Palestine In Today's Gospel
To understand the story in today's Gospel takes a little knowledge of the geographical position of Palestine in Jesus' time. Since the destruction of the kingdom of David, Israel was divided into two parts, the Northern Kingdom by Capital Samaria and the Southern Kingdom with the capital Jerusalem. In Jesus' time the two kingdoms is no longer there, because it has destroyed the invaders. But the mentality is still felt.
Northern areas, including the Galilee, is a fertile area, because they have a source of water of the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River. Automatic population in the more prosperous northern regions. While the southern regions although less fertile and less affluent, but they are more pride, because they have the temple in
Jerusalem, where God is present in the midst of his people. Southern people often boast of their religious side and look down upon their brethren in the north. People who live in Yeru salem consider them more holy.
For Jesus, repentance is the price that is not negotiable for the sake of salvation. One can not simply rely on the wealth or religious symbols owned. It all becomes lose value if not accompanied by true repentance.
Northern areas, including the Galilee, is a fertile area, because they have a source of water of the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River. Automatic population in the more prosperous northern regions. While the southern regions although less fertile and less affluent, but they are more pride, because they have the temple in
Jerusalem, where God is present in the midst of his people. Southern people often boast of their religious side and look down upon their brethren in the north. People who live in Yeru salem consider them more holy.
For Jesus, repentance is the price that is not negotiable for the sake of salvation. One can not simply rely on the wealth or religious symbols owned. It all becomes lose value if not accompanied by true repentance.