Temp

Lesi yisahluko sokuqala sencwadi emayelana nezindaba eziyiqiniso eziseBhayibhelini. Mhlawumbe kufanele siqale le ncwadi ngokubuka ekuqaleni kwakho konke – Ngabe sivelaphi thina? Ngabe zivelaphi zonke izilwane nezitshalo? Kanye nezinkanyezi nelanga nenyanga kanjalo nomhlaba wethu omuhle?

Ake siqale lapho kwaqala khona zonke izinto – okuyindawo enhle ukuthi singaqala kuyo! Amazwi okuqala eBhayibhelini afundeka kanje: “Ekuqaleni uNkulunkulu wadala izulu nomhlaba.”

Umbuzo obuzwa ngabaningi, uthi: “Sasinini sona lesi siqalo iBhayibheli elisitshela ngaso?” Abanye abantu bathi sasiseminyakeni eyi-6000 eyedlule. Abanye bathi eminyakeni eyizigidi ezi-15 eyedlule. Asinalo ulwazi olucacile – Esikwazi ngokuqinisekileyo, ukuthi uNkulunkulu wayesevele ekhona ngaphambi kokuba kube khona utho. Siyazi futhi ukuthi uNkulunkulu wenza konke esusela kokungekho.

Kwenzeka kanjani konke lokhu? Singaqagela kuphela, ngoba iBhayibheli alisiniki yonke imininingwane eqondene nalokhu – lisinika nje uhlaka olubanzi kuphela. Kodwa uma ngisebenzisa ukucabanga kwami, mayelana nokuthi kwenzeka kanjani ngingathi:

Suku lumbe uNkulunkulu wabizela zonke izingelosi Zakhe ndawonye wayesethi kuzo: “Ngizokhanda into enkulu kakhulu futhi enhle. Ngifuna ukwakha izidalwa ezinempilo kuzo, zibe nokuzikhethela ngokwentando yazo, futhi ngifuna ukubona ukuthi zizoqhubeka zingikhonze nakuba kusentandweni yazo ukwenze njalo. Kodwa kuqala ngizokwakha indawo la zizohlala khona.”

Ngako-ke uNkulunkulu waqala wadala umkhathi ngobubanzi bawo – isibhakabhaka esikhulu. Yena wakhanda i-gas eyakhipha ukukhanya okukhulu. Lezi zingcucu ze-gas zaqala ukuhlangana kwaze kwafika la zakha khona amabhola amakhulu avuthayo esiwazi namuhla ngokuthi yizinkanyezi. Wabe esezibuthela ngokwamaqoqo ndawonye lezi zinkanyezi, okubizwa ngama- galaxies.

Kodwa eyodwa i-galaxy yayikhethekile kakhulu – Yena wayetha ngokuthi yi-Milky Way. Enye yezinkanyezi ku-Milky Way inama-Planet ayizungezayo. UNkulunkulu wenza enye yalawa ma-planet ibe ngekhethekile kakhulu – Wayibeka yaba sendaweni ekahle mayelana nelanga ukuze kungashisi kakhulu kuyo futhi kungabandi kakhulu. Wayinikeza umkhathi onempilo, eyinika i-oxygen kanye namanye ama-gas. Wafaka amanzi kulo ulwandle, emifuleni kanye nasemachwebeni. Wayeseqala enza impilo kule-planet – waqala ngezitshalo. Wenza uhlu olubanzi lwezinhlobo zezitshalo, kusukela kwezincane kuze kube sezihlahleni ezinkulu. Wenza izitshalo ezimila endle, wenza amaqele namathafa waze wenza nezitshalo ezimila ogwadule.

UNkulunkulu wenza izitshalo ezazizokuba wukudla kwezilwane ezinhlobonhlobo. Ezinye izitshalo zazinika umthunzi uma kushisa ilanga kakhulu futhi ezinye zaba yisiphephelo sezinyoni kanti ezinye zaba yindawo yezilwane yokulala. Ezinye izitshalo zazikhandwe zaba nezimbali ezinhle ukuze umhlaba ubukeke kahle ngokuthe xaxa. Ezinye zazakhelwe ukuthi ziveze izithelo ezidliwa ngumuntu.

Ngesikhathi uNkulunkulu esenelisekile ukuthi konke kwase kusesimeni esigculisayo, waqala wadala izilwane – ezincane nezinkulu; eziphila ezweni neziphila olwandle. Waze wenza ngisho neziphila emoyeni! Wenza izintuthwane ezincane kanye nezindlovu ezinkulu. Wenza amagundane amancane kanye nezindlulamithi ezinde. Wenza onogwaja abazothileyo kanye namabhubesi nezingwe ezinodlame. Wenza izinhlanzi ezincane, ezinemibalabala kanye nemikhome namahlengethwa. Isilwane ngasinye sathola indawo yaso elungele sona. Futhi isilwane ngasinye ayesidalile uNkulunkulu sasinomsebenzi waso empilweni.

Kwathi ke, ngesikhathi lapho zonke izinto sezisesimeni esigculisayo, indalo yayisilungele isidalwa sikaNkulunkulu esizedlula zonke - umuntu. Ngokucophelela okukhulu uNkulunkulu wathatha umhlabathi wadala umuntu ngawo esebenzisa izandla zakhe. Wamqamba ngokuthi Adamu. Kodwa uNkulunkulu wanquma ukuthi akukuhle ukuba uAdamu ahlale yedwa – Weyedinga umlingani. Ngakho-ke kwathi ngobunye ubusuku, uAdamu elele, wathatha olunye lwezimbambo zikaAdamu wayesedala owesifazane ngalo, wamqamba ngokuthi uEva.

UNkulunkulu wanikeza uAdamu noEva indawo enhle kunazo zonke emhlabeni ukuba baphile kuyo – kwakuyingadi enomswakama inemifula emithathu edabula kuyo kanye nazo zonke izitshalo ezinhle kakhulu. UNkulunkulu wayibiza insimu ngokuthi yiEdene. Wababeka ukuba babuse phezu kwezitshalo nezilwane. UNkulunkulu watshela uAdamu ukuthi wayefuna baphathe indalo yonke.

Umsebenzi wokuqala uNkulunkulu awunika uAdamu, kwakuwukuba aqambe zonke izilwane amagama. Leso esinamazinyo ayingozi wasibiza ngengonyama, lo mfokazi onekhala eliiiiide namadlebe angamagwagwa amakhulu wambiza ngokuthi yiNdlovu. Isidalwa esicothozayo esithwala indlu yaso emhlane wasiqamba ngokuthi: uFudu. Ngicabanga ukuthi uAdamu wayenomsebenzi omangalisayo kakhulu, ukuqamba amagama kumakhulu ngamakhulu ezilwane ezinhlobonhlobo. “Wena, mfokazi ogangileyo ophezulu lapho emagatsheni ezihlahla, ngizokubiza ngenkawu, kuthi wena onentamo ende kusukela manje uzokwaziwa ngeNdlulamithi. Wena ungathanda ukubizwa ngaliphi igama? Nokho, uma ungasho lutho ke, mina ngizokubiza ngokuthi uNogwaja!”

UAdamu noEva babehlukile ngokupheleleyo kuzo zonke ezinye izinto ayezenzile uNkulunkulu – babekwazi ukuzicabangela futhi bekwazi ukuzikhethela. Babenelungelo lokuzikhethela abathanda ukukwenza. Babekwazi ngisho nokuzinqumela ukuthi bayathanda yini ukukhonza uNkulunkulu noma qha.

UNkulunkulu wayethokozile kakhulu ngomsebenzi wezandla zakhe – Indalo yakhe yayingenasici. UNkulunkulu kwezinye izikhathi wayehla evela ezulwini achithe isikhathi noAdam noEva, futhi akhulume nabo. Babethokozile kakhulu futhi bethanda ukuphila ensimini kaNkulunkulu, bekuthanda futhi ukukhuluma noNkulunkulu.

Kodwa ndawana thize kuyo lensimu enhle kwakukhona inyoka eyingozi kakhulu. Ngokulandelayo ngizonixoxela ngalesi sidalwa esikhohlakeleyo.

Kuyini esikufundile namuhla?

Isifundo sokuqala esibaluleke kakhulu esokuthi uNkulunkulu wadala konke. Ungubani yena loNkulunkulu esikhuluma ngaye? Yena uNgoziqu ziNtathu. Endimaneni yesibili ku-Genesise 1 sifunda ukuthi ukuthi uMoya kaNkulunkulu wehla wenyuka phezu kwamanzi. Lapho kushiwo uMoya Ongcwele. Ku-Johane 1:3 sifunda ukuthi uJesu Nguye owadala konke. UJesu iyingxenye yeziqu ezintathu, futhi unguNkulunkulu.

Okwesibili esikufundayo ukuthi amazulu nomhlaba akuzivelelanga nje ngenhlanhla, kodwa uNkulunkulu wakuhlela ngokucophelela futhi wakwenza esikhathini eside. Kanjalo namaqondana nazo zonke izitshalo nezilwane emhlabeni. Inkolelo-ze ye-evolution, ethi yonke into yazithuthukisa yona ivela ku-cell eyodwa iyimbudane engenzi mqondo ophusile. UNkulunkulu wadala! Nalokhu ukuthi abantu bathuthuka bevela ekubeni yizilwanyana ezinjengezimfene – iwukuziqagelela nje okungenasisekelo. NguNkulunkulu owadala abantu.

Isifundo sesithathu esisitholayo esokuthi uNkulunkulu wanikeza uAdamu umsebenzi wokuphatha indalo Yakhe. Kwakufanele ayigcine ayinakekele. Njengenzalo kaAdamu, kusewumsebenzi wethu namuhla lowo. Kufanele sinakekele konke lokho uNkulunkulu akwenzileyo. Akufanele sisoconge noma sihlukumeze indalo kaNkulunkulu eyisimangaliso!

Kodwa mhlawumbe into ebaluleke kakhulu esiyifundile ukuthi uNkulunkulu mkhulu futhi unamandla. Kufanele simthande, simhloniphe, simukhonze futhi sikhulume naye.

Inyoka EPharadesi

Genesise 3:1-13

UNkulunkulu wadala izulu nomhlaba okungenasici. Esusela kokungekho wadala izinkanyezi kanye nelanga nenyanga kanjalo nomhlaba. Wabe esedala izitshalo nezilwane, okwathi uma esekudale konke kukuhle, wadala abantu ababili, uAdamu noEva.

UNkulunkulu wabenzela ikhaya ensimini enhle ngokwedlulele, wabatshela ukuba bayigcine insimu – bayiphathe insimu nazo zonke izilwane nezitshalo kanye nakho konke akwenzileyo. UNkulunkulu wanikeza laba bantu ababili inkululeko yokuzikhethela ukuba bazinqumele lokho abafisa ukukwenza. Babengakhetha ukuthi benze lokho abayale ngakho uNKulunkulu noma bangakwenzi.

UNkulunkulu wanikeza uAdamu noEva umyalo owodwa kuphela ukuba bawuhloniphe. Wabatshela ukuthi bengathatha izithelo kunoma yisiphi isihlahla esihle sezithelo esisensimini. Kwakukhona izithelo zomvini namampentshisi nama-aphula nobhanana okunambitheka kamnandi. Kodwa kwakunomyalo owodwa kuphela: phakathi nensimu kwakukhona imithi emimbili – umuthi wokuphila kanye nomuthi wokwazi. UNkulunkulu wathi kuAdamu noEva: “Ningasidli isithelo somuthi wokwazi.”

“Kodwa kungani Nkosi? Kungani kungafanele sidle lezo zithelo?”

“Ngoba angifuni nisidle. Uma nidla lezo zithelo, niyokufa nokufa!”

Ngelinye ilanga uEva wayezihambela nje yedwa ensimini. Wayephakathi nensimu maduzane nomuthi wokwazi – umuthi lowo uNkulunkulu amyale ngawo ukuba angawudli, wabe esezwa iphimbo limbiza: “Eva….” wamangala, ngoba babengekho abanye abantu, kwakunguye noAdamu.

Waphinde walizwa futhi: “Eva!”

“Ubani lowo?” waqalaza, kodwa kwakungekho muntu. Wayesebona inyoka, wamangaliswa ukubona inyoka ikhuluma naye. “Bengingazi ukuthi izinyoka ziyakwazi ukukhuluma?”

“Oh, kodwa ngiyinyoka ekhetheke kakhulu! Eva, nginombuzo engifuna ukukubuza wona: Kuyiqiniso yini ukuthi uNkulunkulu unitshele ukuthi anifanelwe wukudla kuzo zonke izihlahla ezinezithelo ensimini?”

“UNkulunkulu usiyale ukuba sidle kuzo zonke izihlahla zezithelo, ngaphandle ke kwezithelo zesihlahla esisodwa, umuthi wokwazi.”

“Okusho ukuthi kuyiqiniso engikushoyo. Wake wazibuza ukuthi kungani uNkulunkulu engafuni nidle lezo zithelo?”

“Qha, uNkulunkulu wasitshela ukuthi kuyingozi – siyokufa nokufa uma sizidla.”

“kahle wena, uyayikholwa leyonto? Akusilo iqiniso lelo – uNkulunkulu uyesaba ukuthi uma nidla lezi zithelo ezinhle kanje, nizothola ulwazi, lapho-ke nizoba nolwazi olulingana ncimishi noLwakhe. Izithelo zalomuthi azisiyo ingozi – empeleni zinilungele kakhulu. Ake uzizame nje, uzwe!”

“Ayi, angazi, uNkulunkulu uthe…….”

“Kahle Eva, ake ukhohlwe yilokho akushilo uNkulunkulu – awulume kanye nje ……”

UEva wathatha izithelo enyokeni wanambitha. Zazehlukile lezi zithelo kuzo zonke aseke wazinambitha phambilini – zazilungele impela ukudliwa. “Ngiyazithanda! Zinhle futhi!”

“Qhubeka uthathe ezinye – ziningi kakhulu ngaphezu kokwaneleyo. Phathela noAdamu ezinye – naye uzozithokozela!”

Ayengakwazi uEva ukuthi le kwakungesiyo nje inyoka ngokwayo – kwakunguSathane owayezifihle ngokuvela sengathi yinyoka. Wamtshela amanga amaningi ngoNkulunkulu, futhi wamkholwa. Wathatha izithelo waziyisa kuAdam, futhi wafika wamtshela ukuthi lezi ziyizithelo zalomuthi uNkulunkulu ayesitshele ukuthi uyingozi enkulu. UAdamu wabona ukuthi akwenzakalanga lutho kuEva, naye wadla kuso isithelo somuthi okungavumelekile ukuthi udliwe.

Ngokushesha amehlo abo ayesevuleka, base bebona ukuthi bahamba nqunu. Lokhu kwakungabakhathazi bengakasidli isithelo somuthi, kepha manje ngokushesha okukhulu bazizwa bezenyeza ngokuhambaze. Ngakho bazenzela izembatho ngamaqabunga omkhiwane.

Ngaleyo ntambama uNkulunkulu weza ukuzokhuluma nabo. Ngesikhathi uAdamu ebona uNkulunkulu eza, ngokushesha wathatha uEva babaleka bayocasha esikhotheni. Babesaba ngenxa yokuthi babezizwela icala ngalokho ababekwenzile. UNkulunkulu wababiza: “Adamu, Eva, nikuphi?”

Wazidela uAdamu wasabela: “Silapha Nkosi ……”

“Ningicashele leni?”

“Ngikuzwe useza Nkosi, ngacasha ngokuba ngesabile ngoba nginqunu! Ngase nginquma ukukucashela.”

“Kodwa Adamu, akujwayelekile lokho, bekungakukhathazi nje lokhu phambilini – waze kanjani ngokushesha okungaka emva kwayo yonke leminyaka ungenendaba nokuthi unqunu? Akwenzekanga nje ukuthi udle kulowo muthi engakuyala ngawo ukuba ungadli kuwo?”

“Nkosi, kuyiphutha likaEva konke lokhu! Lo wesifazane owangipha yena Wena – nguyena onginikeze izithelo ukuba ngizidle. Mina ngimsulwa kulento, okwangempela futhi!”

“Eva, kuyini okwenzile na? Ubuwazi ukuthi akulungile ukudla izithelo zalowo munthi!”

“Hhayi Nkosi, anginacala kulento, okwangempela futhi! Akubanga yiphutha lami – yinyoka enecala. Yiyona engikhohlisile. Inginikeze izithelo yathi azinabungozi. Akumina engivele ngazithathela!”

Ngokulandelayo sizobona ukuthi kwenzekani kuAdamu noEva. Ngabe uNkulunkulu wabayekelela bafa ngenxa yesono sabo njengokuba wayeshilo ukuthi kuzokwenzeka kubo. Noma waba nomusa kubo?

Ngesikhathi seTestamente Elidala uNkulunkulu wanika abakwaIsrayeli imithetho eminingi ukuba bayigcine. Kodwa ngesikhathi uJesu efika wathi: “khohlwani yiyo yonke leyo mithetho!” Kunento eyodwa ebalulekile kakhulu: thanda uNkulunkulu futhi thanda abanye abantu.” Yilokho nje afuna ukuba sikwenze. Yini nje enzima ngalokho?

Namuhla sithi ngoAdamu noEva: “Yini eyayinzima ngokungasidli isithelo somuthi owodwa nje?” Kodwa njengabo, nakithi kunzima ukwenza lomthetho owodwa asinike wona uNkulunkulu. Kumnandi nje ukusho izinto ezimbi ngomunye umuntu noma ukulimaza omunye. Kuyabhora ukusiza othile noma ukusho izinto ezinhle ngaye.

Uma uthanda uNkulunkulu, kusho ukuthi uzomenzela izinto. Uzoya enkonzweni futhi wazise abanye Ngaye. Kulula futhi kumnandi ukungazenzi lezo zinto.

UNkulunkulu wasinika umthetho owodwa kuphela – wozani simthobele futhi senze lokho asiyalele ukuba sikwenze!

Ukulahleka KwePharadesi

Genesise 3:14-24

Sizwile ukuthi uNkulunkulu wadala kanjani amazulu nomhlaba kanye nabantu ababili bokuqala, uAdamu noEva, kanjalo nangensimu enhle yase-Edene abanika yona uNkulunkulu ukuba baphile kuyo. Wayeba khona lapho kanye nabo, akhulume nabo. Babenobudlelwano obumangalisayo. Kodwa nokho into ejabhisayo yenzeka lapho uEva elalela umlingi. Wehluleka ukulalela uNkulunkulu wephula umyalo owodwa uNkulunkulu ayebanikile ukuba bawugcine. Waphinde wanikeza noAdamu izithelo zalowo muthi okungavunyelwe ukuthi udliwe, naye wazithatha wasuka ekumlaleleni uNkulunkulu.

Ngaleyo ntambama uNkulunkulu wehla evela ezulwini ukuba azokuba noAdamu noEva, kodwa babemsaba uNkulunkulu ngoba babazi ukuthi kukhona okungalungile abakwenzile, ngakho bamcashela uNkulunkulu. Uma uNkulunkulu ebabuza abakwenzile, uAdamu wathi yiphutha likaEva, ngoba nguye owayemnikeze izithelo zomuthi wokwazi. Ngokunjalo noEva wathi umsulwa yena, ngoba yinyoka emkhohlisile.

UNkulunkulu wayazi ukuthi kumfanele ukuthatha isinqumo esinzima maqondana nalendaba. Ekuqaleni wayebatshele ukuthi uma bengamlaleli Yena, Bayokufa nokufa. Kodwa uNkulunkulu wabadabukela futhi wanquma ukungababulali, Kodwa wayengeke esakwazi Yena ukubavumela baphile kulensimu enhle.

UNkulunkulu waqalekisa inyoka ngoba yayilinge uEva ngomuthi okungavumelekile ukudliwa kwezithelo zawo. Yalahlekelwa yimilenze, yashosha ngesisu futhi yazondwa yibo bonke. Nanamuhla ngemuva kweminyaka eyizinkulungwane eziningi, abantu abaningi basazizonda izinyoka!

KuEva, uNkulunkulu wathi uyozala abantwana, nalokhu kubeletha abantwana kuyoba nobuhlungu obukhulu. Kodwa uNkulunkulu wamnikeza isethembiso: inzalo yakhe kuyothi suku lumbe ichoboze ikhanda lenyoka. Inyoka yona iyoluma nje isithemnde sayo, kodwa lapho inyoka iyobe ikwenza seyedlulelwe yisikhathi.

Kusho ukuthini lokhu? Ngabe kusho ukuthi ngolunye usuku kukhona umuntu oyobulala zonke izinyoka? Qha! Khumbula, le “nyoka” esikhuluma ngayo akuyona eyempela – nguSathane ozenz’inyoka. Isethembiso sikaNkulunkulu kuEva esokuthi ngolunye usuku uMesiyia, uJesu uyozalwa. Usathane uyolwisana naye azame nokumqeda. Kodwa uJesu uyochoboza ikhanda likaSathane.

Lokho kwenzeka nangempela ngesikhathi uJesu ebethelwa. Usathane wacabanga ukuthi lokhu kwakuyisiphetho sikaJesu ngesikhathi efa esiphambanweni. Kodwa wakhohlwa wukuthi uNkulunkulu mkhulu kakhulu, nokuthi uJesu uzovuka kwabafileyo. USathane wayenamandla, kepha uJesu wawaphula amandla akhe. Ngolunye usuku uSathane uyochithwa ngokupheleleyo.

UNkulunkulu wabe esephendukela kuAdam. Impilo yakhe engenazinkathazo ensimini enhle yaphela. Kusukela kulesi sikhathi kuya phambili kwase kufanele asebenze kanzima ukuze akwazi ukuphila. Kwakungaselula, ngoba umhlaba ngaphandle kwalensimu wawugcwele ukhula.

Emva kwalokhu, uNkulunkulu wabayala ukuba baphume baphele ensimini Yakhe enhle. Babengeke besakwazi ukubuyela kuyo. Futhi ukuze enze isiqiniseko sokuthi ababuyeli, wayala ingelosi ukuba ilinde indlela engena ensimini inenkemba evutha amalangabi esandleni sayo. Wayengekho owayengadlula kuyo. Ensimini kwakusekhona umuthi wokuphila okunguna-phakade, futhi uNkulunkulu wayengafuni ukuthi kube khona odlayo kulowo muthi, ngoba lokho kwakuzosho ukuthi angeke besafa.

Ngakho uNkulunkulu wabaxosha uAdamu noEva ensimini. Kodwa akabaxoshanga bengaphethe lutho. Wayesabathanda futhi ebanakekela, noma babengamlalelanga. Wabanika ithuba lesibili. Wabenzela izingubo zokugqoka ezakhiwe ngesikhumba sesilwane, uNkulunkulu wabanikeza uAdamu noEva ukuba bagqoke. Ngaphandle kwensimu yonke into yayehlukile ngokupheleleyo.

Kafishane ngemuva kokuphuma kwabo, UEva wakhulelwa. Kwakungelula, ngoba ngesikhathi sekufika isikhathi sokubelethwa komntwana, uEva wezwa izinhlungu ezinkulu. Wayecabanga ukuthi uzokufa! Ingane yakhe yokuqala yazalwa, bayiqamba ngokuthi uKhayini. UEva waphinda wakhulelwa futhi, omunye umfana wazalwa futhi – bam’biza ngokuthi nguAbela. Manje uAdamu noEva base benomndeni, uAdamu kwakufanele abanakekele. Kwakufanele abanike ukudla, kodwa kwakuyindlela enzima uAdamu athola ngayo ukuthi kwakungewona umsebenzi olula ukuwenza lo. Babengasahlali ensimini ethandekayo lapho kwakunezithelo eziningi khona ababengazidla. UAdamu manje kwase kufanele akhiqize ukudla kwabo. Kwakufanele atshale imbewu ukuze abe nezitshalo, khona bezokwazi ukudla. Kodwa kwakukhona ukhula olwaluphazamisa izitshalo zakhe. Futhi kwakukhona lonke uhlobo lwezinambuzane ezazidla izithombo zakhe. Kwakungelula!

Namuhla sifunda izifundo ezisemqoka kulendaba yabantu ababili bokuqala. Isifundo skuqala esisifundayo esokuthi uNkulunkulu ufuna ukusinika okuhle ngaphezu kwezinto zonke. Wanika uAdamu noEva okuhle ukwedlula konke ababengakufisa. UNkulunkulu wabanika insimu enhle ngokuphelele ukuba baphile kuyo. Kwakungafanele ngisho nokuthi basebenze ukuze baphile noma babe nokudla – Konke kwakukhona. Into nje eyayidingwa nguNkulunkulu kubo kuwukuba bamlalele futhi benze lokho abatshele ukuthi abakwenze. Wayefuna bamthande.

UNkulunkulu nathi ufuna ukusinika okwedlula konke. Into nje ayicelayo kithi ukuthi simthande ngenhliziyo yethu yonke futhi senze lokho asitshela ukuthi sikwenze. Ngeshwa-ke akulula kanjalo, ngoba uSathane akakafi, futhi usilinga mihla yonke ukuba senze lokho okuphambeneyo nalokho uNkulunkulu akufuna kithi. Lokhu kubizwa ngesono.

Isono senzani empilweni yethu? UAdamu noEva babecashela uNkulunkulu ngesikhathi sebonile. Isono sabehlukanisa noNkulunkulu. Namuhla into efana ncimishi naleyo iyenzeka kithi. Uma sona, lokho kuyasehlukanisa noNkulunkulu. Uma wenza izinto ezingalungile, ubudlelwano bakho obuhle noNkulunkulu abube busafana nakuqala. Uma ngithi kuwe: “Uyisalukazi esibi!” Kwenzakalani? Ngiyona kuwe, futhi ngeke kukuphathe kahle lokhu. Ungaphinda ungicele ukuba ngize ngiphinde ngikuvakashele futhi? Qha, angicabangi kanjalo! Ubudlelwano bethu abusafani nakuqala. Sibulimaza ngendlela efanayo nalena ubudlelwano bethu noNkulunkulu uma sona Kuye.

Akukho okwaphinda kwafana nakuqala emva kokuba uAdamu noEva sebonile kuNkulunkulu. Impilo yabo yasebukhoneni bukaNkulunkulu ePharadesi yalahleka unomphela. Nanamuhla sisaphila phansi kwemiphumela yesono sabo. NjengoAdamu nathi kufanele sisebenze kanzima ukuze sihlale siphila. Nabesimame basabeletha abantwana ngaphansi kwezinhlungu ezinkulu. Kodwa umbuzo uthi ngabe konke sekwasilahlekela kuze kube phakade na?

Impendulo ithi: “Qha!” Akulahleki yonke into. uNkulunkulu wanika uAdam noEva igunya lokuzikhethela, wathemba kakhulu ukuthi bazomthanda futhi bamlalele. Kodwa uNkulunkulu wabona ukuthi kwakungeke kwenzeke ngoba abantu abasizo izingelosi.

UNkulunkulu wenza icebo elisha ukuze abantu baqhubeke baphile kuleli Pharadesi elimangalisayo. Wathumela ngendodana Yakhe ezelwe yodwa, uJesu ukuze ehle azokhokhela izono zethu zonke. Into nje ayicelayo kithi ukuthi sikholwe kuJesu. Sifanelwe, ngamanye amazwi, ukuba nobudlelwane Naye. Isethembiso sikaNkulunkulu esokuthi kulempilo kungenzeka ukuthi kwale ukuthi sibuyele kuleliPharadesi, ngenxa yokuthi ngeke sakwazi ukuyeka ukona. Kodwa ngesikhathi sifa, ingelosi enenkemba evutha amalangabi elinde iPharadesi, iyaqhela isivumele singene ukuze sikwazi ukuphila noNkulunkulu njengoAdamu noEva baphila naye kuleyo minyaka yokuqala eEdene ngaphambi kokuba bone.

Ngiyalulangazelela lolo suku olumangalisayo lapho ngiyongena emasangweni ePharadesi!

Uphi Umfowenu?

Indaba kaKhayini noAbela

Genesise 4:1-12

Namuhla singena engxenyeni yokugcina yendaba yethu emayelana nokuthi isintu saqala kanjani. Ukuzikhumbuza nje: emavikini ambalwa edlule sifunde mayelana nemvelaphi yakho konke – ukuthi uNkulunkulu wawadala kanjani amazulu nomhlaba esusela kokungekho. Ngesikhathi konke sekuqediwe, Yena wadala ingxenye yendalo eyedlula konke okunye – umsebenzi Wakhe wobungcweti: UMUNTU.

UNkulunkulu wabanikeza konke ababekudinga, futhi wachitha isikhathi esihle nabo ensimini yabo enhle. Kodwa banquma ukulalela uSathane ukunokuba balalele uNkulunkulu. Kwabiza ukuba uNkulunkulu abaxoshe ePharadesi ngaphambi kokuba bonakalise konke okunye.

UAdamu noEva bakha ikhaya labo elisha ndawana thize ngaseMpumalanga. Bazibula ngomntwana abamqamba ngokuthi uKhayini. UEva walamanisa futhi ngomunye umntwana, yena bambiza ngokuthi uAbela. Lezinsizwa zakhula, uAdamu wabakhombisa ukuthi kulinywa kanjani ukuze bakhiqize ukudla kwabo ababezokudla.

UKhayini wanquma ukuthi uthanda ukutshala izithombo azibone zikhula, ngaleyondlela akhiqize ukudla. Wafunda ukukhetha uhlobo oluhle lwembewu ukuze alime amabele nazo zonke izinhlobo zamaveji. Kwakungelula, ngoba izinambuzane kanye nokhula kwakuzonakalisa izithombo zakhe. Kodwa uKhayini wasebenza kanzima waba ngumlimi ovelele, futhi wayekwazi ukukhiqiza ukudla okwanele ukudliwa wumndeni wakhe ukuze uhlale uphilile.

Umnewabo omncane uAbela wayengathandi ukusebenza ngomhlabathi. Wayethanda izilwane. Ngakho waqala waba ngumlimi wezemfuyo, wafuya izilwane. Wabamba izimvu zasendle, wazifundisa ukuphila nabantu ekhaya. UAbela wayezigqaja kakhulu ngoqobo lwakhe, futhi wayekuthanda lokhu ayekwenza. Lezi zimvu zasendle zaqala ukwanda, kwathi kungakahambi isikhathi esingakanani kwase kuwumhlambi omkhulu. Wayesika uboya bazo enze izembatho zokugqoka. Kodwa futhi nenyama yalezi zilwane yayimnandi kakhulu ekudliweni.

UAdamu noEva bona kuNkulunkulu, futhi uNkulunkulu wabaxosha ensimini. Nokho abakhohlwanga ngokupheleleyo ngoNkulunkulu. Kanjalo futhi noNkulunkulu akabakhohlwanga. UAdamu noEva baxoxela amadodana abo amabili mayelana noNkulunkulu, futhi babaxoxela ukuthi uNkulunkulu Nguye owabanika konke abanakho. Kwakufanele babonge konke abaphe khona uNkulunkulu. Bafundisa amadodana abo ukuthi kufanele kube khona okubuyisela kuNkulunkulu kokuthi ngiyabonga. Bacabanga ukuthi indlela ehlelekile yokwenza lokhu ukwenza umhlatshelo.

Kwathi-ke ngolunye usuku uAbela wanaka ukuthi umhlambi wakhe wezimvu ukhula kahle. Kwakukhona amazinyane amaningi amancane. UAbela wazicabangela phakathi kwakhe ukuthi: “Wow, izinto zihamba kahle emfuyweni yami. Ngifuna ukunikela eminye yemikhiqizo yami kuNkulunkulu ukuze ngimbonge!” Ngakho wathatha emazinyaneni amahle akhulupheleyo wawanikela kuNkulunkulu, wayesethi: “Ngiyabonga Nkulunkulu, ukuthi ulungile kimi!”

Wathokoza kakhulu uNkulunkulu ngesikhathi ebona umnikelo kaAbela ukuthi ungowokubonga ngokwethembeka kwenhliziyo.

Nezitshalo zikaKhayini nazo zaziza kahle. Okokuqala wayephumelela ukwehlula izinambuzane nokhula olukhinyabeza izitshalo zakhe, futhi wayenamaveji amaningi anempilo kanye namabele. UAdamu wamtshela uKhayini ukuthi kufanele abonge uNkulunkulu ngezitshalo zakhe ezazikhula kahle. “Yebo baba......” kusho uKhayini. Izithombo zakhe zazikhula kahle, futhi esebenza kanzima ukuze azikhulise – kwakufanele ngani umsebenzi onzima wamandla akhe ephakamise uNkulunkulu ngempumelelo yawo? Kodwa uKhayini azi ukuthi le yinto amelwe ukuyenza, wanquma ukuthi asale esewenza nje umhlatshelo. Wayengafuni empeleni ukuwenza, kodwa wawenza ngoba kufanele awenze.

UKhayini wakha iAlthari, wabeka amabele kanye namanye amaveji kulona wakushisa. “Okwakho lokhu Nkulunkulu!” esho. “Ngiyabonga!”

Inhliziyo kaKhayini yayingekho kulomhlatshelo. Wayengafuni empeleni ukuwenza, futhi uNkulunkulu wakubona lokho. UNkulunkulu akayithandanga indlela enza ngayo uKhayini. Ukhayini wabona ukuthi uNkulunkulu uthokozile ngomhlatshelo womfowabo, kodwa wayengenamile ngowakhe umhlatshelo. UKhayini waba nomona ngomfowabo. Wayethukuthele. Ngolunye usuku uNkulunkulu wambuza uKhayini: “Uthukuthele leni na? Qaphela Khayini – Ukuthukuthela kwakho kungakuholeli ekwenzeni okubi!”

Kodwa uKhayini akamlalelanga uNkulunkulu. Ngelinye ilanga uKhayini wabiza umfowabo: “ake sizihambele nje selule izinyawo,” esho kuye. Bobabili bahamba baya eqeleni. UKhayini wayemzonda umfowabo, futhi wayefuna ukuqeda ngaye, ngakho-ke kwathi ngesikhathi sebekude nekhaya, uKhayini wadumela umfowabo wamshaya wambulala.

Ngesikhathi ebuya ekhaya uKhayini, uAdamu wambuza: “Uphi uAbela?”

“Ngizokwazi kanjani mina? Kufanele ukuthi ukhona nje le ngaphandle......”

Kamuva ngalo lolo suku uNkulunkulu wambuza umbuzo ofanayo. UKhayini wacasukela uNkulunkulu: “Angimazi! Phela angisiye umbheki womfowethu mina! Uyakwazi ukuzinakekela – Akagadwa yimi!”

UNkulunkulu wabuza uKhayini: “Wenzeni na, Khayini? Ngikubonile ubulala umfowenu. Kuyinto embi lokhu okwenzile.” UNkulunkulu wathi kuKhayini: “Ngeke ngisavumela izithombo zakho ukuba zikhule. Noma yini oyitshalayo ngeke ikhule - Iyoqalekiswa.”

Ngabe lokho kungukuphela kwendaba yePharadesi? Yaze yayimbi indlela esiphetha ngayo lendaba! Kodwa qha, akusiso isiphetho salendaba leso: uNkulunkulu wanika uAdamu omunye umntwana, bambiza ngokuthi uSethi. UAdamu wayeseneminyaka eyi-130 ngesikhathi kuzalwa uSethi. Lo mfana omncane wakhula wafunda ukuthanda uNkulunkulu. Waganwa bathola abantwana abaningi. Waba nempilo ende enezithelo, waze wahlanganisa iminyaka engama-912 ubudala.

Le bekuyindaba engejwayelekile. Kodwa isithinta kanjani thina namuhla? Kuyindaba nje yakudala emandulo? Qha, impela akunjalo. UNkulunkulu ubeke le ndaba eBhayibhelini ukuze sifunde kuyo namuhla.

Isifundo esisemqoka esisifunda kulendaba, AKUSIKHO kuphela ukuthi angifanele ukubulala umfowethu. Kodwa nesokuthi ngifanele ukuyocabangisisa kahle ukuthi kungani ngikhonza uNkulunkulu. Kungani ngiya enkonzweni? Kungani ngiya kuSimunye kuJesu ngemiGqibelo? Kungani ngifunda iBhayibheli lami? Kungani ngikhuleka? Kungani nginikela imali yami esontweni?

Ngabe ngenza lezi zinto ngoba kukhona ongitshele ukuba ngizenze? Ngabe ngikwenza ngoba nginovalo lokuthi uma ngingalifundi iBhayibheli lami noma ngingayi esontweni uNkulunkulu uzongijezisa?

Wenzé njani uKhayini? UAdamu wamtshela ukuthi kufanele abonge uNkulunkulu, wayesenikela ngomhlatshelo ngoba ezithola ephoqelekile ukunikela.

NgoAbela ke sithini? Wathi Yena: “Ngiyabonga ukuthi ungiphile zonke lezi zinto Nkulunkulu. Ngifuna ukukunika okuthile ngikukhombise ukuthi ngikutusa kangakanani ongenzele khona.”

Ngitshela abantu ngoNkulunkulu wonke amaviki ngoba ngiyathanda ukwenzela uNkulunkulu izinto. Ube ngolungileyo kimi, ngakho ngifuna ukumbonga ngenhliziyo yami yonke. Umbuzo ngowokuthi: unjani umoya wakho lapho wenza okuthile? Ngabe wenzela uNkulunkulu izinto ngoba kufanele uzenze, noma uzenza ngoba ngempela ufuna ukuzenza?

UNowa Nomkhumbi Wakhe Omkhulu

Genesise 6:6-8:22

Ekuqaleni kwesikhathi, ezinkulunganeni eziningi zeminyaka eyedlule, abantu bomhlaba bagcwala ububi kakhulu. Benza zonke izinto ezinengekayo ongazicabanga. Udlame kwakuyinto yansuku zonke. Inkohlakalo kwakuyinto kawonkewonke. Singasho ukuthi: abantu babebolile! UNkulunkulu wababheka abantu, wajabha kakhulu, ngoba ngesingaye wayenze yonke into nawo wonke umuntu kwaba sesimeni esihle. Kodwa manje abantu bese bematasatasa bekonakalisa konke okwakwenziwe kwangaba nasici.

UNkulunkulu wabe esenquma ukuthi uzokuqeda konke okukhona. Wayezobachitha abantu ebusweni bomhlaba. UNkulunkulu wayezobhubhisa umhlaba kanye nakho konke okukuwo.

Kodwa kwakukhona indoda eyodwa eyayimhlonipha uNkulunkulu, igama layo kwakunguNowa. Wayemthanda uNkulunkulu futhi emkhonza. Wayenobudlelwano beqiniso noNkulunkulu futhi wayenza lokho uNkulunkulu afuna ukuthi akwenze.

UNkulunkulu akamkhohlwanga uNowa. Wanquma ukuthi ngenxa yalendoda eyodwa esamthanda, ngeke awuchithe ngokupheleleyo umhlaba. Ngakho uNkulunkulu wakhuluma kuNowa wamtshela ukuthi wayezobhubhisa abantu futhi abachithe ebusweni bomhlaba. Kodwa wayezosindisa uNowa nomndeni wakhe.

Ukuze amsindise, uNkulunkulu wanika uNowa umsebenzi omkhulu: Wamyalela ukuba akhande umkhumbi. Kwakungesiso nje isikebhe esincane lesi, kodwa kwakuwumkhumbi omkhulukazi, ngoba kwakungesiye kuphela uNowa nomndeni wakhe ababezongena kuwona, kodwa nomumo omningi wezilwane. UNkulunkulu wanikeza uNowa imiyalelo eqondile yokuthi kufanele wakhiwe kanjani lomkhumbi.

Unowa wayengaqondi ukuthi kubaluleke ngani ukuthi akhe umkhumbi. Nokho uNkulunkulu wamchazela ukuthi wayezothumela umdumo omkhulu onemvula eningi kakhulu, okuzodala ukuthi umhlaba wonke ube nezikhukhula futhi konke okukuwo kuzocwila. Umsebenzi kaNowa kwakuwukuthi asindise izilwane ngambili, zalo lonke uhlobo olwalukhona emhlabeni, ukuze ziqhubeke zibe khona emhlabeni uma sekwedlule izikhukhula zikazamcolo. Kwakufanele futhi athathe ukudla okuzokwenela umndeni wakhe nezilwane ukuze bahlale bephilile isikhathi eside.

UNowa wamlalela uNkulunkulu, futhi wabe eseqala akha lomkhumbi omkhulukazi ewakhela endaweni eyomileyo. Ngokushesha abantu ababehamba bedlula ngakwaNowa, babona isiqalo sesakhiwo somkhumbi sikhushulwa, bamangala nje ukuthi ngabe lomkhulu wakha ini lapha. Ngaleso sikhathi uNowa wayengaseyona nje indoda esencane – wayesevele eneminyaka engamakhulu ayisithupha ubudala! Kodwa wayesaqine ngokwanele ukwakha umkhumbi. Emuva kwezinyanga ezimbalwa, uhlaka lwesakhiwo lwaqala lwabukeka njengesakhiwo somkhumbi, futhi kwakuthi nsuku zonke bafike abantu bezobuka lento engaziwa ekhandwa nguNowa.

“Hheyi weNowa, yini le oyakha lapho?”

“Umkhumbi!” Wonke umuntu-ke lapho wayevele ahleke aze akhale izinyembezi zehle ngezihlathi.

“Nowa, uke wanaka ukuthi akukho manzi lapha eduzane? Kusogwadule lapha! Imikhumbi ayintwezi ogwadule, uyazi kodwa!” Bonke babecabanga ukuthi uphethwe wumdumakhanda. Bezitshela ukuthi uphethwe wukuguga.

Kodwa uNowa waqhubeka nokwakha, ngoba wayethembe uNkulunkulu. Watshela abantu ukuthi uNkulunkulu uzowubhubhisa umhlaba, kodwa babevele bamhleke nje.

Kwathi ngemuva kweside isikhathi wawuphothula umsebenzi wakhe omkhulukazi. Wama lapho, ebheka ngokuwutusa lomkhumbi omkhulukazi. Kodwa uNowa wayengazi ukuthi wayezozingenisa kanjani manje izilwane zasendle emkhunjini?

UNkulunkulu waphinda wakhuluma futhi kuNowa. Wamtshela ukuthi yena nomndeni wakhe abangene emkhunjini, ngoba imvula yayizofika ezinsukwini eziyi-7. Unowa waqala-ke manje wakhathazeka ngendaba yezilwane – uNkulunkulu wayemtshele ukuthi akasindise izilwane ngambili kulo lonke uhlobo lwezilwane ezikhona emhlabeni. Wayezozilanda kanjani izindlovu namabhubesi nezinyathi nezimboma kanye nezinye izinkulungwane zezilwane ezehlukeneyo, zonke esikhathini esiyizinsuku eziyi-7? Kwakuzomthatha iminyaka ukuthola zonke izilwane.

Kodwa uNkulunkulu unguMninimandla wonke. Wayesevele esezithumele ukuba ziye emkhunjini izinhlobonhlobo zezilwane. Into elandelayo ayibona uNowa, kwakuyizilwane ngezinhlobo zazo, zizihambela zona ziya emkhunjini. Kwakunomnyango omkhulu eceleni komkhumbi, futhi zonke izilwane zazihamba ngokuthula ziyongena emnyango womkhumbi. UNowa wema, ebuka emangele, izilwane ziza ngambili okwakuyindlovu, ubhejanene, indlulamithi, ingwe, ibhubesi, ingulule, impala, intshe, umziki, izinkomo, izimbuzi, izimbongolo, izimvu, njll. zazihamba ziyongena emkhunjini wakhe.

Abantu bavela ezindaweni zonke bezobuka lombukiso. Bamhleka uNowa bathi cha usesangana ngempela-ke manje. Ucabanga ukuthi umkhumbi wakhe uzontweza kumaphi amanzi? Kwakungakabi bikho manzi.

Ngosuku lwesikhombisa yaqala ukunetha imvula. UNowa nomkakhe nabantwana bangena emkhunjini, kwathi uNkulunkulu Yena qobo Lwakhe wawuvala umnyango womkhumbi sebengenile. Layithela imvula ngendlela engakazi ibonwe wumuntu phambilini. Abantu babaleka bayocasha emakhaya, kodwa emva kwesikhashana izikhukhula zafika emakhaya abo. Amanzi aqala ukukhuphuka ngokushesha manje yonke indawo. Abantu baqala manje batatazela babalekela emkhunjini kaNowa bamnxusa ukuba abangenise. Kodwa uNowa wayengakwazi, Ngoba uNkulunkulu wawuvala umkhumbi. Emhlabeni wonke abantu baqala baminza. Abanye babalekela ezintabeni, kodwa amanzi akhuphuka kangangokuba nezintaba zambozeka phansi kwezikhukhula zangabonakala. Wonke umuntu owayekhona emhlabeni wafa, ngaphandle kukaNowa kanye nomndeni wakhe nezilwane ezazisemkhunjini wakhe. Imvula yana izinsuku nobusuku obungamashumi amane.

Izinyanga ezinhlanu umkhumbi wantanta ebusweni bamanzi ngaphambi kokuba abohle. Esebohlile umkhumbi wehlela entabeni ebizwa ngokuthi yiArarati. Kodwa nokho babesazungezwe ngamanzi. Esikhathini esingaphezu konyaka emva kokuba imvula inile, uNkulunkulu wamtshela uNowa ukuthi sebengaphuma ngokuphepha emkhunjini, baphumela emhlabathini owomileyo.

UNowa wakha iAltari, wenza umnikelo kuNkulunkulu ethi uyabonga ukuthi uNkulunkulu ubasindisile. UNkulunkulu watshela uNowa ukuthi ngeke aphinde ayivumele into enjalo ukuba iphinde yenzeke futhi emhlabeni. Wayesebeka uthingo lwekosazane phezulu esibhakabhakeni ukukhumbuza abantu mayelana nesethembiso sakhe.

Namuhla, uma sibona uthingo lwenkosazane esibhakabhakeni, lokho kusenza sicabange ngothando olumangalisayo lukaNkulunkulu. Kusenza sicabange ngendlela asindisa ngayo uNowa, nesethembiso sakhe sokuthi umhlaba ngeke uphinde ubone futhi izikhukhula ezinjengalezo zikazamcolo.

Kodwa luyasikhumbuza futhi ukuthi uNkulunkulu wangisindisa kanjani mina nawe. Njengalokhu umhlaba wabhujiswa ngenxa yezono zabantu, noJesu walinyazwa, wabulawa, wabethelwa ngenxa yezono zabantu. Kodwa njengalokhu uNowa wasinda njengokuba wakholwa nguNkulunkulu, siyasindiswa nathi ngoba sikholwa kuJesu. Wahlawulela zonke izono zethu. Akucelayo nje kithi ukuba sikholwe nguJesu. Kusho ukuthini lokhu? Ukukholwa kuJesu kusho ukuba nobudlelwano obuphilayo Naye njengokuba unobudlelwane obuphilayo nomuntu omthanda kakhulu.

Indaba Ka-Abrahama

Genesise 11:27-12:9

Eminyakeni eminingi-ningi eyedlule, 3000 BC, okulinganiselwa ezi-5000 zeminyaka eyedlule, eminyakeni eyidlanzana nje ngemuva kokufa kukanowa, kwazalwa umfana omncane edolobheni laseUri eBhabhiloni. Uyise uThera wamqamba wathi nguAbrama. UAbrama omncane wakhula kwathi ngesikhathi eseyinsizwa, wangena othandweni wayeseganwa yintokazi enhle kakhulu ebizwa ngoSara. Kodwa kwakukhona inkinga: babengabatholi abantwana, futhi uAbrama wayekhathazekile kakhulu ngalokhu. Kwakungekho owayezoqhubela phambili igama lomndeni wabo.

Ngelinye ilanga umkhulu uThera, uyise kaAbrama wanquma ukuthi imithwalo ibe sobhokweni alibangise eKhenani. Kodwa mhlawumbe waduka, wazibona esefika eHarani, nokuyilapho afika wahlala khona. Kuleyo ndawo, ngemuva kweminyaka emininngi wafa uThera esenelisiwe wubude bezinsuku, eneminyaka engama-205 ubudala.

Suku lumbe uNkulunkulu wakhuluma noAbrama. UNkulunkulu wamtshela ukuthi wayefuna apakishe konke okwakhe ahambe aye ezweni elisha. UNkulunkulu watshela uAbrama ukuthi Yena uzomkhombisa ukuthi umelwe ukuya kuphi. Kodwa uNkulunkulu waphinda wenza nesethembiso kuAbrama: Uyakumenza isizwe esikhulu futhi uyakumbusisa. UNkulunkulu wathi uAbrama uzakuba nabazukulu abaningi. UAbrama wambuza uNkulunkulu ukuthi kuyokwenzeka kanjani lokhu? Ngalesi sikhathi wayesevele ewumkhulu eneminyaka engamashumi ayisikhombisa nanhlanu ubudala! UNkulunkulu wamtshela ukuthi akabe nesineke sokulinda. UAbrama walinda walinda ngesineke esikhulu. Kodwa kwangenzeka lutho. Ayekwazi kwakuwukuthi uNkulunkulu wenza isethembiso kuye, sokuthi uyakuba nabantwana. Futhi wayazi ukuthi akwenzeki uNkulunkulu aphule izethembiso zakhe. UAbrama wamethemba uNkulunkulu!

UAbrahama wenza lokho uNkulunkulu ayemyalele ukuba akwenze. Yena nonkosikazi wakhe omuhle bapakisha imithwalo yabo nakho konke okwabo balibangisa eNingizimu. Bathatha nomshana wabo owayesemncane uLothi ukuba ahambe nabo, kanjalo nazo zonke izigqila zikaAbrahama. Babengazi nokuthi bayaphi, kodwa bamethemba uNkulunkulu ukuthi uzobakhombisa indlela.

Ngemuva kokuba sebehambe okungathi ngamamayela angama-200 bafika endaweni ebizwa ngokuthi yiShekemi ezweni lamaKhenani. Bafike bagogobala khona. Ngalobo busuku uNkulunkulu wakhuluma kuAbrahama: “Ngikunika lelizwe wena nenzalo yakho,” esho kuAbrahama.

UAbrahama wasizwa isethembiso sikaNkulunkulu kuye. Kwakunezinto ezimbili: UNkulunkulu wamethembisa ukuthi izwe lonke laseKhanani liyakuba ngelakhe. Kodwa ingxenye sesibili yesethembiso kwakungeyokuthi kuyoba khona inzalo yakhe. Inzalo yakhe yayisho ukuthi yena noSara basazothola abantwana. Manje kwakukhona inkinga encane. Khumbula, wayeseyindoda endala eneminyaka engamashumi ayisikhombisa nanhlanu kanti unkosikazi wakhe yena wayengasenawo amandla kwayena. Wayeneminyaka engamashumi ayisithupha nanhlanu ubudala. Umuntu wesimame oseminyakeni yakhe usuke engasenawo amathemba okuthola abantwana!

Nokho babesamethemba uNkulunkulu ngokuba akazephuli izethembiso zakhe.

KuAbrahama kwakuyinto ethokozelekayo ngesikhathi uNkulunkulu ekhuluma naye. Wenganywa yinjabulo ngenxa yezethembiso ezimangalisayo azenza uNkulunkulu kuye, ngakho wakha ialtari likaNkulunkulu kuleyo ndawo.

UAbrahama noSara abahlalanga isikhathi eside eShekemi. Emuva nje kwesikhashana baphinda balayisha imithalo yabo futhi, bafudukela eNingizimu bahamba baze bafika edolobhaneni elithiwa yiBetheli. Bagogobala khona bahlala isikhashana. Baphinda balayisha imithwalo yabo futhi amabombo bawabhekisa eNingizimu.

Kungani uAbrahama wayelokhu eqhubekele phambili? Wayeyindoda enothileyo futhi enezimvu, izimbuzi, izinkomo namakamela. Babedinga ukudlisa imihlambi okusho ukuthi uAbrahama kwakufanele elokhu eqhubeka ukuze aqinisekise ukuthi kwakuhlezi kunotshani obanele izilwane zonke. Umshana kaAbrahama uLothi wahamba nabo, naye enazo ezakhe izilwane nazo zazidinga amadlelo.

Yanda yaba ningi imfuyo yabo ukuba amadlelo angayenela okwadala ukuthi abelusi bemihlambi kaLothi omncane bephikisane nabelusi bakaAbrahama maqondana namadlelo amahle abangadlisa kuwo imfuyo. UAbrahama washeshe waqonda ukuthi kuzokuba khona udweshu olukhulu phakathi kwabo uma engenzi isu ngokushesha. Ngakho ke wabiza uLothi wenza isiphakamiso sokuthi bahlukane kungakabi bikho ngxabano phakathi kwabo.

ULothi wavuma wanquma ukufudukela ngasesigodini esivundileyo saseJordani nemfuyo yakhe. Wahamba wayohlala kwelinye lamadolobha kuleyo ndawo elibizwa ngeSodoma, okwakuyidolobha elingalungile elinabantu abangalungile. UAbrahama wahlala endaweni eyomileyo ezintabeni ezibizwa ngeHebroni lapho ahlala khona iminyaka eminingi.

Ngobunye ubusuku uAbrahama wayelele etendeni lakhe ngesikhathi eba nombono lapho abona khona uNkulunkulu. UNkulunkulu wathi kuye: “Ungesabi, Abrahama. Ngizokuvikela futhi ngizokubusisa.”

UAbrahama wayesethi: “Nkosi wangethembisa abantwana, kodwa lokhu sekuyinto engeke yenzeke. Sengimdala kakhulu ukuthi ngingaba nabantwana. Mhlawumbe ngingathatha esinye sezigqila sibe ngumntanami ukuze ngaleyo ndlela sibizwe njengenzalo yami.”

UNkulunkulu wathi: “qha Abrahama, usazokuba nabo abantwana bakho. Buka phezulu ubheke izinkanyezi Abrahama. Inzalo yakho iyakuba ningi njengezinkanyezi ozibona esibhakabhakeni!”

Wayesethi uNkulunkulu kuAbrahama ufuna benze isivumelwano esiphakathi kwabo bobabili. Lokho kwakusho ukwenza inkontileka phakathi kwabo. Ngalobo busuku uNkulunkulu watshela uAbrahama ukuthi ikusasa lalimphatheleni yena nezingane zakhe nabazukulu bakhe. Ngolunye usuku isizukulwane sakhe siyophila ezweni esizihambi kulona iminyaka engamakhulu amane. Kodwa ngemuva kwalokho bayakubuya kulelizwe futhi uNkulunkulu uyokubanikeza iKhenani lonke nakho konke okukulo.

Lokhu kwenzeka ncimishi njengalokhu uNkulunkulu wayetshele uAbrahama. Eminyakeni eminingi eyalandela inzalo kaAbrahama yaphila eGibhithe iyizigqila iminyaka engama-400. Emva kwalokho uMose wabathatha wabayisa ezweni uNkulunkulu ayelithembise uAbrahama, uNkulunkulu wabanika lona nakho konke okwakukulo.

Njalo uNkulunkulu uyazigcina izethembiso zakhe. Wenza izethembiso ezimangalisayo enzela mina nawe encwadini emangalisayo, iBhayibheli. Esinye sezethembiso siwukuthi uyosithethelela zonke izono zethu uma sikholwa kuJesu. Esinye isethembiso esimangalisayo esokuthi siyothola ukuphila okuphakade. Esinye isethembiso esimangalisayo esokuthi siyothola imizimba emisha emuva kokufa nokuthi sizophila ezulwini noNkulunkulu. Ngeke kusaba khona lutho olubi, isono, ubuhlungu, ukulamba, izigebengu njll.

UNkulunkulu wasethembisa lezi zinto ezimangalisayo. Izethembiso Zakhe azifani nezethembiso eziyize zosopolitiki. Ziyiqiniso futhi uyakuzigcina.

Kodwa sithini ngoAbrahama? Ngabe uNkulunkulu wasigcina isethembiso sakhe ngabantwana? UAbrahama wayesecishe abe neminyaka eyi-100 ubudala! Kwase kuyinto engenakwenzeka ukuba athole abantwana! Kuyofanele silinde kuze kube yisikhathi esilandelayo sibone ukuthi kwénzekani.

UAbrahama NoIsaka

Genesise 22:1-19

Ngokwedlule sezwa ngendaba kaAbrahama. Kodwa asiyiqedanga indaba, ngoba sezwa ukuthi uNkulunkulu wenza isethembiso kuye sokuthi uzokuba nenzalo eningi, kodwa uAbrahama wayesevele eyindoda eneminyaka eyevile emashumini ayisishiyagalolunye ubudala, futhi yena noSara babengakabi nabo abantwana.

UAbrahama wayesecabanga nokuthi ngeke kusenzeka. Kodwa uNkulunkulu wamtshela ukuthi makalinde ngesineke. UAbrahama walinda walinda ngesineke esikhulu. Kodwa kwangenzeka lutho. Ayekwazi nje kwakuwukuthi uNkulunkulu wenze isethembiso kuye, sokuthi uyakuba nabantwana. Futhi wayazi ukuthi UNkulunkulu akazephuli izethembiso zakhe. UAbrahama wamethemba uNkulunkulu!

Kwathi ngolunye usuku oluhle, lapho uAbrahama esezohlanganisa ikhulu leminyaka ubudala, uSara eseneminyaka engama-90, watshela umyeni wakhe owayesempunga ekhanda ukuthi: “Abrahama! Ngicabanga ukuthi ngikhulelwe!”

Phinde! Ngeke nje ize yenzeke into enjalo! Kodwa kuNkulunkulu ngokuqinisekileyo akukho okungenzeke. Ngakho-ke, ngemuva kwezinyanga eziyisishiyagalolunye uAbrahama noSara babengabazali abazigqajayo ngoIsaka omncane, umntwana wabo oyedwa. Ngokwedlule sithé uNkulunkulu uyazigcina njalo izethembiso zakhe. Wakwenza nangempela lokho futhi!

Kwadlula nje iminyaka embalwa, uIsaka waba ngumfana oneminyaka eyishumi noma ishumi nambili ubudala.

Kwathi ngolunye usuku uAbrahama wezwa izwi limbiza: “Abrahama!” Wayazi ukuthi kwakuyiphimbo likaNkulunkulu lelo, ngakho waphendula wathi: “Ngilapha Nkosi!”

UNkulunkulu watshela uAbrahamba ukuthi umelwe wukuya eMoriya, futhi kufanele athathe indodana okuwukuphela kwayo ahambe nayo khona. UAbrahama wayesevele eneminyaka eyi-110 ubudala ngaleso sikhathi, kodwa wayekuthakasele ukuhamba ibanga elide ngenxa kaNkulunkulu, ngoba wayemthanda uNkulunkulu kakhulu.

Kodwa uNkulunkulu wamtshela ukuthi kungani kufanele aye eMoriya: UAbrahama kufanele ayonikela ngendodana yakhe okuyiyona yodwa entabeni. UAbrahama waba nempi enkulu phakathi kwakhe. Kwakufanele alinde iminyaka eyi-100 ukuze athole indodana, futhi manje sekufanele ahambe ayobulala indodana yakhe ayishise phezu kwezinkuni. Ucabanga ukuthi impendulo kaAbrahma yayithini kulokhu? Ngabe wathi: “qha Nkosi, lokho kuwukucela okungaphezulu kwalokho okungenzeka. Ngizokwedlulisa lokhu!?” Qha, uAbrahama washeshe waqala ukulayisha izimbongolo zakhe ukuze aqale uhambo lwakhe. Wayemethembe kakhulu uNkulunkulu, kangangokuba wayekulungele ukunikela ngendodana yakhe eyodwa uma kwakuyilokho uNkulunkulu ayekufuna.

Ekuseni ngosuku olulandelayo uAbrahama wakhwela embongolweni yakhe, wayesethatha uIsaka nezinceku ezimbili ukuba zihambe nabo. Bahamba uhambo lwezinsuku ezintathu baze bafuka eMoriya, UAbrahama wayibona intaba ayeyalelwe ukuba aye kuyo. Washiya izinceku nezimbongolo, kwathi yena nendodana yakhe uIsaka baqala bagibela lentaba ewumqansa. UIsaka kwakufanele athwale inyanda yezinkuni enyuke lomqansa wentabakazi.

Ngalesi sikhathi sebefika esicongweni sentaba, uAbrahama waqala wakhanda i-altari, elakha ngamatshe. Kodwa uIsaka wayedidekile. Wayesebonile izikhathi eziningi ukuthi uyise wenze njani uma enza umhlatshelo, futhi uAbrahama ubephatha iwundlu elizohlatshwa. Iwundlu lalishiswa njengomhlatshelo oya kuNkulunkulu. Iwundlu lalishiswa libe wumhlatshelo kuNkulunkulu. Kodwa kulesi sikhathi kwakungekho imvu lapha. “Baba” embiza, “sinazo izinkuni sinalo neAltari futhi sinawo nomlilo – kodwa liphi iwundlu lokwenza umhlatshelo? Sizoyitholaphi imvana?”

UAbrahama wathi: “Ungakhathazeki ndodana, uNkulunkulu uzozibonela maqondana nomhlatshelo.”

UAbrahama wabe esetshela indodana yakhe ukuthi ayize ilale ealtari. Akamtshelanga uIsaka lokho okwakuzokwenzeka. UIsaka wamthemba uyise ngoba emdala. Ngakho uIsaka wagibela ealtari ngaphezulu kwezinkuni ezazise-altari. Okulandelayo uAbrahama wathatha intambo wabopha izinyawo nezandla zika-Isaka. “Baba wenzani?” Kwabuza umfana omncane. Wayeseqala ukukhathazeka manje, ngoba ubaba wakhe wayenza izinto angayazi yena uIsaka. Kodwa uAbrahama wathula nje – wayesaba kakhulu ukuba engayitshela lokho ayezokwenza kuyona.

UIsaka emncane wabe eseqala ukukhala – wabona uyise embheka ngendlela engajwayelekile. Wayesebona uyise ethatha umese omkhulu. UIsaka wazama ukudlubulundela ukuze akhululeke, nokho izintambo zaziboshwe zaqiniswa kakhulu.

UAbrahama wawuphakamisela phezulu emoyeni umese ukuze abulale indodana yakhe. Kungani? UNkulunkulu wayemtshele ukuba enze kanjalo, wayezokwenza noma yini enzela uNkulunkulu – ngisho nokubulala indodana yakhe imbala, uma kwakuyilokho okwakufunwa nguNkulunkulu. Kwathi-ke ngesikhathi isandla sakhe sesiqala ukubuya phansi, wezwa izwi limbiza: “Abrahama! Abrahama!”

UAbrahama wama, waqalaza. Nguba owayembiza? “Ngilapha!” washo. Wayeseyabona ukuthi iphimbo lelo lalivela esibhakabhakeni. Wayeseqonda ukuthi yiphimbo likaNkulunkulu. “Ungambulali umfana!” UNkulunkulu watshela uAbrahama. Wayesethi kuye: “Manje sengiyazi ukuthi uyangethemba ngempela. Ubuzimisele ngisho ukubulala indodana yakho eyodwa ngenxa yami.”

Ngaleso sikhathi uAbrahama wezwa into esikhotheni emuva kwakhe. Ngesikhathi ephenduka, kwakukhona inqama ibambeke ngezimpondo esihlahleni. UAbrahama waqonda ukuthi uNkulunkulu uze wabonelela nangenqama yokwenza umhlatshelo. Wamthukulula uIsaka wathatha inqama wenza ngayo umhlatshelo base beyanikela kuNkulunkulu.

UNkulunkulu waphinda wakhuluma kuAbrahama futhi. Wathi kuAbrahama uyakumbusisa, futhi uzakuba nabazukulu abaningi – njengezinkanyezi zezulu. Kodwa kwakungapheleli lapho: UNkulunkulu waphinda wathi ezizweni zonke ezisemhlabeni ziyakubusiswa langa limbe ngenzalo kaAbrahama.

Ucabanga ukuthi uNkulunkulu wayesho ukuthini ngalokhu?

Eminyakeni engma-400 emuva kwalokhu, indoda ebizwa ngoMose yahola uIsrayeli iwukhipha eGibhithe. Babeyinzalo kaAbrahama bonke. Uyabazi ukuthi babebangaki? Babengaphezulu kwezigidi ezintathu!

Kubona, eminyakeni eminingi elandelayo, uMesiya, uJesu Khristu wazalwa. Weza ukuletha ukuphila okuphakade, kungekhona kumaJuda kuphela, kodwa zonke izizwe, amaShayina, abaseYurobhu, ama-Amori, amaZulu – wonke umuntu!

Kodwa siyithola kanjani lempilo enguna phakade? Ngokwenza okufana ncamashi nalokhu akwenza uAbrahama. Wakholwa futhi wamethemba uNkulunkulu. Kufanele sikholwe kuJesu futhi simethembe empilweni yethu yonke. UAbrahama wayeyindoda elungileyo. Wenza izinto ezilungileyo eziningi futhi wenza lokho uNkulunkulu ayemyala ukuba akwenze. Kungani? Kungoba wayenokumbonga uNkulunkulu. Kufanele senze kanjalo nathi: Uma sithola lokhu kuphila okuphakade, kufanele siphile impilo elungile futhi senze lokho uNkulunkulu afuna ukuba sikwenze, ukubonga uNkulunkulu ngokusinika ukuphila okuphakade.

Ilata LikaJakobe

Genesise 28

UAbrahama wayenendodana egama layo nguIsaka. UIsaka waba namadodana amabili - amawele. Babebizwa ngoJakobe noEsawu. Lezi zinsizwa zandawonye zazihlala ngokuxabana. Ngolunye usuku uJakobe wenza into embi kakhulu. Uyise uIsaka wayesegugile kakhulu futhi engasaboni emehlweni, uJakobe wayekwazi lokho. Waya kuyise wazenza sengathi ungumfowabo uEsawu. Wakhohlisa uyise, ngaleyondlela wantshontsha ilungelo lobuzibulo lomfowabo.

Ngesikhathi uEsawu ekuzwa lokhu, wathukuthela, wayesesopha ukumbulala uJakobe. Ngakho uIsaka nomkakhe banquma ukuthi kungcono uJakobe abaleke, ngakho bamthumela endaweni ebizwa ngokuthi kuseHarani. UIsaka watshela uJakobe ukuthi akahambe azitholele unkosikazi eHarani, ngoba kulapho kwakuvele khona unina futhi wayesenazo izihlobo khona kulelozwe elalikude nokho. Nomkhulu wakhe uAbrahama wayevele khona eHarani.

Ngakho-ke uJakobe wapakisha konke okungokwakhe wahamba ukuze abalekele ulaka lomfowabo. Kwakuyindlela ende, futhi kwakufanele ahambe amaviki ukuze afinyelele lapho. Ngobusuku bokuqala ekushoneni kwelanga, uJakobe kwakufanele abe nendawo yokulala. Ngakho-ke wangenisa ehhotela leqophelo eliphezulu ngalobo busuku. Kunjalo?

Qha, kwakungekho hhotela noma enye-ke nje indawo yokulala, ngakho wazitholela indawana nje lapho umhlabathi wawungaqinile khona kakhulu. Wathola itshe elihle eliyisicaba owalisebenzisa njengomqamelo. UJakobe wayekhathele kakhulu ngenxa yohambo olude nelanga elalishisa, ngakho wazumeka walala ngokushesha ngesikhathi kuhlwa.

Kwabe sekwenzeka into emangalisayo: UJakobe waba nephupho eliyisimangaliso. Kodwa leli kwakungesilo iphupho elejwayelekile. KwakunguNkulunkulu empeleni owafaka leli phupho ekhanda likaJakobe, ngoba wayefuna ukutshela uJakobe okuthile.

UJakobe waphupha ebona ilata elalimi nje esigangeni. Wayengakuqondi lokhu, ngakho wasondela eduze, wamangala lapho ebona ukuthi leli lata lide kakhulu khakhulu. Isihloko salo size sifinyelele esibhakabhakeni. UJakobe wabuka phezulu lapho kwakuya khona ilata, wayeseyabona ukuthi empeleni kwakukhona izingelosi ezazehla zenyuku ezitebhisini zelata. Kodwa zaziyaphi futhi zaziqhamukaphi?

Ngokushesha uJakobe waqonda ukuthi isitebhisi sasifinyelela ezulwini. Kwakuyinto eyisimangaliso esikhulu kulezo ayeseke wazibona uJakobe lesi, futhi wagajwa yinjabulo ngokuba kulendawo, kangangokuba akanakanga nokuthi kwase kukhona othile owayemi eduze kwakhe. Kwaba ngesikhathi lo muntu esekhuluma kuJakobe lapho ethuka wathuthumela khona. UJakobe wamangala nje ukuthi useqhamukaphi-ke lomuntu ngokushesha okungaka? Wayengubani?

Indoda yazethula kuJakobe: “NginguJehova, uNkulunkulu kaAbrahama noIsaka.” Mhlawumbe uJakobe wacabanga ukuthi usuku lwakhe lokugcina selufikile, ngenxa yazo zonke izinto ezimbi azenze kumfowabo. Okunye futhi, wayengamkhonzi uNkulunkulu njengalokhu wayebona uYise uIsaka enza. Wayengenendaba noNkulunkulu! Wayengumfana ongalungile, futhi wayenza izinto njengokuzibonela kwakhe. Ngabe uNkulunkulu wayeze ngenhloso yokuzomjezisela zonke izino zakhe?

Kodwa ngesikhathi uNkulunkulu ephinda ekhuluma, uJakobe akazikholwanga izindlebe zakhe, ngoba uNkulunkulu akamlwisanga, kepha wamnika isethembiso. UNkulunkulu wathi kuJakobe: “Ngizokunika wena kanye nenzalo yakho lelizwe olele kulo.”

Mhlawumbe uJakobe wacabanga: “Kodwa kungani Nkosi? Angikufanele ngempela lokhu! Kuyimanje nje ngimatasa ngiyabaleka kulelizwe! Futhi anginayo nenzalo engiyizeleyo. Anginaye ngisho noNkosikazi!”

Kodwa uNkulunkulu wayesevele emlinde ngempendulo uJakobe: “Inzalo yakho iyakuba ningi njengothuli lomhlabathi. Bayakusabalalisa imikhawulo yabo nxazonke, futhi ngawe nenzalo yakho ngiyakubusisa izizwe zonke.”

UJakobe akakuqondanga konke lokhu. Kwakungenzeka kanjani ukuthi abe nabantwana abaningi nabazukulu abaningi? Wayengakazitholeli ngisho kwankosikazi! Futhi kwakungani ukuba izizwe zonke zingabusiswa ngezingane zakhe?

Ayengakwazi uJakobe, kwakuwukuthi, eminyakeni eminingi eyayizolandela, oyedwa wabazukulwana bakhe wayezozalwa kulo lelozwe alethenjiswe nguNkulunkulu, edolobheni elincane elibizwa ngokuthi Bethlehema. Igama Lakhe kwakuwuJesu, futhi kwakuNguye awayezoza ukusindisa umhlaba. NgoJesu izigidi ngezigidi zabantu babusiswa futhi bathola isipho esimangalisayo ukuzedlula zonke: Ukuphila okuphakade. Isibusiso esikhulu aphisana ngaso uJesu, esokuthi uma ukholwa Kuye, uNkulunkulu ukwenza umntwana Wakhe.

Kodwa uNkulunkulu wayengakaqedi ngoJakobe. Wamtshela ukuthi: “Khumbula njalo, Ngizakuba nawe futhi ngizokuvikela noma kuphi lapho uya khona, futhi ngiyakukubuyisa kulelizwe. Angeke ngikushiye ngize ngikufeze konke engikwethembise khona.”

Saze sasihle isethembiso! UJakobe wayedangele kakhulu futhi enomzwangedwa ekuseni ngesikhathi eshiya ikhaya likayise, ngoba wayecabanga ukuthi akasophinde akwazi ukubuyela emuva, ngoba umfowabo wayemzonda ngalokho ayekwenzile, futhi wayengambulala uma kwenzeka embona futhi. Kodwa manje uNkulunkulu umethembisa ukuthi ngolunye usuku uyakubuyela ezweni lakubo nasendlini kayise.

Kwathi ngokushesha waphaphama uJakobe. Inhliziyo yakhe yayithi: “Boom! Boom! Boom!” Wayesaba, ngoba wayazi ukuthi uNkulunkulu wayekhona lapho. Mhlawumbe leli kwakuyisango eliya ezulwini!

Ekuseni wavuka uJakobe. Wathatha itshe elaliphansi kwekhanda lakhe walithela ngamafutha eOliva wenzela uNkulunkulu ialtari ngalo. Wayesethi kuNkulunkulu: “Nkosi, uma ugcina isethembiso sakho kimi, uyakuba nguNkulunkulu wami, futhi ngiyokudumisa ngikukhonze!”

Ucabanga ukuthi ngabe uNkulunkulu wakwenza ayekwethembise uJakobe ukuthi uyakukwenza?

Impela uNkulunkulu wakwenza! Wamnika uJakobe inkosikazi nabantwana kanye nabazulukulu. Kwathi emuva kweminyaka eminingi wambuyisa uJakobe ezweni lakubo nasendlini kayise. Inzalo kaJakobe iningi kangangokuba ayinakubalwa, futhi ngaye yonke imindeni yomhlaba ibusisiwe namuhla, njengalokhu uNkulunkulu wamethembisa.

Ucabanga ukuthi uNkulunkulu uyazigcina izethembiso zakhe? Kunjalo uyazigcina! Wakwenza konke akwethembisa uJakobe, noma ngabe kwakubukeka njengento eyayingeke yenzeke ngaleso sikhathi isathenjiswa.

Ngabe wake wakwethembisa uNkulunkulu?

UNkulunkulu wasinika incwadi egcwele izethembiso: iBhayibheli. Ukubala ezimbalwa nje: Joh 3:16 – uNkulunkulu uyasithanda futhi usinika ukuphila okuphakade. Isaya 1:18 – Ususa zonke izono zethu asihlanze thina. Rom 3:23 – noma sonile sonke, uNkulunkulu uyasikhulula. Rom. 6:23 – ngomusa kaNkulunkulu Yena usinika ukuphila okuphakade, kuphela uma sikholwa kuJesu.

Kukhona ezininginingi izethembiso ezinjengalezi. Funda konke mayelana nezethembiso Zakhe eNcwadini, bese uphila kuye ngokwezethembiso zakhe.

UJosefa Umphuphi Wamaphupho

Genesise 37:1-11

Ngesikhathi uJakobe efika eHarani, weqiwa wuthando ngentombazane enhle eyayibizwa ngoRaheli. Uyise wayo, uLabani wavuma ukuthi bengashada uma uJakobe ezomsebenzela iminyaka eyisikhombisa. Ngakho ke yonke iminyaka emide eyisikhombisa wasebenzela umakoti. Kodwa ngesikhathi kufika isikhathi somshado, uLabani wenza icebo elingcolile ngoJakobe, wanikeza uJakobe udadewabo wentombazane ayeyithanda, uLeya ukuba abe ngumkakhe. UJakobe waze wabona ngakusasa ukuthi bamnikeze umakoti okungesiye. Wayecasukile, kodwa uLabani wathi engamthola uRaheli uma engaphinda asebenze eminye iminyaka eyisikhombisa.

Ngemuva kweviki washadelwa futhi okwesibili, wazithola esenamakhosikazi amabili. URaheli wayengothandekayo, futhi uJakobe wayemthanda kakhulu. Kodwa wayengamthandisisi kahle uLeya, mhlawumbe ngenxa yokuthi wayengemuhle kahle.

Kwenzeka uLeya wathola umntwana, indodana, kodwa uRaheli wayengabatholi abantwana. Ngemuva konyaka uLeya wathola omunye futhi umntwana, nokho uRaheli engakabi naye namunye umntwana. Lokhu kwaqhubeka iminyaka ngeminyaka, kwaze kwafika la khona uLeya wayenabantwana abaningi nokho uRaheli engenamntwana. URaheli waba nomona ngodadewabo uLeya.

Kwenzeka uRaheli wakhuleka kakhulu enxusa kuNkulunkulu ukuba amuphe umntwana. UNkulunkulu wawuphendula umkhuleko wakhe. Ngesikhathi ezalwa umntwana kaRaheli wabizwa ngokuthi nguJosefa.

Ngenxa yokuthi uJakobe wayemthanda uRaheli kakhulu, uJosefa waba yindodana eyintandokazi, futhi wamenzela uJosefa okuhle okuningi ukwedlula abafowabo. Waze wanika uJosefa izimpahla ezikhethekileyo. Abafowabo babegqoka izimpahla ezijwayelekile nje ezindala, kodwa uJosefa wayegqoka ezenani eliphezulu, esingathi zazivela e-Gucci e-Pherisi. Abanye babefaka amahembe angenamikhono. UJosefa yena efaka anemikhono emide, futhi ezakhe izimpahla zazihlotshiswe ngemibala.

Abanewabo bamzondela leyonto.

Kodwa kwakungesikho lokho kuphela. uJosefa wayephinde ebe ngumuntu ocebanayo, okhulumela safuthi. Eseneminyaka eyishumi nesikhombisa ubudala, kwakufanele ahambe aye ehlanzeni ayokwelusa izimvu nezimbuzi zikayise kanye nabanye abafowabo. Njalo ntambama uJosefa wayefika esegijima ezotshela uyise: “Babah, uDani ubehlupha namhlanje, ubedlala ngenyoka!” “Babah, uyazi wenzeni uNafethali namuhla?” “Babah, uAsha ungumfana ongalungile......” “Baba, indodana yakho uGadi akakufanele ukubizwa ngendodana yakho. Ngimbone......”

Lokho kwadala ukuthi abafowabo bamzonde kakhulu. Uma nje babengathola ithuba lokumbulala, babengambulala! Isicashalalana esincane sikababa!

Kodwa kwathi ngolunye usuku uJosefa waba nephupho elingejwayelekile. Wayengazi ukuthi enze njani ngalo. UJosefa waphupha kukhona insimu yamabele, yena nabafowabo bematasatasa bevuna amabele kuyo. Bonke babopha izithungo zabo. Kodwa kwasekwenzeka ngokungazelele into engajwayelekile: Izithungo zabafowabo abayishumi nanye zamabele zaguqa zakhothamela esakhe isithungo samabele.

Kwakusho ukuthini konke lokhu? UJosefa wayengakuqondi! Kwakuyiphupho elingejwayelekile ukwedlula wonke ayeseke waba nawo! Wagijima waya emasimini lapho abafowabo base bevele besebenza khona, wabamemeza wathi kubo: “Hhey bafowethu! Ake nilalele leliphupho elingejwayelekile engiliphuphile!”

“Ey awuthule, wemnqolo, mfana kaBabah!” bamshaya indiva. Bengafuni nakuyizwa nje lendavundavu yakhe eza nayo!

Kodwa uJosefa wabatshela ngephupho, futhi lokhu kwabenza bacasuka kakhulu kunakuqala, ngoba wayengomncane kubo bonke, kodwa manje wayeseveza ukuthi bonke babesazokhothama kuye. “Nkosi yethu enomusa!”

“Hamba ekhaya kubaba wakho!” bamthethisa baze bathatha amatshe bamjikijela ngawo.

Imizwa kaJosefa kwayilimaza kakhulu lokhu. Kwenzeka kanjani ukuthi babe luhlaza kanjena kuye?

Ngalobo busuku uJosefa waba nelinye iphupho. Lelike lalingejwayelekile kakhulu. Ngosuku olulandelayo wagijima waya kubafowabo futhi wayeseyabalandisa: “Lalelani bafowethu, ngibe nelinye iphupho.”

Basukuma sebefuna ukuphinda bamshaye futhi, kepha uJosefa wathi: “Ake ningilalele. Ephusheni lami bengimi ngaphandle, ngase ngibona ilanga nenyanga kanye nezinkanyezi eziyishumi nanye phezulu esibhakabhakeni. Kwathi masinyane konke kwangikhothamela.”

Lokho kwavele kwabacasula okokugcina abafowabo. UJosefa bakithi kwakufanele abalekele ukusinda kwempilo yakhe. “Ucabanga ukuthi uwubani wena?” bamthethisa, “Ake ulinde ubaba aze ezwe lento oyishoyo! Manje usubikezela ukuthi akuthina sodwa esizokhothama kuwe kepha noyihlo nonyoko bazokhothama kuwe! Hamba uye ekhaya, ungabuyi futhi lapha uma wazi ukuthi kuyini okukulungele!”

UJosefa waya ekhaya, ekhala. Akekho owayemqonda.....

Waya kuyise, uJakobe wahlala eceleni eduzane kwakhe. Uzokuqonda lokhu uyise! UJosefa wamxoxela ngaleliphupho elingejwayelekile.

Nokho uJakobe akabanga ngubaba ojabule: “Josefa! Awunamahloni! Kwenzeka kanjani ukuthi ube nephupho elikhombisa ukuba nempakamo kanje! Ulindele ngempela ukuthi mina nomama wakho kanye nabafowenu sizakuba yizinceku zakho? Awunamahloni Josefa!”

Kungakadluli nasikhathi esingakanani emuva kwalokho, abafowabo bakaJosefa bathola ithuba lokuziphindiselela. Ngelinye ilanga engaphandle ehlanzeni kanye nabo, bamdumela bambamba bamphonsa emgodini. Babefuna ukumbulala. Kodwa bathola elinye icebo elalingcono kakhulu. Kwadlula izinqola ezazilayisha izigqila, ngakho-ke bamthengisa khona njengesigqila futhi bazitholela nemali ngaleso senzo. Batshela uyise ukuthi isilwane esithile sasendle simbambile samudla uJosefa. Ubaba wabo owayengenakwenza lutho, wakhungatheka nje!

UJosefa wayengesiye umuntu othokozelekayo kwabo. Wayeyinto etotoswayo, eqinela abafowabo futhi wayecabanga ukuthi ungongcono ukwedlula bonke, ngisho noyise imbala. Ngokushesha konke lokhu kwabeka uJosefa ezinkingeni eziningi. Wathola lokho okwakumfanele.

Kodwa uNkulunkulu akamkhohlwanga uJosefa, nangemuva kokuba eseyisigqila futhi eze wavalelwa nasetilongweni iminyaka eminingi, uNkulunkulu wamkhipha uJosefa kubo bonke lobo bunzima. UJosefa washintsha, waqala ukukhonza uNkulunkulu. UNkulunkulu wamenza umbusi omkhulu eGibhithe. Kanjalo njengasemaphusheni akhe, uyise nabafowabo kwakufanele bakhothame kuye. Kodwa futhi ngayo lendlela uNkulunkulu wasebenzisa uJosefa ukusindisa umndeni wakhe endlaleni, nokubenza isizwe esikhulu.

Ngesikhathi ngisemncane nami ngangingumfana ogangileyo. Kodwa uNkulunkulu wangisindisa futhi wangiguqula wangenza ithuluzi lokusetshenziswa Nguye eMbusweni Wakhe. Kunjani kweyakho impilo? UNkulunkulu ukuthethelele ezintweni ezimbi obuzenza ngaphambi kokuba ube ngumntwana Wakhe. Uyafuna futhi ukukusebenzisa eMbusweni Wakhe. UNkulunkulu udinga omunye nomunye wethu embhidlangweni womsebenzi wakhe. Njengalokhu uJosefa wayelangazelela ukusebenzela uNkulunkulu, kanjalo udinga ukuba mina nawe silangazelele ukumsebenzela.

Thina sonke sithola imisebenzi engafani. UNkulunkulu unomsebenzi oqondene nawe. Ngabe uyayemukela intethelelo kaNkulunkulu, bese wenza lokho Yena afuna ukuba ukwenze?

UJosefa nomkaPotifaro

Genesise 39:1-23

UJosefa wayeyindodana kaJakobe eyintandokazi. UJakobe wayehlala emnika izinto ezimnandi, futhi abafowabo babemzonda ngenxa yalokho. Futhi wayenamaphupho amangalisayo kakhulu, waze waphupha nokuthi umndeni wakhe wonke uyokhothama kuye. Abakuthandanga lokho ngesikhathi ebatshela ngakho. Ngolunye usuku abafowabo babengasakwazi ukukubekezelela lokhu, bamdumela bambamba ukuze bambulale. Nokho, ngaphambi kokuba bakwenze lokho, kwedlula abahwebi ababethengisa futhi bethenga izigqila. Base benquma ukuthi okungenani umnewabo omncane abamthengise njengesigqila.

Abahwebi labo bayisa eGibhithe uJosefa, lapho okwathi indoda ecebile ebalulekile ebizwa ngoPotifaro yamthenga kubahwebi. uJosefa wasebenza kanzima kakhulu enkosini yakhe entsha. Upotifaro wayenelisekile ngokusebenza kahle kwalesi sigqila sakhe. Wayesemnikeza uJosefa ukukhushulelwa esikhundleni, waba ngumphathi obhekelela umsebenzi wonke wasekhaya likaPotifaro. Manje lokhu kwakuyinto enkulu, ngokuba uPotifaro wayeyindoda ecebileyo futhi enesigodlo esikhulu kakhulu. Ngakho uJosefa wayenomsebenzi omkhulu emahlombe akhe.

Kodwa akusikho lokho kuphela: UJosefa wayesemncane futhi ebukeka kahle. Abesimame babengawasusi amehlo kuye. Wayedala ukuba izinhliziyo zabo zigubhuze zikhiqize ushokholethi.

Kwakukhona omunye wesimame owayehluleka nokuzibamba uma ebona uJosefa: UmkaPotifaro. Wayephupha ngaleli bhungu elihle elisiyigqila. Kwathi ngolunye usuku engasakwazi ukuzibamba. Umyeni wakhe uMnu. Potifaro engekho ehambe ngohambo olubalulekile – wayengekho ekhaya isikhashana.

Walinda uJosefa waze wafika endlini, wayeseyasondela wamela maduzane noJosefa wayesethi kuye: “Josefa, uyinsizwa enhle esencane. Ungenza ngiqhaqhazele! Ngifuna uze uzolala nami. Ungakhathazeki, Inkosi ayikho lapha. Ngifuna umzimba wakho.”

UJosefa wethuka kakhulu. Wayengowesifazane omuhle, kodwa kwakungesiyo into elungileyo ukulala nenkosikazi yomunye umuntu. Ngakho uJosefa wathi kuye: “Nxese, kumnandi khona ukuzwa loluhlobo lwesimemo nkosikazi Potifaro, Kodwa ngeke ngikwazi ukukwenza lokhu - Akulungile!”

UJosefa wayazi ukuthi kwakungalungile. Ubaba wakhe wayemtshelile ukuthi awulali nomuntu wesifazane kuze kube yisikhathi lapho senishadile khona. Kuyindlela leyo uNkulunkulu afisa kube ngayo. Futhi-ke okukhulu wukuthi akulalwa nje nenkosikazi yomuntu - NHLOBO! Yinto okuyihlazo ukuyenza. Ngakho uJosefa wahamba waphuma, wayoqhubeka nomsebenzi wakhe.

Nokho Unkosikazi Potifaro wayengenelisekile. Manje wayesefuna uJosefa ngaphezu kokuba eke wamfuna phambilini. Ngakho ngosuku olulandelayo wacabanga ukuthi uJosefa ucabangisisile ngalelithuba amnika lona, waphinda futhi wammemela embhedeni. Waphinda wenqaba uJosefa. Wamtshela nje ukuthi ayilungile lento. Wayengeke akwazi ukuyenza. Inkosi yakhe yayimethembile ngomuzi wayo wonke. Wayengakwenza kanjani-ke lokhu, uJosefa, okubi kangaka enkosini yakhe? Okwakukukhulu futhi kakhulu kwakuwukuthi uzobe uyona phambi kukaNkulunkulu. UJosefa wayengafuni NHLOBO ukona kuNkulunkulu!

Kepha lo wesimame wayenenkani. Wayefuna uJosefa embhedeni! Wayengafuni ukwemukela uQHA njengempendulo. Usuku nosuku waqhubeka wazama zonke izinhlobo zamaqhinda okuyenga uJosefa ezikhona encwadini. Kepha sonke isikhathi wayelokhu enqaba, ngoba wayenezimiso ayephila ngazo, futhi wayenamathele kuzo. Waziqhubekela nomsebenzi inkosi yakhe eyayimnike wona ukuba awenze.

Mhlawumbe angichaze ukuthi abantu babegqoka kanjani ngaleyo minyaka. Amadoda ayengagqoki amahembe namabhulukwe njenganamuhla. Izigqila zazingagqoki kwesingenhla, zazifaka nje kuphela indwangu eyayizungeza ngasokhalweni.

Ngelinye ilanga ekuseni inkosi kaJosefa, uPotifaro esaphumile futhi, unkosikazi Potifaro wakhiphela ngaphandle zonke izinceku ukuze abe yedwa endlini. Ngesikhathi uJosefa ethi uyangena, wayengasoli lutho. Wambiza esekamelweni lakhe lokulala. Ngesikhathi efika lapho, wamtshela ukuthi kwakuyibo bobabili ababesendlini ngaleso sikhathi, futhi yisikhathi esihle angangena naye ngaso embhedeni. UJosefa washawa uvalo olukhulu, waphenduka. Yena wavele wambamba. Wabamba izingubo zakhe wamkhumula zona. UJosefa wabaleka waphuma endlini washiya izimpahla zakhe endlini.

Wathukuthela lo wesifazane. Wamemeza ekabalasa! Ngesikhathi abantu befika bezobuka ukuthi kwenzekani, wabatshela ukuthi uJosefa ubefuna ukumdlwengula. Wabakhombisa izingubo zakhe. Wonke umuntu wamkholwa, kwathi uJosefa owayengenakwenza lutho waphonswa etilongweni ekubeni emsulwa.

Mhlawumbe uzokuthi: lena yindaba edabukisayo! Kepha uNkulunkulu wayenecebo ngoJosefa. Eminyakeni eyingcosana eyalandela uJosefa wenziwa undunankulu weGibhithe, ngenxa yalokho okwakwenzeke kuye. Kodwa leyo yindaba yangelinye ilanga.

Singafunda kulendaba ukuthi kwenzékani kuJosefa, nokuthi wama kanjani, emela izimiso zakhe.

Into yokuqala esiyifundayo, ukuthi akulungile ukuba nobudlelwano obungemukelekile nomuntu ongashadile naye. Owesifazane osendabeni esiyifundayo wayeshadile. Lokhu akwenza kwakukubi kakhulu kakhulu. Kwaqala kanjani? Wabheka uJosefa obukekayo, wamfisa. Uma udedela izifiso zikubuse, uzodibana nenkulu inkinga. Ukunxanela akusiyo into eba mayelana nomunye umuntu kuphela, kungenzeka unxanele nezinye izinto eziningi. Uma ngifisa imali eningi, uma ngifuna ukuceba, izinto kungenzeka zonakale. Ngingaqala ngigembule. Kungenzeka ngiqale ngintshontshe kwabanye abantu. Futhi uma kwenzeka ukuthi lokhu engikuntshontshayo akwanele, ngizoqala ngikhuthuze abantu namabhange. Ngingagcina sengibulala nokubulala, umuntu, ukuze ngithole imali!

Uyabona, ukufisa kungaba yingozi kakhulu kakhulu! Ungakuvumeli ukufisa kwakho ukuthi kukulawule njengalona wesifazane, unxanele indoda ethile noma owesifazane othile. Uma ukudedela lokhu kulawule impilo yakho, ungagcina usembhedeni nomuntu okungafanele ube naye lapho. IBhayibheli lisifundisa ukuthi umuntu ofanelwe ukuba sembhedeni naye ngumyeni wakho noma unkosikazi wakho!

Kodwa kukhona olunye uhlangothi lwalendaba, uhlangothi lukaJosefa. Wayazi ukuthi kuyini okulungile nokungalungile, futhi wayegxile ezimisweni ayemi kuzo. Yikho lokho uNkulunkulu akufunayo komunye nomunye wethu. Omunye nomunye wethu namuhla uyazi ukuthi kuyini okulungileyo nokungalungile ebudlelwaneni. NjengoJosefa sifanelwe ukunamathela kulokho esikwaziyo ukuthi kulungile. Kwesinye isikhathi sithola othile ofuna ukuzijabulisa kwesikhashana nathi. Kubalekele lokho, noma ngabe kukubeka kabi wena ngaleso sikhathi!

Ngendlela efanayo, uma nezinye izinhlobo zamathuba zisifikela futhi sazi ukuthi kuyizinto zokungalungi, kufanele simane sibalekele kude. Omunye engakwethembisa imali enkulu uma wenza okuthile okungalungile, mhlawumbe njengokushushumbisa izidakamizwa, noma ukumsiza ukuba antshontshe. Uma kuyinto nje yokungalungi, yehlukana nakho. Lalela lokho uNkulunkulu akutshela ukuba ukwenze.

UJosefa Esetilongweni

Genesise 39:1-23

Endabeni eyedlule sifunde ngendaba yokuthi uJosefa waphonswa kanjani etilongweni, ngokuba egcine nje izimiso ayekholelwa kuzo. Unkosikazi kaPotifaro wayefuna ukulala naye, ngenxa yokuthi uJosefa wathi: “Qha, lokhu akulungile!” Wazithola esesetilongweni.

Mhlawumbe ufuna ukuthi: “Kodwa uNkulunkulu wayengayiyekela kanjani into enjalo ukuba yehlele uJosefa? Angiqondi nje! UJosefa wenza lokho uNkulunkulu ayefuna ukuba akwenze, kodwa wafakwa ejele!” Ngabe lokhu kusho ukuthi uNkulunkulu akanabulungiswa?

Ake sibheke ukuqhubeka kwendaba, sesinganqumake emuva kwalokho.

UJosefa waphonswa kulendawo enukayo kanye nezinye iziboshwa. Kwakukhona ababulali namasela nabaphangi nalo lonke uhlobo lwabantu abangalungile ongabacabanga. UJosefa wanquma ukuthi wayesafuna ukumkhonza uNkulunkulu, ngisho kwakhona phakathi ejele, njengalokhu wayenzile engakaphonswa etilongweni.

Ngokushesha, umqaphi wasejele wabona ukuthi uJosefa wayelungile, esebenza kanzima futhi ehlala ethokozile, nakuba wayesetilongweni. Kwenzeka ukuthi uJosefa abe ngumphathi ejele wanikwa isikhundla sokuba aphathe ijele lonke.

Ngolunye usuku izinsizwa ezimbili zaphonswa etilongweni. Ngesikhathi uJosefa ekhuluma nabo, wathola ukuthi zombili bezikade zinemisebenzi emihle. Omunye wayengumbhaki wenkosi kanti omunye wayengumphathizitsha wenkosi, umphathi wewayini lenkosi. Ngesizathu esithile uFaro wathukuthela waphonsa lawa madoda abaluleke kangaka etilongweni.

Ngelinye ilanga ekuseni uJosefa waya ejele ukuyokwenza umsebenzi wakhe. Uma efika kulezi zinsizwa ezimbili, wabona ukuthi bobabili babedangele bekhathazekile. Ngakhoke wababuza: “Kwenze njani?” Base bemlandisa ukuthi bobabili babe namaphupho abaxakayo, futhi lokhu kuyabakhathaza.

Manje, uma ukhumbula, ngesikhathi uJosefa esengumfana omncane, naye wayenamaphupho angejwayelekile. UNkulunkulu wamkhombisa ukuthi lawo maphupho ayesho okuthile ngempela. UNkulunkulu wayefuna ukutshela uJosefa okuthile ngalamaphupho.

Ngakho-ke ngesikhathi lezi zinsizwa zimazisa ukuthi zinamaphupho axakileyo, uJosefa wazi ukuthi uNkulunkulu wayefuna ukukhuluma nabo ngalendlela. Ngakho uJosefa wabatshela ukuthi uNkulunkulu uyawazi amaphupho abo, futhi engabatshela ukuthi achaza ukuthini. Wabatshela ukuthi uzobuza kuNkulunkulu incazelo yawo lawa maphupho.

Umgcinizitsha wathi yena ephusheni lakhe kwakukhona umvini unamagatsha amathathu. Ngokushesha amagatsha aba nezimbali, kwathi lezo zimbali zaphenduka amahlukuzo ezithelo zomvini ezinhle, phambi kwamehlo akhe. Wazikha izithelo wenza iwayini wanikeza inkosi yaphuza.

UJosefa wabuza uNkulunkulu: “Ngiyanxusa ukuba ungitshele incazelo yalento.” UNkulunkulu wamchazela okuqondwe yiphupho, uJosefa eseyazi wamazisa umphathizitsha: “Leliphupho lichaza ukuthi esikhathini esiyizinsuku ezintathu uzokhululwa etilongweni, futhi inkosi izokubuyisela umsebenzi wakho omdala wokuba ngumphathizitsha.” UJosefa wacela ukuba lendoda imkhumbule uma isisebenzela inkosi futhi. Wayengenacala! Waphonswa etilongweni ngeze. Mhlawumbe inkosi izomkhulula naye. Umphathizitsha wathembisa ukuthi uyokwenza kanjalo.

Umbhaki wathi: “Sekuyimi manje! Nami ngibe nephupho elingejwayelekile!” Walandisa uJosefa ukuthi ephusheni lakhe wayethwele amaqoma amathathu ekhanda lakhe. Kwelokuqala elingaphezulu kwakukhona zonke izinto ezimnandi azibhakileyo ezibhakela inkosi. Kodwa ngokushesha kwafika izinyoni eziningi zivela esibhakabhakeni, zafika zangqofa izinto ezimnandi eqomeni.

Ngesikhathi uJosefa ezwa iphupho wadangala kakhulu, ngokuba uNkulunkulu wamtshela ukuthi lendoda yayizokufa. UJosefa wayitshela indoda ingenakwenza lutho, ukuthi ezinsukwini ezintathu yayizobulawa. Inkosi yayizomphanyeka ogogweni, futhi amanqe ayezofika ezokudla inyama yakhe. Kwakubi!

Ngemuva kwezinsuku ezintathu, konke kwenzeka njengalokhu uJosefa ayeshilo. Umphathizitsha wabuyiselwa emsebenzini wakhe wakuqala, kwathi nombhaki naye wayobulawa.

Umphathizitsha, nembala, wagijima waya enkosini wayoyitshela: “Mnumzane nkosi, uJosefa akanacala! Ngicela umkhulule etilongweni!” Ngempela? Ucabanga ukuthi ngempela yilokho okwenziwa ngumphathizitsha? Qha! Wavele wakhohlwa nje ngoJosefa, kwabiza ukuthi ahlale iminyaka ejele ehlalele into angayenzanga!

Kungani? Isikhathi sasingakalungi ukuba uJosefa aphume etilongweni. UNkulunkulu wayenohlelo olumangalisayo ngoJosefa, kodwa kwakufanele alinde isikhathi esilungile. UNkulunkulu akamkhohlwanga uJosefa, noma ngabe umphathizitsha wakhohlwa nguye. UNkulunkulu wamkhumbula uJosefa.

Emuva kweminyaka embalwa inkosi yaseGibhithe, uFaro naye waba nephupho elingejwayelekile elimxakayo. Wabuza kubo bonke abahlakaniphileyo ukuthi lichaza ukuthini, kodwa akekho owayazi nowayengamtshela. Kwase kuthi umphathizitsha wakhe wakhumbula uJosefa osetilongweni, nokuthi wabachazela kanjani elakhe iphupho. Watshela inkosi ngoJosefa.

Kodwa lena yindaba yangelinye ilanga!

Kwesinye isikhathi sicabanga ukuthi izinto ezenzeka kithi azifanele. Kungani ngilahlekelwe wumsebenzi? Kungani uNkulunkulu evumele abantu abangalungile ukuba bafike bantshontshe izinto zami? Kungani ngaso sonke isikhathi abantu abangalungile bacebe, kepha mina qha? Ngizama ukukhonza uNkulunkulu, kodwa ngiyahlupheka! Kungani lokhu kwenzeka kimi?

Kungenxa yokuthi uNkulunkulu unohlelo ngempilo yakho. Uyakudinga, kodwa kufanele kwenzeke okuthile ngaphambi kokuba akusebenzise.

Umphostoli uPawulu waphonswa etilongweni. Wachitha isikhathi eside ejele – isikhathi ayengasisebenzisa ukushumayela kubantu. Kodwa uNkulunkulu wayenesu elikhulu kakhulu ngoPawulu. Ngesikhathi esejele kulapho akwazi khona ukuba nesikhathi esanele sokuthi aqale abhale izincwadi. UPawulu waloba izincwadi eziningi esetilongweni, futhi izigidi ngezigidi zabantu sezike zazifunda lezo zincwadi kusukela kulesi sikhathi. Ukuba uPawulu akafakwanga etilongweni, ngabe asinazo lezo zincwadi ezinhle kangaka: kwabaseKorinte, KwabaseGalathiya, KuTimothewu, KwabaseFilipi kanye nazo zonke ezinye azilobayo!

Uma kwenzeka izinto ezimbi kuwe – ungapheli amandla. Yazi ukuthi uNkulunkulu uvumela lokhu ngoba unesu elikhulu ngempilo yakho!

UJosefa Namaphupho kaFaro

Genesise 39:1-23

Endabeni eyedlule ngixoxe ngoJosefa, ngesikhathi ecacisa ngamaphupho elikambhaki nelikamphathizitsha. Uyakhumbula ukuthi wacela ukuba umphathizitsha amkhumbule uma esephumile ejele? Nokho, umphathizitsha wavele wazikhohlelwa nje ngoJosefa, ngemuva kweminyaka emibili uJosefa wayesesejele eboshelwe into ayengayenzanga. Wayengenacala.

Umphathizitsha wakhohlwa ngoJosefa, kodwa ucabanga ukuthi noNkulunkulu wakhohlwa ngoJosefa? Qha! UNkulunkulu wayesenesu elimangalisayo ngoJosefa, kodwa uJosefa kwakufanele alinde ngesineke, alindele umzuzu ofanele.

Ngobunye ubusuku inkosi enkulu yaseGibhithe, uFaro waba nephupho elixakile nje. Waphupha ebona izinkomo eziyisikhombisa ezikhulupheleyo zihamba zisuka emfuleni iNayile. Zazidla ziklabile osebeni lomfula. Wayesebona eziyisikhombisa ezimbi, ezondile nazo zakhuphuka zivela emfuleni. Zaziyizinkomo ezimbi ukwedlula zonke ake azibona phambilini, zahamba zaqonda ngqo kulezi eziyisikhombisa ezikhulupheleyo zafike zadla lezi ezikhuluphele. Zazimimilita zaziqeda, nokho zaqhubeka zabe zilokhu zondile zona futhi zizimbi njengalokhu bezivele zinjalo.

Emuva kwesikhashana walala futhi, waphinda waba nelinye iphupho futhi uFaro elixakileyo. Wabona izikhwebu eziyisikhombisa ziphuma esiqwini sinye. Zazizinhle futhi zikhuluphele zinonophele. Ngokushesha kwesinye isiqu kwavela izikhwebu eziyisikhombisa ezondileyo, ezingenamabele phakathi emahlukuzweni azo. Kwathi lawa mabele ondileyo avele agwinya lawa mabele akhulupheleyo. Inkosi yavuka, futhi yavuka ikhathazeke kakhulu. Yayingakazi iphuphe kanjalo phambilini.

Ekuseni yabiza amadoda ahlakaniphileyo asembusweni wayo yawaxoxela ngamaphupho axakayo ewaphuphile. Yayisibabuza ukuthi yayiyini incazelo yalawa maphupho. Kodwa wonke umuntu waphakamisa kancana amahlombe wathi: “phephisa, asiyazi incazelo!”

UFaro wadangala kakhulu, futhi wakhathazeka kakhulu, ngoba kwakungekho muntu owayekwazi ukumsiza.

Ngoshesha umphathizitsha wakhe wakhumbula uJosefa, ngakho waya kuFaro wayesemlandisa ngalesi sigqila esasiboshiwe ejele. Wayitshela inkosi ukuthi uJosefa wamtshela yena kanye nombhaki ukuthi amaphupho abo ayechazani, futhi kwenzeka njengalokhu wayebachazelile uJosefa.

Ngakho uFaro wabayala ukuba bahambe beyokumlanda uJosefa. Bamgeza, bamshefa intshebe yakhe ende base bemnikeza izingubo ezintsha. Base bemyisa kuFaro.

Ngesikhathi ema phambi kwenkosi enkulu, uFaro wabuza uJosefa ukuthi engakwazi yini ukumtshela ukuthi lamaphupho amabili achaza ukuthini. UJosefa wamphendula – wamtshela ukuthi kukhona okuthile okumele akucacise: Yena, uJosefa ngeke akwazi ukumnika incazelo yalawa maphupho – ukhona ongakwazi ukukwenza lokho – uNkulunkulu uMninimandla wonke!

UFaro wamlandisake uJosefa ngamaphupho akhe, wamtshela futhi ukuthi akekho okwazile ukumtshela ukuthi lamaphupho asho ukuthini – kwehluleke ngisho nabaphristi abakhulu namadoda enza imilingo akhona embusweni.

UJosefa wamazisa kuqala ukuthi lawa maphupho amabili asho into eyodwa: kwakuzokuba neminyaka eyisikhombisa emihle, lapho izitshalo zazizokhiqiza khona ukudla okuningi. Kodwa futhi kwakuzokuba khona iminyaka eyisikhombisa emibi ngemuva kwaleyo – iminyaka eyisikhombisa yendlala, lapho kungekho khona ongakwazi ukutshala okanye akhiqize noma yini. Ngeke kube khona ukudla ezweni iminyaka eyisikhombisa emide! UJosefa watshela inkosi ukuthi uNkulunkulu umkhombise leliphupho elixakile ngoba efuna ukumxwayisa ngendla enkulu eyayizofika ezweni.

UJosefa wabona ukuthi lenkosi yayiwumuntu okhathazekile kakhulu. Ngakho wanikeza inkosi iseluleko. Watshela inkosi ukuthi yena uphakamisa ukuba inkosi ikhombe umuntu ohlakaniphileyo ozobhekelela izitshalo zeGibhithe lonke. Lendoda kufanele nayo izibekele abantu bayo ezweni lonke, kuthi eminyakeni eyisikhombisa, babuthele wonke amabele abangakwazi ukufinyelelisa izandla zabo kuwo bawagcine ukuze babe nomumo wawo omningi ogciniwe ukuze babenokudla okuningi ngesikhathi sendlala.

UFaro wamlalela uJosefa, wayesebizela zonke izinduna zakhe ezinkulu ndawonye wabatshela lokho okushiwo nguJosefa kuye. Wayesebabuza: “Singayitholaphi indoda ehlakaniphe ngokwanele ukuba ingahlela lomsebenzi omkhulu kangaka?” Bavele babhekana beneka amahlombe abo. UFaro wavele wazinqumela yena: “UJosefa yiyo indoda esingayisebenzisa! Nguye yedwa ohlakaniphe ngokwanele ukuba angakwenza lokhu!”

Wayesembiza uJosefa wamazisa ukuthi wayezombeka ukuba abhekelele iGibhithe lonke. Wamenza uJosefa ukuba abe nguNdunankulu wezwe lonke. Wamnikeza umgexo wegolide ukuba awufake entanyeni yakhe, ukuze wonke umuntu abone ukuthi wayeyindoda ebalulekile eGibhithe. Wathola ikalishi elisha – elingelesibili ngokwezinga eGibhithe lonke. UJosefa wayeseyinsizwa encane – eneminyaka engamashumi amathathu kuphela ubudala.

UJosefa wayengumphathi owaziyo ngempela umsebenzi wakhe. Eminyakeni eyisikhombisa wabuthela amabele eGibhithe lonke wawagcina ezinqolobaneni. Ngemuva kweminyaka eyisikhombisa kwakukhona izinqolobane ezinkulu ezweni lonke zigcwele ziphuphuma isivuno.

Kwenzeka-ke, njengalokhu uJosefa wayeshilo, kwafika isomiso. Sasisibi kakhulu isomiso, ngoba kwakungekho ngisho neconsi lemvula, futhi kwakungekho okwakungatshalwa. Bonke abantu base beqala beza kuJosefa ukuzothemnga amabele. Kodwa kwakungesilo iGibhithe lodwa elalihlaselwe yilesi somiso esibi – wonke amanye amazwe aficwa yilesi somiso nawo – ngisho nasezweni lapho kwakuhlala khona uJakobe nabantwana bakhe – abafowabo bakaJosefa.

Ngalolusuku uJosefa wayengcolile, eyisiboshwa abasikhohliweyo esinentshebe ende esinezingubo ezindala ezingamanikiniki ejele, kodwa ngosuku olulandelayo wayesengowesibili emandleni okubuswa kweGibhithe lonke. Kwenzeka kanjani lokhu? Kwakwenzekelani lokhu na?

UNkulunkulu wayenesu elimangalisayo ngoJosefa, futhi ngesikhathi esifaneleyo wasebenzisa uJosefa ukufeza lelisu. Mhlawumbe ufuna ukungibuza ukuthi ngempela kwakuyini icebo likaNkulunkulu? Hhay, kufanele silinde kuze kube yisikhathi esilandelayo ukuze sithole ukuthi laliyini!

Indaba kaJosefa isinika ithemba namuhla. Isitshela ukuthi uNkulunkulu akabakhohlwa bantwana bakhe – wena nami esikholwa kuJesu. Yini okunye: Uhlale enami nawe ngaso sonke iskhathi. Kwesinye isikhathi uyekela ukuba kwenzeke into esingayithandi ezimpilweni zethu - ubunzima. Kodwa uzenzela isu izimpilo zethu, futhi isikhathi esiningi usebenzisa lobo bunzima ukusenza siqine ukuze uma isikhathi sesilungile, sitholakale siqinile ngokwanele ukuba senze lokho afuna ukuba sikwenze.

UJosefa Nabafowabo

Genesise 42:1-5

Kwenzeka ukuthi ezweni elikude, eKhenani, indoda endala uJakobe namadodana akhe nabo baphelelwe wukudla. Kwakungekho mvula isikhathi eside, futhi kungasasele lutho olwalungadliwa. Uma babengalenzi icebo elithile, babezokufa. UJakobe wabiza amadodana akhe wawatshela ukuthi uzwile kuthiwa kukhona ukudla eGibhithe. Wayefuna bahambe baye khona bathenge ukudla okwanele okwakuzobagcina izinyangana ezimbalwa. Indodana yakhe encane, UBenjamini kwakufanele asale naye. Wabatshela, ukuthi wayesevele alahlekelwa nguJosefa – wayengafunike ukulahlekelwa nawuBenjamini.

Basukake bahamba indlela yohambo lwabo olude oluya eGibhithe. Futhi qha, abahambanga ngesithuthi esiyitekisi ukuya eGibhithe – kwakunesiteleka samatekisi! Qha, benza uhambo lwabo lwamamayela angama-400 behamba nje ngezimbongolo ezijwayelekile. Kufanele ukuthi kwabathatha amasonto amabili ukufika lapho. Base betshelwa ukuthi bamelwe ukuya kuNdunankulu ukuze bathenge kuye amabele.

Uma befika khona, lendoda ebalulekile ewumGibhithe yayihlezi esihlalweni sayo sokubusa, base bekhothama phambi kwayo. Abazanga ukuthi ngumfowabo. Kepha uJosefa washeshe wababona, kodwa wazibamba. Wakhuluma nabo ngolimi lwaseGibhithe, kwakufanele kube khona ohumushayo ukuze bamuzwe baqonde akushoyo.

“Nivela kuphi na?” wababuza. Ngakho bamtshela ukuthi babevela eKhenani, nokuthi babeze ngokuzothenga amabele. Wathatha wathi kubo “Ninamanga! Niyizinhloli! Nize ukuzohlola izwe lethu nibone ukuthi limi kanjani ukuze nibuye nizokulwa nathi!”

Ngakho bathi kuye: “Qha, qha, siyizinceku zakho, siyazinxusela! Singabantu abathembekile, sifuna nje kuphela ukuthenga amabele.” Uma kuqhubeka kubukeka sengathi lenduna enkulu ayibakholwa, bayitshela ukuthi babekade beyishumi nambili, kodwa lona omunye umfowabo washona. Omunye umfowabo omncane usekhaya noyise.

Ngakho uJosefa wathi: “Anginikholwa! Nizovalelwa nonke ejele. Ngizodedela oyedwa kinina ukuba ayolanda umfowenu omncane, ngale kwalokho nizohlala niboshiwe nonke! Mhlawumbe ngizothi manibulawe!”

Ngakho uJosefa wababophisa bonke izinsuku ezintathu. Waphinda wababiza futhi. Wabatshela ukuthi ufuna ukubona umfowabo omncane. Uzakubadedela ukuba baye kumlanda, kodwa uzogcina oyedwa wabo njengesibambiso ukuze bengabaleki.

Ngakho omunye wazo izelamani , uRubeni, wathi kwabanye: “uNkulunkulu uyasijezisa ngokuba sabulala uJosefa. Nganitshela ukuba nimyeke, kepha nina nanqaba ukulalela. Manjeke nakhu esikuvunayo ngenxa yaleso senzo!” Uyabona, uRubeni nguye owayefuna ukusindisa uJosefa. Wayecabanga ukuthi uJosefa sewafa.

Ababengakwazi abafowabo ukuthi lo ”Mgibhithe” wayeqonda izwi nezwi abalikhulumayo. Ngakho wabathumela ukuba bahambe, wayesegcina uSimeyoni, umnewabo omdala etilongweni. Kodwa uJosefa watshela izinceku zakhe ngasese ukuthi aziphindisele imali abathenge ngayo emasakeni amabele abo. Wabanikeza nokudla okwanele kwendlela.

Umabefika eKhenani, bamtshela konke uJakobe. Bamtshela nokuthi uMgibhithe wayegcine uSimeyoni ejele etilongweni, nokuthi ufuna babuye noBenjamini. UJakobe wenqaba. “Angeke ngimvumele ahambe! UJosefa sewafa vele, kuthi uSimeyoni yena usetilongweni. Angifuni ukulahlekelwa ngenye indodana! Qha! Ngiyenqaba ngithi qha!”

Kodwa emuva kwezinyanga ezimbalwa baphinda baphelelwa wukudla, wayesetshela amadodana akhe uJakobe: “ake niye ukusithengela okunye ukudla.” Nokho bamtshela ukuthi: “Ngeke sihambe engekho uBenjamini ngoba loya Mgibhithe uyosibulala sonke uma sifika laphaya singahambi naye!” Nokho uJakobe wanqaba impela. Kodwa okwathi ngemuva kokuncenga okuningi, wayesethi: “Kulungile, mthatheni.” Wabatshela nokuthi mabaphathe izipho eziningi ezinhle bephathele loMgibhithe oyiNduna Enkulu. Futhi bambuyisele yonke imali abayithola emasakeni abo – wayengafune zinkinga! Wayesesho enye into ebalulekile kakhulu: Wathi kumele bakhumbule ukuthi uNkulunkulu uMninimandla wonke uzobonelela, futhi uyakwenza ukuba loMgibhithe abe nomusa, futhi uyokwenza ukuba uMgibhithe abuyise amadodana akhe amabili. Kodwa uma kungenzeki lokhu, kuyobe kusho ukuthi yiyona ndlela uNkulunkulu afuna kwenzeke ngayo, okungukuthi yiyo leyo indlela uNkulunkulu afuna ngayo, futhi ngeke ngimgxeke.

Ngakho-ke, zaphindake izelamani zabophela ezimbongolweni zazo. Benza lokho uJakobe ayebayale ukukwenza. Baphatha izipho eziningi zenani elikhulu, kanye nayo yonke imali eyayikade isezikhwameni zabo, baqala uhambo lwabo lwamasonto amabili olubheke eGibhithe. Kwakushisa futhi komile, futhi kulelihlane elibi kwakungekho lutho ngaphandle kwesihlabathi namdwala. Kwakungekho zihlahla; kungekho manzi - lutho. Izinsuku ngezinsuku bahamba. Base beqala babona umfula omuhle iNayile usebuqamama. Babejabule ukuba seGibhithe, ngoba kwakukhona amanzi futhi kwakukhona ukudla. Kodwa kwakuzokwenzakalani kubona? Wayezokwenzani loMgibhithe kubona?

Ekufikeni kwabo, baqonda ngqo keleyondawo ababethenge kuyo amabele ngesikhathi esedlule. Kodwa isiphathimandla sathi siyalelwe ukuba bayiswe endlini yeNduna Enkulu. Babesaba – kwakufanele ngani baye lapho? Wayezokubabulala bonke ngoba wayecabanga ukuthi bantshontshe imali yakhe? Yini ayebacabangela yona uJosefa?

Khumbula ukuthi uNkulunkulu wayenecebo elikhulu ngoJosefa. Eminyakeni eminingi ngaphambili, uNkulunkulu wathembisa umkhulu kaJosefa, uAbrahama ukuthi wayezonika abantwana bakhe izwe labo. Icebo likaNkulunkulu kwakuwukwakha isizwe esikhulu, ukuze uma isikhathi sakhe sase silungile, wayezokubathumela bonke ukuba bayothatha izwe labo. UJosefa wayedlala indima ebalulekile kukho konke lokhu, ngoba kwakufanele ababuyise bonke abalethe eGibhithe, lapho ababezokhula khona babe yisizwe esikhulu. Ngaphandle kukaJosefa, kwakungeke kwenzeke lokhu.

Ngendlela efanayo, uNkulunkulu usebenzisa mina nawe. Mhlawumbe umsebenzi akunikeze wona ubukeka ungemkhulu kakhulu, kodwa omunye nomunye wethu uyingxenye ebalulekile yecebo likaNkulunkulu elikhulu.

UJosefa Uyaziveza

Genesise 44:1-6

Ngesikhathi abafowabo bakaJosefa befika emzini wakhe, bathi kuso isiphathimandla: “Mnumzane ohloniphekileyo, thina sasingaqondile ukuntshontsha imali – asazi ukuthi yafika kanjani ezikhwameni zethu. Nokho sibuye nayo yonke!” Kodwa isiphathimandla sabatshela ukuba bangakhathazeki – nguNkulunkulu owafaka imali ezikhwameni zabo.

Balinda ekhaya likaJosefa isikhathi eside. Ekuhambeni kwesikhathi ngaleyo ntambama wafika uJosefa. Bakhothama bonke phambi kwakhe bamupha izipho. Ngiyacabanga ukuthi uJosefa wacabanga iphupho aliphupha eminyakeni eminingi eyadlula – lapho bonke abafowabo bakhothama phambi kwakhe, kwodwa wayelokhu esabuqinisile ubuso. Wababuza ngobaba wabo osemdala – ukuthi ngabe wayesaphila?

UJosefa wayesebamemela esidlweni sakusihlwa kanye naye. Abakholwanga ukuthi wabaphatha kamnandi kanje. Ngesikhathi sebeyohlala esidlweni wabatshela ukuthi othile umelwe ukuhlala kuphi etafuleni. Wabahlalisa ngendlela yokuthi bahlale kusukela komncane kuze kufike komdala ngokwelamana kwabo – bonke beyishumi nanye. Bavele babukana – waze kanjani? Ngesikhathi sekufika ukudla, omncane, uBenjamini wathola okuphindwe kahlanu ukwedlula banye. Wamangala kakhulu – kungani loMgibhithe obaluleke kangaka enza lokhu kuye?

Ngovivi ekuseni ngakusasa izelamani zabophela imithwalo ezimbongolweni ukuze zibuyele ekhaya. Ababengakwazi wukuthi, uJosefa utshele iziphathimandla ukuba zibuyisele imali emasakeni abo futhi. Kodwa waphinde wabatshela nokuthi bafake indebe yakhe enhle wesiliva esakeni likaBenjamini.

Base besuka bahamba bephikelele eKhenani. Babethokozile kakhulu, ngoba base bendawonye futhi, futhi babenokudla okwanele.

Kodwa base bebona into ephazamisa injabulo yabo. Endleleni ephuma edolobheni, babona ifu lothuli emuva kwabo. Uma beqaphelisisa, babona ukuthi kwakungamasosha aseGibhithe eza ngamahhashi eqonde nje ngqo kubona. “Sekwenzenjani!?” becabanga, “yinike eseyonakele manje?”

Ngesikhathi amasosha efika kubo, babona ukuthi yayiNKULU inkinga! Isiphathimandla esikhulu sikaJosefa sehla ehhashini laso, sahamba seza kulezi zelamani. Babebona ngokucacileyo ukuthi lendoda ayithokozile neze - yayithukuthele. “Kungani nenze ububi obungaka kumphathi wami?” yababuza.

“Kodwa.... asenzanga lutho olungalungile....” basho njalo. Isiphathimandla sabatshela ukuthi bantshontshe indebe yesiliva kaJosefa. “Singayenzelani into embi ngaleyo ndlela? Singabantu abethembekile! Uma uyithola leyo ndebe komunye wethu, lo etholakale kuye makabulawe!” Isiphathimandla sayalela amasosha: “Bakhuthuzeni! Lowo okuyotholakala kuye indebe uyakuba yisigqila sikaJosefa”

Ngakho izelamani zethula amasaka azo ezimbongolweni zawavula, amasosha aqala ukukhuthuza amasaka abo. Ucabanga ukuthi batholani? Impela, inkomishi kaJosefa esakeni likaBenjamini omncane.

Manje base besenkingeni enkulu kakhulu. Uma uJosefa ethatha uBenjamini eba yisigqila sakhe, babazi ukuthi bayakuba senkingeni enkulu kubaba wabo uJakobe. Uyobulawa wukwethuka. Ngakho bajika bonke bahamba baya kuJosefa. Khumbula, babengakazi ukuthi nguJosefa kwakungumfowabo lowo abamdayisa eminyakeni engamashumi amabili eyedlule.

Bamfica uJosefa emzini wakhe kanokusho, bawa phansi emhlabathini phambi kwakhe bancengela ukuphila kwabo. Bamtshela ukuthi babengazi lutho ngempela maqondana nendebe, kodwa babekulungele ukuba bonke babe yizigqila.

Ucabanga ukuthi uJosefa wathini? Wathi kubo: “Qha ngiyabonga, anginidingi emzini wami! Engimfunayo nje yiloBenjamini omncane – uzokuba yisigqila sami. Nina nonke abanye - hambani ekhaya!”

Khona omunye wezelamani, uJuda weza phambili, waqala wancenga uJosefa. Wamtshela ngobaba wabo obuthakathaka – ukuthi indodana yakhe ayithanda kakhulu yashona eminyakeni eminingi eyedlule. Ngesikhathi eseyixhegu vele, wathola enye indodana, uBenjamini, uyayithanda lendodana kakhulu. Wamtshela ukuthi ubaba wakhe ubengafuni nokuthi lendodana ize eGibhithe kanye nabo, kodwa yena, uJuda, wafunga kuyise ukuthi uBenjamini uzobuyela emuva nabo. Uma uBenjamini engabuyeli emuva, uyise wayezofa ngenxa yokukhathazeka. Ngakho uJuda wathi kuJosefa: “Ngizohlala ngibe yisgqila sakho esikhundleni sikaBenjamini.”

Uyazi, uJosefa wayekade ezenzisa sonke lesi sikhathi efuna ukubona ukuthi abafowabo sebashintsha yini ngempela. Kwathi uma ebona ukuthi sebehlukile kunakuqala, wahluleka ukukufihla. Wakhipha zonke iziphathimandla endlini, wayeseqala ekhala. Wayenesibibithwane, abafowabo bamangala ukuthi sekwenzakalani manje. Wayeseyabatshela: “NginguJosefa, umfowenu!”

Wayesebalandisa indaba ende yokuthi wamsebenzela kanjani uPotifaro njengesigqila emva kokuba bemdayisile, nokuthi wafika kanjani ejele nokuthi wafinyelela kanjani ekubeni nguNdunankulu wezwe laseGibhithe. Wayesebasingatha wabanga izinyembezi zehla ezihlathini zakhe ebusweni.

Esikhathini esingeside emva kwalokho, uJosefa walanda uyise, uJakobe wamletha eGibhithe ukuze yena nabafowabo bakaJosefa baphile njengezigwili impilo yabo yonke.

Abafowabo bakaJosefa benza izinto ezimbi kuye eminyakeni eyedlule. UJosefa wayengasebenzisa lelithuba ukuziphindiselela ukuze bajeziswe. Kodwa akenzanga njalo - wabathethelela, futhi wabanika okwekhethelo.

UNkulunkulu ufuna nathi sithethelele labo bantu abenze izinto ezimbi kithi. Esikhathini esiwunyaka esedlule, uLouis Brittz kanye nowakwakhe uHettie baphangwa. Enye indoda yadlwengula uHettie. Uyazi ukuthi wathini? Akayithukanga leyo ndoda, nokuthi ayitshele ukuthi izokusha esihogweni. Qha, wayitshela ukuthi uyayithethelela. Emkhulekweni weNkosi sikhuleka sithi: “usithethelele amacala ethu njengalokhu sibathethelela abasonayo.” Woza, masibathethelele ngeqiniso abanye abantu sikhohlwe yizinto ezimbi zesikhathi esedlule.

UJona Ubalekela UNkulunkulu

Jona 1:1-3

Wake wanikezwa umsebenzi owawubona ungaphezu kwamandla akho? Utshelwe ukwenza okuthile, wena ubone ukuthi ngeke ukwazi ukukwenza lokho okucelwe kuwe ukuba ukwenze. Wenza njani uma kwenzeka into enjalo kuwe? Kulula: uthi qha! Uma umphathi wakho ethi: “Kunenyoka ekamelweni lokulala. Hamba uyibambe uyoyibeka phandle engadini!” Ungenze njani? Ngicabanga ukuthi ungathi: “Ngingamane ngibaleke umphathi wami engaphinde angibone!”

Namuhla ngifuna ukukutshela ngendoda eyathola umsebenzi onjalo. Yayiphila eminyakeni eminingi eyedlule. Yayingumphrofethi – uMfundisi, u-Pastor. Ngobunye ubusuku lomphrofethi wayelele embhedeni wakhe, ngesikhathi ezwa iphimbo elimbizayo. Iphimbo lathi kuye: “Jona!” ngokushesha umphrofethi waqonda ukuthi yiphimbo likaNkulunkulu leli. UNkulunkulu wamtshela wathi: “Jona, Ngifuna uye edolobheni elikhulu lase Nineve. Abantu balelo dolobha bangabantu ababi kakhulu. Ngifuna uhambe uyoshumayela kulabo bantu.”

UMfundisi uJona washawa luvalo kakhulu. “ENineve! Eish! Indawo engalungile kakhulu leyo, Nkosi!” esho kuNkulunkulu. “Kufanele ngiyicabangisise kahle leyonto!”

Kulo lonke lolosuku uJona wayengakwazi ukwenza noma yini kahle – into nje ayecabanga ngayo kwakuyilento enzima uNkulunkulu afuna ukuba ayenze. “Kufanele ngenzenjani? Mina, Jona, ngingumJuda. Thina maJuda asihlangani nezinye izizwe. Abantu baseNineve abasiwo amaJuda - bangamaHeti! Abathandazi nakuthandaza kuNkulunkulu! Banonkulunkulu babo. Lutho, ngeke ngiye nje mina khona! Kufanele ngenzejani?”

Ngalobo busuku uJona wayehluleka nawukulala, waqwasha. Wayelokhu enyakaza ephenduka. Waze wangenwa nawumkhuhlane, ngenxa nje yokuthi wayebesaba abantu baseNineve. Ubusuku bonke wayecabanga ngezindlela zokuphuma kulolubishi. “Kunomsebenzi okufanele ngiwenze kwaIsrayeli!” eziphendula. Kodwa inkinga wukuthi, wayazi ukuthi uNkulunkulu uzobuya kuye. Ngakho uJona wacabanga ngesu elinobuhlakani.

Ucabanga ukuthi laba yini icebo likaJona? Wayezophuma kanjani kulenkiyankiya?

Ngovivi lwasekuseni ngakusasa, uMfundisi uJona wayeyindoda ematasatasa kakhulu. Wayematasa elayisha izikhwama zakhe. Ngakho wayeyindoda enhle? Wanquma ukwenza lokho uNkulunkulu amtshele ukuba akwenze, futhi wayesendleleni yakhe eya eNineve ukuyoshumayela kubantu bakhona, njengalokhu wonke uMfundisi kufanele enze?

Kodwa kukhona okwakungalungile, ngoba ngesikhathi uJona eqala ehamba, akaqondanga empumalanga, lapho iNineve ingakhona. Qha, wayehamba eqonde entshonalanga, ngasemtateni!

“Hhey weJona! Uyaduka bo! Awuhambi ngomkhumbi uma uya ogwadule!”

“Qha, uhambo lwami aludabuli ehlane. Ngiya entshonalanga! Nginqume ukuya eTharashishi.”

“Kodwa Jona, uyazi ukuthi ikuphi yona iTharashishi? Ayisondelene nhlobo neNineve. Ingamamayela ayi-5000 kude neNineve. Uyokwenzani lapho?”

“Akufuni wena lokho!”

Idolobha laseNineve lisenyakatho ye-Iraq, amamayela angaba ama-750 enyakatho-mpumalanga yakwaIsrayeli. UJona yena wayeya endaweni eyayimqhelelanisa nendawo lapho ayethunywe khona, eya ngasentshonalanga yase-Spain, okucishe kube amamayela ayizi- 4000 ukusuka kwa-Israyeli. Ucabanga ukuthi, kungani uJona wayefuna ukuhamba ibanga elingaka elimqhelelanisa nendawo athunywe kuyo? UJona wayecabanga ukuthi uma eya endaweni ekude kangaka nakwaIsrayeli, lapho uNkulunkulu ngeke akwazi ukumthola. UJona wayefuna ukuqhela kuNkulunkulu, futhi wayefuna ukuqhela emsebenzini ayemnikeze wona uNkulunkulu.

Namuhla ngifuna ukukubuza: Ukuphi uNkulunkulu? IBhayibheli lisifundisa ukuthi ukuphi uNkulunkulu?

Ake ucabange ngalokhu: UNkulunkulu unguMdali wezulu nomhlaba. Uma kuNguye owadala konke ekususela kokungekho, ngokuqinisekileyo Yena mkhulu kunakho konke akudalileyo! Mkhulu kangakanani umkhathi? Abahlakaniphileyo basitshela ukuthi uwukukhanya-minyaka okuyizigidi eziyi-15 ukusuka ekuqaleni uya ekugcineni. Lokho kukhulu kakhulu. Umhlaba uyichashazana nje elincane kulomkhathi. Ngakho-ke UNkulunkulu mkhulu, kangangokuba engabamba umhlaba uhlale entendeni yesandla sakhe.

Kusho ukuthini lokhu? Ngeke sikwazi ukucashela uNkulunkulu! Ukhona yonke indawo, ngasikhathi sinye. Uma uJona wayecabanga ukuthi ubalekela uNkulunkulu, wayenza iphutha elikhulu kakhulu. Kufana nokuphatha ibhola lethenisi ngesandla. Kuleli bhola, kukhona intuthwane. Ilokhu igijima izungeza ibhola. Ucabanga ukuthi ingakwazi ukukubalekela? Ngeke! Noma kuphi la eya ngakhona kulelo bhola, izokube ilokhu isesesandleni sakho. Ngendlela efanyo, uJona wayengabalekela kunoma yiyiphi indawo emhlabeni, kodwa nokho wayesesesandleni sikaNkulunkulu.

Isifundo sesibili esibalulekile okufanele sisifunde kuJona, esokuthi uNkulunkulu unikeza omunye nomunye wethu umsebenzi ukuba azowenza. Futhi uNkulunkulu akakuniki umsebenzi omkhulu kangangokuba ngeke ukwazi ukuwenza.

Cabanga ngoJona. Kwakuyini umsebenzi wakhe? Wayengumphrofethi, umfundisi. Wafunda iBhayibheli iminyaka eminingi, futhi wayeqeqeshelwe ukuba ngumfundisi. Uyini umsebenzi womphrofethi noma umfundisi? Impela, yikho ukushumayela kubantu. Kwakufanele aye kubantu ayobatshela ngazo zonke izinto azifunde kuNkulunkulu. Kulula lokho.

Nokho uNkulunkulu wamnikeza umsebenzi omusha manje. UNkulunkulu wamtshela ukuba aye ukushumayela kubantu baseNineve. Kwase kuwumsebenzi ongeke uze wenzeke manje lo! Ngabe kwakunjalo? Yini ayayikulokhu kuthunywa eyayingaphezulu komsebenzi ayewenza nsuku zaphuma? Akukho lutho! Okwakufanele akwenze nje yena, kwakuwukuhamba ayokwenza lokho vele ayekwenza kwaIsrayeli, ukushumayela kubantu.

Nokho uJona wayesaba, ngoba wayecabanga ukuthi uzakuba ngongcolileyo uma eyoshumayela kubantu abangaphandle kwakwa-Israyeli. Wayecabanga ukuthi kwakwehlukile le ngaphandle.

Yini le uNkulunkulu afuna ukuba mina nawe siyenze? Akafuni senze noma yini engaphezulu kwalokho esingakwenza.

Uyazi ukuthini: Eminyakeni eyingcosana nje eyedlule uNkulunkulu wangithuma ukuba ngiye ukushumayela kubantu abangamaZulu. Ngathi: “Qha, Nkulunkulu, angikwazi ukukhuluma ulimi lwesiZulu!” Wayesethi: “akufanele ulukhulume, uzokhuluma nabo ngesilungu.” Ngase ngithi: “Qha Nkulunkulu, angikwazi ukukhuluma nabantu abangamaZulu.” Wathi: “Batshele nje lokhu ongakutshela noma yibaphi abanye abantu.” Ngakho ngabe sengimlalela uNkulunkulu, ngakwenza ayengitshele ukuba ngikwenze. Futhi uyazi ukuthini? Ngiyathanda ukukhuluma nabantu abangamaZulu!

Into yokuqala uNkulunkulu ayicela kuwe namuhla, ukuthi ngalendlela okhuluma ngoJesu ngayo nabantu basesontweni lakho, hamba ukhulume ngendlela efanayo nabanye abantu ohlangana nabo. Khuluma nje ngothando lukaJesu. Ngaleyondlela usabalalisa iZwi likaNkulunkulu. Bameme ukuba beze enkonzweni ngamaSonto bezolalela iZwi likaNkulunkulu futhi nicule nikhuleke ndawonye.

UJona Nenhlanzi Enkulu

Jona 1:4-7

Endabeni eyedlule sezwa ukuthi uNkulunkulu wamcela kanjani loMphrofethi ukuba aye edolobheni elibizwa ngeNineve, kodwa uJona akafunanga ukuhamba, kodwa wanquma ukubalekela uNkulunkulu. Wahlela ukuya endaweni ekude, endaweni ebizwa ngokuthi yi-Tharashishi.

Ngaleli langa ekuseni sibona uJona ehamba eya emtateni waseJopha ukuyogibela umkhumbi. Wakhokha kumphathi womkhumbi imali yokugibela, wayeseyangena uJona emkhunjini. Kodwa uJona wayenovalo lokuthi kungenzeka uNkulunkulu ambone emkhunjini, wayesehlela esigabeni esingaphansi somkhumbi lapho angeke abonwe ngumuntu khona – ngisho noNkulunkulu. Noma wacabanga kanjalo.

Walala phansi ebhentshini, kwathi emva kwesikhashana wezwa umkhumbi usuqala ukunyakaza. uJona wavele wozela walala.

Ngemuva kwamahora ambalwa umoya waqala ukuvunguza ngamandla. Umphathi womkhumbi uxakekile manje, ngoba lokhu akubukeki kuyisimo esihle. Umoya waya ngokuya uvunguza ngamandla amakhulu kwaze kwafika la uba yisiphepho esinamandla. Amaza ashaya umkhumbi ngamandla nesivunguvungu siphonsa umkhumbi ngapha nangapha. Manje bonke abagibeli abaphakathi emkhunjini sebesovalweni olukhulu kakhulu. Baqala baphonsa imithwalo esemkhunjini olwandle ukuze umkhumbi ube lula, kodwa kwangasiza. Baphinda baphonsa eminye imithwalo eminingi olwandle, ingozi yaya ngokuya iba nkulu. Base beqala bekhuleka konkulunkulu babo. Kodwa nalokho akubasizanga nakho, ngoba onkulunkulu babo bangonkulunkulu abafile – izithixo nje.

Ngaleso sikhathi-ke uJona ulele emazansi omkhumbi, usebuthongweni obukhulu. Akazi nakwazi ngendaba yesiphepho. Umphathi womkhumbi watshela elinye lamatilosi ukuba lihambe liyolanda uJona. Bamnyakazisa ukuba bamvuse: “Jona! hhey, vuka ndoda kuyabheda. Siyaminza la! Umphathi womkhumbu ufuna ukukubona khona manje!” Ngesikhathi uJona efika phezulu, washaywa luvavo olukhulu. “Kwenzakalani?”UJona wabona ukuthi lesisiphepho sizodala ukuthi ucwile umkhumbi wabo. Kubi ndoda! Amagagasi ashaya umkhumbi. Umoya udabula useyili phakathi.

UJona watshela umphathi womkhumbi ukuthi lesi akusiso nje isiphepho esijwayelekile. UNkulunkulu owenze lesi siphepho ngoba yena, uJona wayezama ukubalekela uNkulunkulu. UJona wayesethi kumphathi womkhumbi: “Ngiphonseni olwandle, isivunguvungu sizovele sithule.”

Amatilosi aqala enqaba, bazama ukugwedla umkhumbi ukuze bawukhiphe enkingeni, kodwa kwayikhona bebona ukwanda kwengozi. Umkhumbi usungacwila noma nini ukusukela manje. Base benquma: “Makaphonswe uJona!” Bamdumela bambamba bamphonsa ngasohlangothini lomkhumbi, kuwona ngqo amagagasi amakhulu. UJona wazama ukugcina ikhanda lakhe lingaphezulu kwamagagasi athukuthele, kodwa wakhumbula ukuthi akakwazi ukuhlamba. UJona akaze akufunde ukubhukuda. Wacwila waya ngaphansi wena owabona isitini siphonswe emanzini.

Ngaleso sikhathi amatilosi amile ngasonqenqemeni lomkhumbi abuka uJona eshona phansi. Kodwa kwabe sekwenzeka okunye futhi: Masinyane umoya waphela nolwandle lwathula. Lawo magagasi abanzi, amakhulu avele anyamalala. Amatilosi ayeseyaqonda ukuthi uJona ubeqinisile: lesi kwakungesiso isiphepho esejwayelekile, kwakunguNkulunkulu owenza isiphepho. Kodwa futhi nguye uNkulunkulu owasithulisa isivunguvungu.

Kufanele sazi ukuthi uNkulunkulu unamandla! Akukho okungenzeke Kuye. Kwakunjalo ngesikhathi sikaJona, futhi kusenjalo nanamuhla. Abantu abahlakaniphile bathi uNkulunkulu ungu-Omniphothenti. Lelo yigama elikhulu elisho ukuthi akukho muntu futhi akukho lutho alunamandla njengoNkulunkulu. Esikhathini esedlule sibonile ukuthi uNkulunkulu mkhulu kangakanani. Uphakeme ukunomhlaba futhi mkhulu ukwedlula umkhathi wonke. Sifundile futhi ukuthi uNkulunkulu ukhona izindawo zonke ngasikhathi sinye. Manje sesiyazi futhi ukuthi uNkulunkulu unamandla ukwedlula izinto zonke.

Eminyakeni eminingi ngemuva kukaJona, UJesu wayesesikebheni esincane olwandle, ngesikhathi isivunguvungu esikhulu sishaya umkhumbi. Yini eyenzeka? Into ayenza uJesu wavele wetshela isiphepho ukuthi asithule sithi du. Kwaba njalo ngempela. Ngokushesha isiphepho saphela kwangaba bikho moya ovunguzayo.

Kodwa sithini ngoJona? Uyacwila? Ngemuva kokuba uJona eqala ukucwila, simbona ezama ukubamba umoya. Uya phansi, phansi, phansi, waze wayofika ekugcineni kolwandle phansi. UJona useqala nokuba luhlaza ebusweni. Akasakwazi nokubamba umoya manje. Waqala wathandaza: “Nkulunkulu, ngiyaxolisa ngokuzama ukukubalekela. Ngicela ungithethelele.” Wathandaza futhi: “Nkosi, angifuni ukufa manje, ngiyakuncenga Nkosi!” UJona wayesesibona isiphetho sempilo yakhe. Usezokufa, futhi ukukho into noma umuntu ongamsindisa.

Ngokushesha wezwa kukhona into embambayo. Wazungezwa ubumnyama. Lesi siyiphetho sikaJona!

Kodwa kwavele kwenzeka into engajwayelekile: wezwa sekukhona umoya wokuphefumula! UJona usekwazi ukuphefumula! Kodwa libi iphunga elilapha! Kuyanuka! Njengofishi! UJona wacabanga: “OK, manje sengifile, ngehlele endaweni engafanele - esihogweni!” Akakwazi ukubona lutho olumzungezileyo, ngoba kumnyama bhuqe. Wabe eseqala ukuzwa ukuthi ukuphi. Kuyashelela! sis! Kodwa lento ahleli kuyo engajwayelekile ithambile, icishe ifane nosofa! Noma mhlawumbe ...... ulimi, ulimi olukhulu! “Yini yona lento engihlezi kuyo? Ngabe kukhona into engigwinyile! Kungaba yini?”

UJona wabe esebona: “angifile! Kufanele ukuthi nguNkulunkulu othumele inhlanzi enkulu ukuba ingigwinye ukuze ngisinde ekugwilizeni!” uJona ngempela uhleli emlonyeni wenhlanzi enkulu. Ngakho uJona wayeseqala ekhuleka, ethi uyabonga kuNkulunkulu ngokuba wayemsindisile. Wathi: “Nkulunkulu, bengisenkingeni enkulu – cishe ngafa, ngase ngikhuleka kuwe, wena wawuzwa umkhuleko wami wangisindisa. Ngifuna ukulibonga iGama Lakho, Nkulunkulu!”

UJona wayeseyalindela okuthile ukuba kwenzeke. Walinda, walinda, kodwa kwangenzeka lutho. Ngemuva kosuku, uJona kwathi makaphelelwe yithemba. Usuku lwaba yizinsuku ezimbili, kodwa nokho kwangenzeka lutho.

Kwaba yizinsuku ezintathu ezinde uJona ehleli phakathi kulenhlanzi. Ngabe uzofela phakathi kulenhlanzi? Kodwa engazelele inhlanzi yavula umlomo yamhlanza uJona. Kodwa yangamkhiphela olwandle olujulileyo – yamkhiphela osebeni! UJona wasinda kanjalo!

Wayeseyaphinda uNkulunkulu wakhuluma noJona. Wathi: “Jona, ngifuna wena uye edolobheni elikhulu laseNineve. Kufanele uye uyoshumayela khona Jona, ngizakukutshela lokho ofanelwe ukukusho kubo.”

Ucabanga ukuthi uJona wathini kuNkulunkulu? Ngabe manje wayesefisa ukuhamba?

Ngokulandelayo sizobona ukuthi uJona waphendula wathini kuNkulunkulu.

Sifundani kulendaba? UJona wenza into embi kakhulu. Wenqaba ukwenza lokho uNkulunkulu ayemyala ukuba akwenze, futhi wazama ukubalekela uNkulunkulu. Ngesikhathi uJona esebona ukuthi usenkingeni, wathandaza wacela uNkulunkulu ukuba amthethelele. Wenzenjani uNkulunkulu? Wamthethelela uJona. Wamnikeza ithuba lesibili. UNkulunkulu uhlala njalo ekulangazelela ukusithethelela kanye nokusinika ithuba lesibili. Noma ngabe wenze izinto ezimbi kakhulu esikhathini esedlule, uNkulunkulu uyokuthethelela izono zakho.

UJona eNineve

Jona 3

UJona wayebalekela uNkulunkulu, ngoba uNkulunkulu wayala ukuba aye eNineve. Kepha uNkulunkulu wasindisa impilo kaJona ngesikhathi egwinywa yinhlanzi enkulu.

UNkulunkulu waphinda wakhuluma kuJona - wathi: “Jona, ngifuna ukuba uye edolobheni elikhulu iNineve. Kufanele uye uyoshumayela khona Jona, Ngizokutshela lokho ofanele ukukukhuluma kubona.”

Ucabanga ukuthi uJona wathini kuNkulunkulu? Wayethanda ukuhamba?

Kodwa ngaphambi kokuba siphendule lowo mbuzo, kufanele sazi ukuthi uJona wenza into embi kakhulu. Wanqaba ukwenza lokho uNkulunkulu ayemyalela ukuba akwenze, futhi wazama nokubalekela uNkulunkulu. Ngesikhathi esebona uJona ukuthi usenkingeni, wathandaza wacela intethelelo kuNkulunkulu. UNkulunkulu wenzenjani? Wamthethelela uJona. Wamnikeza nethuba lesibili.

UNkulunkulu ufuna ukusithethelela wena nami kuzo zonke izinto ezingalungile esizenzileyo. UNkulunkulu ufuna ukusinika ithuba lesibili. Noma ngabe wenze izinto ezingalungile phambilini, uNkulunkulu uzothethelela izono zakho. Into nje eyifunayo, ukuba sikholwe kuJesu.

Umbuzo uthi, Ngabe uJona uzokuya eNineve? Yebo impela! Waphindela emuva ekhaya wafika wathatha izingubo ezihlanzekile, wayeseqala ehamba eya edolobheni laseNineve. Njengalokho ngishilo ngokwedlule, eNineve kukude nakwaIsrayeli. Kukude njengokusuka lapha (Ballito) uya eGoli - 660 km. Kwakungekho mabhasi noma izitimela okanye amatekisi. uJona kwakufanele ahambe yonke leyo ndlela. Ngemuva kwesikhathi eside uJona walibona idolobha elinezindonga ezinde ezilizungezileyo. “Ngifanelwe ukuba ngifike ngithini kulaba bantu Nkosi?” UJona ebuza uNkulunkulu, ngoba wayengakakwazi lokho uNkulunkulu afuna ukuba akusho kulaba bantu.

UNkulunkulu wayesemphendula: “Tshela labo bantu, ukuthi esikhathini esiyizinsuku ezingamashumi amane ngizolibhubhisa leli dolobha.” UJona wamoyizela: Wayejabula ukuthi uNkulunkulu ufuna ukubulala bonke laba bantu abanobudlwangudlwangu, ngoba babengesibo nabesizwe sika-Israyeli, futhi babengabantu abangalungile.

Ngesikhathi efika edolobheni, waqala wahambahamba efuna ukubona ukuthi laba bantu bangobani. Ekuseni ngakusasa uJona waya ngasezitolo zakhona, wayesememeza ngendlela yokuthi wonke umuntu akwazi ukumuzwa: “UNkulunkulu uthi esikhathini esiyizinsuku ezingamashumi amane uzolibhubhisa lelidolobha!”

Kwavele kwathuleka kwathi cwaka: “Uthini?”kwaba khona obuzayo.

“UNkulunkulu uzoyibhubhisa iNineve!” kuphendula uJona, “Nisalelwe yizinsuku ezingamashumi amane kuphela!”

UJona wayecabanga ukuthi bonke abantu bazomhleka. Wayeqinisekile ukuthi bazombhuqa, noma bamxoshe edolobheni! Kodwa qha! uJona wezwa kukhona okhalayo. Kwakuthulekile. Akekho owasho okuthile. Akekho owasho okuthile. Abantu baqala ukunyamalala balibangisa emakhaya. Wonke umuntu edolobheni labo wayethukile. Ngakho-ke uJona wahamba waphumela ngaphandle kwedolobha ukuze achithe ubusuku ngaphandle phansi kwesihlahla.

Ekuseni ngakusasa uJona wavuka walibangisa khona edolobheni futhi. Wayengawakholwa amehlo akhe! Zonke izitaladi zaziyihlane - zingenamuntu. Kwakungekho muntu khona. UJona wayesebona indoda eyodwa ebukeka inesizungu kwayona, ihamba yehla ngesitaladi. Lendoda yayingagqokile izimpahla ezejwayelekile – yayigqoke isaka. “Baphi bonke abantu?” kubuza uJona.

“Awazi?” kubuza indoda kuJona, “Oh, okusho ukuthi uyisihambi kulendawo. Inkosi ikhiphe isiyalezo sokuthi sonke sizile. Kufanele siphenduke ezonweni zethu. Inkosi futhi isitshele ukuthi wonke umuntu makagqoke isaka ukukhombisa ukuthi siyazisola ngezono zethu. Ungayibona kwayona inkosi: nayo igumule izingubo zayo zobukhosi, yagqoka njengathi sonke.”

Indoda yayisiyamtshela uJona: “Uyazi ukuthini? Idolobha alikaze lithule kangaka. Bonke ubugebengu buphelile. Kusukela izolo akekho umuntu oke waphangwa impahla noma wabulawa. Akuntshontshwa, akukho dlame! Akukho okubi okwenzakalayo. Wonke umuntu uzilile uyakhuleka kuNkulunkulu.”

UJona waphenduka wafulathela waphumela ngaphandle kwedolobha. Wayengakukholwa lokhu! Ayekwenzile nje kwakuwukutshela abantu ukuthi uNkulunkulu wayezolibhubhisa idolobha, manje kwase kwenzeka lokhu! Waphindela emuva esihlahleni sakhe wayohlala phansi.

Wayeselizwa iphimbo likaNkulunkulu phakathi kwakhe ekujuleni: “Jona, ngibonile ukuthi abantu baseNineve bayazisola ngempela ngezinto ezimbi abazenzileyo. Senginqume ukuthi ngingasalibhubhisi idolobha manje.”

Manje ucabanga ukuthi wenze njani uJona uma ezwa leyonto? Ngabe wathi: “Yebo! Yebo! Ngiwenze kahle umsebenzi wami! Ngiyabonga Nkulunkulu ngokuthi manje usuzolisindisa idolobha.”

Qha, AKUSIKHO lokho okwashiwo nguJona. Wathi: “Nkulunkulu, angayenza kanjani into enjalo kimi! Ngeke usakwazi ukushintsha umqondo wakho manje! Ayinabo ubulungiswa lento Nkosi! Ngifuna ulibhubhise leli dolobha njengalokhu wethembise ukukwenza Nkosi!” UJona wathukuthelela uNkulunkulu.

Manje sengifuna ukukubuza umbuzo: Ucabanga ukuthi kwakufanelekile ukuthi uJona agcizelele ukuthi uNkulunkulu alibhubhise idolobha lase-Nineve? Phela lelidolobha lalingcolile kakhulu futhi ngubani ongathi babengeke besabuyela ezindleleni zabo ezonakeleyo?

Ake sibuyele emuva isikhathi esingangenyanga emlandweni: sezwa ukuthi uJona wanqaba ukwenza kokho ayetshelwa khona nguNkulunkulu ukuba akwenze. Uyakhumbula? Sabe sesibona uJona ebalekela uNkulunkulu. Wayecabanga ukuthi uNkulunkulu akamkhulu futhi akanawo amandla enele ukuba engamthola. Lokhu kuyinto embi ukuthi ungayenza kuNkulunkulu. Ngabe uNkulunkulu wamjezisa? Ngabe wambulala uJona wamthumela esihogweni?

Qha. Wenzejani uNkulunkulu? Wathi kuJona: “Ngiyakuthethelela.” Waphinda wathi kuJona: “Ngizokunikeza ithuba lesibili. Ngisafuna ungisebenzele. Awuxoshiwe Jona! Nginomsebenzi omkhulu oqondene nawe!”

Kodwa wenzani uJona? Wayengafuni ukuthethelela abantu baseNineve. Wafuna babulawe bonke baye esihogweni. Ngendlela efanayo, UNkulunkulu nanamuhla usafisa ukusithethelela mina nawe, futhi asinikeze ithuba lesibili.

Manje sifunda ukuthi ngisho nesigungu sabantu ababi kakhulu njengababaseNineve, uNkulunkulu uyakuthokozela ukubathethelela nakangakanani. INineve kwakufanele libhujiswe, nabo bonke abantu bakhona babulawe. Kodwa uNkulunkulu wayethanda ukuthi abathethelele futhi abanikeze impilo entsha.

Akukhathalekile ukuthi imuva lakho libi kangakanani. Uma uthanda ukukholwa kuJesu, uNkulunkulu uyokunika impilo entsha, nokuphila okuphakade.

Nokho, uNkulunkulu ufuna okuthile kimi nawe. Njengalokhu esithethelela, ufuna ukuthi nathi sibathethelela abanye abantu. Noma ngabe omunye wenza into embi kakhulu kuwe, uNkulunkulu usalokhu efuna umthethelele lowomunttu. Ungafani noJona! Thethelela ngokuphelele.

Kusho ukuthini ukuthethelela? Ake sithi ngizithengela incwadi enhle. Kube khona oyebolekayo. Ngemuva kwesikhathi ngimbuze: “ngabe usuqedile ngencwadi?” Athi kimina: “Phephisa, ilahlekile incwadi yakho. Ngeke ngisakwazi ukukubuyisela yona.”

Kuleso simo ngenzanjani? Ngabe kufanele ngithini kuye: “Ngifuna incwadi yami! Anginendaba ukuthi uzoyithola kuphi enye, kodwa ngifuna incwadi yami!”

Qha, lokho kuwukungathetheleli. Uma ngimthethelela lomuntu, ngiyahamba ngithathe eyami imali, ngizithengele enye incwadi, ngithi kuye: “Ungakhathazeki ngencwadi. Khohlwa nje ukulahleka kwencwadi, nginayo enye, angikuthukuthelele futhi ngokulahleka kwayo. Sisengabangani abahle.”

UNkulunkulu wazithethelela izono zakho. Usubathethelele abanye abantu?

Indaba Yabafana Ababili

1 Sam 3

1 Sam 16:11-13

Indaba yethu iqala eminyakeni eminingi kakhulu eyedlule. Kwakukhona owesifazane ogama lakhe linguHana. Wayengenabo abantwana, kodwa wayefuna kakhulu ukuba nomntwana wakhe. Ngelinye ilanga waya ethempelini wafike wakhuleka kakhulu kuNkulunkulu enxusa ukuba amnike indodana. Wayesenza isethembiso kuNkulunkulu: Uma emupha indodana, wayezomnikela lowo mfana kuNkulunkulu ukuba amsebenzele. Wayekhala kulesi sikhathi ethandaza.

UNkulunkulu wawuphendula umkhuleko wakhe, kwathi ngemuva konyaka wazibula ngendodana – wayiqamba ngokuthi nguSamuweli. UHana akasikhohlwanga isethembiso sakhe kuNkulunkulu, umfana esekhule ngokwanele, wamthatha wamphindisela ethempelini. Watshela umpristi omdala, uEli, ngesethembiso sakhe kuNkulunkulu, wayesemshiya umfana omncane, uSamuel, ukukhonza uNkulunkulu ethempelini.

Ngesikhathi uSamuweli omncane eseneminyaka eyishumi nambili, uNkulunkulu wakhuluma naye ngobunye ubusuku, wamtshela ukuthi akanike umphristi omdala uEli umyalezo. Kwakungokokuqala uNkulunkulu ekhuluma nomfana. Emva kwalokho uNkulunkulu wakhuluma naye izikhathi eziningi, kwathi kamuva uSamuweli omncane waba ngumholi omkhulu kwaIsrayeli, futhi waba ngumphrofethi. Wafundisa abantu bakwaIsrayeli ngoNkulunkulu, wabafundisa nokukhonza uNkulunkulu ngokweqiniso.

Umfana omncane uSamuweli wakhula waba yindoda, waba ngumphrofethi kaNkulunkulu. Kwadlula iminyaka eminingi. Ngolunye Usuku, emuva kweminyaka engama-50, uSamuweli esegugile, uNkulunkulu wakhuluma kuye futhi. Ngaleso sikhathi uSawule wayeyinkosi kwa-Israyeli. Kodwa inkosi uSawule wayengesiyo inkosi elungileyo, ngokuba wayengakwenzi lokho uNkulunkulu ayemdinga ukuthi akwenze.

UNkulunkulu wathi kuSamuweli ufuna iNkosi entsha kwaIsrayeli, ngoba uSawule wayengamlaleli uNkulunkulu. USamuweli wayengazi ukuthi lenkosi entsha kuzakuba ngubani. UNkulunkulu wamtshela ukuthi akahambe aye endodeni ebizwa ngokuthi nguJese – enye yamadodana aleyo ndoda iyakuba yinkosi.

Ngakho-ke uSamuweli wenza lokho ayekuyalelwe nguNkulunkulu. Waya ukubona uJese, wayesemtshela izindaba ezinkulu: “UNkulunkulu ufuna ukuba enye yamadodana akho ibe yinkosi kwaIsrayeli.”

Ngakho uJese wabiza indodana yakhe endala – wayethokoze kakhulu ukwazi ukuthi indodana yakhe yayizokuba yinkosi. Kodwa ngesikhathi uSamuweli ebona lensizwa, wezwa iphimbo likaNkulunkulu phakathi kwakhe lithi kuye: “Qha Samuweli, akusiye lo!”

Kwakungajwayelekile-ke lokhu, ngoba kufanele njalo kube yindodana eyizibulo ethola isikhundla sobukhosi. UJese akathokozanga ngalento, kodwa nokho wabiza indodana yesibili. Waphinda futhi uNkulunkulu wathi kuSamuweli nalensizwa ayisiye okhethelwe esobukhosi. Kwabizwa eyesithathu indodana kanye neyesine – kodwa ayikho phakathi kwawo eyayingokhethelwe isikhundla sobukhosi. UJese wayesekhathazeka – ubani owayefunwa nguNkulunkulu kanti? Kwaze kwama neyokugcina indodana yakhe kwayisikhombisa phambi kukaSamuweli, nakhona lapho uNkulunkulu watshela uSamuweli ukuthi akusiye lo engimkhethileyo ukuba abe yiNkosi.

Wayemangele kwayena uSamuweli. Wayeqondeni ngempela uNkulunkulu? Wayemtshele mathupha ukuthi enye yamadodana kaJese iyakuba yinkosi. Ngabe uNkulunkulu wenze iphutha?

USamuweli wayesethi kuJese: “Angiyiqondi kwamina lento – uNkulunkulu ungitshele ukuthi yindodana yakho eyakuba yinkosi. Kodwa akukho ndodana lapho ayifunayo uNkulunkulu ukuba ibe yinkosi. Konakelephi?”

UJese wayesemazisa ukuthi: “Oh, nginayo enye indodana – umfana omncane. Kodwa ungumalusi nje omncane, usaphumile usekweluseni, welusa izimvu. Ngokuqinisekileyo kungebe nguye! Uwumfana nje onganakekile ozeluselayo!

Kodwa uJese wala wathi akuthunyelwe ukuba alandwe lowo mfana. Ngesikhathi uSamuweli ebona lomfanyana, wazi ukuthi: “Le yinkosi entsha ka-Israyeli!”

“Ungubani igama lakho, mfana?” embuza.

“NginguDavide!” kuphendula umfana.

Indoda endala, uSamuweli, yasukuma. Wathatha uphondo eyikeni lakhe. Kwakukhona amafutha eOliva ophondweni. Wavele wathela amafutha ekhanda likaDavide wamgcoba njengenkosi yakusasa ka-Israyeli. Kodwa uDavide kwakufanele alinde iminyaka eminingi ngaphambi kokuba abe yinkosi. Kwodwa wayeyinkosi ewadlula wonke amakhosi kwa-Israyeli kwayeke aba khona phambilini.

Ake sikhulume kancane ngalaba bafana ababili.

USamuweli Omncane: Wayengumfana omncane ongalinganiselwa eminyakeni eyisihlanu ngesikhathi eqala ukusebenzela uNkulunkulu. Kodwa kwakukhona izinto ezimbili empilweni yakhe: okokuqala ngunina – wayemkhulekela zikhathi zonke. Into yesibili, ukuthi wayemlalela uNkulunkulu, futhi wayenza lokho uNkulunkulu ayemyala ngakho ukuba akwenze. Eminyakeni eminingi elandelayo, waba ngumphrofethi. Bonke abantu bakwa-Israyeli babemhlonipha kakhulu, ngokuba wayeyindoda kaNkulunkulu ngokweqiniso. Ngisho nangesikhathi esegugile kakhulu, abantu babesamhlonipha njengendoda kaNkulunkulu.

Uma abantu bengibuka, bacabangani ngami? Futhi abantu bacabangani ngawe? Bayakwazi ukubona ukuthi ongowesilisa noma owesifazane owesaba uNkulunkulu? Ngabe bayakubona lokhu empilweni yami? Kufanele ngiphile ngendlela ezokwenza abantu basheshe babone ukuthi nginguMkhristu. Kodwa okubaluleke kakhulu: Ngifanelwe ukuba nguMkhristu othokozileyo – ogcwele uthando, intokozo kanye nenjabulo, ukuze nabanye abantu balangazelele ukufana nami. Kufanele bamlambele uJesu empilweni yabo uma bengibona, ngoba kufanele babone ukuthi kuhle ukuba nguMkhristu.

UDavide Omncane: Kwakukhona umehluko omkhulu phakathi kwempilo kaSamuweli nempilo kaDavide. Usamuweli wakhulela esontweni phakathi. UDavide wakhulela ezikhotheni nasogwadule, elusa izimvu mihla yonke. Ungafunda kanjani ngoNkulunkulu uma unomsebenzi omubi kanje? Kwakuyimpilo enzima!

Ngolunye Usuku uDavide esekwaluseni, eyedwa emahlathini, wabuka izimvu ezazidla ngokuthula. Wayazi ukuthi nguyena umalusi wazo, futhi wayezinakekela kahle ngempela. Wayehlale njalo eziyisa la kunotshani obuhle, futhi azinike amanzi uma sezomile. Futhi uma kunengozi – mhawumbe kufike ingonyama noma inkentshane – wayebakhona ukuba azivikela.

Kodwa futhi uDavide wayekwazi ukuthi noNkulunkulu wayembheka naye ngendlela efanayo naleyo yena abheka ngayo izimvu. Wayeseqala ebhala iculo elihle: “The Lord God - He is my Shepherd ..... UJehova ungumalusi wami, angiyikuswela.”

UDavide wabhala amaculo amaningi amahle ngoNkulunkulu. Lowo mfana omncane uDavide wafunda ukuthanda uNkulunkulu. Kwathi eminyakeni eminingi eyalandela, ngesikhathi eba yinkosi, wafundisa abantu bakhe lawa macula athandekayo.

Ngesikhathi uNkulunkulu ekhuluma noSamuweli okokuqala, waba ngumphrofethi. Wayesengumfana obaluleke kakhulu. Uyazi ukuthi kuyini akwenza? Waqhubeka waba ngumfana oshanela phansi ethempelini. Kodwa wakhonza uNkulunkulu!

Ngesikhathi uDavide egcotshwelwa ukuba yinkosi, waba ngumuntu obaluleke kakhulu kwa-Israyeli. Kuyini akwanzayo? Waziqhubekela nokuba ngumalusi wezimvu. Kodwa wamkhonza uNkulunkulu.

NjengoDavide noSamuweli, nathi singabantu ababaluleke kakhulu, ngoba njengamaKhristu singabantwana bakaNkulunkulu. Kuyinto le esingaziqhayisa ngayo kakhulu kakhulu! Kodwa njengoDavide noSamuweli, kufanele sithobeke – akufanele sikhombise abanye abantu ukuthi singcono kunabo. Akusikho ukulunga kwethu okwasenza sibe ngabantwana bakaNkulunkulu, kodwa Kwaba ngenxa yomusa wakhe. Ngakho sifanelwe ukumkhonza uNkulunkulu, futhi senze lokho asitshela ukuba sikwenze.

UDavide Nesiqhwaga

1 Sam 16:14-23

Kwakukhona impi kwa-Israyeli. Esinye sezitha zabo ezinkulu, amaFilisti, aqamekela uIsrayeli, befuna ukuthatha izwe lawo. Izinkulungwane zamasosha abo zafika namahhashi, namakalishi kanye nezinkemba. Base benza ikamu egqumeni, elalingekude nomfudlana. Kolunye uhlangothi lomfudlana kungabakwa-Israyeli, abakwa-Israyeli bamisa elabo ikamu belungele ukuvikela izwe labo.

AmaFilisti ayeseqhamuka nesu elingcolileyo: Elinye lamasosha abo – indoda ebizwa ngokuthi uGoliyati – kwakuyindoda enkulu. Wayeyizingalo ezintathu ngokobude – okungaphindwa kabili ubude bami. Wayengemude nje kuphela, kodwa wayeyisidlakela kakhulu. Izingubo zakhe zasempini zazinesisindo esingama-57 ama-Kg. Wayenesigqoko esisindayo sethusi ekhanda lakhe futhi enenkemba enkulu eyakhiwe ngensimbi yethusi. Wayephatha umkhonto onesisindo esingama-68 ama-Kg. Uyacabanga ukuthi lendoda yayiyisikhondlakhondla esingakanani ukuba ikwazi ukuphatha zonke lezi zikhali zayo? Kufanele ukuthi wayebukeka njengesilwane esikhulu esibi kwabakwa-Israyeli.

AmaFilisti avele ahlala angenza lutho, ngoba babazi ukuthi ngeke baze balwe ngisho nokulwa. UGoliyati wayevele abalwele yonke impi. Lendoda embi yakhuphukela phezulu egqumeni, yayisiqala imemeza ikhuluma nabakwa-Israyeli ngaphesheya. Wabathuka, wayesemema ukuba bakhuphuke ukuzokulwa naye. Wathi uma kukhona indoda engalwa naye, engakwazi ukumbulala, wonke amaFilisti ayakuba yizigqila zika-Israyeli. Wayeseyabahleka, ngoba wayazi ukuthi kwa-Israyeli akukho noyedwa umuntu ongamqoba.

Ngakolunye uhlangothi lomfula abakwa-Israyeli ababengenakwenza lutho babeqhaqhazela, ngoba base bebona ukufika kwesiphetho sabo. Lenqwaba yamaqaba yayizobabulalisa okwezimpukane.

Ngaleso sikhathi kwakukhona umfana omncane onobuso obubomvana owayebheke izimvu zikayise, le kude ngasemasimisini aseBethlehema. UDavide wayehleli phansi kwesihlahla, ezidlalela ihabhu ezigadele izimvu. Kwafika enye yezinceku zikayise ilethe umyalezo wokuthi uyise ufuna ukumbona.

Ubaba kaDavide wamtshela ukuthi ufuna ahambisele abafowabo ukudla empini ababephakathi kwayo namaFilisti.

Ngakho uDavide omncane walayisha ukudla embongolweni wayesehamba waye la kunempi khona. Uma efika khona, wabona ukuthi kukhulu okwakungalungile khona. Kungani babengalwi? Kwathi ngawona lowo mzuzu wabona isiqhwaga esikhulu uGoliyati, egibela egqumeni ngale ngaphesheya komfula. UDavide wezwa lomlisa ememeza futhi ethuka inhlamba, esho nezinto eziningi zokuhlambalaza u-Israyeli. UDavide wavele wathukuthela kakhulu: “Anikwazi ukuvele niyeke lomlisa asho izinto ezinjena ngathi nangabantu bakaNkulunkulu. Animbulali ngani?”

Bathatha bathi kuDavide: “usangene yini wena? Akekho umuntu ongabulala lomlisa -uyisilwane!”

“Angimsabi kodwa mina!” kusho uDavide etshela amasosha.

“Ey hamb’ekhaya wena!” kusho abafowabo, “Wazini nje ngempi? Ungumfana omncane nje. Phindela emuva uyokwelusa izimvu zikayihlo!”

Ngaleso sikhathi Kwaba khona oya enkosini eyoyazisa ngalelo hlaya elikhulu: “Kukhona umfana omncane ofuna ukuhamba ayokulwa nalesiya siqhwaga samaFilisti, uGoliyati! Awucabangi ukuthi yindaba ehlekisa ukwedlula zonke owake wazizwa le?”

Kodwa inkosi uSawulu akacabanganga ukuthi yihlaya lelo: “akenihambe niyomlanda – ngifuna ukumbona!” etshela isosha.

Ngesikhathi uDavide efika enkosini, uSawule wathi kuye: “ngeke ukwazi ukulwa nalendoda. Izokubulala. Uke wayibona kodwa?”

Waphendula uDavide: “Angesabi. Ngake ngabulala ibhubesi mina ngezandla zami ngesikhathi lihlasela izimvu zami, futhi ngake ngabulala nebhele?” Wayesesho into ebaluleke kakhulu kakhulu: “UNkulunkulu wangisindisa ebhubesini nasebheleni. Lowo Nkulunkulu usazonginika amandla okubulala lomFilisti.” UDavide omncane wabeka lonke ithemba lakhe kuNkulunkulu.

Ngakho-ke uSawule wabona ukuthi uDavide akabambeki ufuna ukulwa noGoliyati. Kodwa wayengagqokile ezempi. Wonke amanye amasosha ayegqoke izingubo zempi ezisindayo ukuze zibavikele kuzo izikhali zezitha. Ngakho wanikeza uDavide ezakhe izingubo ukuze azifake, kanjalo nenkemba yakhe. Kodwa inkosi uSawulu kwakuyindoda enkulu, emude ukwedlula wonke amasosha akhe, futhi uDavide kwakunguyena kuphela umuntu omncane omfishane. Lezi zingubo zempi zazimsinda kakhulu uDavide. Ngakho watshela inkosi ukuthi: “Qha, ngiyabonga, ngeke kulunge ukuthi ngilwe ngigqoke kanje. Ngizohamba nje nginje.”

Ngakho uDavide wahamba-ke ukuyokulwa nomFilisti, waphatha induku yakhe kanye nendwayimane. Indwayimane imicwi emibili yentambo eboshelwa esiqeshaneni sesikhumba. Ubeka itshe elincane esikhumbeni bese ubamba lezi zintamba ezimbili ngasekugcineni kwazo esandleni sakho. Uyazungezisa lokhu ngaphezu kwekhanda lakho, emva kwalokho udedele umucu owodwa wentambo, lapho-ke itshe lizosuka lihambe liye lapho odedele ubhekise ngakhona. Kunzima kakhulu ukuphonsa itshe ngalendlela liqonde la ufuna liye khona. Ngayisebenzisa kakhulu ngisengumfana omncane. Kodwa angikhumbuli ngishaya ngayo into engangisuke ngihlose ukuyishaya!

Ngalesi sikhali esingeqinisekwe, uDavide wahamba waya ezansi emfuleni. Wathatha amatshe abushelelezi ayisihlanu, wayesewela umfula. Egqumeni ngale ngaphesheya, Leliqaba lalimile, limemeza futhi lithuka nenhlamba. Ngesikhathi uDavide efika kuye, lendoda enkulu yabuka phansi ibuka umzinjana omncane kaDavide. Yamhleka yabuza ukuthi iyinja yini yona, ukuthi kungaze kuze uDavide ukuzokulwa nayo ngenduku kanye nendwayimane? Yamhleka uDavide. Yayisimtshela uDavide ukuthi izomenza inyama egayiwe. “Ngizonikeza amanqe inyama yakho kanye nezimpisi.” Ngakwesinye isandla sakhe kwakukhona inkemba yethusi kuthi ngakwesinye isandla kube khona umkhonto omkhulu. Wayebukeka ehlome ephelele.

UDavide wambheka ngokungatatazeli, wayesethi kulendoda: “Wena uza kimi ngazo zonke izikhali zakho ezinamandla. Mina ngiza kuwe ngeGama likaNkulunkulu. Namuhla ngizokhombisa umhlaba wonke ukuthi uNkulunkulu ungumninimandla wonke.”

Kwathi nje, ngaphambi kokuba uGoliyati azinyakazise izikhali zakhe, UDavide wayishwiba indwayimane yakhe. Waqondanisa kahle, wayeselidedela itshe. Itshe elincane lasuka esikhunjeni lashaya isiqhwaga phakathi namehlo – okuyiyona ndawo kuphela emzimbeni wakhe eyayingemboziwe ngethusi. UGoliyati wawa njengomuthi omkhulu. UDavide wathatha yona inkemba yalendoda wanquma ikhanda layo.

Ngesikhathi amaFilisti ebona okwenzekile, esaba kakhulu, ayeseqala ukubaleka. Ama-Israyeli abaxosha ayeseyinqoba impi.

Kwesinye isikhathi singena ezimeni ezibukeka sengathi ngeke silunge nhlobo kuzo. Kodwa kukhona into okungafanele nhlobo siyikhohlwe: UNkulunkulu mkhulu ukwedlula zonke izimo. Akukho okumehlulayo uNkulunkulu. Kufanele sifunde ukwethemba uNkulunkulu kunoma YISIPHI isimo – sibeke ithemba lethu lonke Kuye kuphela. Eqinisweni, UNGUYE uSomandla uNkulunkulu!

UEliya Kanye Nomfelokazi

1 Amakhosi 17:1-16

Eminyakeni eyizinkulungwane ezintathu eyedlule kwakunenkosi eyayibusa kwa-Israyeli eyayinegama okuthiwa nguAhabi. Washada nowesifazane owayengumHeti owayesuka eSidoni. Igama lakhe kwakunguIzebeli. Wayengamkhonzi uNkulunkulu kodwa wayekhonza izithixo. Unkulunkulu ayemkhonza wayebizwa ngokuthi, unkulunkulu wemvelo, kwakufanele alethe imvula futhi aqikelele ukuthi isivuno siba sihle. Inkinga ukuthi lokho kwabangela ukuthi nenkosi uAhabi iqale ikhonze uBali kanye nomkakhe, ekugcineni cishe bonke abantu bakwaIsrayeli bakhonza lonkulunkulu, bakhohlwa ngokuphelele ngoNkulunkulu wangempela.

Kodwa akusibona bonke abantu abenze njalo. Kwakusekhona abantu abayingcosana ababekhonza uNkulunkulu uMninimandla wonke. Omunye wabo kwakungumphrofethi ogama lakhe ngu-Eliya. Wayeyindoda empofu futhi ehlala ngemuva kwegceke lomuntu othile. Kodwa wayethanda uNkulunkulu.

Kwathi ngolunye usuku uNkulunkulu wathi kuEliya usezamile kaningi ukuthola abantu bakwa-Israyeli ukuba babuyele Kuye, kodwa abalalelanga. Manje wayesezothatha izinyathelo ezinqala. Wayesezothumela isomiso esikhulu ezweni isikhathi eside, kuze kube yilapho abantu bezoqala khona ukumlalela Yena. Wayefuna ukuba uEliya aye eNkosini uAhabi amazise izindaba ezingezinhle zesomiso esizayo.

Ngakho umphrofethi waya enkosini enkulu wayoyazisa ukuthi: “Egameni leNKOSI, uNkulunkulu ophilayo kaIsrayeli, engimkhonzayo, ngikutshela ukuthi ngeke kube bikho mazolo noma imvula eminyakeni emibili noma emithathu ezayo kuze kusho mina.”

Inkosi yavele yamhleka nje, ngoba unkulunkulu ka-Ahabi, uBali kwakunguyena owayephethe imvula. Kwenziwa yini uEliya abe yisiwula ngangokuba acabange ukuthi yena engavimba imvula? UAhabi akamkholwanga uNkulunkulu. Yonke imvula yakhawuka. Kwakungekho ngisho iconsi lamazolo! UAhabi wathukuthela wafuna ukubulala uEliya.

Kodwa uNkulunkulu watshela uEliya ukuthi akabaleke eyocasha ezintabeni ngasemfudlaneni obizwa ngeKhelithe. Ngakho uEliya wabaleka ebusweni buka-Ahabi waya kulomfudlana. UEliya waqala ukumangala ukuthi wayezokutholaphi ukudla? Kodwa uNkulunkulu wamondla. Ngalobo bosuku kwafika amagwababa eza lapho wayecashe khona, emilonyeni yawo ayephethe ukudla. Ayemphathele isinkwa nenyama. Amshiyela khona edwaleni uEliya. Wamangala! Ekuseni ngakusasa izinyoni zabuya futhi nokunye ukudla. Izinyanga ezimbalwa ezalandela lezi zinyoni zafika njalo ekuseni nantamba ukulethela uEliya ukudla okwanele.

Kodwa isomiso saqinisa kakhulu, kwaze kwasha nomfudlana. UEliya kwakulokhu kukhula ukukhathazeka kwakhe, kodwa uNkulunkulu wayenelinye isu ngaye. Ngolunye usuku uNkulunkulu watshela uEliya ukuthi ufuna ahambe aye phansi edolobheni elibizwa ngeZarefathi. Watshela uEliya ukuthi uzothola umfelokazi khona, nokuthi uzomnakekela futhi amnikeze ukudla.

Ngakho uEliya wahamba walibangisa khona. Kwakuyibanga elide ukuya eZerefathi. Kodwa kwathi uma efika khona, into yokuqala ayibona kwakungumfelokazi owayemile ngasesangweni ledolobha, ecoshela izinkuni. Wayebona ukuthi wayempofu kakhulu, kodwa wayazi ukuthi nguye lomfelokazi angitshele ngaye uNkulunkulu. Ngakho-ke uEliya waya kuye wafike wacela: “Ngomile, ake ungiphe inkomishi yamanzi.”

Manje khumbula, uEliya babengazani nhlobo nalo wesifazane, futhi babe ngesibo nabesizwe esisodwa. Kodwa akangabazanga, wasuka waqonda emzini wakhe eyotholela lomuntu angamazi okokuphuza. Kodwa ngesikhathi ehamba, uEliya wamcela: “Ngicela ungiphathela nesinkwa futhi!”

Owesifazane waphenduka, uEliya wabona ukuthi ngathi usezifake enkingeni. Wamzekela indaba yakhe lo wesimame. Wayenengane encane, nokho kwakungasekho kudla okusele endlini. Base besebenzise ukudla kwabo kokugcina okuncane, okwasekusele nje kwase kuwufulawa namafutha kokuthi abhake isinkwa esincane esizokuba ngukudla kokugcina kwakhe kanye nendodana. Emuva kwalokho kwakungasekho okunye okuzosala, kwakuzolandela ukuthi babulawe yindlala.

Kodwa uNkulunkulu wayesekhulumile noEliya. Watshela uEliya lokho amelwe ukukusho kulona wesifazane. “Ungakhathazeki”, kusho uEliya kuye, “Hamba uyobhaka isinkwa sakho, kodwa ngifuna uqale ngokubhaka isinkwa sami esincane usilethe kimi. Ngemuva kwalokho usungazibhakela wena nendodana yakho.”

Lokho akubenzi ubuhlakani ezindlebeni zethu. Esemtshelile ukuthi kwakungekho okwanele ukuthi angabhakela yena naye nendodana yakhe. Ngabe uEliya akakulalelanga lokho akushilo?

Kodwa uEliya wayengakaqedi: “Uma wenza lokho”, esho kowesifazane, “uzobona ukuthi kuyakuba khona ufulawa oseleyo kuzosala amafutha futhi emfumeni wawo. Kuyohlala njalo kukhona amafutha, awasoze akuphelela kuze kubuye imvula. Yilokho angitshele khona uNkulunkulu.”

Ucabanga ukuthi lomfelokazi ompofu wamkholwa uEliya? Uma nganginguye, ngicabanga ukuthi ngangingathi kuye: “Qha, uzama ukwenza ubuqili! Phephisa, hamba uyozitholela esakho isinkwa!”

Kodwa lo wesimame waphenduka waya ekhaya lakhe wenza njengalokhu emyalile ukuba enze uEliya. Wasebenzisa ufulawa omncane namafutha amancane wenzela uEliya isinkwa esincane, wamnikeza umphrofethi ukuba adle. Wayesebuyela emuva endlini yakhe. Wabheka phakathi embizeni lapho ayegcine khona ufulawa, wamangala kakhulu ukubona ukuthi kwakukhona ufulawa pakathi. Kwenzeke kanjani? Usebenzise lengcosana ebisele ukwenzela umphrofethi!

Ngakho wabhaka isinkwa sakhe nesendodana yakhe, wasebenzisa wonke ufulawa owawukhona. Ngosuku olulandelayo, kwaphinda sona leso, kwakukhona ufulawa namafutha ezimbizeni. Kwakuyisimangaliso kuyena!

Lomfelokazi wangenisa umphrofethi uEliya emzini wakhe, kwathi iminyaka embalwa eyalandela wamnakekela wamnika ukudla. Akazange aphelelwe wuflawa namafutha kokuba enze ukudla kwabo bonke okwaneleyo.

Nanamuhla uNkulunkulu usakhuluma nawe nami njengalokhu wayekhuluma noEliya kanye nomfelokazi. uEliya wenza lokho uNkulunkulu ayemcele ukuba akwenze, ngesikhathi uEliya elalela uNkulunkulu, uNkulunkulu wamnakekela. Okokuqala wondliwa yizinyoni, okwesibili kwaba ngumfelokazi. UNkulunkulu wakhuluma futhi nomfelokazi ngoEliya, walalela uNkulunkulu owesifazane. UNkulunkulu wamondla lo wesifazane.

UNkulunkulu unezinto ezehlukeneyo afuna ukuba sizenze. Wangitshela ukuba ngifundise umphakathi wamaZulu ose-Ballito ngeBhayibheli. Ngangingazi ukuthi ngimelwe ukukwenza kanjani lokhu, kodwa ngathi kuNkulunkulu: “Yebo, ngiyavuma.” Yena wenza okunye. Wangifundisa ukuthi ngikhulume kanjani nokuthi ngithini kuwe. Yena wabonelela. Uma efuna ukuba umenzele okuthile, uzobonelela ngakho konke Yena lokho okudingayo ukuze ufeze umsebenzi owunikiwe. Into nje ayifunayo ukuba uvume wena ukumethemba ngenhliziyo yakho yonke. Uma ekutshela ukuba ukhulume komunye wabangani bakho ngoJesu, uvame ukuphendula uthini? “Qha, angazi nokuthi ngizothini kumngani wami!” Themba uNkulunkulu uqhubeke ukhulume nomngani wakho, uNkulunkulu uzokunikeza amazwi afanele.

UEliya Nabaphrofethi BakaBali

1 Amakhosi 18:16-24

Inkosi yakwa-Israyeli, uAhabi nomkakhe uIzebeli, babengabantu abangalungile impela. Babekhonza izithixo, bénze njalo nabantu bakwa-Israyeli.

Endabeni eyedlule sibonile ukuthi umphrofethi uEliya watshela inkosi ukuthi kwakuzokuba nesomiso esibi kakhulu ngenxa yendlela yona inkosi kanye nesizwe sonke abase bone ngayo kuNkulunkulu.

Eminyakeni emithathu ngemuva kwalokho uNkulunkulu watshela uEliya ukuthi laba bantu sebenele yisomiso manje, nokuthi wayesezothumela imvula futhi. Wayefuna ukuthi uEliya aye kuAhabi amhambisele izindaba ezinhle.

Ngaleso sikhathi inkosi yayicinga nxazonke ifuna uEliya, ngoba yayisafuna ukumbulala ngokuletha lesi somiso phezu kuka-Israyeli. Ngakho yamangala kakhulu uma ngelinye ilanga ibona kungena uEliya eza kuyo. Inkosi uAhabi yamemeza yathi kuEliya: “Wena – nguwena olethe ukufa phezu kwethu!”

“Akunjalo wena wangasenhla,” kusho uEliya, “akumina, nguwena odale ukufa kwabantu abaningi kangaka, ngenxa yokuthi wenqaba ukukhonza uNkulunkulu. Kungenxa yezithixo zakho ezimbi ukuba uNkulunkulu avale imvula.”

Waphinda wathi uEliya enkosini uAhabi: “Ngifuna ubize bonke abantu bakwa-Israyeli beze entabeni iKameli. Kufane futhi utshele abaphrofethi bakaBali wakho ukuthi babekhona nabo, lapho-ke siyakunquma ukuthi yimuphi uNkulunkulu weqiniso!”

UAhabi wajabula, ngoba wayeqinisekile ukuthi unkulunkulu wakhe, uBali wayengunkulunkulu onamandla. Ngakho-ke ngalolo suku olunqunyiweyo bonke abakwa-Israyeli babuthana ndawonye kuyo intaba. Kwakukhona izinkulungwane ngezinkulungwane zabantu. Kwakukhona nabaphrofethi abangama-850 bakaBali noAshera, ongomunye wezithixo, nomphrofethi oyedwa kaNkulunkulu, uEliya.

Ngakho uEliya wakhuluma kubo bonke abantu, wayesethi kubo: “Namuhla sizonquma ukuthi yimuphi onguNkulunkulu weqiniso. Uma nisacabanga ukuthi uBali unguNkulunkulu wenu emuva kwalolusuku, niyakumlandela. Kodwa uma nibona ukuthi uNkulunkulu uMninimandla wonke uyena onguNkulunkulu weqiniso, kuyofanele nibayeke abanye onkulunkulu nikhonze uNkulunkulu yedwa.”

Ngakho uEliya wabatshela ukuba balethe izinkunzi ezimbili. Umyalelo wakhe kwakungukuba izinkunzi zihlatshwe zihlinzwe. Abaphrofethi bakaBali kwakufanele babeke inkunzi yabo phezu kweAlthari njengomhlatshelo wabo kuNkulunkulu wabo. NoEliya wayezokwenza okufanayo enkunzini. Yafikake ingxenye enzima: Akekho owayevumeleke ukukhanda umlilo wokwenza umhlatshelo!

“Kodwa sizowenza kanjani umhlatshelo ngaphandle komlilo?” bem’buza, “akunakwenzeka lokho!”

“Lalelani kahle,” kusho uEliya, “unkulunkulu wenu unamandla, akanawo? Kufanele athumele umlilo womhlatshelo. Khulekani kuye nimcele ukuba akwenze lokhu, nami ngizokwenza okufanayo ngowami umnikelo kuNkulunkulu wami. UNkulunkulu ozokwehlisa umlilo uzobe enguNkulunkulu weqiniso. Niyavuma?”

“Yebo kunjalo!” bavumelana bonke, ngoba babesacabanga ukuthi unkulunkulu wabo, uBali engakwenza lokho. Base beqala bethandaza bencenga uBali ukuba abathumelele umlilo, nokho akwenzekanga lutho.

“Khulekani kakhudlwana!” ebatshela uEliya, “Mhlawumbe ulele, noma mhlawumbe usahambile!” Abakuthandanga ukubhuqwa nguuEliya, ngakho bakhuleka ngamandla nakakhulu, baqala badansa bezungeza iAlthari labo. Baze bazisika nokuzisika ngemimese ukuze benze ukuba uBali abanake. Kodwa nokho kwaqhubeka kwangenzeka lutho.

Kamuva ngeleyo ntambama uEliya wabatshela lokhu: “Ayisebenzi lento yenu. Ake nginikhombise ukuthi owami uNkulunkulu angenzani!” Wenza ialtari esebenzisa amatshe ayi-12 amakhulu. Wayesegubha umsele ozungeza iAlthari. UEliya wabeka izinkuni phezu kweAlthari nenyama yenkunzi ngaphezulu. Wayesetshela abantu: “Nginikeni amanzi amaningi.”

UEliya wathatha amanzi wawathela ngaphezu kwakho konke, inkunzi nealthari nezinkuni kwaze kwaba manzi te yonke into. Amanzi aze agcwalisa umsele owabuzungeze ialthari. Wayesethandaza uEliya ecela ukuba uNkulunkulu akhombise abantu ukuthi ngubani uNkulunkulu weqiniso. Wacela ukuba uNkulunkulu akhombise abantu ukuthi unguNkulunkulu, nokuthinta izinhliziyo zabo ukuze baphenduke ezonweni zabo baphinde babuyele ekumkholweni nasekumlandeleni nasekumkhonzeni njengoNkulunkulu.

Ngesikhathi eqala ethandaza uEliya, kwenzeka isimangaliso. Kwakungekho ngisho nefu elilodwa esibhakabhakeni, kodwa ngomzuzu olandelayo, ngaphandle kwesibhakabhaka esicwebileyo esiluhlaza kwehla umlilo. Ilangabi elimhlophe elihangukayo lehlela phansi emnikelweni kaEliya lokhela izinkuni. Umlilo wawunamandla ngangokuba washisa inyama yaba ngumlotha ngemizuzwana. Waze washisa namatshe amakhulu, kwangasala lutho oluyitshe, namanzi ayesemseleni ozungezile ashabalala ngenxa yamandla omlilo.

Kwakuwumbukiso omuhle! Abantu bavele bama ngokumangala okupheleleyo. Base bevumelana bonke: “INkosi inguNkulunkulu! Manje sesiyazi ukuthi nguye onguNkulunkulu weqiniso!” Base bebamba bonke abaphrofethi bakaBali bababulala, ngokuba babezamile ukwedukisa uIsrayeli babenza ukuba bakhonze izithixo.

Ngemuva kwakho konke lokhu, uEliya wagibela wema phezulu entabeni wakhuleka kuNkulunkulu. Watshela uNkulunkulu ukuthi abantu sebebuyile baphendukela Kuye futhi, wayesecela ukuba uNkulunkulu aphinde athumele imvula ukuze izwe libuyele esimeni esijwayelekile. UEliya wayesebona ifu elincane esibhakabhakeni. Wayeseshesha ehla entabeni watshela inkosi uAhabi ukuthi akangene enqoleni yakhe aphuthume ekhaya, ngoba kwakukhona imvula enkulu enomdumo ezayo.

Inkosi uAhabi yebheka esibhakabhakeni, kodwa eyakubonayo kwakuyifu nje elincanyana! “Shesha bo!” Kusho uEliya. Inkosi uAhabi yamlalela yengena enqoleni yabo. Ngemuva kwemizuzu embalwa isibhakabhaka sase sigcwele amafu amnyama, inkosi yashayela inkalishi layo ngesivinini esikhulu ngoba wayesaba lomdumo onamandla. Kodwa into elandelayo ayibonayo kwakuyindoda endala, uEliya eza emuva kwakhe. Intshebe yakhe empunga yayiphephezela emoyeni wagijima wadlula inkosi, waze wadlula namahhashi ayo.

Kubantu bakwaIsrayeli sase sivele sesibashayile isikhathi sokubaleka. Babona ngesikhathi esifanele ukuthi ngubani uNkulunkulu weqiniso. Kubantu abaningi nanamuhla isikhathi esibasalele sincane. KusenoNkulunkulu munye namanje! Wena nami siyazi ukuthi asisoze sakhonza omunye uNkulunkulu. Futhi ngeke sikhonze ngisho amadlozi ethu. Lokho kubi kakhulu emehlweni kaNkulunkulu.

Kodwa abangani bethu abaningi abahlala phakathi kwethu kanye nezihlobo zethu azikakamazi uNkulunkulu weqiniso. Basakhonza omoya bamadlozi abo, kanti lokho kubi njengalokho okwakwenziwa ngabantu bakwa-Israyeli. Kufanele siye siyobazisa ngoNkulunkulu weqiniso okunguye yedwa, ngoba asifisi ukubabona beya esihogweni. Sifuna babe sezulwini kanye nathi ngolunye usuku. Ake sibe nesibindi njengo Eliya sitshele abangani bethu ngoJesu!

UJohane Umbhaphathizi

NgokukaLuka 1:8-17

Ngesikhathi uHerodi omkhulu engumbusi phezu kukaIsrayeli, kwakukhona indoda endala eyiyibizo layo nguZakhariya umkayo kunguElizabethe edolobheni elincane ezintabeni kwaseJudiya. UZakhariya noElizabethe kwakungabantu abalungileyo futhi bemthanda uNkulunkulu kakhulu. UZakhariya wayengumphristi, futhi izikhathi ngezikhathi wayesebenza ethempelini eJerusalema. Laba bantu ababili babengakaze babathole abantwana.

Ngelinye ilanga ekuseni uZakhariya waya ethempelini njengokwemihla. Lolu kwakungolunye lwalezo zinsuku ezikhethekileyo, kwakukhona abantu abaningi ngaphandle kwethempeli bezokhuleka. UZakhariya wangena ngaphakathi waqala ukushisa impepho ukuze ithempeli ligcwaliswe yiphunga elihle.

Ngokuzuma, uma uZakhariya ephakamisa amehlo, wabona kukhona omi phambi kwakhe. Washaywa luvalo kakhulu, ngoba kwakufanele kube khona yena yedwa ethempelini ngaphakathi, futhi wayengabonanga muntu engena emnyango. Kodwa kwakungesikho lokho kuphela – lendoda yayingejwayelekile, yayithi mayifane ….... yayingaveli khona emhlabeni!

Indoda engaziwayo yabona ukuthi uZakhariya wethukile, yathatha yathi kuye: “Ungesabi, ngize ukukulethela izindaba ezinhle: Wena noElizabethe senikhuleke iminyaka eminingi nicela ukuthola umntwana. UNkulunkulu uwuzwile umkhuleko wenu – uzakuba nomntwana, futhi kufanele nimqambe nithi nguJohane.”

Indoda yaqhubeka yetshela uZakhariya ukuthi lomntwana uzogcwaliswa ngoMoya Ongcwele, nokuthi uyakuholela abaningi kuNkulunkulu. Wayesesho lokhu okungejwayelekile: Wathi uma uJohane esekhulile uyolungiselela abantu ukuba balungele uNkulunkulu. Kwakusho ukuthini ngempela lokho?

Impela uZakhariya akakuqondanga lokho. Wayengakholwa futhi ukuthi kungenzeka lokhu. Wake wezwephi kuthiwa kukhona ugogo oneminyaka engamashumi ayisikhombisa okhulelwe umntwana? Ngakho wayibuza indoda: “Kufanele ngani ngikukholwe? Sengiyixhegu nonkosikazi wami useyisalukazi naye.” Abantu uma sebenaleyo minyaka basuke bengasabatholi abantwana!

Indoda yathi kuZakhariya: “NginguGabhriyeli, ingelosi kaNkulunkulu. UNkulunkulu ungithumile ukuba ngikunikeze lomyalezo wezindaba ezinhle. Kodwa ngenxa yokuthi awungikholwanga, ngeke ukwazi ukukhuluma kuze kuzalwe umntwana.”

Ngaleso sikhathi abantu ngaphandle babemile belinde uZakhariya futhi base beqala nawukuphelelwa yisineke. Babemangala nje ukuthi ngabe usebanjezelwe yini kangaka? Kwathi ngesikade waphuma, nokho ngesikhathi ephuma wonke umuntu wabona ukuthi kukhona into engejwayelekile eyenzekile kuye. Wayefuna ukubatshela mayelana nengelosi, nokho engenakukhuluma kwakungaphumi nezwi elilodwa emlonyeni wakhe. Wayelokhu eqhweba ngezingalo wenza nezimpawu nje ezihlekisayo ukubakhombisa ukuthi akasakwazi ukukhuluma. Abantu base beqonda ukuthi ubone okuthile okungejwayelekile ethempelini.

Esikhathi esingeside emuva kwalokho, isimangaliso esikhulu senzeka: uElizabethe, ugogo omdala, wakhulelwa. Laba bantu ababili abadala babejabule kakhulu kakhulu.

Ezinyangeni eziyisishiyagalolunye, edolobhaneni elincane laseJudiya lapho kwakuhlala khona uZakhariya noElizabethe, kwaba khona intokozo enkulu. Bonke abesimame babehla benyuka bexoxa bethemeleza mayelana nesehlakalo sekhulunyaka: Ingane kaElizabethe kwase kuyinyanga yokuba itetwe. Akekho owayekholwa wukuthi lokhu kwakungenzeka ngempela kulogogo. WOW!

UZakhariya wayegxumagxuma ngenxa yokwenama, kodwa nokho wayengakwazi ukuphimisela msindo. Kwase kufika umzuzu omkhulu, phakathi kwekamelo lokulala likaElizabethe kwezwakala umsindo wokukhala kwengane. Idolobha lonke lahlokoma ngenjabulo futhi abantu babesina behlabelela. Kwathi omunye wabuza uZakhariya: “Nizombiza ngokuthi ngubani?” UZakhariya wathatha isileti wayeseloba kuso igama “JOHANE”. Ngalowo mzuzu iphimbo lakhe labuya. Kwathi ngokokuqala ezinyangeni eziyisishiyagalombili uZakhariya waphinda wakhuluma futhi. UNkulunkulu wagcina isethembiso sakhe.

Yadlula iminyaka engamashumi amathathu, umfana omncane uJohane waba yindoda. Wayethanda uNkulunkulu kakhulu futhi wayelifunda iBhayibheli futhi wafunda ngoNkulunkulu. Wayesenza into engajwayelekile: wahamba wayohlala ehlane isikhathi eside. Wakwenza lokhu ukuze athole isikhathi sakhe yedwa noNkulunkulu nokuthi futhi uMoya Ongcwele amuphe amandla nokuhlakanipha. Kwakungekho kudla, kwakufanele uJohane aphile ngokudla amaqhwagi kanye noju ayekuthola endle.

Ekugcineni lwafika usuku lapho uJohane wayesekulungele ukusebenza, wayeseqala washumayela kubantu. Wabatshela ukuthi babeyizoni, nokuthi abakwenzanga lokho uNkulunkulu ayethanda ukuba bakwenze. Kwakufanele baxolise kuNkulunkulu ngenxa yezimpilo zabo ezazinobubi. Ngamanye amazwi, kwakufanele baphenduke. Lokho kwakusho futhi ukuthi kwakufanele bashiye impilo yokona, baqale balandele uNkulunkulu. UJohane wayesebabhabhadisa emfuleni iJordani njengesiboniso sokuthi uNkulunkulu ugezile wasusa izono zabo.

UJohane wayengesabi ukutshela abantu iqiniso. Ngelinye ilanga wake watshela inkosi ukuthi yayiphila impilo yesono ngenxa yokuba yathatha inkosikazi yomnewabo wayo ukuba abe ngumkayo. Lokho kwadala ukuthi inkosi icasuke kangangokuba yambopha yamvalela etilongweni. Kamuva uJohane wabulawa, ikhanda lakhe lanqunywa ngenxa nje yokuthi wayekhuluma iqiniso.

Nokho uJohane wayebatshelile abantu nangoMesiya. Wabatshela ukuthi uMesiya ababemlinde isikhathi eside eminyakeni eminingi wayesekhona phakathi kwabo ngaleso sikhathi! UJohane wachaza ukuthi yena (uJohane) wayengumuntu nje ozohlelemba indlela ukwenza ukuba izinto zilungele ukufika kukaMesiya ukuze afike enze lokho okuhlelwe nguNkulunkulu. Izinkulungwane ngezinkulungwane zabantu zamlandela uJohane zamlalela lapho eshumayela.

Manje-ke inkundla yayisilungele ukuba kwenzeke into enkulu kunazo zonke ezake zenzeka emlandweni womhlana – Ukuza kukaMesiya!

Esikhathini esithile eminyakeni engamashumi amathathu ngaphambi kokuba uJohane aqale ukushumayela, edolobheni laseNazaretha kwakuhlala khona intombazane enhle esencane eyayinegama elithi Mariya. Wayemiselwe ukushada nombazi owayebizwa ngoJosefa, futhi babehlela umshado.

Ngolunye usuku okungakholakali kwenzeka kuye. Wavakashelwa yingelosi uGabhriyeli, leyongelosi eyayikade ifikile nakuZakhariya.

Kodwa ngokulandelayo ngizokutshela ngalokhu kuvakasha!

UMariya kanye Nengelosi

NgokukaLuka 2:1-7

Edolobheni elincane laseNazaretha, kwakuhlala khona intombazanyana encane egama layo nguMariya. Wayeneminyaka eyishumi nane kuphela, futhi wayethembisene umshado noJosefa, umbazi. Ngelinye ilanga uMariya omncane wafikelwa ngukuthuthumela okukhulu ngesikhathi indoda engaziwa isibonakala imile phambi kwakhe. Yambingelela yathi kuye: “Shalom! Ukuthula makube nawe! INkosi inawe futhi iNkosi ikubusisile kakhulu!” kwakungesiye umuntu owejwayelekile lo kodwa kwakuyingelosi, uGabhriyeli.

UMariya wesaba ngokuba wayengazi ukuthi lokhu kwakumayelana nani. UGabhriyeli wathi kuye: “Ungesabi, Mariya; ngokuba ufumene umusa kuNkulunkulu. Uzakukhulelwa uzale indodana, uyiqambe igama lokuthi nguJesu. Uyakuba mkhulu futhi abizwe ngokuthi yindodana yophezu konke. INkosi uNkulunkulu iyakumenza ukuba abe yinkosi, njengokhokho wakhe uDavide, uyakuba yinkosi yenzalo kaJakobe kuze kube phakade; umbuso wakhe awuyikuphela!”

UMariya wayemangele edidekile: “Akunakwenzeka lokhu! Angishadile, ngiyintombi nto. Kungenzeka kanjani?”

UGabriyeli wachaza ukuthi uMoya Ongcwele uzakumsibekela. UNkulunkulu Yena qobo wayezobeka lomntwana esibelethweni sakhe. Waqhubeka wachaza nokuthi lo mntwana wayengokhethekile kakhulu kakhulu, nokuthi wayengongcwele, ngoba eqinisweni wayeyiNdodana kaNkulunkulu.

UMariya akakuqondanga nhlobo lokhu, kodwa watshela ingelosi ukuthi uyavuma ukuba yincekukazi kaNkulunkulu.

Ngemuva kokuhlangana nalengelosi, uMariya waya kuJosefa ukuba ayomtshela konke. Wamtshela nokuthi wayekhulelwe ngalengane ekhethekile evela kuNkulunkulu.

Ucabanga ukuthi uJosefa wajabula? Qha, akayikholwanga indaba eyaxoxwa nguMariya, wanquma ukuwephula umethembiso. Kwathi ngelinye ilanga ebusuku uJosefa waba nephupho elingejwayelekile. Waphupha kukhona ingelosi eyayehla ivela ezulwini. Yatshela uJosefa ukuthi konke ayekushilo uMariya kwakuyiqiniso, nokuthi futhi angasephuli isethembiso sokumshada. Kwakufanele amthathe uMariya abe ngumkakhe.

Yaqala kanjaloke indaba enhle yokuzalwa kukaJesu. Siyazi sonke ukuthi uJesu wazalelwa eBethlehema, okuyidolobha elincane elingaseJerusalema. Leli yidolobha futhi lapho inkosi enkulu uDavide yazalelwa khona. Kepha uJosefa noMariya babengahlali eBethlehema. Babehlala eNazaretha, okuyindawo ekude neBethlehema. Kwenzeka kanjani pho ukuba uJesu azalelwe eBethlehema na?

Kwakuyingxenye yesu elikhulu likaNkulunkulu ukuthi uJesu azalelwe eBethlehema. Eminyakeni angama-500 ngaphambi kokuzalwa kukaJesu abaphrofethi bamemezela ukuthi uMesiya uzakuzalelwa eBethlehema.

Ngakho-ke, siyabona ukuthi uNkulunkulu washo ukuthi uJesu uyakuzalelwa eBethlehema. Umbuzo uthi: UNkulunkulu wayezomenza kanjani uMariya ukuba ahambe afinyelele kude eBethlehema ngesikhathi sokuzalwa komntwana wakhe?

Ingxenye yisibili yendaba yethu isithatha isiyise edolobheni elikhulu laseRoma, elikude ngezinkulungwane zamamayela. Kwakukhona indoda ebaluleke kakhulu, umbusi, uKhesari onguAgustu. Wayengumbusi owonakeleyo owayebusa lonke elaseRoma.

Ngolunye usuku uAgustu wayefuna ukwazi ukuthi bangaki abantu ababekhona embusweni wakhe omkhulukazi. Wayefuna ukuba kubalwe abantu bonke. Indlela okwakuzosebenza ngayo, kwakungukuthi ngosuku oluthile wonke umuntu okhona embusweni waseRoma aye edolobheni lapho okhokho bakhe bazalelwa khona. Kulaphoke babezobalwa khona.

UJosefa wayengowesizukulwane senkosi uDavide. UDavide wayezalelwe edolobheni laseBethlehema. Ngakho-ke uJosefa noMariya kwakufanele baye eBethlehema kulokhu kubalwa kanti kwakuqondene nezinsuku zokubeletha kwakhe umntwana.

UJosefa walayisha embongolweni yakhe, bathatha indlela yabo elibangise la kwazalelwa khona okhokho bakhe. UMariya wayehleli embongolweni kuthi uJosefa yena wayehamba phansi ngezinyawo. Kwakungamamayela alikhulu ukuya eBethlehema, okuyindlela ende ukuba ungayihamba, nakumuntu onezinyanga eziyisishiyagalolunye ekhulelwe ohlezi embongolweni, kwakungesilo ihlaya!

Bahamba izinsuku ezine ezigcwele bedabula emahlane ayingozi ezintabeni behamba nasemigwaqeni emibi. Ngemuva kwesikhathi behamba, balibona idolobha iBethlehema, uJosefa wacabanga: “Aah, kulobu busuku kufanele silale embhedeni ontofontofo endlini yezihambi yezinga eliphezulu!”

Kwodwa wayelindelwe okwakuzommangaza, ngoba ngesikhathi befika khona, bavele bafica kugcwele abantu yonke indawo. Izinkulungwane zabantu zafika kuleli dolobha ukuzobalwa. Wayecinga indawo yokuhlala, kodwa yonke indawo la ayebuza khona, abantu babemtshela ukuthi: “Phephisa, ayisekho indawo ongangena kuyo la!”

Kwavela omunye wathi kuJosefa: “Emzini wami kugcwele, kodwa uma ufuna ukulala esitebeleni sami, kulungile kimi lokho. Yiyona ndawo kuphela ekhona.”

Ngakho behlake baya esitebeleni. Wake wangena esitebeleni? Kunuka kanjani? Kubanani phansi, khona? Okhaphethi base-Persia? Qha! Akunuki kahle neze – kunephunga elibi! Kungcolile, futhi kukhona ubulongwe yonke indawo. Isitebele abangena kuso oJosefa noMariya sasifana nazo zonke ezinye izitebebele. Kwodwa yayingekho enye into ababengayenza.

Ngalowo mzuzu waqala uMariya wezwa esesikwa, wazi ukuthi umntwana usesendleleni. Emkhombeni lapho kudla khona imfuyo ukudla kwayo, walungisa indawana encane la kwakuzolala khona umntwana.

Khona-ke iNkosi yamakhosi yazalwa, esitebeleni esingcolileyo, kungekho dokotela nambelethisi ukuba abasize ekufikiseni umntwana wabo oyigugu.

Namuhla singabantu baseBethlehema. Kwesinye isikhathi uJesu uyafika kithi, asho kithi ukuthi, ufuna ukuhlala nathi. Thina siphendule ngokuthi Kuye “Qha nxese Nkosi, angikakabi nayo indawo yakho okwamanje.”

Ziningi izindlela zokwala uJesu empilweni yakho. Indlela yokuqala yile yokuba uthi awumdingi uJesu empilweni yakho.

Kwesinye isikhathi ufuna ukuya endaweni la eJesu angeke emukelwe khona, noma lapho ongafuni ukuba uJesu ahambe nawe khona. Kungaba yindawo enjengeshibhi lapho abantu bedakwa khona bedle nezidakamizwa noma lapho kugenjulwa khona. Laphoke usuke uthi kuJesu: “Nkosi, hlala esitebeleni ngoba nginamahloni okuba nawe kulendawo.”

Noma kwesinye isikhathi wenze izinto ongafuni ukuba uJesu azibone. Uma uthatha into okungesiyo eyakho, lapho uyona, futhi ungamcela kanjani uJesu ukuba abe yingxenye yobugebengu bakho? Lapho ngempela usuke umtshela ukuthi alikho ikamelo Lakhe.

Kwesinye isikhathi sisho izinto esingafuni ukuthi uJesu azizwe. Uma usebenzisa ulimi oluhlambalazayo noma amazwi enhlamba, ungakwenza kanjani lokho ebukhoneni bukaJesu? Uma uxoxa amahlaya anokungcola, ungakwenza kanjani lokho uma wazi ukuthi uJesu umi eceleni kwakho? Uma usho izinto ezimbi ngabanye abantu, noma uhleba ngabo, ngeke kube ngukuthi usebukhoneni bukaJesu. Kahle kahle umtshela ukuthi awunayo indawo yakhe empilweni yakho ngalowo mzuzu.

Uma ungazenzi izinto uNkulunkulu afuna ukuba uzenze, kusho ukuthi awunalo ikamelo likaJesu empilweni yakho. Uma ungamthandi UNkulunkulu ngenhliziyo yakho yonke, futhi ungakhombisi uthando kwabanye abantu, kusho ukuthi alikho ikamelo likaJesu kuwe.

Namuhla ngisifa ukukubuza lombuzo: Ngabe unalo okwangempela ikamelo likaJesu empilweni yakho zikhathi zonke?

Noma unjengabantu baseBethlehema, abathi “Deda lapha! Alikho ikamelo lakho lapha!” Noma mhlawumbe uthi: “Nginalo ikamelo likaJesu, kuphela uma ezohlala phansi esitebeleni!”

Uma simkhathalela ngempela uJesu, kufanele sibe naye ezinhlizweni zethu lapho wonke umuntu ezombona khona. Futhi simbonakalise kuwo wonke umuntu ngokuziqhayisa okukhulu!

Ayikho Indawo KaJesu?

NgokukaMathewu 1:18-25

Sizwile izindaba ezintathu ezimangalisayo mayelana nentombazane encane uMariya owavakashelwa yingelosi uGabhriyeli. Wamtshela ukuthi wayezothola umntwana ongokhethekileyo kakhulu. Indaba yesibili yayimayelana nommbusi umubi wombuso waseRoma, uKhesari onguAgustu kanye nokubala kwakhe abantu. Eyesithathu indaba yayimayelana nephupho elihle likaJosefa. Waphupha evakashelwe yingelosi, futhi ingelosi yamtshela ukuthi akathathe uMariya abe ngumkakhe.

Lezi zindaba ezintathu zihlangana ndawonye ngesikhathi kanye noMariya onezinyanga eziyisishiyagalolunye ekhulelwe belayisha embongolweni yabo ukuze baye eBethlehema ukuyobalwa.

Uyathanda ukulalela izindaba? Abantu abangamaZulu bangabaxoxi abakhulu bezindaba. Ngiyathanda ukulalela izindaba zabo, ikakhulukazi uma ixoxwa ngugogo noma umkhulu. Kodwa manje sesiyaqhubeka nendaba yethu emangalisayo.

Eminyakeni engama-750 ngaphambi kokuba kwenzeke konke lokhu, uNkulunkulu watshela umphrofethi obizwa ngoMika ukuba atshele abantu bakwa-Israyeli ukuthi uMesiya wayezozalelwa eBethlehema. Kodwa akusiye yedwa umphrofethi owakhuluma ngoJesu. Ngesikhathi esithi asifane naleso, omunye umphrofethi obizwa ngo-Isaya wabhala lawa mazwi kuIsaya 7:14: “Intombi izakukhulelwa izale indodana, ibize igama layo ngokuthi u-Imanuweli” Waphinde wabhala kuIsaya 9: 6 : “Ngokuba Sizalelwa umntwana! Siphiwa indodana! Umbuso uyakuba semahlombe akhe. Negama lakhe uyakuthiwa: ‘nguMluleki omangalisayo, uNkulunkulu onamandla, uYise ongunaphakade, iNkosi yokuthula.”

Wayekhuluma ngobani? UJesu! Manje kwase kufike isikhathi sokuba ingane kaJosefa noMariya izalwe. Kodwa babephila eNazaretha – kude naseBethlehema. Kodwa, njengalokhu wazi, kwakufanele baye eBethlehema ukuyobalwa. Futhi yebo uJosefa akabanga yindoda ethokozileyo, ngenxa yokuthi ukuzalwa komntwana wabo kwafika kwaqondana nesikhathi ababezakuba seBethlehema ngaso. Kodwa kubalulekile ukuba sazi ukuthi kwenzeka njengalokhu uNkulunkulu wayehlosile ukuba kwenzeke.

UJosefa walayisha imbongolo yakhe, bangena indlela. UMariya wayehlezi embongolweni kuthi uJosefa yena wayehamba ngezinyawo. Kwakuyikhulu lamamayela ukuya eBethlehema – indlela ende ukuba ingahanjwa. Kwakunjengokusuka eBallito uya Empangeni. Futhi kumuntu wesifazane onezinyanga eziyisishiyagalolunye ekhulelwe ehlezi embongolweni, kwakungesilo ihlaya!

Mhlawumbe babona lo wesimame uwayekhulelwe ngendlela yokuthi engabeletha noma nini uMariya, bacabanga ukuthi: “Eisch! Yinkinga enkulu-ke le! Asifuni bantu esingabazi thina la emzini wethu – ikakhulukazi hhayi owesimame ongabeletha noma nini kusuka manje!”

Kwakungekho ndawo edolobheni ababengalala kuyo, futhi uJosefa wayeseqala nokukhathazeka, ngoba loluhambo lwalungeluhle kuMariya, futhi kwakubonakala ukuthi umntwana wabo engafika noma kunini ukusukela manje.

Kwavela omunye wathi kuJosefa: “Emzini wami kugcwele, kodwa uma ufuna ukulala esitebeleni sami, kulungile kimi lokho. Yiyona ndawo kuphela ekhona.”

Ngalowo mzuzu waqala uMariya wezwa esesikwa, wazi ukuthi umntwana usesendleleni. Emkhombeni lapho kudla khona imfuyo ukudla kwayo, walungisa indawana encane la kwakuzolala khona umntwana.

Khona-ke iNkosi yamakhosi yazalwa, esitebeleni esingcolileyo, kungekho dokotela nambelethisi ukuba abasize ekufikiseni umntwana wabo oyigugu.

Wena nami singabantu baseBethlehema namuhla. Kwesinye isikhathi uJesu uyafika kithi, asho kithu ukuthi, ufuna ukuhlala nathi. Thina siphendule ngokuthi Kuye “Qha nxese Nkosi, angikakabi nayo indawo yakho okwamanje.”

Mhlawumba uzakuthi kimi ngikhuluma into engaphusile, ngoba awukaze umenqabe uJesu!

Ziningi izindlela zokwala uJesu empilweni yakho. Indlela yokuqala yile yokuba uthi awumdingi uJesu empilweni yakho. Nginesiqiniseko sokuthi namuhla akekho umuntu ongakusho lokho. Kodwa ziningi ezinye izindlela esizisebenzisayo ukumalela Yena.

Ziningi izindlela zokwala uJesu empilweni yakho. Indlela yokuqala yile yokuba uthi awumdingi uJesu empilweni yakho.

Kwesinye isikhathi sisho izinto esingafuni ukuthi uJesu azizwe. Uma usebenzisa ulimi oluhlambalazayo noma amazwi enhlamba, ungakwenza kanjani lokho ebukhoneni bukaJesu? Uma uxoxa amahlaya anokungcola, ungakwenza kanjani lokho uma wazi ukuthi uJesu umi eceleni kwakho? Uma uzwa izinto ezimbi ngabanye abantu, noma uhleba ngabo, ngeke kube ngukuthi usebukhoneni bukaJesu. Kahle kahle umtshela ukuthi awunayo indawo yakhe empilweni yakho ngalowo mzuzu.

Namuhla ngisifa ukukubuza lombuzo: Ngabe unayo okwangempela indawo kaJesu empilweni yakho zikhathi zonke?

Noma unjengabantu baseBethlehema, abathi “Deda lapha! Ayikho indawo yakho lapha!” Noma mhlawumbe uthi: “Nginayo indawo kaJesu, kuphela uma ezohlala phansi esitebeleni!”

Uma simkhathalela ngempela uJesu, kufanele sibe naye ezinhlizweni zethu lapho wonke umuntu ezombona khona. Futhi simbonakalise kuwo wonke umuntu ngokuziqhayisa okukhulu!

Ukuzalwa KukaJesu

NgokukaLuka 2:8-15

Sisaqhubeka nayo indaba enhle yokuzalwa kukaJesu. Yaqala ngoZakhariya noElizabethe, abantu ababili abadala. UNkulunkulu wabapha umntwana sebesesigabeni sabo sobudala, lengane yaba ngumphrofethi onamandla owayetshela abantu ukuthi uMesiya usefikile. Walungiselela uJesu indlela.

Siyizwile futhi indaba kaJosefa noMariya. Ingelosi yatshela uMariya ukuthi uzakukhulelwa, nakuba wayeyintombi engayazi indoda. UNkulunkulu wayezobeka lomntwana phakathi kuMariya Yena Siqu Sakhe, nokuthi lengane yayiyiNdodana kaNkulunkulu.

Siyizwile indaba kaKhesari onguAgustu owayehlele ukuthi kube khona ukubalwa kwabantu, futhi uJosefa noMariya kwakufanele bahambe baye eBethlehema benzela lokhu kubalwa, ngesikhathi lapho umntwana wayesezotetwa khona.

Zonke lezi zindaba zihlangana ndawonye ngobusuku obuthile, ngesikhathi uMariya ezala umntwana. Lokhu kwakuyisehlakalo esikhulu kwezake zaba khona! Khumbula, abayitholanga indawo ababengahlala kuyo eBethlehema. Indawo yokulala ababengayithola kuphela kwakusesitebeleni. Kulapho-ke okwenzeka khona zonke izinto, kuleso sitebele esingcolile.

Ngalobo busuku isimangaliso esimnandi senzeka: INkosi yawo wonke amakhosi yazalwa – hhayi esigodlweni esihlobe ngegolide, kwesingcolile, esinukayo isitebele. Kwakukhona ubulongwe bezinkomo kanye nemisimbane yezimbuzi. Kodwa uJosefa noMariya abakhathazekanga, ngoba babenendawo yokuhlala, kanye nompheme phezu kwamakhanda abo ngesikhathi umntwana ezalwa. UMariya wamsonga umntwana wakhe oyigugu ngezindwangu, wayesemlalisa emkhombeni – esitsheni la izilwane zidlela khona ukudla kwazo.

Ngaleso sikhathi, ngaphandle emahlathini ngaseBethlehema, kwakukhona amadoda ehlezi ezungeze umlilo omncane. Babexoxa ngezinto ezazibehlele ngalolosuku. Babengabelusi, ukuze kungabi bikho nkentshane noma esinye nje isilo esasingabamba izimvu.

Ngokungazelele kwenzeka into engajwayelekile kubo. Kwakukhona indoda engaziwa eyathushuka bengayibonanga nokuthi iqhamuke ngaphi. Babebona ukuthi le akusiyo nje indoda eyejwayelekile – yayehlukile kakhulu, inezingubo nobuso okukhazimulayo. Abazanga ukuthi kwakwenzakalani, futhi besaba kakhulu. Kwabonakala sengathi yonke into ebazungezile iyakhazimula – kwakukhona ukukhanya okungajwayelekile – kunjengenkazimulo kaNkulunkulu ebakhanyisayo. Indoda yayisithi kubo: “Ningesabi! Nginilethele izindaba ezinhle, zokuthokoza okuzakuba kubantu bonke. Nizalelwe namuhla emzini kaDavide uMsindisi wenu, uKhristu iNkosi! Nakhu enizakumbona ngakho: niyakufumana umntwana esongiwe ngendwangu elaliswe emkhombeni.”

Base beqonda ukuthi: Yingelosi le! Babesamangele ngomyalezo ebanikeze wona, ngesikhathi into enhle yenzeka: Ngokushesha, kwakusengathi izulu livulekile, kwakukhona ikwaya enkulu yezingelosi ezulwini – Kwakuyizinkulungwane zezinkulungwane zezingelosi. Futhi zahlabelela iculo elimnandi kakhulu elingakaze lizwiwe muntu: “Udumo kuNkulunkulu, Udumo kuNkulunkulu kweliphezulu. Nokuthula emhlabeni phansi!”

Laba belusi bavele bama khona lapho bemangele ngokumangala okukhulu. Umculo wasezulwini wagcwalisa umoya owawubazungezile, bama belalele umbukiso womculo omkhulukazi ongakaze uzwiwe. Kwathike bona – laba belusi – kwakuyibona kuphela abantu ababebukela – yibona kuphela abantu abalizwayo leliculo elimnandi. Ngemuva kwesikhashana, izingelosi zanyamalala zaphindela ezulwini, abelusi balokhu bemile khona lapho, bebambe ongezansi bengenazwi abangalisho. Babengakukholwa lokho okwakwenzekile ngaleso sikhashana kubo.

Base bethi omunye komunye: “Masihambe! Masihambe sifune umntwana esitshele ngaye ingelosi!” Base beqala bonke begijimela edolobheni laseBethlehema ukuba bayofuna uMsindisi, uKhristu iNkosi – owayezelwe ngalobo busuku. Bagijima baya edolobheni, babuza kubantu: “Ikuphi ingane ezalwe namuhla?” Othile wabatshela ukuthi “ngizwile kuthiwa kukhona ingane ezelwe esitebeleni. Bakithi.....” Abelusi base betshela bonke abantu: “Sibone izingelosi! Futhi izingelosi zithe lomntwana unguMesiya, iNdodana kaNkulunkulu! Zase ziyacula izingelosi! Bekunezigidi zezingelosi. Kufanele sihambe siyobona umntwana!” Bamfumana umntwana esitebeleni, njengalokhu ingelosi ibatshelile base beguqa phambi Kwake. Bonke abantu eBethlehema bayizwa indaba eyayixoxwa ngabelusi.

Ngaleso sikhathi, ezweni elikude, emajukujukwini aseMpumalanga, amadoda athile ahlakaniphileyo ayesamangele ngenxa yezinto ezingajwayelekile azibonile ezinkanyezini, nomyalezo abawunikezwe yinkanyezi omayelana nokuzalwa kweNkosi.

Ngobunye ubusuku babona inkanyezi engaziwayo iphuma ngasempumalanga – inkanyezi engakaze yabonwa muntu phambilini. Lenkanyezi yayikhazimula kakhulu, ngokushesha base beqonda: “uma siyilandela inkanyezi, izakusikhombisa la kukhona leNkosi khona.” Balungiselela amakamela abo base belandela inkanyezi indlela yonke yaze yayofika edolobheni laseJerusalema. Bacabanga ukuthi: “Yiyo le indawo!” bangena esigodlweni esihle senkosi uHerodi Omkhulu. Kodwa kwakungekho mntwana kuleso sigodlo. Abakuqondangake lokhu: “Ngaba ikuphike kanti le ngane? Ngabe kukhona la senze khona iphutha?”

Inkosi uHerodi yathi kubo: “Uma niyithola leyo nkosi entsha, ngicela nibuye kimi – nami ngifuna ukuya ngiyombona!” Kodwa eqinisweni wayengafuni ukumbona uJesu – wayefuna ukumgudluza. Ekuhambeni kwalolo suku wayala ukuba amasosha ahambe ayobulala bonke abantwana ababekhona ezweni. Wayecabanga ukuthi ngaleyo ndlela noJesu naye uzokufa.

Ngemuva kokuba izazi sezimbonile uHerodi, zaphinde zayibona inkanyezi. Manje yayisaqhubeka ihamba iya eNtshonalanga ngasedolobhaneni elincane elingekude neJerusalema. Base bazi-ke ukuthi: “Yiyo leyo ndawo la kuzelwe khona iNkosi yamakhosi!” Base beyilandela inkanyezi beya eBethlehema.

Uma befika eBethlehema, babuza kubantu: “Niyamazi umntwana ozelweyo?” Futhi impela wonke umuntu wayazi, ngoba abelusi babebatshelile. Ngesikhathi lamadoda ahlakaniphileyo ebona uJesu esitebeleni, wonke aguqa phansi phambi kwakhe. Bamnikeza izipho ezingamagugu - igolide, amakha kanye nenhlaka. Lokhu kwakuyiziqholo eziyigugu ezibizayo ezivela eTopiya.

Ngobani abantu bokuqala abazi ngokuzalwa kukaJesu? Abelusi, abantu abejwayelekile nje, njengami nawe. Benze njani ngesikhathi ingelosi ibatshela ngoJesu? Bagijima baya ukumbona uJesu, kodwa futhi batshela wonke umuntu Ngaye. Babekwenamele ukuzwa ngoJesu. Babengofakazi bakhe bokuqala.

Ngabe unokwenama ngoJesu? UNkulunkulu ufuna ukuthi mina nawe – abantu abejwayelekile ukuba sibe ngofakazi Bakhe – sitshele abantu ngoJesu.

Ngesikhathi sikaKhisimuzi, sinika abanye abantu izipho, njengalokhu amadoda ahlakaniphileyo anikeza uJesu izipho. Lokhu kungokokuthi ngiyabonga kuNkulunkulu ngokuthi wanikela ngendodana yakhe ukuze sibe nesipho esizedlula zonke: Ukuphila okuphakade!

Umfana Ethempelini

NgokukaLuka 2:41-52

Kuyingcosana esikutshelwa yiBhayibheli mayelana nesikhathi sobungane sikaJesu. Sizwa indaba kaKhisimuzi, kuthi emuva kwalokho sizwe ngaye eseyindoda ekhulileyo.

Esikwaziyo yilokhu, ukuthi amadoda ahlakaniphileyo atshela inkosi embi uHerodi Omkhulu mayelana naleNkosi entsha eyayizelwe. UHerodi wayenovalo ukuthi uJesu uzakumephuca umbuso wakhe, kodwa wayengazi ukuthi engamtholaphi umntwana uJesu. Ngakho wanikeza amasosha akhe umyalelo wokuba abulale bonke abantwana babafana kwa-Israyeli. Ngaleyo ndlela uJesu Naye wayesemathubeni okubulawa.

Kodwa uNkulunkulu wexwayisa uJosefa ngohlelo lukaHerodi, ngakho uJosefa noMariya bathatha umntwana wabo babalekela eGibhithe. Bahlala lapho kwaze kwafa uHerodi. Babuyela kwa-Israyeli edolobheni laseNazaretha.

UJosefa wafundisa uJesu ngoNkulunkulu nangeBhayibheli kusukela ezikhathini esengumfana omncane. UJesu walalela ngokucophelela okukhulu. Futhi wafunda!

Minyaka yonke ngemuva kwesikhathi sama-Easter, kwakukhona umkhosi omkhulu eJerusalema. Bonke abantu abangamaJuda abavela emhlabeni wonke baya eJerusalema ukuyokuba yingxenye yomgubho wama-Easter.

Ngesikhathi uJesu esengumfana omncane oneminyaka eyishumi nambili, uJosefa noMariya banquma ukuba baye kulomkhosi. Kwakuyindlela ende ukuya eJerusalema ukusuka eNazaretha – izinsuku eziyi-5 ezigcwele uhamba ukuze ufike lapho. Bonke abantu abasuka eNazaretha babehlangana ndawonye ukuze bahambe beyiqoqo elikhulu beya kulomcimbi. Kufanele ukuthi kwakuba ngabantu abangamakhulu ambalwa ndawonye, becula besina indlela yonke. Izingane zazidlala imidlalo. Babesuke bekwenamele ukuya eJerusalema!

Uma befika eJerusalema, wonke umuntu wayekhempa ngaphandle kwedolobha. Kwakuba khona izinkulungwane zabantu. Nsuku zonke babeya ethempelini ukukhuleka kuNkulunkulu. Umkhosi wawuthatha isikhathi esingaphezulu kwesonto.

Kodwa nokho baqeda, bonke abantu base bepakisha imithwalo yabo bathatha uhambo olude olubheke ekhaya. UMariya kanye noJosefa nabo bapakisha. Babengamboni ndawo uJesu, kodwa babengakhathazekile, ngoba zonke izingane zalelo qembu labo zazidlala ndawonye – kwakufanele abekhona nje ndawana thize phakathi kwezingane ezidlalayo abahamba nazo.

Base-ke beqala uhambo lwabo oluya ekhaya, eNazaretha. Ngalobo busuku benza ikhempu yabo ndawana thize endleleni. Nokho babesaqhubeka nokungamboni uJesu, kodwa bacabanga ukuthi mhlawumbe unomunye wabangani bakhe noma unesihlobo. Ngakho ngakusasa baqhubeka nohambo oluya eNazaretha. Kodwa uMariya waqala wakhathazeka. Wabuza kubantu ababehamba nabo, kodwa akekho owayeke wabona uJesu, ngisho abangani bakhe imbala.

UMariya waya kuJosefa, wamtshela ukuthi uJesu ulahlekile, nanokuthi akamtholi yonke indawo. “Kufanele sibuyele emuva eJerusalema!” ecela kuJosefa. Angicabangi ukuthi uJosefa wakujabulela lokho, ngoba base bekude neJerusalema ibanga eliwuhambo lwezinsuku ezimbili. Kodwa bajika ukuba bahambe beyofuna indodana yabo.

Uma befika eJerusalema ngosuku olulandelayo, bacinga yonke indawo, kodwa wayengatholakali ndawo. Babekhathazeke kakhulu – kwakwenzakaleni endodaneni yabo? Kwase kuphele izinsuku ezintathu begcine ukumbona!

“Indawo esingakacingi kuyo kuseThempelini” uMariya etshela uJosefa.

“Qha, ngokuqinisekileyo angebe lapho! Engenzani nje umfana eneminyaka eyishumi nambili eThempelini?”

“Ngiyacela simcinge nakhona Josefa, yilona themba lethu lokugcina lelo. Ngicela sihambe siyobuka eThempelini.....”

Ngakho-ke uJosefa noMariya bahamba bakhuphukela eThempelini. Nangempela, wayekhona lapho uJesu, ezungezwe yiqulu labefundisi (Rabbi’s) namadoda amadala ahlakaniphileyo ayeyizimpunga ayefunda iBhayibheli.

UJosefa wayecasukile. Wamemeza ukuthi uJesu akeze kuye ngokushesha. “Ukwenzeleni lokhu kithi? Uyazi ukuthi besikhathazeke kanjani ngawe? Ubukuphi sonke lesi sikhathi?”

UJesu wayesebaphendula ethi: “Beningifunelani mina? Beningazi yini ukuthi bengimelwe ukuba sendlini kaBaba Wami?”

Ngempela uJosefa noMariya babengazi ukuthi uJesu wayekhuluma ngani. Kodwa amadoda amadala ahlakaniphile eza kubo, amtshela uJosefa kanye noMariya ukuthi ababukholwanga ubuhlakani balomfana. Ubonakala ekwazi konke okuqondene neBhayibheli, futhi wayekuqonda konke okushiwo yimiBhalo. Babemangele ngolwazi lwakhe olubanzi lukaNkulunkulu.

Base bebuyela emuva eNazaretha, edolobheni elilapho kunomuzi wabo khona.

Lena yindaba ethandekayo. Kodwa iyinto engaphezulu kakhulu kwendaba nje!

Into yokuqala esiyifundayo, ukuthi ayikho indlela yokuthi indoda nje efana noJosefa yayingafundisa umfana omncane izinto eziningi kangaka ngeBhayibheli noNkulunkulu, kangangokuba nabantu abafunde kakhulu kuwo wonke uIsrayeli babeshaqeke ngalendlela ngolwazi Lwakhe. Kunencazelo eyodwa kuphela yalokhu: UJesu unguNkulunkulu. WayenguNkulunkulu, ngisho nangesikhathi esengumfana omncane. WayenguNkulunkulu nangesikhathi esefundisa izinkulungwane zabantu ngeVangeli, waze wenza nezimangaliso ezibabazekayo. UsenguNkulunkulu nanamuhla, lapho ehlezi esihlalweni, ebusa amazulu nomhlaba.

Into yesibili esiyifunda kulendaba, ukuthi kukhona ubudlelwano obukhethekile phakathi kukaJesu noBaba. Ngesikhathi etshela uJosefa noMariya ukuthi ubefanelwe ukuba sendlini kaYise, uNkulunkulu, kusho ukuthi wayefuna ukuba noBaba, futhi wayefuna ukufunda konke mayelana noBaba.

Ngendlela efanayo, kubalulekile kuwe nami ukuba sazi uNkulunkulu empilweni yethu ngasodwana futhi sibe nobudlelwano obukhethekile noNkulunkulu. Ngabe uyamazi ngempela uNkulunkulu? Uyamazi empilweni yakho wedwa? Unabo ubudlelwano Naye?

Uma ngikubuza namuhla ukuthi uyamazi umongameli uZuma, ungasho ukuthi “Yebo!”

Kodwa ngabe uyamazi ngempela? Wake wahlangana naye? Qha! Lokho kusho ukuthi awumazi ngempela! Uma ungibuza ukuthi ngiyamazi uPetru, vele ngizokuthi “Yebo!” Kungani? Ngoba kunobudlelwano ubukhethekile phakathi kwethu. Sikhuleka ndawonye, futhi ngiyamtshela ngezinto ezingithokozisayo. Siyasizana – Ngiyamenzela izinto, futhi naye uyangenzela izinto nami.

Uyamazi uNkulunkulu? Abantu abaningi bathi bayamazi uNkulunkulu, nokho abamazi, ngoba abukho ubudlelwano bomuntu ngayedwana anabo noNkulunkulu. Uma unobudlelwano noNkulunkulu, lapho uzofuna ukwazi konke Ngaye, njengalokhu uJesu wenza. Lapho-ke uzofuna ukwenza izinto Zakhe ngoba uyamthanda Yena. Kodwa futhi uzofunda uphinde utadishe iBhayibheli, iZwi likaNKulunkulu ukuze wazi okwengeziwe okumayelanga naloNkulunkulu omangalisayo onobudlelwano nawe.

Abafundi Bokuqala

NgokukaMathewu 4:18-25

Ngolunye usuku uDokotela othile waqala ukubhala incwadi mayelana noJesu. Wakhuluma nabo bonke abantu ababemazi uJesu esesenyameni, njengoMariya. Wamtshela indaba emangalisayo mayelana noJesu, ngesikhathi esengumfana oneminyaka eyi-12, nanokuthi lomfana wafundisa amadoda amadala ahlakaniphileyo eThempelini ngeBhayibheli.

ULuka waphinda wakhuluma nomPhostoli omkhulu uPetru wambuza ukuthi kwenzeka kanjani ukuba alandele uJesu.

“Oh, lokho kwenzeka kudala kakhulu, kakhulu impela.” Kusho uPetru kuLuka. “Uyazi ukuthi ngangingumdobi ngokohwebo? Mina nomfowethu uAndreya sasinomkhumbi futhi sasidoba ukuze siziphilise. Sasizinsizwa eziyizikhondlakhondla, thina ngaleso sikhathi! Njalo ngosuku uma wonke umuntu esalele, sasiphuma siye olwandle siye kodoba ngamanetha ethu.”

“Kwathi ngolunye usuku sezwa mayelana nendaba engejwayelekile. Kwakungesikhathi sikaJohane umbhaphathizi, umuntu owayeshumayela futhi ebhaphathiza bonke abantu. Enye nje indoda engaziwa yeza kuJohane yacela ukuba ayibhaphathize. Igama layo kwakunguJesu, umbazi owayesuka edolobheni elithiwa yiNazaretha. Bathi kukhona into engejwayelekile eyenzeka mhla uJohane ebhaphathiza uJesu. Izulu lavele lavuleka ngokushesha ngaphezulu Kwakhe kwaphuma izwi ezulwini lithi: “Le yiNdodana yami ethandekayo. Ngithokozile kakhulu Ngayo.” Kwakuyiphimbo likaNkulunkulu ngesikhathi uJesu egcotshelwa umsebenzi wakhe omkhulu emhlabeni. Ijuba elimhlophe lehlela phezu Kwakhe lingaziwa nokuthi liqhamukaphi. Abantu ababekhona lapho bathi kwakunguMoya kaNkulunkulu, uMoya Ongcwele. Angikulkholwanga lokho ngaleso sikhathi.

Kamuva ngezwa kuthiwa uJesu wahamba waya ehlane wafike wahlala khona izinsuku ezingamashumi amane ngaphandle kokudla. Uma uthola umsebenzi omkhulu, ngeke uvele ugxumele kuwo uqale ukuwenza, kufanele ukuzilungiselele ngokuphelele uzilungiselela wona. Kwakunjalo nakuJesu. Indlela azilungiselela ngayo kwakuwukuba ahambe aye ehlane ahlale lapho yedwa izinsuku ezingamashumi amane. Kusona sonke leso sikhathi akadlanga lutho.

Uma ungadli lutho izinsuku ezingamashumi amane, ngokuqinisekileyo ungalamba. Kanjalo noJesu walamba. Kodwa kwakuyinto le ayemelwe ukuyenza, noma ngabe kwakuthiwani!

Usathane wayazi kahle ukuthi uJesu wayenzani, wayengenza noma yini futhi ukuze amvimbe uJesu. Ngesikhathi ebona ukuthi uJesu uselambe kakhulu, weza kuye wathi kuye: “Kungani uzihlupha kangaka ngalendlela? Akufanele ulambe! Okufanele ukwenze nje ukuba utshele lawa matshe abe yizinkwa. Ungakwenza lokhu! UyiNdodana kaNkulunkulu, awusiyo?”

Kodwa uJesu wavele wamziba umkhohlisi. Wamtshela ukuthi akuphilwa ngesinkwa sodwa, uyaphilwa ngeZwi likaNkulunkulu.

Kamuva umkhohlisi waletha uJesu esiqongweni sethempeli, wayesethi kuye: “Gxumela phansi! uNkulunkulu uzothumela izingelosi zikunqake!”

UJesu wamphendula wathi: “IBhayibheli lithi ungamlingi uNkulunkulu!”

Umkhohlisi wazama okwesithathu ukulinga uJesu. Wamthatha wamyisa entabeni ende wakhombisa uJesu yonke imibuso eyehlukeneyo yomhlaba. Wayesethi kuJesu uzomnikeza bonke laba bantu kanye nemibuso yomhlaba uma uJesu engakhonza yena. UJesu wayesemphendula ethi: “Hamba Sathane! UNkulunkulu Nguye yedwa ofanelwe ukukhonzwa ngabantu bonke!”

“Ngezwa zonke lezi zinto ezimangalisayo ngoJesu, ngase ngithi kumfowethu uAndreya ngiyafisa ukuhlangana nalendoda engejwayelekile, uJesu. Kwabe sekwenzeka nangempela lokho! Ngemuva kwezinsuku zakhe ezingamashumi amane ehlane, uJesu wahamba wayohlala eKhapenawume ngeselwandle lwaseGalile. Sasihlala lapho nathi ngaleso sikhathi. UJesu waqala washumayela futhi watshela abantu ngoMbuso kaNkulunkulu.

Suku lumbe lapho uAndreya kanye nami simatasa siphonsa amanetha, sabona uJesu ehamba ngaselwandle. Abantu abathile babemlandela belalela lokho ayebafundisa khona. Into emangalisayo yabe seyenzeka ngalolosuku. Ujesu weza waqonda ngqo kimi nomfowethu wayesethi kithi: “Wozani ningilandele. Uma ningilandela, ngizakunenza abadobi babantu.”

Akekho umdobi osengqondweni yakhe ephelele ongavele ashiye amanetha akhe ngaselwandle asuke alandele indoda angayazi. Kodwa sakwenza lokho! Ngalowo mzuzu ngaba nokwazi ukuthi kwakuyinto enhle ukuba ngiyenze.

Ngesikhathi sisahamba ngasolwandle, sabona abangani bethu abathathu, uZebedewu kanye namadodana akhe amabili uJakobe kanye noJohane belungiselela isikebhe sabo, bematasatasa belungisa amanetha bewalungiselela ubusuku bohambo lokuyodoba. UJesu wabiza lezi zinsizwa ezimbili zandawonye: “Wozani nihambe nami!” Abacabanganga nakabili. Bashiya uyise ukuba aqhubeke namanetha base bezibandakanya nathi.

Lokhu kwakuwukuqala kohambo lokubona izinto ezinkulu kithi sobane. Kusukela kulolosuku samlandela uJesu iminyaka emithathu. Esikhathini esingesingakanani sabuye salandelwa ngamanye amadoda ayisishiyagalombili, sahlala noJesu imini nobusuku ngesikhathi esiqeqeshela ukuba ngabadobi bohlobo olwahlukileyo, “abadobi babantu.”

Empeleni akithina sodwa abantu ababelandela uJesu. WayenguThisha omkhulukazi, futhi wonke umuntu wayethanda ukumlalela uma esifundisa ngoMbuso kaNkulunkulu. Babebaningi abantu ababemlandela base beba ngabafundi bakhe. Nsuku zonke babefika ukuzolalela izifundiso zakhe. Iqembu lethu labantu abayishumi nambili lalinomsebenzi omkhulu wokuhlela izixuku. Kwesinye isikhathi kwakufika izinkulungwane ukuba zizomlalela.”

Ungenza njani wena uma kufika umuntu ongamazi ngesikhathi umatasatasa wenza umsebenzi wakho, akutshele ukuthi woza kuye umlandele? Ngiyazi ngingenzani mina: “Awuboni ukuthi ngimatasatasa ngiyasebenza lapha? Ngeke nje ngivele ngiyeke yonke into. Umqashi wami engangixosha! Ngiyeke ngiqale ngiqedele umsebenzi wami, emva kwalokho ngizobona noma ngingakwazi ukwenza isikhathi engingaba naso sokuhamba nawe.”

Namuhla uJesu usababiza abantu ukuba bamlandele. Wangibiza ukuba ngimlandele wabiza noPetro noChris kanye noMariya. Yingakho sihlale silapha njalo ngoMgqibelo ukuzokwenza lokho asicela ukuba sikwenze.

Ngesikhathi uJesu ebiza abafundi bakhe, Akabashiyanga nje kuphela nomsebenzi wabo. Waqala ngokubafundisa ukuthi kufanele benze ini, futhi wayenabo zikhathi zonke ukubasiza.

Nanamuhla uJesu ubiza omunye nomunye wenu enibizela emsebenzini othile. Angazi ukuthi luyini ubizo Lwakhe oluqondene nawe, kodwa uzokwazi. Mahlawumbe ukuthi ube wumngani wothile onesidingo. Umbuzo uthi, yini ozoyenza mayelana nalokhu? Ngabe uzokuthi: “Qha Nkosi, Ngiyasaba ukwenza lokho okucela kimi”? Noma: “Ngimatasatasa kakhulu ngempilo yami. Mhlawumbe ngemuva kwesikhathi......” Noma uzokwenza lokho okwenziwa ngoPetru nabangani bakhe ushiye konke, uthembe uNkulunkulu futhi umlandele Yena?

Kukuwe ukuzikhethela.

Ukutshala Imbewu

NgokukaMarku 4:1-8

Ekuseni ngenye intathakusa uJesu nabafundi bakhe babehamba ngeselwandle lwaseGalile. Abantu beze bevela nxazonke ukuzokuzwa uJesu ekhuluma, kwaze Kwaba yisixuku esikhulu kakhulu esamzungezayo. UJesu wabona ukuthi akekho owayezomuzwa. Kwakukhona abantu abaningi kakhulu. Ngakho wagxumela esikebheni sokudoba esasimi osebeni, amadoda ayesesisunduza isikebhe esiyisa emanzini, ukuze uJesu ahlale kuso futhi akwazi ukukhuluma nabo.

Kude le uJesu wayebona umlimi esebenza emasimini akhe. Umfana omncane wayehamba ngemuva kwezinkabi ezimbalwa ezazidonsa igeja. Kwakukhona amadwala amakhulu emasimini, umfana ezabalaza negeja egegela amadwala. Ngemuva kwakhe, umlimi wayehamba elengise isikhwama esikhulu sesikhumba ngemuva esigaxe ehlombe lakhe. Ngesikhathi esahamba, wafaka isandla sakhe esikhwameni, wacaphuna imbewu yagcwala isandla, wayeseyihlwanyela imbewu endaweni emzungezile.

UJesu wayesethi kuPetru: “Ingabe laphayana ingakanani imbewu ekwazi ukufinyelela emhlabathini ovundileyo?”

UPetru wayengazi ukuthi uJesu ukhuluma ngani. “Nkosi,” esho, enophawu olukhuli lombuzo ebusweni bakhe “Usho ukuthini?”

UJesu wayeseqala etshela abantu indaba: Wabatshela ukuthi kwakukhona umlimi owayematasa etshala imbewu.

Wonke umuntu wathula, ngokuba babethanda ukulalela izindaba ezimnandi.

UJesu wayesebalandisa ngokuthi umlimi wayehamba kanjani phakathi ensimini yakhe, etshala imbewu eduze kwakhe. Kodwa kwakukhona inkinga: lensimu yayinamadwala amakhulu yonke indawo, futhi kwakukhona umgwaqo owawunqamula ensimini. Kanti ngaseceleni kwensimu kwakukhona lonke uhlobo lokhula olwalukhula khona.

Ngesikhathi umlimi ehlwanyela, akuyona yonke imbewu eyawela emhlabathini omuhle: enye imbewu yawela edwaleni, enye imbewu yawela emgwaqeni, enye imbewu yawela phakathi kokhula.

UJesu wayeseyachaza ukuthi imbewu eyawela emgwaqeni, yashesha yacoshwa yizinyoni. Zayidla leyo mbewu, empeleni leyo mbewu yamlahlekela umlimi. Ayisoze yakhula.

Enye imbewu yawela emhlabathini onamatshe lapho kwakunenhlabathi eyingcosana kakhulu phezu kwedwala. Leyo mbewu yaqala ukukhula, wawungekho umhlabathi owanele, futhi ngesikhathi ilanga liqala lishisa umhlaba, izithombo ezincane zafa.

Enye imbe ayihlwanyelayo, yawela phakathi kokhula. Imbewu yaqala ukukhula, kodwa kwakukhona ukhula oluningi. Ukhula lwaminyanisa izithombo ezincane, nazo zafa.

Kodwa izindaba ezinhle ezokuthi, enye imbewu yawela emhlabathini omuhle. Zakhula zaba yizihlahla ezinkulu, futhi kwaba khona isivuno esikhulu ngesikhathi sokuzuna.

Manje le bekuyindaba ethandekayo, kodwa indaba engenamyalezo ayisho luthi. Kwakuyini umyalezo ophethwe yilendaba?

UJesu wachaza ukuthi empeleni imbewu kwakuyiVangeli, iziNdaba eZinhle. Umhlwanyeli yilomuntu otshela abantu iziNdaba eZinhle. Abanye babantu abezwa umyalezo awedlulisayo banjengomgwaqo. Abafuni ngisho ukuzwa. Lomyalezo awungeni ngisho ezinhlizweni zabo.

Abanye abantu abezwa umyalezo wakhe banjengomhlabathi onamadwala. Bayalalela bese bethi: “Aw yebo! Ngicabanga ukuthi nami ngimlandele uJesu!” Kodwa ngemuva kwezinsuku ezimbalwa bakhohlwe yikho konke, bese beqhubeka baphile njengalokhu babephila phambilini. Umyalezo wevangeli awenzanga mehluko empilweni yabo.

Enye ingxenye yabantu abezwa umyalezo banjengenhlabathi egcwele ukhula. Umhlabathi ulungile, futhi bayalamukela ivangeli, kodwa kugcwele kakhulu isono empilweni yabo abangasoze bahlukana naso, kangangokuba isono siminyanisa iziNdaba eZinhle zize zife.

Lokhu kuzwakala kujabhisa kakhulu! Kuzwakala sengathi wonke lomsebenzi onzima walomhlwanyeli wevangeli uyize leze!

Kodwa zikhona izindaba ezinhle! Kukhona futhi abantu abalizwayo balamukele ivangeli, futhi benze lokho uNkulunkulu afuna ukuba bakwenze.

Manje kunezinhlangothi ezimbili zendaba. Ohlangothini lokuqala kufanele sinqume ukuthi umhlabathi wethu unjani. Sinjengomhlabathi onokhula? Noma onamadwala? Noma siwumhlabathi olungileyo ayekhuluma ngawo uJesu? Kufanele uzikhethele wena.

Ngithanda ukukholwa wukuthi thina sonke namuhla singabantu esifana naloya mhlabathi omuhle. Ngabe lokho kusho ukuthi kufanele sihlale siqhiyame saneliseke! Ngabe yilokho yini afuna ukusitshela khona uJesu namuhla?

Qha! Kukhona omunye umyalezo endabeni yethu yanamuhla. UJesu wayefuna ukuthi kithi, wena nami singabahlwanyeli. Yebo, uzwe kahle. Asisiwo kuphela umhlabathi olungileyo, kodwa ufuna ukuba omunye nomunye wethu sibe ngabahlwanyeli!

Wenzani umhlwanyeli? Uhlwanyela imbewu. UJesu ufuna sihlwanyele imbewu yevangeli. Kufanele sitshele abanye abantu ngoJesu.

Uyihlwanyela kanjani imbewu? Kunezindlela eziningi ezehlukeneyo. Eyodwa yezindlela ukukhuluma ngoJesu kumuntu othile. Enye indlela eyokuba uphile impilo ngendlela yokuthi abantu babone uJesu empilweni yakho. Siza abantu abanezidingo. Ukududuza othile olahlekelwe ngothandiweyo wakhe. Ukukhathalela loyo odabukileyo. Ukuba nobungani. ukujabula!

Kulendaba uJesu uyasexwayisa ukuthi uma sitshala imbewu yevangeli, kuyakuba khona iziqeshana ensimini ezingakulungele ukutshalwa kwembewu. Yena uthi abanye abantu ngeka baze basilalele nokusilalela. Kodwa akufanele sikhathazeke ngalokho. Kufanele siqhubeke sitshale!

Ufuna ukuba sazi, ukuthi abantu abathile esibatshela izindaba ezinhle, bazokuthi kithi: “Halleluya!” kodwa ngemuva nje kwezinsukwana, bazonyamalala. Kodwa akufanele sikhathazeke ngalokho. Kufanele siqhubeke sitshale!

Abanye abantu esedlulisela izindaba ezinhle kubo, bazositshela ukuthi: “Yebo, sizokumamukela uJesu njengoMsindisi wethu!” kodwa bengakulungele ukushiya izono zabo ngemuva. Ngeke bakhule ngokumoya, futhi esikhashaneni nje ukukholwa kwabo kuzokufa.

Kodwa akufanele sikhathazeke ngabo bonke abantu abala IziNdaba eZinhle zikaNkulunkulu. Thina masiziqhubekele nje sihlwanyele imbewu! Othile uyakuwamukela umyalezo wethu, futhi uyakuba ngumhlabathi omuhle ovundileyo. Uma futhi naye esekhulile ngokukamoya naye uzakuba ngumhlwanyeli.

Kafushane: Qhubeka uhlwanyele! Ngelinye ilanga imbewu yakho KUYOKWENZEKA iwele emhlabathini ovundileyo!

Izinyawo Ezingcolile

NgokukaJohane 13:1-17

Ngolunye usuku uJesu wayedla isidlo sakusihlwa kanye noPetru kanye nabanye abafundi. Kwakuwusuku olwandulela olwePhasika, bonke babelele bezungeze itafula. Ngaleyo minyaka, abantu babengahlali ezihlalweni uma besetafuleni, babelala emiqamelweni, bencike ngezindololwane. Bonke babelala bebheke ngasendaweni eyodwa, ngendlela yokuthi izinyawo zomuntu oseduze kwakho zazicishe zibe sebusweni bakho. Ucabanga ukuthi lokho kungathokozeleka? Ikakhulukazi uma izinyawo zakhe zingcolile? Mhlawumbe uke wanyathela into enukayo!

Ngakho-ke ngaso sonke isikhathi uma abantu benesidlo ndawonye, isigqila sasifika sizogeza izinyawo zabo bonke. Lona kwakungesiwo neze umsebenzi omnandi! Ngakho kwakuhlale kuwumsebenzi waloyo ophansi kunabo bonke abantu ngokwezinga – isigqila esimpofu!

Njengalokhu sewazi kulesi sikhathi ukuthi, uJesu kanye nabafundi bakhe babengabantu abampofu – babengenayo imali yokuthenga isigqila ukuze senze lowo msebenzi ongcolileyo, ngakho kwakufanele bahlale etafuleni nezinyawo zabo zinjalo babekezelele iphunga.

Kodwa ngalolo suku, kwenzeka into engajwayelekile. Ngesikhathi besahleli bezungeze itafula, iNkosi, uJesu wasukuma. Wagumula ishethi lakhe, wayesethatha ithawula walibophela okhalweni lwakhe. Ngalesi sikhathi wonke amehlo ayesekuye. Wayefuna ukwenzani? Okulandelayo wathatha indishi yokugeza wafaka amanzi kuyo. Ngalesi sikhathi wonke umuntu wayemangele: Yini lena EYENZIWA nguJesu manje!? Babengaqondi ukuthi kwakwenzakalani.

UJesu waguqa ngamadolo ache wayeseqala egeza izinyawo zomfundi wokuqala. Wethuka kangangokuba akakwazanga ngisho nokukhuluma lowo owayegezwa izinyawo. INkosi yakhe yayenza umsebenzi ongcolisanayo owenziwa yizigqila! Iminyaka emithathu bebefunda Kuye mayelana noNkulunkulu nanokuthi baphathwa kanjani abanye abantu nangokuthi kuphilwa kanjani ngendlela uNkulunkulu afuna ukuba uphile ngayo. Babazi ukuthi uJesu unguMesiya, iNdodana kaNkulunkulu, nokuthi wayengophakeme kakhulu ngokwamagunya asemhlabeni nawasemazulwini.

Kodwa manje wayenza umsebenzi ongcolisanayo okungekho muntu ofuna ukuwenza!

Ngesikhathi uJesu eqeda ukugeza izinyawo zakhe, waya kolandelayo, wayeseqala egeza izinyawo zalowo futhi. Wonke umuntu wayeseqala ukungakhululeki. Impela le kwakungesiyo indlela ababefundiswe ngayo. INkosi yakho ayizigezi izinyawo zakho – nguwe ogeza izinyawo Zayo!

Ngesikhathi uJesu efika kuPetru, wayengathokozile ukuthi iNkosi yakhe ingageza izinyawo zakhe. “Uzogeza izinyawo zami, Nkosi?” ebuza kuJesu.

U Jesu wayesemphendula: “Petru, awukuqondi engikwenzayo manje, kodwa ngolunye usuku uyokuqonda.”

UPetru wathi: “QHA Nkosi! Ngeke! Angeke ANGIKUVUMELI ukuba ugeze izinyawo zami!”

Wake wayibona imbongolo enenkani eyenqaba ukuhamba? Ungakwenza konke okuthandayo – ungayidonsa; ungayishaya. Kodwa ngeke ihambe! Ngokunjalo, uPetru wayenjengaleyo mbongolo enenkani. Kodwa uma uthatha uKherothi omnandi uwubambele ngasekhaleni lembongolo, izohamba ngoba ifuna ukufika kukherothi. UJesu kwakufanele abambe “ukherothi” kuPretu. Wathi kuPetru: “Uma ngingakugezi izinyawo, awunasabelo nami.”

UPetru washawa wuvalo olungakaze lumshaye uma ezwa leyo nkulumo. Wayesafuna ukuqhubeka abe ngumfundi kaJesu! Wayengafuni ukulahlekelwa yinyo eyigugu kangaka empilweni yakhe!

“Yebo Nkosi, uma kunjaloke, ngicela ugeze ikhanda lami kanye nezandla!” UPetru wayengakaqondi ukuthi lokhu kwakumayelana nani.

“Qha Petru, lokho akudingekile”, UJesu etshela uPetru. Wayesechaza ukuthi lokhu kwakumayelana nani. Kwakuyisenzo esiwuphawu. UJesu wayenguMphathi neNkosi, kodwa wayengazenzi obaluleke kangangokuba wayengegeze izinyawo zabo. Wayefuna ukubakhombisa ukuthi wayengenankinga nokuba yisigqila sabo esiphansi. Awukho umsebenzi owawungabalulekile kakhulu Kuye. Akashongo ukuthi: “NginguMphathi Mina, nina ningabantukazana – kufanele nenze umsebenzi ongcolisanayo!” Qha, wayekulungele ukuba angenza umsebenzi ongcolisanayo Yena qobo. Akaziphakamisanga ngaphezulu kwabantu Bakhe.

Wayesebatshela, ukuthi ngendlela efanayo, kufanele bahambe beyogezana izinyawo. Kwakungasho ukuthi kufanele ngempela behambe beyogezana izinyawo – kwakusho ukuthi omunye nomunye wabo kufanele azithobe angaziphakamisi phezu kwabanye.

Esikhathini esingeside ngemuva kwalesi senzo uJesu watshela uPetru ukuthi uyidwala, nokuthi iBandla lonke lalizokwakhelwa phezu kwaleli dwala. Lokho kwamenza uPetru wabaluleka kakhulu. Kodwa ayekade ekusho uJesu kubo, kwakuwukuthi ngisho noPetru obaluleke kakhulu wayengabalulekile ukwedlula noma yiliphi elinye ikholwa elinguMkhristu.

Mhlawumbe ngingakusho ukuthi ngibaluleke kakhulu, ngoba nginifundisa zonke lezi zinto. Ngabe ngempela ngibaluleke ngaphezulu kwenu? Mhlawumbe igxathu linye ngaphezulu kwenu? Qha. Njengamakholwa angaMakhristu siyalingana sonke. Ngisho noPhapha omkhulo nophakeme akabalulekile ukwedlula mina nawe.

Ngesikhathi uJesu ebatshela ukuthi bafanele ukugezana izinyawo, wayesho ukuthi kufanele omunye nomunye abe yisikhonzi somunye nomunye. Futhi lokhu kumelwe ukuba kanjalo nakimi nawe. Kufanele omunye akhonze omunye.

Namuhla ngiyanikhonza. Uma nginifundisa masonto wonke, angisiye umphathi wenu noma uMfundisi – kodwa engikwenzayo ukufeza inkonzo kini. Ngendlela efanayo nalena uPetro anikhonza ngayo ngokudlala isiginci nokunihola ekuhlabeleleni. USarie, uChris kanye noMaria nabo bayakhonza – behla benyuka, belungisa zonke izinto ekhishini futhi bawashe nezitsha.

Ngaleyo ndlela sifanele ukukhonzana. Kungani? Akusiwo umsebenzi wethu! Kodwa siyakwenza lokhu ngoba siyathanda ukukhonza abantu.

Kungani sithanda ukukwenza lokhu?

Ngoba uJesu wathi simelwe ukuthandana. Asinikhonzi ngoba ibandla lasinika lomthwalo wokunikhonza. Sinikhonza ngoba siyanithanda, futhi sifuna nithole lonke ulwazi mayelana noNkulunkulu. Ngenxa yesizathu esifanayo kufanele nani nikhonzane omunye nomunye. Ngokukhonza, siphila impilo ebonisa uthando lukaJesu.

UNikodemu

NgokukaJohane 3:1-21

Ngolunye usuku indoda ebalulekile yezwa ngoJesu. Igama layo kwakunguNikodemu, wayenguMfarisi futhi eyilungu loMkhandlu wabaJuda. Wayenemibuzo ayefuna ukuyibuza uJesu, kodwa wayesaba ukuza kuJesu, ngoba uma abangani bakhe bembona enoJesu, wayezokuba senkingeni. Ngakho uNikodemu walinda kwaze kwaba mnyama, ukuze kungabikho ongambona, wayeseyaya-ke kuJesu.

Watshela uJesu ukuthi uyabona ukuthi uyindoda kaNkulunkulu, nokuthi uyamhlonipha uJesu ngakho konke akwenzayo, futhi kuyamangalisa. Kodwa uJesu washeshe wazi ukuthi akusona isizathu sangempela esimenze eze Kuye uNikodemu. Wayazi kahle ukuthi yayiyini inkinga kaNikodemu, ngakho-ke uJesu wathi kuye: “Nikodemu, uma ungazalwa ngokusha, ngeke uwubone uMbuso kaNkulunkulu.”

UNikodemu wayeyindoda ehlakaniphile, kodwa akakuqondanga okwakushiwo nguJesu. Ngakho wathi kuJesu: “Kungenzeka kanjani? Ngiyindoda endala – ngeke ngibuyele emuva esibelethweni sikamama ngibe ngumntwana ngiphinde ngizalwe futhi?”

Ngakho uJesu waqala wachaza kuNikodemu mayelana noMoya Ongcwele, nokuthi ukunika impilo entsha njengalokhu umama enika ingane impilo entsha. Kodwa nokho uNikodemu wayengakaqondi.

Uyazi ukuthi uJesu wayezama ukuthini kuNikodemu? Ngivumele ngichaze: Kwenzakalani uma umntwana ezalwa? Umama ukhulisa umntwana ngaphakathi esibelethweni sakhe. Ingane akufanele yenze lutho. Ngemuva kwezinyanga eziyisishiyagalolunye uyateta, eteta umntwana omusha. Ngendlela efanayo uMoya Ongcwele uzothatha umoya wakho abumbe umuntu omusha kuwo. Yebo, kusenguwe, kodwa ukwenza ube musha ngokuphelele, njengomntwana omusha.

Yini okufanele yenziwe ngumntwana ukuze azalwe? Kufanele abhukude? Kufanele yini azabalaze ukuze aphume? Kuzwakala kuhlekisa, kodwa iphuzu lapha yileli lokuthi umntwana akufanele enze lutho ukuze azalwe! Ngubani owenza wonke umsebenzi? Umama ukwenza konke! Nguyena ongenwa ukugula kwasekuseni. Nguyena ophathwa yizinhlungu zokubeletha. Futhi nguyena ophushayo ukuze kuzalwe umntwana. Umntwana uyazilalela nje athokozele ukutatanyiswa konke!

Ngendlela efanayo uMoya Ongcwele nguyena owenza wonke umsebenzi uma uzalwa kabusha. Ukwenza kanjani lokho Yena? Usebenza ngezindlela eziningi. Isikhathi esiningi usebenzisa abanye abantu njengamathuluzi akhe. Kufanele asebenzise umfundisi ukuze ashumayele. Noma kungenzeka asebenzise omunye wabangani bakho ukukutshela ukuthi uJesu yiyona yodwa iNdlela eya ekuphileni okunguna phakade. Kungenzeka atshele omunye ukuba akunike ipheshana noma ibhukwana elibhalwe ivangeli kulo.

Noma uMoya Ongcwele engasebenzisa WENA ukwedlulisela lomyalezo komunye, usebenzisa ipheshana elibhaliwe.

Into yesibili ayenzayo uMoya Ongcwele, ukukhuluma nawe uma uthola umyalezo komunye. Qha, ngeke uhlale uzwa iphimbo, kodwa uzokwazi ekujuleni kulo ingaphakathi lakho ukuthi lomyalezo uvela kuNkulunkulu, futhi kufanele uwulalele. Kufanele uvulele uJesu inhliziyo yakho futhi ukholwe Kuye.

Kodwa kukhona okunye okufanele sikwazi ngezingane: Uma umntwana ezalwa, umama wenzani ngaye? Ngabe umshiya embhedeni amyeke azifunele yena ukudla kwakhe? Mhlawumbe uzoqala akhule adle futhi akhulume aze agijime adlale, azenzele konke lokhu ngesingaye. Ngaleso sikhathi umama uziqhubekela nempilo yakhe futhi angakhathazeki ngomntwana!

Qha? Angeke kube njalo! Kusukela nje ekuqaleni uyamnakekela umntwana. Uyamfunza. Umnikeza uthando oluningi. Uma ekhula, uyamfundisa ukwenza izinto, ukukhuluma nokuhamba kanye nokufunda nokubhala, ngisho nokuphonsa ibhola.

Ngendlela efanayo uMoya Ongcwele akavele nje akushiye uwedwa. Uyakondla. Uma ufunda iBhayibheli, uthola ukudla kwangokomoya. UMoya Ongcwele uyakuhola eBhayibhelini, ngoba yincwadi Yakhe, futhi ngaleyo ndlela uyawondla umoya wakho. Uyakondla futhi lapho uya esontweni. Lapha uthola ukudla kwangokomoya okukwenza uqine ukuze ube nguMkhristu okhulileyo. Uma udangele noma wesaba, uyakududuza. Ukufundisa lokho okulungileyo nalokho okungalungile.

Uyayazi into yokuqala akufundisa yona uMoya Ongcwele?

Yini into yokuqala efundwa ngumntwana? Ufunda ukuthi umama nguyena omnikeza impilo. Ngaphandle kukamama, kungenzeke ukuthi aphile.

UMoya Ongcwele ukufundisa ukuthi uJesu Nguye okupha impilo. Ngaphandle kwakhe kungenzeke ukuthi ube nokuphila okunguna phakade. Ngesikhathi uNikodemu ehlezi noJesu, Yena watshela uNikodemu ukuthi uNkulunkulu wathanda izwe kakhulu, waze wanikela ngeNdodana, ukuze labo bantu abamkholwayo Yena babe nokuphila okuphakade.

Ngabe kusho ukuthini ngempela lokhu? Ake ngichaze:

UNkulunkulu uyasizonda isono. Ukona kungukwenza into efanele isijeziso. Uma ubulala othile, uzojeziswa. Uzofakwa etilongweni iminyaka eminingi. NangoNkulunkulu kuyafana. Uma wona kuNKulunkulu, uzojeziswa. Kodwa uNkulunkulu wayazi ukuthi abantu siyabashikilisa isono, ngakho iNdodana Yakhe, uJesu wathatha sonke isijeziso saba phezu kwakhe ukuze akhokhele zonke izono zabantu. Wajeziswa ngendlela enesihluku kakhulu. Waxetshulwa, washaywa, walinyazwa futhi wabethelwa esiphambanweni. Wakhokha inani elikhulu ngezono zethu. Kodwa kukhona umbandela: kufanele ukholwe kuJesu. Yilokho nje! Unika ukuphila okuphakade kubo bonke abakholwa Nguye.

Kusho ukuthini ukukholwa kuJesu? Kusho ukuthi kufanele ubeke ithemba eliphelele Kuye yedwa. Akekho omunye ongakunika ukuphila okuphakade, nguJesu kuphela. Lokhu kusho ukuthi kufanele uyeke ukubeka ithemba lakho kunoma yini noma kunoma ngubani maqondana nokuphila okuphakade.

Uma usathemba abanye onkulunkulu noma omoya, kusho ukuthi awukalibeki ithemba lakho lonke kuJesu Yena Yedwa.
Uma usaya esangomeni ukuyofuna ukuhlakanipha, kusho ukuthi usathemba abanye omoya, ngoba isangoma sibiza omoya, asibizi uJesu. Lowo ngumsebenzi kaSathane! Kuwubuthakathi!
Futhi uma uthemba omoya bokhokho bakho, kusho ukuthi awukakabeki ithemba lakho kuJesu Yedwa.

Kukhona uMsindisi oyedwa kuphela, uJesu. Ngaphandle Kwakhe ulahlekile. Ngaye, unokuphila okuphakade!

Owesifazane Emthonjeni

NgokukaJohane 4:5-18

Ngolunye usuku uJesu nabafundi Bakhe kwakufanele bahambe besuka eJerusalema baye eGalile. Kwakunemigwaqo emibili eya eGalile: othathelayo, onzima owawudabula ezintabeni, bese kuba olula onqamulelayo odabula eSamariya. AmaJuda ayehlala njalo esebenzisa lo ojikelezayo, ngenxa nje yokuthi babengawathandi amaSamariya. Babethi amaSamariya awasiwo amaJuda oqobo, bethi futhi awahlambulukile. AmaJuda ayengakhulumi nakukhuluma namaSamariya!

UJesu wanquma ukuthi basebenzise indlela enqamulelayo. Akawaxwayanga amaSamariya! Wayethanda bonke abantu, kungakhathalekile ukuthi babengobani. Base behambe isikhathi eside futhi lalibalele kushisa, base bomile futhi belambile. Bahamba badlula idolobha okuthiwa yiSikhari. UJesu wayesekhathela ngenxa yohambo olude, wayesehlala ngasemthonjeni egqumeni elingaphandle kwedolobha. Wathuma abafundi edolobheni ukuthi bayothenga ukudla.

Ngesikhathi esalindile lapho, kwenzeka into engejwayelekile: uJesu wabona owesifazana ehamba enyuka igquma ezokukha amanzi. Abesimame ngokuvama beza emfuleni bewumshungu nabangani babo futhi bafika ekuseni emfuleni kusapholile. Kodwa lona weza yedwa, futhi kwakuyihora leshumi nambili ntambama. Ngesikhathi efika emthonjeni, uJesu wamcela: “Ngicela ungiphuzise amanzi.”

Owesifazane wambuka uJesu: “Ini? unguMjuda Wena kodwa ucela kimi amanzi? Kungani? Akuyenzi ingqondo lokhu!”

Khumbula, amaJuda ayengakhulumi nokukhuluma namaSamariya. Babesaba ngisho ukuthi umuntu enganywe yisithunzi soMsamariya, ngoba ethi uzongcoliswa yisona! Yingakho wayengaqondi lo wesimame ukuthi kungani uJesu acele kuye amanzi.

Kodwa uJesu wayehlukile kuwo wonke amanye amaJuda. Wayengenendaba nokuthi wayenguMsamariya. Wayesetshela owesimame ukuthi yena engamnikeza into engcono ukwedlula amanzi ejwayelekile: Wayengamnikeza Amanzi Okuphila.

Owesimame akaqondanga ukuthi manzi mani okuphila lawa uJesu akhuluma ngawo. Wayeseyachaza kuyena ukuthi ophuza lawa manzi okuphila, akasophinde ome nanini. Waphinda wamtshela ukuthi lawa manzi okuphila ayogobhoza phakathi kwakhe njengomthombo.

Manje wayesenamile kakhulu: “Ngiyawafuna lawo manzi!” etshela uJesu. “Uma ngithola lawo manzi, ngeke siphinde sibe khona isidingo sokuthi ngize kulomthombo nanini! Ngiyakucela, ngicela ungiphe lawo manzi!”

UJesu wayesesho into engejwayelekile: Hamba uyobiza umyeni wakho!”

Ngokushesha zehla izihlathi kowesimame, wakhexa: “Anginaye umyeni mina.....”

Uyabona, lona wesimame wayephila nendoda, futhi uJesu wayazi ukuthi uphila esonweni. Wayeke waba nabayeni abayisihlanu ngaphambilini.

Ngokushesha lo wesimame wabona ukuthi uJesu wazi konke ngaye. Wayengesiye nje uMuntu ojwayelekile. Wayengokuthile okuthe xaxa! Mhlawumbe wayengumphrofethi noma okunye ke.

UJesu wayazi kahle ukuthi lona wesimame wayecabangani. “NginguMesiya” Yena etshela owesimame.

Owesifazane wayejabule kakhulu ngezinto ayeqeda ukuzizwa, ngangokuba wagxuma wagijima waphindela edolobheni ngokushesha okukhulu. Ngalesi sikhathi ehamba, wayetshela wonke umuntu lokho okwenzekile kuye –uhlangane noJesu!

Uyazi kungani lo wesimame weza emthonjeni phakathi nemini? Wayengafune kukhuluma namuntu. Ngenxa yempilo engalungile ayeyiphila, wonke umuntu wayemchukuluza emgxeka, embhuqa, ngakho-ke wayecasha kuwo wonke umuntu.

Kodwa ngokushesha wayengesenendaba! Wayezwe izindaba ezinhle kangangoba wayengeke esazigcina kuye yedwa, kwase kufanele atshele wonke umuntu, ngisho nabantu ababengamthandi futhi besho nezinto ezimbi ngaye.

Ucabanga ukuthi bamkholwa? Ngokuqinisekileyo! Wonke umuntu wayebona ukuthi kukhona into emangalisayo eyenzeke kuye, ngoba ubuso bakhe babukhombisa. Wayephuphuma injabulo! Esikhathini esingesingakanani idolobha lonke leza ligijima emva kwakhe lo wesimame ukuze bezozibonela ngokwabo ukuthi lokhu kwakumayelana nani. Lo wesimame owayekade ecasha kuwo wonke umuntu, wakhombisa abantu abaningi indlela eya kuJesu.

Yini le ngokushesha okungaka eyayisihlukile ngalo wesifazane? Yini le eyayenze ushintsho olukhulu kangaka empilweni yakhe?

Wahlangana noJesu!

Namuhla kunemibuzo emithathu okufanele sizibuze yona:

Umbuzo wokuqala uthi: “Usuke wahlangana noJesu?”

Ukuhlangana noJesu, kusho ukumenza ingxenye yempilo yakho. Ngamanye amazwi, ukuba nobudlelwano obuphilayo Naye.

Umbuzo wesibili: “Ukhona osuke wamtshela ukuthi uhlangane noJesu?”

Yini ayenza lo wesimame? Wagijima waya edolobheni, kwathi ngesikhathi ehamba, watshela wonke umuntu lokho okwenzeke kuye. Akatshelanga nje umngani wakhe omkhulu, kodwa WONKE UMUNTU!

Umphumela kwaba wukuthi bonke abantu ababesuka edolobheni beza begijima bekhuphuka egqumeni ukuze bazibonele ngokwabo ukuthi okushiwo ngowesimame kwakumayelana nani. Futhi abantu abaningi bahlangana noJesu ngalelo langa, ngenxa yokuthi owesifazane oyedwa wahamba wayobatshela!

Umbuzo wesithathu: “Ngabe impilo yakho isiyehlukile ukunangesikhathi ungakahlangani noJesu?”

Uma uhlangana noJesu, zimbili izinto ezenzeka kuwe. Okokuqala uNKulunkulu uthethelela izono zakho, futhi ukupha ukuphila okuphakade. Into yesibili eyenzekayo kuwe, ukuthi uMoya Ongcwele uyeza azophila phakathi kwakho. Impilo yakho igcwaliswa ngoMoya Ongcwele.

Into yesibili okufanele yenzeke kuwe, ukuthi usuzoqala ushiye zonke izinto ezimbi ezisempilweni yakho, izono, bese uqala impilo entsha yokuthi uyabonga kuNkulunkulu ngenxa yalokho akwenzele khona. Uma ugcwalisiwe ngoMoya Ongcwele, wonke umuntu uzokwazi ukubona ukuthi ujabule nokuthi uyamthanda uNkulunkulu.

Inkinga ngabantu abaningi ukuthi sigcwele izaba. Anginalo ulwazi lokutshela abantu ngoJesu. Bazocabangani abangani bami ngami? Kufanele ngiqale ngiyothatha izifundo zobuvangeli. Kufanele ngiqale........

Wayazini lo wesifazane? Ayekwazi kwakuwukuthi uJesu umsindisile. Wayengayazi yonke imininingwane! Wenze njani? Wathi nje kubona bonke abantu: “Ngihlangane noJesu. Ushintshe impilo yami! Wozani nizibonele ukuthi konke lokhu kumayelana nani!” Ngabe lokho kunzima kakhulu?

Namuhla ngifuna ukukuphonsela inselelo yokuba uhambe uyokhuluma nomuntu oyedwa. Mtshele noma engowesimame noma engowesilisa: “uJesu wenze umehluko empilweni yami. Unginike ukujabula! Woza enkonzweni kanye nami ngesonto elilandelayo ukuze nawe uzibonele ukuthi lokhu kumayelana nani!”

Intshumayelo yasentabeni

NgokukaMathewu 5:13-16

Ngemuva kokuba uJesu esebabizile abafundi bakhe, waqala ukubafundisa kanye nabanye abantu ababemlandela , ukuthi uNkulunkulu ngempela ufuna baphile kanjani.

Ngolunye usuku oluthile, uJesu wayehamba ngasogwini lolwandle lwaseGalile. Ngokushesha kwaba khona izinkulungwane zabantu zamlandela ukuyombona enza izimangaliso kanye nokuyolalela izinto ezimangalisayo eyengazisho. Kwakunabantu abaningi ngalendlela yokuthi babengembone uJesu futhi bangemuzwe kahle. Ngakho uJesu wanquma ukugibela imbijana entabeni ukuze bonke bakwazi ukumbona. Wahlala phansi edwaleni elikhulu, wayeseqala ebafundisa ngempilo. Ake ulalele ezinye zezinto azisho kubo uJesu:

³"Babusisiwe abampofu emoyeni; umbuso wezulu ungowabo!”

Kusho ukuthini ukuba mpofu emoyeni? Kusho ukuthi uyazi ukuthi wencike kangakanani. Uma ngicabanga ukuthi ngingenza noma yini ngokwami, laphoke nginephutha. Kufanele ngazi ukuthi angisoze ngenza lutho ngaphandle kukaNkulunkulu.

⁴"Babusisiwe abalilayo.”

Ngabe lokhu kusho ukuthi umuntu olilela ukufa kothandiweyo wakhe uyathokoza ngempela? Qha, incazelo yalokhu ithi uma silila ngenxa yazo zonke izinto ezingalungile, bonke ubugebengu nenzondo nabantu abangamthandi uNkulunkulu, lapho-ke uNkulunkulu uzakusinika induduzo.

⁵"Babusisiwe abamnene.”

Uma ngifutha icilongo lami, kusho ukuthi ayikho indawo kaNkulunkulu empilweni yami, ngoba yimi ngedwa. Ubumnene, busho ukunikeza uNkulunkulu izibongo nodumo ngakho konke.

⁶"Babusisiwe abalambele bomele ukulunga.”

Ngipjila kanjani? Ngabe ngempela ngifuna ukwenza lokho uNkulunkulu afuna ukuba ngikwenze? Uma kunjalo, uNkulunkulu uyakungipha injabulo enhliziyweni.

⁷"Babusisiwe abanesihawu.”

UNkulunkulu ufuna simthande Yena kuqala, kodwa futhi sithande abanye abantu. Ukuba nesihawu kuyinkomba yothando onalo. Kusho ukuthi awubathandi kuphela abantu ngokusho ngomlomo, kodwa ngempilo yakho yonke, ukuze kube khona izinto obenzela zona futhi ubasize uma benezidingo.

⁸"Babusisiwe abanenhliziyo ehlanzekileyo; ngokuba bayakubona uNkulunkulu!”

Ukuhlanzeka enhlizweni kusho ukuqhelelana nesono. Uzama konke okusemandleni ukwenza izinto ezilungileyo, uqhelelane nezinto ezingalungile.

⁹"Babusisiwe abalamulayo, ngokuba bayakuthiwa ngabantwana bakaNkulunkulu!”

Abantu balwa bebanga noma ngabe yini encane kulemihla. Akusikho ukuthula lokho! Ukusebenzela ukuthula akusho kuphela ukuhlala ungaxabani namuntu, kepha kusho nokuthi kufanele uzame nokulamula abaxabanayo, ukuze kube nokuthula.

¹⁰"Babusisiwe abazingelwa ngenxa yokulunga; ngokuba umbuso wezulu ungowabo!

¹¹ Nibusisiwe nxa benithuka, bekhuluma konke okubi ngani, beqamba amanga ngenxa Yami.”

Uma wenza lokho uNKulunkulu afuna ukuba ukwenze, uSathane ngeke athokoze. Uzozama ukwenza yonke into ukuze akuvimbe ekuthandeni uNkulunkulu. Enye indlela angayisebenzisa ukuthi enze abantu bakuthuke noma bakuhluphe noma bekuqambele amanga. Lezi zinto zibuhlungu! Kodwa ungayeki ukwenza lokho uNkulunkulu afuna ukuba ukwenze. Uma wenza lokho, uzokuba nenjabulo enkulu enhlizweni yakho, eyedlula zonke lezo zinto ezenziwa ngabahedeni kuwe.

Lokhu kwakuyisiqalo sentshumayelo kaJesu emangalisayo yasentabeni. Ngemuva kwalokhu wafundisa abantu ngezinye izinto eziningi mayelana nokuthi uNkulunkulu ufuna abantu baphile kanjani. Waqala ngemizekeliso emibili, omunye ngosawoti nomunye ngokukhanya.

Unawo usawoti ekhaya? Umbuzo ungenasidingo lo! Impela wonke umunntu unawo usawoti ekhaya lakhe, ngoba usawoti uyinto oyisebenzisela izinto eziningi. Mhlawumbe into ebaluleke kakhulu oyisebenzisela wona kusekuthenini unikeze ukudla ukunambitheka. Ake uzame ukupheka inyama ungekho usawoti! Inambitheka ngokudumele! Usebenzisa usawoti kukho konke ukudla, kwesinye isikhathi nakophudingi abanoshukela! Kodwa futhi usawoti muhle kakhulu njengesibulala magciwane, ubulala amagciwane. Ungawusebenzisa ukuhlanza ikhala lakho uma kuwukuthi unesifo sokucinana kwamakhala, noma unkankaze ngawo uma kubuhlungu umphimbo. Ungawusebenzisa futhi uma ufuna ukugcina ukudla okuthile ukuba kuhlale isikhathi esithile, njengenyama, ukuze ingaboli.

UJesu watshela abantu: “Nina ningusawoti womhlaba.” Njengosawoti wangempela, njengoMkhristu ungaletha ukunambitheka okuhle ezimpilweni ezikuzungezileyo. Uma umamatheka futhi unobungani, abantu abakuzungezileyo nabo bazozizwa bengcono. Uma uphila ngokukhombisa uthando kwabanye, kungenza umehluko omkhulu emphakathisi wakho.

Njengalokhu usawoti uyisibulala magciwane, ungakwazi nawe futhi ukuba yisibulala magciwane uma uphila ngendlela uNkulunkulu afuna ukuba uphile ngayo. Njengokuthi uma udala ukuthula, inzondo izokufa.

Njengalokhu usawoti ugcina impilo yezinto ukuba zingaboli, nawe ungaba yisi “gcinampilo”. Kanjani? Uma utshela abanye abantu ngoJesu, ungabasiza ukuba bengaboli, ubanikeze ukuphila okuphakade.

Emzekelisweni wesibili, uJesu wathi kubo: “Nina ningukukhanya kwezwe. Kanjalo makukhanye ukukhanya kwenu phambi kwabantu, ukuba babone imisebenzi yenu emihle, badumise uYihlo osezulwini.”

Uma u-Eskom ecisha ugesi, wena wenze njani? Ukhanyisa ikhandlela. Ulibekaphi futhi ikhandlela? Ngaphansi kombhede wakho? Kuzokusiza kanjani lokho? Kuzokwethusa nje kuphela utokoloshe ocashe ngaphansi kombhede wakho!

Qha, ubeka ikhandlela lakho phezulu phezu kwento ukuze lizokhanyisa indlu yonke. Ngendlela efanayo, uma unguMkhristu, awukufihli lokho okukholwayo, ngoba akekho ozokwazi ngakho. Uzokuphakamisela phezulu lokho okukholwayo ukuze wonke umuntu azi ngakho. Isibonelo: Uyathanda ukuza kuSimunye kuJesu? Uma uthanda, pho kungani lendaba uyigcina kuwe wedwa? Phakamisa isibani sakho utshele abanye abantu ngoSimunye ukuze nabo babe yingxenye yaleli qembu.

Ungabi namahloni ngeqiniso lokuthi uyikholwa. Tshela abantu ngalo, ubatshele nangokuthula okumangalisayo onakho enhlizweni yakho. Batshele nokuthi nguJesu kuphela onikezana loluhlobo lokuthula okumangalisayo, kanjalo nentokozo ephuphumayo ongayithola kuphela empilweni yoMkhristu.

Uma uqhakambisa isibani sakho ngaleyo ndlela, akukho mayelana “nesimangaliso esihle esinguwe.” Kumayelana noNkulunkulu! Abantu kufanele babone ukujabula nokuthula empilweni yakho, futhi bazi ukuthi kuvela kuNkulunkulu kuphela, futhi kufanele bamdumise uNkulunkulu ngakho.

Kukhulekwa kanjani

NgokukaMathewu 6: 5-15

Sifundile ukuthi uJesu wanyuka ingxenye yentaba ukuba afundise izinkulungwane zabantu. Wethula leyontshumayelo emangalisayo entabeni. Watshela abantu imizekeliso eminingi – izindaba ezimfushane. Wabafundisa nokuthi empeleni uNkulunkulu uthanda ukuba baphile kanjani.

Enye yezinto ezibalulekile uJesu abafundisa yona, kwakuwukuthi kukhulekwa kanjani. Laba bantu babengakaze bafundiswe ukuthi kukhulunywa kanjani noNkulunkulu.

Ngokujwayelekile sikhuleka kanjani?

Siphatha uhlu lwezinto esizifunayo, bese sicela kuNkulunkulu: “Ngiyacela, ngidinga lokhu kanye nalokhuya. Ngifuna i-computer entsha ngoba lena isindala. Futhi ngifuna umakhalekhukhwini omusha nemali eyanele ukuze ngihlale ngiphila impilo kanokusho. Ngidinga imvula kabi-kabi ngoba ingadi yami yamaveji isesimeni esibi manje. Angizizwa kahle – Ngiyakucela, unginike ukuba nempilo enhle. Futhi ngidinga ukuba undodana wami athole umsebenzi.”

Izinto esizicelayo azisizo izinto ezimbi empeleni noma ezingalungile. Kodwa inkinga ukuthi sizicabanga thina nje kuphela. Futhi leyo yiyona ngxenye embi kakhulu.

Yini osuke ukhuluma ngayo uma uvakashele umngani wakho omkhulu? Ngabe uyamtshela ngazo zonke izinto ozifunayo? Qha!

Uma nihlangana, kungenzeka uthi kuyena: “Haw ngiyathokoza kakhulu ngokuthi sibe ndawonye. Ungumngani omuhle ngempela kimi yaz, futhi ngifuna nokukubonga ngokungisiza ngaleliya langa ngesikhathi nginesidingo. Kumnandi ukuba nomngani onjengawe.”

Uma sikhuleka, siqala kuphi? Okokuqala abatshela khona uJesu laba bantu ukuthi ukukhuluma noNkulunkulu akusiwo umbukiso! Abanye abantu “abangcwele” ngalezo nsuku babeya ezindaweni ezigqamileyo lapho babazi kahle ukuthi bazobonwa ngabantu bonke, bese beqala bethandaza ngokumemeza ukuze wonke umuntu ezwe ukuthi bangcwele kangakanani. UJesu wabatshela ukuthi le akusiyo indlela yokukhuluma noNkulunkulu. Wathi: “Hamba uye endlini yakho uvale umnyango emva kwakho. Uma sekuthulekile, bese ukhuluma noNkulunkulu kungekho muntu, uNkulunkulu kuphela ozokuzwa.”

Yingxoxo eyimfihlo ephakathi kwakho noNkulunkulu. Okunye futhi: UNkulunkulu uyakwazi okudingayo, noma ngabe kuthiwa awumtshelanga Yena. Akubalulekile ukuba wazise uNkulunkulu kuze kube kashumi ukuthi udinga into ethile. Uma uza kimi uthi: “Louis, Ngiyadinga ngempela ukuthola umsebenzi.” Ngizobe sengiyazi ukuthi udinga umsebenzi. Mhlawumbe bese ngivele ngazi ngaphambi kokuba ungitshele. Ngemuva kwemizuzu emibili uphinge uthi futhi: “Louis, ngidinga umsebenzi!” Nasemuva kwemizuzu eyisihlanu uphinde uthi: “Louis, ngifuna umsebenzi!” Ngemuva kwengxenye yehora usho futhi: “Louis, Ngiwudinga okwangempela umsebenzi!” uphinde nangasemuva kwehora uthi: “Louis, ngempela, ngempela ngiyawufuna umsebenzi!”

Ucabanga ukuthi ngizophendula ndlelani? Kungenzeka ngithethe: “Yima wo! Ngiyazi!” noma ngenze isiqiniseko sokuthi uma ngikubona ngiyakucashela.

“Uma nikhuleka, anibokhuleka kanje nithi:” uJesu etshela abantu, "Baba wethu osezulwini: Malingcweliswe iGama Lakho;”

Uyakhumbula ukuthi ngiyiqale kanjani ingxoxo yami nomngani wami? “Aw ngijabule ukukubona – ukhethekile kimi!” Ngendlela efana ncamashi naleyo, ngitshela uNkulunkulu ukuthi ungokhethekileyo kangakanani kimi. Ungcwele futhi ngifuna ukumtusa nokumdumisa Yena. Ngifuna ukucula Ngaye futhi ngibe Naye ngithokozele umzuzu nomzuzu okhethekileyo ngikanye Naye. Kuyinto emnandi ukukwazi ukukhuluma Naye uNkulunkulu.

Ungakwazi ukuthola ithuba lokukhuluma nomnumzane Zuma? Ngeke ukwazi! Onogada bakhe bengakuvimba ungakamboni nokumbona nje. Ngeke uze uthole nokwenzelwa iphoyinti lokuba ningabonana nixoxe. Nokho uNkulunkulu mkhulu kakhulu kakhulu ukunomnumzane uZuma, kodwa ungakhuluma Naye noma nini uma usuke uthanda ukukhuluma Naye. Akusiyo into emangalisayo leyo?

Into yesibili uJesu ayazisa abantu ukuba batshele uNkulunkulu: “Mawufike umbuso wakho; mayenziwe intando yakho emhlabeni njengasezulwini.”

Ngamanye amazwi kufanele ngitshele uNkulunkulu ukuthi ngingathanda kangakanani ukubona bonke abantu abasemhlabeni jikelele beba ngamaKhristu. Ngeke kube yinto enhle! Ake ucabange nje, uma omakhelwane bakho bonke bebengahlanganyela nathi ngoMgqibelo kuSimunye! Besingaphakamisa loluphahla ngokuhlabelela nokutusa uNkulunkulu! Uma futhi bonke abantu bebengenza intando kaNkulunkulu, ukuthandana nokuthanda uNkulunkulu. Bekungebe bikho bugebengu, nazimpi, nankohlakalo nanzondo!

Uma sesikhuleke kanjalo, sesingamcela uNkulunkulu: “Usiphe namuhla isinkwa sethu semihla ngemihla.” Qha, asimceli ukuba asinike ukudla okwanele unyaka wonke, kodwa okwanele inamuhla. Kusasa sizokhathazeka ngokudla okwanele ikusasa. Ngalokhu sithi kuNkulunkulu sencike Kuwe wedwa ngokupheleleyo. Asisho ukuthi: “Nkulunkulu, ngicela ungiphe impilo, kodwa ungakhathazeki ngokudla, ngizozibonela maqondana nokudla!” Sencike kuNkulunkulu maqondana nakho konke. Ngaphandle Kwakhe singephile ngisho nomzuzwana owodwa.

Okulandelayo yilokhu: “Sithethelele amacala ethu, njengalokhu nathi sibathethelela abanecala kithi.”

Sonke siyakukhulekela ukuba uNkulunkulu asithethelele amacala ethu. Kodwa kulula ukukhohlwa ingxenye yesibili, ewukuba sithethelele abanye abasonayo, njengalokhu uNkulunkulu esithethelela nathi. Ngingalindela kanjani ukuthi uNkulunkulu angithethelele ezinto eziningi engimona ngazo nsuku zonke, uma mina ngingafuni ukuthethelela ngokupheleleyo lowo ongenze into eyodwa embi?

UJesu wagcizelela lokhu: “Uma nithethelela abantu iziphambeko zabo, noYihlo wasezulwini uyakunithethelela nani.”

Into yokugcina ayisho uJesu ukuthi: “Ungasingenisi ekulingweni, kodwa usikhulule kokubi.”

Kusho ukuthini lokho? Kunezinto eziningi empilwenni ezingasiqhelisa kuNkulunkulu. Abangani bakumemela emicimbini owazi kahle ukuthi kuzobe kuphuzwa kakhulu noma lapho okuzokwenzeka khona izinto ezimbi. Kukuleyo ndawo futhi la umlingi, Omubi ethokoza khona. Sicela ukuba uNkulunkulu asikhombise la kwenzeka khona izinto ezingalungile khona, nokuthi futhi asiphe amandla okwenqaba sithi “Qha!” uma abantu besimemela ezindaweni ezinjalo.

Ukuphetha: Uma sikhuleka, siqala ngokutusa uNkulunkulu bese sithi sifuna ukubona umbuso kaNkulunkulu usuka emandleni uya emandleni.

Okwesibili siyakusho ukuthi sencike kuNkulunkulu maqondana nakho konke esikudingayo.

Okwesithathu ukuthi sicela uNkulunkulu ukuba asithethelele, bese siyasho ukuthi siyavuma ukuthethelela abanye emaphutheni abawenze kithi.

Okwesine siyamcela uNkulunkulu ukuba asisize sidede kuso sonke isono.

Izisekelo Ezimbili

NgokukaMathewu 7:24-29

Ziyi-19 kuNdasa kowe-2007 kwafika othile egijima eze kimi ekuseni. Wathi: “Yehla uze olwandle ngokushesha. Sinenkinga enkulu! Isiphepho sishaye i-Ballito izolo ebusuku, manje kunomonakalo omkhulu owenzeke emizini engasolwandle.”

Ngangena emotweni yami ngaphuthuma ngehlela olwandle, Engakubona kwangifikisela ngokwesaba. Usebe lolwandle lwaseBallito lwaluyincithakalo! Amagagasi amakhulu ayefikile ngayizolo ebusuku asusa sonke isihlabathi esisogwini lolwandle. Kodwa kwakungesikho lokho kuphela, umgudu othutha indle wawo wonke amaflethi aku-beachfront wawulimele nawo, indle yagijima ngaphandle ize iyofika ogwini lolwandle.

Kodwa okubi kunakho konke, wukuthi imizi namaflethi aku-beachfront ayekhinyabezekile kakhulu ngenxa yolwandle olwalukade luthukuthele. Ngesikhathi ngiqhubeka ngihamba ngigudla ulwandle, ngangihamba ngibona nezindawo ezinyantisa umzimba. Kwesinye isiqhephu samaflethi kwakunechibi lokubhukuda (swimming pool) elikhandwe egqumeni ngasolwandle ngaphambi kwamaflethi. Ngesikhathi ulwandle lufika, lwaluvele lwagugula sonke isihlabathi esingaphansi kwe-Swimming pool, kwasala le-swimming pool ihlezi emadwaleni, ilengele ngasolwandle.

Ezinye izakhiwo zazakhiwe esihlabathini zisondelene kakhulu nolwandle. Amagagasi ashaya amafasitela, kwesinye isikhathi amanzi angena ngaphakathi kwesakhiwo futhi kwesinye isikhathi aze abulala nodonga lwangemuva lwesakhiwo.

Omunye waleyo mizi kwakuphelile ngawo uguguleke wonke. Wonke umuzi washabalala olwandle, ngenxa yokuthi wawakhiwe esihlabathini maduzane kakhulu nolwandle.

Isikebhe sokutshuza naso sasikhukhulekile salimala saphela. Into eyayisele nje yiphansi laso.

Indawo yokudlela encane enegama elithi: “Galley On The Rocks” yayingakhiwanga emadwaleni empeleni. Yayakhiwe egqumeni lasolwandle iphakeme ukunolwandle. Ngalobo busuku ulwandle lwafika lwakhukhula ingxenye yegquma, kwase kuthi ekuseni ngakusasa ingxenye yendawo yokudlela yayilele phansi ngasogwini lolwandle. Kwabiza ukuthi ivalwe leyo ndawo yokudla unyaka wonke ukuze balungise umonakalo.

Kodwa futhi ngase ngibona into eyangichaza: Indlu yabahlengi bezimpilo basolwandle (lifesaver’s building) yayakhiwe khona osebeni lolwandle. Lesi sakhiwo sasisamile siqinile ngemuva kwezikhukhula. Yebo, kwakukhona amafasitela ayephukile, kodwa kungekho monakalo kuso isakhiwo. Kungani?

Unjiniyela wagcizelela ukuthi izisekelo zalesi sakhiwo kufanele zakhiwe edwaleni eliqinile. Umphumela kwaba wukuthi uma kufika izikhukhula ezimbi ukwedlula zonke ezake zaba khona emlandweni weBallito, isakhiwo siqhubeke sime siqinile.

UJesu wayesaqhubeka netshumayelo efundisa laba bantu entabeni. Wayesebatshela umzekeliso. Umzekeliso yindaba emfushane oyixoxa ukuze ucacise kahle udaba oluthile oluyiqiniso. UJesu wayesebenzisa imizekeliso izikhathi eziningi ukuze afundise abantu, ngoba into uyikhumbula kangcono uma ukwazi ukuyeyamanisa nendaba ethile. Uyawukhumbula umzekeliso engiwusebenzisile emasontweni ambalwa edlule mayelana nekhandlela ngaphansi kombhede ukuze wethuse otokolose? Impela ngeke uwukhohlwe!

Umzekeliso awusebenzisa uJesu esifundweni sanamuhla yilowo omayelana nendoda eyakha indlu. Njengaleyondlu yabahlengi bempilo ngasolwandle, naye wayakha indlu yakhe edwaleni. Ngesikhathi kufika izimvula ezinkulu zakhukhula lonke ihlabathi, indlu yakhe yaqhubeka nokuma iqinile ingenawo umonakalo omkhulu.

UJesu wabuye wabalandisa ngomunye umzekeliso mayelana nendoda yesibili eyakha indlu yayo esihlabathini. Ayifunanga ukulokhu izixaka ngokumba ize ifike edwaleni. Okwathi ngesikhathi sekufika imvula enkulu yakhukhula ihlabathi, kwenzakalani? Indlu yakhe yaguguleka kanye nesihlabathi futhi isakhiwo sawa, ngoba kwakungekhonto eqinileyo ngaphansi.

Lo kwakuwumzekeliso. Sithé yini umzekeliso? Yindaba esitshela iqiniso maqondana nenye into.

Ucabanga ukuthi yini uJesu ayefuna ukubatshela yona abantu ngalendaba yendlu?

Indlu imele impilo yakho. UJesu wayefuna ukukhombisa indlela efanele yokwakha impilo yakho. Uma isakhiwo esiyimpilo yakho singenazo izisekelo ezifanele, kanjalo nawe indlu yakho izokuwa uma kufika izivunguvungu zempilo zishaye indlu yakho.

Yiziphi izisekelo abantu abakhela kuzo izindlu zabo?

1. Imali. Uma nginemali eyanele, lapho ngiyathokoza. Abaningi abakwazi ukuthola imali eyaneleyo. Abantu abampofu basazama ukuthola imali. Uma kufika isivunguvungu esikhulu balahlekelwe yiyo yonke imali, nabo bayalahleka. Konke okubalulekile empilweni yabo sekulahlekile.

2. Abangani. Uma abangani bakho beyikho konke kuwe, noma bengabangani ababi abangenendaba noNkulunkulu, laphoke unezisekelo ezingafanele. Uma laba bangani bekushiya, uba senkingeni.

3. Ezemidlalo. Abanye abantu baphilela ezemidlalo nokungcebeleka. Uma kunomdlalo omkhulu webhola ngesonto ekuseni, bangamane bazihlalele ekhaya babuke umdlalo ukunokuya esontweni. Yisisekelo esingalungile leso, futhi uma kwehlulwa iqembu lakho, ngathi uphelelwe wumhlaba, indlu yakho iyawa.

4. Inkolo. Lokhu kuzwakala njengesisekelo esihle. Kodwa uma inkolo yakho yesekelwe ezintweni ezingalungile, laphoke ingaba yingozi. AbaFarisi babengabantu benkolo kakhulu, kodwa babengabadukileyo ngoba lwalungekho uthando enkolweni yabo. Uma inkolo yakho yesekelwe emikhubeni, wena-ke usenkingeni. Uma ushawa ubunzima, uyaqala ungabaze uNkulunkulu, bese indlu yakho intengezela.

Ziningi izisekelo ezingalungile ongakha kuzo impilo-khaya yakho, lezi engizibalile ezinye ezimbalwa zazo. Uma izivunguvungu nemvula kufika, indlu yakho izokuwa uma wakhe ezisekelweni ezingafanele.

Kunesisekelo esisodwa esiyisona sona ongakha indlu yakho phezu kwaso, lowo nguKhristu Jesu iDwala. Uma unobudlelwano bangempela obuphilayo noJesu, noma kungafika izivunguvungu eziyingozi kangakanani empilweni yakho, ziyokushiya usamile. Yebo, izikhukhula zizozamazamisa indlu yakho, uze uzizwele ukwesaba. Kodwa indlu yakho ngeke ize iwe uma nje yakhelwe kuJesu futhi isekelwe kulo iDwala laPhakade.

Isiphepho Namademoni

NgokukaMathewu 8:23-34

UJesu wachitha isikhathi esiningi entabeni efundisa abantu. Sigcine sizwa ngendaba yezindlu ezimbili, enye yakhiwe esihlabathini kuthi enye yona yayakhiwe edwaleni. Kwase kufika isiphepho nemvula enkulu, kwathi indlu eyakhiwe esihlabathini yemuka nezikhukhula, kodwa eyayisedwalani yema iqinile.

Ngemuva kwakho konke lokhu, uJesu wayesekhathele kakhulu, wayesehlela olwandle nabafundi bakhe abayishumi nambili. Bangena esikebheni sikaPetru, base beqala begwedla ukuze bawelele ngaphesheya kolwandle lwaseGalile endaweni ebizwa Gadara. UJesu wayekhathele kakhulu ngenxa yesifundo sosuku lonke ayesenzisile, wabe eselala phansi ebhentshini, wafikelwa wubuthongo.

Ngesikhathi sebephakathi nolwandle, umoya waqala ukuvunguza. Wakhula ngamandla waqhubeka, waze waba yimvula enesiphepho. Amagagasi asishaya isikebhe ezinhlangothini, bonke abafundi bafikelwa ngukwesaba. Ngaleso sikhathi, uJesu wayelele njengomntwana! Abafundi bazama ukwenza izaba ezazingabenza basheshe bafike ngaphandle emhlabathini owomileyo ophephile, kodwa konke kwaba yize leze, futhi babona ukuthi bazominza bonke kuleso siphepho esibi.

Ekugcineni bavusa uJesu: “Nkosi, sisindise! Sizokufa!”

"Kungani ninokwesaba okungaka?" UJesu ebabuza. "Kungani ukukholwa kwenu kukuncane?" Wayesevuka wayalela umoya namagagasi ukuba kume, kwathi ngokushesha isiphepho saphela nya. Umoya wayeka ukuvunguza namagagasi athoba.

Amadoda ayishumi nambili ayemangele kakhulu. Babengakukholwa lokho ababekubone kwenzeka. Base beqonda ukuthi uJesu akasiye umuntu nje owejwayelekile, ungaphezulu kakhulu kwalokho! Ngisho nolwandle nomoya kuyamlalela!

Baqhubeka nohambo lwabo baze bafika ngaphesheya kolwandle eGadara. Ngesikhathi befika nje bemisa isikebhe osebeni, babona amadoda amabili egijima eza kubo. Okwesabisa kakhulu wukuthi, lawa madoda ayesuka emathuneni. Uma befika eduze, babona ukuthi kukhona ngempela okwakungalungile ngalawa madoda amabili. Babenamehlo okujoqa nje uma ubabheka, futhi babona ukuthi njengoba eze kubo awazele khona ukuba kuxoxiswane ukuze kwakhiwe ubungani. Ayeze kubo ukuze abashaye!

Into ababengayazi, ukuthi wonke umuntu wayebesaba laba ababili, ngoba babenodlame futhi babeshaya noma ngubani osondela kubona. Eqinisweni lilonke, lamadoda ayekhwelwe ngamademoni, futhi ayephila emathuneni phakathi kwamangcwaba futhi egcweleza wonke umuntu owayeza ngakubo. Babengenamngani ngoba akekho owayenesibindi sokukhuluma nabo.

Uma lawa madoda amabili eza eviva ehlela kuJesu nabafundi bakhe, abafundi babefuna ukuphindela esikebheni baphuthume emuva eGalile. Kodwa uJesu wama lapho emoyizela, wabalinda laba ababili ukuba bafike kuyena. Ngokungazelele bavele bama, base beqala beklewula: "Ufunani kithi, wena Ndodana kaNkulunkulu? Uze ukusibhubhisa isikhathi esifanele singakafiki?"

Ucabanga ukuthi lawa madoda amabili ayecabanga ukuthi impela uJesu uze ukuzowajezisa? Futhi ucabanga ukuthi lawa madoda amabili amazi kanjani uJesu ukuthi wayengubani? Bathola kanjani ukuthi uJesu wayeyiNdodana kaNkulunkulu?

Iqiniso ukuthi lawa madoda amabili ayengazi lutho mayelana noJesu. Kwakungesibona ngisho abakhulumayo! Kunezwe esingeke silibone – izwe lezingelosi namademoni. Izingelosi ziyizinceku zikaNkulunkulu kuthi amademoni wona ayizinceku zomlingi. Nawo ayizo izingelosi, kodwa ezaxoshwa ezulwini noSathane ngesikhathi evukela uNkulunkulu.

Ngamanye alawo mademoni ayengene kulamadoda amabili. Angena ahlala emizimbeni yawo ayesesebenzisa impilo yawo. Ayewalawula ngokupheleleyo, ukuze lawa madoda enze njengalokhu eyalelwa yilawa mademoni. Amademoni aze asebenzisa ngisho amaphimbo abo ukukhuluma noJesu. Ngakho ngesikhathi amadoda ebuza uJesu: "Ufunani kithi, Ndodana kaNkulunkulu?” kwakungewona ayekhuluma, kodwa amademoni ayekubo. Amademoni ayemazi kahle uJesu. Ayazi kahle ukuthi ungubani! Kodwa awamdumisanga, ayedumisa inkosi yawo, uSathane.

UJesu watshela lawa mademoni ukuba aphume kulawa madoda. Amlalela uJesu ahamba ayongena emhlambini wezingulube. Izingulube zaqala ukugijima, zakhalakathela eweni zaminza.

Ngokushesha bonke abantu kulelo dolobha bezwa ngokwenzakele. Bafika ukuzobona lendoda enamandla angaka okukhipha amademoni. Kodwa babemesaba uJesu, Ngakho bamncenga ukuba amuke kuleyo ndawo. Ngakho uJesu kanye nabayishumi nambili baphindela esikebheni bagwedla baphindela eGalile.

Le yindaba eyethusayo! Kodwa kuningi ongakufunda kuyo. Engxenyeni yokuqala yalendaba sibona ukuthi uJesu wasiyala kanjani isivunguvungu ukuba sithule, kwenzeka. Uma sifunda ku-Johane 1, siyabona ukuthi empeleni uJesu nguye owadala konke. Uma adala umoya nolwandle, unawo amandla enele okukulawula lokhu. Futhi yilokho ngempela uJesu ayefuna ukukukhombisa. Siyazi akukho nto namunye ongalawula isiphepho. Ngenhla sike sabona ukuthi singenza ini isiphepho. Kodwa uJesu unamandla ngokwanele ukuyalela isiphepho esivunguzayo ukuba sithobe simlalele.

Endabeni yethu yesibili sibona into efanayo. Wonke umuntu wayewesaba lawa madoda amabili, futhi wayengekho nongenza okuthile ukuze awakhulule ezibophweni zawo ezinzima. Kodwa ngezwi elilodwa, uJesu wawanikeza inkululeko ephelele. Wavele wathi emademonini: “Go! Hamba!” Avele enza into eyodwa, amthobela.

Asekhona amademoni nanamuhla? Futhi uma esekhona, asangena kubantu? Impendulo ithi “Yebo!” Mina qobo sengike ngabona ukuthi amademoni ahlala kanjani kubantu. Ngake ngalibona kunomkhosi wamaHindu, lapho amaHindu ayephethwe amademoni. Ngike ngabona futhi ngonyaka odlule eMozambique, lapho abantu babekhwelwe ngamademoni. Kodwa izibopho zephulwa ngomzuzu lapho uJesu efika ezimpilweni zabo!

Kodwa sithini ngawe nami? Amanye amaKhristu ayawesaba amademoni!

Iqiniso wukuthi uma nje uMoya Ongcwele ekuwe, ayibe isabakhona indawo yedemoni. NjengamaKhristu kufanele siqinisekise njalo ukuthi sigcwalisiwe ngoMoya Ongcwele, nokuthi sinobudlelwano obuphila ngempela noJesu. Lapho-ke asinaso isizathu sokwesaba ukungenwa ngamademoni. UJesu unamandla ngokwanele ukuba athulise isiphepho namandla okuxosha noma ngabe yiliphi idemoni!

Umnikazi Wendawo Kanye Nabalimi Abangalungile

NgokukaMathewu 21:33-41

Ngolunye usuku uJesu waxoxela abantu indaba engejwayelekile. Wathi kwakukhona umuntu owayenendawo futhi enenhloso yokuyithuthukisa. Wahamba wayothenga izithombo zomvini, wasebenza kanzima etshala isivande sesivini. Wayazi ukuthi ngolunye usuku lokhu kuyomthelela izithelo, nokuthi uyothola inqwaba yezithelo zomvini ezinoshukela nezinambithekayo kulesi sivande.

Kodwa akemanga lapho, wathola nababiyayo ukuze bamakhele uthango oluhle lodonga oluzozungeza isivande ukuze izimpungushe zingangeni zone insimu yakhe. Kodwa nokho kwakungenele, waphinda wakha umbhoshongo ukuze kube khona ohlala kuwo ngenhloso yokuqapha insimu yomvini. Waphinde wakha nesikhamo sewayini ukuze izithelo zomvini esezivuniwe zenziwe iwayini.

Lokhu kwamenza ukuba eneliseke. Konke kwakugculisa.

Kodwa lomnini-ndawo wanquma ukuthi akafuni ukukugcina kungokwakhe lokhu. Wakhipha isikhangiso sokuthi leli pulazi lezinga eliphezulu liyaqashisa. Kwafika umlimi othile. Okwakufunwa yilomnini-ndawo nje ngesivande sakhe, kwakuwukuba athole ingxenye yesivuno minyaka yonke. Umlimi wayethokozile, wayeseyavuma. Ngakho umnini-ndawo wahamba kwasala kwaqhubeka umlimi.

Inyanga nenyanga umlimi wabona izithelo zomvini zivela, zakhula zaze zaba nkulu kakhulu. Kwase kufika isikhathi sokuvuna. Umlimi wayethokozile kakhulu, ngoba lomnikazi wendawo wayesebenzise okwenani eliphezulu nokwekhethelo okwakuzosiza ukuthi kutholakale isivuno esinamahlukuzo anezithelo zomvini ezinoshukela futhi ezinambitheka kamnandi. Engqondweni yakhe wabona imali iza yelakanyana lapho ethengisa iwayini elihle.

Kodwa futhi lesi kwakuyisikhathi sokuthi umnini-ndawo eze ezothatha umvuzo ababevumelene ngawo oqondene nokuthi lomlimi uqashile. Wathumela izigqila zakhe ezintathu ukuba zizothatha leyo nkokhelo. Kodwa umlimi wayesenothando olwedlulele lwemali. Wayengafuni ukwabelana nomnini-ndawo inzuzo enkulu ayeyenzile. Ngakho watshela ezakhe izigqila ukuba zishaye izigqila zomnikazi wendawo. Bazishaya baze babulala esisodwa kuzo, basishaya ngamatshe esinye.

Uma umnini-ndawo ezwa ngalesi sigameko esibi esenzekile ezigqileni zakhe, wacabanga ukuthi kungenzeka ukuthi lokhu kube yiphutha elikhulu, ngakho waphinda wathumela ezinye izigqila ezintathu. Umlimi waphinde wenza kuzo njengalokhu enzile kwezinye.

Wakhathazeka kakhulu umnini-ndawo. Engayenza kanjani into embi kangaka lomlimi! Wanquma ukuthi okungenani akathumele indodana yakhe ukuthi iyokhulumisana nalomlimi. Indodana yakhe kwakufana nokuthi imele yena, ngakho wayengeke ayilimaze umlimi.

Kodwa ngesikhathi indodana yakhe ifika, umlimi wacabanga ukuthi uma ebulala indodana, wayezozitholela isivande ukuba sibe ngesakhe. Ngakho wayalela ukuba izigqila zakhe zibambe lensizwa ziyikhiphele ngaphandle kwesivini ziyibulale.

UJesu wayesebuza umbuzo: “Uma umnini-sivini ebuya, nicabanga ukuthi yini ayoyenza kulomlimi omubi kangaka?”

Wena ucabanga ukuthi wayeyokwenze njani? Uma wawuyilowo mnikazi wesivini, wawuyokwenze njani? Lomuntu ubulele abasebenzi bakho waphinde wabulala nengane yakho ngesihluku! Impela ufanelwe yisigwebo esinzima kakhulu.

UJesu waqhubeka, wabatshela ukuthi bona qobo babeyilomlimi. Yibo qobo ababenqaba uMnikazi wesivini kanye neNdodana Yakhe, nokuthi lesi “sivini” ayebanikeze sona umnikazi wendawo uyakubephuca ngelinye ilanga, sinikezwe abantu abazosiphatha ngendlela efanele.

Abantu ababelalele uJesu abathokozanga ngalokhu ayekusho, ikakhulukazi abaFarisi kanye nenhloko yabaPristi. Babazi ukuthi amazwi kaJesu ayeqondiswe kubo. Futhi babehlela ukumchitha uJesu!

Mhlawumbe uzokuthi: “Abantu babegcwele ububi ngaleyo mihla!” Kodwa lendaba iyasithinta wena nami namuhla. Lena yindaba yothando olukhulu lukaNkulunkulu kubo bonke abantu. Eminyakeni eminingi unikile abantu uthando nomusa ngokuchichimayo. Kodwa abantu bona bazicabangele bona kuphela futhi bafuna izipho zikaNkulunkulu ngaphandle kokufeza eyabo indima ngokwenza izimiso zikaNkulunkulu. UNkulunkulu ufuna bonke abantu bakholwe nguye, bamthande Yena futhi bamkhonze. Kodwa abakwenzi lokho. Ngakho uNkulunkulu wathumela abaphrofethi, izithunywa Zakhe kubantu. Babashaya bababulala.

UNkulunkulu wayesethumela iNdodana Yakhe, uJesu, bambulala ngesihluku!

Uma sibuka eminyakeni eyizi-2000 eyedlule, sizobona ukuthi ziningi kangakanani izinceku zikaNkulunkulu ezahlushwa, zaxoshwa, zabulawa nokubulawa. Kusenzeka lokhu futhi nanamuhla!

Umbuzo wokuqala esizibuza wona namuhla, uwukuthi asisibo yini nathi labo abahlukumeza izithunywa zikaNkulunkulu. Ngiyakholwa wukuthi akekho kithi onjalo.

Uma singenjalo, siyizinceku zikaNkulunkulu. Yizindaba ezinhle lezo, Akunjalo? Zifanelwe ukwenzani-ke lezi zinceku zikaNkulunkulu? Mazibe yizithunywa zikaNkulunkulu. Nokho akukakabi lula ukuba yinceku kaNkulunkulu, ngoba abantu bayakuhleka uma ubatshela ngoJesu. Basakubiza ngesiwula uma ukholwa. Basasebenzisa iGama elingcwele likaNkulunkulu ukuthuka, uma ubakhuza, bayakubhuqa. Ngeviki eledlule ngizwe umlingisi odumile we-TV ethi ukuthi konke kwadalwa nguNkulunkulu yimbudane leyo. Wayeqonde ukuthi akekho uNkulunkulu. Ngangifuna ukuthi kuye: “Kwenzeka kanjani ukuthi ube yisiwula kangakla?”

Kwamanye amazwe ama-Muslim kunzima. Abantu bayakufela ukuba yizithunywa zikaNkulunkulu, noma baboshwe ngenxa yokutshela abantu ngoJesu. Kumelene nomthetho kulawo mazwe.

Bangaki kithi abanesibindi sokuba yizithunywa zikaNkulunkulu? Akulula, futhi ungabhuqwa noma uthukwe ngenxa yalokhu.

Kodwa khumbula into eyodwa: Ababhinqi wena, babhinqa uNkulunkulu uqobo. Umlimi wayengaxabene nezigqila zomnikazi wendawo. Uma ebulala izigqila wayelwa nomikazi wesivini.

Akukuhle-ke ukuba mina nawe sizame ukwenza okuthile kubo. Asiyeke! Uma umuntu ala uNkulunkulu, Naye uyakumala suku lumbe! Angifisi ukuba sezicathulweni zabo mhla kwenzeka lokho!

UNkulunkulu unxusa bonke ukuba bemukele ukuphila okuphakade. Kufanele bakwemukele lokhu ngokukholwa eNdodaneni Yakhe, uJesu. Kuyisinqumo somuntu ukukhetha izulu, ukuphila okuphakade noma ukuya ekujezisweni esihogweni.

Ubufakazi BukaPetru

NgokukaLuka 9:18-20

Ngumsebenzi onzima ukuba ngomshumayeli. Kufanele ulalele abantu abaningi nezinkinga zabo. Futhi kuthatha amahora amaningi ukulungiselela intshumayelo. Kufanele ukwazi lokho okhuluma ngakho. Ngaphambi kokuba ushumayele ngento ethile, kufanele uqale ufunde izincwadi ezinzima. Futhi uma ushumayela, kufanele ulinganise, ukuze abantu bakwazi ukukulalela. Unzima lomsebenzi!

Kodwa ngeke ushumayele uma ungathandazi, leyo yinto ebaluleke kakhulu. Empeleni, ngeke wenze lutho uma ungathandazi. Wonke umsebenzi onzima wokulungiselela intshumayelo awusho lutho uma ngingathandazi ngikhulume noNkulunkulu mayelana nalokhu, ngicele ukuhlakanipha namandla.

Kodwa kukhona enye into ebalulekile uma ufuna ukushumayela: Kufanele ukholelwe kuNkulunkulu. Uma ungakholwa, ayikho-ke into ongashumayela ngayo.

Kodwa ngingakuqinisekisa ukuthi akekho umshumayeli namuhla osebenza kanzima njengalokho kwenza uJesu esengumshumayeli. Wayengashumayeli kuphela, wayephulukisa abaningi, abaningi abagulayo, futhi wenza izimangaliso eziningi. Ngumsebenzi onzima lo. Wayesebenza amahora amaningi, futhi wayehlala ezungezwe yizinkulungwane zabantu, futhi bonke befuna ukuthi abanake. Ngiyacabanga nje ukuthi ingabe wayehlezi ekhathele kangakanani njalo ntambama.

Futhi wayengayi nokuyophumula embhedeni ontofontofo, ngoba isikhathi esiningi, Yena nabalandeli Bakhe babelala phansi ezindaweni ezingaphandle.

UJesu wayekwazi kanjani ukukwenza konke lokhu?

Impendulo ilula: Amandla okuqhubeka wayewathola emkhulekweni. Wayekhuleka! Endabeni yethu namuhla, yilokho esimthola ekwenza. Kufanele ukuthi kwase kuntambama emva kokuba izixuku sezihambile zaya emakhaya. UJesu wayesele yedwa kanye nabayishumi nambili. UJesu wabuyela engxenye ukuze abe yedwa, abe yedwa nje zwi. Wayefuna ukukhuleka yedwa. Kwakuyimfihlo Yakhe leyo eyayimgcina eqhubeka, ukuze akwazi ukuqhubeka nomsebenzi wakhe onzima.

Singafunda kuJesu. Uma ungibona ngoMgqibelo ekuseni, ubona nje usomahlaya ozijabulele futhi okhulumela safuthi okhonze nokulingisa nokumoyizela. Kodwa nansi imfihlo enkulu. Empeleni nami nginazo izinkinga. Enye yazo eyokuthi umkami sekuphele inyanga esesibhedlela. Akakwazi ukuhamba. Kodwa ngeke ngivumele lokho kume endleleni yami. Ukukunika lentshumayelo ngoMgqibelo, kuthatha isikhathi esiningi ngilungiselela. Izolo ekuseni ngiqale ngehora le-4 ekuseni ukulungiselela. Uma sengifika ngoMgqibelo, ngisuke sengikhathele.

Kodwa imfihlo yami wukuthi, ngikhuluma noNkulunkulu, bese engipha ukuhlakanipha namandla okwenza zonke lezi zinto. Angisiyo inhlansi eqhakazileyo. NguNkulunkulu ongenza ngibe yinhlansi eqhakazileyo. Ngaphandle Kwakhe, ngiyize, indoda nje endala ekhandlekile ezama ukushumayela, engaphumeleli nokho.

Kodwa indaba yethu ayikho mayelana nami – imayelana nendoda ebizwa ngoPetru. Ngesikhathi uJesu ematasa ekhuleka, yena nabangani bakhe babehleli, bebukela uJesu bemangala nanokuthi konke lokhu kuthandaza okungaka kwakumayelana nani kanti. Ngesikhathi uJesu eseqedile ukukhuleka, wababiza. Wayesebabuza umbuzo nje ohlekisayo. “Nivame ukuhlangana nabantu abanokufika bezongibona. Niké nibezwe futhi bekhuluma izinto ezithile Ngami. Ngifuna ukwazi: bathini laba bantu Ngami? Bakholwani ngami? Bathi ngingubani?”

Abafo bavele bawuhleka lombuzo ongathi shu. “Abanye bathi Wena unguJohane umbhaphathizi. Abanye bathi ungumphrofethi uEliya! Abanye bacabanga ukuthi ungomunye wabaphrofethi abakhulu abake baphila emandulo.”

Kodwa lo kwakungesiwo nje umbuzo ongathi shu, ngoba uJesu wayefuna ukwazi abakholwa yikho laba abayishumi nambili. Babeqonda ngempela ukuthi ungubani Yena? Wayesebabuza: “Nina-ke – Nikholwa yikuphi NINA? Nicabanga ukuthi ngingubani?”

Wasukuma uPetru: “UnguMesiya kaNkulunkulu!”

KuMathewu 16, sibona uJesu etshela uPetru: “Ubusisiwe wena Simoni kaJona, ngokuba inyama negazi akukwambulelanga lokhu, kodwa uBaba osezulwini. Wena unguPetru, iDWALA! Phezu kwaleli dwala ngiyakulakha ibandla lami, ayikho into eyakulahlula.”

Umbuzo wethu namuhla: sikholwa yini THINA? Yini oyikholwayo ngoNkulunkulu? NangoJesu? Uma kukhona okubuza lowo mbuzo namuhla – ungaphendula uthini? Ngingakutshela engikukholwayo?

* Kuyangenamisa ukukhuluma ngezinto engizikholwayo. Okokuqala ngikholwa ngenhliziyo yonke nomphefumulo nengqondo ukuthi kukhona uNkulunkulu weqiniso, ophilayo, onothando onamandla onke – uBaba, iNdodana noMoya Ongcwele.

* Nguye odale izulu nomhlaba. Udale nezigidigidi zezinkanyezi esusela kokungekho. Udale izimbali nezilwane nezimvemvane ezinhle ........ futhi wadala mina nawe! Konke lokhu, Ukudale ngezandla zakhe. Yena qobo!

* NgoJesu-ke? Ngokholwa ukuthi uJesu unguNkulunkulu. UnguKhristu, iNdodana kaMininimandla wonke. Futhi uyazi ukuthini? Namuhla ngigxuma ngokuthokoza ngoba uyiNkosi yami futhi!

Mhlawumbe ngingekuqonde konke, kodwa ngiyazi ukuthi konke kuyiqiniso. UJesu wazalwa njengengane eyejwayelekile, unina uMariya, wayengayazi indoda. Ngiyakukholwa lokhu, ngoba liyasho iBhayibheli, eliyiZwi likaNkulunkulu.

* Ngiyakholwa futhi ukuthi uJesu, iNdodana kaNkulunkulu, wahlupheka futhi wahlawulela izono zami. Abantu bamala bambhinqa. Bamzwisa izinhlungu bambhoboza ngezipikili ezandleni nasezinyaweni, wafa esiphambanweni ehlawula izono zami. Wabe esengcwatshwa engcwabeni.

* Kodwa namuhla ngisina ngokujabula, ngoba akangcinelanga ethuneni: wavuka kwabafileyo, futhi waphuma ethuneni.

* Uyaphila! Waya ezulwini, futhi uhleli esihlalweni sikaNkulunkulu ukuze abuse njengeNkosi yamakhosi.

* Ngiyakholwa futhi ngolunye usuku uzobuya ezokwahlulela bonke abantu.

* Kodwa angikwesabi lokhu kwahlulelwa, ngoba ngiyazi ukuthi usethethelele zonke izono zami. Unginikeze ukuphila okuphakade, ngelinye ilanga ngizophila naye ezulwini.

* Ngifuna nokusho ukuthi ngiyakholwa kuMoya Ongcwele. Ukimi ngaphakathi, unginika ukuhlakanipha namandla engiwadingayo.

Ungakusho lokhu nawe namuhla? Uyakukholwa lokhu? Nawe unaye uJesu phakathi ekujuleni kwenhlizweni yakho?

Ukungena Okunokuhalalisa Ukunqoba

NgokukaLuka 19:28-40

Langa limbe uJesu watshela abafundi Bakhe ukuthi makuyiwe eJerusalema emkhosini wePhasika. Base bethi bona kuJesu: “Rabi, uma siya khona, impela abaFarisi bazokubopha futhi bakubulale!”

UJesu wabaphendula wathi: “Lalelani! Siyaya eJerusalema! Konke okwalotshwa ngabaphrofethi ngami kuzofezeka eJerusalema. Ngizonikelwa kumaRoma. Bazongijivaza, bangishaye, futhi bangibulale. Kodwa ngemuva kwezinsuku ezintathu ngizovuka ekufeni!” (Ungafunda kabanzi ngalendaba, NgokukaLuka 18: 31-34)

Ngakho bathatha-ke uhambo olude oluya eJerusalema. Ngovivi lwangakusasa ngeSonto, Bafika emzaneni othiwa yiBethaniya, owawuseduzane kakhulu neJerusalema. Uma belapho base belibona phambi kwabo idolobhakazi laseJerusalema. UJesu wema lapho, ebuka ezansi indlela ethubelezayo eyehla intaba yeminqumo iya esangweni elikhulu elisogangeni. UJesu wayesejikela kubafundi bakhe wenza isicelo esingejwayelekile: “Yehlani niye kuloya muzi. Nizofica imbongolo iboshelwe esigxotsheni. Ngifuna niyilethe kimi leyo mbongolo. Uma kukhona onibuza ukuthi niyithukululelani lembongolo, nivele nimtshele ukuthi: ‘iNkosi iyayidinga lembongolo’”.

Laba bafo bavele bavuma ngamakhanda – abakuqondanga lokhu. Ngokuqinisekileyo, uma befika emzaneni, yayikhona imbongolo, njengalokhu uJesu eshilo. Ngakho bayihambisa kuJesu imbongolo.

Ngaleso sikhathi, othile wabona uJesu emile egqumeni, elinde abafo ukuba babuye. Watshela bonke abangani bakhe ukuthi ubone uJesu, nabo batshela abangani babo, kwathi emizuzwini nje embalwa kwase kunezinkulungane zabantu zihaqe uJesu.

Uma abafundi befika nembongolo, babeka izingubo emhlane wayo, bagibelisa uJesu kuso isilwane. Wayeseqala ehamba ngayo ehla endleleni ethubelezayo eya edolobheni, eyehla intaba yeminqumo.

Kwase kuba khona oqala iculo: “Nkulunkulu busisa ozayo eGameni leNkosi!”

Laba bantu babona izinto eziningi ezimangalisayo ayezenzile uJesu, ngakho babeqinisekile ukuthi impela uJesu wayenguMesiya. Babefuna ukumgcoba njengenkosi yabaJuda, futhi babethemba ukuthi leNkosi enamandla izobakhulula kumaRoma. Ngakho abantu abaningi bayivuma ingoma eyayiculwa: “Nkulunkulu busisa loyo ozayo eGameni leNkosi!” Ngokushesha kwase kucula wonke umuntu: “Ubusisiwe uMbusi ozayo eGameni leNkosi! Hosannah! Hosannah! Hosannah, Hosannah!”

Babethokozile kakhulu, ngoba babecabanga ukuthi uJesu wayeze ukuzokhulula idolobha laseJerusalema. Babesina futhi bememeza: “Makadunyiswe uNkulunkulu!” Abantu abaningi bahlephula amagatsha amasundu bawaphakamisela phezulu ukukhombisa injabulo yabo. Abanye abantu baze bathatha nezingubo zabo bazendlala phansi emgwaqeni phambi kukaJesu ukuze angene edolobheni enyathela phezu kwazo ngembongolo.

Ngaso sonke isikhathi babelokhu beculile: “Hosannah! Hosannah! Hosannah, Hosannah! Ubusisiwe uMbusi ozayo eGameni leNkosi!”

Kodwa akusiwo wonke umuntu owayethokozile. Uma besondela edolobheni, kwakukhona amadoda amadala ayehlinile emi phakathi nomgwaqo. Wona ayengaculi kanye nabanye. Ayecasukile! Babengakuthandi ababekubona. “Thulani umsindo!” ememeza, kodwa isixuku esikhulu saqhubeka saziculela: “Hosannah! Hosannah! Hosannah, Hosannah!” Lamadoda ayeseqonda kuJesu, amyala athi kuye: “Tshela abalandeli bakho ukuthi bayeke ukubanga umsindo, bathule!”

Kodwa uJesu wabaphendula wathi: “Ngiyanitshela namuhla ngithi: Uma bethula laba, amatshe namadwala azomemeza!”

AbaFarisi abadala abahlinileyo babemgugudela amazinyo ngesikhathi isixuku siqhubeka nokucula: “Hosannah! Hosannah! Hosannah, Hosannah!”

Uma sebesondele kakhulu eJerusalema, uJesu wavele wakhala izinyembezi. Wayekhala kamunyu, ngesikhathi ebheka izindonga ezinhle zedolobha: “Oh Jerusalem”, waba nesibibithwane, “Ukuba ubukwazi okuyakwenzeka kuwe.” Abantu babengazi ukuthi sekonakelephi manje kuJesu, kancane kancane bayeka ukucula.

UJesu wanqekuzisa ikhanda lakhe ngosizi: “Siyeza isikhathi lapho izitha zakho ziyakukukaka nxazonke, Jerusalema.” wathi, “Ziyakukubhubhisa ngokupheleleyo nabantu abaphakathi kwezindonga zakho; abayikushiya netshe elilodwa lingasuswanga endaweni yalo, ngenxa yokuthi ungasazanga isikhathi sokuhanjelwa kwakho lapho uNkulunkulu eze ukukusindisa!”

Akekho owayeqonda ukuthi uJesu wayekhuluma ngani. Empeleni kwakuyisiphrofetho. Eminyakeni engama40 eyalandela, amaRoma alwa no-Israyeli. Bahlasela iJerusalema, Balichitha idolobha elihle. Baze badiliza nethempeli lobukhosi balishisa. Kwakukhona igolide eliningi odongeni lwethempeli, lancibilika, langena emifantwini yamatshe. Amasosha adiliza izindonga ukuze afinyelele egolideni. Alikho itshe elasala odongeni lwethempeli, kwenzeka njengalokho uJesu eshilo ukuthi kuzokwenzeka.

Yenzekelani lento embi kanje? Ngoba amaJuda amala uJesu! Babengafuni ukukholwa Kuye. Bona laba bantu ababecula: “Hosannah! Hosannah!” bamemeza ngokuthukuthela ezinsukwini ezimbalwa: “Mbetheleni! Mbulaleni! Asimfuni lo-Jesu empilweni yethu!”

Namuhla ekuseni sicula ngokuthokoza: “Hosannah, Hosannah, Hosannah kweliphezulu!” Kodwa siqonde ukukusho konke esikuculayo? Noma ndlela thize nathi sifana nalaba bantu? Babengenabo ubudlelwano noJesu. Kubona uJesu wayenguMesiya oMkhulu owayezobenzela izinto. Wayezobakhulula kumaRoma. Wayezobusa njengeNkosi abanike impilo entofontofo. Okwathi uma bebona ukuthi uJesu ngeke akwenze lokhu okwakuyizimfuno zabo, baphoqa ukuthi abulawe.

Abantu bayavama ukuthi bangamaKhristu, baze baye esontweni. Kodwa lokho bakwenza ukuze baphoqe uNkulunkulu ukubenzela izinto. “Nkulunkulu, Ngiyalifunda iBhayibheli, ngiyakhuleka futhi ngiyaya esontweni! Sengiyidlalile indima yami, sekuyithuba Lakho manje ukuthi unginike impilo, imali, umsebenzi, umuzi omuhle.” Uma uNkulunkulu engakwenzi lokho, bayamthukuthelela bayeke ukwenza izinto “ezinhle”.

Umuntu onobudlelwano noNkulunkulu, uya esontweni futhi enze okuhle ngoba ethanda uNkulunkulu, hhayi ngoba elindele okuthile kuNkulunkulu. Uma nginobudlelwano noJesu, izinto ziqale zonakale, ngiyaqhubeka ngimkhonze futhi ngenze lokho afuna ngikwenze. Ngiyaqhubeka ngicule: “Hosannah! Hosannah!” ngoba ngimthanda uJesu ngokungenamibandela ekujuleni kwenhliziyo. Ngiyazi Naye ungithanda ngokungenamibandela, kakhulu ukunendlela mina engingakwazi ukumthanda ngayo Yena.

Ikamelo Eliphezulu

NgokukaMathewu 26:17-30

UJesu kanye nabafundi Bakhe abayi-12 basuka eGalile baya eJerusalema, komunye wemikhosi emikhulu yabaJuda: iPhasika. Uma befika eJerusalema, abafundi balethela uJesu imbongolo, wangena edolobheni ngalembongolo. Baningi abantu abeza Kuye. Baphakamisa amahlamvu amasundu bacula: “Hosanna, hosanna!” Babecabanga ukuthi uJesu uze ukubasindisa kumaRoma.

Ezinsukwini ezimbalwa ezilandelayo kwase kuyisikhathi sePhasika. Ngomkhosi wePhasika, kuvame ukuthi imindeni ibe ndawonye, kudliwe inyama yewundlu lemvu, nemifino ebabayo nesinkwa esasenziwe sangafakwa imvubelo. Baphuze newayini.

Isidlo sePhasika sasibakhumbuza usuku uNkulunkulu ahlenga ngalo uIsrayeli eGibhithe. Ngosuku olwandulela ukuphuma kwabo, kwakufanele babulale iwundlu bagcobe igazi lalo ezinsikeni zeminyango ukuze ingelosi yokufa idlule kubo ibayeke ukuba basinde.

UJesu nalaba bafo abayi-12 babengu “mndeni”, futhi babefuna ukuba nalesi sidlo ukuhlonipha uNkulunkulu nokumbonga ngokuba wasindisa okhokho babo. Kodwa babedinga indawo la babezohlanganela khona. Babengenabo abangani nezihlobo eJerusalema lapho ababengathola khona indlu ukufeza lenjongo.

Ngakho uJesu wathuma abanye balaba bafo edolobheni, wabatshela nokuthi baye emzini othile la beyofumana khona indoda. Kwakufanele bayicele ukuthi basebenzise indlu yayo ukwenza isidlo. Uma ibuza ukuthi kumayelana nani, kwakufanele bayitshele ukuthi “uMfundisi” wabo uyayidinga.

Bahamba-ke baya eJerusalema, bathola kunjengalokhu uJesu ebatshelile. Balungisa indlu nokudla kwePhasika lakusihlwa.

Ngesikhathi kufika intambama, baya bonke endlini bahlala phansi bazungeza itafula elikhulu. Ngaleyo mihla abantu babengahlali empeleni bazungeze itafula, babehlala kokuyimiqamelo. Ngesikhathi bedla, uJesu wathi kubo: “Omunye wenu uzakungikhaphela.”

Babukana bethukile. Ubani ongenza into embi kanjena? “Impela kungebe yimi Nkosi?” bonke abafo bebuza. INkosi yabo ingayisho kanjani into embi kanjena ngabo?

Kwakukhona umcengezi owawunenyama nesobho. Abafo bathatha isinkwa sabo basicwilisa kulomcengezi onesobho. UJesu wayesethi kubo: “Omunye wenu ocwilise isinkwa kanye nami uzakungikhaphela futhi ngizakufa.”

Omunye kwabayishumi nambili wayenecala – igama lakhe lalinguJudasi. Kwathi kusesekuseni waya kubaholi bamaJuda wayobatshela ukuthi uzimisele ukumkhaphela uJesu. Bamkhokhela isiliva ngalesi senzo sakhe esibi.

Manje uJudasi wabuka uJesu, ebukeka emsulwa: “Ngokuqinisekile awuqondile ukuthi yimina, Nkosi?”

“Usushilo!” uJesu emtshela.

Ngemuva kwalokho, uJesu wathatha ucezu lwesinkwa. Ngesikhathi esasibambile ezandleni zakhe, wakhuleka wathi uyabonga kuNkulunkulu. Wayesesihlephula, wasinikeza abafundi bakhe. “Thathani nidle,” wathi kubo, “lokhu kungumzimba wami.”

Ucabanga ukuthi uJesu wayesho ukuthini ngalokhu? Njengalokhu lolo cezu lwesinkwa lwahleshulwa, kanjalo nomzimba wakhe wawuzohleshulwa. Ngamanye amazwi, wayezobulawa. Ngosuku olulandelayo umzimba Wakhe wahleshulwa. Wabulawa – wafa, umzimba Wakhe wahleshulelwa mina nawe. Namuhla, uma sidla isinkwa ngesikhathi sesidlo esingcwele, sisikhumbuza uJesu, nokuthi umzimba Wakhe wahleshulwa kanjani uhleshulelwa mina nawe ngoLwesihlanu Oluhle.

Okulandelayo uJesu wathatha isitsha sewayini wathi kulawa madoda: “Leli yigazi lami, liphuzeni. Igazi lami lizochitheka ukuze nithethelelwe izono zenu.”

Nanamuhla lisasikhumbuza ukuthi uJesu wahlawulela zonke izono zethu ngegazi lakhe eliyigugu. Ngaso sonke isikhathi uma sinesidlo seNkosi, siyalibona iwayini, siyalihogela silinambithe. Bese sazi ukuthi impela konke kungokwangempela. Uma sikholwa kuJesu, usesithethelele zonke izono zethu. Ngalokhu futhi usinika ukuphila okuphakade. Ngegazi Lakhe siba ngabantwana bakaNkulunkulu.

Kafishane emuva kwalokho, uJudasi waphuma wahamba. Waya kubaholi bamaJuda eyobatshela ukuthi uJesu uzobuchitha kuphi ubusuku, ukuze bezombopha. UJudasi kwakufanele ahambe nabo ukuze abakhombise indawo lapho ayazi ukuthi uJesu uzokuba khona. Kwase kumnyama ensimina la uJesu ayekhona kanye nabafo endaweni ayezochitha kuyo ubusuku, nokulapho uJudasi kwakufanele amasosha awahambise khona, Kuye.

Ngesikhathi beqeda ukudla kwabo, baphuma baya ensimini entabeni yeminqumo ukuze bathole indawo yokulala. Endleleni eya khona uJesu wabatshela ukuthi bazomphika, okungukuthi ngeke beme kanye Naye lapho ebadinga. Babezobaleka futhi batshele abantu ukuthi uJesu abamazi. UPetru wayengathokozile ngalokhu. Wathi kuJesu: “Mhlawumbe abanye bazokuphika, kodwa mina? Qha, ngeke! Ngizokuma nawe ngisho bengangibulala!”

UJesu wathi kuPetru: “Petru, kulobu busuku uzongiphika kathathu lingakakhali iqhude.”

UPetru akakuthandanga lokhu kukhonjwa ngenjumbane. Kodwa ngabo lobo busuku kwenzeka lokhu njengalokhu uJesu emtshelile. Ngesikhathi intombazane imbuza ukuthi ungomunye yini wabangani bakaJesu, uPetru waphika – wathi futhi akamazi nokumazi loJesu yena.

Uma befika endaweni yokulala, amadoda wona azilungiselela ukulala. Nokho uJesu waqhela ibangana, ngoba wayefuna ukuba yedwa ukuze akhuleke. Isikhathi eside uJesu wasichitha ekhuleka. Wanxusa kuNkulunkulu ukuba izinto ezimbi zosuku olulandelayo zingenzeki Kuye. Kodwa wayesethi kuNkulunkulu: “Makwenzeke intando yakho, Baba.”

Kafushane emuva kwalokho uJudasi wafika namasosha ukuzobopha uJesu ukuze bamyise ekuthethweni kwecala Lakhe.

UJesu Uyabethelwa

NgokukaMathewu 27: 32-44

UJesu wangena eJerusalema ekhwele emhlane wembongolo. Bonke babecula “Hosannah! Hosannah!” futhi babephakamisa amagatsha amasundu ngenjabulo bemukela uJesu edolobheni laseJerusalema.

Emuva nje kwezinsuku ezine kuphela, Ngalolo Lwesine ebusuku, uJudasi wamkhaphela uJesu, nangempela waboshwa. Phakathi nobusuku, bamthatha bamyisa emzini womphristi omkhulu, lapho bambeka khona amacala enkantolo. Umngani oyedwa wakhe owaba nesibindi sokuya ayobuka ukuthi kwenziwani kuJesu, kwakungu Petru. Kodwa lapho omunye ebuza uPetru ukuthi uyamazi yini uJesu, wathi: “Qha, angiyazi leNdoda, angikaze ngiyibone naphambilini.”

Kwaqhubeka-ke ukuqulwa kwecala, ihora emva kwehora. Bashaya uJesu ebusweni bambhinqa, kodwa akazamanga ukuziphindiselela. Umphristi omkhulu wabeka uJesu icala, ngokuba wayethe uyiNdodana kaNkulunkulu. Umphristi omkhulu wathi okwakushiwo nguJesu kwakuhlambalaza, futhi ngenxa yalokhu kufanele abulawe kabuhlungu. Kodwa abaJuda babengenawo amandla okunika umuntu isigwebo sokufa – Kwakuyiziphathimandla zaseRoma kuphela ezazikwazi ukukhipha isigwebo sokufa.

Kwakusengovivi kakhulu ngesikhathi behambisa uJesu kumshushisi wamaRoma, uPontiyu Pilatu. Ngemuva kokuthethwa kwecala isikhathi eside, wathola ukuthi uJesu wayemsulwa. Wayengenacala lokuba angajeziselwa ukwephula umthetho othile. Kodwa amaJuda afuna ngenkani ukuba uJesu abulawe, babefuna ukumbona elenga esiphambanweni. Bona laba bantu abakade behlabelela “Hosannah!” base bememeza: “Mbethele! Mbethele!” Kwaze kwaba noPilatu uyanikezela. Wageza izandla zakhe ukubakhombisa ukuthi akahlangani ndawo nalokhu, nalesi sigwebo sokufa, nokuthi igazi likaJesu lalisezandleni zabo.

Wayesethumela uJesu phansi emasosheni. Bambophela ogodweni, bamshaya ngenkalivasi enamahhuka ensimbi ekugcineni. Bamshaya kwaze kwaba igazi liyagobhoza emzimbeni Wakhe. Bambhinqa baphoqelela nomqhele wameva ekhanda Lakhe, ukuze ameva amgwaze angene esikhunjeni sakhe, igazi lagobhoza ebusweni bakhe.

UPetru akazibonanga zonke lezi zinto zenzeka eNkosini yakhe, ngoba wabaleka – wayenamahloni kakhulu ngalokho ayekwenzile. Mhlawumbe wayesaba.

UJesu kwakufanele azithwalele isiphambano Sakhe esisindayo ekhuphuke intaba aze afike endaweni ethiwa yiGolgotha – indawo yekhanda. Abantu abaningi bamlandela uJesu behamba bembhinqa. Kodwa ngemuva kwesikhashana uJesu wayengasakwazi ukuqhubeka nokusithwala. Wayesephelelwe ngamandla ngenxa yokushaywa nokulahlekelwa yigazi, ngakho wayengasakwazi ukuqhubeka nokuthwala isiphambano – kwakuwugodo olusindayo kakhulu. Amasosha ayesebamba indoda eyodwa eyayiseduze kukaJesu, bayiphoqa ukuthi ithwale isiphambano sikaJesu. Igama layo kwakunguSimoni – indoda evela eKhurene, okuyidolobha elikhulu eliseLibhiya eNyakatho Afrikha. Wasithatha isiphambano wasithwala, ngalesi sikhathi amasosha namaJuda eqhubeka nokubhuqa uJesu emhubha emnyusa intaba eqongileyo.

Uma befika esiqongweni, bathatha zonke izingubo zikaJesu bamlalisa esiphambanweni esiwugodo. Kwathi elinye lamasosha lathatha isando nesipikili esikhulu sensimbi, laqala labethela libhoboza izandla zeNdodana kaNkulunkulu. UJesu kufanele ukuthi wayekabalasa ngenxa yobuhlungu. Ngesikhathi seliqedile ngezandla, lashayela izipikili zangena ezinyaweni zikaJesu.

Base bemvusa ngaso isiphambano ukuze alenge, enqunu, nezipikili zidabula inyama yakhe. Bonke babehleka futhi bememeza bemhlambalaza bembhinqa.

Ngalesi sikhathi bonke abahlala edolobheni base bekhona, ngoba bonke babezwile ngalento eyayenzeka entabeni. Abesimame ababemlandela uJesu babekhona, babemi ndawonya ngaseceleni, bekhala futhi bedangele kakhulu ukubona indoda abayithandayo kangaka, ilenga isezinhlungwini ezinkulu ongazicabanga. Esixukwini, kwakukhona nedlanzana lamadoda, kodwa babengambhinqi bona uJesu – babemile nje. Babechotshozwe wukuthi iNkosi yabo nomngani uphathiswe okwesigebengu. Yebo, noPetru wayekhona naye. Wayekhala, ngoba ngesikhathi lapho umngani wakhe ebemdinga kakhulu, yena uvele wabaleka.

Kwakukhona namanye amadoda amabili ayebethelwe Naye uJesu. Ayekade engabaphangi, nababulali. Ngesikhathi belenga nabo besezinhlungwini, esinye sezelelesi samhlambalaza uJesu – sasho izinto ezimbi Ngaye. Kwathi esinye iselelesi samtshela ukuthi akulungile akwenzayo - UJesu wayengenacala. Sasikhuza lesi esinye sathi asiyiyeke lento esiyishoyo. UJesu wayesethi kulendoda izokuba sePharadesi (ezulwini) kanye Naye ngalobo busuku.

UJesu wayelenga kukhona ilanga elalishisa, walenga isikhathi eside. Ngaleyo ntambama ilanga lavele lanyamalala, kwavele kwaba mnyama bhuqe isikhathi esithile. Kwathi ngemuva kwalokho kwalandela ukuzamazama komhlaba okubi kakhulu kwazamazama idolobha laseJerusalema. Abantu besaba ngesikhathi bebona lezi zinto. UNkulunkulu wadabula nekhethenisi, isihenqo esiqinileyo sasethempelini.

Emva kwalokho uJesu wafa. UPetru kanye nabanye abafundi bakhala kamunyu, ngoba iNkosi yabo nomngani wayesehambile engesenakubuya.

Indoda elungileyo, uJosefa wase Aramathiya wangcwaba uJesu engcwabeni elaliqoshwe etsheni ayezithengele lona. Baginqela itshe elisindayo emnyango walo.

Bafika ubusuku, kwase kuba yiSabatha.

Ithuna Elingenalutho

NgokukaJohane 20:1-18

Kanye ngonyaka sibungaza usuku olubalulekile: uLwesihlanu Oluhle. Wusuku esikhumbula ngalo ukubethelwa kukaJesu.

Ngendlela enyantisayo uJesu washaywa, wahlanjalazwa futhi wabethelwa ogodweni lwesiphambano ukuba afe, efakwe umqhele wameva ekhanda Lakhe.

Ekuhambeni kwesikhathi ngaleyo ntambamba, esefile uJesu, indoda ecebileyo egama layo nguJosefa wase-Arimatheya yeza ukuzosiza abesifazane ukuzokwethula umzimba kaJesu esiphambanweni. Base bemngcwaba uJesu ethuneni likaJosefa.

Abaholi bamaJuda babesaba ukuthi abafundi bazoseba isidumbu sikaJesu, ngakho bahlela ukuthi amaRoma abeke amasosha , nophawu ethuneni futhi baligade ithuna imini nobusuku.

Ngalowo Mgqibelo ebusuku kwenzeka okuthile ethuneni. Amasosha anamandla ayesekhona emile egadile njengokomsebenzi wawo, ngesikhathi ebona amadoda amabili angejwayelekile egqoke izingubo ezikhazimulayo emi ngasethuneni. Amasosha esaba kakhulu. Lawa madoda amabili kwakuyizingelosi zikaNkulunkulu. Aginqa itshe elisindayo kakhulu elaliphambi kwethuna. Amasosha esaba avele abaleka.

Esikhashaneni nje uMariya Magdalena nabanye abesimame ababili babefuna ukuya ethuneni. Kwakusemnyama ngeSonto ekuseni ngesikhathi bethatha uhambo oluya khona. Uma befika, besaba kakhulu, ngoba babona ukuthi ithuna lalivulekile.

UMariya Magdalena waphenduka wagijima wabuyela emuva kuPetru noJohane ukuba abatshele ukuthi ithuna lalivulekile futhi othile webile isidumbu sikaJesu.

Ngaleso sikhathi, laba abanye besimame ababili babuka phakathi ethuneni ukuthi ngabe kwenzakaleni. Babona izingelosi ezimbili ezembethe izingubo ezikhazimulayo. Izingelosi zatshela laba besimame ukuthi uJesu wayengekho phakathi ethuneni – nokuthi uvukile kwabafileyo. Babuyela emuva ukuyotshela abanye lokho ababekubonile.

Ngesikhathi besesendleleni eya emuva ekhaya, bahlangana noPetru noJohane begijima ngesivinini esikhulu. UMariya Magdalena wabalandela waphindela nabo ethuneni.

Ngesikhathi lawa madoda amabili efika ethuneni, uJohane wafike wema ngaphandle, ezama ukubona ukuthi empeleni kwakwenzakalani ngaphakathi ethuneni elimnyama. UPetru yena wafika wasunduza uJohane wedlula wangena ngaphakathii. Lapho wabona indwangu ayekade esongwe ngayo uJesu ekhanda, isongwe kahle yabekwa eceleni. Ezinye izingubo ayesongwe ngazo emzimbeni uJesu zazibekwe inqwatshana eceleni.

Amadoda amabili ahamba aphindela emuva ekhaya. Ayengakuqondi okwakwenzekile.

UMariya Magdalena wabuya ethuneni ngemuva kokuba esehambile amadoda. Wayedangele kakhulu, ngoba wayecabanga ukuthi othile usebile isidumbu sikaJesu. Wayekhala. Wabukisisa phakathi ethuneni, wabona izingelosi ezimbili ezibonakele kulaba banye besimame.

Izingelosi zambuza ukuthi ukhalelani. Wazitshela ukuthi othile webile isidumbu seNkosi yakhe, futhi wayengazi nokuthi sebesibekephi manje.

Wayeseyaphenduka wathatha uhambo lwakhe.

Kodwa kwakukhona umuntu owayemile endleleni, futhi lowo muntu wambuza ukuthi: “Ukhalelani na? Ufuna bani na?”

UMariya wayekhala kangangokuba akabonanga nokuthi ngubani owayeme phambi kwakhe: “Ngicela ningitshele ukuthi nisingcwabe kuphi isidumbu sakhe,” ephethwe yisibibithwane, “Ngizokuza ngimthathe mina lapho nimbeke khona.”

Lowo muntu wavele wambiza ngegama lakhe: “Mariya!”

Waphakammisa ikhanda wabuka lomuntu, ngaleso sikhathi wayeseyabona ukuthi nguJesu owayemi phambi kwakhe. Wayejabule kakhulu – wambamba emilenzeni ukuba ange izinyawo zakhe.

Kodwa uJesu wathi akasukume ahambe ayotshela abafowabo kanye nabanye ukuthi Yena uyaphila.

Ngaleso sikhathi zanda izindaba zokuthi ingcwaba livulekile futhi alinalutho. Abaningi abalandeli bakaJesu babuthana ndawonye ukudingida lezi zinto ezazenzekile. Babekhathazekile, ngoba babengazi ukuthi empeleni kwenzakaleni. Ababekwazi nje wukuthi umzimba kaJesu wawungekho. Ngabe kukhona owaweba? Ngubani kodwa owayengenza into embi kangaka?

Laba besimame ababili ababebone izingelosi batshela wonke umuntu lokho okwakushiwo yizingelosi. Kodwa ababakholwanga. Mhlawumbe bebeziphuphela nje!

Kwafika uMariya Magdalena egijima: “Ngimbonile! Ngimbonile!” ememeza.

“Ubone bani, Mariya?”

“Ngibone uJesu! Ubekhuluma nami washo nokuthi angizonitshela ukuthi Yena uyaphila!”

“Uqinisekile, Mariya?”

“Impela ngiqinisekile! Ngimbone ngamehlo ami ngize ngabamba imilenze yakhe ngamqabula ezinyaweni. Wayesekhuluma nami. Impela ngiqinisekile!”

Ngalo lolo suku amadoda amabili afika egijima endlini: “Simbonile uJesu!” ememeza. Besiya eEmawuse, ngesikhathi uJesu eza kithi. Uye wahambisana nathi futhi uze wadla nathi. Ey besijabule ukubona ukuthi uyaphila.”

Izindaba zanda njengomlilo wequbula. NgeSonto ntambama abaningi babebuthene endlini, belalele izindaba zabantu ababone uJesu. Bakhiya umnyango, ngoba babesaba abaJuda.

Ngokuzuma uJesu wayesemi phakathi kwabo. Wangena iminyango ikhiyiwe. Wonke umuntu wayethokozile ukumbona. Manje base beqonda ukuthi bekungesizo nje izindaba, kodwa wayevukile ngempela.

Impela, namuhla sinesiqiniseko sokuthi uJesu akusiye nje umlingiswa wasendabeni ethile. Wafa esiphambanweni wabethelwa futhi. Kodwa wavuka kwabafileyo, nanamuhla usaphila. Abaningi bambona ngemuva kokuvuka kwakhe.

Wayethembise abafundi bakhe ukuthi uzovuka ekufeni, futhi wasigcina isethembiso Sakhe. Wenza ezinye izethembiso eziqondene nami nawe namuhla. Ucabanga ukuthi uzozigcina nalezo?

Impela uyakuzigcina izethembiso Zakhe. Akafani nosopolitiki bethu abenza izethembiso ezingafezwa. Izethembiso Zakhe kimi nakuwe ziyakuma phakade.

Uhambo Lokuyodoba

NgokukaJohane 21:1-6

Sayizwa indaba ye-Easter. UJesu wabethelwa. Wafa wangcwatshwa. Kodwa ngeSonto ekuseni wavuka ekufeni. UJesu wayephila! Wahlangana nabesimame ababili ngasethuneni wabatshela ukuthi mabahambe beyotshela abafundi ukuthi bambonile nokuthi wayefuna baye eGalile, lapho ayezohlangana nabo khona.

Benza njengokuba babeyaliwe baya eGalile, lapho abamlinda khona uJesu. Kodwa laba bafo babengazi ukuthi bamelwe ukwenzani besamlindile uJesu. Ngolunye usuku uPetru wayesethi kwabanye: “Nginomzwangedwa, ngisayodoba! Ukhona ofuna ukuhamba nami?”

“Kulungile, ngiyeza,” kusho uTomase. “Nami,” kusho omunye. Ngakho ngaleyo ntambama abafo abayisikhombisa baya olwandle ukuyodoba.

Uma befika ogwini, balayisha izigwedlo namanetha esikebheni sikaPetru. Base besunduzela lesikebhe esisindayo emanzini, bangena phakathi bonke, baqala bagwedla.

UPetru wayazi kahle ukuthi bengazitholaphi izinhlanzi, ngakho wathatha abafo wabayisa endaweni ekahle la babezothola khona izinhlanzi eziningi. Baqala-ke baphonsa amanetha abo, bantweza ngokungathi benza indingiliza omunye wabo waphonsa amanetha ngakwesokhohlo somkhumbi njengalokhu babejwayele ukwenza.

Ngesikhathi wonke amanetha esesemanzini, bawadonsa macala womabili. Ngesikhathi wonke amanetha esesesikebheni baqala babheka izinhlanzi kuwo. Kodwa abatholanga neyodwa nje inhlanzi. Lutho!

Impela babephoxekile, ngoba babecabanga ukuthi bazothola inqwaba yezinhlanzi.

Kodwa babengeke bavele badikile kalula kanjalo nje, ngakho baphinda baqala phansi futhi, baphonsa amanetha ngakwesokhohlo somkhumbi, njengalokhu babekwenza lokhu iminyaka ngeminyaka. Baphinda futhi bahambisa isikebhe besizungezisa ukuze bakake izinhlanzi ziye enetheni. Base beqala futhi bedonsa amanetha ngokwesibili. Donsa, donsa, donsa! Batibila bedonsela amanetha asindayo esikebheni.

Kodwa ngesikhathi bebheka ofishi emanetheni, kwakungekho lutho nakalokhu. Kungekho ngisho usayidini!

Bafudukela kwenye indawo baphinda baphonsa amanetha, bawadonsa bacinga, nangaleso sikhathi amanetha ayengenalutho.

“Angisayiqondike lento”, kusho uPetru. “Akukho ngisho ufishi owodwa kulo lonke ulwandle! Yenzeka kanjani into enjalo?”

Ngaleso sikhathi kwase kuphele isikhathi eside. Babeshikashikeka ngokudoba ubusuku bonke besebenza kanzima. Kodwa nokho babengabambi ngisho nofishi omncane. “Ngiyayeka manje!” kusho uPetru, “asihambe siye ekhaya!”

Baqala bagwedlela ukubuyela emuva ekhaya. Kodwa uma befika osebeni, babona umuntu emi ogwini. Wabamemeza: “Zikhona izinhlanzi enizibambile?”

“Qha! Azikho!” bemphendula.

Umuntu osogwini wayesethi kubo: “phonsani amanetha enu ngakwesokunene sesikebhe.” Kwakusemnyama, babengakwazi ukubona kahle ukuthi ngubani lomuntu, owayemi ogwini.

UPetru wacabanga: “Ukuphi umehluka? Uma zingekho izinhlanzi ngakwesokhohlo sesikebhe, ngakwesokunene zizokuba khona!” Kodwa wanquma ukulisebenzisa leli thuba, base beqala bephonsa amanetha abo ngakolunye uhlangothi lwesikebhe. Aphinda lawo madoda akhatheleyo azungeza ngesikebhe enza indingiliza enkulu, ayesewadonsa amanetha.

Kodwa manje waqaphela ukuthi kwase kunomehluko – amanetha ayesinda, esinda kakhulu. “Kwenzakalani?” omunye wabo ezibuza. Badonsa, badonsa, kodwa amanetha ayesinda kangangokuba namanetha ayengasadonseki ukuba aphume emanzini. Base bebona izinhlanzi zitabalasa phakathi emanetheni abo, kungesibo nje osayidini abancane, kodwa izinhlanzi ezinkulu. Futhi ziningi kakhulu!

UJohane wathi: “Petru, leya ndoda elaphaya ogwini nguJesu!” uPetru washesha wagqoka ihembe lakhe wagxumela ohlangothini lwesikebhe. Wabhukuda eya osebeni, lapho afica khona uJesu ehleli eduze komlilo omncane.

Lawa amanye amadoda ayesazabalaza namanetha. Ayesinda kangangokuba ayengakwazi nokuwangenisa esikebheni sawo. Uma sebefika osebeni, badonsela amanetha ogwini. Bathola izinhlanzi eziyi-153 ezinkulu emanetheni abo.

UJesu wabosela izinhlanzi emlilweni ogwini wayesebamema ukuba bazokudla Naye.

Emuva kwesikhashana uJesu wabuza uPetru ukuthi umthanda ngempela yini? UPetru wathi: “Yebo, impela ngiyakuthanda!” UJesu wabe esetshela uPetru ukuthi umelwe ukwelusa izimvu Zakhe. Ngemuva kwesikhashana uJesu wabuza uPetru umbuzo ofanayo. Waphinda uPetru wamtshela uJesu ukuthi uyamthanda ngempela. Waphinda uJesu wathi kuPetru makaqaphe izimvu Zakhe. UPetru wayazi ukuthi uJesu akasho izmvu zangempela, kodwa abantu abakholwa kuJesu.

Lokhu kwenzeka ngokwesithathu. Wayeseyakhala uPetru. “wazi konke wenza Nkosi! Uyazi ukuthi ngikuthanda kakhulu!” UPetru etshela uJesu. Mhlawumbe uPetru wakhumbula isenzo sakhe esibi ngomhla wecala likaJesu lapho athi khona akamazi, emphika uJesu.

Naphezu kobubi ayebenzile uPetru, nokho uJesu wayesafuna ukuba amsebenzile futhi anakekele “izimvu” Zakhe. UJesu wayesamethemba uPetru nakuba wayebuthakathaka.

Yini oyifundayo kulendaba?

Okokuqala, siyabona ukuthi uJesu unguMninimandla wonke. Akukho okumehlulayo. Sivame ukwenza thina ukuba izinto zingenzeki, ngokucabanga ukuthi singekwenze okuthile.

Kodwa okubalulekile kakhulu, sifunda ukuthi uJesu uyasithanda futhi ufuna ukusisebenzisa eMbusweni Wakhe. Noma singesibo abangenasici nakwesinye isikhathi senze amaphutha, njengalokhu kwenza uPetru, nokho usuke esafuna ukusisebenzisa. Omunye nomunye wethu ubalulekile Kuye.

Kubalulekile nokuthi simtshele uJesu ukuthi siyamuthanda. Uyafuna sikusho lokhu ngamazwi, kodwa ufuna ukuthi simkhombise futhi ukuthi siyamuthanda ngokumenzela izinto. Izinto ezifana nokunakekela “izimvu” Zakhe, ngamanye amazwi ngokuphila impilo enosizo kwabanye abantu.

Umbuzo awubuza kuwe uJesu namuhla uthi: “Uyamthanda ngempela? Uma kunjalo, ngikhombise ukuthi ungithanda kangakanani!”

Hambani Nitshele Izizwe!

NgokukaMathewu 28:16-20

Izenzo 1:1-9

Ngemuva kokubethelwa kukaJesu, abafundi babengazi ukuthi kumele benze njani. Babecabanga ukuthi uJesu ufile, ngesikhathi bebona ingcwaba lingenalutho, basambatheka kakhulu. UMariya Magdalena wabatshela ukuthi ubone uJesu, kodwa babengazi noma bamelwe ukumkholwa. Mhlawumbe kwakusengqondweni yakhe nje! UJesu wabuye wamtshela nokuthi akatshele bonke abafundi ukuthi baye eGalile, lapho ayezohlangana nabo khona.

Ngesonto eledlule sizwile indaba yokuthi uJesu wahlangana kanjani nabo ogwini lolwandle ngesikhathi bezama ukudoba. Ngemuva kokudoba ubusuku bonke, lapho abangatholanga khona nayinye inhlanzi, banquma ukubuyela ekhaya.

Baqala bagwedlela ukubuyela ekhaya. Kodwa uma besondela osebeni, babona othile emi ogwini. Wabamemeza: “Zikhona izinhlanzi enizibambile?”

“Qha! Azikho!” bemphendula.

Lomuntu osogwini wayesethi kubo: “Phonsani amanetha enu ngakwesokunene sesikebhe.” Uma bedonsa amanetha, ayesegcwele izinhlanzi. Base beqonda ukuthi kwakunguJesu uqobo. Wabamemela esidlweni sasekuseni kanye Naye ogwini. UJesu wayesebuza uPetru ukuthi wayemthanda ngempela yini, uJesu wayesenikeza uPetru umyalelo wokuba anakekele izimvu Zakhe.

UJesu wayalela abafundi Bakhe ukuba kuhlanganwe entabeni ethile eGalile ngosuku oluthile. Uma befika lapho, bamfica uJesu esevele ebalindile entabeni.

Okokuqala uJesu wathi kubo, "Ngiphiwe amandla onke ezulwini nasemhlabeni.” Kusho ukuthini ngempela lokhu? Kusho ukuthi uyisiphathimandla esiphezulu, esingaphezulu kakhulu ngisho kukamengameli onamandla noma inkosi. Mkhulu ngisho kunoSathane! USathane akanamandla uma ebhekene Naye.

UJesu wayesebatshela ukuthi ufuna baphindele emuva eJerusalema bahlale khona, ngoba kunento enhle eyayizokwenzeka khona. Lapho babezokwemukela uMoya Ongcwele. Wayezobanikeza amandla amakhulu. Amandla afana nalawa akuJesu, ayezonikezwa abafundi.

Kodwa simelwe ukukhumbula ukuthi labo bafundi babengesibo abantu abadlula abantu bemvelo. Babefana ncamashi nawe nami. Nanamuhla sisengaba nawo amandla afanayo nawabo. Kungani? Nathi sinaye uMoya Ongcwele ukuba asiqondise, asigcwalise futhi asiphe ukuhlakanipha namandla. Kodwa akusikho okokuthi sikusebenzisele intando yethu, Kungokokusetshenziselwa uMbuso kaNkulunkulu.

Ngaphezu kwalokho uJesu wabatshela ukuthi baye kubo bonke abantu emhlabeni wonke babenze abafundi Bakhe. Kungakho-ke wayezokubanika wonke lawa mandla, ukuze basebenzele Yena nodumo Lwakhe. Umsebenzi wabo omkhulu, ngamanye amazwi, kwakuwukuba baye kuzo zonke izizwe emhlabeni wonke bafundise abantu ngoJesu futhi babenze babe ngabafundi Bakhe, ukuze nabo ekugcineni benze okufanayo.

Kodwa uJesu akabanikezanga umsebenzi omkhulu kuphela. Waphinde wabenzela esihle isethembiso lesi. Yena wathi: “Bhekani, Mina ngiyakuba nani nsukuzonke.” Akumangalisi lokho? UJesu wayesezokwenyukela ezulwini, Kodwa futhi ngesikhathi asifanayo wayesazokuba nabo. Kunzima ukukuqonda lokhu, kodwa uJesu wayezokuba sezindaweni ezimbili ngesikhathi esisodwa.

Mhlawumbe ngingakuchaza lokhu: Uma ngingathi kini ngizonishiya, bese ngiya kuleli kamelo elingemuva, leli elinefasitele elibheke esontweni. Ngizobe ngikwelinye igumbi, futhi mhlawumbe ngeke ningibone nokungibona. Kodwa eqinisweni ngikhona la kanye nani, ngoba kunewindi nje kuphela phakathi kwethu, futhi ngiyakwazi ukubona ukuthi nenzani. Uma ningibiza, nginganizwa futhi ngiphendule. Ngendlela efanayo, Izulu alikude nathi. UJesu ukwazi ukuzwa izwi nezwi esilikhulumayo futhi uyasibona. Futhi uyakwazi ukuzwa esikushoyo.

Ngemuva kokuba uJesu esebanikeze lesi sethembiso, wathatshathelwa phezulu ezulwini phambi kwamehlo abo.

Njengalokhu sibona, isethembiso uJesu asinikeza abafundi Bakhe ngalelo langa, kwakungesona esabo kuphela. Singesakho nami nanamuhla. Wasigcina isethembiso Sakhe, usenathi nanamuhla.

Nomyalelo ayebanikeze wona usaqondene nomunye nomunye wethu nanamuhla. Kufanele sifundise abantu ngoJesu futhi sibenze abafundi Bakhe. Yikho lokhu ebengihlala ngikwenza imiGqibelo yonke. Futhi kungakho bengihlala nginitshela kaningi ukuthi nifanelwe ukutshela abanye ngoJesu. Akusiyo into le engiqhamuka nayo mina ngokwami. Ngumyalo uJesu awunika omunye nomunye wethu! Namuhla ngiyawenza lomyalo ngokunifundisa ukuba ngabafundi.

Umbuzo omkhulu thi: Yini okumelwe yenziwe ngumfundi kaJesu? Ngingumfundi kaJesu mina, kanjalo noPetro noChris. Yini ebesilokhu siyenza thina sobathathu eminyakeni embalwa eyedlule? Besilokhu sinifundisa ngoJesu nokuthi umlandeli kaJesu umelwe ukwenzani. Ngamanye amazwi, sinifundisa nani ukuba ngabafundi. UJesu akashongo ukuthi: “Hambani niyotshela abantu Ngami.” Wathi: “Hambani nenze abafundi.”

Uma seningabafundi, kusho ukuthi omunye nomunye wenu kufanele ahambe naye ayokwenza okufanayo. Ngamanye amazwi, kufanele niqale nenze abafundi bakaJesu.

Ngabe lokhu kusho ukuthi omunye nomunye wenu kufanele aqale ashumayele? Qha! Kusho ukuthi omunye nomunye wethu wanikwa nguJesu umsebenzi wokuba yithuluzi elisebenza ekwenziweni kwabanye abantu babe ngabafundi. Empeleni, siyingxenye yeqembu elikhulu. Ilungu ngalinye leqembu linomsebenzi othile owehlukileyo. Owami umsebenzi la ukunifundisa bafowethu ngeBhayibheli nalokho uJesu afuna ukuba sikwenze. Kodwa kukhona mina oyedwa. Ngeke ngikwazi ukuya kubo bonke abantu e-Stanger nase-Shakas Head nase-Ngobongo ukuyobafundisa ngoJesu. Kodwa uma ningabaletha lapha, noma nibatshele ngoSimunye kuJesu, lapho-ke ngingakwazi ukukhuluma nanabo futhi.

Mhlawumbe uthi kungumsebenzi onzima ukukhuluma kwabanye abantu ngoJesu. Kodwa ikhona impendulo kulokho.

UJesu wenza isethembiso kubafundi sokuthi uzobathumelela uMoya Ongcwele ukuba abanike ukuhlakanipha namandla ukuze bakwazi ukwenza umsebenzi wabo. Leso sithembiso esifanayo singesakho nami. Ukhona Yena lapha ukuba asisize senze abafundi. Into nje ayifuna kuwe, ukuba uvume ukwenza umsebenzi wakho.

Ngabe uyavuma ukufunda kithi uthathe lenselelo?

IPhentekhoste (1)

Izenzo 2: 1-13

UJesu wakhuluma nabafundi Bakhe entabeni yaseGalile, lapho abanikeza khona imiyalo. Wabatshela ukuthi baye kuzo zonke izizwe emhlabeni wonke bazenze abafundi. Waphinde wabayala ukuba baye eJerusalema. Kwakufanele balindele khona, belinde into enhle eyayizokwenzeka. Kodwa uJesu wabuye futhi wabanika nezethembiso. Wabatshela ukuthi uyohlala enabo njalo, nakuba wayeya ezulwini. Kodwa wabuye wabethembisa ukuthi uzobathumela uMoya Ongcwele. Kwabe sekwenzeka into emangalisayo: Wakhushulelwa ezulwini phambi kwamehlo abo.

Emasontweni amabili alandelayo kwakukhona umkhosi omkhulu kakhulu wamaJuda, obizwa ngePhentekhoste. Abantu besizwe samaJuda babeza eJerusalema bevela kuzo zonke izingxenye zomhlaba bezokuba yingxenye yomkhosi. Kwakukhona izixuku ezinkulu zabantu, futhi bonke babekhuluma izilimi ezehlukeneyo, ngoba babesuka emazweni ehlukeneyo. ULuka usitshela ukuthi babesuka eParte, eMede, eElamithi, eMesopotamiya, eJudiya, eKhaphadosiya, ePontu, eAsiya, eFrigiya, ePhamfiliya, eGibithe, eLibiya, eKhurene, eRoma, eKhrethe naseArabiya. Futhi ezweni ngalinye babekhuluma izilimi ezehlukene.

Impela abafundi bakwenza lokho ayebayale ngakho uJesu, nabo baya eJerusalema. Ngalelo Sonto lePhentekhoste babehlangene bonke endlini eJerusalema. Babexoxa ngazo zonke izinto ezenzekileyo ezinyangeni ezimbili ezedlule. Futhi babesambathekile ukuthi ngabe uJesu wayesho ukuthini uma ethi kukhona into enhle ezokwenzeka kubona eJerusalema.

Baqala kancane baqaphela okuthile okungejwayelekile. Bezwa sengathi ababodwa endlini. Kwakunomsinjwana ongejwayelekile owawukhula futhi abantu ngaphakathi endlini bezwa ukuthi kukhona okuthile okuhle okwakwenzeka. Umsindo wawulokhu uqhubeka ukhula ngamandla, kwezwakala okungathi umoya ovunguzayo noma isiphepho esikhulu. Kodwa okumangalisayo ukuthi wawungekho umoya! Babengaqondi ngempela ukuthi ngabe kwakwenzakalani. Ngokushesha lomsindo wagcwalisa indlu yonke. Kwezwakala sengathi wonke umuntu unokwesaba. Ungacabanga nje ukuthi laba bafo babesambatheke kanjani!

Kodwa kwakungesikho lokho kuphela. Ngokushesha umunye wabo wamemeza: “Bukani! Kunomlilo!” Wonke umuntu wabuka ngalapho kwakukhomba khona lo omunye. Babona into enhle, into eyayibukeka njengomlilo, iza ingena endlini kungaziwa ukuthi iqhamukaphi futhi yema ngaphezulu kwabo emoyeni. Umlilo waqala wehlukana waba yimililo eminingi emincane, into eyayibukeka njengamalangabi. Umlilo ngamunye wahamba waya kubantu abehlukene endlini wahlala ekhanda lalowo nalowo. Omunye nomunye walaba bafundi wayenomlilo ekhanda lakhe!

Ngesikhathi kwenzeka lokhu, wonke umuntu owayekhona endlini washintsha ndlela thize. Kwakusengathi “okuthile” kungenile kubona kwabenza baba ngabantu abashintshe ngokuphelele. Ngokushesha omunye nomunye wabo wathola amandla okomoya. Base beqonda ukuthi nguMoya Ongcwele ofike wangena kubo wabagcwalisa ngabanye ngabanye, njengalokhu uJesu wayebatshelile entabeni.

Kodwa kwakungekhona lapha endlini kuphela lapho kwakwenzeka khona izinto ngaleloSonto ekuseni. Lomsindo omkhulu owawusendlini wawumkhulu kangangokuba wezwakala eJerusalema lonke. Khumbula, kwakukhona izinkulungwane zabantu ababevela emhlabeni wonke behlangene eJerusalema ngenxa yomkhosi wePhentekhoste. Ngesikhathi abantu bezwa lomsindo, beza begijima endlini bevela edolobheni lonke, ngoba babefuna ukwazi ukuthi udalwe yini umsindo. Wayengekho owake wawuzwa umsindo oyiloluhlobo phambilini. Ngemizuzwana nje embalwa, kwase kunezinkulungwane zabantu ziqaqele indlu.

Kwenzeka enye into emangalisayo: Abafundi ababendawonye phakathi endlini, baphumela phandle ukuyokhuluma nalesixuku esikhulu. Batshela abantu ngezinto ezinkulu azenzileyo uNkulunkulu. Babatshela ngoJesu owabethelwa. Wafa wangcwatshwa, kodwa wabuye wavuka kwabafileyo. Uyaphila futhi unguMesiya, uMsindisi! Kodwa isimangaliso esikhulu kwakungesokuthi omunye nomunye walaba bantu abayizinkulungwane wayekwazi ukuzwa ngolimi lwakubo. Laba bantu abazikholwanga izindlebe zabo! Kwenzeka kanjani lokhu?

Bema lapho balalela futhi banqekuzisa namakhanda abo, ngoba laba bantu ababekhuluma kubo babengesibo o-Rabi futhi bengesiwo amadoda afundile! Kwakungabantu nje abejwayelekile.

Kwakungabadobi baseGalile! Laba bantu babengahlakaniphile futhi ngaleyo ndlela! Base bethi abantu: “kwenzeka kanjani pho lokhu?” Omunye umuntu wanikina ikhanda lakhe: “badakwe baphelile! Yiyona ncazelo engiyicabangayo leyo!”

Omunye wabafundi weza phambili, umdobi ogama lakhe nguPetru. Waqala wachaza kubantu ukuthi kwakumayelana nani konke lokhu. Babengaphuzile, kodwa kukhona okuhle okwakwenzeke kubo. Wayeseqala ebatshela ngoJesu.

Ngokulandelayo ngizokutshela okuthe xaxa ngoPetru kanye nenkulumo yakhe emangalisayo.

Kungabe mhlawumbe ufuna ukuthi: “Oh, ngiyafisa ukuthi uMoya Ongcwele ehlele kuleli bandla namuhla, kithina sonke ukuze nathi sibe njengoPetru kanye nabangani bakhe”?

Ngikuphathele indaba: sekwenzekile!

Kodwa kwenzeke kanjani? Ukhona okubonile kwenzeka?

Kwenzeka eminyakeni eyi-2000 eyedlule, ngaleloSonto langePhentekhoste. UMoya Ongcwele akathululwanga kuphela phezu kwalabaya bafundi, kodwa wathululelwa kubantu bonke. Kusukela ngalolo suku kuya phambili, uMoya Ongcwele uphakathi kwawo wonke umuntu okholwa kuJesu. Ngomzuzu lapho uthi “Yebo” kuJesu, uMoya Ongcwele ungena empilweni yakho akugcwalise.

Yini ayenzayo uMoya Ongcwele empilweni yakho? Ukupha amandla. Hhayi amandla enyameni, kodwa amandla okwenza izinto zikaNkulunkulu. Ukunika nokuhlakanipha ukuze ukwazi ukusho izinto ezifanele ngesikhathi esifanele. Ukunika ukuliqonda iZwi likaNkulunkulu. Uma ufunda iBhayibheli, Ukhuluma nawe. Ukupha isibindi ukuze ungabesabi abantu.

Okubi-ke wukuthi amaKhristu amaningi awamniki uMoya Ongcwele isikhala esanele sokuhlala phakathi kwawo asebenze ngawo.

Kufane wenze njani ukuze uMoya Ongcwele akunike konke lokhu? Kufanele ukulungele ukwehlukana nesono, izinto ezimbi empilweni yakho, kuzoba nendawo eningi kaMoya Ongcwele phakathi kuwe.

Kufanele usho Kuye ukuthi uyavuma akusebenzise ngendlela athanda ngayo kulokho afuna ukwenze.

Into yesithathu kufanele uvume ukufunda Kuye. Funda iBhayibheli, Ngoba yiyona ndlela akhuluma nawe ngayo nakufundisa ngayo.

IPhentekhoste (2)

Izenzo 2:37-47

Sizwile ukuthi abafundi bakaJesu baya eJerusalema ngoba wayebatshele ukuthi balindele khona uMoya Ongcwele. NgeSonto langePhentekhoste, behlangene endlini, ngokungazelele bezwa umsindo omkhulu, owawunjengokuvunguza komoya onamandla. Wayesehlela kubo uMoya Ongcwele eyisimo somlilo, namalangabi amancane ahlala emakhanda abo.

Ngaleso sikhathi izinkulungwane zabantu zagijimela endlini la babehlangene khona ukuyobona ukuthi ngabe bekungowani umsindo omkhulu. Khumbula, kwakukhona abantu abavela emhlabeni wonke, bevela eParte, eMede, eElamithi, eMesopotamiya, eJudiya, eKhaphadosiya, ePontu, eAsiya, eFrigiya, ePhamfiliya, eGibithe, eLibiya, eKhurene, eRoma, eKhrethe naseArabiya. Futhi ezweni ngalinye babekhuluma izilimi ezehlukeneyo. Bonke laba bantu babuthanela ngaphandle kwendlu la uMoya Ongcwele ehlela khona.

Abafundi base bephumela ngaphandle batshela abantu ngezinto ezinkulu ayezenzile uNkulunkulu. Kodwa isimangaliso kwakuwukuthi umuntu ngamunye kulezi zinkulungwane wezwa umyalezo ngolimi lwakubo – amaGibhithe, amaGreki, amaLathini, amaHeberu, amaFrench, amaNgisi, amaXhoza, amaZulu ngisho namaAfrikaners?!

Abaqondanga ukuthi lokhu kwakwenzeka kanjani, ukuthi umuntu ngamunye wayekwazi ukuzwa umyaleyo ngolimi lwakhe. Abanye baze bathi abafundi badakiwe! Uma ngungenzeka ngivele ngikhulume olunye ulimi eningalwazi, isiGreki, isiHeberu noma isiJalimane, nani ningacabanga ukuthi angisaphelele kahle ekhanda!

Omunye wabafundi weza ngaphambili, wayengumdobi ogama lakhe nguPetru. Waqala wachaza kubantu ukuthi konke lokhu kwakumayelana nani. Wathi abafundi babengadakiwe. Wayesebalandisa ngoJesu owabethelwa wafa. Wangcwatshwa ethuneni, kodwa uNkulunkulu wamvusa kwabafileyo manje wayesebusa emhlabeni wonke. Wabatshela ukuthi uJesu unguKhristu, unguNkulunkulu nokuthi kufanele bakholwe Nguye.

Uyakhumbula kwenzekani kuPetru ngobusuku obandulela ukubethelwa kukaJesu? Ngesikhathi intombazane imbuza ukuthi ngabe akasiye yini omunye wabangani bakaJesu, uPetru wathi: “Qha! Angimazi nokuthi ungubani!” Wayesaba futhi wayecashile. Ngaphambi kwalobo busuku obunzima, uPetru wayekade esho izinto ezingalungile ngezikhathi ezingalungile. Waze wenza nezethembiso ayengeke akwazi ukuzifeza. Waze wathi uJesu kuye ngesinye isikhathi: “Buyela emva kwami Sathane!”

Manje sibona uPetru owehlukileyo ngokuphelele! Kwenzakaleni kuye? Kungenzeka ukuthi lo kusenguye lowaya Petru ofanayo, owayeseshumayela etshela izinkulungwane zabantu ngoJesu? Kwenzakaleni kuye? Kungani kukhona ushintsho olungaka?

KwakunguMoya Ongcwele owafika empilweni kaPetru. Nguyena owenza lomehluko omkhulu kangaka. Izinkulungwane zabantu zama zimangele, zimlalele. Wonke umuntu wathinteka ngaphakathi, ngoba babebona ukuthi wayenentshisekelo ngalokho ayekusho. Ngenxa yendlela akhuluma ngayo nabantu, izi-3000 zabo zaphenduka zaba ngamaKhristu ngalusuku lunye!

Manje khumbula: uPetru wayengumdobi nje kuphela. Wayengayanga enyuvesi ukuba ayofunda ngazo zonke lezi zinto. Futhi wayekwesaba lokho abantu ababengakwenza kuyena. Wayesaba ngisho nokutshela abantu ukuthi uJesu uyamazi. Kodwa ngemuva kokuba uMoya Ongcwele esengenile kuye, wayengasesabi lutho. Wayesekwazi ukuza phambili akhulume ngokukhululeka ngoJesu. Kodwa futhi, wayekwazi okumele akusho. Wayengasasho okungafanele, njengalokhu wayevame ukwenza phambilini. Akachithanga ihora elungiselele intshumayelo ukuze akhulume izinto ezimangalisayo. Wavele nje wasukuma, futhi uNkulunkulu wamnikeza amazwi alungile emlonyeni wakhe. Watshela abantu lokho okubekwe nguNkulunkulu enhlizweni yakhe.

Umphumela kwakuwukuthi zi-3000 zabantu zamkholwa futhi zanikela izinhliziyo zazo kuJesu.

Kodwa empeleni lokho kwakungesikho ukuphela kwendaba. Uma siqhubeka sifunda lokho okwalotshwa nguLuka encwadini yeZenzo, siyathola ukuthi bonke laba bantu bashintsha bonke ndlela thize. Kwakungesiye kuphela uPetru kuphela owashintsha, kwakuyibo bonke abantu abawuzwa umyalezo ngalelo langa baqala bakholwa kuJesu. Sifunda izindaba ezimangalisayo zokuthi abantu babelana kanjani ngalokho ababenakho, babela abampofu. Baqala ukunakekelana. Abanye babo baze bathengisa ngabanakho ukuze kusetshenziswe imali ekusizeni abahluphekayo abaphakathi kwabo.

Siyafunda futhi nokuthi lawa makholwa amasha aqala ahlangana ndawonye ngokuvama. Babedla ndawonye babelane ukudla futhi bakhulume nangalezo zinto ababekholelwa kuzo. Bafunda omunye komunye nakubapostoli abafana noPetru noJohane.

Bonke abantu eJerusalema babewathanda lawa maKhristu amasha ngoba ayehlobe ngothando futhi enza okuhle kuphela kwabanye.

Kusasa yiPhentekhoste. Kuyini okulindele ngePhentekhoste kulonyaka? Endabeni yethu namuhla, sizwile ngabantu abavele bashintsha ngokuphele esikhathini esincane ngesikhathi uMoya Ongcwele efika kubo. UPetru wayesengumuntu oshintshe ngokuphelele. Wayengasenawo amahloni, wayesekhuluma ngesibindi futhi, nangokuhlakanipha nangegunya.

Abantu ababemlalela futhi nabo bashintsha babanothando, nokunakekela futhi bakhonza uNkulunkulu.

Kunjani ngami nawe? Sizoshintsha ndlelani?

Ngeviki eledlule sithé ngabanye ngabanye uMoya Ongcwele usinika amandla okomoya, nokuhlakanipha, nokuqonda iZwi likaNkulunkulu kanye nesibindi. Ukuze sikwazi ukuthola lezi zinto, kufanele sehlukane nezono zethu. Kodwa kufanele futhi sivume ukusetshenziswa Nguye. Futhi kufanele sivume ukufunda Kuye ngokufunda iBhayibheli nokuya esontweni.

Kodwa zonke lezi zinto ngeke zisize ngalutho, uma singayi ukuyozenza lapho sesizazi. Uma ngiya kothile ngifike ngithi: “Ngiyakuncenga, ngidinga umsebenzi!” umuntu lowo athi “Yebo!” Yini engiyenzayo? Angiculi ngithi “Senginawo umsebenzi!” bese ngihlala noma ngingenzi lutho! Ngiyaqala ngisebenze, impela!

Uma ngikhuleka: “Moya Ongcwele, ngisebenzise!” bese ngiyahlala ngingenzi lutho, lokho akunasithelo. Kufanele ukuthi ngikulungele ukwenza lokho angicela ukuba ngikwenze. Uma kufanele ngikhombise uthando kothile, kufanele ngenze njalo! Uma kuwukusiza othile, kufanele ngihambe ngiyokwenza lokho! Ngamanye amazwi, ikhanda lami kufanele libe sezulwini, kodwa izinyawo zime ziqinile emhlabathini. Ngokomoya kufanele ngivuleleke kuMoya Ongcwele, futhi ngiphinde ngenze umsebenzi kaNkulunkulu la emhlabeni.

UPetru Nesinxibi

Izenzo 3:1-10

Namuhla ngifuna ukunitshela indaba yangempela yalokho okwenzeka kubantu ababekhona ngePhentekhoste yokuqala, ukuze nginikhombise ukuthi kungenzekani uma unoMoya Ongcwele kuwe.

Ngenye intambama uPetru noJohane babehamba beya eTempelini eJerusalema. Lokhu kwenzeka esikhathini esithile sekwedlule iPhentekhoste, lolo suku olumangalisayo lapho uMoya Ongcwele wathululwa phezu kwawo wonke umuntu owayekholwa nguJesu. Uma befika eThempelini, babona indoda ihleli ngasesangweni. Lendoda yayiwunyonga. Yayingakwazi ukusebenzisa imilenze yayo. Wayekhubazekile kusukela ekuzalweni. Nsuku zonke abomndeni wakhe babemthatha bayombeka eThempelini ukuze ahlale khona acele imali.

Ngesikhathi uPetru eyibona indoda, wahamba waya kuyo. Yamoyizela indoda. Yayicabanga ukuthi uPetru uzoyinikeza imadlana. Kodwa uPetru wayitshela ukuthi: “Phephisa, anginayo imali.” Banyukubala ubuso bendoda esweleyo. Yayikade isithi iqala ukwenama. Wabe esethi uPetru: “Kodwa kukhona enginakho engingakunika khona.” Welulela isandla sakhe endodeni, emva kwalokho, kwathi uma esibamba isandla sendoda, wathi: “Egameni likaJesu, sukuma uhambe!”

UPetru watshela indoda ukuba yenze into engenzeke kuyo. Lendoda yayingakaze ihambe ngisho isinyathelo esisodwa empilweni yayo yonke. Kwakungekho dokotela owayengamelapha. Into enje ayiveli nje izenzakalele!

Kodwa nokho, ngesikhathi uPetru ebamba isandla sendoda, yezwa impilo ingena emilenzeni yayo efile. Yagxuma yaya phezulu yaqala yahamba. Yayingawakholwa amehlo ayo! Ngabe yayiphupha? Yaqala wagxumagxuma yaba phansi-phezulu. Kwakusebenza konke ngendlela efanele okokuqala ngqa empilweni yayo!

“Hhey bukani!” imemeza kuwo wonke umuntu, “Bukani, ngiyazihambela! Makabongwe uNkulunkulu! Ungiphulukisile! Sengiyahamba!” Yasina yabazungeza oPetru noJohane, yasina yacula “Makabongwe uNkulunkulu!” indlela yonke, yaze yayongena eThempelini.

Iminyaka eminingi lendoda yayikade ihleli esangweni laseThempelini nsuku-zonke. Ngakho wonke umuntu owayekhona edolobheni wayeyazi kahle. Ngesikhathi kwenzeka lesi simangaliso esihle, izindaba zasabalala njengomlilo wequbula. Abantu beza begijima bevela kulo lonke idolobha bezozibonela ngokwabo. Akekho owayekholwa ukuthi kungenzeka isimangaliso esihle kangaka. Ngokushesha kwase kunesixuku esikhulu sizungeze indoda. “Kwenzeke kanjani lokhu?” Beyibuza bonke.

Yayisikhomba uPetru: “Nguye lo okwenzile lokhu. Ungitshele ukuthi angisukume. Njengamanje sengiyakwazi ukuhamba! Makadunyiswe uNkulunkulu! Akusiso isimangaliso esihle lesi?!”

UPetru wayesesondela wathi kubo bonke: “Kungani nimangele? Nicabanga ukuthi bekuyimi ngempela engiphulukise indoda? Qha akumina, bekunguNkulunkulu, Nguyena Qobo owenze lokhu! Usebenze ngoJesu. Nguye lowo Jesu enambulala! Wayengenacala, kodwa nina nambethela. Kodwa Yena Lowo Jesu wavuka ekufeni. Ngambona ngawami amehlo!”

UPetru watshela abantu ukuthi Nguye onika abantu impilo nokuphulukiswa, nokuthi uthethelela nezono. AmaJuda enza into embi kuJesu - ambulala. Kodwa wavuma nokuxolela leso sono esibi kangako. Ayekufuna nje kwakungukuthi bona labo bantu bamemukele Yena njengoMsindisi wabo. Ngamanye amazwi, kwakufanele bamkholwe nguYena.

Uyakholwa ukuthi lo Petru nguye lo owayekade ethi, ezinyangeni ezimbalwa ezase zedlule, akamazi nokuthi ungubani uJesu? Ngesikhathi enye yamantombazane eyincekukazi ibuza ukuthi uPetru wayengesiye yini omunye wabangani bakaJesu, uPetru wathi akamazi yena uJesu! Waqamba amanga ukuze azisindise. Kodwa njengamanje usenguPetru owehlukile ngokupheleleyo. Manje akasesabi ukukhuluma ngoJesu. Kungani? Kwakungenxa yePhentekhoste, ngesikhathi uNkulunkulu enikeza amaKhristu uMoya Ongcwele ukuba awaqondise futhi awaphe amandla awadingayo ukwakha ibandla Elisha likaNkulunkulu. Waphinde wabapha nesibindi sokukhuluma.

Namuhla singafunda izifundo ezimbili ezinqala kulendaba emangalisayo. Okokuqala esikufundayo ukuthi akukho lutho olungenzeke kuNkulunkulu. Izimangaliso azigcinanga mhla uJesu ebuyela ezulwini. Izimangaliso zokuqala zénzeka kubangani bakaJesu kafushane nje ngemuva kokuhamba Kwakhe. Nezinye izimangaliso eziningi zalandela lesi esisodwa.

Zisenzeka izimangaliso? Impela! Zenzeka mihla yonke. Uma sikulungele ukuzifuna, sizobona eziningi zenzeka mihla yonke. UNkulunkulu ndawana thize phezulu, ukanye nathi la, futhi uyasinakekela. Ngibone izimangaliso eziningi azenzile uNkulunkulu. Ngibone abantu bephiliswa la bekwehluleka khona imithi yodokotela.

Isifundo sesibili kulendaba, esokuthi uma sibona isimangaliso, kufanele sibonge sidumise uNkulunkulu ngaso. Kufanele futhi sitshele abanye abantu ukuze bazi ukuthi mkhulu uNkulunkulu.

Sikhona esesithathu isifundo esimqoka kulendaba: uNkulunkulu usebenzisa izinto ezinjenga le ukuze abantu bafunde Ngaye, futhi bamkholwe. Unikeza namakholwa ithuba lokufakaza Ngaye, futhi isimanga esenzekile sibe yisibonelo sothando, umusa namandla kaNkulunkulu. Abaningi abasibona isimanga saloluya-suku bakholwa.

Esesine isifundo esokuthi sinoMoya Ongcwele kithi namuhla, njengoPetru nabangani bakhe. Ngendlela efanayo uyosipha nathi ukuhlakani, amandla nesibindi sokukhulumela Yena, naNgaye.

Kodwa kukhona omunye umyalezo obalulekile kulendaba. Ngishilo ukuthi nalabo ababulala uJesu bathola ukuthethelelwa kwezono zabo ezimbi. Ngendlela efanayo uNkulunkulu nanamuhla usitshela ukuthi singathethelelwa izono zethu. Uzimisele ukukhohlwa yikho konke okubi esikwenzile ngokwedlule, uma nje sikholwa nguJesu. Ukukholwa kuJesu kusho ukungena ebudlelwaneni Naye. Uma senza lokho, Yena uyasikhulula kuzo izibopho zikaSathane asinike impilo entsha sha.

Ibukeka kanjani lempilo? Yimpilo lapho senza izinto ezithokozisa uNkulunkulu. Kungani? Ukuze sibonge uNkulunkulu ngokusikhulula nokusinika ukuphila okuphakade.

Ake ucabange umehluko okwawenza endodeni eyayiyisishosha. Ngaphambi kokufika kukaJesu empilweni yakhe, wayedangele ephila ngokuhlala nokucela usuku lonke. Ngomzuzu wokungena kukaJesu empilweni yakhe, wagxuma wasina waze wacula etshela bonke ngobukhulu bukaNkulunkulu.

Yilokho uNkulunkulu afuna sikwenze wena nami. Kufanele sicule sisine ngenjabulo sazise abantu ukuthi uyamangalisa uNkulunkulu.

Hlonipha uNkulunkulu

Izenzo 5: 17-20 & 26-29

Ngokwedlule sizwe ngezinto ezénzeka ngosuku lwePhentekhoste – ngesikhathi uMoya Ongcwele ethululwa. Ngalolo suku abantu abayizinkulungwane ezintathu bakholwa nguJesu. Sibonile futhi ukuthi uPetru nabanye abaPhostoli ukuthi bashintsha kanjani. Ngokushesha base bengasenaluvalo. Bakhuluma ngokuvulelekile kubantu babatshela ngoJesu. Babengasacashi.

Kodwa kwakukhona abantu ababengathokozile ngalokhu. UmPhristi Omkhulu kanye noMkhandlu wabaJuda abakuthandanga lokhu okwakwenzeka. Babengabantu ababethela uJesu. Manje bonke abalandeli bakaJesu babehamba yonke indawo, betshela bonke abantu ukuthi uJesu uyaphila – nokuthi wavuka kwabafileyo. Futhi babetshela abantu ukuthi uma bekholwa nguJesu, bazokuba nokuphila okuphakade.

Umphisti Omkhulu wathumela amasosha akhe ukuba ahambe eyobopha abaholi - uPetru noJohane. Babaletha esigcawini senkantolo bobabili. Uma beqala ukubaphonsa imibuzo, uPetru wathi kubo: “Nina niyilabo abambulala uJesu! UJesu Nguye yedwa onikeza insindiso. Ngeke singakhulumi thina Ngaye.”

Ngakho uMphiristi Omkhulu wabayalela ukuba bathule – kufanele bayeke ukukhuluma ngoJesu, uma bengayeki bazoshushiswa.

Ucabanga ukuthi yini abayenzayo emva kokuyalwa kanje? Ngabe bathula ngempela ngemuva kokwesatshiswa? Qha! Baqhubeka nje batshela bonke abantu ngoJesu.

Impela lwavutha kakhulu ulaka lweziphathimandla! Babenovalo lokuthi lesi “sifundiso” esisha sizokwanda njengesifo. Ngakho, emuva kwesikhashana baphinde bathumela amasosha abo futhi ukuba abophe uPetru noJohane. Babaphonsa etilongweni babavalela ngemuva kwezinsimbi zejele.

Kodwa ngalobo busuku kwenzeka into emangalisayo: uNkulunkulu wathumela ingelosi ukuba ihambe ikhulule laba ababili. Ingelosi yabakhipha ejele, yayisihluthulela izivalo zensimbi. Kwakukhona onogada emnyango, kodwa ababonanga nokuthi beqa nini oPetru noJohane.

Ingelosi yabatshela ukuthi uNkulunkulu ufuna ukuba babuyele ethempelini beyoshumayela. Kufanele bahambe baye ethempelini batshele wonke umuntu ngoJesu.

Ngakho-ke ngakusasa ekuseni baya ethempelini baqala batshela bonke abantu ngoJesu.

Ngaleso sikhathi kwakusahlangana uMphristi Omkhulu kanye nomkhandlu wabaJuda ukuba kuzothethwa icala enkantolo. Babezogweba lezi zephulamthetho ababezikhiyele ejele. Bathumela amasosha ukuba alande uPetru kanye noJohane. Kodwa ngemuva kwesikhashana amasosha abuya egijima. “Bahambile!” bememeza. Batshela uMphristi Omkhulu ukuthi sekwenzeke into engajwayelekile, ngoba izivalo bezisavaliwe zikhiyiwe, nonogada besamile emnyango, kodwa bekungekho muntu ngaphakathi. Bekungenzeke ukuthi umuntu engaphuma!

Kwase kufika omunye egijima enkantolo: “Ngibabonile!” ememeza, “Labaya bantu ababili esibakhiyele izolo ebusuku – bayashumayela ethempelini kuyimanje!”

“Kwenzeke kanjani lokho? Baphume kanjani? Hambani nibalande!”

Ngakho amasosha ahamba ukuba ayobamba uPetru noJohane. Kodwa abababophanga – bafike babacela nje ukuthi behambe nabo, ngoba babebasaba laba bantu ababili futhi babesaba nokuthi abantu bazakubagxoba ngamatshe uma bebabopha.

Ngakho ngesikhathi belethwa esigcawini, uMphristi Omkhulu wathi kubo: “Anginitshelanga yini ukuthi niyeke ukufundisa ngoJesu? Manje bukani enikwenzile – iJerusalema lonke likhuluma ngalokhu kushumayela kwenu! Futhi nisibeka icala maqondana nokufa kukaJesu!”

Ngakho uPetru waphendula: “Kufanele sihloniphe uNkulunkulu kunabantu.”

Uma uNkulunkulu ekutshela ukuba wenze okuthile, akesithi nje ngokwesibonelo tshela abantu ngoJesu. Abantu bathi kuwe yeka ukushumayela lapha. Ungenze njani? Uzolalela bani? Uma uqhubeka utshela abantu ngoJesu, kungenzeka bakucasukele – ungalahlekelwa nangabangani. Abantu bangaze bakuxoshe nokukuxosha. Ungaqhubeka wenze lokho uNkulunkulu akutshele ukuthi kwenze?

Ngesikhathi uPetru ebatshela lokhu, intukuthelo yabo yavutha kakhulu. Babefuna ukumbulala uPetru noJohane. Kodwa enye yamadoda amadala ahlakaniphileyo yasukuma – igama layo kwakunguGamaliyeli. Watshela uPetru noJohane ukuba bayokuma ngaphandle. Wayesethi kwabanye: “Kufanele siqaphelisise kahle lokho esizokwenza kulaba bantu. Ngicabanga ukuthi kufanele sibayeke bahambe. Uma izinto abazenzayo ziyimfundiso yabo, aziyikuma zizozifela zona zishabalale. Kodwa uma kuwumsebenzi kaNkulunkulu, akekho omunye wethu ongakwazi ukuwuvimba. Ningalwi noNkulunkulu!”

Base bewabuyisa lawo madoda amabili. Bawatshela ukuthi uma eke aphinda bakhuluma ngoJesu futhi, ayongena enkingeni enkulu kakhulu. Bayala amasosha ukuba abashaye, emva kwalokho babadedela.

Uyafuna ukwazi ukuthi yini abayenza uPetru noJohane ngemuva kwalokho? Ngabe baya emakhaya bafike bakhala ngenxa yezinto ezimbi ezazibehlele ngalolo suku? Qha! Babejabula! Bejabulela ukuhluphekela uJesu. Futhi bahamba baqonda ngqo ethempelini bafike baqhubeka nokufundisa abantu ngoJesu nsuku zonke.

Kungani simbalwa kangaka namuhla lapha? Ukhona oke wammema ukuba eze nawe lapha? Noma uyesaba ukutshela abangani bakho ukuthi uya enkonzweni? Uyesaba ukucela othile ukuba eze kanye nawe lapha?

Angisho ukuthi kulula – akulula neze! Kunzima ukukhuluma nothile ngoJesu. Kwesinye isikhathi abantu bayakubalekela uma wenza lokhu. Kodwa yilokho uNkulunkulu afuna ukuba sikwenze. Sengike ngakhuluma nabantu ngoJesu izikhathi eziningi. Sengike ngabalekelwa nami. Kodwa kwesinye isikhathi abantu bavuma kahle. Lokho kuyi-WOW! Kuyinto emangalisayo engenzeka kuwe le! Uma kukhona ongitshela ukuthi: “Yebo, ngiyafuna ukulandela uJesu!” Kuvele kuthi angigxume ngithinte uphahla ngenxa yentokozo!

UPawulu Uya EDamaseku

Izenzo 9:1-19

Kwakukhona insizwa eyayihlala eJerusalema egama layo nguPawulu. YayinguMfarisi. Ngesikhathi isengumfana omncane, uyise wayiletha eJerusalema ukuba izofunda. Yayinothisha obadlula bonke kwa-Israyeli, indoda ebizwa ngoGamaliyeli. Iminyaka eminingi uPawulu wafunda umthetho kaNkulunkulu kanye neBhayibheli, waze wavumeleka ukuba usengafundisa kwayena. Ngalesi sikhathi uPawulu wayesewazi ngekhanda umthetho.

Manje, umthetho kwakungesiyo imiyalelo eyishumi kuphela, kodwa zonke izibhalo zikaMose kanye neminye imithetho eyengeziwe eyayisetshenziswa ngabaFarisi.

Ngokwalokho uPawulu ayekufundisiwe, inkolo yobuKhristu yayingalungile. Njengabo bonke abaFarisi, wayecabanga ukuthi amaKhristu ayebukela phansi inkolo yobuJuda. Uzokhumbula ukuthi abaFarisi babemzonda kanjani uJesu, nokuthi bazama kanjani ukumchitha. Ekugcineni baphumelela mhla bembethela. Bacabanga ukuthi sekuwukuphela kukaJesu nenkolo yobuKhristu.

Kodwa abanakanga ukuthi uJesu wayengesiye nje umuntu ojwayelekile, WayeNguye, futhi useNguye uNkulunkulu. Emva kokuvuka, uJesu wabonakaliswa emakholweni amaningi, kwathi ngosuku lwePhentekhoste uMoya Ongcwele wathululelwa kuwo wonke amaKhristu. Lokho kwakungukuqala komsebenzi kaJesu. Ngeviki eledlule sizwile ukuthi ngosuku lokuqala kwaba namakholwa amasha ayi-3000.

UPawulu kanye nabanye abaFarisi bakubona okwenzeka, bakhathazeka ngoba inkolo yobuKhhristu yayikhula ngesivinini esikhulu. Ngakho baqala ukuhlukumeza amaKhristu. Bathi inkolo yawo yayimelene nomthetho. Bababopha babaphonsa ejele.

Omunye wamaKhristu abambopha kwakungumholi ogama lakhe kwakunguStefanu. Bamgwebela ukufa ngenxa yalokho ayekholwa yikho, base bemkhanda ngamatshe. Baphonsa amatshe amakhulu kuye waze wafa. UPawulu wabuka ngesikhathi bebulala uStefanu, futhi weneliseka.

Naye uPawulu waqala ukuhlupha amaKhristu. IBhayibheli lisitshela ukuthi wayeshisekela kakhulu ekuhlupheni kwakhe, futhi wabopha amaKhristu amaningi wawagcina etilongweni. Wayengasawatholi amaKhristu amaningi eJerusalema, ngakho wanquma ukuba aye kwamanye amazwe eyocinga amaKhristu. Ngesikhathi uPawulu nabaFarisi behlupha amaKhristu eJerusalema, abalekela kwamanye amazwe emhlabeni wonke.

UPawulu watshelwa ukuthi kukhona amaKhristu amaningi edolobheni laseDamaseku. Ngakho wanquma ukuthatha uhambo oluya khona ukuze acinge omunye nomunye wawo. Waze wathola nezincwadi kuMphristi Omkhulu ukuba ahambe eyohlupha amakholwa eDamaseku. Wathatha lonke iqembu labasizi ukuba lihambe kanye naye.

Kodwa okuthile kwenzeka endleleni, into uPawulu ayengayihlelelanga. Base bezofika eDamaseku, ngokushesha kwaba nokukhanya okwavela esibhakabhakeni kwamvala amehlo.

Wawa phansi emhlabathini wezwa izwi lithi kuye, "Sawulu, Sawulu! Kungani ungihlupha na?" Lelizwi laqhamuka phezulu nje ndawana thize. UPawulu wayesaba. Abanye abantu ababenoPawulu balizwa izwi, kodwa babengaboni muntu.

UPawulu wayesebuza: "Ungubani wena, Nkosi?"

Izwi lamphendula: "NginguJesu, omzingelayo wena. Kepha sukuma ungene emzini, lapho ozotshelwa khona lokho ozakukwenza."

Abantu ababehamba naye bamsukumisa, kodwa okwamethusa kakhulu: wayengasaboni emehlweni! Yonke into yayimnyama bhuqe! Wesaba kakhulu uPawulu.

Bamsiza waze wafika eDamaseku, njengalokhu uJesu ayemyalile ukuba enze, kwase kuthi abasizi bakhe baphindela emuva eJerusalema, bamshiya eyedwa. Bamshiya nendoda ebizwa ngokuthi nguJuda, lapho uPawulu wahlala izinsuku ezintathu. Akadlanga lutho, akaphuzanga ngisho amanzi. Ayekwenza izinsuku ezintathu ukuthandaza. Wayedidekile, ngoba wayecabanga ukuthi wenza into elungile ngokuhlupha amaKhristu. Kodwa manje uNkulunkulu wakhuluma naye esezulwini emtshela ukuthi akwenzayo akulungile! UPawulu wayengazi ukuthi kumele enzeni. Ngakho wayelokhu ekhuleka kuNkulunkulu ebuza ukuthi yini amelwe ukuyenza.

Ngaleso sikhathi, kwakukhona umKhristu othile owayehlala eDamaseku ogama lakhe nguAnaniya. Ngobunye ubusuku waba nephupho elingejwayelekile: waphupha uNkulunkulu ekhuluma naye, watshela uAnaniya ukuba aye endlini ethile endodeni ebizwa ngokuthi uJuda. Endlini yakhe uzofica uPawulu, lapho ayematasa khona ekhuleka.

UAnaniya wethuka kakhulu, ngoba wayazi kahle ukuthi ungubani loPawulu. Wayeyilomuntu ohlupha wonke amaKhristu! Futhi wayezwile izindaba ezithi uPawulu wayesendleleni uza eDamaseku ukuba azobopha wonke amaKhristu ayowavalela ejele. UAnaniya watshela uNkulunkulu ukuthi uPawulu wayeyizindaba ezimbi. Kodwa uNkulunkulu watshela uAnaniya ukuthi umkhethile uPawulu ukuba aye kubo bonke abezizwe abatshele ngoJesu.

Ngesikhathi uAnaniya evuka, wayazi lokho ayemelwe ukukwenza. Waya esitaladini esibizwa ngokuthi siqondile lapho kwakuhlala khona uJuda, wamfica ngempela uPawulu, njengasephusheni. Wabeka izandla kuPawulu wamkhulekela.

Kwase kwenzeka isimanga: lesi sithenjwa esinguMfarisi owahlupha wonke amaKhristu, sagcwaliswa ngoMoya Ongcwele. Kodwa kwakungesikho lokho kuphela: into enjengezingcwecwe zenhlanzi yawa emehlweni akhe, wayesekwazi ukuphinda abone futhi.

UPawulu wasukuma okokuqala ezinsukwini ezintathu wadla. Wabhaphathizwa futhi, waba nguMkhristu wangempela, njengabanye ayebahlukumeza phambilini. Lokhu kwakuwukuqala kwendaba enhle. Kamuva uPawulu waba ngumshumayeli wevangeli omkhulu owahamba umhlaba wonke eshumayela ivangeli.

Namhlanje siyafunda ukuthi akukhathalekile ukuthi ububi bakho bungakanani, kusemandleni kaNkulunkulu ukukusindisa akunikeze ukuphila okuphakade. Kodwa ngaphezu kwalokho, ukukusebenzisa embusweni Wakhe. UPawulu wayengomubi kakhulu. Wabulala abantu bakaNkulunkulu, kodwa uNkulunkulu wamthethelela. Wamupha elinye ithuba ukuba enze okunye empilweni. Okwakufanele akwenze uPawulu ukuthi “Yebo” kuNkulunkulu. Wenze njalo, waba-ke ngumshumayeli omkhulu!

Namuhla uNkulunkulu usinika ithuba elisha lokuzikhethela. Singaqhubeka njengoba besenza, noma sinqume ukulandela uJesu njengalokhu uPawulu enza. Ungazikhethela: ukuziphilela noma ukumlandela uNkulunkulu umenzele okuthile kwabanye abantu. Yikuphi ozokukhetha namuhla?

Ukuhlabelela Etilongweni

Izenzo 16: 16-40

Sayizwa indaba yokuthi uPawulu wahlangana kanjani noJesu eDamaseku. Kwedlula iminyaka embalwa, lapho uPawulu afunda khona okuningi ngoJesu, waba ngumfundisi edolobheni laseAntiyokiya. Ngelinye ilanga uMoya Ongcwele wakhuluma nebandla. UNkulunkulu wayefuna benze umsebenzi wokuhambisa ivangeli. Ngakho ibandla lathumela uPawulu ukuba aye ezizweni ukuhambisa ivangeli.

Ngolunye usuku uPawulu waya edolobheni laseFilipi. Lapho washumayela iZwi likaNkulunkulu watshela abantu ngoJesu. Abanye abashumayelayo babehamba naye uPawulu: uSila, uTimothewu kanye noLuka. Ngolunye usuku behamba ezitaladini zomuzi, intombazanyana yeza igijima emva kwabo, imemeza: “Laba bantu bayizinceku zikaNkulunkulu!” Lokho kuzwakala kamnandi kuvela kuyo, akunjalo? Kodwa yayikhona inkinga. Yayingayeki, yayilokhu imemeza leyonto njalo-njalo iphindaphinda.

Inkinga wukuthi lentombazane yayiyisangoma. Bonke abantu babeza kuyo bezokuzwa ngekusasa labo. yayiyisigqila, futhi umphathi wayo wayenza inzuzo eningi ngokubhula kwayo. Ngolunye futhi usuku yayikhona lentombazane, ilandela uPawulu nayenabo, imemeza iphindaphinda: “Laba bantu bayizinceku zikaNkulunkulu!”

UPawulu wabona ukuthi kwakukhona umoya omubi kuyona. Wajika waphendukela kuyo, watshela lomoya ongcolile, idimoni elaliphakathi kuyo: “Egameni likaJesu Khristu ngiyakuyala ukuba uphume kuyo!” Ngokushesha lomoya waphuma entombazaneni yaba ngumuntu ojwayelekile.

Kodwa kwakukhona inkinga encane: ngesikhathi lo wesimame eba ngumuntu owejwayelekile, wayengasabhuli. Yebo kwakukuhle lokho, kodwa khumbula wayeyisigqila, umphathi wakhe akabonanga into enhle. Wayengeke esamenzela inzuzo! Wathukuthela kakhulu! Wahlanganisa abangani bakhe babamba uPawulu nabangani bakhe oSila. Babadonsela emantshini, yayisimemeza indoda: “lawa madoda yiwo ayisizathu sami sokulahlekelwa yinzuzo!” Ngaleso sikhathi kwase kunenqwaba yabantu, bonke bememeza. Base betshela imantshi: “Laba bantu bayingozi kabi! BangamaJuda, futhi badala izinxushunxushu eziningi edolobheni lethu. Bafakeni ejele!”

Imantshi yathi “OK”, kodwa bengakayi khona mabashaywe. Ngakho bababophela uPawulu noSila ogodweni, isosha leza nesiswebhu esinezinsasa zenzimbi phambili. Labashaya kwaze kwagobhoza igazi emihlane yabo.

Lase libafaka ejele. Ijele lalingesiyo indawo enhle yesimanjemanje njengamajele anamuhla, kodwa kwakumnyama phakathi, linuka kungekho mafasitele nazindlu zangasese. Isosha lalibakhunge ngamaketango engalweni, nezinyawo ziboshelwe ogongolweni. Lapho amadoda amabili alele kumakhaza kungcolile kuyitshe phansi.

Ungacabanga ukuthi babezizwela kanjani? Babesezinhlungwini, futhi alikho icala ababelenzile. Indawo yayinuka, nokungcola kungena ezilondeni zabo ezisesintsha. Ucabanga ukuthi lamadoda enze njani? Ayekhala? Ayequma? Ayethuka inhlamba?

Qha! UPawulu waqala wacula. noSila wamvumela. Ezinye iziboshwa zacabanga ukuthi: “Hheyi, laba ababili sebelahlekelwe nayingqondo manje! Ungacula kanjani ushaywe njengabo? Bayopha futhi baboshiwe ngamaketango – ungacula kanjani usesimweni esinjena?”

UPawulu noSila babengaculi amaculo okudabuka: Babehlabelela amaculo enjabulo. Babemtusa uNkulunkulu! “Makadunyiswe Yena, makadunyiswe Yena! Mbonge, mbonge! Mbonge ekuseni, mbonge nasemini.” Amaculo abo amahle agcwalisa ijele, wonke umuntu wayelalele lawa madoda amabili ngesikhathi ecula kusuka ekujuleni kwezinhliziyo zawo. Babecula ngenjabulo nothando nangoJesu ongolungileyo kubo. Babecula betusa uNkulunkulu.

Ngokushesha kwaba khona okwenzekayo: Amasango ensimbi aqala aqhaqhazela. Izindonga zazamazama, futhi zonke iziboshwa zezwa kundindizela iphansi lejele. Zesaba kakhulu: Kwakwenzakalani? Emva kwalokho amaketango ezingalweni zabo nasemilenzeni awa. Iziboshwa zashawa luvalo kakhulu. Kodwa kwakungakapheli: Izivalo zetilongo zazivulekela ngokwazo. UNkulunkulu wayethumile ingelosi ukuba yenze konke lokhu.

Umphathi wejele wavuka ezwa yonke lento eyayenzeka, weza esegijima ezobona ukuthi kwenzakaleni. Uma efika, wabona yonke iminyango yejele ivuleke gengelezi. Yacishe yafa lendoda wuvalo, ngoba yayazi ukuthi isenkingeni enkulu kakhulu. Yacabanga ukuthi zonke iziboshwa zeqile. Ngakho yahosha inkemba yayo ukuze izibulale, ngoba kwakungcono kuye ukuba afe ngaleyo ndlela.

Ngesikhathi uPawulu ebona okwakwenzeka, wabiza lomphathi wetilongo wamtshela ukuthi zonke iziboshwa zazisekhona. Zazesaba kakhulu ukuba zingabaleka.

Lendoda yawa ngamadolo phambi kukaPawulu. Ngalobo busuku umgciniziboshwa wanikela impilo yakhe kuJesu waba nguMkhristu.

Yini esiyifundayo kulendaba ethandekayo? Sibona ukuthi uPawulu benoSila babengenasizathu sokujabula. Babeshayiwe baphonswa etilongweni bengenzanga lutho. Nokho, babejabule. Kungani? Ngoba babenoJesu enhliziyweni yabo. Babengajatshulisiwe ukuthi basejele, kodwa babethokoza nakuba besejele.

Kunjani maqondana nathi? Kwesinye isikhathi siba nesikhathi esinzima. Mhlawumbe kukhona okhulume kabi ngami, manje sengilimele, ngidangele futhi ngicasukile. Iqiniso lithi, uma ungeneme, uzenzela wena izinto zibe nzima kakhulu. Uzenza wena ukuthi uzizwele umuzwa omubi. Khohlwa yikho uxolele lowo okonileyo, futhi uzobona izimangaliso okuzozenza lokho kuwe.

Kwesinye isikhathi uphefumulela phezulu noma uqume noma ukhale ngenxa yokuthi izinto zakho zingahambanga kahle. Mhlawumbe ulahlekelwe wumsebenzi, noma othile webe imali yakho. Unaso sonke isizathu sokuzizwela udabukile. Ngiyazi ukuthi kuzwakala kanjani lokhu, ngoba nami sengike ngaba sezimeni ezinzima empilweni yami. Kodwa ngazama lokho uPawulu akwenza. Ukukhathazeka nokuzidabukela, kwakungeke kwenze izinto zibe ngcono.

Ngaqala ngacula amaculo enjabulo njengalokhu kwakwenza uPawulu noSila. Namuhla ngijabule kakhulu, kakhulu, ngoba nginoJesu empilweni yami. Akekho ongangephuca lokho. Kodwa akuyimi ngedwa engithola injabulo kulokhu: Ngiyazi ukuthi ngiletha injabulo kubo bonke abantu engihlangana nabo. Babona injabulo kaJesu kimi, nabo bafune ukuba njena. Uma ngiphila kanje, nenjabulo yangempela enhlizweni yami, lapho ngenza abanye abantu balambele uthando nenjabulo kaJesu.

Iziphiwo ezivela KuMoya Ongcwele

1 KwabaseKorinte 12

Wake wezwa ngeziphiwo zikaMoya Ongcwele? kusho ukuthini lokhu ngempela? Uma ungazi, akufanele ukubuke njengehlazo lokho, ngoba amaKhristu amaningi vele awazi ukuthi kusho ukuthi lokhu. Ngisho nebandla laseKorinte lalingazi nalo, ngakho umphostoli uPawulu kwakufanele alichazele.

Impela isipho yinto oyithola kothile ngaphandle kokukhipha utho – into ngempela ongayifanele. Kuyenamisa ukuthola isipho, akunjalo? Sibukeka kanjani isipho? Hlobo luni lwezipho olutholayo? uChocolate, yipeni, yinsipho enhle, izingubo zengane yakho, izicathulo, iBhayibheli, incwadi, umakhalekhukhwini, yi-CD – ziningi izinhlobo ezehlukene zezipho.

Umbuzo uthi, wenze njani uma uthola isipho?

Impela okokuqala ukuba uthi ngiyabonga kulowo okuphe isipho. Uyamanga umqabule ukukhombisa ukuthi uyatusa isipho.

Emva kwalokho? Usibeka ekhabetheni ukhohlwe yiso? Qha! Uma othile ekupha umakhalekhukhwini, uzowusebenzisa. Uzofonela abangani bakho ukhulume nabo ngalolucingo.

Embhalweni esiwufundile namuhla ekuseni, uPawulu naye usitshela ngezipho. Kodwa lezi zipho zehlukile kulezi zipho ezincane esikhulume ngazo nje manje. Iziphiwo akhuluma ngazo uPawulu ziyasebenziseka kakhulu futhi azihlali nje amaviki ambalwa noma unyaka owodwa – ziyohlala impilo yakho yonke. Lezi yizipho eziyigugu asiphe zona uNkulunkulu, futhi ngendlela efanayo kufanele zisetshenziswe – asizifihli nje ndawana thize ekhabetheni.

Ziyini iziphiwo? Uhlobo lokuqala lwesiphiwo, uPawulu usibiza ngeziPhiwo zikaMoya. Lezi yiziphiwo akupha zona uMoya Ongcwele.

Kukhona iziphiwo zengqondo – inhlakanipho nokwazi uNkulunkulu. Ukunika ekususela eBhayibhelini. Kukhona iziphiwo zokukholwa kuNkulunkulu, ukuphulukisa nezimangaliso. Kuphinda kube khona iziphiwo zokukhuluma umyalezo kaNkulunkulu kanye nokukhuluma ngezilimi ezingaziwayo.

UNkulunkulu akanikezi wonke umuntu iziphiwo ezifanayo – Unikeza omunye isiphiwo aphinde anike omunye isiphiwo esehlukileyo. Iziphiwo zikaMoya akulona kuphela uhlobo lwezipho asipha zona uNkulunkulu.

Abanye bethu bangabaholi abahle, abanye baphiwe ukulalela. Kuyisiphiwo esimangalisayo ukukwazi ukuhlala ulalele ngokulangazela ukuzwa, ulalele umuntu olanda ngenkinga enkulu anayo. Akufanele nokuthi utshele lowo muntu ukuthi umelwe ukwenzani, kodwa uyalalela nje, kwesinye isikhathi umuntu uzizwa ekhululeka enkingeni yakhe.

Esinye isiphiwo kungaba ngesokuhamba uyokhuluma nalowo muntu onomzwangedwa.

Kodwa kuseyisiqalo nje leso. UNkulunkulu usinikile nolunye uhlobo oluningi lweziphiwo. UPetro wemukela isipho esihle somculo – uyakwazi ukudlala isiginci nokucula. NoSarie wathola isiphiwo esimangalisayo – isiphiwo sokunakekela abanye abantu abakwamanye amazwe lapho amaKhristu ecindezelwa khona. Akesabi ukuya kulawo mazwe eyokhuluma nalabo bantu, aze abanike namaBhayibheli, nakuba abasemagunyeni kulawo mazwe bengamjezisa uma bethola ukuthi uyakwenza lokhu.

Mhlawumbe uthi: “Mina angikaze ngithole iziphiwo – kungaba mnandi nakimi ukukwazi ukudlala isiginci. Engikwazi ukukwenza nje ukupheka nokuhlanza izindlu noma ukulungisa ingadi.”

Nginento ezokumangaza – konke lokho kuyiziphiwo akuphe zona uNkulunkulu. Anginaso isiphiwo soku-ayina. Nginike i-ayina, ngiyoshisa izimpahla zibhoboke! Ngingaphelelwa wumndlandla uma kungafanele ngenze umsebenzi wasekhaya nsuku zonke – akusiso nje isiphiwo sami. Sonke sinazo iziphiwo ezehlukeneyo.

Umbuzo uthi, ngabe ngibaluleke kakhulu ngoba nginesiphiwo sokushumayela? Ngabe ngibaluleke ukwedlula lo wesimame okwazi uku-ayina nje kuphela? Ngubani obaluleke kakhulu esontweni? Ngabe ngumfundisi? Qha!

UPawulu usitshela ukuthi omunye akabalulekile ukwedlula omunye. Umfundisi akabalulekile ukwedlula owesimame oshanela esontweni. Uma esontweni kungahlanzekile, akekho ozokuza ezolalela intshumayelo yomfundisi.

UPawulu uthi uma sibuka imizimba yethu, yisiphi isitho esibaluleke ukuzedlula zonke? Ngabe yinhliziyo? Noma yikhanda lakho noma izingalo noma amehlo akho noma yizindlebe? Yisiphi ocabanga ukuthi sibaluleke ukuzedlula zonke?

Mhlawumbe amehlo akho abaluleke kakhulu, ngoba ngaphandle kwawo ngeke ubone. Kodwake uthini ngezivalamehlo (eyelids) – azisho lutho, noma izinkophe – yizinwele nje lezi. Uma ungenazo izinkophe, uthuli luzo ngena emehlweni akho, futhi lungonakalisa amehlo akho. Uma ungenazo izimvalamehlo (eyelids), amehlo akho engoma, ungabe usakwazi nokubona ube yimpumputhe. Ngakho yisiphi esibaluleke kakhulu? Zonke zibaluleke ngokulinganayo, ngoba esinye asikwazi ukusebenza ngaphandle kwesinye.

Uthini ngezinzwane zakho? Ziyizinto ezingenamsebenzi walutho ezizimilele nje ezinyaweni zakho – Azinamsebenzi walutho! Impela? Omunye umngani wami wake wabasengozini encane, kwanqamuka ubhozo wakhe. Akunandaba! Kodwa bathola ukuthi alahlekelwa wukuzinza. Ubhozo wawusiza ukuthi azinze uma emi noma ehamba.

Yonke ingxenye yomzimba wakho ibalulekile, futhi enye ayikwazi ukusebenza kahle ngaphandle kwenye. Ngendlela efanayo omunye nomunye wethu singamaKhristu ubaluleke ngokulinganayo, yilowo ngekhono lakhe elikhethekile. Angibalulekile ukwedlula u-Petro, futhi naye akabalulekile ukwedlula noma ngubani phakathi kwenu. Siyadingana ukuze sikwazi ukusebenza njengebandla likaKhristu.

Futhi yingakho kubalulekile kithi ukuthi yilowo nalowo asebenzise ikhono aliphiwe nguNkulunkulu ukuze ibandla lisebenze kahle. UNkulunkulu akasebenzisi izingelosi ukuze ibandla Lakhe lisebenze – usebenzisa nje abantu abejwayelekile njengawe nami.

Uma amehlo akho engavele anqume ukuthi ngeke asebenze namuhla, kuzokwenzekani? Ungalahleka nje isiqothu futhi uzingqubuze ezintweni ezingakulimaza – umzimba wakho wonke ungathwala ubunzima.

Uma oyedwa wethu enquma ukuthi ngeke ayilethe inxenye yakhe ebandleni namuhla, kuwo wonke umuntu kuzozwela lokho. Mhlawumbe lokhu kuyisizathu sokuthi ibandla lisokole kangaka namuhla, ngoba abantwana abaningi bakaNkulunkulu bavele bahlale bangenzi lokho uNkulunkulu afuna ukuthi bakwenze, noma bavele bafihle iziphiwo zabo ekhabetheni bangazisebenzisi njengalokhu uNkulunkulu efuna benze.

Wozani, asiqale sonke sisebenzise wonke amakhono ethu kuNkulunkulu nasebandleni.