Dear Christian friends:

We all agree that we are sinners. But are we such bad sinners that only God's Son, suffering and dying, could pay for our sins?

Why can't God forgive us without Jesus' suffering and dying? Is God right to be so angry about sin? Is He right to punish the innocent for the guilty?

I'm sure that these questions have popped up in your mind in the past. And you have wondered and doubted about Jesus' suffering.

Our text tonight will help us answer these questions and should give us a stronger faith and take away our doubts. So tonight we consider the theme:


God could forgive our sins without Jesus' suffering and dying if He wanted to do it that way. But God has decided to do it His way. He did not ask us about that. And He doesn't have to ask us. He is God. He doesn't need or want our advice. Our text simply states, "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:6)

This verse and many others of the Bible clearly say that only by Jesus does God forgive sin. In Isaiah 53:10, it says, "Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him;"

After Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper He went with His disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane and there He prayed three times asking God if there was another way, "Father, if it be possible remove this cup from me." (Luke 22:42) The Father answered, "No! There is no other way. You must suffer and die." Jesus adds in His prayer, "nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." Then He obeyed, He arose and went to meet Judas and the mob who had come to arrest Him. No more does He seek escape or another way. He is sure of God's decision and will.

When Jesus doubted and wondered if there was another way of saving the world the devil was tempting Him. But by prayer and meditation Jesus overcame the devil's temptation.

When you and I doubt about Jesus' suffering and dying; when we wonder if it was necessary for Jesus to die if we are that bad, it is also the devil who tempts us and tries to get us to doubt God's wisdom, His love and His will.

When we are tempted so we must, also, go to God in prayer and consider His words in the Bible, such as the words of our text here: "The Lord had laid on Him the iniquity of us all." That Bible verse clearly states that God is perfect and holy and that He is very angry at man who breaks His holy law.

To Abraham He said: "I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect." (Genesis 17:1) And Paul says, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;" (Romans 1:18) "Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them." (Galatians 3:10) To Adam and Eve God said: "for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." (Genesis 2:17) In another place God says, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." (Ezekiel 18:20)

Our death proves God's anger against sin and sinners and our own conscience agrees. The Bible also clearly states that by the perfect life and innocent death of Jesus God's anger and curse against man is removed. "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us:" (Galatians 3:13) "God was in Christ reconciling the world into Himself." (2 Corinthians 5:19)

So if you believe the Bible, you must also believe that Jesus must suffer and die as our Substitute. There is no other way of salvation. Peter said: "Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)

While it seems like very a bad thing Jesus' suffering and while God seems mean and terrible to punish Jesus as He does, yet it is very wonderful. The Friday Jesus died we call what? Yes, you said it, Good Friday. It was bad for Jesus but very good for us.

If we believe His Word and accept Jesus' suffering and dying as God's way of making peace, we really have His peace and friendship and life. And although we must suffer and die now the sting of death is removed. Paul asks: "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" (1 Corinthians 15:55) Thanks be to God, He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

If we believe in Jesus, our dying is only a restful sleep and the gateway to glory and joy everlasting. Let's not listen to the arguments and questions of our proud nature or the temptations of the devil. If we listen to them we shall lose the great peace that God has made for us.

God help us to believe Your Word and promises.

Amen.