logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2025
5m 6s

Why Did Jesus HAVE TO Die? The Biblical ...

JONNY ARDAVANIS
About this episode

Why was Jesus' death necessary? In this powerful explanation, Pastor John MacArthur sits down with Jonny Ardavanis and breaks down the biblical foundation for Christ's sacrifice and answers the crucial question: "Why does sin require death?"

🔑 KEY TOPICS COVERED:

• Why God designed sin to result in death

• How Jesus became our substitute on the cross

• The significance of Christ's resurrection and ascension

• Why animal sacrifices in the Old Testament weren't enough

• How one person could absorb punishment for all believers

📖 SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

• "The wages of sin is death" - Romans 6:23

• The tree of knowledge of good and evil - Genesis 2:17

• Christ's substitutionary atonement

• "It is finished" - John 19:30

This teaching explains the heart of the Gospel - how God can be both just and merciful, punishing sin while offering redemption through Christ's perfect sacrifice.

Up next
Yesterday
What Does "Born Again" Actually Mean? (John 3 Explained)
What does it mean to be "born again"? Jesus told the most religious man in all of Israel — a Pharisee, a member of the Sanhedrin, a man of wealth, power, and Scripture — that he still wasn't good enough to enter the kingdom of God. In this episode, we unpack John 3:1–8 and the co ... Show More
31m 7s
Mar 17
Song of Solomon's 10 Keys to Love, Sex & Marriage | Christian Relationship Principles
What does the Bible really say about sex, romance, and marriage? Pastor Todd Fletcher joins us to break down 10 powerful keys drawn from King Solomon's life and writings — including Song of Solomon, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes — that can transform your relationship and marriage.Th ... Show More
38m 15s
Mar 10
"Is 'Crunchy' Christianity Biblical? Seed Oils, Stewardship & Fear-Based Eating | Greg Gifford"
Is obsessing over seed oils, beef tallow, sourdough, and toxin-free living actually biblical stewardship — or is it something else?Biblical counselor and professor Greg Gifford joins the podcast to tackle the growing "crunchy" movement inside the church. We define what extreme cr ... Show More
41m 43s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2025
The Death of Jesus
In this episode, we reflect on the death of Jesus Christ—not just as a historical event, but as the central act of God's redemptive plan. Why did Jesus have to die? What did the crucifixion accomplish? And how should His suffering shape the way we understand God, ourselves, and s ... Show More
26m 29s
Mar 2025
The Word of Assurance - Part 2
Here’s what happened on the cross: “God had Christ, who was sinless, take our sin so that we might receive God’s approval through him” (2 Corinthians 5:21 GW). In this message, Pastor Rick teaches why we needed Jesus to save us from our sins. 
24m 56s
Jan 2025
Jesus Died For God
We will continue our conversation regarding Jesus taking on the form of a human while being God simultaneously. Christ is our atonement, our sacrifice, who died for our sins and rose again. Not only is He our sacrifice, but He's also the High Priest. So, in what way did Jesus die ... Show More
30m 56s
Aug 2024
Where Was Jesus?
What does the Bible tell us regarding where Jesus went between His death on the cross and His resurrection? What is Hades, why did Jesus visit there, and what did He do during that time? Be encouraged regarding Jesus' life on earth and how it relates to our own human experiences. ... Show More
36m 37s
Aug 2024
Jesus Over Death! P2
John 11 cites the greatest of all Jesus' miracles documented in this gospel. The story of Christ raising Lazarus from the dead demonstrates his supreme power and complete authority over everything - including death. As believers and followers of Christ, we have no reason to fear ... Show More
29m 30s
Mar 2025
The Word of Substitution - Part 1
Join Pastor Rick as he teaches why Jesus had to pay the penalty for your sins. 
24m 42s
Apr 2017
Good Friday- The Meaning of the Cross
Many people wonder, and even become angry, about God’s ways. In this episode for Good Friday, Fr. Mike explains why God’s answers often seem like contradictions to us. While Jesus dying on the Cross makes no sense according to human wisdom, according to God’s perfect wisdom​,​ th ... Show More
7m 16s
Jan 2025
The God-Man
Let's talk about how Jesus was simultaneously 100% God and yet 100% man. Did baby Jesus need his diapers changed? Did Jesus cut himself and bleed when he had a carpentry accident? Was Jesus tempted? Did he have anger? Did He have full knowledge and power during his time spent on ... Show More
36m 11s