Crucifixion

[PeteZaHut]

I am a little confused about the crucifixion. I don’t really understand how Christ’s death atones for our sins. I know that Christ’s death was a sacrifice, and since he was God, that sacrifice was infinite and could redeem all of us. What I don’t get is why a human sacrifice would be pleasing to God. Or is it that it is not necessarily pleasing, but just that there is punishment owed for sin?

Also, if it was wrong for the people to put Jesus to death, was sin necessary for our redemption? What if those people had chosen not to sin, and Christ was not put to death. Would we not have been redeemed?

 

[Nita]

I am a little confused about the crucifixion. I don’t really understand how Christ’s death atones for our sins. I know that Christ’s death was a sacrifice, and since he was God, that sacrifice was infinite and could redeem all of us. What I don’t get is why a human sacrifice would be pleasing to God. Or is it that it is not necessarily pleasing, but just that there is punishment owed for sin?

It was Our Lord’s obedience, even unto death, that atoned for the sin/disobedience of man. Note how Jesus never once disobeyed a commandment of the OT, or any of His further teachings (eg. sermon on the mount), throughout the whole process of His arrest, passion and crucifixion. Jesus followed God’s will even tho to do so would cause Him to suffer death by crucifixion. It was His obedience, actually carried out to that degree, that atones for our sins. It is a supreme offering of love (love of God, and love of mankind) made by Jesus to God for us.

Also, if it was wrong for the people to put Jesus to death, was sin necessary for our redemption? What if those people had chosen not to sin, and Christ was not put to death. Would we not have been redeemed?

No, it was not necessary in the sense that God could not have saved us in some other way. If those people had chosen not to sin and put Christ to death, God would no doubt have redeemed us in some other manner. I say this because it is obvious that God willed to redeem us, and what He wills to do, He does.

 

[Della]

I am a little confused about the crucifixion. I don’t really understand how Christ’s death atones for our sins. I know that Christ’s death was a sacrifice, and since he was God, that sacrifice was infinite and could redeem all of us. What I don’t get is why a human sacrifice would be pleasing to God. Or is it that it is not necessarily pleasing, but just that there is punishment owed for sin?

Since a human being offended God it was only right that a human being satisfy the offense. St. Paul tells us that Christ is the Second Adam who corrected the fault and paid the offense of Adam’s race.

Also, if it was wrong for the people to put Jesus to death, was sin necessary for our redemption? What if those people had chosen not to sin, and Christ was not put to death. Would we not have been redeemed?

Yes, it was wrong of them to do what they did, but God did not compel them to do it. Rather, he knew they would reject his Christ and put him to death. Ironically, and mercifully for them, Christ’s death atoned for their sin, too. He made this abundantly clear when he asked his Father not to lay the sin to their charge.

 

[Nita]

I would suggest reading the Catechism of the Catholic Church regarding Jesus’ redemptive offering - CCC #595-618. Here is a link to that section if you don’t have a Catechism.

vatican.va/archive/catechism/p122a4p2.htm

A couple examples:
#606 The Son of God, who came down "from heaven, not to do [his] own will, but the will of him who sent [him], said on coming into the world, “Lo, I have come to do your will, O God”.

#616 It is love “to the end” that confers on Christ’s sacrifice its value as redemption and reparation, as atonement and satisfaction. …