Why was Jesus crucified? Besides because he died to save us. Was it the jealous, angry Pharisees? Did Jesus break any laws? And where can I find this in the Bible?
Thanks much!
To balance God's scales of justice following the rebellion of Adam, required a man
equal to Adam before his defection, a
perfect man. Had Adam not broke God's command of not eating from the "tree of knowledge of good and bad"(Gen 2:17), then there would have been no need for a ransom to measure up to Adam in perfection. However, Adam did rebel, partaking of the "tree of knowledge of good and bad".(Gen 3:6) There was now a genuine need for a redeemer, to buy back what Adam our forefather lost for mankind - the hope of living on a paradise earth in perfection as one family "in the abundance of peace."(Ps 37:11)
Thus, Jesus, came to earth and through Mary, was born as a perfect man, becoming the "last Adam".(1 Cor 15:45) He "emptied himself and took a slave’s form and came to be in the likeness of men. More than that, when he found himself in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient as far as death, yes, death on a torture stake."(Phil 2:7, 8) Isaiah 53:5 says that "he was being pierced for our transgression; he was being crushed for our errors. The chastisement meant for our peace was upon him, and because of his wounds there has been a healing for us."
Hence, in order to redeem mankind "for our transgression" against God as a result of sin within our members, he was "pierced" or put to death. We all have inherited sin and thus die. To remove sin from those who are loyal to God, requires justice, "eye for eye, tooth for tooth, soul for soul."(Deut 19:21) The word translated "sin" is from the Hebrew word
chat·ta’th´ and means literally to "miss", as in missing when an arrow is shot at a target. Being born from Adam after his rebellion, we all "miss" the mark of perfect obedience and are hence condemned as "sinners."(Rom 3:23)
By his death upon a torture stake, he provided "healing for us", those who exercise faith in his shed blood as covering their sins.(John 3:16; 1 John 1:7) Because Jesus spoke the truth, he came to have enemies, especially the religious leaders. It was at the behest the religious leaders that Jesus was put to death (John 11:47-53), with the entire nation of Israel being guilty of his death.(1 Thess 2:14, 15)
Jesus had broken none of God's laws, for the apostle Peter wrote: "He committed no sin, nor was deception found in his mouth."(1 Pet 2:22) However, the Jews as a nation, found fault with Jesus, because these were wicked, unwilling and unwanting to grasp Jesus words concerning his being "the fine shepherd" at John 10:1-15 and of his being God's Son (John 10:36), the promised Messiah or Christ.(Dan 9:24, 25)
By his perfect ransom, sin or "the face of the envelopment that is enveloping over all the peoples, and the woven work that is interwoven upon all the nations"(Isa 25:7), will be removed forever from those who loyally adhere to God's laws and guidelines.
Revelation 21:3-5 gives what will result: "With that I (the apostle John) heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away. And the One seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making
all things new.” Also, he says: “Write, because these words are faithful and true.”