In light of our discussions on the person and work of Christ in class, I wanted to post a few parts from the Heidelberg Catechism which touch specifically on these topics.  The questions posed in the Catechism aren’t foreign to basic Christianity, but the language is particularly unique, and in this case, powerful.

Question 14. Can there be found anywhere, one, who is a mere creature, able to satisfy for us?

Answer: None; for, first, God will not punish any other creature for the sin which man has committed; and further, no mere creature can sustain the burden of God’s eternal wrath against sin, so as to deliver others from it.

Question 15. What sort of a mediator and deliverer then must we seek for?

Answer: For one who is very man, and perfectly righteous; and yet more powerful than all creatures; that is, one who is also very God.

Question 16. Why must he be very man, and also perfectly righteous?

Answer: Because the justice of God requires that the same human nature which has sinned, should likewise make satisfaction for sin; and one, who is himself a sinner, cannot satisfy for others.

Question 17. Why must he in one person be also very God?

Answer: That he might, by the power of his Godhead sustain in his human nature, the burden of God’s wrath; and might obtain for, and restore to us, righteousness and life.

Question 18. Who then is that Mediator, who is in one person both very God, and a real righteous man?

Answer: Our Lord Jesus Christ:  ”who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.”

No one else could have written this story.  We are given the gift of hindsight so that we can see this mystery that has been revealed.  But no human would ever come up with it.  It also could not have been done another way.