Let’s read Matthew 27:24-25, “When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.” 

Let’s also read 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 

Finally, let’s read Ezekiel 18:2-5, “What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel. Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right…”

We see in 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Ezekiel 18:2-5, the thought of individual responsibility before the Lord.  In Ezekiel we see that “the soul that sinneth, it shall die.”  Since “all have sinned” (Romans 3:23), that causes us to realize that all shall die.”  Everyone of us face impending and certain death because we “have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”  The consequence of our sinful lives is eternal death.  This does not mean that we will cease to exist one day, but that the unrepentant sinner will endure “eternal judgment.” (Hebrews 6:2). 

However, when one puts their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as their savior, that person becomes “a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”  Christ died for our sins.  He died so that we might not have to die…so that we would not have to endure eternal judgment.  When we exercise faith in the Lord Jesus, we start over…we become brand new in the sight of God!  2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For he hath made him (Christ) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” Because of the finished work of the Lord Jesus on the cross, when we put our faith in Him, not only are we forgiven for our sins, not only are we made brand new, we actually become the “righteousness of God in Him.”  What a glorious result for believing on the Lord Jesus Christ.

When the angry mob of Jewish unbelievers urged Pilate to crucify the Lord, they were not only willing to pay the consequence of their hatred and unbelief of the Lord, they were ready to commit judgment upon their children.  “His blood be on us, and on our children.”  How great was their hatred for this loving Son of God who loved them so much that He went to the cross to die so that they might be saved.  Later, after the resurrection and ascension of the Lord, His apostles began to boldly proclaim Christ to the Jewish people.  We read how that “the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation.” (Acts 5:17).  They said to the apostles, “Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and INTEND TO BRING THIS MAN’S BLOOD UPON US.” (Acts 5:28).  Previously, they had invited the consequence of putting the Lord Jesus to death, now they acted innocently and accuse the apostles of trying to blame them for His death…which is exactly what they had asked for. 

We have seen that we all stand independently before God to face the consequences of our actions.  Regardless of our actions and regardless of the actions of our forefathers, we are assured in Psalm 86:5, “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.”  The Lord is ready and willing to forgive all who come to Him with a repentant heart, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  (394.6)