Obedient to the point of death…
What does Jesus’ suffering mean to you?
One important motif in the writings of the Evangelist Luke is that of the journey. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem is the completion of his long journey to that city, an entry made on a colt on which no one has ever sat rather than on a war horse. Why? Because Jesus is not the kind of Messiah many people think he is; he has not come to save the Hebrew people from the domination of the Romans, but rather from their own sin. The loud praise of Jesus’ disciples as he enters the city causes some of the Pharisees to say, Teacher, rebuke your disciples, for they fear the Romans will hear the multitude and decide a revolt is underway. Jesus’ response is telling: If they keep silent, the stones will cry out! Nothing can stop God’s action on behalf of God’s people.
Another important motif in Luke’s Gospel is that of Jesus’ suffering, which has been foretold both in the Book of the Prophet Isaiah and in Psalm 22. The Suffering Servant described by Isaiah does not turn away from the abuse inflicted upon him for bringing God’s word: I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. But the very human abuse inflicted on the Servant cannot cause him to feel shame because it is God who defines his life, and so the Servant sets his face like flint, allowing himself to be that which ignites the process of transformation that will awaken all to God’s will. Psalm 22 is similarly prophetic, as it describes the pain and suffering and rejection by others that Jesus himself will know during his Passion: They have pierced my hands and my feet; I can count all my bones.
As Paul tells the Philippians, Jesus himself is very much aware of the Father’s will, and so he empties himself, taking the form of a slave, remaining obedient to the point of death. Jesus comes to sacrifice himself out of love for humankind, and in Luke’s Passion Jesus himself details the suffering to come from the very opening of the Last Supper. The bread Jesus shares with the apostles is his body, which will be given for them; the cup he blesses is the new covenant in his blood. Jesus acknowledges the hand of the one who is to betray him, present on the table, as well as Simon Peter’s forthcoming act to deny three times that he knows Jesus. How painful knowledge of these betrayals must have been to Jesus, even before he submits to the ridicule and beating of those who take him into custody, the condemnation of the council of elders of the people, and the contemptuous, mocking treatment of Herod and his soldiers. Throughout his excruciating crucifixion, Jesus continues to bear the soldiers’ jeering and the revilement of one the criminals hanging with him.
Yet there is grace, too, in this heart-wrenching Passion. For example, in spite of Simon Peter’s imminent betrayal, Jesus prays that Simon’s faith may not fail, and instructs him, once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers. Jesus even heals the ear of the high priest’s servant, encourages the daughters of Jerusalem who weep not to mourn (not yet!), and responds without rancor to Pilate’s interrogation. Ultimately, Jesus creates peace where one would not anticipate finding it. This is what his death and resurrection do, for who expects to find peace in violence? As Jesus breathes his last, the veil of the temple is torn down the middle, opening access to God’s presence to all humankind.
No matter how twisted or broken humankind becomes, God loves us; this is why he sent his Son to die for us. Nothing stops God’s action on behalf of God’s people. We, in turn, can but open our hands to the Lord in praise, giving glory to him in gratitude, so that we can be born, through Christ’s suffering, into eternal life and know perfect union with him in paradise.
This post is based on Fr. Pat’s Scripture class.
Image source: www.wordclouds.com
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