Let's go back further and ask, "Why'd Jesus even have to come to earth at all?" Couldn't Jehovah have, in his infinite love, just forgiven humanity sans-sacrifice?
Keep in mind that if you say, "Jesus HAD to die for Jehovah to be able to forgive us," then you're admitting that there are things beyond Jehovah's power, you're saying Jehovah had to follow a law, he couldn't avoid it.
That's the stupidity of the ransom, it hinges on Jehovah making up his own rule for forgiveness. 'How can I bring myself to forgive them? I know! Hey Jesus, c'mere..."
'Jesus didn't die, guess I can't forgive.' ... 'They killed my son! How dare they! Now I can forgive them.' Wait, wut?