Breaking the Word

 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.  He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord." Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, "Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing." And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They also asked, "Isn't this the son of Joseph?"  (Lk 4:14-22)

 

 

Jesus was regular for Sabbath prayer in the synagogue (according to his custom). Besides, he was also, probably, regular in reading the scriptures and commending on it. He was appreciated by all for his preaching. (He taught in their synagogue and was praised by all). He did not start his preaching ministry only after his Baptism. He had been doing this even before beginning his public ministry.

 

He preached on the word of God and he founded (based) his life on the word of God. Word of God gave him the goal of his life and word of God was the motivating and guiding principle of his life. (Man does not live on bread alone but from every word that comes forth form the mouth of God). Word of God was life for Jesus. He read the word of God; he preached on it; he lived by it for he was the word.

 

Word of God was not some theoretical, philosophical ideas for Jesus. Word of God put him right in the midst of people. The people among whom he continued his ministry were: poor, captives, blind, and oppressed. These were the people who suffered political, social and physical ailments. He was among the suffering people.

 

 

 

Then he made his disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side toward Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And when he had taken leave of them, he went off to the mountain to pray. When it was evening, the boat was far out on the sea and he was alone on shore. Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing, for the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out. They had all seen him and were terrified. But at once he spoke with them, "Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!" He got into the boat with them and the wind died down. They were (completely) astounded. They had not understood the incident of the loaves. On the contrary, their hearts were hardened.  (Mk 6:45-52)

 

 

Jesus went to the mountain to pray. He did not take the disciples to pray with him as he did in Gethsemane. This prayer was after the great miracle of feeding the five thousand. Did he go to thank (pray) the father? Prayer had been very personal. He did not want the people also to be with him during prayer for he dismissed them before prayer. Prayer is between God and the individual.

 

Jesus walked on the water. He had control over the wind. In short he had control over nature. Only God had power over nature. The Jews believed that nature and history is the arena where God works. God had done in Exodus where he changed the history of the people who were slaves and to do it he showed his control over nature. Here Jesus is beginning a new Exodus and he has power over nature and history.

 

He got into the boat and he travelled with his disciples. A boat that was tossed by wind has safe journey. Jesus was ready to travel with the disciples who were in trouble. Jesus who had power over wind and water could have eased the situation and gone on his way. But here he came down to be with the disciples to feel with them and to be with them and to travel with them. Jesus traveled with the disciples.