The Divine Service for Sept 17, 2023 - Trinity 15

Friends of Christ the King, 
You are welcome to join us this Sunday at 5pm in Covington (203 N. Jefferson Ave) for Holy Communion Service followed by fellowship, refreshments and catechism.  If you can make it, consider reviewing and using our Service Booklet and Catechism lesson for your personal edification at home. 

To Be A Christian - Catechism Review
Part II - Believing in Christ 
The Apostles Creed and the Articles of Faith
Article II (Continued) 

“He suffered under pontius pilate”
59. Why did Jesus suffer?
Jesus suffered as a sacrifice for our sins so that we could have peace with God, as prophesied in the Old Testament: “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 52:13–53:12, see 53:5; John 1:29; Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4) 

60. In what ways did Jesus suffer?
On earth, the incarnate Son shared physically, emotionally, and spiritually in the temptations and sufferings common to all peo- ple, yet without sin. In his agony and desolation on the Cross, he uniquely suffered in my place for my sins and, in so doing, revealed God’s love and compassion for fallen and suffering humanity. (Psalm 22:1–24; Matthew 4:1–10; 27:26–50; Hebrews 4:14–16)
61. How do Jesus’ sufferings help you?
Jesus has experienced our sufferings, understands our sorrows, and is able to sympathize with our weakness. Therefore, I should bear my sufferings with perseverance and hope, for my Savior is with me in them, and through them I will come to know him more fully. ( Job 9:32–35; Psalm 22:22–26; Isaiah 53:4–7; Luke 4:1–13; Hebrews 4:14–5:10)
62. Why does the Creed say that Jesus suffered under the Roman governor Pontius Pilate?
The Creed thus makes clear that Jesus’ life and death were real events that occurred at a particular time and place in Judea in the first century AD. (Psalm 2:1–6; Luke 3:1–2; 23; Acts 4:24–28). 

“was crucified, died, and was buried”
“he descended to the dead”
63. What happened at Jesus’ crucifixion?
Jesus was executed as a common criminal. He was scourged, mocked, and nailed to a Cross outside the walls of Jerusalem. Though humanly a miscarriage of justice, his execution fulfilled God’s plan of salvation. (Psalm 22:1–21; Isaiah 53:8; Matthew 27:22–26) 
64. What did Jesus accomplish on the Cross?
Jesus fulfilled the Scriptures by dying on the Cross as a sacrifice for sin in obedience to his Father. He thereby showed the depth of the love of God for his fallen creation, satisfying the justice of God on our behalf and breaking the power of sin, Satan, and death. (Le­viticus 23:18–21; Psalm 34:15–22; Colossians 2:13–15; Hebrews 10:11–14) 
65. What does Jesus’ death mean for you?
Jesus bore my sins and died the death that I deserve, so that I could be saved from sin and eternal condemnation and reconciled to God. (Psalm 32:1–2; Isaiah 53:10–12; Matthew 20:28; Romans 5:8–10; 2 Corinthians 5:17–21)
66. Why does the Creed make a point of saying that Jesus died?
The Creed makes the point to emphasize that Jesus died a real, bodily death such as all people face because of our sins. (Psalm 22:14–15; Isaiah 53:8–9; Matthew 27:45–50; John 19:30–35)
67. Why does the Creed emphasize Jesus’ death in this way?
The Creed emphasizes Jesus’ death to counter suspicions that Jesus did not truly die on the Cross, to celebrate the fact that he died there to secure our salvation, and to prepare our minds to grasp the glory of his bodily resurrection. ( John 19:31–34; 1 John 5:6–8)
68. What does the Creed mean by saying that Jesus descended to the dead?
That Jesus descended to the dead means that he truly died and entered the place of the departed. (Psalm 16:9–10; Acts 2:25–32; Ephesians 4:9–10; 1 Peter 3:18–19) 
“on the third day he rose again”

69. What does the Creed mean when it affirms that Jesus rose again from the dead?
It means that Jesus was not simply resuscitated; God restored him physically from death to life in his resurrected body, never to die again. His tomb was empty; Jesus had risen bodily from the dead. The risen Jesus was seen by his apostles and hundreds of other witnesses. (Psalm 30:1–5; Luke 24:1–12; John 20:1–18; Acts 1:3; 1 Co­rinthians 15:3–8)
70. What kind of earthly life did Jesus have after he rose from the dead?
Following his resurrection, Jesus spent forty days visiting and teaching his followers. He appeared to his disciples, spoke to them, invited them to touch him and see his scars, and ate with them. (Luke 24:13–49; John 20:19–29; Acts 1:1–8)