Session 4

Why Jesus Had To Die

From Hebrews: A 24-Day Devotional

Jesus did not merely attempt to pay the debt for our sins by dying on the cross. Jesus successfully conquered death and sin with His sacrifice. But if we focus solely on the truth that Jesus died for our sins, we’re only experiencing half of the good news He came to share.

Hebrews 9:14 says Jesus’ blood cleans our consciences and wipes away our sin  — the sins in our past, the sins we commit today and the sins we will commit in the future — for one reason: “so that we may serve the living God.”

We are put on this earth for a purpose. Ephesians 2:10 says, “we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Before we were born, before we asked Jesus into our lives, God had a plan for each one of us. Jesus overcame sin so we can embrace our calling. Sin, whether it’s sin we are committing now or past sin we beat ourselves up about, distracts us from the great plans God has for us.

Jesus has done away with sin. When we ask Jesus into our lives, we have the ability to live in freedom from sin.

Reflect

• Is there one sin that continues to distract you from the plans God has for your life? Confess it to someone today.
• How does it feel to know that God has a purpose and plan for your life?
• What would you do for God if you knew you had nothing to lose? What’s holding you back from the plans God has for you?