[pinkpanther]

If I were to borrow your car and immediately crash it, would it be an act of forgiveness if you punched me in the face? No, that would be seeking revenge. Would it be forgiveness if you made me pay for the repairs? No, that would mean I was facing consequences for my actions. Genuine forgiveness would involve choosing not to punish me (no vengeance) or requiring penance from me. Essentially, true forgiveness means taking on that responsibility yourself and covering the costs instead of placing it on me.

Now, considering that Christians believe sin is an offense against God (which is also a belief held by Muslims), and that only God can forgive sins, it stands to reason that only God can relieve us of the burden of our sins by taking it upon Himself. But what does that burden entail?

Romans 6:23a states, "For the wages of sin is death..."

This verse conveys two key points:

1. We deserve death because of our sinful nature.
2. To remove the consequence of our sins (i.e., death), forgiveness is necessary.
3. Forgiveness, in this context, requires someone to die in our stead.

In summary, it’s not that God demanded a human sacrifice; rather, in order to genuinely forgive us (and take on the punishment we deserve), He had to die. Jesus’ crucifixion wasn’t merely about God needing a human to pay for sin; it was God Himself offering His life in our place to satisfy the debt for our wrongs. This concept is echoed in Isaiah’s prophecy concerning the Messiah:

"But He was pierced for our transgressions;
He was crushed for our iniquities;
upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with His wounds we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on Him
the iniquity of us all." —Isaiah 53:6

God took on our sins, willingly choosing to die for us. He didn't select someone else like the time traveller Alisha...He chose Himself to bear that burden.

However, the Gospel offers more than just His sacrificial death—it also presents the hope of His resurrection. This is our assurance when we place our faith in Jesus: our own resurrection.