1. God’s Plan for Salvation is Fulfilled
Section 3
God’s Plan for Salvation is Fulfilled

2. The Suffering and Death of Jesus
Section 3, Part 1
The Suffering and Death of Jesus

3. Introduction
Heart of the Paschal Mystery fulfills God’s plan of salvation
Passion, death, Resurrection, and Ascension (narrow defn.)
All that we have done is preparation
In this section we examine heart and meaning of heart
Begin with the Passion and death of Jesus Christ
Danger is to take for granted like wearing a cross
Why do we revere a criminal?; Who executed Jesus and for what reason?; How did Jesus’ death bring us freedom from sin and death and restore us to original holiness and justice?
Three Articles
(A. 22) – The Events of the Passion
(A. 23) – Who Killed Jesus
(A. 24) – The Meaning of the Cross

4. Article 22: The Events of the Passion
Defn. Passion—divine but especially human aspect
Catholic crucifix vs. protestant cross (corpus), Stations of the Cross, Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, Good Friday—centrality of the Passion
1 day but ½ to 2/3 of all four Gospels—only details differ
Passion timeline
Jerusalem Entrance (Sat./Sun.)
Tension with chief priests in Jerusalem—cleansing of the temple
Jerusalem = center of worship, esp. Passover
Irony—welcomed as a king to crucified as a criminal in a week
Last Supper (Thursday)
Final Passover celebration with the Apostles
Jesus reveals himself as the Paschal Lamb
Washing of the Feet, Institution of the Eucharist (Holy Orders), Fraternal Charity
Garden of Gethsemane
Prayer to the Father—strength and obedience
Betrayal by Judas and arrest by Temple guard
Parallelism between Jesus and Adam; Judas and Eve

5. Article 22 cont.: The Events of the Passion
Trial before the Sanhedrin
Secretly charge Jesus of blasphemy by perjury but no authority
Trial before Pilate
Switch charge to treason in front of governor
Scourging at the Pillar (purple cloak and crown of thorns)
A mocking gesture to command obedience and hasten death
Carrying of the Cross
Heavy crossbeam from Praetorium through Jerusalem outside gates up hill of Calvary to Golgotha on open wounds & low blood
The Crucifixion (foolishness or the power of God?)
Romans perfected the torture of crucifixion
Last words = OT fulfillment
Jesus’ Death (fully divine but also fully human)
Only 6 hours on the cross and taken down early (Sabbath)
Temple veils tears & earthquake; details of burial = true Resurrection

6. Homework Prepare for the PSAT’s tomorrow For Thursday:
Read A. 23 in the e-Book for discussion in class Thursday
3.1 HW; 1-2

7. Article 23: Who Killed Jesus?
Divine and human reasons behind Jesus’ death just like his natures
This article is about human reasons; next one about divine
Creed mentions Rome; Gospels mention Rome & Jews so both
Easy to cast blame but what about us?
Anti-Semitism is illogical and scandalous—brothers and sisters
Jewish Leaders’ Reasons
Challenged authority of Jewish leaders (chief priests, Sanhedrin, etc…)
Sabbath, forgiveness of sins, rich and poor, sinners (sick, tax collectors, prostitutes, etc…)
Undermined them and Torah with common Jewish people
Came to a head each time Jesus visited Jerusalem, esp. last time
Charged with blasphemy through perjury
Punishment was stoning but only Roman procurator allowed to execute

8. Article 23: Who Killed Jesus?
Roman Leaders’ Reasons
Not explicitly clear in the Gospels but is from records of the time
Procurator had absolute authority in his district and therefore also absolute responsibility to Roman Emperor and Senate
Two tasks: keep peace and send share of taxes to Rome
Employed local natives to assist = Herodians in 1st century Judea
Enforce Roman laws, collect taxes, & report to procurator (esp. plots)
For a time, also appointed high and chief priests of the Temple
1st century Judean procurator (governor) was Pontius Pilate
Tried all cases of treason (switched from blasphemy)
Death by crucifixion, not stoning, was the punishment
Pilate was a ruthless and effective governor = listened to Jewish leaders
Gospels portray him as ambivalent towards Jesus—why?
Barabbas, scouraging to dissuade, innocent 3x’s, plead with Jesus
Ultimately Pilate is responsible along with Jewish leaders as well as us
Irony in the Passion Accounts: Jewish blasphemy and Roman threat

9. Homework Read A. 24 in the e-Book for class discussion Tuesday
3.1 HW; 3-4

10. Article 24: The Meaning of the Cross
Divine reason for Jesus’ death
Salvation from sin and death for every human being
“Christianity is the fairytale that is true” --G.K. Chesterton--
Most of the NT is dedicated to this theme
Categorized into three symbolic metaphors
Jesus, the Suffering Servant--obedience
Fulfillment of the OT prophet Isaiah (42, 49, 50, 52, and 53)
St, Paul speaks of the obedience of Christ in Romans
Jesus, the Paschal Lamb—mercy spares
Fulfillment of the OT Hebrew feast of the Passover (Ex. 12)
John & Revelation refer to Jesus as the Paschal (Passover) lamb

11. Article 24 cont.: The Meaning of the Cross
Jesus, the Ransom for Many—freedom at a price
Gentile origin and purpose
Mk. 10—why Mark?
Transfer of ownership
Metaphors—symbolic but real truth; not literal
Understanding in Church Tradition
Julian of Norwich (1342)
Suffering = compassionate love
St. Ephraim of Syria (4th century)
Hymns—human death = divine life
Why did God require Jesus to die such a death to save us
Original Sin
Jesus freely accepted
Suffering and death are strengths for God--Resurrection

12. Homework 3.1 HW; 5-6 Study for the 3.1 Quiz tomorrow (AA. 22-24)
Make sure the 3.1 HW is ready to turn in tomorrow (#’s 1-6)