If God is Pro-Life, Why Did He Let His Son Die?

The standard definition for an abortion is, “The intentional killing of an innocent human life”. By this definition, Good Friday might seem as an absurdity - Jesus Christ (human life) prepared as the sacrificial lamb (intentional killing) before the foundation of the world and without blemish (innocent). (1 Peter 1:19-20). All three ingredients are present.

Now, before we go any further I do want to acknowledge that you perhaps may have never thought about it this way. You may even find this entire article a little unfounded to begin with. Or maybe you’ve asked this question before, in some permutation and combination. To the former I say, please bear with me and to the latter, welcome!

This article exists, not because of my own inner wrestling, but to plainly state the nature of the God of the bible. He is often misunderstood - His actions are perceived to be contradictory. But in His abundant grace, we know such notions to be false. Which is why I write.

What's in the Good Friday Story?

As Christians, we often box Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday in two different compartments. “Shush! I can’t talk about what happens on Sunday till it is Sunday”. This is the order in which we often function. The rationale holds - there’s deep significance in focusing on the death of Christ on one hand and His resurrection on the other. Yet it's still the same incident. However, oftentimes we look at it as two different chapters of the same book. I want to invite you to shift perspectives and consider the following.

When someone writes a biography of any sort, the chapterization follows a chronological order where each chapter is dedicated to significant moments in life - early life, education, love leading to marriage, career etc. Each of these chapters are demarcated from the other because there is a clear shift in the focus of the chapter. The next season of life for that individual could've turned out in any which manner.

While I think it's perfectly fine to look at Christ’s death and resurrection as two different chapters, I find value in clubbing them together, only because they are inextricably linked to each other. Not only does one require the other, there is no other alternative for the life of Christ, and the story of humanity. His story, in being prophesied, was already determined.

In asking “Why did a pro-life God let His Son die”, an incomplete question is being put forward. It’s easy to let doubt arise and confuse God the Father’s character, if death is where you end the narrative.  But praise God that our lost souls can find joy in knowing that the climax has more to follow, giving God’s children the assurance of moving from death to life (John 5:24).

In the beginning, man was in perfect union with God. When sin entered the world because of the disobedience of man, the intimate fellowship between God and mankind stood severed. Yet, God loved those made in His image and paved a way to restore the relationship (Genesis 3:15). To satisfy God the Father’s justice, the holy code required that a sinless human’s blood was shed and offered. With no earthly being qualifying that criteria, in His love the Father gave His Son (John 3:16), the perfect sacrifice. In the shedding (death) of Jesus’ blood and His resurrection (life), all those who receive and believe in Jesus as their Saviour, by repenting and turning away from their sins, are restored unto the Father for eternity as His children (John 1:12). They will live under the Kingship of Christ, whose throne is established forever (Hebrews 1:8-9).

So the question at the end of the day is actually, “Why did a pro-life God let His Son first die and then live?”. When you ask the complete question, the question becomes redundant.

Shedding Innocent Blood Justified in Certain Contexts?

But there’s more to the questioner’s curiosity. Drawing from the story of redemption, does it mean that there are instances when it’s okay to kill innocent life for the greater good? Can abortion be permissible in some instances?

It is true that an abortion is often thought of as a measure to alleviate the child from intense suffering. Isn’t that supposedly shedding innocent blood for the greater good? But tell me, who prevents a child from drowning in a pool by throwing them into the sea? If one finds themselves in an extreme scenario and believes that an abortion is the only justified solution, a good question to ask is whether they arrived at that conclusion from the Word of God or from the mere advice of man?

In 1 Chronicles 22: 8, David is prevented from building the temple because he is found to have shed much blood. If God found David wanting, even though the people he killed were not sinless (in his head probably for the greater good), what does it tell us about our God and his displeasure towards death, especially unjust death? Does the blood of the innocent call out to God? (Genesis 4:10). Is God included in the discussion of ‘for the greater good’? Do we acknowledge His role as the Heavenly parent?

But let me allow for pushback. Since unborn children who die find their eternal abode in heaven, isn't abortion then truly associated with a greater good that God must be pleased with?

God's Sovereignty and Abundant Mercy

God hates hands that shed innocent blood (Proverbs 6:17). The hands that God is referring to in this verse are human hands. As Creator of human life (Genesis 1:27, Psalm 139:13), God carries the authority to determine not just the beginning of life but its rightful ending as well. Human beings are not given this authority. Caveats exist in the justice system because God has given those in such positions the authority to execute justice (Romans 13:4). Hence the idea, that the eternity of unborn children stands secured through an abortion, pushes man to play God by taking control forcefully of an area that is only God-authorized. This is a sin.

This may be uncomfortable for many of us. For, God’s sovereignty means that we relinquish control. Even in the midst of trying and terrible circumstances. Yet this article would be amiss if I didn’t mention that the story of redemption lavishes forgiveness to the repentant heart and restores joy in trying circumstances. Jesus’ death accommodates all of our sins, including the sin of abortion, whether done knowingly or unknowingly. (Hebrews 9:15-22). Jesus’ sacrifice is not meant to bring condemnation but saving grace (John 3:17). In being sanctified, we must confront truth, soul-wrenching truth.

Dear brothers and sisters, there is forgiveness in Christ for the sin of abortion. If God the Father did not withhold His Son from us even in the midst of our sins (Romans 5:8), let us not withhold ourselves from God because of sin. God accepts true confession (1 John 1:9). The Father does not despise His children but makes every way for us to be reconciled to Him, by giving His Son to gruesome death followed by glorious life.

Not simply because He is pro-life, but because the Father is pro-eternal life.