This is usually what I say to the question - Jesus died by crucifixion because the cruelty was the point. Cruelty is what empires are about. They can't handle an alternative because they are they alternative. Jesus' way is what the norm is. Cruelty has always been the alternative, it just happens to be very common. Jesus died living the way of peace and that way upset the status quo, common way of cruelty. And cruelty always acts the same way - in predictable fashion - it moves to silence, kill, and destroy. To wipe away any possible idea that cruelty is not the norm. It can't handle competition. It can't handle alternatives. It only understands compliance and control. And what Jesus offered was far different. Jesus died showing empire and cruelty for what they were. And he didn't fight them with their methods because that would have only given legitimacy to their lies. Jesus died in order to show that there is another way - a better way. And it isn't the lie of empire and cruelty. It is the way of love and peace. It is the fulfillment of shalom.

And then I usually talk about the fact that this is only one piece of it because there isn't a nice easy answer to why Jesus died for us. It's complex and perplexing all at once. And we don't have all the answers. And that's ok.