Breaking the Word

 On another sabbath he went into the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees watched him closely to see if he would cure on the sabbath so that they might discover a reason to accuse him. But he realized their intentions and said to the man with the withered hand, "Come up and stand before us." And he rose and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?" Looking around at them all, he then said to him, "Stretch out your hand." He did so and his hand was restored. But they became enraged and discussed together what they might do to Jesus. (Lk 6:6-11)

Jesus and Sabbath seem to be always on trouble. Gospels present Jesus in trouble with on Sabbath. One of the practices of piety which Jews followed strictly was that of Sabbath. This practice was almost identified with the practice of the religion. Jesus’ teaching on the Sabbath was not in question. Probably they appreciated his teachings in the synagogue. His practice on the Sabbath did raise some problem.

Jesus challenges the Pharisees and scribes with regard to doing good and saving life. These two activities go beyond the rule or they are not within the limits of the law. “Doing good and saving life” should not come under dispute according to Jesus. These two are the activities of God. God and God’s actions do not come under the control of laws which are man made.

Jesus looked around at them. We have a similar situation at the temple of Jerusalem before cleansing the temple. He looked around at the temple. Since the temple was not reflecting anything of God he looked around (angrily). Similarly here he looked around at them because they were not reflecting anything of God (they were not exhibiting the compassion of God or love of God or respect for life etc). 

 Great crowds were traveling with him, and he turned and addressed them, "If any one comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, 'This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.' Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops?  But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms. In the same way, every one of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple. (Lk 14:25-33)

Renunciation is one of the requisites to be a follower of Jesus. The follower is asked to renounce his father, mother and all the relations. These relations are the basic ones for anyone in the world. These relations only give him an identity in the society and a sense of belonging to the society. When he gives up these he would be almost like a stranger in his own land or in his own house.

Secondly, the follower should be ready to carry his own cross and follow after him. Carrying one’s own cross is not sufficient but he has to go after Jesus. Jesus was going to Jerusalem. His journey was set and it was to Jerusalem. Followers of Jesus also had to set their goals and it has to be Jerusalem. What awaits in Jerusalem is obvious.

Calculations, planning, and decisions have to be made to complete the task undertaken. Following of Jesus also needs all these. One cannot go about without planning. It is like the construction of a building or waging of a war by a king. All these calculations, planning, and decisions have to be made with regard to renunciation. There is no following without renunciation.