Nothing is exciting like participating in the final work which gives meaning for the entire process of the vocation that began earlier. Triggering greater interest, finishing points often coerce ones focus on to the heart throbbing event. For example, when athletes approach the finishing line, spectators stand and scream. Some even cry due to an overwhelming emotional fulfilment.
Strikingly, In spite of people’s eagerness for close ups, disciples’ lack of interest in Jesus’ description about the completion of His redeeming task categorized them among the unregenerate (Luke 18: 31-34). Even though the twelve followed Jesus for the whole three years and appeared to be most zealous people that ever lived on the face of the earth before Jesus, He perceived them to be spiritually impaired as a blind man (Luke 18: 35-43).So, Jesus prescribed a persistent reliance on him as the son of David which would be the cure to their spiritual ignorance.
But why was Christ’s suffering at Jerusalem so crucial to the disciples?
First, Christ’s suffering is the key that unfolds the entire Old Testament’s writings concerning His independent power on offering Himself as a complete sacrifice (Luke 18: 31-32).
“Jesus took the twelve aside and told them, ‘We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again. ”
According to Luke’s presentation, no one takes charge on Christ’s death except Himself. The Voice Luke used in verse 32(with statements such as, “He will be handed, will be mocked, mistreated, and spit upon”) is passive. By this the point Luke tried to communicate is that not even a single person has any right to claim authority on Jesus’ sufferings and death other than Christ alone. Jesus affirms this in John 10: 17-18 in a more clear way.
“The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
Second, Christ’s suffering is the God ordained plan which holds the entire mankind accountable (Luke 18: 33).“…and after they have scourged Him, they will kill Him…”
As the phrase, “which are written through the prophets,” (verse 31), unveils it, Christ’s death on the cross is God’s predetermined plan (Luke 24:46, Rev. 13:8). But, that is only partial truth of the gospel accounts. Luke along with other Biblical witnesses testifies that Jews and Gentiles without separation take the blame for shedding the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s son. Is God responsible for causing people to kill Jesus? By no means! In fact, none of the scriptures support this assumption. Instead, the Bible conveys that the whole human race contributed for the assassination of Jesus due to their slavery under sin and strong attachment to the devil (John 8: 34- 47). Thus Luke presents the simultaneousness of God’s sovereignty and the responsibility of sinful humanity in Acts 2: 23 quoting peters preaching.
“This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men put him to death by nailing him to the cross.”
Third, Christ’s suffering is the means through which Christ demonstrates His absolute triumph over His foes. “…and the third day He will rise again” (Luke 18: 23). As the first part of the statement indicates, Christ’s resurrection is an antithesis to the suffering and death inflicted to Jesus through sinful people. In this case Jesus’ resurrection was not only a display of His power to demolish sin and death but also to unveil the vanity of evil people to kill the prince of life (Acts 3: 13-15).
Christ’s suffering narratives, even now, deserve Christians’ full attention. Themes like Sacrificial systems, God’s control, man’s accountability, and Christ’s victory over His enemies are considerable portions of the Bible reading portrayed clearly in Christ’s suffering. Additionally, The Old Testament significantly anticipated Christ’s suffering while the New Testament celebrates it. So, if partaking in God’s redemptive History is essential it can never happen apart from understanding the suffering of Jesus Christ. Thus, To give no focus to Christ’s suffering is to be blind for God’s overall purpose and work; to give less attention to the crucified Lord is to grasp insignificant amount from God’s wisdom; but, to devout ones whole being to understand the cross is to obtain spiritual sight that enables to walk rightly in the ways of God. Let us return to the cross!
