1. No. The ultimate “works” is faith in the Messiah, and by Israel’s national repentance (Zechariah 12:10), the sin of separation would be covered, God would be pleased, and Yeshua would not have to die.
2. Regardless of Israel’s acceptance or rejection, the Messiah came to save us from our sins through His death and resurrection.
The correct answer is number 2
Yeshua came into the world for the very purpose of giving His life for our salvation. As He Himself said: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45).
Only God can fully atone for and cleanse our sins. Back in the Garden, the Lord was the one who gave the warning and judgment (in that day that you shall eat of it, you shall die). Since He is the Author and ultimate Source of life, only He has the power to give life again. (Acts 3:15). Romans 6:23 speaks of the wages of sin and points only to Messiah Yeshua as the gift of God which brings eternal life.
His death and resurrection were foretold in the Hebrew Scriptures long before He came (see Isaiah 53, Psalm 22, and Daniel 9:26). The resurrection of the Messiah also served to prove the message of eternal life after death, pointing to His power over death (if the Messiah has not been raised, your faith is futile (1 Corinthians 15:17)).