Breaking the Word

In those days he departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called a Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. And he came down with them and stood on a stretch of level ground. A great crowd of his disciples and a large number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and even those who were tormented by unclean spirits were cured. Everyone in the crowd sought to touch him because power came forth from him and healed them all. (Lk 6:12-19)

Jesus had a group of disciples who followed him always. They were with him wherever he went and listened to his teaching and served him. Did they have any special job to do? Whenever Jesus wanted them to go ahead prepare for his coming they went earlier on to prepare for his coming. The seventy two whom he sent probably belonged to this group. There was a sizable number of people who were his disciples.

From among the disciples he chose the twelve apostles. They were for a special purpose. Their choice was preceded by a night-long prayer. Choosing them as apostles was something special. He discerned the will of God and prayed for them as well. When he came down after prayer he named them. This was not so for the disciples. The apostles had a special character.

There was also a large number of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon. These people came to him to hear him and also to be healed of diseases. These people came with persons who were possessed by demons so that he might relieve them of the demons. The people came specially to be healed and be relieved of evil spirits.       

 At that time some Pharisees came to him and said, "Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you." He replied, "Go and tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose. Yet I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and the following day, for it is impossible that a prophet should die outside of Jerusalem.' "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling! Behold, your house will be abandoned. (But) I tell you, you will not see me until (the time comes when) you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'" (Lk 13:31-35)

No one wants to be killed. Everyone like to continue live for more days. Even the dying person would want to continue to live for an extra hour.  Pharisees come to Jesus and report to him the intention of Herod. Was it to help him or to prevent him from continuing his work? We do not know their intention. But Jesus was sure of his moves and actions.

Jesus was not bothered about his death. One day one had to leave this world. Jesus came with a mission and this mission has to be completed. Once the mission is completed then his purpose for living on this earth is completed. Living and not-living are not essentials in life. Living with a mission and completing the purpose for which one came into this world are important.

The purpose for which Jesus came into this world was to gather the people together.  This was the purpose for the beginning of the nation. They came out of Egypt with these goals in life: one God; one people. People united as a single fold around the Lord was the purpose of every prophetic message and that was the mission of Jesus.