Breaking the Word

GOSPEL READING: John 1:29-34

In this passage John is revealing one of the seven names that are given to Jesus in the first chapter of the Gospel of John. Here the name is “lamb of God”. Through this name the author is proposing the mission of Jesus. Jesus is to be the lamb that is going to be sacrificed and yet the lamb belongs to God. Jesus is going to be the messiah who will sacrifice his life for the salvation of all.

John the Baptist also bears witness to the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus. He is an eye witness to the event of the coming of the Spirit. Coming of the Spirit has two purposes: one it distinguishes the Baptism given by Jesus from that of John the Baptist and the other is that this is the sign that Jesus will give baptism by the Spirit.

வெளிப்பாடு வழியாக நமக்கு கொடுக்கப்படுபவை யாவும் உண்மையானவை. வெளிப்பாட்டுக்கு சான்றுபகர்வதே உண்மையான வாழ்வு. திருமுழுக்கு யோவானின் சாட்சிய வாழ்வு அவருக்கு கொடுக்கப்பட்ட வெளிப்பாட்டுக்கு நேர்மையானதாக இருந்தது.

GOSPEL READING: John 1:19-28

Was he Elijah? The Prophet Malachi declared that God would send Elijah the Prophet to prepare the people before the great and terrible day of the Lord. (4: 5). We know well that Elijah had purified the people on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 19). He directed the people to believe in one true God. Later he was taken up to heaven. So it was believed that he would come back again and prepare the people. He denied that as well.

Was he a prophet? In Deuteronomy 18:15-18 God promised to raise a prophet Like Moses to lead the people. People expected someone to come and settle the mess that was in Israel and lead the people. He denied that as well. Like this there were many expectations. He accepted that he was only a voice that has come to prepare the way of the Lord. (Is 40: 1-8) “I am only a voice”: this is his humility and his true greatness.

ஒவ்வொருவருடைய வாழ்வுக்கும் பணிக்கும் தொடர்பு இருக்கவேண்டும். அதேபோல் ஒவ்வொருவருடைய அழைப்புக்கும் பணிக்கும் தொடர்பு இருக்கவேண்டும். தொடர்பு இல்லாதவர்கள் எதிர்மறையாளர்களாக வாழ்வார்கள். திருமுழுக்க யோவான் தன்னைப்பற்றி முழுமையாகவும் சரியாகவும் புரிந்திருந்தார். அவர் ஒரு முன்னோடி மட்டும்தான்.