Episode 11: Crucifixion, Death & Burial | We Believe: A Study of the Apostles Creed
Reflecting on Jesus' Suffering: The Apostles' Creed and the Crucifixion
As we walk through the Apostles' Creed, there's a powerful moment where we affirm our belief in "Jesus, who suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried." These words may seem simple, but they invite us into a profound reflection on the life and death of Jesus Christ. As we dive deeper into this truth, we realize the immense weight of what Jesus endured for us. In our discussion, we explore the significance of Jesus' suffering, from the garden of Gethsemane to the horrors of Golgotha, reminding us of the importance of truly understanding what Christ accomplished through His sacrifice.
The Agony of Gethsemane: Pressed to the Core
In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus faced an intense moment of distress. Gethsemane, which means "olive press," symbolizes a place where Jesus was metaphorically crushed under the weight of what He knew was coming. He experienced a deep spiritual and emotional turmoil, knowing that He would soon face betrayal and the brutal suffering of the cross. This hour of agony was not just about physical pain; it was about the crushing burden of carrying the sins of the world. Jesus took His closest disciples with Him, but even they could not fully understand the weight of what He was about to endure.
His prayer in Gethsemane, asking, "Father, if there is any other way, take this cup from me," reveals the deep anguish He felt. Yet, in the midst of His distress, He submitted to the will of the Father: "Not my will, but Your will be done." This was a moment of incredible obedience and surrender, showing us the depth of Jesus' love for us and His commitment to fulfilling God's plan of salvation.
Golgotha: The Place of Suffering and Sacrifice
After the emotional turmoil of Gethsemane, Jesus was taken to Golgotha—the "place of the skull"—where He would face the most excruciating form of execution known to man: crucifixion. The suffering Jesus endured on the cross was brutal, both physically and spiritually. Roman soldiers were experts in inflicting prolonged suffering. The scourging alone, with whips embedded with metal, bone, or glass, was meant to cause intense pain while keeping the victim alive. Once Jesus was on the cross, His body was positioned in such a way that each breath was a painful struggle. He hung there for hours, suffocating, yet enduring it all to accomplish what no one else could—paying the penalty for our sins.
In this moment, Jesus was not just experiencing physical pain; He was also enduring separation from the Father, something unimaginable for the Son of God. For the first time in eternity, Jesus experienced abandonment, crying out, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?" This was the moment when He took on the full weight of our sin, suffering not just for His own sake but for ours.
Christ’s Real Suffering and Death
In Galatians 3:13, we read, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.” This verse highlights the depth of Jesus’ sacrifice. Through His death, Jesus bore the weight of sin and God's wrath upon Himself. He didn’t simply endure suffering; He took on our sins, faced God's judgment, and experienced the full extent of God’s holiness. The tearing of the temple veil symbolized the breaking down of barriers between us and God, making access to Him possible. For us, understanding this part of the Apostles' Creed—the real suffering and death of Jesus—helps us grasp the magnitude of what He did for us.
When we talk about Jesus' death, we are also talking about His humanity. It was real, and it was final. Jesus' body was physically broken on the cross. His death wasn’t symbolic—it was a real event witnessed by many, including a centurion who testified that Jesus was indeed the Son of God after His death. The historical evidence of Jesus' death is crucial in our faith journey.
The Importance of Christ's Death in Historic Christianity
As we reflect on the death of Jesus, it's essential to hold onto the Orthodox and historical Christian understanding of this event. Jesus didn’t just appear to die; He truly died. His humanity experienced death in the most physical sense. This reality shapes our understanding of salvation. Without the real death of Christ, the resurrection wouldn't have the power it does.
I (Klarc) can recount a moment from my childhood when I was with my father at a funeral. I was struck by the reality of death when he touched the cold hand of the deceased. My father used this experience to explain the truth of Jesus' death. The physical death of Jesus, and the truth that His body was laid in the tomb for three days, is essential to our understanding of the gospel. This truth is one that historic Christianity has always maintained. The death of Jesus is not something we should overlook or downplay, but rather embrace as a core part of our faith.
In our own study of the Apostles’ Creed, we are reminded to continually reflect on these foundational truths. Jesus truly died, and this death, this sacrifice, is at the heart of the gospel. The more we understand this, the deeper our faith and appreciation for Christ’s work on the cross will be.
Stay in the Scriptures, continue your study, and as we move forward in this series, we will unpack the significance of the resurrection and all that Jesus' death and rising again mean for us.
