Day 24, Nicene Creed, 16th Line

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate

Being crucified under Pontius Pilate was not a human experience unique to Jesus. It happened all the time. In fact, we know that Jesus was crucified between two common criminals who were dying for their crimes, and certainly not for the sake of anyone else. While the cross in now the symbol of Christianity, at the time, it was merely a symbol of shame and guilt.

But as far as the various deities proposed to humanity are concerned, crucifixion is unique to Christ. There is no other god willing to suffer and die for the sake of his or her people. There is no other god like our God. In reality, this is because there is no other god, period.

And He did it for our sake, meaning He took our place. In a sense, it should have been us suffocating in humility between those two common criminals. That is our level of guilt. But Jesus took on our guilt, and He took on our shame, and He paid the price so that we might live. He took our brokenness, and gave us His righteousness in return. What kind of God does something like that?

Only the real One.

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This reflection is a part of By Heart: A Lenten Prayer Project.

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