Answer: Of Jesus it is said: "For because he himself has suffered and has been tempted, he is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted" (Hebrews 2:18). In contrast, the God of Israel does not need to be tempted and suffer in order to be able to understand and forgive man's sins, because He is the all knowing creator of man. This is poignantly expressed in the verse: "And the Lord said: 'I have surely seen the affliction of My people that are in Egypt, and I have heard their cry because of their taskmasters; for I know their pains'" (Exodus 3:7). Isaiah reiterates this relationship between God and Israel: "In all their affliction He was afflicted" (Isaiah 63:9).

God forgave sin before Jesus' appearance, and continues to forgive without any assistance from the latter. It is no wonder that many centuries before the time of Jesus, Isaiah declared: "Israel is saved by the Lord with an everlasting salvation" (Isaiah 45:17).

When a Jew sins he may come before God in sincere repentance to receive forgiveness. Indeed, the offer to humble oneself before God and be saved is made to all humankind. God's relationship with the Jewish people is unique, but does not preclude God's concern about all humanity. "And there is no God else beside Me; a just God and a Savior; there is none beside Me. Look to Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else" (Isaiah 45:21-22, cf. Jonah 3:5-10).

Biblically, both Jews and Gentiles can receive forgiveness of sins through sincere repentant confessionary prayer directed to the God of Israel. This is true at all times and in all places. There has never been a need for the so-called intercessionary role Jesus is supposed to play in attaining atonement. The facts speak for themselves. There is no truth to the Christian contention that Jesus died for our sins and salvation is only through Jesus. Jesus' death brings neither atonement from sin nor is it in any way a fulfillment of biblical prophecy.