What does Jesus died for our sins mean? It means He was our substitute. He died in our place. Let’s talk about this question you are asking. You can watch the Great News Video on this page for a clear explanation of the love that Jesus has for you. Salvation can be yours today if you will believe.
We’re God’s Enemies
Because we’re all sinners, we owe a debt to God, “For all have sinned (Romans 3:23).
We’re all guilty of sin and sentenced to death, “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).
Until people believe the gospel of salvation, they’re God’s enemies because we’re sinners (Romans 5:10).
We’re Sentenced to Death
Because we’ve sinned, each person carries a death sentence. We can die for our own sins but not for anyone else’s. But dying for our own sins isn’t salvation; it results in eternal death.
Jesus Died for Our Sins
The gospel message is God’s answer to that bad news.
“Now, brothers, I declare to you the gospel (good news)…. Through it you are saved…. How Christ died for our sins … (and) rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
Jesus Died in Our Place
Jesus was our substitute. He died in our place:
“Who gave Himself as a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:6). ,
Our Debt Cancelled
One way the Bible portrays our sin is as a debt on a ledger sheet. That’s how Jesus pictured it when He died in our place for our sins on the cross:
“He said, “It is finished.” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit” (John 19:30).
Our Debt Paid
The Greek word Jesus spoke was “tetelestai.” Translators rendered it as “It is finished” in our English Bibles. Jesus wasn’t saying His life was finished. This Greek word was an accounting term meaning “paid in full,” and accountants stamped it on a bill when someone fully paid it. Because Jesus was entirely God and fully man, and He was innocent, God accepted His death in our place as payment in full for those who believe
No More Yearly Payment
In Israel, during Old Testament times, before Jesus died in our place, God accepted animal sacrifices as a temporary payment for sins. But their shed blood only represented the blood of the coming Messiah. However, those yearly sacrifices were only,
“An annual reminder of sins. For it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (Hebrews 10:3-4).
The believer’s sins were permanently paid for by our substitute, Jesus, who died for our sins on the cross:
“But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time He has been waiting for His enemies to be made His footstool. For by one offering He has forever perfected those who are sanctified” (Hebrews 10:12-14).
God’s Gift
Because Jesus died for our sins, and not just ours but for the sins of the whole world, He offers eternal life to all who believe in His Name:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
