Breaking the Word

 He passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" He answered them, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, 'Lord, open the door for us.' He will say to you in reply, 'I do not know where you are from.'  And you will say, 'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.' Then he will say to you, 'I do not know where (you) are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!' And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last." (Lk 13:22-30)

 

 

Jesus was making his way to Jerusalem. He was sure of his destination. His eyes were set on it. There was not going back on this. Since he was sure of his destination he did not take the by-pass roads to reach the place. He passed through towns and villages. Though he was sure of his destination yet he did not reach if at a shot but he moved through the villages and towns to meet people and probably to gather the people and with them to go there or at least make the people aware or reflect about the journey to wards one’s destination. For, he told them to strive through the narrow gate.

 

Reaching the destination also should be within the given time. If one reached late then there was no possibility of entering into it. No amount of pleading or begging would give the possibility of entrance. Earlier associations and relationship would not give the possibility of entrance. One should be ready to enter before the master closed the door.

 

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the prophets were already in the kingdom (People of the past).  People from east and west would also find place in the kingdom. (People of the future). Only the present people have problems in entering into the kingdom. Why? Because thy have not responded to the call. They have not responded to the invitation given by the master. 

Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens (hard to carry) and lay them on people's shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.' As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.' You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven.  Do not be called 'Master'; you have but one master, the Messiah. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Mt 23:1-12)

 

 

“Chair of Moses” seemed to have been a sought after one. The scribes and Pharisees were after it. Moses was the one who brought the people out of Egypt and he made the people experience God in the desert and he united the people. So he was a political leader, social leader and a religious leader. His leadership was visible in his teachings and particularly in the five books of Moses.

 

Matthew presents Jesus as the new Moses. The gospel of Moses is written in five blocks which are to remind the reader of the five books of Moses. The five books of the new covenant speak about the new relationship between God and people. Jesus also teaches and preaches.

 

Jesus questions the attitudes of the leaders and their approach in exercising their leadership. Leadership should not be exercised from the pompous heights. Leadership should be exercised as Jesus had done. For Jesus leadership was on the way to the cross. He had nothing to carry on him on the way; because, he would be nailed to the cross without anything on him. ‘Chair of Moses’ turns to ‘cross of Jesus’. All the teaching of Jesus comes from the cross and only from the cross.