sins.

1. Psa. 103:10, "He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities."

2. He has fully, finally and justly dealt with our sin (and our sins) in the Person and through the sacrificial death of His Son.

3. The Innocent Victim took the place of the Guilty Sinner.

1 Peter 2:24, "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed."

C. It is by believing this that we are saved.

Acts 16:30-31, "And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? {31} And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."

John 1:12, "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, <even> to them that believe on his name:"

V. The Death of The Lord Jesus Was Victorious.

A. John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

B. 1 John 2:2, "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for <the sins of> the whole world."

C. John 9:32-38, "Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. {33} If this man were not of God, he could do nothing. {34} They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out. {35} Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? {36} He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? {37} And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. {38} And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him."