(Audio)
But they did not understand this saying;
its meaning was hidden from them
The meaning was plain enough. But because it didn't meet with the expectations of the disciples they are unable to understand it. They want a messiah who is all glory and no suffering. It is for this reason that Peter said, "God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you" (see Matthew 16:22).
Was it any wonder? The messiah was for the disciples the fulfillment of their own hopes and aspirations for themselves and for their nation. He was, they thought, to conquer the Gentile nations and restore the prestige of Israel. It was a glory in which they hoped to share. The unexpected necessity of the cross was something they just couldn't handle.
We say the same thing in response to suffering in our own life all the time. Jesus is within us and he tells us that, within us, he must be handed over to men, to suffer, and on the third day to rise again. We, like the disciples, are hoping for a smooth road to glory that does not intersect with the cross or suffering. We rightly know that Jesus has already suffered for our sake. So what remains to be done?
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church (see Colossians 1:24).
There is no path to glory that doesn't intersect with the cross. That is because our only path to glory is union with Jesus, with the whole Jesus, with the mysteries of his own life manifested in ours. This is the full meaning of his presence with us.
Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion!
See, I am coming to dwell among you, says the LORD.
Many nations shall join themselves to the LORD on that day,
and they shall be his people and he will dwell among you.
As we are joined to him we experience the glory for which we long. The LORD becomes for us an encircling wall of fire that even death can no longer penetrate.
Then the virgins shall make merry and dance,
and young men and old as well.
I will turn their mourning into joy,
I will console and gladden them after their sorrows.
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