Q&A 37 What do you understand by the word "suffered"?

That during his whole life on earth,

but especially at the end,

Christ sustained

in body and soul

the anger of God against the sin of the whole human race.¹

This he did in order that,

by his suffering as the only atoning sacrifice,²

he might set us free, body and soul,

from eternal condemnation,³

and gain for us

God's grace,

righteousness,

and eternal life.⁴

 

¹ Isa. 53; 1 Pet. 2:24; 3:18

² Rom. 3:25; Heb. 10:14; 1 John 2:2; 4:10

³ Rom. 8:1-4; Gal. 3:13

⁴ John 3:16; Rom. 3:24-26

Q&A 38 Why did he suffer "under Pontius Pilate" as judge?

So that he,

though innocent,

might be condemned by a civil judge,¹

and so free us from the severe judgment of God

that was to fall on us.²

 

¹ Luke 23:13-24; John 19:4, 12-16

² Isa. 53:4-5; 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13

Q&A 39 Is it significant that he was "crucified" instead of dying some other way?

Yes.

This death convinces me

that he shouldered the curse

which lay on me,

since death by crucifixion was accursed by God.¹

 

¹ Gal. 3:10-13 (Deut. 21:23)

 

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