Catechism Question 23
Why must the Redeemer be perfectly righteous?
The Redeemer must be perfectly righteous so that His obedience and sacrifice in our place will be acceptable to God.
Focus and Purpose of this Question
In this question, we establish the fact that the one who must work redemption and salvation for us must be perfectly righteous. This is important for two reasons, which are brought out in the answer. First, if he is not perfect in righteousness, he has no obedience to offer in our place. Second, if he is not perfect in righteousness, His sacrifice will not be accepted by God and thus will not be able to pay for our sins.
This question also shows that to fulfill our obligations to God, the Redeemer had to do two things. First, he had to positively obey God, so that he would fulfill our covenant obligations and have righteousness to give to us. Second, he had to pay the penalty for our disobedience to God’s law. He had to suffer and die in our place so that we could be set free from the curse we deserved.
As in the previous question, this one shows that the Redeemer’s work in our behalf had two aspects – active obedience and passive suffering in our place. Often Christians have only focused on the passive, suffering aspect. But that is only half of the story. Even if Jesus has offered a perfect sacrifice in our place, thus removing our sin, we would still owe God perfect active obedience. Thus, our full redemption and salvation required not only suffering to pay for our sin but also actively obeying God’s Law and Covenant in our place.
Additional Questions:
Why did the Redeemer have to be without sin?
Why did the Redeemer have to never disobey God?
Why did the Redeemer have to be perfectly obedient to God?
Scripture References:
Romans 5:18–19
Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
2 Corinthians 5:21
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Galatians 4:4–5
But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5 to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.
Philippians 2:8
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!
Leviticus 1:3–4
If the offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to offer a male without defect. He must present it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting so that it will be acceptable to the Lord. 4 He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him.
1 Peter 1:18–19
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
Questions for Further Discussion:
Why is it important that Jesus never sinned?
Why is it necessary for the Redeemer to live a long life of obedience to God? Could Jesus have simply appeared on the cross and died?
Why is it important to say that Jesus not only died for us but also that He lived for us?
What if Jesus had sinned prior to dying for us? Could He have still died in our place so that our sins would be forgiven?
Why did the Old Testament law require that sacrificial animals had to be perfect, without defects or blemishes?
Additional Information:
This question is based on question 16 of the Heidelberg Catechism. Any resources you find on the Heidelberg Catechism will have a good discussion on this question.
For additional information, see the teachings “The Great Exchange” (April 1, 2012); “Christ and the Sacrificial Aspect of the Law” (May 16, 2004); “Our Redeemer – Christ the Second Adam” (June 10, 2007); “Man – The True Human” (December 2, 2018); and “Ox – The True Servant” (December 16, 2018).
Suggested Worship Song:
The Lamb of God (Twila Paris, 1985)
Your only Son, no sin to hide
But You have sent Him from Your side
To walk upon this guilty sod
And to become the Lamb of God
Your gift of love, they crucified
They laughed and scorned Him as He died
The humble King, they named a fraud
And sacrificed the Lamb of God
Oh, Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God
I love the holy Lamb of God
Oh, wash me in His precious blood
My Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God
I was so lost, I should have died
But You have brought me to Your side
To be led by Your staff and rod
And to be called a lamb of God
Oh, Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God
I love the holy Lamb of God
Oh, wash me in His precious blood
My Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God
Oh, wash me in His precious blood
My Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God