31 – Ukushumayela iVangeli

“Nxa umhlaba ulokhu usekhona, isikhathi sokuhlanyela lesokuvuna, umqando lokutshisa, ihlobo lobusika, imini lobusuku kakusoze kwacina.”

UMosi waphendula wathi, “Pho bangayekela ukungikholwa loba ukulalela engikutshoyo bathi, ‘UJehova kazange abonakale kuwe’?

UMosi wasesithi kuJehova, “O Nkosi, ngivele angisisikhulumi kusukela, kuze kube lakhathesi ukhuluma lenceku yakho. Ngiyagagasa njalo ngilamalimi.” UJehova wathi kuye, “Ngubani owapha umuntu umlomo? Ngubani omenza abe yisacuthe loba abe yisimungulu? Ngubani omenza abone loba amenze abe yisiphofu? Akusimi uJehova na? Ngakho hamba, ngizakusiza ukuthi ukhulume njalo ngikufundise lokuthi uthini.”

Kodwa uMosi wathi, “O Jehova, ngicela uthume omunye ukuthi ayekwenza lokhu.” UJehova wathukuthela ulaka lwakhe lwavutha kuMosi, wathi, “Umfowenu u-Aronike, ongumLevi? Ngiyazi ukuthi uyenelisa ukukhuluma kuhle. Uvele usendleleni ukuzahlangana lawe, njalo inhliziyo yakhe izathokoza ukukubona. Uzakhuluma laye ufake amazwi emlonyeni wakhe. Ngizaliphathisa lobabili ukuthi likhulume njalo ngizalifundisa ukuthi lenzeni. Yena uzakukhulumela ebantwini, njalo kuzakuba sengani nguye ongumlomo wakho njalo kube angani wena unguNkulunkulu kuye.

Ngizalinika zonke izindawo lapho elizanyathela ngezinyawo zenu njengokuthembisa engakwenza kuMosi.

Hlabelani kuJehova lina, mhlaba wonke, limemezele insindiso yakhe izinsuku ngezinsuku. Fakazani ubukhosi bakhe phakathi kwezizwe, lemisebenzi yakhe emangalisayo phakathi kwabantu bonke.

Ngiyafakaza ngokulunga ngisemhlanganweni omkhulu; angizivali izindebe zami, njengoba usazi, O Jehova. Ukulunga kwakho kangikufihli enhliziyweni yami; ngikhuluma ngokuthembeka kwakho lokusindisa kwakho. Kangilufihli uthando lwakho leqiniso lakho emhlanganweni omkhulu.

Umlomo wami uzafakaza ngokulunga kwakho, langensindiso yakho ilanga lonke, lokuba ngingasazi isilinganiso sayo. Ngizakuza ngifakaze ngemisebenzi yakho emikhulu, O Jehova Wobukhosi; ngizafakaza ngokulunga kwakho, okwakho wedwa. Kusukela ebutsheni bami, O Nkulunkulu, wangifundisa, kuze kube lamuhla ngimemezela imisebenzi yakho emangalisayo. Lokuba sengiluphele sengiyimpunga ungangideli, O Nkulunkulu, ngize ngifakaze ngamandla akho esizukulwaneni esizayo, amandla akho kubo bonke abalandelayo.

Hlabelani kuJehova, dumisani igama lakhe; memezelani insindiso yakhe izinsuku ngezinsuku. Bikelani izizwe ngobukhosi bakhe, izenzo zakhe ezimangalisayo phakathi kwabantu bonke.

Ngizakhuluma ngezimiso zakho phambi kwamakhosi ngingabi lamahloni,

Labo abahlanyela ngezinyembezi bazavuna ngezingoma zentokozo. Lowo ophuma ekhala, ethwele inhlanyelo ukuba ayehlanyela uzabuya ngezingoma zentokozo, ethwele izinyanda.

Ngibekela umlindi womlomo wami, O Jehova; qaphela umnyango wezindebe zami.

Yileso laleso isizukulwane sizababaza imisebenzi yakho kwesinye; sizatshelana ngezenzo zakho ezinkulu.

Umuntu omubi uhola umvuzo wobuqili, kodwa lowo ohlanyela ukulunga uvuna umvuzo omuhle.

Izithelo zolungileyo ziyisihlahla sokuphila, njalo lowo ozuza imiphefumulo uhlakaniphile.

Ubuso obubobothekayo buletha intokozo enhliziyweni, lezindaba ezinhle ziqinisa umzimba. Lowo olalela ukukhuzwa okumphilisayo, uzahlala kuhle labahlakaniphileyo. Lowo onganaki ukulaywa uyazeyisa yena ngokwakhe, kodwa onanza iziqondiso uzuza ukuzwisisa. Ukumesaba uJehova kufundisa umuntu ukuhlakanipha, njalo ukuzithoba kwandulela udumo.

Amazwi amahle alikhekheba loluju, amnandi emphefumulweni njalo ayelapha emathanjeni.

Umuntu ololwazi ubeka kuhle amazwi akhe ngokunanzelela, njalo umuntu ozwisisayo kasilo icaphucaphu. Lesiwula kuthiwa sihlakaniphile nxa sithule, kuthiwe siyaqedisisa nxa sibamba ulimi lwaso.

Isiwula kasikuthakazeleli ukuzwisisa kodwa sithokoza ngokutsho eyaso imibono.

Izindebe zesiwula zisilethela ingxabano, lomlomo waso unxusa ukutshaywa. Umlomo wesiwula yiwo osidilizayo, lezindebe zaso zingumjibila womphefumulo waso.

Lowo ophendulayo engaqali alalele  —  lobo yibuwula bakhe lehlazo lakhe.

Ulimi lulamandla okuphila lokufa, njalo labo abaluthandayo bazakudla izithelo zalo.

Njengamanzi abandayo emuntwini okhatheleyo, zinjalo izindaba ezimnandi ezivela elizweni elikude.

isikhathi sokudabula lesikhathi sokuthunga, isikhathi sokuthula lesikhathi sokukhuluma,

Lowo onanzelela umoya kayikuhlanyela; lowo okhangela amayezi akazukuvuna.

Hlanyela imbewu yakho ekuseni, akuthi ntambama uphumuze izandla zakho, ngoba kawukwazi okuzaphumelela, kumbe yilokhu loba yilokhuyana, langabe kokubili kuzalunga ngokufananayo. Khumbula UMenzi Wakho UseseMutsha

UMtshumayeli wayehlakaniphile, njalo esabela abantu ulwazi. Wazidla ingqondo wadingisisa wamisa kuhle izaga ezinengi. UMtshumayeli wadingisisa ukuze azuze amazwi ayiwonawona, kwathi-ke konke akulobayo kwaqonda njalo kuliqiniso.

Ngasengisizwa ilizwi likaJehova lisithi, “Ngizathuma bani na? Ngubani na ozasihambela?” Mina ngathi, “Ngilapha. Thuma mina!”

Wasesithi, “Hamba uyetshela abantu uthi: “ ‘Zwanini kokuphela, kodwa lingaqedisisi; bonani kokuphela, kodwa lingabonisisi.’ yenza inhliziyo yalababantu ibe lukhuni; wenze izindlebe zabo zibe buthundu, uvale amehlo abo. Hlezi babone ngamehlo abo, bezwe ngezindlebe zabo, baqedisise ngezinhliziyo zabo, baphenduke basiliswe.” Ngasengisithi, “Koze kube nini, Jehova?” Yena waphendula wathi: “Amadolobho aze achitheke njalo kungaselabantu kuwo, izindlu zize zisale zingaselabantu, lamasimu ephundleke abhuquzeka,

Emthethweni lakubo ubufakazi! Uma bengakhulumi ngokumayelana lelizwi leli, kabalakho ukukhanya kokusa.

Abayikulimaza loba badilize kuyo yonke intaba yami engcwele ngoba umhlaba uzakuba usugcwele ulwazi lukaJehova njengamanzi egcwele ulwandle.

Wena oletha izindaba ezinhle eZiyoni, khwela entabeni ende. Wena oletha izindaba ezinhle eJerusalema, phakamisa ilizwi lakho ngokuklabalala; liphakamise, ungesabi, yitsho emadolobheni akoJuda uthi: “Nangu uNkulunkulu wenu!”

Yeka ubuhle phezu kwezintaba, bezinyawo zalabo abaletha izindaba ezinhle. Abamemezela ukuthula, abaletha izindaba ezinhle abamemezela insindiso, abathi kulo iZiyoni, “UNkulunkulu wakho uyabusa!”

Umoya kaJehova Wobukhosi uphezu kwami, ngoba uJehova ungigcobile ukuba ngitshumayele izindaba ezinhle kubayanga. Ungithumile ukuba ngibophe izinhliziyo ezidabukileyo, ngimemezele ukukhululwa kwabathunjiweyo, lokukhululwa kwezibotshwa emnyameni, ukumemezela umnyaka womusa kaJehova, losuku lokuphindisela kukaNkulunkulu wethu; ukududuza abalilayo, lokunakekela labo abadabukileyo eZiyoni  —  ukubapha umqhele wobuhle esikhundleni somlotha, amafutha okujabula esikhundleni sokulila, lengubo yokudumisa esikhundleni somoya wokulahla ithemba. Bazabizwa ngokuthi ngama-okhi okulunga, ahlanyelwe nguJehova ukuba abonakalise inkazimulo yakhe.

Mina ngathi, “Awu Jehova Somandla; ukukhuluma angikwazi, ngoba ngingumntwana nje.” Kodwa uJehova wathi kimi, “Ungaze wathi, ‘Ngingumntwana nje.’ Kumele uye kubo bonke engikuthuma kubo njalo utsho loba kuyini engikulaya khona. Ungabesabi, ngoba mina ngilawe njalo ngizakuhlenga,” kutsho uJehova. UJehova waseselula isandla sakhe wathinta umlomo wami wathi kimi, “Khathesi, sengifake amazwi ami emlonyeni wakho.

UJehova uthi, “Kodwa khathesi ngizathumela abagoli benhlanzi abanengi, bazababamba. Emva kwalokho ngizathumela abazingeli abanengi, bazabazingela ezintabeni zonke lasemaqaqeni wonke njalo lasezingoxweni zamadwala.

Wasesithi kimi, “Ndodana yomuntu, dlana okuphambi kwakho, dlana umqulu lo; ube ususiyakhuluma kuyo indlu ka-Israyeli.” Ngakho ngavula umlomo wami, wasengipha umqulu ukuba ngiwudle. Wasesithi kimi, “Ndodana yomuntu, dlana umqulu lo engikunika wona ugcwalise isisu sakho ngawo.” Ngakho ngawudla, njalo emlonyeni wami wawuzwakala umnandi njengoluju. Wasesithi kimi, “Ndodana yomuntu, hamba khathesi nje endlini ka-Israyeli ukhulume amazwi ami kubo.

Labo abahlakaniphileyo bazakhazimula njengokubenyezela kwamazulu, lalabo abaholela abanengi ekulungeni, bazakhazimula njengezinkanyezi okwanini lanini.

Ilizwi likaJehova laselifika kuJona ngokwesibili lathi: “Hamba uye edolobheni elikhulu laseNineve uyotshumayela kulo ilizwi engikunika lona.”

Ngelanga lokuqala, uJona wangena phakathi komuzi. Wamemezela wathi, “Kusele izinsuku ezingamatshumi amane kuphela ukuba iNineve ichithwe.” Abantu beNineve babekholwa kuNkulunkulu. Bamemezela ukuthi kuzilwe ukudla, njalo bonke kusukela komkhulu kusiya komncinyane bavunula amasaka. Ilizwi selifikile enkosini yaseNineve, yasukuma esihlalweni sayo sobukhosi, yakhumula izingubo zayo zobukhosi, yazembathisa isaka yahlala phansi ebhuqwini. Yase ikhupha isimemezelo eNineve esithi: “Ngomthetho wenkosi lezikhulu zayo: Akungavunyelwa muntu kumbe inyamazana, imihlambi yezinkomo loba eyezimvu ukuthi ithinte ulutho oludliwayo; makungavunyelwa kudle kumbe kunathe. Kodwa akuthi umuntu loba yinyamazana kwembathe amasaka. Wonke umuntu kamemeze ngokukhawuleza kuNkulunkulu. Kabadele izindlela zabo zobubi lobudlwangudlwangu babo. Ngubani okwaziyo na? Mhlawumbe uNkulunkulu angadeda kuthi ngesihawu sakhe aphenduke elakeni lwakhe olwesabekayo ukuze singabhubhi.” Kwathi uNkulunkulu esebonile abakwenzayo ukuthi baguquka ezindleleni zabo zobubi, wabazwela isihawu kazabe esabehlisela incithakalo ayesonge ngayo.

Khangela ezintabeni le, izinyawo zalowo oletha izindaba ezinhle, omemezela ukuthula! Gcina imikhosi yakho we Juda, ugcwalise lezifungo zakho. Ababi kabasayikukuhlasela futhi; bazachithwa ngokupheleleyo.

Ngasonaleso isikhathi kwafika uJohane uMbhaphathizi etshumayela eNkangala yaseJudiya esithi, “Phendukani ngokuba umbuso wezulu useduze.”

Kodwa wathi ebona abaFarisi labaSadusi abanengi besiza lapho ayebhaphathizela khona, wathi kubo, “Lina nzalo yezinyoka! Ngubani olixwayisileyo ukuthi libalekele ulaka oluzayo na? Vezani izithelo ezifanele ukuphenduka.

UJesu waphendula wathi, “Kulotshiwe ukuthi: ‘Umuntu kaphili ngesinkwa kuphela, kodwa ngelizwi lonke eliphuma emlonyeni kaNkulunkulu.’ ”

Kusukela kulesosikhathi uJesu waqalisa ukutshumayela esithi, “Phendukani ngokuba umbuso wezulu ususondele.”

UJesu wathi, “Wozani lingilandele ngoba ngizalenza abagoli babantu.” Masinyane nje batshiya amambule abo bamlandela. Ehamba esuka lapho wabona ezinye izelamani ezimbili, uJakhobe umfokaZebedi lomfowabo uJohane. Babesesikepeni beloyise uZebedi belungisa amambule abo. UJesu wababiza baphanga batshiya isikepe kanye loyise bamlandela.

UJesu wahamba kulo lonke iGalile efundisa emasinagogeni abo, etshumayela izindaba ezinhle ezombuso, esilisa zonke izifo lemikhuhlane ebantwini.

“Libusisiwe lina nxa abantu belithuka, belihlukumeza njalo beligcona ngobubi bonke ngenxa yami. Thokozani lijabule ngokuba mkhulu umvuzo wenu ezulwini, ngoba bahlukunyezwa ngaleyondlela abaphrofethi ababephambi kwenu. “Lilitshwayi lomhlaba lina. Kodwa uma itshwayi lingabaduma lingavuselelwa njani na? Kaliselamsebenzi, kuphela nje ukuthi lichithelwe phandle linyathelwe ngabantu.

“Lina liyikukhanya kwelizwe. Idolobho elakhelwe entabeni kalisitheki. Njalo abantu kabalumathisi isibane basibeke ngaphansi kwesitsha. Kodwa basibeka phezu koluthi lwaso ukuze sikhanyisele bonke abasendlini. Ngokunjalo yenzani ukukhanya kwenu kukhanye phambi kwabantu ukuze babone izenzo zenu ezinhle baze badumise uYihlo osezulwini.

“Lingazibutheli inotho emhlabeni lapho okubhubhisa khona inondo lokuthomba, njalo lapho okugqekeza khona amasela ebe. Kodwa zibutheleni inotho ezulwini lapho kungabhujiswa khona yinondo lokuthomba, njalo lapho kungagqekezi khona amasela ebe. Ngoba lapho inotho yakho ikhona, kulapho inhliziyo yakho izakuba khona.

Omunye umfundisi wathi kuye, “Nkosi, akuthi ngiqale ngihambe ngiyongcwaba ubaba.” Kodwa uJesu wamtshela wathi, “Ngilandela, uyekele abafileyo bangcwabe abafileyo babo.”

Kwathi uJesu eseqhubeka esuka lapho wabona indoda eyayithiwa nguMathewu ihlezi edladleni lokuthelisa. “Ngilandela,” kwatsho uJesu kuyo, uMathewu wahle wasukuma wamlandela.

UJesu wanquma kuwo wonke amadolobho lemizi efundisa emasinagogeni abo, etshumayela izindaba ezinhle ezombuso njalo eselapha zonke izifo lemikhuhlane.

Wasesithi kubafundi bakhe, “Isivuno sinengi kodwa izisebenzi zilutshwana. Ngakho celani iNkosi yokuvuna ukuba ithumele izisebenzi ensimini yokuvuna.”

Ekuhambeni kwenu tshumayelani leli ilizwi: ‘Umbuso wezulu ususondele.’ Philisani abagulayo, vusani abafileyo, hlambululani abalobulephero likhuphe amadimoni. Lamukelisiwe kungelambadalo, lani phanini kungelambadalo.

Lingaphathi igolide loba isiliva loba ithusi emixhakeni yamabhanti enu; lingathwali zikhwama ekuhambeni kwenu loba isigqoko sokuntshintsha, loba amanye amanyathela kumbe olunye udondolo; ngoba osebenzayo ufanele aphiwe okokuziphilisa. “Loba yiliphi idolobho kumbe umuzi elingena kuwo dingani umuntu ofaneleyo lihlale endlini yakhe kokuphela lize lisuke khona. Akuthi nxa lingena kulowomuzi liwunxusele ukuthula. Aluba lowomuzi ufanele, ukuthula kwenu akube kuwo; kodwa uma lingemukelwa aginyeni amazwi enu okuthula.

Nxa engekho olamukelayo kumbe olalela amazwi enu thintithani uthuli ezinyaweni zenu nxa selisuka kulowomuzi loba lelodolobho. Ngiqinisile ngithi kini kuzakuba ngcono eSodoma leGomora ngelanga lokwahlulelwa kulokuzakwehlela lelodolobho.

Ngilithumela ezindaweni linjengezimvu phakathi kwezimpisi. Ngakho qaphani njengezinyoka kodwa libe msulwa njengamajuba. “Libalimuke abantu; bazalimangalela ezinkundleni zamacala, balibhaxuze emasinagogeni abo. Ngenxa yami lizamiswa phambi kwababusi lamakhosi ukuze libe ngofakazi kubo lakwabezizwe.

Kodwa nxa belibopha linganqineki ukuthi lizathini lokuthi likutsho kanjani. Ngalesosikhathi lizakwambulelwa okumele likutsho, ngokuba kuzakuba kungayisini elikhulumayo, kodwa kunguMoya kaYihlo ozabe ukhuluma ngani.

“Umuntu uzanikela umfowabo ukuthi abulawe, loyise anikele umntwana; abantwana bazahlamukela abazali bababulale. Bonke abantu bazalizonda ngenxa yami, kodwa lowo omayo aqine kuze kube sekupheleni uzasindiswa. Nxa lihlukuluzwa endaweni ethile, balekelani kwenye. Ngilitshela iqiniso ukuthi kaliyikuqeda ukuwahambela wonke amadolobho ako-Israyeli iNdodana yoMuntu ingakafiki.

“Loba ngubani ongivuma phambi kwabantu lami ngizamvuma phambi kukaBaba ezulwini. Kodwa lowo ongiphikayo phambi kwabantu lami ngizamphika phambi kukaBaba ezulwini.

“Lingakhumbuli ukuthi ngilethe ukuthula emhlabeni. Kangizanga ukuletha ukuthula kodwa inkemba. Ngoba ngize ukuxabanisa ‘indoda loyise, indodakazi lonina umalokazana loninazala  — izitha zomuntu zizakuba ngabendlu yakhe.’ “Lowo othanda uyise loba unina kulami kangifanelanga; lowo othanda indodana yakhe loba indodakazi yakhe kulami kangifanelanga; njalo lowo ongathathi isiphambano sakhe angilandele kangifanelanga. Loba ngubani ozuza impilo yakhe izamlahlekela, njalo lalowo olahlekelwa yimpilo yakhe ngenxa yami uzayizuza. “Lowo olamukelayo wamukela mina, lalowo owamukela mina wamukela lowo ongithumileyo.

UJesu wathi eseqedile ukweluleka abafundi bakhe abalitshumi lambili wasuka kuleyondawo ukuyafundisa lokutshumayela emadolobheni aseGalile.

Iziphofu zenziwa zibone, abaqhugezayo bayahamba kuhle, labo abalobulephero bayasiliswa, izacuthe ziyezwa, abafileyo bayavuswa, lezindaba ezinhle ziyatshumayelwa kubayanga. Ubusisiwe umuntu ongakhubekiyo ngenxa yami.”

Kusukela ezinsukwini zikaJohane uMbhaphathizi kuze kube manje umbuso wezulu wala uqhubeka ngamandla ngokuba abantu abalamandla bawubambile.

Abantu baseNineve bazakuma kanye lalesi isizukulwane ngosuku lokwahlulelwa basilahle; ngokuba baphenduka betshunyayezwa nguJona, ikanti manje nje omkhulu kuloJona ukhonapha.

Wasebatshela izinto ezinengi esebenzisa imizekeliso, wathi, “Umlimi waphuma wayahlanyela inhlanyelo yakhe. Kwathi elokhu eyihaza inhlanyelo, enye yawela endleleni, izinyoni zafika zayidobha. Enye yawela ekhetheni lapho eyayingelawo umhlabathi owaneleyo. Yaphanga yamila ngokuba umhlabathi wawungatshoni. Kodwa kwathi ilanga seliphumile yahanguleka yabuna ngokuba yayingelampande. Enye inhlanyelo yawela phakathi kwameva, asuka akhula ayiminyanisa inhlanyelo. Kwathi enye inhlanyelo yawela emhlabathini omuhle lapho eyabeka khona izithelo  —  yeva ngekhulu, ngamatshumi ayisithupha loba ngamatshumi amathathu ukudlula leyo eyayihlanyelwe.

“Lalelani-ke lizwe ukuthi utshoni umzekeliso womhlanyeli: Nxa umuntu esizwa ilizwi ngombuso kodwa engabambisisi, omubi uyeza ahwithe lokho obekuhlanyelwe enhliziyweni. Yiyole inhlanyelo eyahlanyelwa endleleni. Lowo owemukela inhlanyelo eyawela ekhetheni ngumuntu olizwayo ilizwi aphange alamukele ngentokozo. Kodwa ngenxa yokuthi kalampande, uma okwesikhatshana kuphela. Nxa kufika uhlupho lokuhlukunyezwa ngenxa yelizwi uphanga akhubeke. Lowo owemukela inhlanyelo eyawela emeveni ngumuntu olizwayo ilizwi, kodwa lisuke landelwe yizinhlupheko zale impilo lenkohliso yenotho, lingabe lisaba lezithelo. Kodwa lowo owemukela inhlanyelo eyawela emhlabathini olungileyo ngumuntu olizwayo ilizwi alibambisise. Uthela amabele andayo ngekhulu, ngamatshumi ayisithupha loba ngamatshumi amathathu okudlula lokho okwahlanyelwayo.”

Wabatshela omunye umzekeliso wathi: “Umbuso wezulu ufana lenhlamvuyemastadi eyathathwa ngenye indoda yayihlanyela ensimini yayo. Lokuba incinyane kulazo zonke izinhlamvu elilazo, kodwa ithi ingakhula iba yisihlahla esikhulu kulazo zonke zesivande, zize izinyoni zezulu zikhusele ezingatsheni zaso.”

Waphendula wathi, “Zonke izihlahla ezingahlanyelwanga nguBaba osezulwini zizasitshunwa lezimpande zazo.

UJesu wasesithi kubafundi bakhe, “Nxa ekhona ofuna ukungilandela, kazidele athathe isiphambano sakhe angilandele. Ngokuba lowo ofuna ukusindisa ukuphila kwakhe kuzamlahlekela, kodwa lowo olahlekelwa yikuphila kwakhe ngenxa yami uzakuzuza. Kuzamsiza ngani umuntu uma ezuza wonke umhlaba, kodwa alahlekelwe ngumphefumulo wakhe na? Phela iNdodana yoMuntu izakuza ngobukhosi bukaYise kanye lezingilosi zakhe, ibisivuza umuntu ngamunye mayelana lalokho akwenzileyo.

Njalo bonke labo abatshiye izindlu zabo, loba abafowabo, loba odadewabo kumbe uyise loba unina kumbe abantwana loba amasimu ngenxa yami bazakwamukeliswa okwandiswe ngekhulu njalo bazakudla ilifa lokuphila kwaphakade.

“Ngokuba umbuso wezulu unjengomlimi owaphuma ekuseni kakhulu wayaqatsha amadoda okusebenza esivinini sakhe. Wathembisa ukubaholisa udenariyu okwalolosuku wasebathumela esivinini sakhe. “Waphuma njalo ngehora lesithathu wabona abanye bezimele nje emsikeni bengenzi lutho. Wabatshela wathi, ‘Lani hambani liyosebenza esivinini sami, ngizaliholisa okufaneleyo.’ Bahamba. “Wabuye waphuma ngehora lesithupha langehora lesificamunye wenza khona lokho. Sekusondele ihora letshumi waphuma wafumana abanye bezimele nje khonapho. Wababuza wathi, ‘Kungani kukade lilokhu limi lapha ilanga lonke lingenzi lutho na?’ “ ‘Ngokuba kakho osiqatshileyo,’ batsho bemphendula. “Wathi kubo, ‘Lani hambani liyosebenza esivinini sami.’ “Kwathi sekuntambama, umnininsimu wathi enduneni yezisebenzi, ‘Biza izisebenzi uziphe iholo lazo, uqalise ngabokucina usehla usiya kwabokuqala.’ “Izisebenzi ezaqatshwa sekubanga ihora letshumi lanye zeza ngamunye zaphiwa udenariyu. Kungakho bathi sebefika labo abaqatshwa kuqala balindela ukuphiwa okwedlulayo. Kodwa ngamunye wabo waphiwa udenariyu. Bonela ukuyamukela baqalisa ukumsola umnininsimu besithi, “Lababantu abaqatshwe ekucineni basebenze ihora elilodwa kuphela, kodwa usubalinganise lathi thina esithwale kanzima ngomsebenzi sitshiswa lilanga usuku lonke.’ “Kodwa waphendula omunye wabo wathi, ‘Mnakwethu, angikudlelezeli ngalutho. Kawuvumanga yini ukusebenzela udenariyu? Thatha umholo wakho uhambe. Mina ngithanda ukupha indoda leyo eqatshwe muva okulinganayo lalokho engikunike khona. Kangilalungelo na ukwenza loba yini engiyithandayo ngemali yami? Kumbe ulomhawu ngokuphana kwami na?’

“Umbuso wezulu unjengenkosi eyalungisela indodana yayo idili lomthimba. Yathuma izisebenzi zayo kulabo ababemenyiwe edilini ukuba beze kodwa bala ukuza. “Yaphinde yathuma ezinye izisebenzi yathi, ‘Batsheleni labo abanxusiweyo ukuthi sengililungisile idili. Ngihlabe izinkabi lezinkomo ezinonisiweyo, konke sekulungile. Wozani edilini lomthimba.’ “Kodwa kabakunanzanga lokho bazihambela  —  omunye waya ensimini yakhe, omunye emsebenzini wakhe. Abanye bazibamba izisebenzi zayo, bazihlukuluza bazibulala. Inkosi yathukuthela. Yathumela impi yayo yababhuqa labobabulali yatshisa idolobho labo.

“Yasisithi ezisebenzini zayo, ‘Idili lomthimba selilungile, kodwa labo engibanxusileyo bebengasafanele ukuza. Hambani liye emahlanganweni ezindlela linxuse loba ngubani elimbonayo.’ Ngakho izisebenzi zangena ezitaladini zabutha bonke abantu ezababonayo, abalungileyo lababi, indlu yomthimba yagcwala izethekeli.

“Lapho lizanikelwa ukuba lihlutshwe njalo libulawe, futhi lizazondwa yizizwe zonke ngenxa yami. Ngalesosikhathi abanengi bazadela ukukholwa banikelane njalo bazondane, kuvele abaphrofethi abanengi abazakhohlisa abantu abanengi.

Njalo lelivangeli lombuso lizatshunyayelwa kuwo wonke umhlaba njengobufakazi kuzo zonke izizwe, besekufika ukucina.

UJesu weza kubo wathi, “Wonke amandla ezulwini lasemhlabeni aphiwe mina. Ngakho hambani lenze abafundi ezizweni zonke, libabhaphathize ebizweni likaBaba, leleNdodana lelikaMoya oNgcwele, njalo libafundise ukulalela konke engililaye ngakho. Ngempela ngilani kokuphela, kuze kube sekucineni kwesikhathi.”

Kwasekufika uJohane ebhaphathiza emmangweni wasenkangala etshumayela ukubhaphathiza kokuphenduka ukuze kuthethelelwe izono.

UJohane esephoselwe entolongweni uJesu waya eGalile ememezela izindaba ezinhle zikaNkulunkulu. Wathi, “Isikhathi sesifikile. Umbuso kaNkulunkulu ususeduze. Phendukani likholwe izindaba ezinhle!”

Kwathi uJesu ehambahamba eceleni koLwandle lwaseGalile wabona uSimoni lomfowabo u-Andreya bephosa inetha echibini ngoba babengabagoli benhlanzi. Wathi kubo, “Wozani lingilandele, ngizalenza abagoli babantu.” Bahle batshiya amanetha abo bamlandela.

UJesu waphendula wathi, “Kasiyeni kwenye indawo  —  emizini eseduze  —  ukuze ngiyotshumayela lakhona. Yikho engikulandileyo.”

Wathi elokhu ehambahamba wabona uLevi indodana ka-Alifewu ehlezi esakhiweni sokuthelisa. UJesu wathi kuye, “Ngilandela.” ULevi waphakama wamlandela.

Wehlukanisa abalitshumi lambili wabamisa ukuba ngabaphostoli ababezakuba laye ukuze abathume ezindaweni bayotshumayela lokuba lamandla okukhupha amadimoni.

“Lalelani! Umlimi waphuma wayahlanyela inhlanyelo yakhe. Ekuyihazeni kwakhe inhlanyelo enye yawela endleleni, kwafika izinyoni zayidobha. Enye yawela endaweni elamatshe lapho eyayingelamhlabathi omnengi khona. Yamila masinyane ngoba umhlabathi wawungatshoni. Kodwa kwathi ilanga selikhwele, yahanguka yabuna ngokuba yayingelampande. Enye inhlanyelo yawela emeveni asuka akhula aminya leyonhlanyelo yaze yehluleka ukuthela izikhwebu. Futhi enye inhlanyelo yawela emhlabathini omuhle. Yamila, yakhula, yathela amabele yanda ngamatshumi amathathu, ayisithupha ngitsho langekhulu.” UJesu wasesithi, “Lowo olendlebe zokuzwa kezwe.” Kwathi eseyedwa, abalitshumi lambili labanye ababeseduze laye bambuza mayelana lemizekeliso leyo. Wabatshela wathi, “Imfihlakalo yombuso kaNkulunkulu seliyambulelwe. Kodwa kulabo abangaphandle konke kukhulunywa ngemizekeliso ukuze “ ‘bahlale belokhu bebona kodwa bengaqedisisi, bahlale besizwa kodwa bengezwisisi; funa baphenduke bese bethethelelwa!’ ”

UJesu wasesithi kubo, “Kaliwuzwisisi na umzekeliso lo? Pho lizawuzwa kanjani loba yiwuphi umzekeliso? Umlimi uhlanyela ilizwi. Abanye abantu bafana lenhlanyelo esendleleni okuhlanyelwe khona ilizwi. Bonela ukuthi balizwe uSathane uyafika alithathe ilizwi elihlanyelwe kubo. Abanye, njengenhlanyelo eyahlanyelwa ematsheni bayalizwa ilizwi bahle balamukele ngentokozo. Kodwa ngenxa yokuthi kabalampande bema okwesikhatshana kuphela. Kungafika uhlupho loba ukuchukuluzwa komhlaba baphanga bawe. Kunjalo abanye, njengenhlanyelo ehlanyelwe emeveni, bayalizwa ilizwi; kodwa iminqineko yempilo le, inkohliso yenotho kanye lezinkanuko zezinye izinto konke kuyeza kuliminyanise ilizwi, kulenze lingatheli. Abanye, njengenhlanyelo ehlanyelwe emhlabathini omuhle, bayalizwa ilizwi, balamukele, bathele izithelo  —  bedlule okwakuhlanyelwe ngamatshumi amathathu, ayisithupha loba ngekhulu.”

Waphinde wathi, “Umbuso wezulu ufana lalokhu. Indoda ihaza inhlanyelo emhlabathini. Ebusuku lemini, ingabe ilele loba ikhangele, inhlanyelo iyamila ikhule, loba yona ingakwazi ukuthi kwenzeka njani. Umhlabathi uyiwo wodwa uthela amabele  —  kuqala ikhaba, kuze isikhwebu besekusiza izinhlamvu ezimbeni. Kuthi amabele angavuthwa iwahemule ngesikela ngoba ukuvuna sekufikile.”

Waphinde wathi, “Sizakuthi umbuso kaNkulunkulu unjengani, kumbe sizasebenzisa mzekeliso bani ukuwuchaza? Unjengentanga yemastadi encinyane kulazo zonke izintanga ezihlanyelwa emhlabathini. Kodwa uma ihlanyeliwe iyakhula ibe yisihlahla esikhulu kulazo zonke esivandeni, sibe lamagatsha amakhulu ahlalwa emthunzini waso yizinyoni zezulu.”

UJesu kayivumelanga, kodwa wathi kuyo, “Hamba ekhaya kwabakini ubatshele ukuba iNkosi ikwenzele okunganani, lokuthi ibe lesihawu kuwe.” Yikho indoda yasihamba yabatshela eDikhapholi konke uJesu ayeyenzele khona. Bonke abantu bamangala.

Wabiza abalitshumi lambili beza kuye, wabathumela ngababili wabapha amandla phezu kwemimoya emibi. Imilayo yakhe yayiyile: “Lingathwali lutho kuloluhambo ngaphandle kwentonga  —  lingathwali sinkwa, mgodla loba yimali emabhantini enu. Ligqoke amanyathela kodwa lingathwali elinye ijazi. Lingaze lingene endlini ethile, hlalani khona lize lisuke kulelodolobho.

Nxa indawo ethile ingalamukeli ngesihle loba nxa ingalilaleli kalibothintitha uthuli ezinyaweni zenu nxa selisuka kuyo, kube yibufakazi lokubalahla.” Basuka bahamba betshumayela ukuthi abantu kabaphenduke.

Wasesithi kubo, “Lilendledlana yenu yokufuqela eceleni imilayo kaNkulunkulu ukuze lilandele amasiko enu!

Babelezinhlanzana ezimbalwa njalo; wazithandazela lazo wathi abafundi kabazabele abantu. Abantu badla basutha. Ngemuva kwalokho abafundi badobha imvuthu kwagcwala izitsha eziyisikhombisa. Ababekhona kwakungamadoda azinkulungwane ezine. Esebabuyisele emakhaya,

Wasebiza ixuku labantu kanye labafundi bakhe wathi, “Aluba umuntu efuna ukungilandela, kumele azidele athathe isiphambano sakhe angilandele. Ngoba yilowo ofuna ukulondoloza impilo yakhe izamlahlekela, kodwa olahlekelwa yimpilo yakhe ngenxa yami kanye levangeli uzayilondoloza. Kumsizani umuntu ukuzuza wonke umhlaba kodwa alahlekelwe ngumphefumulo wakhe? Loba, kuyini umuntu angakunika kube yinhlawulo yomphefumulo wakhe na?

Aluba umuntu elamahloni ngami kanye lamazwi ami kulesi isizukulwane esifebayo lesonayo, iNdodana yoMuntu izakuba lamahloni ngaye nxa isifika enkazimulweni kaYise lezingilosi ezingcwele.”

UJesu waphendula wathi, “Ngilitshela iqiniso ngithi kakho osetshiye ikhaya kumbe abafowabo, loba odadewabo, kumbe unina loba uyise, loba umntwana kumbe amasimu ngenxa yami levangeli ozakwehluleka ukwamukeliswa okuphindwe ngekhulu kuso lesi isikhathi samanje (amakhaya, abafowabo, odadewabo, onina, abantwana lamasimu  —  kwengezwe ukuhlukunyezwa) lasesikhathini esizayo, ukuphila kwaphakade.

“Libohlala liqaphele. Lizanikelwa kubaphathi bezindawo litshaywe emasinagogweni. Ngenxa yami lizamiswa phambi kwababusi lamakhosi libe yibufakazi kubo. Njalo ivangeli kufanele liqale litshunyayelwe ezizweni zonke.

Loba lingaze libotshwe lilethwe emthethwandabeni lingaze lazihlupha mandulo ukuthi lizakhuluma lithini. Khulumani ingqe yilokho elizakuphiwa ngalesosikhathi, ngoba kakusini elikhulumayo, kodwa nguMoya oNgcwele.

“Umfowabo uzanikela umfowabo ekufeni, loyise anikele umntanakhe. Abantwana bazahlamukela abazali babo bababulalise. Bonke abantu bazalizonda ngenxa yami, kodwa lowo omayo aqine kuze kube sekupheleni uzasindiswa.

Wathi kubo, “Hambani emhlabeni wonke litshumayele ivangeli kukho konke okwadalwayo. Loba ngubani okholwayo abhaphathizwe uzasindiswa, kodwa lowo ongakholwayo uzalahlwa.

Abafundi bahamba bayatshumayela ezindaweni zonke, iNkosi yasebenza labo yaqinisa ilizwi layo ngezibonakaliso ezazilisekela.

njengokwedluliselwa kwazo kithi yilabo ababekhona ekuqaleni bengofakazi lezinceku zelizwi.

ukunika abantu bayo ukwazi insindiso ngokuthethelelwa kwezono zabo,

Kodwa ingilosi yathi kubo, “Lingesabi. Ngililethele izindaba ezimnandi ezentokozo enkulu ezakuba ngeyabantu bonke.

Wawuhamba wonke ummango waseJodani, etshumayela ubhaphathizo lokuphenduka ukuze izono zithethelelwe. Njengoba kulotshiwe encwadini yamazwi ka-Isaya umphrofethi ukuthi: “Ilizwi lalowo omemezayo enkangala lisithi, ‘Lungiselani iNkosi indlela, yenzeleni izindlela eziqondileyo. Zonke izigodi zizagcwaliswa, zonke izintaba lamaqaqa kuzafinyezelwa phansi. Izindlela zonke ezimazombezombe zizaqonda, izindlela ezimakhilikithi zizakuba ngumthalala. Abantu bonke bazayibona insindiso kaNkulunkulu.”

Abantu waphinde wabalaya ngamanye amazwi amanengi anjalo watshumayela kubo izindaba ezimnandi.

“UMoya weNkosi uphezu kwami, ngokuba ingigcobile ukutshumayela izindaba ezinhle kubayanga. Ingithumile ukumemezela ukukhululwa kwezibotshwa lokusiliswa kweziphofu zibone, ukukhululwa kwabacindezelweyo,

Kodwa wathi, “Ngimele ngitshumayele izindaba ezinhle lakwamanye amadolobho njalo ngokuba yikho engaku-thunyelwayo.”

Eseqedile ukukhuluma wathi kuSimoni, “Gwedla ungene emanzini atshonayo ucwilise amambule akho ukuze ubambe inhlanzi.” USimoni waphendula wathi, “Nkosi, sisebenze gadalala ubusuku bonke kodwa kasibambanga lutho. Kodwa njengoba usitsho njalo sengizawehlisa amambule.” Kwathi sebenze njalo babamba izinhlanzi ezaba zinengi kwaze kwaqalisa ukudabuka amambule. Base bebiza abakhula babo kwesinye isikepe ukuthi bazobelekelela. Beza abakhula babo kwesinye isikepe ukuthi bazobelekelela. Beza bazigcwalisa zombili izikepe zathi phamu zaze zaqalisa ukutshona. Kwathi uSimoni Phethro ekubona lokhu wazilahla phansi phambi kukaJesu wathi, “Suka kimi, Nkosi; ngingumuntu oyisoni!” Ngokuba yena labakhula bakhe babemangele ngezinhlanzi ababezibambile, kwamangalisa njalo uJakhobe loJohane, amadodana kaZebedi, ababe phathisana loSimoni. UJesu wasesithi kuSimoni, “Ungesabi; kusukela manje usuzagola abantu.” Base bedonsela izikepe zabo okhunjini batshiya konke bamlandela.

Ngemuva kwalokhu uJesu waphuma wasebona umthelisi owayethiwa nguLevi ehlezi exhokovaneni lakhe lokuthelisa. UJesu wathi kuye, “Ngilandela,” uLevi wasukuma, watshiya konke wamlandela.

“Thokozani ngalolosuku liqolotshe ngokuthokoza ngokuba mkhulu umvuzo wenu ezulwini. Ngokuba yiyo indlela oyise abaphatha ngayo abaphrofethi.

Waseziphendula izithunywa wathi, “Buyelani liyobikela uJohane elikubonileyo lelikuzwileyo: Iziphofu zenziwa zibone, abaqhulayo bayahamba, labo abalobulephero bayasiliswa, izacuthe ziyezwa, abafileyo bayavuswa lezindaba ezinhle ziyatshunyayelwa kubayanga. Ubusisiwe lowomuntu ongakhubekiyo ngenxa yami.”

Ngemuva kwalokho uJesu wahambahamba engena kuleli laleli idolobho lemizi, ememezela izindaba ezinhle zombuso kaNkulunkulu. Abalitshumi lambili babelaye,

“Umlimi waphuma wayahlanyela. Wathi elokhu eyihaza inhlanyelo, eyinye yawela endleleni; yanyathelwa, izinyoni zemoyeni zayidobha. Eyinye yawela edwaleni, yathi isathi iyakhula yabuna ngoba yayingelabumanzi. Eyinye inhlanyelo yawela phakathi kwameva, akhula kanye layo aminyezela izihlahlana zayo. Kanjalo eyinye inhlanyelo yawela emhlabathini ovundileyo. Yakhula yathela amabele, eva ngekhulu okudlula okwakuhlanyelwe.” Wathi esetsho lokhu wamemeza wathi, “Lowo olazo izindlebe, kezwe.” Abafundi bakhe bambuza ukuthi umzekeliso lowo wawusitshoni. Wathi, “Ulwazi lwemfihlo yombuso kaNkulunkulu seliluphiwe lina, kodwa kwabanye ngikhuluma ngemizekeliso, ukuze kuthi “ ‘loba bebona, bangaboni; loba besizwa, bangaqedisisi.’

“Nansi incazelo yomzekeliso: Inhlanyelo iyilizwi likaNkulunkulu. Labo abasendleleni ngabalizwayo, kodwa uSathane eze alihluthune ilizwi ezinhliziyweni zabo, ukuze bangakholwa basindiswe. Labo abasedwaleni yibo abemukela ilizwi ngentokozo nxa belizwa, kodwa kabalampande. Bayakholwa okwesikhatshana, kodwa kuthi ngesikhathi sobunzima bagudluke. Inhlanyelo eyawela emeveni imele labo abezwayo, kodwa baqhubeke ngeyabo indlela bakhanywe yizinhlupheko zempilo, inotho kanye lezikholisisayo, bangabe besakhula baphelele. Kodwa inhlanyelo esemhlabathini ovundileyo imele labo abalenhliziyo enhle, elungileyo, abalizwayo ilizwi, baligcine bathi ngokubambelela bathele izithelo.

“Buyela ekhaya uyofakaza ukuthi uNkulunkulu ukwenzeleni.” Yikho indoda yahamba yafakaza kulo lonke idolobho konke uJesu ayeyenzele khona.

UJesu esebizele abaLitshumi Lambili ndawonye wabapha amandla lemvumo ukuthi bakhuphe wonke amadimoni, belaphe lemikhuhlane, njalo wasebathuma ukuyatshumayela umbuso kaNkulunkulu lokuphilisa abagulayo, Wabatshela wathi, “Lingaziphatheli lutho ohambeni lwenu  —  loba udondolo, umgodla, loba isinkwa, imali loba isigqoko sokuntshintsha. Loba yiyiphi indlu elingena kuyo, hlalani kuyo lize lisuke kulelodolobho.

Nxa abantu bengalemukeli, thintithani uthuli ezinyaweni zenu nxa selisuka kulelodolobho, kube yibufakazi bokubalahla.” Base besuka bangena imizi ngemizi, betshumayela ivangeli njalo besilisa abantu ezindaweni zonke.

Wasesithi kubo bonke: “Nxa ekhona ofisa ukungilandela kufanele azidele athwale isiphambano sakhe izinsuku zonke angilandele. Ngoba lowo ofisa ukuphephisa impilo yakhe izamlahlekela, kodwa lowo olahlekelwa yimpilo yakhe ngenxa yami uzayiphephisa. Kumsizani umuntu ukuzuza wonke umhlaba kodwa alahlekelwe loba ancitshwe ubunguye bakhe na?

Nxa umuntu eyangeka ngami langamazwi ami, iNdodana yoMuntu izayangeka ngaye nxa isifikile ngenkazimulo yayo langenkazimulo kaYise lezingilosi ezingcwele.

Wathi kwenye indoda, “Ngilandela.” Kodwa indoda yaphendula yathi, “Nkosi, akume kengiqale ngiyengcwaba ubaba.” UJesu wathi kuyo, “Yekela abafileyo bangcwabe abafileyo babo, kodwa wena hamba uyomemezela umbuso kaNkulunkulu.”

Kwathi omunye njalo wathi, “Ngizakulandela, Nkosi; kodwa akuthi kengiyovalelisa abakithi.” UJesu waphendula wathi, “Kakho othi angabamba ikhuba elima athalaze emuva owufaneleyo umsebenzi oqondane lombuso kaNkulunkulu.”

Ngemva kwalokhu iNkosi yakhetha abanye abangamatshumi ayisikhombisa lambili ukuba bamandulele baye kuwo wonke amadolobho lezindawo lezo ayesezazihambela.

Wabatshela wathi, “Isivuno sinengi, kodwa abasebenzi balutshwana. Ngakho celani iNkosi yesivuno ukuthi ithumele abasebenzi ensimini yayo yesivuno.

Hambani! Ngilithumela linjengamazinyane lisiya phakathi kwamaganyana. Lingathwali isikhwama kumbe umxhaka loba amanyathela; njalo lingabingeleli muntu endleleni.

Kodwa nxa lingafika edolobheni lingemukelwa, yanini ezitaladini zalo lithi, ‘Lothuli lwedolobho lenu olunamathele ezinyaweni zethu siyaluthintithela kini. Kodwa yazini lokhu: Umbuso kaNkulunkulu ususeduze.’ Ngiyalitshela, okweSodoma kuzakuba ngcono ngalelolanga kulokwalelodolobho.

“Lowo olalela lina ulalela mina; lowo olahla lina ulahla mina; kodwa lowo ongalayo wala yena owangithumayo.”

Abantu baseNineve bazaphakama kanye lalesi sizukulwane ekwahlulelweni basilahle; ngoba bona baphenduka uJona aze atshumayele, pho manje lowo omkhulu kuloJona usekhona lapha.

“Ngiyalitshela, lowo ongivumayo phambi kwabantu iNdodana yoMuntu layo izamvuma phambi kwezingilosi zikaNkulunkulu. Kodwa lowo ongiphikayo phambi kwabantu uzaphikwa phambi kwezingilosi zikaNkulunkulu.

“Uma limiswa phambi kwamasinagogi, laphambi kwababusi labaphathi lingazihluphi ngokuthi lizazilamulela lithini, kumbe lizakhuluma kuphi, ngokuba uMoya oNgcwele uzalifundisa ngalesosikhathi lokho elifanele likutsho.”

Thengisani izimpahla zenu liphe abampofu. Zidingeleni izikhwama ezingagugiyo, inotho ezulwini engayikuphela, lapho okungasondeli khona isela lalapho impehlane ingabhubhisi khona. Ngoba lapho okulenotho yakho khona, inhliziyo yakho ilapho layo.

Licabanga ukuthi ngalanda ukuletha ukuthula emhlabeni na? Hatshi, zwanini, kodwa ukudabukana. Kusukela manje bazakuthi bebahlanu emulini badabukane, abathathu bexabana lababili, lababili bexabana labathathu. Bazadabukana, uyise axabane lendodana, indodana ixabane loyise, unina lendodakazi, indodakazi ixabane lonina, uninazala axabane lomalokazana, umalokazana loninazala.”

Ngithi, hatshi! Kodwa, ngaphandle kokuba liphenduke lani lonke lizabhubha.”

UJesu waphendula wathi, “Umuntu othile wenza idili elikhulu wabiza abantu abanengi. Sekuyisikhathi sedili wathuma isisebenzi sakhe ukutshela ababebiziwe ukuthi, ‘Wozani, konke sekulungile. “Kodwa bonke baqala ukuxolisa. Owokuqala wathi, ‘Ngisanda kuthenga isivande, pho kusamele ngiyosibona. Ake ungixolisele.’ “Omunye wathi, ‘Khathesi nje ngisanda kuthenga izinkabi zamajogwe amahlanu, ungifica ngivele sengisendleleni yokuthi kengiyozizama. Ake ungixolisele.’ “Njalo omunye wathi, ‘Ngisanda kutshada nje khathesi, yikho ngingeke ngize.’ “Isisebenzi sabuya sakubika konke lokhu kumnumzana. Wazonda wafa umnumzana waselaya isisebenzi sakhe wathi, ‘Hamba khathesi, uye ezitaladini lemikotweni yedolobho umeme abayanga, izilima, iziphofu lemiqhuge.’ “Isisebenzi sathi, ‘Mnumzana, lokho okuyalileyo sekwenziwe, kodwa indawo isekhona.’ Umnumzana wasetshela isisebenzi wathi, ‘Hamba uye emigwaqweni lasezindleleni zemaphandleni uze labo ukuze indlu yami igcwale. Ngiyalitshela kakho loyedwa walabo bantu ababemenyiwe ozalihotsha idili lami.’ ”

“Nxa umuntu esiza kimi kodwa angaze azonda uyise lonina, umkakhe labantwana, abafowabo labodadewabo  —  yebo, kanye lempilo yakhe  —  ngeke abe ngumfundi wami. Lowo ongathwali isiphambano sakhe angilandele ngeke abe ngumfundi wami.

Ngaleyondlela, loba ngubani phakathi kwenu ongadeli konke alakho ngeke abe ngumfundi wami. “Itshwayi lilungile, kodwa lingadumala, lingavuselelwa kanjani na?

Ngilitshela ukuthi ngaleyondlela kuzakuba lokuthokoza ezulwini ngokuphenduka kwesoni esisodwa okudlula labobantu abalungileyo abangamatshumi aficamunye lesificamunye abangasweli ukuphenduka.

Ngiyalitshela ukuthi ngaleyondlela kulokuthokoza phambi kwezingilosi zikaNkulunkulu ngesoni esisodwa nxa siphenduka.”

Ngokuba iNdodana yoMuntu yalanda ukudinga lokusindisa lokho okwakulahlekile.”

Ngelinye ilanga kwathi efundisa abantu ethempelini, etshumayela ivangeli, abaphristi abakhulu labafundisi bomthetho, kanye labadala, beza kuye.

Kodwa mandulo kwakho konke lokhu bazalibeka isandla, balihlukuluze. Bazalinikela emasinagogeni lasezintolongweni, kungenxa yebizo lami. Lokhu kuzalenza libe ngofakazi kubo.

Kodwa bekani phansi amaphaphu linganqinekeli ukuthi lizazivikela lithini. Ngokuba ngizalinika amazwi lokuhlakanipha ukuze angabi khona ezitheni zenu ozalehlula loba aliphikise.

Lizanikelwa ngabazali, ngabafowenu layizihlobo labangane njalo abanye benu bazalibulala. Bonke abantu bazalizonda ngenxa yami.

UJesu wasebabuza wathi, “Ngize ngilithume lingelasikhwama semali, loba umgodla kumbe amanyathelo, kukhona yini elake lakusilela na?” Baphendula bathi, “Akubanga lalutho.” Wathi, kubo, “Kodwa manje nxa ulesikhwama semali, sithathe, kanye lomgodla; njalo nxa ungelankemba, thengisa isigqoko sakho uyithenge.

njalo ukuphenduka lokuthethelelwa kwezono kuzatshunyayelwa ebizweni lakhe ezizweni zonke, kuqaliswa eJerusalema. Lingofakazi balezizinto.

Ikanti kulabo bonke abamemukelayo, kulabo abakholwayo ebizweni lakhe, wabapha ilungelo lokuba ngabantwana bakaNkulunkulu  — abantwana abangazalwanga ngendlela yemvelo, kumbe ngokuzikhethela komuntu, loba ngokuthanda kwendoda, kodwa abazelwe ngokukaNkulunkulu.

Ngelanga elilandelayo uJesu wafuna ukusuka aye eGalile. Wabona uFiliphu wathi kuye, “Ngilandela.”

Esephendula uJesu wathi, “Ngiyaqinisa ngithi ngaphandle kokuba umuntu azalwe futhi, angeke awubone umbuso kaNkulunkulu.” UNikhodemu wathi, “Kanti umuntu angazalwa kanjani yena esemdala na? Ngeqiniso, angazake angene ngokwesibili esiswini sikanina ukuze azalwe!” UJesu waphendula wathi, “Ngiyaqinisa ngithi, ngaphandle kokuthi umuntu azalwe ngamanzi langoMoya, angeke awungene umbuso kaNkulunkulu. Inyama izala inyama, kodwa uMoya uzala umoya. Ungamangaliswa yikuthi kwami, ‘Limele lizalwe njalo.’ Umoya uphephetha loba kungaphi lapho othanda khona. Ungakuzwa ukuhuba kwawo, kodwa ungeke utsho ukuthi uvela ngaphi loba ukuthi uya ngaphi. Ngakho kunjalo emuntwini wonke ozelwe ngoMoya.”

Ngiqinisile ngithi sikhuluma ngesikwaziyo njalo sifakaza ngesikubonileyo, kodwa lina bantu kalibamukeli ubufakazi bethu. Ngikhulume kini ngezinto zalapha emhlabeni kodwa kalikholwa; pho lizakholwa kanjani nxa ngingakhuluma ngokwasezulwini?

“UNkulunkulu walithanda ilizwe waze wanikela iNdodana yakhe iyiyo yodwa ukuze kuthi loba ngubani okholwa kuyo angabhubhi kodwa abe lokuphila okungapheliyo. Ngokuba uNkulunkulu kathumanga iNdodana yakhe emhlabeni ukuba iwulahle umhlaba, kodwa ukuba umhlaba usindiswe ngayo. Loba ngubani okholwa kuyo kalahlwa, kodwa ongakholwayo uvele uselahliwe ngokuba kakholwanga ebizweni leNdodana eyiyo yodwa kaNkulunkulu. Nanku ukuqunywa kwecala: Ukukhanya sekufikile emhlabeni, kodwa abantu bathanda ubumnyama kulokukhanya ngokuba imisebenzi yabo yayimibi. Wonke umuntu owenza ububi uyakuzonda ukukhanya, njalo kezi ekukhanyeni ngoba esesaba ukuthi izenzo zakhe zizadalulwa. Kodwa loba ngubani ophila ngeqiniso uyeza ekukhanyeni ukuze kubonakale kamhlophe ukuthi lokho akwenzileyo ukwenze ngoNkulunkulu.”

Loba ngubani obeke ithemba lakhe eNdodaneni ulokuphila okungapheliyo, kodwa loba ngubani oyilahlayo iNdodana kazukuyibona leyompilo ngokuba ulaka lukaNkulunkulu seluphezu kwakhe.”

Kanti angithi lithi, ‘Kusele izinyanga ezine ukuthi kufike isikhathi sokuvuna? Ngithi vulani amehlo enu likhangele amasimu! Amabele aselungele ukuvunwa. Khathesi lokhu umvuni uvele usehle ezuza iholo lakhe, usebuthela amabele ekuphileni kwaphakade, ukuze umhlanyeli lomvuni bajabule ndawonye. Ngakho ilizwi elithi, ‘Omunye uyahlanyela, omunye avune’ liqinisile. Ngalithuma ukuyavuna lokho elingakusebenzelanga. Abanye bawenzile umsebenzi onzima, lina selivune umvuzo womsebenzi wabo.”

“Ngiqinisile ngithi lowo owezwayo amazwi ami amkholwe lowo ongithumileyo ulokuphila okungapheliyo njalo kazukulahlwa; usechaphile wasuka ekufeni waya ekuphileni.

Ngilitshelile ukuthi lizafela ezonweni zenu; uma lingakholwa ukuthi nginguye engithi nginguye, ngempela lizafela ezonweni zenu.”

UJesu wathi kubaJuda abamkholwayo, “Uma libambelela emfundisweni yami lingabafundi bami ngempela. Ngakho lizalazi iqiniso, njalo iqiniso lizalikhulula.”

Nxa kulokhu kusemini simele siwenze umsebenzi wakhe ongithumileyo. Ubusuku buyeza lapho kungelamuntu ongasebenza khona.

“Ngikhuluma iqiniso ukuthi umuntu ongangeni ngesango esibayeni sezimvu, kodwa akhwele kwenye indawo, ulisela lomphangi.

Ukhona umahluleli walowo ongalayo, ongawemukeliyo amazwi ami; lona lelolizwi uqobo engalikhulumayo lizamlahla ngosuku lokucina. Ngokuba kangizikhulumelanga okwentando yami, kodwa uBaba ongithumileyo wangilaya ukuthi ngithini lokuthi ngikutsho kanjani.

UJesu waphendula wathi, “Mina ngiyiyo indlela  —  njalo ngiliqiniso lokuphila. Kakho ozayo kuBaba ngaphandle kwami.

Kodwa le ibhaliwe ukuze likholwe ukuthi uJesu unguKhristu, iNdodana kaNkulunkulu, njalo ukuze kuthi ngokukholwa libe lokuphila ngebizo lakhe.

Wathi, “Phosani umambule wenu ngasekunene kwesikepe lizazuza khona. Bathe sebenze njalo behluleka ukudonsa umbule ngenxa yobunengi bezinhlanzi. Lowomfundi owayethandwa nguJesu wathi kuPhethro, “YiNkosi!” USimoni Phethro wonela ukuzwa esithi, “YiNkosi,” wazembathisa ngesigqoko sakhe sejazi (ngoba wayesikhumule) weqela emanzini. Abanye abafundi balandela ngesikepe behola umbule ugcwele izinhlanzi, ngoba babengakhatshana lokhumbi, kungaba yizinyathelo ezilikhulu. Ekufikeni kwabo okhunjini babona umlilo wamalahle uvutha kulenhlanzi phezulu, kanye lesinkwa. UJesu wathi kubo, “Lethani ezinye izinhlanzi elizibambileyo.” USimoni Phethro wakhwela esikepeni wadonsela umambule okhunjini. Wawugcwele izinhlanzi ezinkulu, zilikhulu lamatshumi amahlanu lantathu, kodwa loba zinengi kangaka umambule kawuqhewukanga.

Kodwa lina lizakwamukela amandla nxa uMoya oNgcwele esefikile phezu kwenu; njalo lizakuba ngofakazi bami eJerusalema, lakulo lonke eleJudiya lase-Samariya, lasemikhawulweni yomhlaba.”

Kuzakuthi wonke obiza ibizo leNkosi asindiswe.’

UPhethro waphendula wathi, “Phendukani libhaphathizwe lonke, ebizweni likaJesu Khristu ukuze lithethelelwe izono zenu. Lani lizakwamukela isipho soMoya oNgcwele. Isithembiso ngesenu labantwabenu njalo ngesabo bonke abakude  —  esabo bonke iNkosi uNkulunkulu wethu ezababiza.” Wabaxwayisa langamanye amazwi amanengi; njalo wabancenga wathi, “Zisindiseni lina kulesi isizukulwane esonakeleyo.”

Labo abalemukelayo ilizwi lakhe babhaphathizwa, kwengezwa enanini labo mhlalokho abangaba yizinkulungwane ezintathu.

bedumisa uNkulunkulu njalo bethakazelelwa ngabantu bonke. Njalo iNkosi yengeza inani labo izinsuku zonke ngalabo abase besindisiwe.

Yikho, phendukani, libuyele kuNkulunkulu, ukuze izono zenu zesulwe, ukuze kufike izikhathi zokuhlambulula okuvela eNkosini, njalo ukuthi ithumele uKhristu omiselwe linayena uJesu. Umele ahlale ezulwini kuze kufike isikhathi lapho uNkulunkulu azaqondisa konke ngaso, njengokuthembisa kwakhe kudala ngabaphrofethi bakhe abangcwele.

Kodwa abanengi abalizwayo ilizwi bakholwa, inani lamadoda lakhula okungaba yizinkulungwane ezinhlanu.

Kakho omunye okulensindiso kuye; phela kalikho elinye ibizo ngaphansi kwezulu elaphiwa abantu ukuthi sisindiswe ngalo.”

Bathi ngokubona isibindi sikaPhethro loJohane njalo benanzelela ukuthi ngabantu makhaza ababengafundanga, batsha amathe, bakunanzelela ukuthi amadoda la ake aphila loJesu.

Basebebabiza njalo basebebalaya ukuthi bangaqali ukukhuluma loba ukufundisa ngebizo likaJesu. Kodwa oPhethro loJohane baphendula bathi, “Kucazululeni lina ingabe kuqondile yini emehlweni kaNkulunkulu ukulalela lina kulokulalela uNkulunkulu. Phela singeke sayekela ukukhuluma ngalokho esikubonileyo lesikuzwileyo.”

Ngakho, Nkosi, zwana izisongo zabo uphe izinceku zakho amandla ukuthi zilikhulume ilizwi lakho ngesibindi esikhulu. Yelula isandla sakho ukusilisa lokwenza imimangaliso, lezinkinga ngebizo lenceku yakho engcwele uJesu.” Sebekhulekile, indawo ababekuyo yazamazama. Bonke bagcwaliswa ngoMoya oNgcwele balikhuluma ngesibindi ilizwi likaNkulunkulu.

Abaphostoli baqhubeka ukufakaza ngamandla amakhulu ngokuvuka kukaJesu inkosi, bonke babusiseka kakhulu.

Sebebalethile abaphostoli babamisa phambi kweSanihedrini ukuthi bathonisiswe ngumphristi omkhulu. Wathi, “Saliqonqosela ukuthi lingafundisi ngaleli ibizo. Kodwa seligcwalise iJerusalema ngemfundiso yenu njalo lizimisele ukusethesa umlandu ngegazi lomuntu lo.” UPhethro labanye abaphostoli baphendula bathi, “Simele silalele uNkulunkulu kulokulalela abantu!

Inkulumo yakhe bayamukela. Bababiza abaphostoli bangeniswa kwathiwa kabatshaywe. Basebeqonqoselwa ukuthi bangaqali ukukhuluma ngebizo likaJesu, basebekhululwa. Abaphostoli basuka eSanihedrini bethokoza ngokuba basebebonakalisile ukuthi babengalimela ihlazo lokulihluphekela iBizo. Insuku ngensuku, emagumeni ethempeli, njalo behamba bengena indlu ngendlu, kabazange bakhawule ukufundisa lokutshumayela izindaba ezinhle ukuthi uJesu unguKhristu.

Labo ababehlakazekile balitshumayela ilizwi loba kungaphi abaya khona. UFiliphu wehlela edolobheni elithile eSamariya watshumayela ngoKhristu khonale.

Kodwa kwathi sebekholwe uFiliphu etshumayela izindaba ezinhle ezombuso kaNkulunkulu kanye lebizo likaJesu Khristu, babhaphathizwa, abesilisa labesifazana.

Kwathi sebefakazile njalo balitshumayela ilizwi leNkosi, uPhethro loJohane babuyela eJerusalema, bahamba betshumayela ivangeli emizini eminengi yaseSamariya.

UFiliphu waqalisa ngayona leyondima yoMbhalo wayitshela izindaba ezinhle ngoJesu. Bathi belokhu behamba ngomgwaqo bafika lapho okwakulamanzi khona, indoda engumthenwa yathi, “Khangela, nanka amanzi. Kulani ukuthi ngihle ngibhaphathizwe na?” (UFiliphu wathi, “Uma ukholwa ngenhliziyo yakho yonke ungabhaphathizwa.” Isikhulu saphendula sathi, “Ngiyakholwa ukuthi uJesu Khristu uyiNdodana kaNkulunkulu.”) Isikhulu sathi inqola kayimiswe. Yikho bobabili, uFiliphu lendoda engumthenwa baya emanzini uFiliphu wayibhaphathiza.

Kodwa uFiliphu wabonakala e-Azotha, walibhudula ilizwe etshumayela ivangeli kuyo yonke imizi waze wayafika eKhesariya.

Kodwa uBhanaba wamthatha wamusa kubaphostoli. Wabatshela ngokuthi uSawuli wayibona njani iNkosi esendleleni esiya eDamaseko watshumayela njani ngesibindi ngebizo likaJesu. Yikho uSawuli wasehlala labo, wazihambela ekhululekile eJerusalema, ekhuluma ngesibindi ngebizo leNkosi. Wakhuluma njalo waphikisana labaJuda besiGiriki, kodwa bazama ukumbulala.

Yilo leli ilizwi uNkulunkulu alithumela kubantu bako-Israyeli, elikhuluma ngezindaba ezinhle ezoxolo ngoJesu Khristu oyiNkosi yabo bonke. Liyakwazi osekwenzakele kulo lonke elaseJudiya, kusukela eGalile ngemuva kobhaphathizo olwatshunyayelwa nguJohane  —

Wasilaya ukuba sitshumayele ebantwini bonke njalo sifakaze ukuthi unguye uNkulunkulu ambekayo ukuba ngumahluleli wabaphilayo labafileyo. Bonke abaphrofethi bafakaza ngaye ukuthi bonke abakholwa kuye baphiwa ukuthethelelwa kwezono ngebizo lakhe.” UPhethro elokhu esakhuluma amazwi la uMoya oNgcwele wehlela kubo bonke abalizwayo ilizwi.

Abaphostoli labazalwane kulo lonke elaseJudiya bezwa ukuthi abeZizwe labo base belamukele ilizwi likaNkulunkulu.

Yasitshela ukuthi yabona ingilosi endlini yayo isithi, ‘Biza uSimoni othiwa nguPhethro eJopha. Uzakulethela ilizwi eliyilo elizakusindisa wena kanye lendlu yakho.’

Bathi sebekuzwile lokhu, kababe besaba lansolo, badumisa uNkulunkulu, besithi, “Yebo kambe, uNkulunkulu usebanikile labo abeZizwe ukuphendukela ekuphileni.”

Kodwa abanye babo, amadoda ayevela eKhuphro laseKhurene, baya e-Antiyokhi batshumayela kumaGriki lawo, bebatshela ngezindaba ezinhle ngeNkosi uJesu. INkosi yayibasekela, yikho abantu abanengi bakholwa baphendukela eNkosini.

Mandulo kokufika kukaJesu, uJohane watshumayela ukuphenduka lokubhaphathizwa kubo bonke abantu bako-Israyeli.

“Silitshela izindaba ezinhle ukuthi: Lokho uNkulunkulu akuthembisa okhokho bethu

NgeSabatha elilandelayo phose lonke idolobho labuthana ukuzakuzwa ilizwi leNkosi.

Yikho uPhawuli loBhanaba basebebaphendula ngesibindi bathi: “Besimele ilizwi likaNkulunkulu silikhulume kini kuqala. Kodwa njengoba lililahla ngoba lizibona lina lingakufanelanga ukuphila okungapheliyo, khathesi sesiphendukela kwabeZizwe. Phela nanku iNkosi esisiyale khona yathi: “ ‘Sengilenze isibane sabeZizwe, ukuthi lilethe insindiso emikhawulweni yomhlaba.’ ”

Kwathi abeZizwe bekuzwa lokhu bathaba, balidumisa ilizwi leNkosi; kwathi bonke ababemiselwe ukuphila okungapheliyo bakholwa. Ilizwi leNkosi landa ummango wonke.

Kodwa abaJuda bathela umoya omubi kwabesifazana abahlonitshwayo ababekholwa lamadoda ayengabakhokheli bedolobho. Bakhwezela ukuhlukuluzwa kwaboPhawuli loBhanaba, babaxotsha emmangweni wakibo. Yikho bathintitha uthuli ezinyaweni zabo bebakhalala baqonda e-Ikhoniyami.

E-Ikhoniyami uPhawuli loBhanaba baya esinagogeni yabaJuda njengenjayelo yabo. Khonapho bakhuluma kwezwela kwaze kwathi abaJuda abanengi labeZizwe bakholwa. Kodwa abaJuda ababengafuni ukukholwa badunga abeZizwe, babathela umoya omubi ngabazalwane.

UPhawuli loBhanaba bahlala isikhathi eside khona lapho bekhulumela iNkosi ngesibindi. INkosi yaqinisa ilizwi lomusa wayo ngokubapha amandla okwenza imimangaliso lezimanga.

“Madoda, likwenzelani lokhu? Lathi singabantu njengani. Sililethela izindaba ezinhle, silitshela ukuthi litshiye izinto lezi ezingasulutho liye kuNkulunkulu ophilayo owenza izulu, lomhlaba, lolwandle lakho konke okukulezo zindawo.

Bazitshumayela izindaba ezinhle kulelodolobho bazuza inani elikhulu labafundi. Yikho base bebuyela eListra, le-Ikhoniyami le-Antiyokhi beqinisa abafundi njalo bebakhuthaza ukuthi babambelele ekukholweni. Bathi, “Kufanele sedlule ezinhlungwini ezinengi ukuze singene embusweni kaNkulunkulu.”

Ngemuva kokuphikisana okukhulu uPhethro wasukuma wakhuluma kubo wathi: “Bazalwane, liyakwazi ukuthi esikhathini esidlulileyo uNkulunkulu wangikhetha phakathi kwenu ukuthi abeZizwe bezwe kwezami izindebe ilizwi levangeli bakholwe.

UPhawuli labaphelekezeli bakhe balibhoda lonke elommango waseFrigiya laseGalathiya, uMoya oNgcwele esemalele ukuthi atshumayele ilizwi elizweni lase-Asiya. Bathi sebefike emngceleni waseMisiya, bazama ukungena eBhithiniya, kodwa uMoya kaJesu kawubavumelanga. Ngakho bedlula eceleni kweMisiya behlela eThrowa. Ebusuku uPhawuli wehlelwa ngumbono wendoda yaseMakhedoniya imi imncenga isithi, “Woza eMakhedoniya uzosisiza.” UPhawuli esebone umbono lowo, sahle salungisa masinyane ukuthi siye eMakhedoniya, sibona ukuthi uNkulunkulu wayesibizile ukuba sitshumayele ivangeli kubo.

Umlindijele wathi kakulethwe izibane, wangena wazilahla phambi kukaPhawuli loSila eqhaqhazela. Wasebakhuphela phandle wababuza wathi, “Madoda, ngenzeni ukuze ngisindiswe na?” Baphendula bathi, “Kholwa eNkosini uJesu, uzasindiswa  —  wena kanye lendlu yakho.”

Njengenjayelo yakhe uPhawuli waya esinagogeni, kwathi ngezinsuku zamaSabatha amathathu wabonisana labo ngezeMibhalo, echaza njalo eveza obala ukuthi uKhristu wayemele ahlupheke njalo avuke kwabafileyo. Wathi, “UJesu lo engitshumayela ngaye kini unguye uKhristu. Abanye abaJuda bakukholwa lokho basebengena kuboPhawuli loSila, njengalokho okwenziwa linani elikhulu lamaGiriki abesaba uNkulunkulu, kugoqela abanengi abesifazana abaqakathekileyo.

AmaBheriya wona ayelesimilo esingcono kulaleso esamaThesalonika, ngoba balemukela ilizwi ngokuthakazelela bayihlola iMibhalo nsuku zonke ukuze babone ukuthi lokho uPhawuli ayekutsho kwakuliqiniso na.

UPhawuli wasukuma enkundleni ye-Ariyophagu wathi, “Madoda ase-Athene! Ngiyabona ukuthi kukho konke lingabantu abakhonzayo. Ngoba ngithe ngihambahamba, ngabona izithombe zenu, ngaze ngafumana ialithare elilombhalo othi: KUNKULUNKULU ONGAZIWAYO. Manje-ke lokho elikukhonza njengolutho olungaziwayo yikho engizakutshumayela kini. “UNkulunkulu owenza umhlaba lakho konke okukuwo uyiNkosi yezulu lomhlaba, njalo kahlali emathempelini akhiwe ngezandla. Njalo kancediswa yizandla zabantu, ingathi kukhona akuswelayo, ngokuba yena ngokwakhe upha bonke abantu impilo lomphefumulo lokunye konke. Ngomuntu oyedwa wenza zonke izizwe zabantu, ukuthi zakhe emhlabeni wonke; njalo wamisa izikhathi abazilungiselweyo lazo kanye izindawo abamele bahlale kuzo. UNkulunkulu wakwenza lokhu ukuze abantu bamdinge lokuthi mhlawumbe bamfinyelele bamfumane, loba nje uvele engakhatshana komunye lomunye wethu. ‘Ngokuba siphila kuye, sihambe silalame.’ Njengokutsho kwezinye izimbongi zakini ukuthi, ‘Singabantwabakhe.’ “Yikho-ke njengoba singabantwana bakaNkulunkulu, masingacabangi ukuthi ubuNkulunkulu bunjengegolide, loba isiliva kumbe ilitshe  —  isifanekiso esibunjwe ngobungcitshi bomuntu. Ekadeni uNkulunkulu kakunakanga lokhu ukungazi, kodwa khathesi uselaya bonke abantu ezindaweni zonke ukuba baphenduke. Ngoba uselumisile usuku lapho azakwehlulela khona umhlaba ngokulunga ngomuntu ammisileyo. Usevezile ubufakazi balokhu kubo bonke abantu ngokumvusa kwabafileyo.”

Kusenjalo, umJuda owayethiwa ngu-Apholo, owe-Alekizandriya ngomdabuko, weza e-Efesu. Wayeyindoda efundileyo, ilolwazi olukhulu ngeMibhalo. Yayifundisiwe ngendlela yeNkosi, ikhuluma ngomfutho njalo ifundisa okuqondileyo ngoJesu, isazi ngobhaphathizo lukaJohane kuphela. Yakhuluma ngesibindi esinagogeni. Kwathi oPhrisila lo-Akhwila beyizwa bayinxusa emzini wabo bayichazela ngokugcweleyo indlela kaNkulunkulu.

UPhawuli wangena esinagogeni wakhuluma ngesibindi khona okwezinyanga ezintathu, echaza okusuthisayo ngombuso kaNkulunkulu. Kodwa abanye babo baba yiziqholo; bala ukukholwa bakhuluma kubi obala ngeNdlela. UPhawuli wasebatshiya bodwa. Wathatha abafundi wasuka wayahlangana labo baxoxisana nsuku zonke esikolweni sikaThiranu. Lokhu kwaqhubeka okweminyaka emibili kwazekwathi wonke amaJuda lamaGiriki ayehlala kulesosifunda sase-Asiya alizwa ilizwi leNkosi.

Liyakwazi ukuthi kangizange ngithikaze ukutshumayela loba yikuphi obekungaba luncedo kini kodwa ngalifundisa obala njalo ngingena izindlu ngezindlu. Ngimemezele kumaJuda lamaGiriki ukuthi bamele baphendukele kuNkulunkulu ngokuphenduka, ba-kholwe eNkosini yethu uJesu. “Okwamanje ngiqhutshwa nguMoya ukuthi ngiye eJerusalema, loba ngingazi ukuthi kuzakwenzakalani kimi khonale. Ngazi kuphela ukuthi kuwo wonke amadolobho uMoya oNgcwele ungixwayisa ukuthi ngizulelwa yintolongo lobunzima. Kungenani, eyami impilo ngiyibona ingasulutho kimi, uba kodwa lokhu ngingaliqeda ibanga ngiwufeze lomsebenzi iNkosi uJesu engiphe wona  —  umsebenzi wokufakaza ivangeli lomusa kaNkulunkulu.

Uzakuba ngufakazi wakhe ebantwini bonke ngalokho okubonileyo lokuzwileyo.

Ngobusuku obulandelayo iNkosi yema eduze kukaPhawuli yathi, “Mana isibindi! Njengalokhu usufakaze ngami eJerusalema, kusamele njalo uyofakaza eRoma.”

‘Manje phakama ume ngezinyawo zakho. Ngizibonisa kuwe ukuthi ngikukhethe ukuba yinceku njalo ube ngufakazi walokho osukubonile ngami, lalokho engisezakutshengisa khona.

ukuthi uvule amehlo abo, ubaphendule basuke ebumnyameni baye ekukhanyeni, njalo basuke emandleni kaSathane baye kuNkulunkulu ukuze bemukele ukuthethelelwa kwezono lendawo phakathi kwalabo abangcwelisiweyo ngokukholwa kimi.’

Kodwa uNkulunkulu ungiphephisile kuze kube namuhla, yikho ngimi lapha ngifakaza kwabancinyane labakhulu ngokufananayo. Kakulalutho engilutshoyo ngaphezu kwalokho abaphrofethi loMosi abathi kuzakwenzakala  — ukuthi uKhristu wayezahlupheka, athi, njengowokuqala ukuvuka kwabafileyo, atshumayele ukukhanya kubantu bakibo lakwabeZizwe.”

UPhawuli wahlala khona okweminyaka emibili egcweleyo, ehlala endlini yakhe ayeyiqatshile, njalo esemukela ngesihle bonke ababesiza bezombona. Watshumayela ngombuso kaNkulunkulu, wafundisa ngeNkosi uJesu Khristu ngesibindi njalo engaphazanyiswa muntu.

Kuqala ngiyambonga uNkulunkulu wami ngoJesu Khristu ngilibongela lani, ngoba ukukholwa kwenu kubikwa umhlaba wonke.

Ngilomlandu kumaGiriki lakwabangasiwo maGiriki, kwabahlakaniphileyo labayiziwula. Yikho nje ngitshisekela ukutshumayela ivangeli lakini eliseRoma. Kangilanhloni ngevangeli, ngoba lingamandla kaNkulunkulu okusindiswa kwabo bonke abakholwayo: kuqala amaJuda, kulandele abezizwe.

Kodwa uNkulunkulu ubonakalisa uthando lwakhe kithi ngalokhu: Siseseyizoni, uKhristu wasifela.

Ngoba umvuzo wesono yikufa, kodwa isipho sikaNkulunkulu siyikuphila okungapheliyo kuKhristu uJesu iNkosi yethu.

ukuthi uma uvuma ngomlomo wakho usithi, “UJesu uyiNkosi,” njalo ukholwa enhliziyweni yakho ukuthi uNkulunkulu wamvusa kwabafileyo, uzasindiswa. Ngoba ukholwa ngenhliziyo yakho njalo ulungiswa ngayo, njalo kungomlomo wakho ovuma ngawo usindiswe. Njengoba uMbhalo usithi, “Loba ngubani okholwa kuye akayikuyangiswa.” Ngoba kawukho umahluko phakathi komJuda lowezizwe  —  iNkosi yinye iyiNkosi yabo bonke njalo iyababusisa kakhulu bonke abakhuleka kuyo, ngoba, “Bonke abakhuleka ebizweni leNkosi bazasindiswa.”

Pho, bangakhuleka kanjani kulowo abangakholwa kuye? Njalo bangakholwa njani kulowo abangakaze bezwe ngaye na? Njalo bangezwa njani kungekho otshumayela kubo na? njalo bangatshumayela njani ngaphandle kokuba bethunyiwe na? Njengoba kulotshiwe ukuthi, “Yeka ubuhle bezinyawo zalabo abaletha izindaba ezinhle!”

Kodwa akusibo bonke abako-Israyeli abazamukelayo izindaba ezinhle. Ngoba u-Isaya uthi, “Nkosi, ngubani olikholiweyo ilizwi lethu na?”

Ngakho-ke, ukukholwa kuvela ekuzweni ilizwi, lelizwi lizwakala ngelizwi likaKhristu. Kodwa ngiyabuza ngithi: Kabezwanga na? Impela bezwa ukuthi: “Ilizwi labo liphumile laya kuwo wonke umhlaba, amazwi abo emikhawulweni yomhlaba.”

ngamandla ezibonakaliso lezimangaliso, ngamandla kaMoya. Ngakho indlela yonke kusukela eJerusalema kusiya e-Ilirikhumu, sengilitshumayele ngokugcweleyo ivangeli likaKhristu.

Kuye olamandla okuliqinisa ngevangeli lami langentshumayelo kaJesu Khristu, mayelana lokwambulwa kwemfihlakalo eyayifihlakele okweminyakanyaka eyedlulayo, kodwa khathesi yambulwe yaziswa ngemibhalo yabaphrofethi ngokulaya kukaNkulunkulu waphakade, ukuze izizwe zonke zikholwe zimlalele  —

Ngoba uKhristu kangithumanga ukuba ngibhaphathize, kodwa ukuba ngitshumayele ivangeli  —  hatshi ngamazwi enhlakanipho yabantu, hlezi isiphambano silahlekelwe ngamandla aso. Ngoba ilizwi lesiphambano liyibuthutha kulabo ababhubhayo, kodwa kithi abasindisiweyo lingamandla kaNkulunkulu. Ngoba kulotshiwe ukuthi: “Ngizachitha ukuhlakanipha kwabahlakaniphileyo; ukwazi kwabakhaliphileyo ngizakunqunda.”

Ngoba njengoba ngokuhlakanipha kukaNkulunkulu umhlaba ngokuhlakanipha kwawo kawumazanga, uNkulunkulu wathokoza ngobuthutha balokho okwatshunyayelwayo ukuze kusindise abakholwayo. AmaJuda afuna izibonakaliso zezimangaliso lamaGiriki adinga ukuhlakanipha, kodwa thina sitshumayela uKhristu owabethelwayo: isikhubekiso kumaJuda lobuthutha kwabezizwe, kodwa kulabo ababizwe nguNkulunkulu, amaJuda lamaGiriki, uKhristu ongamandla kaNkulunkulu lokuhlakanipha kukaNkulunkulu. Ngoba ubuthutha bukaNkulunkulu buhlakaniphile kulokuhlakanipha komuntu, lobuthakathaka bukaNkulunkulu bulamandla kulamandla omuntu.

Ekufikeni kwami kini, bazalwane, kangifikanga lobugabazi bokukhuluma kumbe ukuhlakanipha okukhulu lapho ngatshumayela kini ubufakazi ngoNkulunkulu. Ngoba ngazimisela ukungazi lutho ngiseselani ngaphandle kukaJesu Khristu yena owabethelwayo. Ngafika kini ngibuthakathaka ngisesaba, njalo ngithuthumela kakhulu. Ilizwi lami lentshumayelo yami akubanga ngamazwi okuhlakanipha lahugayo, kodwa kubonakalisa amandla kaMoya, ukuze ukukholwa kwenu kungeyami ekuhlakanipheni kwabantu, kodwa emandleni kaNkulunkulu.

Kodwa siyalikhuluma ilizwi lokuhlakanipha kulabo asebekhulile, belo kungasikho kuhlakanipha kwalesisikhathi loba okwababusi balesisikhathi, asebezakuba yize. Hatshi, sikhuluma ngokuhlakanipha kukaNkulunkulu okufihlakeleyo, ukuhlakanipha obekukade uNkulunkulu akumisela inkazimulo yethu isikhathi singakaqalisi. Kakho kubabusi balesi isikhathi owakuzwisisayo, ngoba aluba kwakube njalo, babengayikuyibethela iNkosi yenkazimulo. Kodwa kunjengoba kulotshiwe ukuthi: “Akulalihlo eselibonile, akulandlebe esizwile akulangqondo esicabangile ngalokho uNkulunkulu akulungisele labo abamthandayo,”  —

kodwa uNkulunkulu ukuvezile kithi ngoMoya. UMoya uyazihlolisisa izinto zonke, kanye lezinto ezizikileyo zikaNkulunkulu. Ngoba ngubani phakathi kwabantu oyaziyo imicabango yomuntu ngaphandle komoya walowomuntu ngaphakathi kwakhe na? Ngokufanayo kakho oyaziyo imicabango kaNkulunkulu ngaphandle kukaMoya kaNkulunkulu. Kasamukelanga umoya wasemhlabeni kodwa uMoya ovela kuNkulunkulu ukuze siqedisise ngalokho uNkulunkulu asiphe khona ngesihle. Lokhu yikho esikukhulumayo, hatshi ngamazwi esawafundiswa yikuhlakanipha kwabantu kodwa ngamazwi esawafundiswa nguMoya, atsho amaqiniso awokomoya ngamazwi okomoya.

Umuntu ongelaMoya kazamukeli izinto ezivela kuMoya kaNkulunkulu, ngoba kuye ziyibuthutha, njalo angeke aziqedisise ngoba zibonakaliswa ngomoya. Umuntu womoya uyazahlulela izinto zonke, kodwa yena ngokwakhe akukho muntu ongamahlulela: “Ngoba ngubani oyaziyo ingqondo yeNkosi. ukuba ayeluleke na?” Kodwa thina silengqondo kaKhristu.

Bazalwane, ngangingeke ngikhulume lani njengabomoya kodwa njengabomhlaba  —  izingane nje kuKhristu. Ngalinika uchago, hatshi ukudla okuqinileyo, ngoba lalingakakulungeli. Impela lilokhu lingakakulungeli.

Mina ngahlanyela inhlanyelo, u-Apholo wayithelela, kodwa nguNkulunkulu owayikhulisayo. Ngakho lowo ohlanyelayo, loba othelelayo, akasilutho, kodwa nguNkulunkulu kuphela owenza izinto zikhule. Umuntu ohlanyelayo lomuntu othelelayo banhlosonye, njalo lowo lalowo uzavuzwa mayelana lokusebenza kwakhe. Ngoba thina siyizisebenzi kanye loNkulunkulu; lina liyinsimu kaNkulunkulu, isakhiwo sikaNkulunkulu.

Ngomusa uNkulunkulu angipha wona, ngabeka isisekelo njengengcitshi yomakhi, njalo abanye bakha phezu kwaso. Kodwa omunye lomunye kumele ananzelele ukuthi wakha njani. Ngoba kakho ongabeka esinye isisekelo ngaphandle kwaleso esivele sesibekiwe, esinguJesu Khristu. Uma umuntu esakhela phezu kwalesisisekelo ngegolide, ngesiliva, ngamatshe adulayo, ngezigodo, ngotshani loba ngamahlanga, umsebenzi wakhe uzabonakaliswa unjalo, ngoba uSuku luzawubeka ekukhanyeni. Uzavezwa obala ngomlilo, njalo umlilo uzahlola umsebenzi womuntu ngamunye ukuthi unjani. Uma lokho okwakhileyo kusala kukhona, uzakwamukela umvuzo wakhe. Kodwa uma kusitsha kuphele du, uzalahlekelwa; yena ngokwakhe uzaphepha, kodwa kube njengomuntu ophunyuka edabula phakathi kwamalangabi.

Ikanti lapho ngitshumayela ivangeli, angingeke ngizincome ngoba kumele ngitshumayele! Maye kimi uma ngingatshumayeli ivangeli!

Uma ngitshumayela ngokuzithandela, ngithola umvuzo; uma ngingazithandeli, ngifeza umlandu obekwe kimi. Pho umvuzo wami uyini na? Uyilokhu nje: ukuthi lapho ngitshumayela ivangeli, ngilitshumayela kungekho kubhadalwa, ngalokho ngingasebenzisi amalungelo ami ekulitshumayeleni.

Lanxa ngikhululekile ngingasuye womunye umuntu, ngizenza isigqili ebantwini bonke, ukuze ngizuze abanengi uma kusenzeka. KumaJuda ngaba njengeJuda, ukuba ngizuze amaJuda. Kulabo abangaphansi komthetho ngaba njengongaphansi komthetho (lanxa nje mina ngingekho ngaphansi komthetho), ukuba ngizuze labo abangaphansi komthetho. Kulabo abangelamthetho ngaba njengongelamthetho (lanxa ngingakhululekanga emthethweni kaNkulunkulu ngingaphansi komthetho kaKhristu), ukuba ngizuze labo abangelamthetho. Kwababuthakathaka ngababuthakathaka, ukuba ngizuze ababuthakathaka. Sengibe yizinto zonke ebantwini bonke ukuze kuthi ngazo zonke izindlela ezingenzakala ngisilise abanye.

Loba ngilesipho sokuphrofitha, ngingaqedisisa izimfihlakalo zonke kanye lokwazi konke, njalo uma ngilokukholwa okungasusa izintaba, kodwa ngingelalo uthando, kangisilutho. Loba nginganika abayanga konke engilakho nginikele lomzimba wami emalangabini, kodwa ngingelalo uthando, kangizuzi lutho.

Bazalwane, ngithanda ukulikhumbuza ngevangeli engalitshumayela kini, elalamukelayo njalo eselimi ngalo. Ngalelivangeli liyasindiswa, uma libambelela elizwini engalitshumayela kini. Kungenjalo selikholwe ize.

Kodwa ngenxa yomusa kaNkulunkulu ngiyilokhu engiyikho, njalo umusa wakhe kawubanga yize kimi. Hatshi, mina ngasebenza kakhulu kulabo bonke  —  kungayisimi belo, kodwa kungumusa kaNkulunkulu owawukimi. Ngakho langabe kwakuyimi loba kuyibo, lokhu yikho esikutshumayelayo, njalo lokhu yikho elakukholwayo.

Yeka ubuwula! Elikuhlanyelayo akuphili ngaphandle kokuba kufe. Lapho lihlanyela, kalihlanyeli umzimba ozakuba khona, kodwa inhlanyelo nje, mhlawumbe eyengqoloyi loba okunye lakho.

Kodwa-ke kabongwe uNkulunkulu, yena osikhokhela kokuphela edwendweni lokunqoba kuKhristu njalo ehlakaza ngathi ezindaweni zonke iphunga elimnandi elokumazi yena. Ngoba kuNkulunkulu siliphunga elimnandi likaKhristu phakathi kwalabo abasindiswayo lalabo ababhubhayo. Komunye siliphunga elibi lokufa; komunye siliphunga elimnandi lokuphila. Ngubani olingene umsebenzi lo na?

Thina kasihambi sithengisa ilizwi likaNkulunkulu njengabanengi. Kodwa kuKhristu siyakhuluma phambi kukaNkulunkulu ngobuqotho, njengabantu abathunywe nguNkulunkulu.

Uma imfundiso eyaletha ukufa eyayidwetshwe ngamabala elitsheni, yeza lenkazimulo, ukuze abako-Israyeli bangabukhangeli kokuphela ubuso bukaMosi ngenxa yenkazimulo yabo, lanxa nje yayisifiphala, kambe imfundiso kaMoya kayiyikuba lenkazimulo enkulu na? Uma imfundiso elahla abantu ilenkazimulo, pho inkulu kangakanani inkazimulo yemfundiso eletha ukulunga. Ngoba okwakulenkazimulo khathesi akuselayo inkazimulo ekuqathanisweni lenkazimulo enkulu. Njalo uma okwakufiphala kwaletha inkazimulo, pho inkulu kangakanani inkazimulo yalokho okungulaphakade!

Ngakho, njengoba silethemba elinje, silesibindi.

Konke lokhu kuvela kuNkulunkulu owasibuyisela kuye ngoKhristu wasinika imfundiso yokubuyisana: ukuthi uNkulunkulu wayebuyisa umhlaba kuye ngoKhristu, abantu engababaleli izono zabo. Njalo usesinike ilizwi lokubuyisana.

Ngakho-ke singabameli bakaKhristu, ngokungathi uNkulunkulu wenza isikhalazo sakhe ngathi. Siyalincenga simele uKhristu sithi: Buyisanani loNkulunkulu.

Ngoba uthi: “Ngesikhathi somusa wami ngalizwa, langosuku lwensindiso yami ngalisiza.” Zwanini, khathesi sekuyisikhathi somusa kaNkulunkulu, khathesi lusuku lwensindiso.

Kasibeki zikhubekiso endleleni yomuntu, ukuze imfundiso yethu ingasolwa.

Usizi lokwesaba uNkulunkulu luletha ukuphenduka okuholela ekusindisweni kungatshiyi nsolo, kodwa usizi lwasemhlabeni luletha ukufa.

Khumbulani lokhu: Lowo ohlanyela okunengi uvuna okunengi.

Lowo onika umhlanyeli inhlanyelo lesinkwa sokudla uzanika njalo aqhelise isiphala senu senhlanyelo, andise lesivuno sokulunga kwenu.

sitshumayele ivangeli ezigabeni ezingale kwenu. Ngoba kasifuni ukuzincoma ngomsebenzi ovele usuwenziwe endaweni yomunye umuntu.

Kambe kwakuyisono yini ukuba ngizehlise ukuze ngiliphakamise ngokutshumayela ivangeli likaNkulunkulu kungekho mbadalo na?

Kodwa lanxa thina, loba ingilosi evela ezulwini, singatshumayela elinye ivangeli ngaphandle kwalelo esalitshumayelayo kini, kalahlwe kuze kube nini lanini! Njengoba sesivele sitshilo, lakhathesi ngiyatsho futhi ngithi: Uma loba ngubani etshumayela kini elinye ivangeli ngaphandle kwalelo elalivumayo, kalahlwe kuze kube nini lanini!

Kambe sengizama ukuzuza ukwamukelwa ngabantu, loba uNkulunkulu na? Kumbe njalo ngizama ukuthokozisa abantu na? Aluba ngilokhu ngizama ukuthokozisa abantu, bengingayikuba yinceku kaKhristu. Ngithanda ukuba lazi, bazalwane, ukuthi ivangeli engalitshumayelayo kalisilutho olwenziwa ngabantu.

Sengibethelwe kanye loKhristu, akuseyimi engiphilayo, kodwa uKhristu uphila phakathi kwami. Ukuphila engikuphila emzimbeni, ngiphila ngokukholwa eNdodaneni kaNkulunkulu, eyangithandayo njalo yazinikela ngenxa yami.

Lingakhohliswa: UNkulunkulu angeke ahlekwa. Umuntu uvuna lokho akuhlanyelayo. Lowo ohlanyela ukuthokozisa imvelo yakhe yesono, kuleyomvelo uzavuna ukuchitheka; lowo ohlanyela ukuthokozisa uMoya, kuMoya uzavuna ukuphila okulaphakade.

Weza wazatshumayela ukuthula kini elalikhatshana lokuthula kulabo ababeseduzane.

Nguye owanika abanye ukuba babe ngabaphostoli, abanye babe ngabaphrofethi, abanye babe ngabavangeli, abanye babe ngabaphathi labanye babe ngabafundisi, ukuba balungisele abantu bakaNkulunkulu imisebenzi yenkonzo, ukuze umzimba kaKhristu wakhiwe sonke size sifinyelele ekumanyaneni ekukholweni lasekwazini iNdodana kaNkulunkulu sikhule okugcweleyo, sithole isilinganiso sokuphelela okufunyanwa kuKhristu. Ngakho kasisayikuba yizingane, siphoswa emuva laphambili ngamagagasi, siphetshulwa lapha lalaphaya yimimoya yonke yokufundisa kanye lokuhlakanipha lobuqili babantu ngamasu abo enkohliso.

liphile impilo yothando, njengalokhu uKhristu wasithanda wazinikela ngenxa yethu njengomnikelo olephunga elimnandi lomhlatshelo kaNkulunkulu.

Lami lingikhulekele, ukuba kokuphela lapho ngivula umlomo wami, ngiphiwe amazwi ukuze ngitshumayele ngesibindi imfihlakalo yevangeli, engingummeli walo ngibotshwe ngamaketane. Khulekani ukuba ngilitshumayele ngesibindi, njengokumele ngikwenze.

Ngenxa yokubotshwa kwami, abazalwane abanengi eNkosini sebelesibindi sokukhuluma ilizwi likaNkulunkulu ngesibindi esikhulu kungelakwesaba. Kuliqiniso ukuthi abanye batshumayela uKhristu ngenxa yomona lombango, kodwa abanye ngenxa yesifiso esihle. Laba benza lokhu ngothando, bekwazi ukuthi ngifakwe lapha ukuba ngivikele ivangeli. Abakuqala batshumayela uKhristu ukuzikhukhumeza, bengeqotho, becabanga ukuthi bangangidalela uhlupho ngisekubotshweni. Kodwa-ke kuhluphani? Into eqakathekileyo yikuthi ngezindlela zonke, langabe kuyizisusa zamanga loba iqiniso, uKhristu uyatshunyayelwa. Njalo ngenxa yalokhu mina ngiyathokoza. Yebo, ngizaqhubeka ngithokoza,

uma liqhubeka ngokukholwa kwenu, ligxile njalo liqinile, lingasuki ethembeni eliliphiwa ngevangeli. Leli yilo ivangeli elalizwayo eselitshunyayelwe kuzo zonke izidalwa ngaphansi kwezulu, mina Phawuli esengibe yinceku yalo. Khathesi ngiyathokoza ngokulihluphekela kwami, njalo ngiyagcwalisa emzimbeni okulokhu kusasilela mayelana lezinhlupheko zikaKhristu, ngenxa yomzimba wakhe, olibandla. Sengaba yinceku yalo ngomsebenzi uNkulunkulu anginika wona ukuba ngililethele ilizwi likaNkulunkulu liphelele  — imfihlakalo ebifihlakele okweminyakanyaka kanye lezizukulwane, kodwa khathesi isibekwe obala kwabangcwele. UNkulunkulu wathanda ukubazisa phakathi kwabezizweni inotho emangalisayo yemfihlakalo le, enguKhristu phakathi kwenu, ithemba lenkazimulo. Sitshumayela yena, seluleke sifundise labantu bonke ngenhlakanipho yonke, ukuze abantu bonke sibalethe kuKhristu bephelele.

njengoba lisazi ukuthi lizathola ilifa eNkosini njengomvuzo. YiNkosi uKhristu elimkhonzayo.

Lisikhulekele lathi futhi, ukuba uNkulunkulu avulele ilizwi lethu umnyango, ukuze sitshumayele imfihlakalo kaKhristu, engayibotshelwayo. Khulekelani ukuba ngiyitshumayele ngokucaca okufanele ngikwenze. Hlakaniphani kulokho elikwenzayo kwabangaphandle; sebenzisani amathuba wonke ngokugcweleyo. Ingxoxo yenu kayihlale igcwele umusa, ifakwe itshwayi, ukuze likwazi ukuphendula umuntu wonke.

ngoba ivangeli lethu lafika kini hatshi ngamazwi nje kuphela, kodwa langamandla, loMoya oNgcwele kanye lokukholwa okujulileyo. Liyakwazi ukuba sahlala njani phakathi kwenu ngenxa yenu. Lina laba ngabasilingisayo thina kanye leNkosi; langaphandle kokuhlupheka okukhulu, ilizwi lalamukela ngokuthokoza okuvela kuMoya oNgcwele.

Sasihluphekile ngaphambili njalo sithukiwe eFiliphi, njengoba lisazi, kodwa ngosizo lukaNkulunkulu wethu saba lesibindi sokulitshela ivangeli lakhe lanxa nje kwakulobunzima obukhulu. Ngoba isicelo esisenzayo kasiveli ekuphosiseni loba enjongweni engcolileyo, njalo kasizami kulikhohlisa. Kodwa sikhuluma njengabantu abavunywe nguNkulunkulu ukuba siphathiswe ivangeli. Kasizami kuthokozisa abantu kodwa uNkulunkulu, yena ohlola izinhliziyo zethu. Liyakwazi ukuthi kasizange sisebenzise inkohliso, kumbe sifake isisitho ukuba sifihle ubuhwaba  —  uNkulunkulu ungufakazi wethu. Kasifuni kubatshazwa okuvela ebantwini, loba kini kumbe omunye laye. Njengabaphostoli bakaKhristu sasingaba ngumthwalo kini, kodwa saba mnene kini njengomama esondla abantwana bakhe abancinyane. Salithanda kakhulu sathokoza ukuhlanganyela lani kungayisikho evangelini likaNkulunkulu kuphela kodwa lasekuphileni kwethu, ngoba lina laselithandeka kakhulu kithi. Impela liyakhumbula, bazalwane, ukusebenza kwethu nzima lokuhlupheka; sasebenza ebusuku lemini ukuze singabi ngumthwalo lakubani lapho sitshumayela ivangeli likaNkulunkulu kini.

ngosuku ezafika ngalo ukuba idunyiswe ngabantu bayo abangcwele lokuba ibatshazwe phakathi kwabo bonke abakholwayo. Lokhu kugoqela lani, ngoba labukholwa ubufakazi bethu kini.

Walibizela kulokhu ngevangeli lethu, ukuze lihlanganyele enkazimulweni yeNkosi yethu uJesu Khristu. Ngakho-ke, bazalwane, qinani libambelele ezimfundisweni esalinika zona, langabe ngelizwi lomlomo loba ngencwadi.

Lwana ukulwa okuhle kokukholwa. Bambelela ekuphileni okulaphakade owabizelwa kukho ekuvumeni kwakho okuhle owakwenza kulabofakazi abanengi.

Ngakho ungabi lenhloni ukufakaza ngeNkosi yethu, loba ube lenhloni ngami isibotshwa sayo. Kodwa hlanganyela lami ekuhluphekeleni ivangeli, ngamandla kaNkulunkulu, owasisindisayo wasibizela ekuphileni okungcwele  —  kungayisikho ngenxa yokuthi kukhona esakwenzayo kodwa ngenxa yenjongo yakhe langomusa wakhe. Umusa lo sawunikwa ngoKhristu uJesu ngaphambi kokuqala kwesikhathi, kodwa khathesi usubonakaliswe ngokubonakala koMsindisi wethu, uKhristu Jesu, osechithe ukufa waletha ekukhanyeni ukuphila lokungafi ngevangeli. Njalo ivangeli leli mina ngabekwa ukuba ngummemezeli lomphostoli kanye lomfundisi walo. Yikhonje ngihlupheka njengoba nginje. Kodwa kangilanhloni, ngoba ngiyamazi engikholwa kuye, njalo ngiyakholwa ukuthi ulamandla okulondoloza lokho engikubeke kuye ngalolosuku.

Izinto owangizwa ngizitsho phambi kwabofakazi abanengi ziphathise abantu abathembekileyo abazafanela ukuba labo bafundise abanye.

Ngakho ngibekezelela konke ngenxa yabakhethiweyo, ukuze labo bazuze ukusindiswa okukuKhristu uJesu, lenkazimulo engapheliyo. Nansi isitsho esiqotho: Uma safa laye sizaphila laye futhi; uma sibekezela sizabusa laye futhi. Uma simphika, laye futhi uzasiphika;

Qhubeka ubakhumbuza izinto lezi. Baxwayise phambi kukaNkulunkulu ngokuxabana ngamazwi; akulasizo, kuchitha labo abalaleleyo. Yenza ubungcono bakho ukuba uzethule kuNkulunkulu njengohloliweyo, isisebenzi okungaswelekiyo ukuba sibe lenhloni njalo esiliphatha kuhle ilizwi leqiniso. Xwaya izinkulumo zokweyisa uNkulunkulu ngoba abazikholisayo baqhubeka kokuphela besiba ngabameyisayo uNkulunkulu.

Tshumayela iLizwi; lungisela ngesikhathi esifaneleyo langesikhathi esingafanelanga; lungisa, ukhuze njalo ukhuthaze  —  ngokubekezelela okukhulu langokulaya ngokunanzelela. Ngoba isikhathi sizafika lapho abantu abangayikuyivuma imfundiso eqotho. Kodwa, ukuze basuthise izinkanuko zabo, bazaziqoqela abafundisi abanengi ukuba batsho lokho izindlebe zabo ezilumayo ezifuna ukukuzwa. Izindlebe zabo bazazisusa eqinisweni baphambukele ezinganekwaneni. Kodwa wena chuma kuzo zonke izehlakalo, ubekezele ebunzimeni, wenze umsebenzi womvangeli, uyifeze yonke imisebenzi yenkonzo yakho.

Kodwa iNkosi yema phansi kwami yangipha amandla, ukuze kuthi ngami ilizwi litshunyayelwe ngokupheleleyo njalo kuthi labezizweni bonke balizwe. Njalo ngakhutshwa emlonyeni wesilwane.

Ngoba umusa kaNkulunkulu oletha insindiso usubonakele ebantwini bonke.

Ngiyakhuleka ukuba ukhuthale ekwabeni ukukholwa kwakho ukuze ube lokuqedisisa okupheleleyo ngezinto zonke ezinhle esilazo kuKhristu. Uthando lwakho lungiphe ukuthokoza okukhulu lokududuzeka, ngoba wena, mzalwane, uvuselele izinhliziyo zabangcwele. Ngakho, lanxa kuKhristu ngingaba lesibindi ngikulaye ukuba wenze lokho okumele ukwenze,

Ngakho-ke, njengoba isithembiso sokungena ekuphumuleni kwakhe silokhu sikhona, kasiqapheleni ukuba kakho owenu otholakala engafinyeleli kuso. Ngoba ivangeli latshunyayelwa kithi njengakubo; kodwa ilizwi abalizwayo lalingelasizo kubo, ngoba labo abalizwayo kabalihlanganisanga lokholo. Thina esakholwayo siyangena kulokhokuphumula, njengoba uNkulunkulu etshilo ukuthi: “Ngakho ngamemezela ngesifungo ekuthukutheleni kwami ngathi, ‘Kabayikungena ekuphumuleni kwami.’ ” Kodwa umsebenzi wakhe usuqediwe kusukela ekudalweni komhlaba.

Ilizwi likaNkulunkulu liyaphila njalo liyasebenza. Libukhali kulenkemba esika inxa zombili, ingena ize yehlukanise umphefumulo lomoya, amalunga lomnkantsho; lahlulela imicabango lomumo wenhliziyo. Kukho konke okudaliweyo akulalutho olufihlakeleyo emehlweni kaNkulunkulu. Konke kwambuliwe kwabekwa obala phambi kwamehlo akhe yena okumele sizibike kuye.

Ngakho lingalilahli ithemba lenu; lizavuzwa ngokunengi.

Kungelakukholwa akwenzakali ukuthokozisa uNkulunkulu, ngoba oza kuye kumele akholwe ukuthi ukhona lokuthi uyabanika umvuzo labo abadinga ngobuqotho.

Uma omunye wenu eswela ukuhlakanipha kumele acele kuNkulunkulu, obanikayo bonke ngokuphana engadinganga sici, uzakuphiwa.

Uma umuntu ecabanga ukuthi uyakholwa kodwa engabambi ulimi lwakhe okuqinileyo, uyazikhohlisa njalo lokholo lwakhe luyize.

Bazalwane bami, uma omunye wenu ephambuka eqinisweni, omunye ambuyisele, khumbulani lokhu: Lowo onqanda isoni ekoneni kwaso uzasisindisa ekufeni, agubuzele izono ezinengi.

Kwabonakaliswa kubo ukuthi bona babengazisebenzeli, kodwa besebenzela lina lapho babekhuluma ngezinto khathesi eselizitshelwe yilabo abatshumayele ivangeli kini ngoMoya oNgcwele owathunywa evela ezulwini. Lezingilosi ziyafisa ukuzibona lezizinto.

Ngoba selizalwe kutsha, kungasikho ngenhlanyelo ebolayo, kodwa ngengaboliyo, ngelizwi eliphilayo eliqinileyo lika-Nkulunkulu. Ngoba, “Abantu bonke banjengotshani, bonke ubukhosi babo bunjengamaluba eganga; utshani buyabuna njalo iluba liyawohloka, kodwa ilizwi leNkosi limi kuze kube nini lanini.” Njalo leli yilo ilizwi elatshunyayelwa kini.

Njengabantwana abasanda kuzalwa, funani uchago lomoya oluhlambukileyo, ukuze likhuliswe yilo ekusindisweni kwenu, njengoba selibonile ukuthi iNkosi ilungile.

Kini lina abakholwayo, ilitshe leli liligugu. Kodwa kulabo abangakholwayo: “Ilitshe elaliwa ngabakhi selibe yinhloko yengosi,” Njalo, “Ilitshe elikhubekisa abantu ledwala elibenza bawe.” Bayakhubeka ngoba badelela ilizwi okuyikho njalo abakumiselweyo.

Kodwa lina lingabantu abakhethiweyo, ubuphristi bobukhosi, isizwe esingcwele, abantu abangaba-kaNkulunkulu, ukuba limemezele izindumiso zakhe yena owalibiza lisemnyameni ukuba lize ekukhanyeni kwakhe okumangalisayo.

Kodwa yamukelani uKhristu ezinhliziyweni zenu njengeNkosi engcwele. Hlalani lilungele ukuphendula loba ngubani olibuza isizatho ngethemba elilalo. Kodwa lokhu kwenzeni ngobumnene langenhlonipho, lilesazela esihle, ukuze kuthi labo abakhuluma okubi ngokuziphatha kwenu okuhle kuKhristu bayangeke ngokuhlambaza kwabo.

Sasingalandeli izinganekwane ezaqaliswa ngokuhlakanipha lapho silitshela ngamandla langokuza kwe-Nkosi yethu uJesu Khristu, kodwa sasingofakazi bobukhosi bakhe.

INkosi kayiphuzi ukugcwalisa isithembiso sayo, njengokuqedisiswa ngabanye ngokuphuza. Iyalibekezelela, ingafuni ukuba lamunye abhubhe, kodwa ukuba umuntu wonke aphenduke.

Uma sivuma izono zethu, yena uthembekile njalo ulungile, uzasithethelela izono zethu asihlambulule kukho konke ukungalungi kwethu.

Kakho ozelwe nguNkulunkulu ozaqhubeka esenza izono, ngoba ezelwe nguNkulunkulu. Sibazi kanje ukuthi abantwana bakaNkulunkulu ngobani kanye lokuthi abangabantwana bakaSathane ngobani: Lowo ongenzi okulungileyo kasuye mntakaNkulunkulu; loba lowo ongamthandiyo umfowabo.

Thina singabakaNkulunkulu, njalo lowo omaziyo uNkulunkulu uyasilalela; kodwa lowo ongasuye kaNkulunkulu kasilaleli. Simazi kanje uMoya weqiniso lomoya wamanga.

Siyabamukela ubufakazi babantu, kodwa ubufakazi bukaNkulunkulu bukhulu ngoba yibufakazi bukaNkulunkulu, abunikayo ngeNdodana yakhe. Lowo okholwayo eNdodaneni kaNkulunkulu ulobufakazi lobu enhliziyweni yakhe. Lowo ongamkholwayo uNkulunkulu umenze waba ngolamanga, ngoba engabukholwanga ubufakazi uNkulunkulu abunike ngeNdodana yakhe. Ubufakazi lobo yilobu: UNkulunkulu usinike ukuphila okulaphakade, njalo lokhu kuphila kuseNdodaneni yakhe.

ofakaza konke akubonayo  —  okutsho ilizwi likaNkulunkulu kanye lobufakazi bukaJesu Khristu.

Mina ngilapha! Ngimi emnyango ngiqoqoda. Uma kukhona ozwa ilizwi lami avule umnyango, ngizangena ngidle laye, laye adle lami.

Bamemeza ngelizwi elikhulu besithi: “Ukusindisa ngokukaNkulunkulu wethu, ohlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi, kanye lokweWundlu.”

Ofakazi bami ababili ngizabanika amandla, njalo bazaphrofetha izinsuku eziyi-1,260, begqoke amasaka.” Laba bayizihlahla ezimbili zama-oliva lezinti ezimbili zezibane ezimi phambi kweNkosi yomhlaba. Umuntu angazama ukuzilimaza, kuphuma umlilo emilonyeni yazo uqothule izitha zazo. Le yiyo indlela umuntu ofuna ukuzilimaza afa ngayo. Abantu laba balamandla okuvala umkhathi ukuba izulu lingani lapho bephrofetha; njalo balamandla okuphendula amanzi abe ligazi lawokutshaya umhlaba ngezinhlobo zonke zezifo kanengi njengokuthanda kwabo.

Kuzakuthi lapho sebeqedile ukuphrofetha kwabo, isilo esiphuma eMgodini ongelamkhawulo sizabahlasela, sibehlule sibabulale. Izidumbu zabo zizalala emgwaqweni wedolobho elikhulu, okuthi ngokulinganisa libizwe ngokuthi Sodoma leGibhithe, lapho leNkosi yabo eyabethelwa khona esiphambanweni. Okwezinsuku ezintathu lengxenye yosuku abantu abavela emihlotsheni yonke yabantu, lasezizwaneni zonke, lasezindimini zonke, kanye lasezizweni zonke bazakhangela izidumbu zabo bale ukuba zingcwatshwe. Abantu basemhlabeni bazazikhangela ngokuthokoza bazijabulise ngokuthumela izipho, ngoba abaphrofethi ababili laba babebahluphile abahlala emhlabeni. Kodwa emva kwalezozinsuku ezintathu lengxenye yosuku umoya wokuphila owavela kuNkulunkulu wabangena, basebesima ngezinyawo zabo, kwathi labo abababonayo batshaywa luvalo.

Bamnqobile ngegazi leWundlu langelizwi lobufakazi babo; kabakuthandanga kakhulu ukuphila kwabo ukuba besabe ukufa.

Ngakho umgobho wamthukuthelela owesifazana, wasusuka usiyakulwa impi lenzalo yonke yowesifazana  —  labo abagcina imilayo kaNkulunkulu babambelele lakubufakazi bukaJesu. Umgobho wema ekhunjini lolwandle.

Akulamanga atholakala emilonyeni yabo; kabalasici.

Emva kwalokhu ngezwa umsindo onjengokuhlokoma kwexuku elikhulu ezulwini limemeza lisithi: “Haleluya! Ukusindisa lodumo lamandla ngokukaNkulunkulu wethu,

Ingilosi yasisithi kimi, “Loba ukuthi: ‘Babusisiwe labo abanxusiweyo edilini lomtshado weWundlu!’ ” Yengeza yathi, “La ngamazwi aqotho kaNkulunkulu.” Ngawela ezinyaweni zayo ngayikhonza. Kodwa yathi kimi, “Ungakwenzi lokhu! Mina ngiyinceku kanye lawe kanye labazalwane bakho abangofakazi bakaJesu. Khonza uNkulunkulu! Ngoba ubufakazi bukaJesu ngumoya wobuphrofethi.”

Ngabona izihlalo zobukhosi okwakuhlezi kuzo labo ababephiwe amandla okwahlulela. Ngabona imiphefumulo yalabo ababequnywe amakhanda ngenxa yokufakazela kwabo uJesu langenxa yelizwi likaNkulunkulu. Babengasikhonzanga isilo loba isifanekiso saso njalo bengabekwanga uphawu lwaso emabunzini abo loba ezandleni zabo. Bavuka, njalo baphila njalo babusa loKhristu iminyaka eyinkulungwane.

“Khangelani, ngiyeza masinyane! Umvuzo wami ukimi, njalo umuntu wonke ngizamupha mayelana lalokho akwenzileyo.