A debt He did not owe?

We frequently hear that Jesus "died for our sins" or "paid a debt He did not owe", but what does that mean?  Why was it necessary for God to become man?  Why was there a debt at all?

In our humanity, we owe everything to the Lord.  He created the world we live in to provide oxygen, resources, beauty and company of animals.  He created us.  He gives us our talents and ability to reason.  Everything we have and do is only because were enabled by the Creator.  We owe everything to Him.  We owe perfect gratitude, obedience, faith, love and glory. 

And yet, like spoiled children, we rebel.  We act as though our accomplishments are the sole result of our efforts.  We demand things are done our own way.  We break God's laws or follow them in letter alone, not in the spirit they were meant to be lived. We reject God and fear Him as a tyrant.  We fear He will Lord over us as a brutal dictator or slave driver.  Why would we want to bow our will to someone like that?  Surely we can't trust a "god" like that with our lives and hearts.   This is the lie that Adam and Eve believed in the Garden as Satan whispered, "God doesn't want you to be like Him...He's holding out on you...".  (See more here.)

And so, the unthinkable happened. God became man.  He who created became the creation.  He was human in every way- having to be cared for by His mother with diaper changes and obeying his earthly parents.  He was taught by Joseph to work carpentry.  (I wonder if He ever though, "You know...I created the world, but sure! Teach me how to use a hammer!")  He lived His humanity perfectly- with perfect gratitude, obedience, faith, love and glory. 

The idea of redemption isn't "God's really mad.  Who can be punished for our sins and who's strong enough to do it?" but "Who can atone for our sins?  Who can make it right?".  This is what is behind the sacrifices of the Old Testament.  They sacrificed animals- the most precious thing they had- to try to give God their best. 

But what is precious enough to outweigh all the sins of the world?  All the hatred against God and pride against God and unbelief?  A perfect act of love.   And love is proved by suffering- suffering unto death is the supreme act of love.  So our Lord willingly and perfectly suffers for us- even unto death- even death on a cross.  In a sense God says, "You think I'm a tyrant?  You think I'll be unmerciful towards you?  Here let me show you how much I love you.  I'll let you lord over ME and inflict ME with cruelty.  THAT'S how much I love you.".