The Pope exonerates the Jews for Jesus' death

The current Pope, who is apparently a very studious man and a juggernaught in all things theological, has revoked a longstanding Catholic policy of blaming the Jews for Jesus' death. In 1965, a Catholic document the Nostra Aetate, stated that the Jews are to be considered collectively guilty for the crucifixion of Jesus. The current Pope has now only narrowed it down to a handful of Jewish leaders.

This all gives the impression that it was all a big mistake and Jesus was a victim. He was not a victim and if the Jews are collectively guilty, we are all collectively guilty. Jesus came to earth knowing he would be sacrificed. There are dozens of Old Testament prophecies indicating that the Messiah would be sacrificed on behalf of humanity. Here is one:

Isaiah 53:4-6:
4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

 Jesus was not ignorant of his final days in Jerusalem:

John 2:18-19  The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”

The prospect of being nailed to a tree didn't fill him with excitement however. In the garden of Gethsemane, he had the fate of humanity on a knife edge when he thought about what he had to go through. If he changed his mind we would all be stuffed:

Matthew 26:39 - he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

When one of the disciples pulled out a sword to prevent Jesus from being arrested, Jesus said in Matthew 26:

Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”

55 In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.”

When Jesus gave up his life on the cross he proclaimed 'It is finished'. He didn't say, 'how did it come to this'. Lucky for you, he came to be nailed to the cross so you wouldn't have to do the honours yourself for eternity.
Jesus was not a victim. He was victorious.

Yes the Jews were chosen by God in advance to crucify their Messiah, but salvation also comes through the Jews just as God predicted in the Old Testament numerous times. How on earth a succession of Popes can play a blame game and be so arrogant to exonerate a race of Jesus' death is beyond me. They obviously think they have no need for the forgiveness of sins through Jesus' crucifixion...and subsequent resurrection.

We are all guilty of Jesus' crucifixion. But he rose again and we can therefore be all forgiven if we confess with our mouth and believe in our heart that he is Lord.