Breaking the Word

  Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, "John has been raised from the dead"; others were saying, "Elijah has appeared"; still others, "One of the ancient prophets has arisen." But Herod said, "John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?" And he kept trying to see him.  (Lk 9:7-9)

 

 

Herod was greatly perplexed. And the people in general wondered at his teachings and miracles. The whole nation was receiving news and information about Jesus. Jesus became an important person in the whole nation.

 

Everyone was imagining Jesus to be someone very important. They thought of him to be someone of the past. People could not see or visualise greatness in the present times. They always linked greatness to the past. Good things and great things happened only in the past. They could not see greatness in Jesus as a present reality.

 

Jesus activities and preaching identified him to be one of the prophets of old.  They thought that he would be Elijah. Elijah was supposed to come back at the end of times also he had no origin etc. He was also a prophet who proclaimed the truth about one true God. John was also like Elijah that is why he was also considered to be Elijah. Life of Jesus was like that of anyone prophets of the old. They could not see Jesus differently. 

He summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal (the sick). He said to them, "Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them." Then they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere. (Lk 9:1-6)

 

 

Jesus gives the twelve power over demons and diseases. Power is over negative things and evil. Does Jesus, by this, imply that power should be exercised over only negative and evil things? The twelve were asked to proclaim the good news and heal (the sick) people.

 

They were asked to go around the villages and towns. They have to be on the move. They should never get settled and expect the people to come around them. They have to meet the people where they are and exercise their power over evil where evil is.

 

For their journey they were asked not to carry food, money, stick etc. Only in the temple and at the time of worship these things are not needed. The twelve are asked to consider their ministry as worship or as temple, the place of worship.