Miracles, Parables and Commandments of Jesus

By Koshy Mathew Thachireth

This book is a collection of the miracles, parables and commandments of Jesus, presented by way of comparative study of the four gospels. Jesus is presented here as a human being, homeless and itinerant, who became son of God through renunciation, meditation which led to self-realization. He through the miracles, taught us to restrain from self-glorification, the root cause of sin, but give glory to God for all your achievements because it is not your body, but the spirit of God in you that enables you to do miracles or the works of God. Through the Parables he taught us to what is the kingdom of God and how to seek it. The Commandments, conveyed to us through the Sermon on the Mount teach us how to purify our hearts, lead a righteous life and become perfect or sons of God, who is perfect. One who realize the truth of the Sermon and live accordingly would become God on earth. It is the sum total of all ancient great religions in the world.

This book is divided into three parts: the first part dealing with miracles performed by Jesus; the second with parables told by Jesus in the course of his public ministry that form part of his teachings; and the third, commandments, as contained in the Sermon on the Mount.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: May 15, 2019
• ISBN: 9781728388137

Koshy Mathew Thachireth

A Godfearing individual for whom Jesus Christ is the Rabbi, Master and Lord, having held senior finance positions in various Industries in India. After retirement practiced as Management/Company Law consultant. Now leading a retired life; studying the scriptures, particularly gospels and practicing Raja Yoga (meditation) and allied spiritual matters, enjoying peace of mind and heavenly bliss promised by Jesus to those who love him.

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© 2019 Koshy Mathew, Thachireth. All rights reserved.

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Published by AuthorHouse 05/14/2019

ISBN: 978-1-7283-8814-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-7283-8813-7 (e)

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Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by The Zondervan Corporation

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

CONTENTS

Preface

Chapter 1 The First Miracle - Water Made Wine

Chapter 2 Healing the Nobleman’s Son

Chapter 3 Demoniac Healed

Chapter 4 The Great Draught of Fishes

Chapter 5 Peter’s Mother-in-Law Healed

Chapter 6 The Leper Healed

Chapter 7 The Paralytic Healed

Chapter 8 Healing the Impotent Man

Chapter 9 Healing Man with Withered Hand

Chapter 10 Many Healed Near Galilee

Chapter 11 Roman Centurion’s Servant Healed

Chapter 12 Raising the Widow’s Son

Chapter 13 Calms A Storm

Chapter 14 The Demoniac Transformed

Chapter 15 The Afflicted Woman Healed

Chapter 16 Jairus’ Daughter Raised

Chapter 17 The Blind Men and Dumb Demoniac Healed

Chapter 18 Feeding the Five Thousand

Chapter 19 Jesus Walks on the Sea

Chapter 20 The Daughter of Syrophoenician Woman Healed

Chapter 21 Deaf and Dumb Healed

Chapter 22 Feeding the Four Thousand

Chapter 23 A Blind Man at Bethsaida Healed

Chapter 24 Demoniac Boy Healed

Chapter 25 The Tribute Money

Chapter 26 Ten Lepers Healed

Chapter 27 The Blind Man Healed

Chapter 28 The Raising of Lazarus

Chapter 29 The Woman Healed of Infirmity

Chapter 30 Healing the Blind

Chapter 31 Cursing the Fig Tree

Chapter 32 The Rich Fool

Chapter 33 Watchful Servants

Chapter 34 The Wise Steward

Chapter 35 The Fig Tree

Chapter 36 The Sower

Chapter 37 Wheat and Tares

Chapter 38 Mustard Seed

Chapter 39 The Leaven

Chapter 40 The Hidden Treasure

Chapter 41 The Goodly Pearl

Chapter 42 The Dragnet

Chapter 43 The Unmerciful Servant

Chapter 44 The Good Samaritan

Chapter 45 The Friend at Midnight

Chapter 46 Parable of the Great Supper

Chapter 47 Counting the Cost of True Religion

Chapter 48 The Lost Sheep

Chapter 49 The Lost Coin

Chapter 50 The Prodigal Son (Lost Man)

Chapter 51 The Unjust Steward

Chapter 52 Dives and Lazarus

Chapter 53 The Unjust Judge

Chapter 54 The Pharisee and the Publican

Chapter 55 The Laborers in the Vineyard

Chapter 56 Parable of the Ten Pounds

Chapter 57 The Two Sons

Chapter 58 The Wicked Husbandmen

Chapter 59 Marriage of the King’s Son

Chapter 60 The Ten Virgins

Chapter 61 Talents Given To Servants

Chapter 62 The Beatitudes

Chapter 63 Christian Influence and Rational Living

Chapter 64 Christ and the Law

Chapter 65 Violence and Anger

Chapter 66 Reconciliation

Chapter 67 Teaching About Adultery

Chapter 68 Teaching About Divorce

Chapter 69 Teaching About Vows and Profanity

Chapter 70 Teaching About Revenge

Chapter 71 Unlimited Service and Benevolence

Chapter 72 Teaching About Loving Enemies

Chapter 73 Teaching About Alms Giving

Chapter 74 Teaching About How to Pray

Chapter 75 Teaching About what to Pray

Chapter 76 Teaching About Forgiveness

Chapter 77 Teaching About Fasting

Chapter 78 Teaching About Investments in Heaven

Chapter 79 Teaching About Light of the Body

Chapter 80 Teaching About the Perils of Serving Two Masters

Chapter 81 Teaching About Worldly Cares

Chapter 82 Teaching About Uncharitable Judgments

Chapter 83 Teaching About Divine Benevolence

Chapter 84 Teaching About the Golden Rule

Chapter 85 Teaching About the Two Ways

Chapter 86 Teaching About the Fruit Test

Chapter 87 I Never Knew You

Chapter 88 Teaching About the Two Builders

Chapter 89 Sermon on the Plain

Bibliography

Abbreviations

About the Author

PREFACE

C hristianity is a great religion – ‘the stone that was cut out of the mountain without hands which broke in pieces the great image made of gold, silver, brass, iron and clay that became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth and shall stand for ever – and gospels are the four pillars on which it is built, but of late it is losing its glitter, sharpness and strength. It has become the largest business organization worth trillions of U.S. Dollars. The priests and pastors are interested in protecting its internal strength (not spiritual) and organizational structure. Jesus Christ was not part of an establishment but a rebel that too an itinerant and homeless, who did not offer to his followers, prosperity and power on earth but sufferings, persecution and sacrifice.

This book is a collection of the miracles, parables and commandments of Jesus, presented by way of comparative study of the four gospels. Of the four gospels: Mark’s the first codex appeared around CE 70, containing brief but matter of fact reports on the public ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus, Son of God, an honorary designation used of the Kings of Israel; Matthew and Luke presented theirs as biographies of Jesus, a prophet like Moses, by inducting stories of birth and childhood following the genre of Greco-Roman biographies; and John presented his as a theological biography of Christ that covers the philosophical discourses of Jesus. We go by the dominant view of Bible scholars that Mark’s was the main source for Matthew and Luke and it is one of the reasons why these are known as synoptic (see things together) gospels. Though there were many gospels in circulation in those days, only the four were accepted as authoritative from the time of Bishop Irenaeus of Lyon (c.140-200), long before the Council of Nicaea. He justified limiting the number of gospels to four arguing that God created the earth with four corners and given four directions for the wind; he further justified by comparing the gospels to the four living creatures around the throne of God: a lion (Mark), a calf (Luke), a man (Matthew), and a flying eagle (John). (Rev. 4:6-9)

This book is divided into three parts: the first part dealing with miracles performed by Jesus; the second with parables told by Jesus in the course of his public ministry that form part of his teachings; and the third, commandments, as contained in the Sermon on the Mount. Love one another is the only commandment of Jesus but what he taught through the Sermon can be practiced only by those who possess unselfish love. Jesus claimed the miracles as the works of the Father and never sought credit for whatever he did. Through the parables he taught about the mysteries of the kingdom of God as revealed to him on attaining super-conscious stage through forty days of Samadhi. He was a rare combination of son of man (Jesus) and son of God (Christ – the anointed), born as a man, got awakened and lived like God, loving, unselfish, homeless and itinerant; a great reformer not only of Jewish but also of religious and social patterns all over the world and set an example for men to follow – live as he lived- but never to worship him or any god except the heavenly father, the Cosmic Energy. He wanted to establish the kingdom of love on earth, a classless, casteless and creedless new social order where justice, equity, and charity prevailed and men served each other unselfishly and, in all humility, not a church with its manmade rites, rituals and dogmas. Through the Sermon on the Mount, he taught us how to attain perfection in life and become sons of God. He was the savior of human race as Buddha (one who attained wisdom) was and expects men to grow to his level to save the world from utter destruction.

While interpreting the parables, I frequently referred to meditation, which I am strongly advocating for those desirous of attaining God communion to pursue since I believe that Jesus got inspired through meditation. The foundation of meditation is love, compassion and honesty, which cannot be replaced by rites or rituals and Jesus wanted all his followers to develop these qualities. The stepping stones to meditation according to Indian saints are: do not say anything which hurt others; do not lie; be kind and compassionate, excel in whatever work you do, and understand things from other’s point of view. You can acquire spiritual gifts which Jesus offered to those who truly follow him through the route of meditation and it only can deliver the final climb to the peak of spirituality, Self-realization. Yes, you can liberate the soul from physical, astral and causal sheaths while in this life, and become one with your master, Christ through meditation. It is possible for everyone to practice meditation by focusing attention to inner person, withdrawing mind from the world of objects and focusing it on God, which will result in one’s mind getting cleansed of undesirable thoughts, anxieties, fear and desires. Once you enter the meditative zone, your vocabulary, attitude, perception, sights and sounds, in fact everything in and around you get transformed and others would notice in you, tremendous calm and patience born out of resolute faith and courage, the qualities expected of citizens of the kingdom of God. Nothing is impossible for those who achieve self-realization through meditation and unless it becomes part of Christian life, they would not be entitled to the heavenly mansions promised by Jesus Christ. Moreover, the practice of meditation is not alien to Christianity; Moses, through rigorous practice for forty years had the privilege of: seeing Lord God in a flame of fire, who called and sent him to liberate Israelites from bondage of Pharaoh and getting conferred with the title of God: ‘thou shalt be to him instead of God (Ex.4:16)’. Elijah, Elisha and other prophets followed meditation route and attained different levels of self-realization and God communion. But it was Jesus who went beyond meditation to Samadhi, attained Super-Conscious stage (broken barriers of intellect and reason), or himself became God or one with God, since only a person who attained that level could declare: "I AM NOT COME TO DESTROY, BUT TO FULFILL’’ (Mt.5:18), the most divine quality.

Now kindly read without any pre-conceived notions, meditate over the words of Jesus and ask the great Rabbi Jesus Christ, the golden thread that holds together Judaism; Hinduism sans innumerable gods and rituals; and Buddhism, to ignite your spirit. On getting it lighted you can see the accumulated dirt of ignorance, selfishness, sensory desires and wickedness covering your spirit; remove it through repentance, to get your mind and intellect illuminated and soul liberated; and get attuned with Christ spirit or realize the Self. Then and then only you will experience: peace of mind; heart throbbing with happiness, and heavenly bliss; unselfish love to all; the coming again, or Christ manifesting in you; and your soul ascending to heaven even while you remain on earth as son of man, which is freedom or liberation from bondage of Satan, promised by Jesus to those who believe in him. Otherwise you would be destined to the hellfire of innumerable reincarnations and remain always earthbound. So, arise from the bed of carnal desires, serving two masters, rites and rituals, roll it up and follow the path of love and compassion to get awakened and the kingdom of God established in your heart and in the hearts of all who come in contact with you. This is the way, the only way to bring the kingdom of heaven on earth, the truth and life.

THE AUTHOR

PART – I

MIRACLES

CHAPTER 1

THE FIRST MIRACLE - WATER MADE WINE

(Jn. 2: 1-11)

A ccording to Bible scholars, this was the first miracle performed by Jesus, perhaps because John declared it as the beginning of the miracles of Jesus whereas Matthew made a general statement that he went about all Galilee teaching, preaching, and healing; Mark and Luke reported about casting out an unclean spirit from a man in the synagogue in Capernaum. John reported that after enlisting the first disciples, Jesus returned to Nazareth, followed perhaps by two, including John and on the third day they were invited for a wedding at Cana, to the house of one of Mary’s relatives. Cana of Galilee is a village usually identified with Kefr Kenna, about 7 miles northeast of Nazareth on the road to Capernaum, different from Cana of Asher. It was a prosperous agrarian village blessed with vineyards, orchards of fig trees, fertile land and abundance of water. The Jewish marriage celebrations last generally for a week but John did not mention the number of days the celebrations at Cana lasted. He reported that their stock of wine got exhausted, may be after four or five days and it seems that the family had no money to get it replenished. Mother Mary being a relative and one actively involved in assisting the family, came to know of their plight, had compassion for the family, and told her son of the family’s predicament hoping that he would make some arrangements to help them tide over the impasse. She perhaps, expected him to go out and bring wine from some nearby vineyards not realizing that he had no money.

His response to her sounded rude because he misconstrued her request as for working a miracle to make wine available and therefore, addressed her impersonally as woman and told that it was not she, his mother, but the Father who should manifest His glory through him to start ‘the works of the father’ on earth. Jesus told her ‘mine hour is not yet come’ and usually ‘mine hour’ refer to the time of death but here he used it to convey that he received no signals to work the works of the Father to help those in distress. Yes, by addressing her ‘woman’ he declared in unequivocal terms that she was not speaking to her son, but a fully deified human being who got transformed Son of God, devoid of attachment to flesh and blood. He so addressed her because it was not Jesus, but the Christ spirit in him, that recognized no other relationships, but only the heavenly Father as both father and mother, being part of the creator. Yes, the Christ spirit could be activated only by the Father in heaven to do miracles. Moreover, Jesus could not comply with her since she made the request as a loving and caring mother to her son and not out of compulsions of faith. Despite the discouraging words of him, the devout mother believed that he would find a way out of the predicament and asked the servants there to do whatever Jesus commanded (to go with him as carriers) demonstrating her faith in him.

When Jesus heard what she told the servants, he realized how great was her faith and her love and sympathy for the family in trouble and therefore sought permission from heavenly Father to find the new wine in the cluster (Is.65:8) and thus help the family in need through a miracle which was not denied. The Christ spirit could not ignore or remain inactive in the face of great faith reposed by those in need or their well-wishers and, so he acted. Jesus, without attracting the attention of the guests or the bridegroom, asked the servants who were waiting for orders, to bring the pots kept at the entrance of the house for providing water to wash the feet of the guests, and fill them with fresh water. According to Jewish custom water in large pots used to be kept at the entrance for ritualistic washing of hands and feet before eating, without which one was considered unclean. The capacity of each pot was two or three firkins; firkin being 9 gallons, each would hold not less than 18 but not more than 27 gallons. The servants obeyed without asking any questions, emptied the pots, brought to the well, and filled water up to the brim of each, a job well done. He then asked them to carry the pots into the house, to the inner room and place before the governor of the feast. Yes, flush out the dirty waters of sensory desires and never satiable thirst for worldly attractions and fill your heart with fresh, life-giving water of the words of Jesus, to reach the holy of the holies, receive Holy Spirit, divine wisdom and never- ending heavenly bliss to attract many to the kingdom of God. Without hesitation or murmuring they obeyed and carried the pots filled with water, to the governor of the feast, either a chief guest or chief of the family, placed inside and withdrew. He did not ask any questions why the wine was filled in those ugly looking pots, but collected samples, tasted and satisfied himself that the wine was well matured and of superior quality (the final judgment awaiting each of you). Yes, for him it was not the looks of the container, but quality of the contents that mattered fulfilling the words ‘for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart (1 Sam.16:7)’ NASB. After tasting, he called the bridegroom and appreciated him for keeping the best wine till last contrary to the common practice of serving best wine first and once the guests get drunk, serving inferior quality. Jesus thus taught us that God’s way is to always serve the best and He expects it from all his children. Except for those who drew the water and delivered the pots and Jesus’ disciples, no one knew wherefrom the superior quality wine was brought. We know that one form of matter could be changed into another only by chemical reaction, but Jesus demonstrated that it could be done by one’s thoughts if his faith strong and ego attuned to the divine Consciousness.

This miracle was made possible because of three factors:

i) the great faith demonstrated by Jesus’ mother to help someone in need though unaware of the divine power possessed by her son;

ii) obedience and readiness of the servants in carrying out the tasks entrusted to them without questioning the relevance thereof; and

iii) the perfection (filling to the brim) and devotion of the servants in executing the duties assigned to them without expecting any rewards. Yes, always remember that utmost faith in God, obedience to Him, perfection and commitment in carrying out duties entrusted to us are the key elements for success in whatever we do.

Unfortunately, most Christians do not fill themselves to the brim with love and devotion for God thus permitting Satan to enter within and drive out the Holy Spirit. Through this miracle Jesus declared that God does not respect faces or outward appearance but the depth of faith, purity of heart and unattached devotion to work entrusted to each. This miracle also revealed the purpose of his ministry in this world:

i) to announce that the kingdom of God had been taken away from Jews, they having lost (exhausted) the spirit and power and given to outcasts like publicans, harlots and sinners who were not supposed to enter beyond the outer court of the temple, like the pots kept at the entrance of the house. Yes, he came to exhort them to look into themselves, see the filth within and wash it off through repentance, get filled with living waters, for them to become heirs and partakers of the Kingdom of heaven;

ii) to transform ordinary men and women tasteless, colorless and spiritless like water, into spirit filled and lively new creations through spiritual baptism and make them instrumental in bringing about revolutionary changes in the society so as to help establish the kingdom of God on earth; and

iii) to teach the Jews of a loving and tolerant heavenly Father who does not look at the outer appearance whether good-looking or ugly, Jew or gentle; but at the taste of what is within (purity of heart).

Wine in Palestine used to be consumed as a common drink like tea for us today, though more intoxicant. Jesus made water into wine to help a family protect its dignity in the society. Since Jesus performed this miracle, many justify drinking of alcohol as permitted by Jesus, and they claim so ignoring the context of this miracle. The temptation to drink wine or alcohol which provides a temporary euphoria is the creation of Satan to dull man’s consciousness, obliterate his awareness of God and his kingdom. None should therefore, interpret this miracle as permission for the followers of Jesus and others to drink wine and get intoxicated. On the contrary, Jesus wants his followers to remain sober and refrain from getting intoxicated by consuming alcohol but to drink the wine of Holy Spirit and enjoy the bliss, beauty and everlasting life there from as enjoyed by the Apostles.

Jesus demonstrated that transformation of ordinary men and women into spirit filled, loving and caring children of God as the way to establish the kingdom of God on earth but for fulfilling this mission he needs humble, obedient and hardworking servants like those in Cana willing to carry out without murmuring the duties assigned to them of preaching the gospel through their life by pursuing the path -of-sacrifice shown by Jesus and abandoning the fruits of action. Are we, the Christians of today, living up to the expectation of Jesus? How many Christians do obediently wait, watch and meditate focusing their attention on Christ for the downpour of wisdom from above or Holy Spirit promised by Jesus? It is a shame that we are neither leading life as true followers of Jesus nor loving God above everyone and everything else and therefore in no way different from the Pharisees and scribes of those days, who instead of obeying and getting transformed, criticized, despised and rejected him. Jesus addressed them hypocrites because they judged him from outer appearance and rejected without tasting his spirit and wisdom, the source of living waters. Unless the Christians turn back to themselves, become aware of the accumulated filth within and get their soul cleansed of the filth through repentance, the kingdom of God would always remain elusive to them. By reporting this as the beginning of the miracles of Jesus, John highlighted the value of faith in God and themselves to receive divine blessings and in the meantime, dismissed all the stories found in the apocryphal books, particularly about the childhood miracles of Jesus as imaginary.

CHAPTER 2

HEALING THE NOBLEMAN’S SON

(Jn. 4: 46 -54)

A ccording to John, Jesus after attending Passover at Jerusalem came via Samaria to Cana in Galilee, a second time, perhaps at the invitation of beneficiaries of his first miracle which received wide publicity. On hearing that Jesus was in Cana, many came seeking him, the prophet who changed water into wine, to get their domestic, physical or mental problems solved. Among them was a certain nobleman (Gr. Basilikos – an officer or prince) from Capernaum, whose son was lying sick to death. He, on hearing about Jesus possessing mighty spiritual power believed that he could surmount the disease and make his son whole and therefore, came to invite him home. Though details about the noble man or the nature of his son’s sickness were not given, from the report it is evident that he tried many physicians but found the disease incurable, and the boy’s condition critical. Unlike others who came to witness miracles, this nobleman came determined to take Jesus home, to get his seriously ill son on the verge of death, healed. Jesus addressed him one of those who sought signs and wonders for which Jews were famous. Despite Jesus calling him a sign seeker he did neither get discouraged nor insulted because his need was genuine and urgent and faith in Jesus unshakable. His paternal love compelled to beg Jesus go with him before the child died, and his insistence adequately demonstrated faith that none but Jesus possessing mighty spiritual power only could save the child from imminent death. In spite of the noble man’s humility and meekness, Jesus did not readily agree to go with him. He wanted to test the depth of faith and therefore, asked him to go home where he would find his son alive and whole. He, without demur proceeded home, demonstrating his faith in Jesus. His faith and obedience were amply rewarded as, on his way, he met messengers from home who came to convey the news that his son got cured. He enquired of the time when the child recovered and realized that he got cured exactly at the same time as Jesus told thy son lives. We know that energy in man’s body can be directed to influence the movement of any part or function of his body, but ability to send a command to cure a sick person lying, in this case about 20 miles away from the source of energy is possessed only by the one possessing power and authority of the creator. The nobleman and his entire family got excited at how their child got cured and believed in Jesus and accepted him as the Son of God. Jesus did this miracle, the second one while he was in Cana of Galilee.

Healing the Nobleman’s son was the demonstration of Jesus’ unlimited power over diseases and evil powers irrespective of the distance provided the seeker has faith in him. For one who attained the superconscious state of mind (broken the barriers of reason) distance is of no consequence and Jesus wants each of his followers to grow up to this level. Dr. Larry Dossey, M.D., in his book Healing Words (1993), based on his scientific researches, writes of the efficacy of prayer: ‘Experiments with people showed that prayer positively affected high blood pressure, wounds, heart attacks, headaches and anxiety. Remarkably the effects of prayer did not depend on whether the praying person was in the presence of the organism being prayed for or whether he or she was far away; the healing could take place either on site or at a distance’. Jesus cure all sickness and solve even insoluble problems provided the seeker demonstrates his faith in and obedience to him without getting disheartened at delays. Similarly, all God-realized persons whose consciousness is in tune with the divine Will, can effect changes in other human bodies by concentrated thoughts. Yes, wherever you are, Christ is ready to help provided you are not a sign and wonder seeker and do not get disheartened at temporary setbacks or delays. Distance is not a hindrance for Christ to help because God is Spirit and listens to the prayer coming from hearts pure and unselfish provided the seekers don’t get disappointed and run away until he gets what was asked for.

CHAPTER 3

DEMONIAC HEALED

(Mk. 1: 21 – 28; Lu. 4: 31 – 37)

L uke reported it as happened in continuation of Jesus getting rejected at Nazareth but before enlisting disciples whereas according to Mark, it was the first miracle Jesus did after calling the four into discipleship. They reported that Jesus on reaching Capernaum, went to the Synagogue and taught on Sabbath days with power and authority derived from God communion. There were many synagogues (Gr. sunagoge means a public assembly of persons) built by Jews since the Babylonian captivity, not only in Palestine but also in other countries since ten Jews coming together could put up one. They were built in all cities and towns and in the country on rivers, that there might be plenty of water for the many washings. The things required for a synagogue are: an ark or chest containing the law; raised platform and a desk from which to read and expound the law; seats for the men below and galleries for women above or a low partition to separate men and women; seats for officers in front of the platform facing congregation; lamps to give light for conducting services in the evening and at feasts; and apartments for the many utensils, alm-chests, etc.

Archeological excavators in 1960 discovered a first century Synagogue in Capernaum, believed to be the one where this miracle took place. The teaching of Jesus was a new experience for those in the Synagogue since he taught with authority and power as he spoke the words of God revealed to and experienced by him. Their priests and scribes used to read out selected portions from Torah, interpret it applying their intellect, (like Christian priests of our generation) in the manner prescribed by and acceptable to temple authorities. They were familiar with the writings of Moses and Prophets, which they read and by- hearted but never experienced, having never lived accordingly. Jesus, on the other hand, taught what he heard from the Father, or seen Him doing and hence those who heard him were astonished at the depth of knowledge, wisdom, power and conviction reflected while explaining the doctrines of the kingdom of God.

While Jesus was teaching in the synagogue, a man possessed of an unclean spirit was among the audience, listening him. By ‘spirit of an unclean devil’ Luke meant the soul of a murderer, or a licentious person who could not get cleansed of his evil propensities before death in the previous birth. A man possessed of unclean spirit sitting among worshippers may sound quite strange because of the general concept that no evil spirit dares come nearer a holy place. When the man experienced the divine presence and heard the spirit filled words, he cried out asking Jesus to leave them alone indicating that he was possessed by many evil spirits. He realized that Jesus, the Holy one of God has power to liberate him from the clutches of his master, the devil but wanted to desist. He knew that his sins separated him from God but wanted to maintain status quo because the unclean spirits enabled him to enjoy life in whatever manner he desired. Till then no priest, or preacher ever created awareness of sins or posed any threat to the evil spirits because they themselves were slaves of devil; but now there stood a God-realized man, possessing power to drive away even powerful unclean spirits. Jesus instead of leaving them alone, looked in his eyes, and ordered those spirits to hold peace, come out and leave him alone. They could not withstand the power and authority of Jesus, got frustrated when forced to surrender, threw the man into convulsions, made him scream loudly and left. Casting out evil spirit by so commanding amazed those who witnessed it because other exorcists took days to cast out evil spirits from those possessed.

There was only one man in the synagogue at Capernaum possessed of evil spirits, but we find many in our churches possessed of greed, jealousy, covetousness, womanizing, drunkenness, etc. They always want to maintain status quo because of the illusory freedom, sense of security and happiness they derive there-from. They would not admit their evil habits and tendencies or seek deliverance from mental agitations by acknowledging Christ the Holy one of God though regularly attend church and participate in Holy Mass. Those mechanical worshippers do not realize that all devilish persons would remain devilish in the astral bodies and unless they turn back, repent, get detached from the world of pleasures, they would be condemned to the outer darkness forever. This miracle revealed that even places of worship are not sacred, and the worshippers do not meet any one spiritually saturated, capable of fishing out those sinking deeper into the bottom of the sea of delusion. The tragedy is that many preachers, due to lack of Christ contact are just quoting the Bible like the scribes of those days not speaking authoritatively to create awareness of sins in those who hear them. As a result, no genuine confession of sins and consequent deliverance from the clutches of devil take place in places of worship. Preachers themselves are under the spell of evil spirits and hence incapable of casting out evil spirits from those who hear them, and the situation could be termed as ‘drunkard leading the drunkard.’

CHAPTER 4

THE GREAT DRAUGHT OF FISHES

(Lu. 5: 4 -11)

A ccording to Luke, in one of those days, Jesus came to Gennesaret teaching those gathered around. As the crowd pressed to hear him, he looked around, saw two boats that returned after fishing, moored nearby, entered in one of the boats that belonged to Simon and asked him to push it out a little into the lake as he found it convenient and effective to teach from the deck. The fishermen in the boats were washing their nets and Jesus noticed that they were tired and disappointed. When he finished teaching, asked Simon to take the boat, deeper into the lake as if for a boat cruise but on reaching deep waters, asked to let down the nets for a catch. Simon, an expert fisherman, who knew nook and corner of the lake, was initially hesitant to act as he was sure that the teacher, a carpenter by profession, knew nothing about the Sea or fishing, but reluctantly took out the nets which were kept folded, with the remark that it was of no use casting nets again as they toiled whole night but caught nothing.

Jesus told him to cast his nets for a draught and meant Simon to do so without reservations (with faith). After some-time when he pulled up the net, found to his great surprise that it was heavy with a large haul of fish. He sought help of friends from the other boat and together they pulled the net up and the catch was so great as to fill both boats until the boats began to sink, contradicting Simon’s assertion that there were no fish to be taken. Those who came to help Simon and Andrew were their partners, James and John, sons of Zebedee and all were amazed at the great draught of fish. Simon, who considered himself authority on fishing particularly in Lake Gennesaret, realized that Jesus was not an ordinary man ignorant of fishing but God himself in the form of man and he, the ignorant fisherman, unworthy to stand before him. This realization made him admit his ignorance and inadequacies and repented prostrating before Jesus, beseeching to leave him alone.

This miracle, served as example of God’s bountifulness to those who trust in and obey Jesus, showed that even the fish in the lake obeyed the divine command, a sign that he was empowered to act on behalf of God. Jesus was happy at the sincere demonstration of repentance by Simon and told him and his partners: ‘Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men’. Yes, he had shown them the spiritual application of the miracle: follow him, be his disciples and fish out large numbers of men lying immersed in pleasures of the world from the depths of the sea of delusion. This world is often compared to a great sea of delusion where men go for fishing in shallow waters for small fishes like riches, position and fame but many do