The Passion of the Lord: crushed - buried - sprang forth.

[Texts for 4.13.2025]

Isaiah 50:4-9a The servant of the Lord submits to suffering

Psalm 31:9-16 Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit. (Ps. 31:5)

Philippians 2:5-11 Humbled to the point of death on a cross

Luke 23:1-49 The passion of the Lord

Normally, I would read the Gospel passage before delivering the message, but today I decided to approach it differently. It is my prayer and hope that what I’m about to share will be sufficient and reflective enough to prepare you as we enter Holy Week.

Today’s three Scripture readings and the Psalm bring us back to the final week of Jesus’ earthly life, around AD 30. The story unfolds on the day of preparation for Passover, a joyful Jewish festival observed for seven to eight days to commemorate how God, out of love and mercy, delivered their ancestors from slavery in Egypt.

On the contrary, on this celebratory occasion, the Jewish religious leaders, driven by envy and hardened hearts like Pharaoh to their ancestors, delivered Jesus over to the officers of the Roman government, which had ruled the Jews for approximately 90 years by that time. During this era, Jerusalem experienced significant political and social changes under Roman governance.

We are no strangers to what it means to put public figures on trial, especially politicians accused of crimes for which society demands justice. Today, social media often takes center stage, spreading lists of accusations. The accusations, often sensationalized, serve to provoke outrage, sow division, and stir chaos. But what, exactly, was Jesus accused of? The charges against Jesus included:

1. Making Himself the Son of God;

2. Perverting the nation and discouraging tribute to Caesar, the emperor;

3. Being an evildoer;

4. And declaring Himself a king, instead of Caesar.

   
   

The religious leaders required punishment from the Roman government, as Jewish law forbade execution during Passover. They even ensured that Pilate understood: failing to sentence Jesus to death would make him no friend of Caesar, as Jesus claimed to be a king.

Even Herod, like Pilate before him, found no guilt in Jesus and sent Him back to Pilate. Pilate, sensing an imminent riot, asked the crowd three times, “Are you sure this is what you want?” Although Pilate declared Jesus innocent of any crime deserving death, he ultimately yielded to their demands.

He washed his hands before the crowd, declaring himself innocent of Jesus’ blood. Yet the crowd fervently cried, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him! Let His blood be on us and our children.”

How often do we give in to the influence of social media, passing judgment on those we’ve never met or built any meaningful relationship of trust with? Sometimes, we simply want to align with powerful or popular groups. Other times, fear silences us. In those moments, we may grieve our own cowardice, much like Peter and Judas.

While Jesus was on trial, Peter denied Him three times, unwilling to take a stand. Judas, overcome by regret, returned the money to the religious leaders and tragically took his own life. And yet, what happened next was even more astonishing. According to Passover custom, the crowd was allowed to request the release of one prisoner. They chose Barabbas, a murderer and robber, over Jesus.

Before the crowd, Jesus was dressed in a purple robe, mocked, spat upon, struck with a reed, and crowned with thorns. Yet, the humiliation of His kingship did not end there. It continued as He made His way to Golgotha, carrying His cross with Simon of Cyrene following behind. This wasn’t a protest parade like those we’ve recently seen in this nation, but rather a tragic display of the overwhelming power used against an innocent man. 

As Jesus spoke to those lamenting, He urged them to weep not for Him, but for themselves and their children, who would face judgment and hardship in the days ahead. Reflecting on this, St. Paul captures the profound humility of Christ in Philippians 2: though He was in the form of God, He did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited but humbled Himself, even to the point of death on a cross.

What might you have thought if you were there? Perhaps, “What is happening? Can’t anyone stop this madness? He healed so many, fed thousands, and taught with authority. Where are His disciples? Should I count myself among them for listening to Him just a few times? What has He done to deserve this humiliation and suffering?”

Who were there with Jesus? By the cross stood Mary, the mother of Jesus, along with her sister, Mary Magdalene, Mary the wife of Clopas, the mother of James and John, and the mother of Joses. One man stood with Him too. He was the apostle John, “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” Alongside Jesus were the two criminals crucified with Him. And Roman soldiers, rather than showing humanity, were preoccupied with dividing Jesus’ garments.

“Were you there when they crucified my Lord?” This heart-rending hymn resonates deeply, especially during Holy Week. Have we ever humiliated, bullied, or despised others through our actions, words, or attitudes? Or have we been on the receiving end of such treatment? Jesus endured it all, bearing excruciating pain on the cross.

At the crucifixion site, many mocked Him, wagging their heads: “He saved others but cannot save Himself. He claimed to be the Christ, the chosen one, yet He is abandoned. He said He could rebuild the temple in three days, but now He’s crushed. He trusts God, but God hasn’t delivered Him.”

Yet, even on this sorrowful day, there is good news: the final seven words Jesus spoke on the cross are powerful, comforting, and healing. 

1. "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34): The first word of Jesus, offering compassion and forgiveness, His love and grace to all who seek them.

2. "Today, you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43): The second word of Jesus, extending the gift of hope, salvation, and eternal life to all who seek repentance and faith.

3. "Woman, behold your son! Behold your mother!" (John 19:26-27): The third word of Jesus, inviting all who seek relationships and care within a spiritual family.

4. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34; Psalm 22): The fourth word of Jesus, offering hope to those who suffer deeply or feel lost in desperate transitions.

5. "I thirst." (John 19:28): The fifth word of Jesus, speaking to all who long for spiritual satisfaction amid physical suffering.

6. "It is finished." (John 19:30): The sixth word of Jesus, assuring those who seek redemption of the fulfillment of atonement.

7. "Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit." (Luke 23:46): The seventh word of Jesus, encouraging trust in God and surrendering to the divine plan, even in the face of death.

These words are treasures we carry into Holy Week, the good news we celebrate on Easter Sunday and beyond: forgiveness, repentance, relationships, hope, spiritual satisfaction, redemption, and trust in God.

Let us give thanks to God for this day, Palm Sunday, and the Passion of our Lord, which provide us with a sacred space to journey with Jesus. We, as both saints and sinners, are invited to relate to the biblical figures who were brave, confused, and doubtful, yet remained hopeful. May we discover heavenly treasures, let go of our old selves, and embrace the new life that awaits us as we prepare to celebrate next week.

Amen.