Isikhulu Sebutho Sibonisa Ukholo Olukhulu

Ngemva kokunikeza iNtshumayelo Yasentabeni, uJesu uya edolobheni laseKapernawume. Amadoda amadala angamaJuda eza kuye. Athunywe yindoda engeyena umJuda—isikhulu sebutho lamaRoma, induna yekhulu.

Inceku yalesi sikhulu sebutho ibangwa nezibi. Nakuba lesi sikhulu sebutho singoweZizwe, sifuna usizo lukaJesu. AmaJuda atshela uJesu ukuthi inceku yale ndoda “ilele phansi endlini ayikwazi ukunyakaza, iyahlupheka kakhulu,” mhlawumbe isezinhlungwini ezinkulu. (Mathewu 8:6) Amadoda amadala angamaJuda aqinisekisa uJesu ukuthi lesi sikhulu sebutho siyakufanelekela ukusizwa, ayachaza: “Uyasithanda isizwe sakithi futhi yena ngokwakhe wasakhela isinagoge.”—Luka 7:4, 5.

Ngokushesha, uJesu uhamba nala madoda amadala baye emzini wesikhulu sebutho. Njengoba besondela, lesi sikhulu sithumela abangane baso, bafike bathi: “Mnumzane, ungazihluphi, ngoba akungifanele ukuba ungene ngaphansi kophahla lwami. Yingakho ngingacabanganga ukuthi kungifanele ukuza kuwe.” (Luka 7:6, 7) Yaze yathobeka le ndoda ejwayele ukukhipha iziqondiso! Lokhu kubonisa indlela le ndoda ehluke ngayo kumaRoma, avame ukuphatha kabi izigqila.—Mathewu 8:9.

Akungabazeki ukuthi lesi sikhulu sebutho siyazi ukuthi amaJuda ayakugwema ukuzihlanganisa nabantu abangewona amaJuda. (IzEnzo 10:28) Mhlawumbe ngenxa yalokhu, lesi sikhulu sithuma abangane baso ukuba bathi kuJesu: “Yisho izwi, inceku yami ilulame.”—Luka 7:7.

UJesu uyamangala ukuzwa lokhu, bese ethi: “Ngiyanitshela, ngisho nakwa-Israyeli angilutholanga ukholo olukhulu kangaka.” (Luka 7:9) Lapho bebuyela endlini yesikhulu sebutho, abangane baso bathola le nceku ebigula kakhulu isiphile saka!

Ngemva kokuba uJesu eselaphe le nceku, usebenzisa lesi senzakalo ukuze aqinisekise ukuthi abangewona amaJuda abanokholo, bayothola izibusiso. Uthi: “Abaningi abavela empumalanga nasentshonalanga bayoza bahlale etafuleni no-Abrahama no-Isaka noJakobe eMbusweni wamazulu.” Kodwa kuthiwani ngamaJuda angenalo ukholo? UJesu uthi ‘ayophonswa ngaphandle ebumnyameni. Lapho yilapho ayokhala khona aququde amazinyo.’—Mathewu 8:11, 12.

Ngakho amaJuda emvelo angalamukeli ithuba elinikezwe wona kuqala, lokuba abe yingxenye yoMbuso noKristu, ayolahlwa. Kodwa abeZizwe bayokwamukelwa ukuba bahlale naye etafuleni, “eMbusweni wamazulu.”