What Makes This Week Different?
This is the final week of Jesus' ministry before enduring the cross. Many call it Holy Week. I like that. You don't have to be Catholic or Episcopalian to appreciate the importance of allowing the events of Christ's journey to the cross settle in your spirit.
So what makes this week any different than another? While it is just seven days, it is important for us to take the time to remember what Christ has done on our behalf. The Apostle's Creed says, "suffered under Pontius Pilate...."
Let's take a moment and consider what suffering Christ endured and why. 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. And he did it so that by his suffering as the only atoning sacrifice, he might set us free, body and soul, from eternal condemnation. But not only that, he gains for us God's grace, righteousness and eternal life. Christ's whole person was ravaged and tormented for our sake -- for our benefit. Sin needed to be paid for because God is also just. None of us would be able to bear that payment ourselves. (read Isaiah 53; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18; Romans 3:24-26; Hebrews 10:14; 1 John 2:2; 4:10; Rom 8:1-4; Gal 3:13; John 3:16).
And what about suffering under Pontius Pilate? You see it was important for Jesus to also be judged by man not just God. Christ was judged under Pontius Pilate so that he, though innocent, might be condemned by a civil judge, and so free us from the severe judgement of God that was to fall on us. Pilate unknowingly judged Christ on behalf of the whole human race. (read Luke 23:13-24; John 19:4, 12-16; Isaiah 53:4,5; II Corinthians 5:21; Galations 3:13).
It is good to set time aside this week to remember and believe what Christ has done for you and me.
PA
So what makes this week any different than another? While it is just seven days, it is important for us to take the time to remember what Christ has done on our behalf. The Apostle's Creed says, "suffered under Pontius Pilate...."
Let's take a moment and consider what suffering Christ endured and why. 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. And he did it so that by his suffering as the only atoning sacrifice, he might set us free, body and soul, from eternal condemnation. But not only that, he gains for us God's grace, righteousness and eternal life. Christ's whole person was ravaged and tormented for our sake -- for our benefit. Sin needed to be paid for because God is also just. None of us would be able to bear that payment ourselves. (read Isaiah 53; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18; Romans 3:24-26; Hebrews 10:14; 1 John 2:2; 4:10; Rom 8:1-4; Gal 3:13; John 3:16).
And what about suffering under Pontius Pilate? You see it was important for Jesus to also be judged by man not just God. Christ was judged under Pontius Pilate so that he, though innocent, might be condemned by a civil judge, and so free us from the severe judgement of God that was to fall on us. Pilate unknowingly judged Christ on behalf of the whole human race. (read Luke 23:13-24; John 19:4, 12-16; Isaiah 53:4,5; II Corinthians 5:21; Galations 3:13).
It is good to set time aside this week to remember and believe what Christ has done for you and me.
PA
(some of the above adapted from the Heidelberg Catechism question and answers 37&38)
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