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The Messiah Who Suffers
Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were
with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They
said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others,
‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’” Then he said to them,
“But who do you say that I am?” Peter said in reply, “The Christ of
God.” Luke 9:18–20
Today’s Gospel presents a decisive moment of revelation. As Jesus
prays in solitude with the Twelve nearby, He asks, “Who do the
crowds say that I am?” After hearing their responses, He turns the
question more personally to them: “But who do you say that I am?”
Peter, speaking on behalf of the Twelve, proclaims, “The Christ of
God”—the Anointed One, the long-awaited Messiah.
Though Peter is the one who speaks, it is Jesus, in His divine
nature, who reveals this truth to Peter and prompts his profession
of faith. Jesus could have simply announced His identity Himself,
but He invites Peter to participate in this revelation through
faith. Once Peter responds, Jesus immediately “rebuked them and
directed them not to tell this to anyone.”
Why the secrecy? It seems counterintuitive. Shouldn’t the truth of
Jesus’ identity be proclaimed far and wide? And yet, Jesus, in His
divine wisdom, requires temporary silence.
That silence is explained by what follows. Jesus immediately begins
to disclose the nature of His mission as Messiah: “The Son of Man
must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief
priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be
raised.” This was not what the disciples expected. Though the
prophets had foretold the coming of the Messiah, many Jews
envisioned a powerful leader who would unite Israel, overthrow
Roman rule, and restore the kingdom to earthly glory.
Jesus shatters that expectation. He reveals that, as the Christ, He
will fulfill His mission not through conquest but through
suffering, death, and resurrection. While the mention of rising on
the third day may have stirred some hope, the announcement of His
suffering and death would have been deeply unsettling. What’s more,
in the verses immediately following today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the
Twelve that anyone who wishes to follow Him must also take up his
cross.
One of the most quoted passages from the Prophet Isaiah speaks
directly to this mystery: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways my ways—oracle of the LORD. For as the heavens
are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, my
thoughts higher than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8–9).
Though this truth applies to many aspects of life, it is especially
relevant to Jesus’ Passion and our participation in it. Like the
Jews of that time who expected a conquering Messiah, we too can
mistakenly believe that following Christ means the removal of
suffering. But that is not the case. In fact, God often permits
suffering because He sees the greater good it can accomplish in us
and through us. Suffering has been redeemed by Christ’s Passion and
now holds great power when embraced in union with Him.
Reflect today on the shocking revelation that following Christ does
not mean the removal of the Cross from our lives but the opposite.
Consider whether you, like many of Jesus’ disciples, have false
expectations of God and your participation in His life and mission.
In what ways is God calling you to carry your cross through a life
marked by a greater participation in His Passion? Do you see your
sufferings and crosses as obstacles to your happiness or as means
to greater sanctity? God’s ways are often difficult to accept, but
with time and prayer, we understand the Cross and its glorious
fruit. Do not be afraid to follow the path your Messiah has
prepared for you.
My suffering Lord, You are the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of
the Living God. You took on human nature, not to conquer nations or
establish an earthly kingdom, but to conquer sin and death. Draw me
into Your Passion, Death, and Resurrection. May I not only know who
You are, but also live in union with You, taking up my cross each
day and following in Your footsteps. Jesus, I trust in
You.
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