Lord's Day 15

37. Q. What do you understand by the word "suffered"?
A. That during His whole life on earth, but especially at the end, Christ sustained in body and soul the anger of God against the sin of the whole human race. This He did in order that, by His suffering as the only atoning sacrifice, He might set us free, body and soul, from eternal condemnation, and gain for us God's grace, righteousness, and eternal life.

38. Q. Why did He suffer "under Pontius Pilate" as judge?
A. So that He, though innocent, might be condemned by a civil judge, and so free us from the severe judgment of God that was to fall on us.

39. Q. Is it significant that He was "crucified" instead of dying some other way?
A. Yes. This death convinces me that He shouldered the curse which lay on me, since death by crucifixion was accursed by God.

"Christ does not come to us merely saying, "I've done My part. I laid down My life for everyone because I have saving love for everyone in the whole world. Now, if you would only believe and come to Me. I can save you." Instead He says to us, "I was pierced for your transgressions. I was crushed for your iniquities. I have purchased with My blood people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation (see Isa. 53:5, Rev. 5:9). I Myself bore your sins in My body on the tree, so that you might infallibly die to sins and assuredly live for righteousness. For My wounds did not merely make healing available. They healed you." (see 1 Peter 2:24).

The Good News We Almost Forgot, Kevin DeYoung, Moody Publishers, 2010, pp. 80, 84. (emphasis mine)