God and Jesus could have said: People, you know what to do and what not to do, so make every effort and make it to heaven through your own obedience, so you won’t go to hell.
If that were the case, we would have all gone to hell because no one could ever keep all the commandments. Therefore, Jesus became man to fulfill the law and to accept all the punishment we deserved.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16; NIV)
Jesus was punished so that we, believing in what He did for us, would never again be charged with sin and punished.
“… his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness” (Prophecy about Jesus in Isaiah chapter 52, verse 14; NIV)
If there was another way, then Jesus would have stayed in heaven. But He had to come this way, so that we could be saved. Did Jesus have to come? Nobody forced Him. He came because He loves you so much and He doesn’t want to see you end up in hell.
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (Jesus speaking of His death on the Cross in John 15:13; NIV) Become more and more aware that you are the friend of Jesus and Jesus is your friend.
