For the things concerning Me have an end

 

 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 

 

Yesterday we read that, at the Last Supper, there was also a dispute among the disciples, as to which of them should be considered the greatest.  And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called 'benefactors.'  But not so among you; on the contrary, 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.  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."  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."   My study Bible asks us to note that when Jesus says to Simon Peter, "Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat," He is using the plural form of "you" (in the Greek of the text).  That is, Satan has asked for all the disciples.  But in the following verse ("But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren"), this form of you is singular, indicating that Jesus prayed especially for Simon Peter.   My study Bible comments that because Peter's faith was the strongest, he would be tested the most.  Note that Jesus also says, ". . . when you have returned to Me" -- see John 21:15-17.  Moreover, Jesus tells Simon Peter to "strengthen your brethren."  My study Bible comments that this refers not only to the other disciples, but to all the faithful until Christ returns.  

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."  My study Bible comments here that the sword mentioned by Jesus is not to be understood literally (compare this to verses 49-51).  Rather, this "sword" refers to the living word of God in the battle against sin (Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12).  According to St. Ambrose, my study Bible notes, this has an additional meaning, in that giving up one's garment and buying a sword refers to surrendering the body to the sword of martyrdom.  As the disciples are thinking of swords literally, Jesus abruptly ends the discussion with the words, "It is enough."  My study Bible says these words are better translated, "Enough of this!"  (see Deuteronomy 3:26; Mark 14:41).

In today's reading, Jesus says, somewhat mysteriously to the disciples, " For the things concerning Me have an end."   In the reading from this past Saturday, we discussed the meaning of the Greek τέλος/telos.  This is the word that Jesus uses, which is translated as "end."  But τέλος/telos has a kind of differentiated sense of "ending" than does the English word "end."  It doesn't simply mean the cut off point of something, or the finishing off of something.  But telos denotes a sense of fullness also, as if whatever the subject is has a point of fullness -- its ultimate final state.  This is not simply an end, in the sense in which we understand "end."  It is, in fact, almost its opposite.  It is the fullest point to which something can be continued.  Hence we uses the word "teleology" for "end times," which means much more than simply that things are over.  Our "end times" are the fullness of the present age in which we live, the culmination of all of the possible outcomes of something begun by Christ.  Here, Jesus speaks of the fullness of the "things concerning Me."  And in so doing, He speaks of prophesy:  "And He was numbered with the transgressors."  This comes from Isaiah 53:12, and in this case, Christ's "ending" is not simply a finish, but in fact the fulfillment of this prophesy.  The transgressors can also be translated, the "lawless."  That is, the Author of the Law Himself will be numbered among the lawless, and hung upon a Cross, the punishment reserved for the worst offenders.  It is the fulfillment of this prophecy to which He's referring when He says, "For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me."  In Luke 9:1-6, we can read about Jesus sending out the Twelve on their first apostolic mission.  He says tells them, "Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece."  At this time, He tells them, in contrast, "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."  If we are not to understand a literal teaching about buying a sword, what are we to make of this?  Certainly the commentary from my study Bible is true.  But we recall also that Jesus has said, "A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher" (Luke 6:40).  In John's Gospel, at the Last Supper, Jesus explains:  "Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me" (John 15:20-21).  So, another way that we can understand Christ's teaching here is by way of explaining to them that this begins the period of tribulation.  That, in other words, with the birth of the Church is also going to come persecution -- not just for Christ, but for His followers also.  In Matthew 10, Jesus sends out the Twelve on their first mission, but with admonitions about the persecution that will come:  "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves" (verse 16).  In fact, nearly the whole of chapter 10 is a discourse on the dangers that His followers will face (especially verses 16-42).  In this section of Matthew we find again this teaching:  "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master" (verse 24).  So, if we are to take Christ's words appropriately, we should understand that ours is not a faith that promises a life in which we have no struggles.  Indeed, in some sense what we are given is a life in which we know our Lord had to deal with conflict and opposition, and so will we.  In living our faith, we might also find at times we feel like sheep in the midst of wolves.  But to suffer with Christ is to be His follower, as St. Paul writes that "if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together" (Romans 8:17).  If we mistakenly believe that our faith is a work of a kind of "magic" that automatically means the whole world loves us, or that we won't have to struggle at all, then we're sadly mistaken.  Faith is in the power of acceptance, of both the glory and joys of Christ, but yet also His struggle in the world.  In Psalm 110, God says to God's appointed, the Messiah, "The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion.  Rule in the midst of Your enemies!"  Christ yet rules in the midst of enemies, and we live in a world where our greatest joys and beauty dwell together with unhappy things, and destructive influence.  Yet we persist and endure, and God is present with us always.  Let us rejoice and give thanks for the gift of Christ's blessed way of life.

For the things concerning Me have an end

 

 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 

 

Yesterday we read that when the hour had come to eat the Passover, Jesus sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him.  Then He said to them, "With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God."  Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, "Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."  And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me."  Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.  But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table.  And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!"  Then they began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing.  Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest.  And He said to them, "The kings of Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called 'benefactors.'  But not so among you; on the contrary, 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.  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 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."  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."  In the first two verses here, my study bible notes for us that the form of the word "you" changes.  In the first verse, in which Jesus says that Satan has asked for you, "you" is plural.  This means that Jesus is saying "Satan has asked for" all the disciples.  But the "you" in the next verse, when Jesus says, "I have prayed for you" is singular, meaning that Jesus has prayed especially for Simon Peter.  A note says that because Peter's faith was the strongest, he would be tested the most.  Regarding what Jesus refers to when He tells Peter "when you have returned to Me," see John 21:15-17.  "Strengthen your brethren" refers not simply to the other disciples, but to all the faithful until Christ returns.  Christ's prophecy regarding the rooster's crow will manifest after His arrest (Luke 22:54-62).  

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."  My study bible says that the sword which Christ mentions is not to be understood literally (compare to vv. 49-51), but rather refers to the living word of God in the battle against sin (Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12).  St. Ambrose gives us an additional meaning:  to give up one's garment and buy a sword is a reference to surrendering the body to the sword of martyrdom.  As the disciples were thinking literally of swords, Jesus abruptly ends this discussion by saying, "It is enough," which is better translated, "Enough of this!"  (see Deuteronomy 3:26, Mark 14:41).  

Jesus warns the disciples, yet one more time, of what is to come.  He tells them, "the things concerning me have an end," letting them know again what is coming by quoting from the prophesy of Isaiah:  "And He was numbered with the transgressors" (Isaiah 53:12).  Jesus will be taken as a criminal and sentenced to the death penalty reserved for the worst criminals in the Roman Empire.  He will be hung on a Cross, carry a curse in His own people's eyes, and His movement will be subject to hostility and persecution.  It's easily possible to believe that this is what He was referring to in telling the disciples that they must now carry moneybag, knapsack, and sword -- as these are images of those who will be traveling and must prepare themselves for travel in places among those hostile to them, and unwelcoming.  He may also be preparing them for the time that begins here with the Passion, with His Crucifixion, death, Resurrection, and Ascension, the "end time" which is the epoch we have been in since that time.  For this is a time in which judgment is being facilitated through the work of the Holy Spirit and the word of the Gospel.  We are in a time which is essentially one of testing for all people, and indeed, we might even call it a time of the sword in a symbolic sense.  That is because the word of God itself is understood as such.  St. Paul writes, "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).  Revelation describes "one like the Son of Man" in metaphorical imagery:  "He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength" (Revelation 1:16).  This sharp two-edged sword coming out of His mouth is clearly the word of God, the same thing to which St. Paul is referring in similar language.  That "two-edged sword" is one of judgment, because it is how we fall upon that word, so to speak, that determines where we are.  Do we embrace its truth?  Or do we cut against that sharp side?  Like St. Paul says, it pierces even to the division of soul and spirit . . . and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  This is the language of God's judgment, of that "one like the Son of Man," for it is the Son of Man who will judge, based upon His capacity for discernment and understanding and the knowledge of our hearts, and depending upon how we all respond to that word and to the work of the Spirit in the world in this age, this time of the end.  It is this age in which we live, and have lived during the entirety of the period of the Church.  We must consider Christ's words to the disciples, as they are the ones who will be sent out as His apostles on all the roads of the Roman Empire and into the known world and beyond, bringing the word of God as they travel among strangers and those who will persecute them, sowing the seeds of that word.  As we go about our lives today, some of us know Christians who face persecution even in those lands where Christianity first took root.  Let us consider the powerful words of warning that Christ tells the disciples, and remember also the metaphorical meaning of this sword of truth, and consider how we will respond today.  The apostles responded through evangelization, and our mission remains the same, with the same warnings, and following the same Son of Man for whom "the things concerning Me have an end."  Each of us, in our own way, must follow along that road, and take up that same sword of truth.

Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat

 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

Yesterday we read that when the hour had come for the Passover supper, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him.  Then He said to them, "With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God."  Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, "Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."  And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me."  Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.  But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table.  And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!"  Then they began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing.   Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest.  And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called 'benefactors.'  But not so among you; on the contrary, 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.  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."  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."  In the first verse ("Indeed, Satan has asked for you . . ."), you is plural.  It indicates all the disciples.   But in the second verse ("I have prayed for you . . ."), you is singular, meaning that Jesus has prayed especially for Simon Peter.   My study bible says that because Peter's faith was the strongest, he would be tested the most.  For that which takes place "when you have returned to Me" see John 21:15-17.   Jesus tells Peter, "Strengthen your brethren," referring not only to the other disciples, but to all faithful until the Return of Christ.

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."  My study bible tells us that the sword is not to be understood literally, but rather refers to the living word of God in the battle against sin (Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12).  St. Ambrose views giving up one's garment and buying a sword as surrendering the body to the sword of martyrdom.  In both cases, sword is connected to the truth of the word of God, martyr being the Greek word for "witness."  But the disciples were thinking of swords literally, and Jesus abruptly ends the discussion when it's reported He says, "It is enough."  My study bible says this would be better translated, "Enough of this!" (see Deuteronomy 3:26, Mark 14:41).  The prophecy ("And He was numbered with the transgressors") is from Isaiah 53:12.

However we are to understand Jesus' use of the word sword, it is clear from today's reading that a great evil is coming.  Jesus is warning about the time that is imminent, about to come.  It's a time of betrayal and of the power of forces that will be fighting His Church, His faith, His ministry, His word.  He warns St. Peter:  Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.   Jesus' warnings about taking a money bag, and knapsack, and selling a garment to buy a sword intentionally remind the disciples of their first missionary journey, in which they went out in humility and poverty preaching the kingdom of God (see Luke 9:1-6).  His words teach them that now the kind of opposition that will come is much stronger than what they experienced before.  Betrayal is about to come, and He will be crucified.  He has already warned them about the persecution that is to come to the Church.  But there's a kind of depth to His warning, and it's one that is also deeply personal.  He tells St. Peter that Satan has asked for him, and desires to sift him as wheat.  This is a kind of threat that has to do with internal struggle, with temptation and weakness.  It's important to understand the nature of such a struggle with our own weak points and vulnerabilities to manipulation, half-truths, and assaults on our faith.  This can be a time of testing that really has to do with where we can be subject to the very things that try us the most, having to do with our particular vulnerabilities.  The worst temptations aren't necessarily the obvious, but the subtle.  Peter will fail his own test in front of a servant girl, denying Christ this very night, although he swears he would go to prison and die with Christ.   But Jesus "will be numbered among the transgressors," and they will all be subject to every kind of pressure, to opposition of all they know and trust, their very identities in question, their deepest loyalties laid bare and challenged.  It is the power of the internal trial that evil uses against us, and where we're vulnerable.  This is why strength is needed that comes through grace,  why faith practices like prayer and fasting have always been relied upon.  Times that test who we are will demand our deepest humility, our willingness to sacrifice the things to which we're attached, our capacity to give up false hope, and find it only where it can be truly rooted.  These are internal struggles, such as that exemplified by Peter, exacerbated by external circumstances.  This depth of inner struggle for faith is what is known as "spiritual battle" -- all our vulnerable points are tried. What Peter's example must teach us is that our own weakness is not in itself evil, not grounds for any decision that we're not fit for our faith.  He will return to His brethren, and be their strength.  It is love that conquers everything -- even the worst of times.  It is the capacity for grace to allow us to go through the difficulties and challenges, to return to Christ, to find our way.  The Cross becomes the way:  we go through our struggles, with Him, and come to the other side of them, through repentance and growth in faith.  This is the work of salvation, the true building of the Church, stone by stone.