Suffered, crucified, died, buried

We call the day Good Friday and more is said in this Creed about the events of that day than about anything else. It was Jesus’s day of destiny, the supreme reason why he had come into this world (Mark 8:31; Mark 10:45; John 12:27). It would be a day of anguish for him, but it had to be done.

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The line “suffered under Pontius Pilate” may seem an unnecessary detail but it makes clear that this was an historical event, and one in which the whole world, not just the Jews, was complicit. Crucifixion was not simply a means of execution for criminals but also of intense and cruel suffering – our word excruciate comes from the same Latin root (crux = cross). Death is the final and ultimate part of that day’s tragedy.

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So why is it called Good Friday? There is nothing good about it... except the outcome. He suffered for our transgressions. On the cross he bore our sins. He didn’t just die – he died for us. By his wounds, we are healed. (1 Pet.2:24; Isaiah 53:3-6). His death emphasises his humanity which enabled him to act as our divine representative. By sharing in our human suffering, he was able to bring us freedom from sin and death (Heb.2:14-15). “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift” (2 Cor.9:15)