Didn’t Jesus have to know each of well enough to know what sins we would commit?

Gramps,

Didn’t Jesus have to know each of us well enough to know what sins we would commit in order for Him to suffer for those sins not yet committed? The scriptures say that if we don’t repent we will have to suffer similar to the Savior. When a law is broken, a penalty has to be paid. But doesn’t it only have to be paid once to satisfy justice?

If the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost is unforgiveable, is that still a sin that the Lord had to suffer for.Sincerely,

JGT

Dear JGT,

The Savior’s great atoning sacrifice was infinite in its scope. (See Alma 34:10-14). Being infinite, the sacrifice was without limits, sufficient to pay for all the sins that ever were committed, ever will be committed or ever could be committed. The Savior did not have to tally them up in order suffer sufficiently to pay that particular price. If He had done that, the sacrifice would have been finite, however staggering the magnitude.

It’s true that if we do not repent of our own sins the great atoning sacrifice of the Savior will avail us nothing and we will have to pay to the demands of justice the price in suffering required for our own sins, just as if there had been no sacrifice.

Therefore I command you to repent–repent, lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore–how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not. For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit–and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink– (D&C 19:15-18).

The great overriding sadness associated with unrepentent sin is that it must be paid for twice. The Savior’s suffering was in vain for the unrepentant sinner. That unspeakable pain, born of unconditional love for our Father’s wayward children, went for naught. But the Savior undoubtedly suffers additional pain and sorrow as his empathy reaches out for those who choose to ignore what He did for them and must suffer even as He did.

Gramps