Why was the crucifixion necessary ?

[FallentoReason]

Here is another question I asked at an Alpha course to which I received no answer - not even an unconvincing one!

I asked why there had to be a crucifixion. Couldn't Jesus have come to earth, done the miracles, sermon on the mount, last supper etc. then said “The Romans are coming to arrest me but they will not find me – I am going to my father - be nice to each other and I will return one day (as he ascended into Heaven).” that way you could still have the condition that you have to believe in Jesus but cut out the nasty crucifixion bit. The answer from the vicar was that the crucifixion was the heart of being a Christian. That seemed like circular logic to me – we are Christians because of the crucifixion and the crucifixion made us Christians.

Perhaps another one for the theists on this forum.

Regards

Grimesy

Well, the simple answer would be "without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin" (Hebrews 9:22). The tougher question, I think, is the more general one: why is shedding of blood necessary for the remission of sin?

That's an interesting question. I think it was pretty common back then to believe in this 'paradox' where death or the shedding of blood leads to eternal life.

Us too you have saved by shedding blood which grants eternity.
-Mithraic inscription accompanied by Mithra slaying the bull