The Crucifixion

By Fred Vilbig

Did Jesus have to die on the Cross? That question came up this morning at Bible study. Someone asked whether Christ’s Passion and death were “enough” (and I’ll leave that topic for another blog) for all of the sins that have been and will ever be committed? Was it enough to overcome all of the indifference towards God? The selfishness in our world?

The question suggests that God is a harsh judge waiting to mete out justice on us, His creatures. He is waiting for His pound of flesh from us, and to stave him off, Jesus offered Himself. But is it enough?

I don’t see God that way.


The Apostle John tells us in his first epistle that, “God is love.” Yes, He is fully just, but He is also perfectly merciful. That was the message to St. Faustina. That is what we just celebrated in Divine Mercy Sunday.

So did Jesus have to suffer on the Cross? I think the answer to this is yes and no. No, because God is God, and He is all-powerful. He could’ve saved us in any way he chose.

But yes, because of our human nature. If you look at the history of the Jewish people in the Bible, it is a series of covenants from God and failures by the Jews. That is our own story as well, both historically and personally. We are a weak and fickle group. We just don’t get it, and even when we do get it, we forget it.

Jesus had to die on the Cross to show us how much God loves us. He had to die on the Cross, to show us how we should live our own lives. He has not solved every problem, cured every disease, or healed every broken heart. We continue to live in a fallen world, but He invites us to join Him every day in His act of love by offering our sufferings for the salvation of the world, in union with the Mass and His Crucifixion. That is actually a great gift from God, a great honor, a tremendous dignity.

So did Jesus have to die on the Cross? I think He did to show us the depth of His love for us and to show us how we should love one another.