Why did Jesus have to endure judgment on the cross?
Jesus endured judgment on the cross to bring about our salvation. The Passover lamb had to be roasted with fire, indicating judgment, just as Christ passed through the fires of judgment on the cross. He was the sinless, blameless Lamb without spot or blemish, dying for salvation.
Les explains that the Passover lamb was kept up for three days and examined for any blemish, poor health, or anything wrong. If it was whole, they could kill it for the Passover sacrifice. In the same way, Christ spent three years up and down the land of Israel under complete scrutiny by religious authorities and ordinary people, yet no one could accuse Him of wrongdoing. He was without spot, without blemish, blameless. Les says the fire used to roast the lamb was indicative of judgment. Just as sure as Christ went through the fires of judgment as He hung on that cross in order to bring about our salvation, this Passover lamb also was roasted with fire. It was not to be eaten raw or boiled in water, but roasted with fire, indicating judgment. Thus His endurance of judgment on the cross was necessary to bring about salvation as the sinless Passover Lamb.