Br. William points us to Jesus as the Fulfillment of Scripture and of Hope: “God has spoken many times in various ways through the prophets, in these last days He has spoken to us by a Son. (Hebrews 1:1-2). God sent His Son the Eternal Word to dwell among men, so Christ fulfills the plan of salvation that the Father wills Him to do. Christ entered once with His own blood, obtaining redemption for the human race and rendering it fit for the service of God.
Jesus fulfilled the work of the Father completely. When “His Hour” came, Jesus’ priestly prayer (John 17) sums up the whole economy of creation and salvation. It reflects the unity of Father and Son and Jesus’ complete dedication to His mission, because He has completed the work of glorifying the Father, Jesus returns to the Father in glory.
The Scriptures had foretold this divine plan of salvation. In Matthew 2:20 it was divine intervention that saved the child Jesus, when Mary and Joseph were forced into exile. From the fullness of His love, He addresses man as his friends (Ex 3:11) and moves among them (Bar 3:38), feeding the 5,000 who surrounded Him.
In the Passion narrative, the trial before Pilate focuses on the charges of Jesus being a false prophet (Deut. 18-18) and the nature of His kingship. Jesus answered Pilate “You would have no power over me if it had not been given to you from above.” Hence Jesus, sent as “a man among men”, speaks the Words of God (Jn.3:34) and accomplishes the saving works that the Father gave Him.
The last words of Jesus were: “Into Your hands I commend my Spirit.” (Luke 23:46). Jesus’ prayer is based on the Psalm of the innocently suffering righteous one (Ps.31.5). He has drunk the cup God had mixed for Him. With profound faith in His Father, who raises the dead to life, Jesus concludes His life of obedience to God’s Will.”
With Hope in Christ,
Your brothers of New Clairvaux
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