Lords Day 15: The Suffering of Christ

Q&A 37
Q: What do you understand by the word “suffered”?**
A: That throughout His life on earth, but especially at the end, Christ bore in body and soul the wrath of God against the sin of the whole human race. In this way, by His suffering, as the only atoning sacrifice, He has redeemed our body and soul from everlasting damnation and obtained for us the grace of God, righteousness, and eternal life.

Q&A 38
**Q: Why did He suffer “under Pontius Pilate” as judge?**
**A:** So that He, though innocent, might be condemned by a civil judge and thereby free us from the severe judgment of God that was to fall on us.

Q&A 38
Q: Is there significance in His having been crucified rather than dying some other way?
**A:** Yes. By this death I am assured that He took upon Himself the curse which lay on me, since death by crucifixion was cursed by God.

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Breaking It Down

This Lord’s Day deals with the **suffering** of Christ, His **condemnation under Pontius Pilate**, and the **significance of His crucifixion**.

These doctrines aren’t just abstract theology—they are the very foundation of the gospel.

1. The Meaning of Christ’s Suffering

The suffering of Christ wasn’t limited to the cross. His entire earthly life was one of suffering. He was born in lowly circumstances, despised by His own people, rejected by the religious leaders, and ultimately betrayed by one of His closest followers.

But all of that was leading to **the ultimate suffering**—bearing the wrath of God.

Isaiah 53:5 says,
*"But He was pierced for our offenses, He was crushed for our wrongdoings; The punishment for our well-being was laid upon Him, And by His wounds we are healed."*

The suffering of Christ was **substitutionary**. He endured what we deserved. He **bore the wrath** of God in our place. This is the heart of the atonement.

Hebrews 9:28 confirms this:
*"So Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, without sin, to those who eagerly await Him for salvation."*

His suffering was not just an example of endurance—it was **a payment for sin**.

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2. Why Was Christ Condemned by Pilate?

The catechism asks why Christ suffered **under Pontius Pilate**. This isn’t just a historical detail—it carries deep theological meaning.

Christ, though innocent, was condemned by a human judge. Why?

- To **fulfill prophecy** – Isaiah 53:7-8 speaks of the Messiah being led like a lamb to the slaughter, unjustly condemned.
- To **demonstrate His innocence** – Pilate himself said, *“I find no guilt in this man.”* (Luke 23:4)
- To **show that Jesus bore the punishment we deserved** – He took our place under judgment.

We all stand guilty before the divine Judge. But Christ, though innocent, stood in our place, condemned so that we might be set free.

Romans 8:1 declares, *“Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus.”*

Why? Because Christ took the condemnation **for us**.

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3. The Significance of Crucifixion

The catechism points out that Christ didn’t just die—He was **crucified**. That’s significant.

Deuteronomy 21:23 says, *“For anyone who is hung on a tree is cursed of God.”*

Paul echoes this in Galatians 3:13:
*"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.’”*

Crucifixion wasn’t just a painful death—it was a **cursed death**. Christ took the **curse of sin** upon Himself so that we could be **freed from it**.

This is why the cross is central to Christianity. It wasn’t just a method of execution—it was the means by which Christ bore our curse and gave us His righteousness.

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Conclusion

Christ’s suffering was not just physical—it was **spiritual**. He bore the **wrath of God** in our place. He stood **condemned** before a human judge so that we could stand **justified** before the divine Judge. And He died **on a cross**, bearing the curse that was ours.

Through His suffering, we have **peace with God**. Through His condemnation, we have **freedom from judgment**. Through His crucifixion, we are **redeemed from the curse**.

This is the gospel.

And because Christ suffered for us, we can stand in confidence, knowing that the **debt has been paid in full**.

Soli Deo Gloria.