Catechism Question 24
Why must the Redeemer be truly, fully God?
The Redeemer must be truly, fully God so that His obedience and suffering would be of infinite value, He would be able to bear the full wrath of God against sin, and overcome Satan and death.
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 truly God. This is necessary for three reasons, which are brought out in the answer. First, only one who is of Infinite worth can pay our debts to God, because it is an infinite debt. Second, only one who is God could bear the full fury of God’s wrath against sin. Third, only one who is God could overcome the power of Satan and death, freeing us and giving us life.
As in the question on why the Redeemer had to be fully, truly human, this question is also meant to draw out that Jesus had to be truly and fully God. He could not be anything less than the fullness of God. A created being – even a ‘god’ – could not serve as our Redeemer. If Jesus is not fully, truly, really God, then we are still in our sin.
Additional Questions:
Why did the Redeemer have to be God?
Why did the Redeemer have to be truly God?
Why did the Redeemer have to be fully God?
Scripture References:
Psalms 49:7–9
No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him — 8 the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough — 9 that he should live on forever and not see decay.
Isaiah 59:15–16
Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey. The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice. 16 He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him.
Acts 20:28
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
Isaiah 53:4–11
Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken. 9He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. 11 After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light [of life] and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.
1 John 3:8
The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.
Colossians 2:13–15
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Acts 2:24
But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
Hebrews 7:15–17, 23–27
And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is declared: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”…
23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
26 Such a high priest meets our need — one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.
Questions for Further Discussion:
Why is it necessary that Jesus is truly God?
Why is it necessary that Jesus is fully God?
What if Jesus is not fully God, but only the highest of God’s creatures? Could He pay the infinite debt we owe to God?
Why did Jesus have to be God to be able to bear the full fury of God’s wrath against sin?
How long did Jesus suffer to pay for our sin? How long would a mere human have to suffer to pay for sin?
Why did Jesus need to be fully God to overcome Satan and death? Could a created being overcome Satan and death?
Additional Information:
This question is based on question 17 of the Heidelberg Catechism, question 21 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, and question 23 of the New City Catechism. Any resources you find on the Heidelberg, Westminster Shorter or New City Catechisms will have a good discussion on this question.
For additional information, see the teachings “Eagle – The True God” (December 23, 2018); “Fullness In Christ” (May 6, 2012); “The Preeminence of Christ” (March 11, 2012); and “The Method of Redemption – The Incarnation” (June 3, 2007).
Suggested Worship Song:
And Can It Be That I Should Gain? (Charles Wesley, 1738)
And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.