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JESUS : The Great Guru
Luke 4:31-44
Vs. 32. “ They were
astounded at his teaching, because he spoke with authority.”
Luke chapter 4 gives a vivid picture of Jesus’ authority,
authority over the evil powers, authority as the son of God and
authority as the light to the world
In Jesus’ time, people were familiar with many Rabbis who
were teachers and interpreters of the law. In fact, they were blind
guides. They gave burdens and bondage rather than freedom and light.
But in Jesus, people saw a teacher, healer and deliverer who transcends
all the popular understanding of a Rabbi. He taught with authority, he
had authority to change the desperate human conditions of bondage to
sin and sickness. His presence itself was one of giving hope. Thus he
can be called a ‘guru’ though Jesus was much higher than a ‘guru’
in the sense that he practiced what he taught. He was a guru who walked
the talk.
The healing and teaching ministry of Jesus given in
chapter 4 is the Nazareth Manifesto in action. God in the creation
ordered ‘Let there be light’. The presence of Jesus itself is bringing
light to the dark and grief stricken world. The authority of Jesus as a
guru can be seen in the following areas.
Authority to free.
Who needs freedom? The answer is ‘everyone’. As Rousseau
once said, “Man is born free, but he is everywhere in chains”, we are
under bondage though we think that we are free. Bondage especially
under evil or sin is helplessness and hopelessness.
In the synagogue the man with an unclean spirit confronts
Jesus. The spirit asks Jesus not to disturb or destroy them and they
proclaim that he is the son of God. The man, who is affected is not
talking, instead the evil spirit is talking to Jesus. The evil makes
our God-given humanity hidden or silent. The control of evil spirit can
be interpreted as any element that adversely affects our life from the
inside out (addictions, bad influences, mental disorder etc.). The
pronoun used by the evil spirit is ‘us’ points to the man’s
multiplicity of bondages under evil (v 34).
Jesus’ response was "be silent" and “come
out of the man." In his presence evil has no right to speak
because he only has authority and his authority was to set free from
darkness. He voluntarily takes the initiative and heals the man. His
action reveals Jesus’ compassion towards the helpless people.
Authority to
heal (vs.38-41)
Simon’s mother in law was sick. Jesus rebuked the
fever and it left her immediately. Healing in Simon’s house is
accounted in Mark and Matthew also. There Jesus healed by touching
Simon’s mother in law (Matthew 8.14-15, Mark 1.31).In Luke’s gospel it
is written that Jesus rebuked the fever (v 38,39).The command is
expressed by the greek word "epitimesen", the word just used
to address the raging storm (Luke 8.24).This shows Jesus’ authority to
order everything, whether it is living or non-living. When he commanded
the fever to leave, she immediately got up and served them.
Authority to
teach (vs. 42-44)
People followed Jesus wherever he went. They were amazed
by his teaching. His teaching inspired people because of its
authority and newness. For them his words was the light which liberates
them from the darkness of ignorance into the revelation of God’s
kingdom. In Indian Culture,Guru means the one who dispels darkness and
leads to light. The syllable ‘gu’ means darkness and ‘ru’ means he who
dispels it. So Jesus can be called a guru, an eternal guru of
hope, order and light to the world.
If we observe Jesus’ ministry, we can see that it is
everywhere. in the home, in the synagogue, in the wilderness, in
the cities etc. Jesus rebuked the people who tried to limit his
ministry to the small area of Capernaum.
Through Jesus, the kingdom of God entered into the
world with authority. As we are part of the same kingdom. we have to continue
the work of the kingdom by involving, participating and leading the
work to liberate, to console and to give light in this world. Are we
really under his authority?
PRAYER
God, in your light, lead us to the light and the truth
so that we will be able to lead others. Amen
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
As Christians, how far are we able to practice what we
preach?
Rev.
Binu Thomas, Kurichimuttom St. Johns MTC, Edayaranmula
Christian Education Forum,
Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church
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