We look at the second part of the catechism as it approaches our redemption rather quickly impressing on us first that we are grave sinners without restoration in ourselves and that our restoration to God must come from another as we are totally depraved and unable to restore ourselves. We are pointed to God alone...the ONLY way of salvation! Only in God!

Of necessity: Is there no way to avert our punishment of sin and be restored to the favor of God? These are two very different matters. There is no way we can do it and we only increase our debt daily. We are far from able to rescue ourselves from sin. Can we satisfy for them through another creature like they did in the old testament? We must note that not one sin was covered in the old testament sacrifices. Not an ounce of the blood that was shed could atone for a single sin. They needed Christ also. So too, He would not punish another creature for our sin. The soul that sins must die. The catechism again drives us straight to the cross! Infinite satisfaction that is to be made...and impossible that a mere creature could do it. Our mediator must be righteous man and very God. The ONLY way of salvation!

By design: The criteria is exactly met in our Lord Jesus Christ who is willing and can satisfy our sins and restore us to God's favor. How is it that He meets the exact criteria? This is NOT accidental, coincidence, or by chance, but by His design from all eternity! God's redemptive grace shown throughout all of history (or His Story.) All of the Living God from beginning to end! He works out His council through all of history! Our Lord was made flesh for us and sinners and only He could do it! I ask you...who could understand the depth of sin and go to and through the bottom of hell to make satisfaction for it? He was made of God but also like us. Confess this very fact heartily to the top of your lungs and believe it by faith without any hesitation! Made like us except without sin. He alone could take our sin to the depths of eternal damnation and satisfy it. I say confess this very fact because it IS your salvation!

By grace: Perfectly, He walked the way of the cross to restore us and to restore us to the favor of God. ALL by HIS design and ALL of grace as He took the cup of God's wrath that was ours and drank it that He could return and spring forth on Easter.