Answer: No. To begin with, God will not punish another creature for what a human is guilty of. Besides,no mere creature can bear the weight of God's eternal anger against sin and release others from it (Ezek. 18:4, 20; Heb. 2:14-18; Ps. 49:7-9; 130:3).
Question #15: What kind of mediator and deliverer should we look for then?
Answer: One who is truly human and truly righteous, yet more powerful than all creatures, that is, one who is also true God (Rom. 1:3; 1 Cor. 15:21; Heb. 2:17, Isa. 53:9; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 7:26, Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Jer. 23:6; John 1:1).
I loved these questions and answers today. Why? Because the answer my kids gave when I asked them question #15 was 'Jesus'. Yes, my kids go to Sunday school so they've learned the answer to most questions is 'Jesus'. But, this question didn't ask who the mediator was, but what kind of mediator we should look for. I pushed the boys beyond the simple 'Jesus' answer and discussed with them why Jesus' humanity and deity as so important. Bulls and goats just aren't a good enough sacrifice to pay the debt we owed. It had to be a sacrifice of infinite worth. But because humans sin and are guilty, God's justice demands that a human pay the penalty. Incartion! Beautiful.
"Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!(Romans 11:33-36 ESV)
“For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?”
“Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?”
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen."
No comments:
Post a Comment