Question. Why would God allow his completely innocent Son to suffer such a painful and humiliating death?
Answer: Christ took our place before God. He made himself responsible for us—agreeing to answer for, pay for, and suffer the punishment we owed and deserved. So even though he was completely innocent, he suffered on behalf of us, who are guilty. God placed our burden on him, according to the full demands of justice and the law, so that because of him, God could show mercy to us.
Scripture Reference: Isaiah 53; Rom. 1:3; 2 Cor. 5:31; Gal. 2:4; Eph. 1:3, 7; Col. 1:13-14 and 2:13-14; 1 Peter 3:18 and 4:1; John 3:6; 2 Cor. 15:21
Catechism Class 4/26/26
