Breaking the Word

And all were astonished by the majesty of God. While they were all amazed at his every deed, he said to his disciples, "Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men." But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was hidden from them so that they should not understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying. (Lk 9:43-45)

People were amazed at the majesty of God working in Jesus. They were all amazed at his every deed. People were wondering at the doings of Jesus. Mighty works of God were seen and they were performed by Jesus. People could only wonder at the way Jesus was going about. Wonder revealed the faith of the people and also the presence of the kingdom.

Jesus was very realistic. He was telling his disciples to py attention to what was going to happen in reality. Jesus was going to be handed over to the elders and leaders of the society and they in turn were going to crucify him. This was the reality which Jesus was worried about and he wanted the disciples to worry about. Future events were very important to Jesus.

The disciples did not understand what Jesus was talking about. The disciples were caught up the present reality which was very majestic and wonderful that the disciples had no time to worry about the future. They saw the might works in Jesus. They were all amazed at the miracles that they could not bother about the messianic presence and doings of Jesus. 

Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" They said in reply, "John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, 'One of the ancient prophets has arisen.'" Then he said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter said in reply, "The Messiah of God."  He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone. He said, "The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised."  (Lk 9:18-22)

Jesus was praying in solitude. Praying is personal. Praying is a mystery. Prayer is relationship between God and the one praying. That is the reason why Gospel presents Jesus as going alone to a secluded place (mountain) to pray. When Jesus was praying his disciples were watching him praying. Jesus also becomes a model for the disciples.

Jesus was considered to be a prophet by the people. Jesus’ way of preaching and doing reminded the people of prophet. Prophets always preached about God and his justice towards the people. Prophets also demanded justice among people themselves. Jesus’ ministry was one of preaching God and his kingdom and working for justice among the people.

Peter said that Jesus was the Messiah. This is the revelation from God.  Jesus did not want this to be made public. It could be that the people expected a different type of Messiah. Jesus was saying that he would suffer greatly, be rejected and be killed. People would not be able to accept it until after resurrection. This could have been the reason why Jesus wanted this to be kept secret until the resurrection.