LENT WK 5: THE SUFFERING OF JESUS
From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. Matthew 27:45-50 NIV
There’s a question I am asked sometimes. It isn’t original to me or to the question askers, but it is worth posing here. “Why did Jesus have to go to the cross?” There are volumes of theological works written on this question, but I want to pay attention for a moment to who has not asked me this question.
For the last fifteen years, my wife has worked in Ethiopia. She works with young women who were trafficked into modern day slavery. As class after class of women graduate the program and start fresh with the help of the organization, not one time have I been asked why the cross. As I have worked in multi-ethnic communities and tried to understand the lives of my black and brown sisters and brothers, they have never been asked why the cross was necessary.
James Cone wrote “The cross is the most empowering symbol of God’s loving solidarity with the ‘least of these,’ the unwanted in society who suffer daily from great injustices.” In my limited experience, this is what I have found. When I did chaplaincy in downtown Louisville with those wrestling with addiction, cycles of poverty or incarceration, there was almost an assumption of the cross.
Last year I got to spend time with some new friends in Sweden. They came from Finland near the Russian border and from people displaced by war and violence. Our talk was not much about the resurrected Christ, though hope is found there. Our talk was in the crucified Christ, because that is who they knew understood their stories.
When I think of Emmanuel, God with us, I think of Christmas time and a clean and cute little baby in a manger. What if Emmanuel is also Jesus forsaken, abandoned, naked on a cross with a crown of thorns on his head? What if Jesus is also with us in our suffering? What if he is with our sisters and brothers in their suffering?
The apostle Paul wrote “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:17-18, NIV.
I know that at times I have wanted wisdom and eloquence. I have wanted resurrection without the inconvenience of the cross. As I have reflected, at times I had a faith that was allergic to suffering. It has been those like me who have asked “why the cross?” The question is asked by those of us who have imagined a season without suffering.
The Beatitudes spell out how the kingdom comes to those who mourn, who suffer, who are poor (if in Luke) or poor in Spirit (if Matthew). In these places, some of my new friends have shown me Jesus. They have helped me to find Emmanuel.
This Lent, I observe it with my Venezuelan friends here in Louisville. I tear up knowing their stories and celebrating communion with them. I’m humbled by the honor of being the one who speaks words of absolution and then offers the body and blood, broken and poured out for us.
This week we pray for the grace to enter into the suffering of Jesus and others. Lord, give us eyes that see.
Questions to ponder
· Where might Jesus be asking you to meet him in his suffering?
· Where might Jesus be asking you to meet him in your neighbors’ suffering?
· Where might Jesus be asking to meet you in your own?