Let us remember Jesus

THE EDITOR: It is the Christmas season and people must know something of Jesus’ attitude towards people despised by others. The Beatitude is “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” People outside the Jewish law are mentioned sympathetically; a sinful woman is defended by Jesus against Simon the Pharisee; a tax-collector, Zacchaeus, hated by orthodox and patriotic Jews, makes a liberal offer and is commended by Jesus and called a true “son of Abraham.” Jesus spoke of the value of the lost in the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin and prodigal son. Jesus’ warnings against dangers of riches are prominent. After rebuking a man who demanded that he should make his brother divide an inheritance, Jesus told his hearers to “beware of covetousness” and added that a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.

The story of the rich foolish man whose only thought was to store goods, feed and be merry, was a similar warning. Jesus’ attitude towards women is frequently mentioned in Luke. He heals the son of a widow at Nain. Jesus also stayed at a village in Nain where Mary and Martha entertained him in their house. Women of Jerusalem are mentioned as having bewailed him on the way to the Cross. He also spoke to his mother at the wedding of Cana. Jesus also taught the Spirit of God. He said, “If men, with all their evil, know how to give to their children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.”

Matthew says that God will give “good things” to those who ask Him. Luke mentions Jesus as being guided by the Spirit after the temptation and in the Nazareth synagogue he reads a passage commencing: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me.” Prominence is given to Jesus’ own prayers. Jesus prayed at his baptism before choosing his disciples, before asking the disciples who people said he was and on the Cross Jesus prayed for his enemies — “Forgive them for they know not what they do.” Jesus’ last words are a prayer — “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” There is also a prayer from Jesus “Why hast Thou forsaken me?” Luke mentions three parables about prayer — the friend at midnight, the persistent widow and the Pharisee and the tax-collector.

The wider aspects of Jesus’ mission are, likewise, mentioned. He shows in the synagogue at Nazareth, that Old Testament prophets did not confine their work and help to Israelites but Elijah helped a Phoenician woman and Elisha, a Syrian leper. Luke mentions the healing of the centurion’s servant, the Samaritan leper, Jesus’ refusal to punish an insult from a Samaritan village and the parable of the good and neighbourly Samaritan. Let us remember Jesus’ doctrines and practise them.

AHAMAD KHAYAM
Curepe