Voices of the Passion

As one of our Synod’s former Vice Presidents, the now-sainted Herb Mueller, points out, on this Palm Sunday, this Sunday of the Passion, from Luke’s Passion account, we want to hear the voice of Jesus rising above the surrounding noise—the noise of this world and the noise in our own soul—for in hearing him, we receive life and forgiveness.

Many voices in the Passion history and even down to today create a rising din that threatens to drown out the voice of Jesus.

We started off with the words of the crowd echoing in our ears: “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” Then we went on to hear a number of other voices— voices of opposition— in the Passion account (Luke 22–23):

There was the voice of Judas and the plotters: “What will you give me if I turn him over to you?”

Disciples, arguing: “I’m the greatest!” “No, I am!” “No, not you, but Peter, John, or . . .”

Satan to Jesus: “Give me Peter! You can keep the rest, but give me Peter.”

Again, Satan to Jesus, repeating how he tempted Jesus after his Baptism: “You don’t have to go to the cross, just listen to me . . .”

Judas: “The one I kiss. Take him!”

Peter, denying him: “Woman, I do not know him at all.”

The soldiers: “Prophesy! Who hit you?”

The Council: “If you are the Christ, tell us! Prove it to us!”

Pilate: “Are you the King of the Jews?”

Herod: “Give me a sign—do something! Don’t just stand there, say something!”

The crowd: “Away with him! Crucify! Crucify him!” And their voices began to prevail.

The rulers: “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God.”

And, of course, there are constantly voices here in our time and in our own lives:

The secularist: “He’s not really the Christ. Miracles just don’t happen.”

The atheist: “How can a good God allow suffering like this? There is no God.”

The sinner: “My sins are too great. There’s no forgiveness for me.”

A fearful believer: “What if I deny him like Peter?”

The skeptic: “But I don’t feel anything at all.”

A hesitant believer: “Can this really be for me?”

The faithful prayer: “Hosanna! Lord, save us now!”

Are you listening? Can you hear Jesus through all of it? One of the thieves, who heard it all, is moved to turn to Jesus and say, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Then, rising above the noise of all the competing voices— some weeping, others jeering— the voice of Jesus is heard, assuring, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Lk 23:42–43). In the same way, you are invited to hear the voice of Jesus rising above both the din of the world and the noise in our own souls.

You hear it, first, in his Passion:

Jesus to the disciples: “I am among you as the one who serves,” for you!

Jesus to Peter: “I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.”

Jesus: “The Scripture must be fulfilled in me, ‘he was numbered among the transgressors’ ” for you.

Jesus to the Father: “Not my will, but your will be done,” all so that we can pray with confidence, “Thy will be done,” knowing that in Jesus God’s will for us is always good.

Jesus to those who came for him: “This is your hour, and the power of darkness.” He went into the darkness for you.

Jesus to Peter: One wordless look on Peter and he weeps bitterly.

Jesus to Pilate, in answer to his question: “You have said so.”

Jesus, when they cry, “Crucify”: silence. He offers no defense, and their voices prevail, for Jesus is given over to death, for us, in our place.

Jesus to those lamenting: “Weep not for me, but rather, weep for yourselves and for your children.”

Jesus, over and over: “Father, forgive them.” For that is what he had come to do, bring forgiveness of sins for you!

Jesus, to the repentant thief: “Today, you shall be with me in paradise!”

Jesus, finally: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” So, he begins and ends with the Father, because the atonement is now complete, and full and free forgiveness is won, for you.

So even now the voice of Jesus rises above the noise of the world:

He does not explain suffering, but he overcomes suffering by suffering for you.

No sin is too great, but that he wants you to repent and hear his voice: “Father, forgive.”

Jesus to you: “Bring your doubts, bring your fears, bring them here, and listen to me. All this, from beginning to end, is done for you. Is done because I want you. I have made you mine forever. You are my beloved child. Your sin is forgiven you.”

Jesus to you: “As I rested in the grave, so will you. And as I came forth from the grave, so will I call you forth, raise you from the dead, and you also will be with me in paradise.”

Jesus to you: “It depends not on your feeling, but on my word. Just listen for my voice.”

In fact, every Sunday, for some two thousand years, somewhere, somehow, the voice of Jesus is heard, over and over, Sunday after Sunday, coming from the mouths of his pastors: “I baptize you in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” “I forgive you all of your sins.” “Take, eat. This is my body, which is given for you.” Amazing, when you consider it, but it’s true. In many places and many times, for two thousand years somewhere people have gathered to hear the voice of Jesus saying, once again, “This is my blood of the new testament, which is poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.” And “keep on doing this, in remembrance of me!”

So, once again, we have gathered here on Palm Sunday, the Sunday of the Passion, in the year of our Lord 2022. You and I will walk with Him this week and hear the story once again— the account of all that He endured— and, most importantly, you will hear the voice of Jesus once more, promising that the life He gives is for you. Amen.