And He was numbered with the transgressors

And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren." But he said to Him, "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death." Then He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me."

And He said to them, "When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?" So they said, "Nothing." Then He said to them, "But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: 'And He was numbered with the transgressors.' For the things concerning Me have an end." So they said, "Lord, look, here are two swords." And He said to them; "It is enough."

- Luke 22:31-38

In yesterday's reading, Jesus initiated the Eucharist at the Last Supper. Jesus also taught the disciples that He would be betrayed. They wondered who the betrayer was among them. But with the initiation of the Eucharist, and Jesus' words about its completion in the kingdom ("I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes"), the disciples also began to dispute about who would be greatest in that kingdom. Jesus taught that, "He who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves." Jesus is going to His greatest trial, His sacrifice. He tells them, "But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren." My study bible says, "Jesus sees Simon Peter's denial as a violent attack by Satan, which Peter endures through Jesus' intercessory prayer. After his tearful repentance and the experience of the Resurrection, Peter indeed returned to Christ and was able to strengthen the early Church as one of its leaders."

But he said to Him, "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death." Then He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me." The interesting thing is the way that Peter sees himself, in contrast to the understanding and perspective of Christ. Much is made of the fact that relying upon himself alone, Peter is destined for failure at this task before him. He will weep in shame. The lesson is that we all need reliance on God for strength. He takes the world's burdens with Him on the Cross, and asks us to allow Him to help carry ours.

And He said to them, "When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?" So they said, "Nothing." Then He said to them, "But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one." A note here reads, "In view of the coming death of Christ and the persecutions against the disciples, Jesus instructs them to be ready for anything. The sword suggests resistance against the evil one (Eph. 6:17)." This warning is starkly ominous - but He has already warned His disciples about the persecutions to come. Discipleship is not going to be an easy road; however, in all crises, there will be opportunities for testimony. The sword also suggests the sword of truth, the word and wisdom that will be given at the time of testimony when it is needed.

"For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: 'And He was numbered with the transgressors.' For the things concerning Me have an end." My study bible says, "The transgressors were the two criminals crucified with Jesus. Have an end means come to fulfillment." This prophecy that Jesus repeats is from Isaiah (53:12). Often we have heard it said that Jesus met His death in a particular way because it was prophesied. But prophesy works to foretell events - not to dictate them; it is a vision from the reality of that kingdom and its works, a spiritual revelation. So, to be numbered with the transgressors is, in my opinion, a necessary part of our redemption and the challenge to the work of sin and slavery and death in the world. For Christ - the Creator, author of the Law - to be numbered among the transgressors, to my mind, puts to death the injustice we suffer, the worldly upside-down perspective of power. It is a condemnation, part of the reality of the Judgment to come. It is a witnessing against the works of injustice in our world, a testimony against that system. And His life - and His mission - must be fulfilled.

So they said, "Lord, look, here are two swords." And He said to them; "It is enough." My study bible teaches: "It is enough does not signify approval (v. 49-51). The expression, according to most interpreters, is either ironical -- two swords would hardly suffice as a means of defense -- or an abrupt censure by Jesus, meaning, 'Enough of this!' (see Deut. 3:26)." If we continue to view the symbolism of the sword as preparation for the times to come, then we can see "two swords" as those that are for evangelizing. One for the Jews, one for the Gentiles. In Matthew's Gospel, we have remarked in commentaries on this "doubling" we constantly see - perhaps the two swords are for the same purpose.

Jesus prepares for His greatest trial: the Crucifixion, death and Resurrection to come. He is betrayed by one of His own. Have you faced a situation where you felt like this - like you are going toward something unfaceable, unimaginable, a supremely difficult sacrifice? One wonders how the disciples felt at this moment. What did they understand? What did they expect? Jesus is making His extraordinary sacrifice, and initiating a time of persecution for His church and His followers. What will become of them? Will they stand or scatter? He has asked of the time of His return, "Will He find faith on the earth?" Will the anointing to be poured out have the effect of redeeming power - will it be responded to in the hearts of those who "have not seen, yet believe?" Let us understand this sacrifice as we await the light in Advent. Why was He here, if not for our faith, our inclusion in this kingdom, His love for us? Let us meditate on that love and how it works also as our strength in life - and the courage and power in the life of Christ and those who would follow to create a place for us.