Why did Jesus have to die? It's a question worth sitting with rather than rushing past. This post traces the story from Genesis, where sin and death first entered the world, through the sacrificial system of ancient Israel, to the cross and resurrection of Jesus. Along the way, it explores why sacrifice was necessary, what the resurrection actually accomplished, and what freedom from sin and death means for anyone following Jesus today.

(Editorial note: This post was adapted from the sermon manuscript and transcript written and preached by Pastor Chris on Sunday, June 28, 2026 with the assistance of AI.) What was Jesus actually trying to do when he came to Earth? Most people have a quick answer to that question. He came to save us. He came to show us how to live. He came to die for our sins. All of those things are true, but Mark's gospel pushes you toward a more specific answer before any of those ideas get

When people think about Jesus, they usually reach for titles like "Son of God" or "Savior." But Jesus's favorite way to describe himself was different: he called himself the Son of Man. This post explores what Jesus actually said about his own identity, what his closest followers said about him, and why those answers matter for anyone trying to understand who Jesus of Nazareth really was.