Izikhombo Ze-Ncwajana YoMhlangano Wokuphila Nenkonzo
FEBHUWARI 5-11
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | MATHEWU 12-13
“Umfanekiso Kakolweni Nokhula”
(Mathewu 13:24-26) Wabenzela omunye umfanekiso, ethi: “Umbuso wamazulu uye waba njengomuntu owahlwanyela imbewu enhle ensimini yakhe. 25 Ngesikhathi abantu besalele, isitha sakhe safika sahlwanyela ukhula phakathi kukakolweni, sahamba. 26 Lapho ikhaba lihluma futhi lithela, khona-ke kwabonakala nokhula.
“Bhekani! Nginani Izinsuku Zonke”
2 Izenzakalo ezenzeka ensimini yalowo mlimi zibonisa isikhathi nendlela uJesu ayeyobutha ngayo esintwini bonke abantu besigaba sikakolweni—amaKristu agcotshiwe ayobusa naye eMbusweni wakhe. Ukuhlwanyela kwaqala ngePhentekoste lika-33 C.E. Ukubutha kuyophela lapho abagcotshiweyo abayobe besaphila ekupheleni kwalesi simiso sezinto bebekwa uphawu lokugcina bese bethathwa beyiswa ezulwini. (Math. 24:31; IsAm. 7:1-4) Njengendawo esentabeni eyenza ukuba ubone kahle indawo, ngokufanayo lo mfanekiso usinikeza umbono omuhle ocacile wezinto ezaziyokwenzeka phakathi nenkathi yeminyaka engaba izinkulungwane ezimbili. Ngokwalokho esikubonayo, iziphi izenzakalo ezihlobene noMbuso esiziqaphelayo? Umfanekiso uchaza isikhathi sokuhlwanyela, sokukhula nesokuvuna. Lesi sihloko sizogxila kakhulu esikhathini sokuvuna.
NGAPHANSI KOKUQAPHA KUKAJESU
3 ‘Ukhula lwabonakala’ ekuqaleni kwekhulu lesibili C.E. lapho amaKristu mbumbulu eqala ukubonakala ensimini eyizwe. (Math. 13:26) Ngasekhulwini lesine, amaKristu anjengokhula ayesemaningi kakhulu kunamaKristu agcotshiwe. Khumbula ukuthi kulo mfanekiso, izinceku zacela enkosini yazo imvume yokusiphula ukhula. (Math. 13:28) Yasabela kanjani inkosi?
(Mathewu 13:27-29) Ngakho izinceku zomninindlu zeza zathi kuye, ‘Nkosi, awuhlwanyelanga yini imbewu enhle ensimini yakho na? Khona-ke kwenzeka kanjani ukuba ibe nokhula?’ 28 Wathi kuzo, ‘Lokhu kwenziwe yisitha, umuntu othile.’ Zathi kuye, ‘Khona-ke, uyafuna yini ukuba siphume siyolubutha?’ 29 Wathi, ‘Cha; ukuze kungenzeki nangengozi ukuba, ngesikhathi nibutha ukhula, nisiphule nokolweni kanye nalo.
“Bhekani! Nginani Izinsuku Zonke”
4 Ekhuluma ngokolweni nokhula, uJesu wathi: “Kuyekeni kukhule ndawonye kokubili kuze kube sekuvuneni.” Lo myalo ubonisa ukuthi amaKristu athile agcotshiwe anjengokolweni abelokhu ekhona emhlabeni kusukela ekhulwini lokuqala leminyaka kuze kube namuhla. Leso siphetho siqinisekiswa yilokho uJesu akutshela abafundi bakhe kamuva: “Nginani izinsuku zonke kuze kube isiphelo sesimiso sezinto.” (Math. 28:20) Ngakho uJesu wayeyowavikela amaKristu agcotshiwe zonke izinsuku kuze kube sesikhathini sokuphela. Nokho, njengoba aminyaniswa amaKristu anjengokhula, asazi ngokuqinisekile ukuthi obani ababengabesigaba sikakolweni phakathi naleyo nkathi ende yesikhathi. Nokho, emashumini eminyaka ngaphambi kokuqala kwenkathi yokuvuna, isigaba sikakolweni saqala ukubonakala. Kwenzeka kanjani lokho?
(Mathewu 13:30) Kuyekeni kukhule ndawonye kokubili kuze kube sekuvuneni; ngenkathi yokuvuna ngizotshela abavuni ngithi, Buthani ukhula kuqala nilubophe izinyanda ukuze lushiswe, bese nibuthela ukolweni enqolobaneni yami.’”
“Bhekani! Nginani Izinsuku Zonke”
10 Esokuqala, ukubuthwa kokhula. UJesu uthi: “Ngenkathi yokuvuna ngizotshela abavuni ngithi, Buthani ukhula kuqala nilubophe izinyanda.” Ngemva kuka-1914, izingelosi zaqala ‘ukubutha’ amaKristu anjengokhula ngokuwahlukanisa kwabagcotshiweyo ‘abangabantwana bombuso.’—Math. 13:30, 38, 41.
11 Njengoba umsebenzi wokubutha uqhubeka, umahluko ophakathi kwala maqembu amabili wacaca ngokwengeziwe. (IsAm. 18:1, 4) Ngo-1919, kwaba sobala ukuthi iBhabhiloni Elikhulu liwile. Yini ngokukhethekile eyahlukanisa amaKristu eqiniso kumaKristu mbumbulu? Umsebenzi wokushumayela. Labo abaholayo phakathi kwabaFundi BeBhayibheli baqala ukugcizelela ukubaluleka kokuba umuntu ngamunye ahlanganyele emsebenzini wokushumayela ngoMbuso. Ngokwesibonelo, incwajana yesiNgisi eyanyatheliswa ngo-1919 enesihloko esithi, To Whom the Work Is Entrusted (Kulabo Abaphathiswe Umsebenzi), yanxusa wonke amaKristu agcotshiwe ukuba ashumayele endlini ngendlu. Yathi: “Umsebenzi ubonakala umkhulu ngendlela esabekayo, kodwa ungoweNkosi, futhi sizowenza ngamandla ayo. Unelungelo lokuhlanganyela kuwo.” Asabela kanjani? Kusukela ngaleso sikhathi kuqhubeke, INqabayokulinda yesiNgisi ngo-1922 yabika ukuthi abaFundi BeBhayibheli bandisa umsebenzi wabo wokushumayela. Kungakabiphi, ukushumayela endlini ngendlu kwaba uphawu lwalawo maKristu athembekile—njengoba kusenjalo nanamuhla.
12 Esesibili, ukubuthwa kukakolweni. UJesu wayala izingelosi zakhe: “[Buthelani] ukolweni enqolobaneni yami.” (Math. 13:30) Kusukela ngo-1919, abagcotshiweyo bebelokhu bebuthelwa ebandleni lobuKristu elibuyiselwe. Ukubuthwa kokugcina kwamaKristu agcotshiwe ayobe esaphila ekupheleni kwalesi simiso sezinto kuyokwenzeka lapho ethola umvuzo wawo wasezulwini.—Dan. 7:18, 22, 27.
Ukumba Sifuna Ingcebo Engokomoya
(Mathewu 12:20) Akukho mhlanga olimele ayowufohloza, futhi akukho ntambo yefilakisi elokozayo ayoyicima, kuze kube yilapho ethumela ubulungisa ngempumelelo.
iphuzu lokucwaninga uMath 12:20 kuyi-nwtsty-E
intambo yefilakisi elokozayo: Isibani esivamile sasendlini kwakuba isitsha esincane sobumba esifakwa amafutha omnqumo. Intambo yefilakisi yayimunca amafutha ukuze ilangabi lihlale livutha. Inkulumo yesiGreki ethi “intambo yefilakisi elokozayo” ingase ibhekisele entanjeni esashunqa intuthu ngenxa yokuthi kusekhona inhlansana ekhanyayo nakuba ilangabi selicishile. Isiprofetho esiku-Isaya 42:3 sabikezela ngozwela lukaJesu; wayengasoze ayicima inhlansana yokugcina yethemba kubantu abathobekile nabacindezelekile.
(Mathewu 13:25) Ngesikhathi abantu besalele, isitha sakhe safika sahlwanyela ukhula phakathi kukakolweni, sahamba.
Ingabe Bewazi?
Kuyiqiniso yini ukuthi endulo umuntu wayengahlwanyela ukhula ensimini yomunye umuntu?
KUMATHEWU 13:24-26, uJesu ucashunwa ethi: “Umbuso wamazulu uye waba njengomuntu owahlwanyela imbewu enhle ensimini yakhe. Ngesikhathi abantu besalele, isitha sakhe safika sahlwanyela ukhula phakathi kukakolweni, sahamba. Lapho ikhaba lihluma futhi lithela, khona-ke kwabonakala nokhula.” Ababhali abahlukahlukene baye babuza ukuthi lo mfanekiso kufanele yini ubhekwe njengento eyayenzeka ngempela—imibhalo yomthetho yaseRoma isikisela ukuthi kufanele.
Esinye isichazamazwi seBhayibheli sithi, “Ukuhlwanyela ukhula ensimini yomuntu ngenxa yokufuna ukuziphindiselela . . . kwakuyicala ngaphansi komthetho waseRoma. Isidingo somthetho kulolu daba sibonisa ukuthi lesi senzo sasivamile ukwenzeka”. Isazi kwezomthetho u-Alastair Kerr uchaza ukuthi ngo-533 C.E., uMbusi waseRoma, uJustinian, wanyathelisa i-Digest yakhe eyayichaza kafushane umthetho waseRoma futhi ineziqeshana zamakhasi ezazivela kubahluleli, abahlulela ngesikhathi kusungulwa umthetho (cishe ngo-100-250 C.E.). Ngokwalokhu okwabhalwa (Digest, 9.2.27.14), umahluleli u-Ulpian wabhekisela ecaleni elasingathwa uCelsus, isikhulu saseRoma sangekhulu lesibili. Ukhula lwaluhlwanyelwe ensimini yomunye umuntu futhi lokho kwenza ukuba izitshalo zibune. I-Digest icabangela izisombululo ezingokomthetho umnikazi noma umuntu oqashe ipulazi ayengazithola ukuze athole isinxephezelo esivela kumuntu owonile ngalokho okumlahlekele.
Lezi zenzo ezilimazayo ezenzeka eMbusweni waseRoma ezikhathini zasendulo zibonisa ukuthi isimo uJesu asichaza sasenzeka ngempela ekuphileni.
Ukufundwa KweBhayibheli
(Mathewu 12:1-21) Ngaleyo nkathi yonyaka uJesu wadabula emasimini ngesabatha. Abafundi bakhe balamba bakha izikhwebu badla. 2 Lapho bekubona lokhu abaFarisi bathi kuye: “Bheka! Abafundi bakho benza lokho umthetho ongakuvumeli ukuba kwenziwe ngesabatha.” 3 Wathi kubo: “Anikufundanga yini lokho uDavide akwenza lapho yena namadoda ayenaye belambile? 4 Indlela angena ngayo endlini kaNkulunkulu futhi badla izinkwa zokubukwa, into umthetho owawungavumi ukuba yena noma labo ababenaye bayidle, ngaphandle kwabapristi kuphela? 5 Noma, anifundanga yini eMthethweni ukuthi ngamasabatha abapristi ethempelini baphatha isabatha njengelingengcwele kodwa baqhubeke bengenacala? 6 Kodwa ngiyanitshela, lapha kukhona okukhulu kunethempeli. 7 Nokho, ukube benikuqondile ukuthi kusho ukuthini lokhu, ‘Ngifuna isihe, hhayi umhlatshelo,’ ngabe anibalahlanga laba abangenacala. 8 Ngoba iNdodana yomuntu iyiNkosi yesabatha.” 9 Ngemva kokumuka kuleyo ndawo wangena esinagogeni labo; 10 futhi bheka! umuntu onesandla esishwabene! Ngakho bambuza bathi, “Ingabe kungokomthetho ukwelapha ngesabatha?” ukuze bathole ibhaxa lokumbeka icala. 11 Wathi kubo: “Ngubani phakathi kwenu oyothi enemvu eyodwa, kuthi uma iwela emgodini ngesabatha, angayibambi ayikhiphe na? 12 Sekucatshangelwe konke, yeka ukuthi umuntu ubaluleke kakhulu kangakanani kunemvu! Ngakho kungokomthetho ukwenza into enhle ngesabatha.” 13 Khona-ke wathi kulo muntu: “Yelula isandla sakho.” Waselula, saphila saba njengesinye. 14 Kodwa abaFarisi baphuma futhi bacebisana ngaye ukuze bambhubhise. 15 Esekwazi lokhu, uJesu wasuka lapho. Abaningi bamlandela, wabelapha bonke, 16 kodwa wabadonsa ngendlebe ukuba bangamvezi; 17 ukuze kugcwaliseke lokho okwakhulunywa ngo-Isaya umprofethi, owathi: 18 “Bheka! Inceku yami engayikhetha, othandekayo wami, umphefumulo wami omamukele! Ngizobeka umoya wami phezu kwakhe, futhi uyocacisela izizwe ukuthi ubulungisa buyini. 19 Ngeke ahilizisane namuntu, noma amemeze kakhulu, futhi akekho oyokuzwa izwi lakhe ezindleleni ezibanzi. 20 Akukho mhlanga olimele ayowufohloza, futhi akukho ntambo yefilakisi elokozayo ayoyicima, kuze kube yilapho ethumela ubulungisa ngempumelelo. 21 Ngempela, izizwe ziyothembela egameni lakhe.”
FEBHUWARI 12-18
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU |MATHEWU 14-15
“Ukondla Abaningi Ngezandla Zabambalwa”
(Mathewu 14:16, 17) Nokho, uJesu wathi kubo: “Akudingeki ukuba zihambe: Zinikeni nina okudliwayo.” 17 Bathi kuye: “Asinalutho lapha ngaphandle kwezinkwa ezinhlanu nezinhlanzi ezimbili.”
Ukondla Abaningi Ngezandla Zabambalwa
2 Lapho ebona isixuku, uJesu ufikelwa isihawu ngaso, ngakho uphulukisa abagulayo phakathi kwaso futhi usifundisa izinto eziningi ngoMbuso kaNkulunkulu. Lapho kuqala ukuhwalala, abafundi bakhe bamnxusa ukuba asimukise isixuku ukuze siye emizaneni eseduze siyozithengela ukudla. Kodwa uJesu uthi kubo: “Zinikeni nina [izixuku] okudliwayo.” Kumelwe ukuba amazwi akhe ayabaxaka ngoba ukudla abanakho kuncane kakhulu—izinkwa ezinhlanu nezinhlanzi ezimbili ezincane.
(Mathewu 14:18, 19) Wathi: “Ziletheni lapha kimi.” 19 Ngemva kwalokho wayala izixuku ukuba zihlale otshanini, wathatha lezo zinkwa ezinhlanu nezinhlanzi ezimbili, ebheka phezulu ezulwini, washo isibusiso, futhi ngemva kokuhlephula izinkwa, wazabela abafundi, abafundi bona bazabela izixuku.
Ukondla Abaningi Ngezandla Zabambalwa
3 Eshukunyiswa isihawu, uJesu wenza isimangaliso—isimangaliso okuwukuphela kwaso esalotshwa yibo bonke abalobi abane bamaVangeli. (Marku 6:35-44; Luka 9:10-17; Joh. 6:1-13) UJesu uyala abafundi bakhe ukuba batshele isixuku ukuba sihlale otshanini ngamaqembu abangamashumi amahlanu nabayikhulu. Ngemva kokuthandaza, uhlephula izinkwa nezinhlanzi. Kunokuba asinike ngokwakhe isixuku lezo zinkwa, uJesu ube esezinika “abafundi bakhe, ukuze bona bazinike abantu.” Ngokumangalisayo, ukudla kwanela bonke abantu kuze kusale! Cabanga nje ngalokhu: UJesu wondle izinkulungwane zabantu ngezandla zabambalwa—abafundi bakhe.
(Mathewu 14:20, 21) Ngakho bonke badla basutha, babutha izingcezwana eziyizinsalela, obhasikidi abayishumi nambili abagcwele. 21 Nokho labo ababedla kwakungamadoda acishe abe yizinkulungwane ezinhlanu, ngaphandle kwabesifazane nabantwana.
iphuzu lokucwaninga uMath 14:21 kuyi-nwtsty-E
ngaphandle kwabesifazane nabantwana: UMathewu kuphela obala abesifazane nabantwana lapho elandisa ngalesi simangaliso. Kungenzeka ukuthi sebebonke labo abondliwa ngokuyisimangaliso babengaphezu kuka-15 000.
Ukondla Abaningi Ngezandla Zabambalwa
CABANGA ngalesi senzakalo. (Funda uMathewu 14:14-21.) Kungaphambi nje kwePhasika lika-32 C.E. Isixuku samadoda ayizinkulungwane ezinhlanu, ngaphandle kwabesifazane nabantwana, sikanye noJesu nabafundi bakhe endaweni eyihlane eduze kwaseBhetsayida, umzana osogwini olusenyakatho loLwandle LwaseGalile.
Ukumba Sifuna Ingcebo Engokomoya
(Mathewu 15:7-9) Nina bazenzisi, u-Isaya waprofetha ngokufanele ngani, lapho ethi, 8 ‘Lesi sizwe singidumisa ngezindebe, kodwa inhliziyo yaso iqhelele kude nami. 9 Siqhubeka singikhulekela ngeze, ngoba sifundisa imiyalo yabantu njengezimfundiso.’”
iphuzu lokucwaninga uMath 15:7 kuyi-nwtsty-E
bazenzisi: Igama lesiGreki elithi hy·po·kri·tesʹ kwakuyigama okwakubizwa ngalo abadlali baseshashalazini abakhuluma isiGreki (futhi kamuva, nalabo baseRoma) ababegqoka izinto zokufihla ubuso ezazenzelwe ukukhulusa amaphimbo abo. Leli gama labe selisetshenziswa ngendlela engokomfanekiso ukuze libhekisele kunoma ubani ofihla izisusa zakhe noma lokho ayikho ngokuzenzisa. UJesu lapha ubiza abaholi benkolo yobuJuda ngokuthi ‘abazenzisi.’—Math 6:5, 16.
(Mathewu 15:26) Ephendula wathi: “Akulungile ukuthatha isinkwa sabantwana usiphonse ezinjaneni.”
iphuzu lokucwaninga uMath 15:26 kuyi-nwtsty-E
sabantwana . . . ezinjaneni: Njengoba izinja zazingahlanzekile ngokoMthetho KaMose, imiBhalo ivame ukusebenzisa leli gama ngendlela ebonisa ukuthi zingcolile. (Lev 11:27; Math 7:6; Fil 3:2; IsAm 22:15) Nokho, engxoxweni kaJesu elandiswe kuMarku (7:27) nakuMathewu kusetshenziswe isinciphiso esisho “izinjana” noma “inja ehlala endlini,” okwenze kwangalumela. Kungenzeka ukuthi lokhu kuveza ukuthi uJesu wayesebenzisa igama eliyisiteketiso lezinja ezifuywayo emizini yalabo abangewona amaJuda. Ngokufanisa ama-Israyeli ‘nabantwana’ bese efanise labo abangewona amaJuda ‘nezinjana,’ kusobala ukuthi uJesu wayefuna ukubonisa ukuthi ikuphi okuza kuqala. Emizini enabantwana nezinja, abantwana babezophakelwa kuqala.
Ukufundwa KweBhayibheli
(Mathewu 15:1-20) Khona-ke kweza kuJesu abaFarisi nababhali bevela eJerusalema, bethi: 2 “Kungani abafundi bakho beqa isiko labantu bakudala? Ngokwesibonelo, abazigezi izandla lapho bezokudla ukudla.” 3 Ephendula wathi kubo: “Kungani nani neqa umyalo kaNkulunkulu ngenxa yesiko lenu? 4 Ngokwesibonelo, uNkulunkulu wathi, ‘Hlonipha uyihlo nonyoko’; wathi futhi, ‘Othuka uyise noma unina makaphethe ngokufa.’ 5 Kodwa nina nithi, ‘Noma ubani othi kuyise noma kunina: “Noma yini enginayo obungasizakala ngayo iyisipho esinikezelwe kuNkulunkulu,” 6 akumelwe neze amhloniphe uyise.’ Ngakho nilenzé ize izwi likaNkulunkulu ngenxa yesiko lenu. 7 Nina bazenzisi, u-Isaya waprofetha ngokufanele ngani, lapho ethi, 8 ‘Lesi sizwe singidumisa ngezindebe, kodwa inhliziyo yaso iqhelele kude nami. 9 Siqhubeka singikhulekela ngeze, ngoba sifundisa imiyalo yabantu njengezimfundiso’” 10 Ngemva kwalokho wabiza isixuku ukuba sisondele wathi kuso: “Lalelani futhi nithole umqondo wako: 11 Akukhona okungena emlonyeni womuntu okumngcolisayo; kodwa yilokho okuphuma emlonyeni wakhe okungcolisa umuntu.” 12 Khona-ke abafundi beza bathi kuye: “Uyazi yini ukuthi abaFarisi bakhubekile lapho bezwa lokho okushilo?” 13 Ephendula wathi: “Zonke izitshalo ezingatshalwanga nguBaba osezulwini ziyosishulwa. 14 Bayekeni. Bangabaholi abayizimpumputhe. Khona-ke, uma impumputhe ihola impumputhe, zombili ziyowela emgodini.” 15 UPetru waphendula wathi kuye: “Sicacisele umfanekiso.” 16 Khona-ke wathi: “Nani anikaqondi namanje? 17 Aniqapheli yini ukuthi konke okungena emlonyeni kudlulela emathunjini bese kukhishelwa endlini yangasese? 18 Kodwa, izinto eziphuma emlonyeni zivela enhliziyweni, lezo yizo ezingcolisa umuntu. 19 Ngokwesibonelo, enhliziyweni kuvela imicabango emibi, ukubulala, ukuphinga, ubufebe, ukweba, ubufakazi obungamanga, ukuhlambalaza. 20 Yilezi izinto ezingcolisa umuntu; kodwa ukudla ukudla ngezandla ezingageziwe akumngcolisi umuntu.”
FEBHUWARI 19-25
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU |MATHEWU 16-17
“Ekabani Imicabango Oyicabangayo?”
(Mathewu 16:21, 22) Kusukela ngaleso sikhathi kuqhubeke uJesu Kristu waqala ukubonisa abafundi bakhe ukuthi kwakumelwe aye eJerusalema futhi ahlupheke ngezinto eziningi ezivela emadodeni amadala nabapristi abakhulu nababhali, abulawe, avuswe ngosuku lwesithathu. 22 Khona-ke uPetru wambizela eceleni wamkhuza, ethi: “Yiba nomusa kuwe, Nkosi; ngeke neze ube nalesi siphetho.”
Madoda—Lingisani Ubunhloko BukaKristu
17 Kwesinye isenzakalo, uJesu wachazela abaphostoli bakhe ukuthi kumelwe aye eJerusalema nokuthi wayeyoshushiswa lapho ‘ngamadoda amadala nabapristi abakhulu nababhali, abulawe, avuswe ngosuku lwesithathu.’ Lapho ezwa lokhu, uPetru wambizela eceleni uJesu wamkhuza, ethi: “Yiba nomusa kuwe, Nkosi; ngeke neze ube nalesi siphetho.” Kusobala ukuthi umbono kaPetru wawufiphazwe umzwelo. Wayedinga ukulungiswa. Ngakho, uJesu wathi kuye: “Yana emva kwami, Sathane! Uyisikhubekiso kimi, ngoba awucabangi imicabango kaNkulunkulu, kodwa eyabantu.”—Mathewu 16:21-23.
(Mathewu 16:23) Kodwa, efulathela, wathi kuPetru: “Yana emva kwami, Sathane! Uyisikhubekiso kimi, ngoba awucabangi imicabango kaNkulunkulu, kodwa eyabantu.”
Qapha—USathane Ufuna Ukukushwabadela!
16 USathane angakhohlisa ngisho nezinceku zikaJehova ezishisekayo. Ngokwesibonelo, cabanga ngalokho okwenzeka lapho uJesu etshela abafundi bakhe ukuthi uzobulawa maduze. Umphostoli uPetru, owayemthanda uJesu, wathi: “Yiba nomusa kuwe, Nkosi; ngeke neze ube nalesi siphetho.” UJesu wathi kuPetru: “Yana emva kwami, Sathane!” (Mathewu 16:22, 23) Kungani uJesu abiza uPetru ‘ngoSathane’? Kungoba wayekwazi okwase kuzokwenzeka. Maduze, uJesu wayezofa njengomhlatshelo oyisihlengo futhi abonise ukuthi uDeveli ungumqambimanga. Lesi kwakuyisikhathi esibucayi emlandweni wesintu, kungesona esokuba uJesu ‘abe nomusa’ kuye ngokwakhe. USathane wayeyojabula kakhulu ukube uJesu wayeka ukuqapha.
17 Ukuphela kwalesi simiso sezinto kuseduze, ngakho nathi siphila esikhathini esibucayi. USathane ufuna ‘sibe nomusa’ kithi ngokusenza sigxile ekubeni abaphumelelayo kuleli zwe. Ufuna sikhohlwe ukuthi siphila ezinsukwini zokugcina futhi siyeke ukuqapha. Ungakuvumeli lokho kwenzeke kuwe! Kunalokho, ‘hlale ulindile.’ (Mathewu 24:42) Ungalokothi uwakholwe amanga kaSathane athi ukuphela kusekude noma ngeke kufike nhlobo.
(Mathewu 16:24) Khona-ke uJesu wathi kubafundi bakhe: “Uma umuntu efuna ukungilandela, makazidele athathe isigxobo sakhe sokuhlushwa angilandele njalo.
‘Hambani Niyokwenza Abafundi, Nibabhapathize’
9 Ukulandela isibonelo sikaJesu sokwenza intando kaNkulunkulu kuhilelani? UJesu wathi kubafundi bakhe: “Uma umuntu efuna ukungilandela, makazidele athathe isigxobo sakhe sokuhlushwa angilandele njalo.” (Mathewu 16:24) Zintathu izinto azichaza lapha. Okokuqala ukuba ‘sizidele.’ Ngamanye amazwi, siyenqaba ukubuswa ukuthambekela kwethu kokungapheleli kobugovu, samukele iseluleko nesiqondiso sikaNkulunkulu. Okwesibili, ‘sithatha isigxobo sethu sokuhlushwa.’ Ngosuku lukaJesu isigxobo sokuhlushwa sasifanekisela ihlazo nokuhlupheka. NjengamaKristu, siyavuma ukuthi siyohlupheka ngenxa yezindaba ezinhle. (2 Thimothewu 1:8) Nakuba izwe lingase lisiklolodele noma lisigxeke, ‘siyalidelela ihlazo’ njengoKristu, sethaba ngokwazi ukuthi sithokozisa uNkulunkulu. (Hebheru 12:2) Okokugcina, silandela uJesu “njalo.”—IHubo 73:26; 119:44; 145:2.
Ukumba Sifuna Ingcebo Engokomoya
(Mathewu 16:18) Mina ngithi kuwe, Wena unguPetru, phezu kwaleli dwala ngizokwakha ibandla lami, amasango eHayidesi ngeke alehlule.
iphuzu lokucwaninga uMath 16:18 kuyi-nwtsty-E
Wena unguPetru, phezu kwaleli dwala: Igama lesiGreki elithi peʹtros, lapho libhekisele kumuntu wesilisa lisho “itshe.” Lapha limane lisho igama lakhe (elithi Petru), okuyigama lesiGreki uJesu aqamba ngalo uSimoni. (Joh 1:42) Lapho libhekisele kumuntu wesifazane, igama elithi peʹtra lihunyuswe ngokuthi “idwala,” lingase lisho idwala elindlalekile, iwa noma idwala elikhulu kakhulu. Leli gama lesiGreki liyatholakala kuMath 7:24, 25; 27:60; Luka 6:48; 8:6; Roma 9:33; 1Kor 10:4 naku-1Pet 2:8. Ngokusobala, uPetru akazange azibheke njengedwala uJesu ayeyokwakha kulo ibandla lakhe njengoba abhala ku-1Pet 2:4-8 ukuthi uJesu nguye ‘oyitshe legumbi lesisekelo,’ okwabikezelwa ngalo kudala, owakhethwa nguNkulunkulu ngokwakhe. Ngokufanayo, umphostoli uPawulu wabhekisela kuJesu ‘njengesisekelo’ kanye ‘nedwala elingokomoya.’ (1Kor 3:11; 10:4) Ngakho, kusobala ukuthi uJesu wayedlala ngamagama, ethi: ‘Wena, lowo engimbiza ngokuthi uPetru, iTshe, ukuqondile ukuthi ungubani ngempela uKristu, “leli dwala,” lowo ozoba isisekelo sebandla lobuKristu.’
ibandla: Lena indawo yokuqala okuvela kuyo igama lesiGreki elithi ek·kle·siʹa. Livela emagameni amabili esiGreki, elithi ek, elisho “ukuphuma,” nelithi ka·leʹo, elisho “ukubiza.” Libhekisela eqenjini labantu ababiziwe noma ababizelwe ndawonye ngenjongo ethile noma umsebenzi. (Bheka i-Glossary ye-NWT.) Kule ndaba, uJesu ubikezela ngendlela ibandla lobuKristu elizohlelwa ngayo, elakhiwa amaKristu agcotshiwe, ‘anjengamatshe aphilayo akhiwa abe indlu engokomoya.’ (1Pet 2:4, 5) Leli gama lesiGreki lisetshenziswa kakhulu kuyi-Septuagint ezindaweni lapho kuthokalaka khona igama lesiHebheru elihunyushwe ngokuthi “ibandla,” elivame ukubhekisela esizweni sonke sabantu bakaNkulunkulu. (Dut 23:3; 31:30) EmBhalweni wezEnzo 7:38, ama-Israyeli aphuma eGibhithe abizwa ngokuthi ‘ibandla.’ Ngokufanayo, amaKristu ‘ayabizwa ukuba aphume ebumnyameni, akhethwe kuleli zwe,’ bese eba ‘ibandla likaNkulunkulu.’—1Pet 2:9; Joh 15:19; 1Kor 1:2.
(Mathewu 16:19) Ngizokunika izihluthulelo zombuso wamazulu, futhi noma yini ongase uyibophe emhlabeni iyobe iyinto eboshiwe emazulwini, nanoma yini ongase uyithukulule emhlabeni iyoba yinto ethukululiwe emazulwini.”
iphuzu lokucwaninga uMath 16:19 kuyi-nwtsty-E
izihluthulelo zoMbuso wamazulu: EBhayibhelini, labo ababenikwe izihluthulelo ezithile, kungakhathaliseki ukuthi ezingokoqobo noma ezingokomfanekiso, babephathiswe igunya elithile. (1Kro 9:26, 27; Isaya 22:20-22) Igama elithi “isihluthulelo” libe selimelela igunya kanye nomsebenzi owuphathisiwe. UPetru wasebenzisa lezi “zihluthulelo” ayeziphathisiwe ukuze avulele amaJuda (IzE 2:22-41), amaSamariya (IzE 8:14-17), nabeZizwe (IzE 10:34-38) ithuba lokuthula umoya kaNkulunkulu ukuze bangene eMbusweni wamazulu.
Ukufundwa KweBhayibheli
(Mathewu 16:1-20) Lapha abaFarisi nabaSadusi beza kuye, futhi ukuze bamlinge, bamcela ukuba abavezele isibonakaliso esivela ezulwini. 2 Ephendula wathi kubo: “[[Uma kuhwalala nivamé ukuthi, ‘Izulu lizoba lihle, ngoba isibhakabhaka sibomvu njengomlilo’; 3 ekuseni nithi, ‘Namuhla izulu lizobanda, libe nemvula, ngoba isibhakabhaka sibomvu njengomlilo, kodwa liguqubele.’ Niyakwazi ukuchaza ukubonakala kwesibhakabhaka, kodwa izibonakaliso zezikhathi anikwazi ukuzichaza.]] 4 Isizukulwane esibi nesiphingayo silokhu sifuna isibonakaliso, kodwa akukho sibonakaliso esizonikwa sona ngaphandle kwesibonakaliso sikaJona.” Ngemva kwalokho wahamba, ebashiya. 5 Manje abafundi bawelela ngaphesheya bakhohlwa ukuphatha izinkwa. 6 UJesu wathi kubo: “Hlalani nivulé amehlo niqaphele imvubelo yabaFarisi nabaSadusi.” 7 Ngakho baqala ukubonisana bodwa, bethi: “Asiphathanga zinkwa.” 8 Ekwazi lokhu, uJesu wathi: “Kungani nibonisana ngale ndlela, ngoba ningenazinkwa, nina eninokholo oluncane? 9 Anikalitholi yini iphuzu, noma anisazikhumbuli izinkwa ezinhlanu ngokuqondene nabayizinkulungwane ezinhlanu nokuthi bangaki obhasikidi enibabuthile? 10 Noma izinkwa eziyisikhombisa ngokuqondene nabayizinkulungwane ezine nokuthi bangaki obhasikidi bomphako enibabuthile? 11 Kwenzeka kanjani ukuba ningaqondi ukuthi bengingakhulumi nani ngezinkwa? Kodwa qaphelani imvubelo yabaFarisi nabaSadusi.” 12 Khona-ke baqonda ukuthi wayengasho ukuthi baqaphele imvubelo yezinkwa, kodwa imfundiso yabaFarisi nabaSadusi. 13 Manje lapho esefiké ezingxenyeni zaseKhesariya Filipi, uJesu wabuza abafundi bakhe wathi: “Abantu bathi iNdodana yomuntu ingubani?” 14 Bathi: “Abanye bathi inguJohane uMbhapathizi, abanye bathi ingu-Eliya, kanti abanye bathi inguJeremiya noma ingomunye wabaprofethi.” 15 Wathi kubo: “Nina-ke nithi ngingubani?” 16 USimoni Petru ephendula wathi: “UnguKristu, iNdodana kaNkulunkulu ophilayo.” 17 UJesu ephendula wathi kuye: “Uyajabula Simoni ndodana kaJona, ngoba lokhu awukwambulelwanga yinyama negazi, kodwa ukwambulelwe nguBaba osemazulwini. 18 Mina ngithi kuwe, Wena unguPetru, phezu kwaleli dwala ngizokwakha ibandla lami, amasango eHayidesi ngeke alehlule. 19 Ngizokunika izihluthulelo zombuso wamazulu, futhi noma yini ongase uyibophe emhlabeni iyobe iyinto eboshiwe emazulwini, nanoma yini ongase uyithukulule emhlabeni iyoba yinto ethukululiwe emazulwini.” 20 Khona-ke wabadonsa ngendlebe abafundi ukuba bangatsheli muntu ukuthi unguKristu.
FEBHUWARI 26–MASHI 4
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU |MATHEWU 18-19
“Qikelela Ukuba Ungakhubeki Futhi Ungabakhubi Nabanye”
(Mathewu 18:6, 7) Kodwa noma ubani okhubekisa oyedwa kulaba abancane abanokholo kimi, kungcono kakhulu kuye ukuba kugaxwe entanyeni yakhe itshe lokugaya elinjengalelo eliphendulwa yimbongolo, acwiliswe olwandle oluvulekile. 7 “Maye kulo izwe ngenxa yezikhubekiso! Yiqiniso, izikhubekiso kumelwe nakanjani zize, kodwa maye kulowo muntu esiza ngaye isikhubekiso!
amaphuzu okucwaninga uMath 18:6, 7 kuyi-nwtsty-E
itshe lokugaya eliphendulwa yimbongolo: Noma “itshe elikhulu lokugaya.” Ngokwezwi nezwi, “itshe lokugaya lembongolo.” Itshe elinjalo lokugaya, leli okungenzeka ukuthi laliyindilinga engaba amamitha angu-1,2 kuya kumamitha angu-1,5, lalisinda kangangokuthi kwakudingeka liphendulwe imbongolo.
izikhubekiso: Incazelo yakuqala yegama lesiGreki elithi skanʹda·lon, elihunyushwe ngokuthi “isikhubekiso,” kucatshangwa ukuthi lalisho isicupho; abanye abantu abathi kwakuwukhuni lwesicupho okufakwa kulo ukudla. Libe selisetshenziselwa noma isiphi isikhubekiso esasingenza umuntu akhubeke awe. Ngomqondo ongokomfanekiso, sisho isenzo noma izimo ezenza umuntu alandele inkambo engafanele, akhubeke, aziphathe kabi noma one. KuMath 18:8, 9, isenzo esihlobene nalesi esithi skan·da·liʹzo, esihunyushwe ngokuthi “khubekisa,” singahunyushwa nangokuthi “yiba isikhubekiso; yenza umuntu one.”
Okubukwayo kwe-nwtsty-E
Itshe Lokugaya
Amatshe okugaya ayesetshenziselwa ukugaya umbila nokukhama amafutha emnqumweni. Amanye ayemancane kangangokuthi ayengaphendulwa ngesandla kanti amanye ayemakhulu kangangokuthi kwakudingeka aphendulwe izilwane. Kungenzeka ukuthi lawo matshe okugaya amakhulu yilawo afana nalelo uSamsoni aphoqelelwa ukuba aliphendule. (AbaHl 16:21) Amatshe okugaya aphendulwa izilwane ayengavamile kwa-Israyeli kuphela kodwa nasengxenyeni enkulu yoMbuso waseRoma.
Itshe Lokugaya Nalelo Okugayelwa Kulo
Itshe elikhulu lokugaya elinjengaleli eliboniswe lapha laliphendulwa izilwane ezifuywayo, njengembongolo, futhi lalisetshenziselwa ukugaya okusanhlamvu neminqumo. Leli elingenhla lalingaba indilinga engaba amamitha angu-1,5 futhi lingasetsheniselwa ukugaya ngisho nasetsheni elikhulu nakakhulu kunaleli.
(Mathewu 18:8, 9) Khona-ke, uma isandla sakho noma unyawo lwakho lukukhubekisa, lunqume ululahle kude; kungcono kakhulu ukuba ungene ekuphileni ugogekile noma ulunyonga kunokuba uphonswe emlilweni omi phakade unezandla zombili noma nezinyawo zombili. 9 Futhi, uma iso lakho likukhubekisa, likhiphe ulilahle kude; kungcono kakhulu ukuba ungene ekuphileni uneso elilodwa kunokuba uphonswe eGehena lomlilo unamehlo womabili.
iphuzu lokucwaninga uMath 18:9 kuyi-nwtsty-E
IGehena: Leli gama livela emagameni esiHebheru athi geh hin·nomʹ, asho “isigodi saseHinomu,” esiseningizimu-ntshonalanga yeJerusalema lasendulo. (Bheka u-B16 wencwajana ethi INsiza-kufunda YeZwi LikaNkulunkulu, ibalazwe elithi “IJerusalema Nezindawo Ezilizungezile.”) Ezinsukwini zikaJesu, lesi sigodi sase siyindawo yokushisa udoti, ngakho igama elithi “Gehena” laliyisibonelo esihle sokubhujiswa ngokuphelele kwento.
I-Glossary ye-nwtstg-E
IGehena
Leli igama lesiGreki leSigodi sikaHinomu, esiseningizimu-ntshonalanga yeJerusalema lasendulo. (Jer 7:31) Kukhulunywa ngayo ngendlela engokwesiprofetho njengendawo okuzolahlwa kuyo izidumbu. (Jer 7:32; 19:6) Abukho ubufakazi obubonisa ukuthi kunabantu noma izilwane ezazihlushwa eGehena noma ezazishiswa lapho ziphila. Ngakho ngeke le ndawo ifanekisele indawo engabonakali okuhlushwa kuyo imiphefumulo yabantu phakade emlilweni. Kunalokho, iGehena lasetshenziswa uJesu nabafundi bakhe ukuze bafanekise isijeziso saphakade ‘sokufa kwesibili,’ okusho ukubhujiswa okuhlala njalo.—IsAm 20:14; Math 5:22; 10:28.
(Mathewu 18:10) Qaphelani ukuba nina madoda ningadeleli noyedwa walaba abancane; ngoba ngiyanitshela ngithi izingelosi zabo ezulwini zibubona ngaso sonke isikhathi ubuso bukaBaba osezulwini.
iphuzu lokucwaninga uMath 18:10 kuyi-nwtsty-E
zibubona . . . ubuso bukaBaba: Noma “ziyakwazi ukungena zibone uBaba.” Ngenxa yokuthi izingelosi ziyakwazi ukungena lapho kukhona khona uNkulunkulu, ziyakwazi ukubona ubuso bakhe.—Eks 33:20.
Indlela Izidalwa Zomoya Ezisithinta Ngayo
UJesu wembula ukuthi izingelosi zinomthwalo wemfanelo wokusiza izinceku zikaNkulunkulu ukuba zihlale zinobuhlobo obuhle naYe. Ngakho, lapho exwayisa abafundi bakhe ngokukhuba abanye, wathi: “Qaphelani ukuba nina madoda ningadeleli noyedwa walaba abancane; ngoba ngiyanitshela ngithi izingelosi zabo ezulwini zibubona ngaso sonke isikhathi ubuso bukaBaba osezulwini.” (Mathewu 18:10) UJesu wayengasho neze ukuthi umlandeli wakhe ngamunye unengelosi yakhe. Kodwa wabonisa ukuthi izingelosi ezisebenza eduze noNkulunkulu zinesithakazelo esikhulu emalungwini ebandla lobuKristu.
Ukumba Sifuna Ingcebo Engokomoya
(Mathewu 18:21, 22) Khona-ke uPetru weza wathi kuye: “Nkosi, umfowethu kumelwe angone kangaki ngimthethelela? Kuze kube kasikhombisa na?” 22 UJesu wathi kuye: “Angisho kuwe ukuthi, Kuze kube kasikhombisa, kodwa, Kuze kube izikhathi ezingamashumi ayisikhombisa nesikhombisa.
iphuzu lokucwaninga uMath 18:22 kuyi-nwtsty-E
izikhathi ezingamashumi ayisikhombisa nesikhombisa: Ngokwezwi nezwi, “izikhathi ezingamashumi ayisikhombisa aphindwe kasikhombisa.” Le nkulumo yesiGreki izwakala ingasho “u-70 no 7” (izikhathi ezingu-77) noma isho “u-70 ophindwe izikhathi ezingu-7” (izikhathi ezingu-490). Kuyi-Septuagint kuGen 4:24 la mazwi abhalwe ngesiHebheru ahunyushwe ngokuthi “izikhathi ezingu-77,” okubonisa ukuthi “izikhathi ezingu-77” iyona ndlela efanele yokuhumusha la mazwi. Kungakhathaliseki ukuthi la mazwi aqondwa kanjani, ukuphindwa kuka-7 kwakusho ukuthi “phakade” noma “ngokungenamkhawulo.” Lapho uJesu eshintsha u-7 kaPetru emenza u-77, wayetshela abalandeli bakhe ukuba bangazibekeli imincele engenasisekelo yokuthethelela. Ngokuphambene, iTalmud (Yoma 86b) yaseBhabhiloni ithi: “Uma umuntu ona okokuqala, okwesibili nokwesithathu uyathethelelwa, okwesine akathethelelwa.”
(Mathewu 19:7) Bathi kuye: “Pho-ke, kungani uMose athi makanikwe incwadi yokuxoshwa futhi kuhlukaniswe naye?”
iphuzu lokucwaninga uMath 19:7 kuyi-nwtsty-E
incwadi yokuxoshwa: Noma “isitifiketi sesehlukaniso.” Ngokuyala ukuba indoda ecabanga ukuhlukanisa nomkayo ibhale incwadi engokomthetho, ibuye iyoxoxa nabadala, uMthetho wawuyinika isikhathi sokuba isicabangisise ngaleso sinqumo esibucayi kangaka esenzayo. Kusobala ukuthi injongo yoMthetho kwakuwukuvimbela abantu ukuba bangahlukanisi ngokuphamazela nokuvikela owesifazane ngokomthetho. (Dut 24:1) Kodwa ezinsukwini zikaJesu, abaholi benkolo babekwenze kwaba lula ukuthola isehlukaniso. Isazi-mlando sangekhulu lokuqala, uJosephus, naye owayengumFarisi ohlukanise nomkakhe, wabonisa ukuthi kwakuvumelekile ukuhlukanisa “nganoma isiphi isizathu (futhi eziningi zalezo zizathu zazivela kwabesilisa).”
Okubukwayo kwe-nwtsty-E
Isitifiketi Sesehlukaniso
Lesi sitifiketi, sango-71 noma 72 C.E., sasibhalwe ngesi-Aramu. Satholakala enyakatho yeWadi Murabbaat, okuwumfula owomile osoGwadule lwaseJudiya. Sithi ngonyaka wesithupha wokuvukela kwamaJuda, uJoseph, indodana kaNaqsan, wahlukanisa noMiriam, indodakazi kaJonathan wasemzini waseMasada.
Ukufundwa KweBhayibheli
(Mathewu 18:18-35) “Ngiqinisile ngithi kini madoda, Noma yiziphi izinto eningase nizibophe emhlabeni ziyobe ziboshiwe ezulwini, nanoma yiziphi izinto eningase nizithukulule emhlabeni ziyobe zithukululiwe ezulwini. 19 Ngiqinisile ngithi kini futhi, Uma ababili kini emhlabeni bevumelana nganoma yini ebalulekile abangayicela, iyokwenzeka kubo ngenxa kaBaba osezulwini. 20 Ngoba lapho kukhona khona ababili noma abathathu bebuthene ndawonye ngegama lami, ngikhona lapho phakathi kwabo.” 21 Khona-ke uPetru weza wathi kuye: “Nkosi, umfowethu kumelwe angone kangaki ngimthethelela? Kuze kube kasikhombisa na?” 22 UJesu wathi kuye: “Angisho kuwe ukuthi, Kuze kube kasikhombisa, kodwa, Kuze kube izikhathi ezingamashumi ayisikhombisa nesikhombisa. 23 “Kungakho umbuso wamazulu ufana nomuntu, inkosi, owayefuna ukulungisa izindaba nezinceku zakhe. 24 Lapho eqala ukuzilungisa, kwangeniswa umuntu owayemkweleta amatalenta ayizinkulungwane eziyishumi [=odenariyu abangu-60 000 000 ]. 25 Kodwa ngenxa yokuthi wayengenayo indlela yokukhokha, inkosi yakhe yayala ukuba kuthengiswe ngaye nangomkakhe nangabantwana bakhe nangazo zonke izinto ayenazo bese kukhokhwa. 26 Ngakho-ke le nceku yawa phansi futhi yayikhothamela, ithi, ‘Ngibekezelele, ngizokubuyisela konke.’ 27 Kuyivusela isihawu lokhu, inkosi yaleyo nceku yayiyeka, yesula isikweletu sayo. 28 Kodwa leyo nceku yaphuma yathola enye yezinceku ezikanye nayo eyayiyikweleta odenariyu abayikhulu; futhi, iyibamba, yayiklinya, ithi, ‘Buyisa konke okukweletayo.’ 29 Ngakho-ke le nceku ekanye nayo yawa phansi yayincenga, ithi, ‘Ngibekezelele, ngizokubuyisela.’ 30 Nokho, yayingathandi, kunalokho yahamba yayala ukuba iphonswe etilongweni ize ibuyisele lokho eyayikukweleta. 31 Ngakho-ke, lapho izinceku ezikanye nayo zibona okwakwenzekile, zaba lusizi kakhulu, futhi zahamba zayobikela inkosi yazo konke okwakwenzekile. 32 Khona-ke inkosi yayo yayibiza yathi kuyo, ‘Nceku embi, ngisesule sonke lesiya sikweletu obunaso, lapho ungincenga. 33 Bekungafanele yini nawe ube nesihe encekwini okanye nayo, njengoba nami ngibe nesihe kuwe?’ 34 Khona-ke inkosi yayo, ithukuthele, yayinikela kubagcini bejele, ize ikhokhe konke eyayikukweleta. 35 UBaba osezulwini naye uyosebenzelana nani ngendlela efanayo uma ningathetheleli yilowo nalowo umfowabo ngokusuka enhliziyweni.”