The Apostles’ Creed (Part 12) – Died

<aside> 💡 Look at the picture. We've got old and young. Men and women. Rich and poor. Married and single. Introverts and extroverts. People from different nations who speak different languages. What do all these people have in common? Obviously they are human. But what do all these humans have in common? They will all one day die. And like what will happen to every human being, including us, Christians believe that Jesus died as well. That's what the next part of the Apostles' creed, this summary of what Christians believe the Scriptures teach.

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 Holy Spirt, Born of the Virgin Mary. Suffered under Pontius Pilate, crucified, died.

Died. Jesus really died. That's what Christians believe. That's what the eyewitness accounts tell us.

Roman soldiers who crucified Jesus on orders of Pilate were experts at making sure people who were put to death, were dead. And just to make sure Jesus was dead, they pierced his side with a spear. Jesus died.

Now what does it mean that Jesus died? It means that after experiencing the curse of God as he was crucified, a separation took place. Jesus' human body was separated from his human soul. Because that's what death is - it is separation of body and soul. And it was necessary for this to happen to him, for him to taste death, because the wages of sin is death, and he need to die in order to pay for our sins in our place so that our death does not lead to another death. The second death which is a separation from all the favour and blessing of God.

For Jesus His suffering under Pontius Pilate and crucifixion ended up in death. He died like we will one die. But He died to save us so that our death might not end in death but life.

</aside>