3/21/12- The Suffering of Christ

29- 3/21- HDBG- 37-40

Q. 37. What do you understand by the word “suffered”?

A. That throughout his life on earth, but especially at the end of it, he bore in body and soul the wrath of God against the sin of the whole human race, so that by his suffering, as the only expiatory sacrifice, he might redeem our body and soul from everlasting damnation, and might obtain for us God’s grace, righteousness, and eternal life.

Q. 38. Why did he suffer “under Pontius Pilate” as his judge?

A. That he, being innocent, might be condemned by an earthly judge, and thereby set us free from the judgment of God which, in all its severity, ought to fall upon us.

Q. 39. Is there something more in his having been crucified than if he had died some other death?

A. Yes, for by this I am assured that he took upon himself the curse which lay upon me, because the death of the cross was cursed by God

Q. 40. Why did Christ have to suffer “death”?

A. Because the righteousness and truth of God are such that nothing else could make reparation for our sins except the death of the Son of God.

Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. ² The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe ³ and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped him in the face. (John 19:1-3)

To this suffering, you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.  (1 Peter 2:21)

Thoughts: These words from the catechism are familiar themes for the Apostles’ Creed.  They emphasize that Jesus really suffered.  It was not an illusion, but it was God experiencing our pain. Muslims do not believe that Jesus suffered on the cross and rose. For Christians, however, the suffering of Christ is not a source of trivia, but it is an essential part of the message (the kerygma- 1 Cor. 15:3).  We live in and through His suffering and death.  His suffering teaches us that suffering can have meaning.  His suffering is a sacrifice made by Almighty God for undeserving humans.  

Prayer: This Lent may we understand Christ’s suffering.