Saturday in the Thirty-Third Week of Ordinary Time

The Nicene Creed

Crucified under Pontius Pilate, Suffered, Buried

He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried

There are things we wish might have been said in the Creed; for instance, something about his sinless life, his miraculous signs, his wonderful teachings, his innumerable works of mercy.  But the Creed was meant to address only those matters which were most necessary and debated at that time.  Even so, the bishops bequeathed to us a Creed which is as comprehensive as any could ever hope to be in so few words.

After affirming his Incarnation, that Creed rushes to his crucifixion, showing us that it was for this that he came.  The crucifixion was not a surprise to God; it was prophesied in Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 53, and a host of other Old Testament passages.  In short, he came to die—and to rise again, but that will have to wait for tomorrow.  Moreover, he died and was buried, indicating that his death was real.  It was no fabrication.  The gospels never suggest that because he was the Son of God he really didn’t die.  Jesus died on the cross.  His soul parted from his body which was left lifeless in a tomb.  And all of this was for us and for our salvation.  Upon his resurrection, it is that blood which he spilt which washes away our sins, reconciles us unto his Father, and sets us on a path of growing in holiness as His Holy Spirit works his will and way in our lives.  Our Lord’s Incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection is all about our redemption.  Even after our rebellion, our God would not leave us behind.

I must say something about “under Pontius Pilate.”  Why that?  Was that line necessary?  Yes, it was—and is.  It’s not because Christians have a chip on their shoulders about Pilate.  Pilate’s name bears out the historicity of our Lord’s crucifixion.  Pontius Pilate was Procurator over Judea when our Lord was condemned.  His name is in ancient records other than the Bible; he can be dated—which is all to say that ours is an historical faith.  The biblical record is steeped in history and verified by hundreds of sources.  No book has ever been subjected to so much scrutiny.  And yet, it endures the test of time, and most especially in the billions of lives it has touched over the millennia. 

Yes, our Lord came down from heaven all for the purpose of paying the price for our sin and winning us back to our God and King.  And in between those two events was the most selfless life ever lived.  What a God!

Author: The Reformed Baptist

My name is Stephen Taylor, ordained Baptist minister of eighteen years pastoral experience with a Ph.D. in Historical Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Better than that, I am married to a godly woman, Karla, who has been very patient with me since 1989. I have two daughters, both of whom I homeschooled for extended periods of time, who became godly young women, and who ran off and married godly young men, all of which is very proper. The oldest daughter has even seen fit to bless me with a grandson and a granddaughter, and my youngest daughter with a grandson, all three of whom are bundles of exceeding joy. As you can see, I am quite blessed. This website is dedicated to helping people grow in the wisdom and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ through the gift of writing that the Lord has given to me. It is specifically about helping His people grow in godliness, the theme you see repeated above. I write devotions with this aim and hope that they might be of some help to God’s people. Full disclosure: I am of a Reformed bent, meaning that my understanding of Scripture is primarily informed by the Reformers and their successors of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. However, as a student of church history and theology, I strive to remain true to that teaching handed down once for all unto the saints through every age of the Church. I like to think of myself as a “catholic” Christian, as the Reformers thought of themselves. At any rate, feel free to read, pray, and contact me if you wish, or correct me if need be. As you can see, I tend to follow the church year. Of course, I make no special claims about these devotions. I know very well that others have written better and plumbed the depths of God’s word with greater insight. But if my musings help someone draw closer to the Lord, well then, I have my reward. Blessings to you and may the God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ speak to you that word which He knows you especially need to hear. Grace & peace, Stephen Taylor

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