The Apostles’ Creed (Part 11) – Crucified

<aside> 💡 Look at the following symbols - can you tell me what they stand for?

WiFi Nike Starbucks Poison - Danger - Death Love Peace Banstead Community Church Christianity or Jesus’ death

We use this symbol of the cross to represent the Christian faith, the gospel, Jesus’ death.

But before Jesus died on the cross, the cross meant something else to God’s people.

To the Israelites, the Jews, the cross represented being under God’s curse.

”For anyone hung on a tree is under God’s curse.” (Deuteronomy 21:23)

Now keep that in mind as we look at the next part of the Apostles’ Creed - this short summary of what Christians believe.

I believe in God the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Suffered under Pontius Pilate, crucified.

I want us to look at this single word - crucified.

We saw last week that Pilate, even though he knew Jesus was innocent, gave orders for Him to be crucified.

The method which the Romans used to execute the worst of criminals.

It was a painful and shameful way to die.

And as Pilate ordered, Jesus was crucified as we read in John 19:18.

”There they crucified him and two others with him, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle.” (John 19:18)

Jesus hung on the cross.

And to everyone it looked like he was under God’s curse.

But He had done nothing wrong. He lived a perfect life. How could He be under God’s curse? Why was He being crucified?

Paul tells ua, ”Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, because it is written, Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” (Galatians 3:13)

Jesus was crucified to take the curse of God instead of us.

That’s why Christians believe Jesus was crucified.

Not just because it actually happened. Which it did.

But because it needed to happen to take the curse of God we deserve because of our sin instead of us.

Do you believe Jesus was crucified?

Do you believe Jesus was crucified to take the curse of God for your sins instead of you?

Can you truly say, “I believe Jesus was crucified,” and He was crucified for me?

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