Breaking the Word

"There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man's table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores…

And he cried out, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.' …

But Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.' He said, 'Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' Then Abraham said, 'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'" (Lk 16:19-31)

 

 

The rich man lived a luxurious life. He did not have the need to worry about food and clothes. He had more than what he needed and even dogs could be fed with what he had. The poor man had nothing to wear; nothing to eat and he was with soars. Life on this earth was of extremities. Death is common to both and in fact to all. After death again life is different. The poor man was with Abraham and the rich man was suffering. But life on earth determined life after death.

 

Here on earth, there could have been some interaction between the rich and the poor. They could have assisted or shared their belongings with one another. In a sense they could have made an equal society. In the next world (in life after death) there would not be any possibility of interaction. They could not share their belongings. Also the people of the next world could not share anything with the people of this world.

 

If at all anything that could be done then, it should be only in this world. Here on this earth they have Moses and prophets. If they have listened to these people on earth and not changed their lives then they would not even change for a man after resurrection. This is indirectly telling the listeners that they would not listen to him after his resurrection as well.    

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve (disciples) aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day." Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached him with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, "What do you wish?" She answered him, "Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom." Jesus said in reply, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?" They said to him, "We can." He replied, "My cup you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left (, this) is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father." When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."  (Mt 20:17-28)

 

 

Mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus. She did not meet him by herself and express her wishes. She was accompanied by her two sons. They were in agreement with what their mother was saying. They have heard all what Jesus had spoken and thy have experienced him in closed circles. James and John were very close to Jesus and they always accompanied him even where he did not take all his disciples. Was this wish of the mother of sons of Zebedee caused because Peter had been told that he would be the rock on which the church would be built and nothing was said about these two?

 

Jesus was sure of what was going to happen to him. He was aware of everything that would happen in Jerusalem. And still he continued to go. Mother of the sons of Zebedee was not aware of what awaited Jesus in Jerusalem. (The disciples were told about it but probably the message did not reach them deep). The disciples and the followers of Jesus were expecting something different in Jerusalem.

 

The followers were totally caught up with earthly thinking and they were visualizing everything as they see around in the world. They were totally immersed with posts and positions; security and safety. Jesus on the other hand was talking about heavenly values and realities. They were worried about being served and saving life. Jesus was concerned about doing service and giving up life as a ransom.