Why did Jesus have to die??

We are having another "Connect Group" tomorrow night. I haven't really written any notes down for the discussion as I have barely enough time to sleep right now. I did however manage to watch American Idol as I was working though ... more of the same, but still interesting. Anyway, The subject is "Why did Jesus have to die?". Really ... If He is God and can do anything right, why would he choose to kill his son, instead of just declaring everyone forgiven. He could just do that right? I mean I have forgiven quite a few people of fairly cruel things and I didn't have to sacrifice our cat (which isn't that bad of an idea ... haha) or kill their first born son to do it to make that forgiveness happen, right. I just forgave them. It is done ... not really going to think about it again, except for right now when i am actually trying to remember these things. God is better and higher than I right? And He can't just forgive? How does that make sense.

Here is another one for you. If Jesus took my place so that I wouldn't have to burn in hellish torment for the rest of eternity, what could I have done to deserve that. Think about it ... but not too long, it gets wierd. Hell, eternal burning flames, constantly decaying, screaming in isolation with no one to hear me, complete separation from a God who created me and wanted to spend forever with me, but who now can't, on and on and on and on. I didn't even do anything to deserve a natural night in prison, let alone the death penalty. Did my little lying, drinking, swearing kind of sins really warrant an eternal death that I must pay for without end? Seriously?!

I will give my answer in a couple of days ... After the Connect Group has met. It is these types of questions that can't just go left undone. We need to wrestle with them, they always make faith stronger.