“He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.”
It is fitting that we read these words on this day of days. This phrase from the Apostles’ Creed reminds us of what happened to our Lord Jesus on Good Friday.
In Good Friday services today believers will be reminded of the stark facts surrounding Jesus’ agonized prayers in Gethsemane, his betrayal, his mock trials, his death on a cross, and his burial. Sometimes worshippers will be instructed to depart from services in silence to emphasize the solemnity of these themes.
“He suffered”
The gospel of Mark, chapter 15, recounts the sufferings of Jesus. He suffered open rejection by his own people. “Crucify him!” they shouted (v. 14). He was also rejected by friends who betrayed him, denied him, and fled the scene when he was taken captive.
He suffered torture. Roman soldiers flogged him (v. 15). This was a brutal whipping that lashed and lacerated his back, hips, arms and neck. It was not unusual for prisoners to die by this means.
He suffered mockery. Mark describes how the soldiers put a purple robe on him, twisted thorns together to form a rude crown for his head, and then knelt before him in sarcastic mockery of “the king of the Jews” (vv. 12, 16-20).
He suffered disgrace. If you and I had witnessed all this in person, we would probably have turned our eyes away in embarrassment and shame. He was paraded through the streets of Jerusalem with insults being hurled at him. He was too weak from the flogging to carry his own cross. He was led to the place of execution to be crucified with common criminals. He was stripped naked and soldiers gambled to see who would get to keep his clothes (vv. 20-24).
It is important to remember that he did not deserve this. The apostle Peter says that “he committed no sin” (1 Peter 2:22). Paul adds that he “had no sin” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Hebrews 4:15 declares that Jesus “was without sin.” He was like “a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:19).
“Under Pontius Pilate”
Why was Pilate named in the Apostles’ Creed? Perhaps it was to establish the historical certainty and time of Jesus’ trial and death. There are references to Pontius Pilate in the annals of Roman history, as well as in the writings of the Jewish historian Josephus. In 1964, archaeologists discovered at Caesarea in Israel, a first century inscription bearing the name and title of Pilate. Also, naming him in this way establishes the complicity of the Gentile governor in the death of Jesus. The Jews were not the only ones responsible.
Mark’s account of the interrogation of Jesus before Pilate reveals how eager the governor was to appease the Jewish leaders. He knew Jesus had done nothing wrong, but he was willing to violate all the laws of justice to keep himself in power and to try to keep order in Judea.
It has been said that when Pilate thought Jesus was on trial before him, it was he who was on trial before Jesus! William Barclay wrote this about Pilate: “He did the wrong thing because he was afraid to do the right thing. He was not the first, who, when confronted with the choice between worldly ambition and obedience to Jesus Christ — chose worldly ambition.”
“Was crucified, died and was buried”
Crucifixion has been described as a hideous death in which the victim literally dies a thousand deaths. It is hard not to think of Jesus as a victim of a great tragedy. Humanly, it is a tragedy and a travesty of justice. But theologically — and we are called to think theologically about this — it is not a tragedy, but a victory.
Mark does not explain the theological significance of the crucifixion. His gospel states the historical facts, but it does not interpret them. It is the teaching and writing of the other apostles that gives us the fuller explanation. Nor does Mark give a detailed description of all that was involved in crucifixion. Many contemporary scholars have researched the matter. History and archaeology give ample evidence to support the Bible’s brief description of events.
The Creed is correct. Jesus died by crucifixion. The Romans executed thousands by this method. They were experts at it. They knew when a victim had died. Jesus was buried. This is proof of his death. This is what we remember on Good Friday.
Why?
Looking at this from God’s point of view — and that is what it means to think theologically — we are given reasons for Jesus’ suffering. It was God’s purpose. It was his eternal plan. Jesus prayed shortly before he died, “What shall I say? ‘Father save me from this hour?’ No, it was for this very reason that I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name” (John 12:27).
It was the Son’s obedience. Jesus said, “I lay down my life. . . . No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again” (John 10:18).
It was our sin that caused the death of Jesus. It was necessary that a perfectly sinless human being (God’s Son) die for the sins of the world. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24). “Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God” (1 Peter 3:18).
Not long after the release of his film “The Passion of the Christ” Mel Gibson was interviewed by Diane Sawyer. “Who killed Jesus?” she asked. “We all did,” he answered.
Pastor Randy Faulkner