Breaking the Word

GOSPEL READING: MATTHEW 18:12-14

Jesus is taking an example from the shepherds. Probably he was addressing the shepherds. However the Israelites were all shepherds; and they were semi-nomads by origin. Sheep was their world. Every minute they thought about it. Their life depended on sheep. They changed their life style and they moved about according to the need of the sheep.

Sheep was precious to them and if they lost one they would go to any extend to get it back. Jesus understood the mind of the shepherds. He knew their life style; their inner most longings; their behavior; etc. He identified himself as one of them (I am the good Shepherd). He was born in a manger: first visitors were shepherd; and he was with the sheep. Heavenly Father is like the shepherd when it comes to seeking the sheep that is lost.

இடையர்களைப்பற்றி இயேசு நன்கு அறிந்திருந்தார். அவர்களைப் பற்றி@ அவர்களின் மனநிலை@ அவர்களின் வாழ்க்கை முறை எல்லாம் அறிந்திருந்தார். அவர்கள் ஆடுகளுக்காக வாழ்ந்தார்கள். ஆடுகளுக்கு எது நடந்தாலும் அவர்கள் பாதிக்கப்பட்டார்கள்> தவறிய ஒரு ஆடுகூட அவர்களுக்கு முக்கியம். தவறிய ஒரு ஆடு மற்ற எல்லா ஆடுகளையுளும்விட மகிழ்ச்சிதரக் கூடியது@ கண்டுபிடிக்கப்பட்டால்.

GOSPEL READING: Lk 5:17-26

Jesus was teaching. He also had the power of healing. These were the two great ministries which Jesus was doing on this earth. People were witnesses to these activities. Pharisees and the teachers of the law were also there listening to his teachings. Certainly they did not agree to all what he taught because constantly they tried to put him to test. They wanted to catch him by his own words. They did the same with regard to his doings.

Only God can forgive sins and that too he would do it through the temple and all the system of sacrifices. Above all this was done on the Day of Atonement. Normally this would be the process through which God forgave the people. So naturally this would involve the priests and particularly the high priest. Jesus was aware of this. Then how could he say: ‘your sins are forgiven’. He was cutting across the normal channels of authority and this was the problem.

People who were gathered around Jesus, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were witnesses to his teachings and miracles. They saw the paralyzed man walking in front of their own eyes. The people were amazed because they saw a man with healing power and he was a man of authority because he challenged the leading members of the society and preached about the kingdom.

இயேசுவின் அதிகாரம் பிறரை சிந்திக்க வைத்தது. அதைவிட அவரிடம் அவர்கள் கண்டது அவருடைய அதிகாரம் கலந்த போதனை அதோடு அதிகாரம் கலந்த குணமளிக்கும் சக்தி. இந்த அதிகாரம் மரபை தாண்டி சட்;டங்களைத்தாண்டி செயல்படுகிறது.