April 18, 2021
Third Sunday of Easter (Year B)
Both the First Reading and the Gospel for today describe an event following the Resurrection of Jesus. One of the things they have in common is a reference to the scriptures from the Old Testament which were fulfilled by Christ. In particular, they describe Christ’s suffering before his death as something that had been revealed in the prophets and the psalms. This aspect of Christ’s passion, in fact, has a firm basis in the Hebrew Scriptures, more so than most Christians might realize.
In the reading from the book of Acts (Acts 3:13-15, 17-19) Peter, accompanied by John, has just cured a man crippled from birth. The onlookers respond with amazement, so Peter turns and asks them why they are looking so intently at him. He then proceeds to admonish them for the events that had taken place on Good Friday. He accuses them of putting to death “the Holy and Righteous One” (Acts 3:14) in cooperation with Pilate as an act of ignorance. But he informs them that their actions have had no impact – Jesus has been raised from the dead. All that has occurred has been an action on God’s part in order to fulfill a prophecy: “What had been announced beforehand through the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer.” (Acts 3:18.
The Gospel from Luke (Lk. 24:35-48) picks up after the story of the Road to Emmaus. The two disciples who had encountered Jesus on their journey have returned to Jerusalem to report to the others what they have seen and how Jesus was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. While they are recounting their story Jesus suddenly appears in their midst and says, “Peace be with you.” (Lk. 24:36b).
Of course, they are startled and terrified, they think they are seeing a ghost. But Jesus proves to them that he is physically present by showing them his wounds and eating a piece of baked fish. Jesus then asks them why they are so troubled because, after all, he had predicted his death and resurrection many times. He reminds them that he was made to suffer for the forgiveness of sins so that everything written about him “in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” (Lk. 24:44b).
One might ask what are these prophecies that both Peter and Jesus speak about which pertain to his suffering and crucifixion? Indeed, they are so numerous that we can only look at a few of them. First and foremost are the Old Testament prophecies from the book of Isaiah which refer to the “Suffering Servant” of the Lord who must endure pain and affliction for the sake of Israel (Isa. (Isa. 50:1-11, 52:13-53:12). Some of the verses appear to be an exact description of what Jesus suffers during his passion.
For example, during his trial, Jesus offers very little defense of himself to the high priest or Pilate. He remains mostly silent like the oppressed servant who “like a sheep before the shearers” does not open his mouth” (Mt. 26:63, cf. Isa. 53:7b). After he is convicted, his accusers spit on him and strike him on the head with a reed, but like the meek and mild Suffering Servant, Jesus gives “his back to those who beat him and does not hide from insults and spitting” (Mt 27:30, cf. Isa. 50:6). Jesus even goes so far as to endure pain and death as a sin offering for others. Although he, himself, is guilty of no transgressions, like “a lamb led to slaughter” (Isa. 53:7a) he carries the weight of the cross to accomplish God’s work for the sake of His people.
When we turn to the Psalms, especially Psalm 22, we also find a great number of references to the suffering experienced by Jesus. For example, during his trial, the chief priests and the crowds scorn Jesus and call for his crucifixion instead of the revolutionary known as Barabbas. Jesus becomes like “a worm, not a man, scorned by men, despised by the people” (Ps. 22:7). At his crucifixion, he is nailed to the cross as in “they have pierced my hands and my feet” (Ps. 22:7), and the soldiers gamble for his few belongings, “For my clothing they cast lots” (Ps.22:19b). In fact, the onlookers jeer at Jesus and mock him with a quote directly from this psalm: “He relied on the LORD—let him deliver him; if he loves him, let him rescue him.” (Ps. 22:9).
From the cross, Jesus even speaks words reminiscent of the Psalms. He says, “I thirst” (Jn. 19:28) in order to fulfill the words of Psalm 22, “As dry as a potsherd is my throat; my tongue cleaves to my palate” (Ps. 22:16). He prays in supplication to the Father for his release, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Mk. 15:34, cf. Ps. 22:1). And with his dying breath he completes his mission uttering, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” (Lk. 23:46, cf. Ps. 31:6).
Finally, before Jesus is taken down from the cross, the soldiers pierce his side to make sure that he is dead while his followers look on. We can appreciate the pain and turmoil his mother and other friends must have been experiencing. It is explicitly stated in this prophecy from Zechariah: “I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of mercy and supplication, so that when they look on him whom they have thrust through, they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and they will grieve for him as one grieves over a firstborn.” (Zech. 12:10).
One might wonder – why all this suffering? Why would Jesus have to undergo such humiliation, mockery, anguish, and pain for the sake of our sins? Here we are well reminded of one of the central tenets of our faith – Jesus is not just the “Son of God,” he is the Second Person of the Trinity, God Himself present through the incarnation.
The suffering and death of the Incarnate God on the cross thus reveals the extent of God’s love for and intimate relationship with us. Jürgen Moltmann, an early 20th century German theologian, once wrote: “Suffering binds us with God. When we feel pain we participate in his pain, and when we grieve, we share his grief. People who believe in the God who suffers with us, recognize their suffering in God, and God in their suffering.”
Jesus entered into the humility of becoming man so that he might share the human experience even to the lowest depths of our suffering. When we suffer, we take solace in the fact that Jesus is there beside us having experienced every emotion that accompanies our grief and pain. This is why God tells us in yet another Old Testament prophecy, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isa. 41:10).
