First Christian Voices: Practices of the Apostolic Fathers

Chapter 3: God the Son

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wounds on His flesh is from them” 2 and “when I strike down the Shepherd, then the sheep of the flock will be scattered” ( Zech 13:7 ). He Himself desired to suffer like this for it was necessary that He should suffer on the tree. For he who prophesies regarding Him says, “Deliver my soul from the sword, fasten My flesh with nails, for a company of evildoers encircles me” ( Ps 22:16, 20 ). Again he says, “I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard . . . therefore I have set my face like a flint” (Isa 50:6–7). When, therefore, He has fulfilled the commandment, what does He say? “Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me. Woe unto you, for you will all wear out like a garment; the moth will eat you up” ( Isa 50:8–9 ). And again, the Prophet says, “Since as a mighty stone He is laid for crushing, behold I cast down for the foundations of Zion a stone, precious, elect, an honorable cornerstone” ( Isa 28:16 ). Next, what does He say? “And he who will trust in it will live forever.” Is our hope, then, upon a stone? Far from it. But He says this because He established His flesh with power. For He says, “and He placed Me as a firm rock” ( Isa 50:7 ). And the Prophet says again, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone” (Ps 118:22). And again he says, “This is the great and wonderful day that the Lord has made” ( Ps 118:24 ). I write simply to you so that you may understand. I am the humble servant of your love. What, then, again says the Prophet? “A company of evildoers encircles me” (Ps 22:16); “they surrounded me like bees” do a honeycomb (Ps

2 Unknown source.