Lord’s Day 15
Q39. Is it significant that he was crucified instead of dying some other way?
Yes. This death convinces me that he shouldered the curse which lay on me, since death by crucifixion was accursed by God.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Galatians 3:13
“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.”
Deuteronomy 21:23
“His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee an inheritance.”
Commentary — Zacharias Ursinus (1616)
The death of the cross is an aggravation of the punishment of Christ, and a confirmation of our faith. For if Christ was crucified, then he has taken upon himself the curse, because the death of the cross was a figure, or sign of the curse; and not only so, but he has also endured the curse for us, inasmuch as he was righteous in himself.
God, therefore, willed that his Son should endure the punishment of such an ignominious death, for these most satisfactory reasons:
1. That we may know that the curse which was laid upon him was due on account of our sins; for the death of the cross was accursed of God, according to what is written, "Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree." (Deut. 21:23.)