Why did Jesus have to die for humans to be forgiven?

Maybe this is not the right question

A Question: In John 3:16 it says "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life," which got me thinking—God makes the rules, he created everything. Why did Jesus have to die for humans to be forgiven? Couldn't he have simply said "I forgive humans for all sins" with no crucifixion required?

Good question. My sense is that the idea that Jesus had to die to save humanity—as in “Narnia”— is only an approximation of what happened, an easy-to-understand summary, if you will. To be more precise (to the extent possible), Jesus did not exactly have to die for us to be forgiven, as the question implies (ACIM explains that sin and forgiveness are ultimately illusions); Jesus had to die to redeem a humanity that was very stuck in its ways. That’s entirely different even if it seems to be the same.

The purpose of Jesus' dramatic betrayal and very public death was to shake up the ossified religious system (the Pharisees) that kept people in darkness and ignorance of God. Nothing could ever be the same again after a completely innocent man, a popular healer and miracle worker, was put to death by murderously jealous religious leaders, his own people, who so easily pushed a seemingly cowardly Roman Empire into doing their dirty work! A flagrant injustice. It’s a story that wouldn’t go away.

It’s very hard for us today to understand that crowds of people around the world, upon hearing the story of Jesus for the first time, openly wept. But the story ends victoriously when Jesus resurrects and takes dominion at the right hand of his heavenly Father, making his victory our victory; his great love for us is our path to redemption. How could anyone not follow him? Truly the greatest story ever told.

Rome’s magical theology

But in 313 A.D. when Rome adopted Christianity, they added to the story seeking to increase their own political power, turning it into a magic show. (Transubstantiation—turning bread and wine into his actual body and blood, and even adding a paragraph to Matthew to make it seem like a virgin birth — wouldn’t it be in all 4 gospels and in the prophesies of the Old Testament if it were really true? Of course every child is born of the holy spirit! Etc, etc.)

These magic tricks worked at the time, but severely undermine the credibility of Christ today now that people can see through them. No harm in Christians continuing to believe ancient fables if they want to, but I do believe it’s time to go out on a limb and make realistic corrections to bring unbelievers to the truth. Help spread the word today!

I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. Matthew 10:34-36

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 2 Timothy 3:5