Fridays with the Heidelberg

Lord’s Day 16
40. Q.WHY DID CHRIST HAVE TO GO ALL THE WAY TO DEATH?

A. Because God’s justice and truth demand it: only the death of God’s Son could pay for our sin.

41. Q. WHY WAS HE “BURIED”?

A. His burial testifies that He really died.

42. Q. SINCE CHRIST HAS DIED FOR US, WHY DO WE STILL HAVE TO DIE?

A. Our death does not pay the debt for our sins. Rather, it puts an end to our sinning and is our entrance into eternal life.

43. Q. WHAT FURTHER ADVANTAGE DO WE RECEIVE FROM CHRIST’S SACRIFICE AND DEATH ON THE CROSS?

A. Through Christ’s death our old selves are crucified, put to death, and buried with Him, so that the evil desires of the flesh may no longer rule us, but that instead we may dedicate ourselves as an offering of gratitude to Him.

44. Q. WHY DOES THE CREED ADD, “HE DESCENDED TO HELL”?

A. To assure me in times of personal crisis and temptation that Christ my Lord, by suffering unspeakable anguish, pain, and terror of soul, especially on the cross but also earlier, has delivered me from the anguish and torment of hell.



It is quite timely(Good Friday)to reflect on this Lord’s Day reading. These questions and answers concerning Christ's death and burial bring about a variety of thoughts in my mind; the Holiness of God, the weight of my sin, and the sufficiency of Christ.

The answer to 42 also helps us to think biblically about death. As Christians, we can take comfort in this subject. For at death, the sanctification process of the believer is completed and they are now glorified. Adversely, there is no comfort in death for the unbeliever. In fact, unbelievers continue in a state of sin and misery after death.

Christians, take comfort this Easter weekend in what Christ has accomplished for our good and for His glory in His death, burial, and resurrection.

If you are reading this and you are not a Christian, I pray you will trust in Christ. Only His death could pay the penalty for your sin. It is only through gospel lenses that you are able to gain the comforting realities of death. Only through Christ’s sacrifice can our bondage to sin be overcome. Consider Jesus!