From Discipleship Weekly
(a publication of the Presbyterian Church of Islip)
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A Word from Our Sponsor
". . .whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. "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 10:43-45 The Heidelberg Catechism: Part 2- Of Man's Redemption Week 15 Of God the Son 37. Q. 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. [Is. 53;
John 3:16;
Rom. 3:24-26; 8:1-4;
I Cor. 5:7;
II Cor. 5:21;
Gal. 3:13;
Col. 1:13;
I Tim. 2:6;
Heb. 9:12,15; 10:14;
I Pet. 1:18, 19; 2:24; 3:18;
I John 2:2; 4:10]
38. Q. 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. [Is. 53:4-5;
Luke 23:13-24;
John 19:4, 12-16;
II Cor. 5:21;
Gal. 3:13]
39. Q. 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. Suggestions for discussion and review:
Christ's suffering, before and after the Cross, was marked by different events in his life on earth. Below are a few words associated with these events. See how many more you can think of, and then share what they mean to you.
He cannot bless us unless he has us. When we try to keep within us an area that is our own, we try to keep an area of death. Therefore, in love, He claims all. There's no bargaining with Him. -- C. S. Lewis |