Heidelberg Catechism

Question 17. Why must our mediator and deliverer be, at the same time, true God?

Answer: So that he might, by the power of his divine nature (a) bear in his human nature, (b) the burden of God’s wrath; (c) and might obtain for us, and restore to us, righteousness and life. (d)

(Click through to see scriptural proofs.)

a. Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

b. Isaiah 53:4,11

Surely he has borne our griefs

and carried our sorrows;

yet we esteemed him stricken,

smitten by God, and afflicted.

Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;

by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,

make many to be accounted righteous,

and he shall bear their iniquities.

c. Deuteronomy 4:24

For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.

      Nahum 1:6

Who can stand before his indignation?

Who can endure the heat of his anger?

His wrath is poured out like fire,

and the rocks are broken into pieces by him.

      Psalm 130:3

If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,

O Lord, who could stand?

d. Isaiah 53:5,11

But he was pierced for our transgressions;

he was crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,

and with his wounds we are healed.

Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;

by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,

make many to be accounted righteous,

and he shall bear their iniquities.

      1 Peter 3:18

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit … . 

      John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 

      2 Corinthians 5:21

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.