That Jesus came to this earth 2,000 years ago is an incontrovertible fact of human history. All of human history is measured by that time in which he came. All time before Christ’s coming is referred to as BC or “before Christ.” All time after is referred to as AD in the Latin or “since the coming of Christ.” All four gospel writers — Matthew, Mark, Luke and John — document that Jesus came into the world. Matthew and John were eyewitnesses of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. As they wrote their gospel records they wrote as they who personally saw and heard the Lord Jesus. Two other gospel writers — Mark and Luke — researched the matter and interviewed eyewitnesses and recorded their findings. Reliable historians like Josephus and Tacitus documented the coming of Jesus Christ as a genuine historical figure who lived upon this earth. The fact is undeniable that Jesus came into the world. Even other religions acknowledge this fact. The Muslims believe the historical Jesus came. Virtually all acknowledge that Jesus came to this earth 2,000 years ago.

The real issue is not, “Did he come?” The true issue is, “How did he come and why did he come?” Why did Jesus come as he did? Why did he come as the God-Man? Why the incarnation? Why the virgin birth? Jesus had always been eternally God through all the ages past. Why did he become fully man while at the same time remaining fully God? Why did deity add sinless humanity to become the God-Man?

The answers to these questions are found in Hebrews 2:10-13. The testimony of Scripture is abundantly clear. Jesus became what we are so that we might become what he is. He became like us so that we could become like him. He was made in our image that we might be remade in his image. He took on human nature that we might take on the divine nature. The son of God became the son of man so that sons of men might become the sons of God. Specifically, Jesus became a man so he could die. God cannot die. God is immortal. God is eternal spirit without beginning or end. Yet the Bible says the wages of sin is death. Our sin demands death. In order for Jesus to become your savior he had to become man so he could die. Jesus as God could offer an infinite sacrifice. Jesus as man could die for our sins. Hebrews 9:10-13 describes the death of Jesus for our sins. Six words describe this death.

A self-initiating death. Verse 9 reads, “…so that by the grace of God he (Jesus) might taste death for everyone….” What motivated this death? What was pushing him to the cross? What impelled him all the way to Calvary? It was “by the grace of God that he tasted death for us.” It was not our goodness. It was his grace that motivated him and drew him to the cross. His grace is synonymous with his love and with his mercy and with his compassion. It’s been said, “God does not love us because we are valuable. We are valuable because God loves us.” Jesus loved us because he is a God of love.

A substitutionary death. “…so that he might taste death for everyone…” (verse 9). The word for means “for the sake of, for the benefit of, in the place of, on behalf of another.” He died on our behalf. He died for my sake. He died for your benefit. 1 Corinthians 15:3 says, “Christ died for our sins.” Galatians 1:4 reads, “Jesus Christ gave himself for our sins.” Galatians 2:20 proclaims, “Jesus Christ, God’s Son, gave himself up for me.” John 10 verse 11 says, “The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.”

Salvation becomes real when you realize that Jesus did not die simply for a world of lost sinners but that he died for you upon the cross. He bore my sin upon that tree.

A suitable death. Verse 10 begins, “For it was fitting for him…” This death was in accordance with God’s character. There is no greater display of the character and attributes of God than at the cross. The character of God comes shining through in a prism of many colors. You will not see a greater display of the holiness of God then when you look at the cross. There is no greater display of God’s anger and hatred toward sin than at the cross. Of course, the cross is the greatest display of God’s love. He sent his only son to die for us.

A saving death. “…to bring many sons to glory…” (verse 10). This is the accomplishment of God’s work upon the cross. Jesus did not die in vain. We can not get to heaven on our own. We must be brought by God. Jesus bought us with his blood.

A severe death. The author of Hebrews continues, “…to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings” (verse 10). It was painless for Jesus to speak this world into existence. It was painless for him to hang the stars and to put the sun in its place. But the work of his new creation came at an extraordinary price. The crown of thorns was crushed into his skull. His face was so disfigured he no longer resembled a member of the human race. They plucked his beard until there was no skin left upon his cheeks. The cat o’nine tails left chunks of flesh hanging like strings of ribbon. He was nailed to the cross. He drank the bitter cup of our sin. The more Jesus suffered the more committed he became to the will of his father.

A sanctifying death. Verse 11 says, “For both he who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason he is not ashamed to call them brethren.”

There is no power like the power of the cross. The work of Jesus shattered the power of sin. He is not ashamed to call us brethren. Jesus will welcome us into his presence in heaven.

Life is short. Michael Jackson. Farrah Fawcett. Ed McMahon. We all eventually face our creator. Repent of your sins. Embrace the person of Jesus. Put your trust in his work upon Calvary. As God Jesus offered an infinite sacrifice. As man Jesus died for you. Turn to him today.

Ethan Hansen is pastor at Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake. He can be reached at ehansen@biglakefaithbible.org