Necessary Act of Love
- Heather Edmund
- 5 days ago
- 9 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
There are no limits or lengths to how far God will go to demonstrate His love for us. Even now, in this very moment, He continues to show His love to everyone through the presence of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16).
Although some people depict God as harsh or punishing—quick to send people to hell if they don’t follow His way—that view is distorted. Hell is not God’s desire for anyone; it is the consequence of our own choices. While God is indeed righteous and just, above all else, He is a God of love.
When God looks at you, it’s as if you’re the only person in existence. There’s no competition for His affection—He doesn’t love anyone else more than He loves you. His love is higher than the heavens, infinitely beyond human comprehension, and no natural love on earth can compare to His.
"Necessary Act of Love: Jesus, Our Sacrifice and Scapegoat"
Click here to preview blog summary
Jesus’ Willing Sacrifice
Because of His profound love for humanity, Jesus willingly endured the suffering of scourging and crucifixion. He was fully aware of the brutal process that preceded crucifixion under Roman rule. This process included being stripped of clothing, tied to a post to prevent escape, and savagely beaten with leather whips embedded with metal or bone. These flogging practices were designed to severely weaken the individual before being crucified—if they survived the ordeal at all.
Isaiah 53:5 declares, “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and by His stripes we are healed” (KJV). This verse emphasizes the physical suffering Jesus willingly endured as a redemptive act for the sins of humanity. Similarly, Psalm 129:3 is seen as a prophetic reflection of Jesus’ scourging: “The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows” (KJV).
These verses reveal the extent of Jesus' sacrifice and what He endured on our behalf. In the context of that historical era, culture, and Roman governance, this was the required path Jesus had to walk in order to die in our place and become the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Atonement in the Old Testament
"He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." — 1 John 2:2.
Under Old Testament law, specific sacrifices were mandated to atone for both intentional and unintentional sins. These offerings served to purify the people and the temple from the defilement caused by sin, ensuring that God’s presence would remain with His people.
The most significant of these rituals occurred annually on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), when the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies to intercede for the sins of the entire nation (see Leviticus 16).
During this ceremony, a scapegoat was symbolically burdened with Israel’s sins and sent into the wilderness, representing the removal and forgiveness of those sins. Additionally, burnt offerings were made to express worship, thanksgiving, devotion, and to atone for unintentional sins (see Leviticus 4 and 16). Cite/Ref: BibleProject – Sacrifices and Atonement
Jesus as the Ultimate Scapegoat
In a parallel to the Day of Atonement, Jesus—though completely innocent and without sin—became our scapegoat. Just as the scapegoat in the Old Testament bore the sins of the people and carried them away into the wilderness, Jesus took upon Himself the sins of humanity and carried them to the cross. His death fulfilled both the symbolic and actual requirements for divine forgiveness.
According to Levitical tradition, the High Priest would place his hands on the head of the scapegoat, symbolically transferring the sins of the entire community onto the animal (Leviticus 16:21-22). The goat was then led into the wilderness—possibly to a desolate, rocky area or cliff—where it would be abandoned or pushed off a steep ravine to die. This act represented the complete removal of sin from the camp.
However, there was also a second goat involved in the Day of Atonement rituals. This goat, chosen “for the Lord,” was sacrificed as a blood offering to God, securing atonement for the community (Leviticus 16:9, 15). In summary, two goats were selected by casting lots: one was sacrificed to the Lord as a sin offering, and the other—the scapegoat—was sent into the wilderness, symbolically removing the people's sins. Cite/Ref: Google Source on Israelite Scapegoat Ritual
In the same way, Jesus fulfilled the role of both goats: He was the blood sacrifice “for the Lord” and also the scapegoat who carried our sins away. Through this dual fulfillment, Jesus became the ultimate and final sacrifice for sin, as explained in Hebrews 10:1–18. This passage emphasizes that Jesus’ once-for-all offering of Himself rendered all other sacrifices obsolete, providing complete atonement and eternal forgiveness.
Because Jesus was sinless, He alone was qualified to be the perfect sacrifice. His death was not only sufficient but necessary. This is why He is the only one with the authority to forgive sins—He accomplished what no other sacrifice or person ever could.
Necessary Experience
Everything that happened was woven into God's plan. Jesus’ innocence and His crucifixion were necessary to fulfill the law concerning the forgiveness of sin and to complete God’s redemptive mission for humanity.
Jesus Himself referred to this in John 3:14, saying, “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up.” This references the Old Testament story in Numbers 21:9, where a bronze serpent was lifted on a pole to bring healing to the Israelites. In the same way, Jesus would be lifted up—on the cross—for the salvation of the world.
Later, in John 12:32–33, Jesus declared, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” John clarifies, “He said this to show the kind of death He was going to die.” These verses make it clear that the crucifixion was not only expected but necessary—Jesus would be lifted up to die, fulfilling both prophecy and purpose.
During Jesus’ trial, Pontius Pilate publicly affirmed His innocence. In John 18:38, Pilate said, “I find no basis for a charge against Him.” This announcement is significant because it aligns with the prophecy of the suffering servant in Isaiah 53:9, which describes one who “had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.” Despite pressure from Jewish religious leaders, Pilate—representing Roman law—found no legitimate reason to sentence Jesus to death. This highlights not only the injustice of the trial but also reinforces Jesus’ sinlessness, which was essential for Him to be the unblemished Lamb of God.
Peter echoes this in 1 Peter 1:19, describing Jesus as “a lamb without blemish or defect.”
Even Pilate’s wife recognized Jesus’ innocence. In Matthew 27:19, she sent him a message while he was presiding over the trial: “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of Him today in a dream.” Yet, despite these warnings and declarations of innocence, the crowd—manipulated by the chief priests—persisted in demanding Jesus’ crucifixion.
Matthew 27:23 records Pilate’s plea: “Why? What evil has He done?” Still, they shouted all the more, “Let Him be crucified!”
Ultimately, Pilate symbolically washed his hands before the people and declared, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves” (Matthew 27:24), acknowledging that the condemnation of Jesus was not based on justice, but on mob pressure. The gospel also notes Pilate’s awareness that Jesus was handed over “out of envy” (Matthew 27:18).
The crowd was so aroused and filled with envy, excitement, and anger that they went to the extent of cursing their own children. This illustrates how far unchecked jealousy can drive someone. (Matthew 27:25).
Other related passages also reflect the conspiracy and manipulation behind Jesus’ arrest and death. In John 11:48–53, the chief priests and Pharisees feared losing their power and plotted to kill Him. Likewise, Matthew 26:59–65 describes how false witnesses were brought forward in an attempt to convict Jesus unjustly. Cite/Ref: John 18:38 – Pilate Finds No Fault
Drink the Cup—It Had to Be Done This Way
Based on Scripture, there was no other way for God's plan (Isaiah 53:10) to happen unless Jesus "drank the cup."(Matthew 26:42; Psalm 75:8, Isaiah 51:17). There are experiences we must go through if we want to either elevate, move to the next season, allow things to happen, and follow God's plan. And as dire as some of the experiences may be because it involves God, it comes with rewards.
Jesus had to "drink the cup" for the salvation of humanity and by doing so He became the atonement for sin allowing forgiveness and reconciliation with God, the shedding of His blood offered a pathway to eternal life (John 14:6; John 11:25; 1 John2:2), it gave Him victory over death, made Him the only worthy one to open the seal (Revelations 5:9-10), and so much more.
Their was only one way to salvation and Jesus understood this and His love for humanity outwiegted what He knew He would endure because He saw the joy beyond His own pain, discomfort, torment, and more including see you and I and His deep love for us showed Him it is all worth it. He wanted to show us how great His love for us is and did the greatest love act that can ever and will ever be done (John 15:13).
It had to be done this way (Matthew 26:42). There was no better or other way than the way God the Father wanted it (Psalm 18:30), therefore His love for God and us and the entire world brought Him to the cross (John 3:16-17, 14:31, John 15:9; 1 john 4:9; Romans 5:8, 32, 6:23).
Why Does This Matter?
Just as the ancient Israelites placed their sins on the head of the scapegoat, we, too, can place our sins upon Jesus and receive forgiveness. In Matthew 11:28–30, Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest… For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (NIV). Cite/Ref: Haymarket Church – Lent Devotion
However, Scripture also teaches that those who die without accepting Jesus Christ’s forgiveness and remain in an unrepentant state will face eternal separation from God—what is commonly referred to as “hell” or eternal damnation. It's how our names are inscribed in the book of life, penned with the blood of Jesus Christ. (see John 3:18; Revelation 20:15).
In Summary
Jesus’ crucifixion was not a tragic accident but a willing, necessary act of love that fulfilled both prophecy and divine law. He knowingly endured the brutal suffering of scourging and crucifixion, offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for sin.
Drawing from Old Testament sacrificial practices, particularly the Day of Atonement, Jesus fulfilled the dual roles of the two goats—He was both the blood offering “for the Lord” and the scapegoat who carried away our sins. Through His death, Jesus satisfied God’s requirement for justice and made forgiveness and eternal life possible.
Despite being declared innocent by Pilate, this injustice was part of God’s redemptive plan.
This is important to know because, similar to how the Israelites transferred their sins to the scapegoat, we are encouraged to lay our sins upon Jesus. But the Scriptures also warns of eternal separation from God for those who reject and refuse Him like the crowd did.
Sign up to receive our blogs directly to your inbox
Here's what to read next - Unconditional Love is Real
Before you go...
Join thousands of subscribers and get monthly blogs to see how the Bible is your guide for life, helping you grow, mature and get through anything in life. Join
One last thing...
If you've found this blog valuable, please remember to share it on social media below. Sharing is a free way to share the Gospel and to let everyone know about the depths of Jesu's love in saving and redeeming humanity.
SUBSCRIBE to our Youtube Channel
Explore our website...
A call for salvation
When you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, His spirit will become one with yours. This is one of the greatest blessings of salvation. You don't have to go through someone else to get to God, as you and Him are now one.
All you must do is receive salvation, simply choosing to repent of your sins and welcome Jesus into your life by confessing Him as Lord. In Romans 10:9 Paul said, "If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
Here's a Prayer that you can pray to get saved:
Jesus, I confess that you are Lord, and I believe in my heart that you died and were risen for my sins. I ask for forgiveness of my sins, and I accept you as my personal Lord and Savior—in Jesus' name, Amen.
After this step, pray for guidance to find a ministry where you can grow spiritually, gain knowledge about the kingdom, and begin living the abundant life promised by Jesus.
Please Share below!
SEO Keywords: SSFL, Christian, Blogs, ChristianBlogs, Bible, Jealousy, Sin, Jesus, God, Spirit, Spirituality, Crucifixion, Love, Heaven, Hell, Life Death, Scapegoat, Atonement, Forgiveness, Reconcile, Redemption, Saved
Comentários