Towards a Mature Life Before Becoming Rigid
Bible passage: Mark 12:38-44
“38. As he taught, Jesus said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, 39. and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40. They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely." 41. Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. "
After reaching the last month of 2024, we have already come to the third Sunday. We are standing on the final hill of the year, where the end is now clearly visible. Young people will measure how much they have grown in height over the past year. If they have grown a lot, they will clap and rejoice.
Athletes will evaluate how much their skills have improved over the year, and if they see significant progress, they will have hope and look forward to good results in the coming year. As believers, we also need to examine our spiritual state as we face the last month of the year. How much has our faith grown? How many of our prayers have been answered? How much has my life changed? How much have the fruits of the Spirit grown within me?
In today’s passage, two contrasting types of people appear. One type is the scribes, and the other is the poor widow, who is described as a pitiful woman. In Jesus’ time, scribes were upper-class individuals of high status, respected by the society. In contrast, the poor widow was a shabby, pitiful woman without any noticeable presence. However, as seen in today’s passage, Jesus evaluates people based on the standards of heaven, not those of the world. Because of this, the weight of these two types of people appears vastly different. According to Jesus’ words in the passage, the scribes lived rigid and undesirable lives.
On the other hand, the poor widow, though insignificant in the society’s eyes, she lived a highly admirable life with mature faith. Therefore, by comparing the contrasting figures in today’s passage, let us consider how, after passing through the year’s time, we can shed the rigidity of the scribes that still remains and move toward bearing the fruits of a mature and desirable Christian life.
1. To pursue the mature and desirable life that the Lord desires, we must abandon the rigid attitudes of the scribes.
The undesirable attitude of the scribes can be summarized as a rigid attitude. Rigidity refers to a state where the body becomes stiff and inflexible. Mentally, it describes a state where thoughts, actions, and attitudes lack flexibility, and the heart becomes hardened, unresponsive, and unreceptive. This often leads to judgmental, critical, and aggressive behavior.
The Bible refers to this as being hardened or obstinate. In Mark Chapter 3, Jesus heals a man with a withered hand. This is an event worthy of applause and universal joy. However, the scribes were so rigid in their hearts that instead of rejoicing, they watched Jesus intently, ready to accuse Him for healing on the Sabbath. Mark 3:1-2 says, “Jesus entered again into a synagogue; and a man was there whose hand was withered. They were watching Jesus to see if He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him.” Jesus, seeing the rigidity of their hearts, sighs deeply. Mark 3:5 says, “After looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored.”
The Greek word used for hardness here is "porosei," which means "to become hardened" or "a dulled state." A hardened heart leads to misunderstanding and an aggressive attitude that prioritizes judgment and criticism. In Mark Chapter 12, just before today’s passage, Jesus is recorded engaging in debates with the Pharisees and Sadducees, who had rigid hearts. From verse 13, He debates with the Pharisees and the Herodians about paying taxes to Caesar. From verse 18, He debates with the Sadducees about the resurrection. And from verse 28, He discusses the greatest commandment with the scribes, teaching them the truth.
However, their hearts were already hardened by their preconceived ideas, so even though Jesus, who is the truth itself, explained things clearly with examples, they refused to accept it and opposed Him instead. Thus, in today’s passage, Jesus warns us to beware of the scribes. He says in Mark 12:38a, "Beware of the scribes." In the passage, Jesus specifically points out four problematic aspects of the scribes’ behavior: 1) Abandon the attitude of self-display and self-advertisement. Verse 38 says, “In His teaching Jesus was saying: “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places.”
At the time, scribes wore long robes modeled after priestly garments to draw attention and sought to be noticed and respected by people in the marketplace. Jesus identifies this as a self-exalting and self-advertising attitude. All humans tend to puff themselves up and want to show off when they possess something more than others. This is a manifestation of the lust of the eyes. The Bible criticizes this attitude in many places. Luke 18:11 says, “The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.” This is the prayer of a Pharisee, but is this truly a prayer? It is not. It is merely self-exaltation disguised in the form of a prayer.
The Pharisees were so rigid that they even used prayer as a means of boasting, showing off how superior they were to others. It’s truly a laughable display. However, we must be cautious because such mistakes can also emerge in us today. For example, a conversation among older women in a church can turn into a competition of bragging about their children. One might say, “My second son is a doctor. He gives me a lot of allowance.” Another might reply, “My son is a university professor. His job is stable, so I have no worries.” Then the eldest among them might boast, “My son is a CEO. He earns a lot of money.”
Finally, a woman with no particularly successful child says, “But do any of your sons go to church faithfully?” At this, all the previously boastful women suddenly wear worried expressions and confess, “That’s the problem. No matter how much we try to evangelize, they still don’t believe in Jesus, and it’s so upsetting.” What use is it if they are doctors, professors, or CEOs, yet destined for hell? 2) Abandon the status-oriented attitude of the scribes. Verse 39 says, “and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets,……” A peculiar book with a striking title was recently discovered: titled “On Bullshit” by Harry Frankfurt, a professor of philosophy at Princeton University.
The book, though short and seemingly light, is profoundly philosophical and even became a New York Times bestseller. In the book, "bullshit" is used to refer to nonsense or meaningless talk disconnected from truth. Philosophically, it represents speech driven by self-interest, a desire for recognition, or a need to assert dominance over others. In this sense, the serpent's words in Genesis 3:4-5 can be seen as the first instance of "bullshit" in human history. It says, “The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
Had Eve rebuked the serpent’s nonsense, humanity might not have fallen into sin. However, listening to that nonsense led her to eat the forbidden fruit. Similarly, inflated arrogance, summarized as “How dare you!”, often stems from distorted narcissism and is rooted in the belief of inherent superiority over others. What kind of person does Jesus want us to be? Matthew 23:12 says, “But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.” Philippians 2:3 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;……” The Lord detests status-oriented behaviors, and such tendencies must not occur within the church.
James 2:1-4 says: [1] My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. [2] Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. [3] If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” [4] have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Even in social settings like weddings or funerals, we must not differentiate or discriminate among believers based on worldly status. 3) Jesus points out the hypocrisy of the scribes. In verse 40, their actions are described as hypocritical. Verse 40b says, “….who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.” Jesus deeply dislikes such hypocrisy.
Matthew 23:27-28 says, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. So, you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” This hypocrisy may also lurk within each of us. Whenever possible, some seek higher positions, desire recognition, or fall into a behavior driven by self-interest. Such tendencies must always be checked and avoided. As Christmas approaches, let us rely on the cross and earnestly pray: “Lord, do not let me walk the path of the rigid scribes. Help me avoid these dangerous pitfalls one by one.”
2. To live a mature life rather than a rigid one, we must learn from the humble widow.
In today’s passage, after teaching His disciples to abandon the rigid attitudes of the scribes, Jesus moves to the temple courtyard and observes people making offerings at the treasury. Verses 41-42 say, “And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums.
A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent.” Then He calls His disciples once more to teach them about true giving. Verse 43a says, “Calling His disciples to Him, Jesus said to them……...” After the disciples had learned about the rigid and undesirable attitudes of the scribes and taken a brief rest, Jesus calls them again to teach them what they must learn to live a mature spiritual life. Using the faith of a poor widow - someone despised and ignored by society - Jesus provides a teaching example. In verse 43b, He says, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.” What did Jesus intend for the disciples to learn by presenting this woman as a model of faith? 1) She pleased the Lord by giving her very best in faith.
At that time, the “lepton” was the smallest unit of Greek currency, surprisingly measuring less than 1 cm in diameter." It was such a small coin that it was difficult to notice whether someone had placed it in the treasury unless closely observed. However, in verse 44, Jesus remarks, “They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on.” The poor widow had only two lepta, which was all she owned. She could have given just one and kept the other for herself, but she gave both. Jesus, who was seated at some distance, noticed exactly what kind of coin the widow gave and how many.
This indicates that the Lord does not overlook even the smallest act of devotion. Verse 42 says, “But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.” The widow, despite her poverty, offered the smallest coins with the greatest fragrance of love, sacrifice, and devotion to God. While the wealthy gave large sums, their offerings lacked the heart, love, and sacrifice the widow poured into hers. She not only gave money but also offered her love and heart of service to God. In verse 43b, Jesus says that this widow gave more than all others. Though the wealthy scribes likely gave much more money, why did Jesus say that the widow gave more? True offerings are not about the amount of money but the fragrance of love, sacrifice, and devotion accompanying it. In 1 Kings Chapter 17, during a three-year drought in Israel, the prophet Elijah asked a widow in Zarephath, who was about to prepare her last meal for herself and her son, to first make bread for him.
The widow, without hesitation, gave her last bit of flour and oil to God’s prophet. As a result, her jar of flour and jug of oil never ran out, and she experienced an extraordinary blessing. Similarly, the two lepta given by the poor widow in today’s passage were an act of faith filled with the fragrance of sacrifice, just like the last bread offered by the widow of Zarephath. Her offering was everything she had to live on, a faith-filled act that moved the Lord. Surely, God took responsibility for her life and provided for her needs.
God repays according to what we give. There was also a testimony like this from His Emeritus Senior Pastor Dr. Jaerock Lee. Life must have been very difficult at first after starting the church. When it was hot in the summer and he wanted to eat watermelons sometimes, there was a watermelon outside the door. If he felt like he was going to starve because he was running low on rice, he could open the door and he would sometimes find a sack of rice lying around. Just as God moves the hearts of the believers to serve in this way, God takes responsibility for those who have true faith. When we give our best, He blesses us abundantly. 2) She became a model of faith. Verse 43 says, “Calling His disciples to Him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.”” Jesus gathered His disciples and used the poor widow as an example of true giving, recommending her as a model for offering.
How happy this widow must have been to be commended by Jesus Himself as a model of faith, despite her poverty. Throughout the scripture, Jesus occasionally points out individuals as examples of faith. In Matthew Chapter 8, when a centurion asked Jesus to heal his paralyzed servant and declared his faith, Jesus praised his faith in Matthew 8:10 by saying, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.”
In Matthew Chapter 15, a Syrophoenician woman, whose daughter was possessed by a demon, declared her faith in verse 27 by saying, “Yes, it is, Lord, But even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” To this, Jesus responded in verse 28 saying, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” He recommended her as a woman of great faith. In Acts Chapter 1, Jesus recommended the prayer life of the 120 believers in the upper room who prayed to receive the promised Holy Spirit. Acts 1:4-5 say, “On one occasion, while He was eating with them, He gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift My Father promised, which you have heard Me speak about.
For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”” Inspired by this, I have made it a practice during Daniel Night Prayer gatherings to encourage fervent prayer, similar to the 120 believers who prayed with such intensity that they received the fire of the Holy Spirit and established the early church. Every night during the Daniel Prayer meetings, I select a "Best Prayer" recipient and present them with a small gift. This practice will continue through March of next year, selecting one person each day.
What an honorable recognition it is to consider oneself part of the "Upper Room 120 Club," a group of believers who, through fervent prayer, earned a place in spiritual history! I am confident that God will reward these efforts greatly in heaven. The Apostle Paul also recommended believers who were models of faith, devotion, and prayer, recognizing their support for his ministry and pastoral mission. In Romans 16:1, Paul writes, “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae.” He commends Phoebe and, from verses 2 to 15, names 24 individuals who were models of faith and collaborated with him in ministry.
These individuals greatly aided the apostles’ work and demonstrated exceptional faith, dedication, and service in their respective roles. These were the faithful workers who helped Paul endure many years of hardship and challenges, enabling him to succeed in his ministry and missionary endeavors. If the Lord were to ask me now, "Bishop Caleb, who in your church would you recommend as a model of faith?" whom should I recommend? Among the pastors, who would it be? Among the church leaders, who would it be? Among the home cell group leaders, who should I recommend?
I hope that each of you will become individuals who make it onto such a list of exemplary believers, shining as models of faith.
3) She bore great fruit despite her small ability.
Verse 44 says, “They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on.” The Kingdom of Heaven is a place where great fruit is borne from small abilities. This is why Jesus compared it to a mustard seed, the smallest of all seeds.
Matthew 13:31-32 says, “He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”” I recall a pastor with the same surname as mine who told me about his father, a man of great faith. His father, though a deacon, took care of a rural church where there was no pastor and even preached.
During a time when construction on the church building had stopped due to a lack of funds, he prayed earnestly and came up with a bold plan inspired by the Holy Spirit: he decided to sell one of his eyes to fund the completion of the church. He went to a Christian hospital in the city and requested the surgery, but the doctors, deeply moved by his faith, raised the funds themselves. The church was completed without him having to sell his eye. Despite his lack of material means, his great faith led to the building of the church, and his son later became a pastor who faithfully served God. Revelation 3:8 reminds us: “I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.
You have little strength, yet you have kept My word and have not denied My name.” Just as He says, “I know your deeds,” may you, though you may seem small, become believers who bear great fruit. Conclusion To live a mature life rather than a rigid one, we must emulate the heart of the Lord toward the humble widow mentioned in the passage. Jesus’ heart toward the poor widow reflects His attention to her very existence. In verses 41 and 42, it say “Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.” A poor widow came, and the Lord noticed her existence.
What makes the world diminish her existence is the fact that people regard her as insignificant and dismiss her. However, Jesus takes interest in this woman and pays close attention to her. While people are focused on how much the wealthy donate, Jesus values the poor widow, giving weight to her actions. The Lord’s concern is not about her clothing, how splendid her appearance is, or her family background, but her very existence. He does not overlook the devotion of this small and humble woman offering two small coins; instead, He pays attention to it. Why have we gathered here today? It is to reflect on this spirit of the Lord through the cross. We must abandon the attitudes of the scribes and learn to value and respect each individual as a person, just as Jesus did. The Word of God and prayer are the tools of power that enable us to become more like Jesus. When the Word penetrates our souls, and we stand firm in the light through prayer, the darkness and rigidity of the scribes’ mindset will loosen.
Therefore, we must all heed Mark 2:22 which says “And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins.” As we celebrate Christmas, let us erase all the past rigidities of the year and start anew as fresh wineskins ready to receive new wine. The characteristic of new wine is fermentation - it continually expands from within. Fresh wineskins, made from the elastic goatskin of the Palestinian region, can stretch to accommodate the fermentation without bursting. However, as wineskins age, they become rigid. When the fermenting wine expands, the brittle old skins cannot withstand the pressure and burst. Just as an old church can easily become an old wineskin, believers who have been Christians for 20 - 30 years may naturally become rigid.
This rigidity is dangerous. When muscles stiffen, circulation is hindered, leading to discomfort and pain. Similarly, when our souls become rigid, spiritual discernment and sound judgment suffer, and grace cannot easily penetrate. Rigid thoughts, like old wineskins, cling to the belief that one’s own opinions are correct, unable to flexibly embrace truth. Yet, when we approach the cross through the Word and prayer, the power of the cross will release all such rigidities. By breaking through our rigidities with the Word and prayer, we must transform from old, inflexible wineskins into new, elastic wineskins.
In doing so, we can transcend the rigidity of the scribes and move toward a mature life. Like the small and humble widow, we can bring joy to the Lord through our wholehearted faith, become models of faith commended by the Lord, and bear great fruit even with our seemingly limited abilities. May all of you become such individuals. - END -
Kuelekea Maisha Yaliyokomaa Kabla ya Kuwa Mgumu
Andiko la Biblia: Marko 12:38–44
“38. Yesu alipokuwa akifundisha, alisema, ‘Jihadharini na waandishi. Wao hupenda kutembea wamevaa mavazi marefu na kusalimiwa sokoni, 39. na kuketi viti vya mbele katika masinagogi na mahali pa heshima kwenye karamu. 40. Huzimeza nyumba za wajane na kwa kujionyesha husali sala ndefu. Hao watapata hukumu kali zaidi.’ 41. Yesu akaketi kando ya sanduku la hazina ya hekalu, akatazama watu walivyokuwa wakiweka fedha humo. Matajiri wengi walitia fedha nyingi. 42. Kisha mjane mmoja maskini akaja akatia sarafu mbili ndogo za shaba, zenye thamani ndogo sana.”
Tumefika mwezi wa mwisho wa mwaka 2024, na tayari ni Jumapili ya tatu. Tumesimama kwenye kilima cha mwisho cha mwaka, ambapo mwisho wake unaonekana wazi. Vijana watapima jinsi walivyoongezeka urefu katika mwaka uliopita; wakiona wamekua sana, watapiga makofi na kufurahi.
Wanariadha watatathmini jinsi ujuzi wao ulivyoboreshwa. Wakiona maendeleo makubwa, watakuwa na tumaini na kutazamia matokeo mazuri mwaka ujao. Sisi waumini pia tunapaswa kuchunguza hali yetu ya kiroho tunapokaribia mwisho wa mwaka. Imani yetu imekua kiasi gani? Ni maombi mangapi yamejibiwa? Maisha yangu yamebadilika kiasi gani? Tunda la Roho limekua kiasi gani ndani yangu?
Katika kifungu cha leo tunaona makundi mawili tofauti: waandishi na mjane maskini, mwanamke wa hali ya chini. Katika siku za Yesu, waandishi walikuwa watu wa tabaka la juu, wenye hadhi na walioheshimiwa. Mjane maskini, kwa upande mwingine, alikuwa mwanamke duni asiyeonekana sana katika jamii. Lakini Yesu huwapima watu kwa viwango vya mbinguni, si vya dunia. Kwa maneno ya Yesu, waandishi waliishi maisha magumu na yasiyompendeza Mungu, ilhali mjane aliishi maisha ya kupendeza yenye imani iliyokomaa. Tulinganishe mifano hii na kufikiria jinsi ya kuondoa ugumu unaobaki ndani yetu na kuzaa matunda ya maisha ya Kikristo yaliyokomaa.
1. Ili kufuata maisha yaliyokomaa na yanayompendeza Bwana, tuache mitazamo migumu ya waandishi.
Mtazamo mbaya wa waandishi unaweza kufupishwa kuwa ugumu wa moyo. Ugumu ni hali ya mwili kukakamaa na kukosa kunyumbulika. Akilini, ni kukosa kubadilika katika fikra, matendo na mitazamo, huku moyo ukiwa mgumu, usiosikia wala kupokea. Hali hii mara nyingi huzaa hukumu, ukosoaji na ukali.
Katika Biblia hali hii huitwa moyo kuwa mgumu au mkaidi. Marko 3 inasimulia Yesu akimponya mtu aliyepooza mkono. Tukio hilo lilipaswa kuleta sifa na furaha kwa wote, lakini waandishi walikuwa wagumu kiasi cha kumtazama Yesu ili wapate kumshtaki kwa kumponya siku ya Sabato. Marko 3:1–2 inasema Yesu aliingia tena katika sinagogi, alimkuta mtu mwenye mkono uliopooza, nao wakamvizia waone kama angemponya siku ya Sabato. Yesu alihuzunika kwa ugumu wa mioyo yao. Marko 3:5 inasema aliwatazama kwa hasira, akihuzunishwa na ugumu wao, kisha akamwambia yule mtu anyoshe mkono; mkono wake ukapona.
Neno la Kigiriki linalotumiwa hapa ni *porosis*, linalomaanisha kukakamaa au kuwa butu. Moyo mgumu huleta kutoelewana na mtazamo mkali unaotanguliza hukumu na ukosoaji. Kabla ya kifungu cha leo katika Marko 12, Yesu alibishana na Mafarisayo na Masadukayo wenye mioyo migumu. Kuanzia mstari wa 13 alijadili na Mafarisayo na wafuasi wa Herode kuhusu kulipa kodi kwa Kaisari; kuanzia mstari wa 18 alijadili na Masadukayo kuhusu ufufuo; na kuanzia mstari wa 28 akamfundisha mwandishi kuhusu amri iliyo kuu.
Mioyo yao ilikuwa tayari imekakamaa kwa sababu ya mawazo waliyokuwa wameyashikilia. Hata Yesu, aliye kweli yenyewe, alipowaeleza kwa mifano iliyo wazi, walikataa kupokea na wakampinga. Ndiyo maana Yesu anatuonya dhidi ya waandishi katika Marko 12:38. Anaonyesha tabia nne zenye matatizo. 1) Tuache kujionyesha na kujitangaza. Mstari wa 38 unasema waandishi walipenda kutembea kwa mavazi marefu na kusalimiwa sokoni.
Wakati huo waandishi walivaa mavazi marefu yaliyofanana na ya makuhani ili kuvuta macho, na walitaka kutambuliwa na kuheshimiwa sokoni. Yesu aliona huu kuwa mtazamo wa kujikweza na kujitangaza. Wanadamu hupenda kujisifu na kujionyesha wanapokuwa na kitu kinachowazidi wengine. Biblia hukosoa mtazamo huu. Luka 18:11 inasema Farisayo alisimama akiomba: “Ee Mungu, nakushukuru kwa kuwa mimi si kama watu wengine, wanyang’anyi, wadhalimu, wazinzi, wala kama huyu mtoza ushuru.” Je, huo ni mfano wa sala ya kweli? La, ni kujikweza kulikofichwa katika sala.
Waandishi walikuwa wagumu kiasi cha kutumia sala kujisifu na kuonyesha kuwa wao ni bora kuliko wengine. Jambo hilo linaweza kutokea kwetu pia. Mazungumzo ya akina mama kanisani yanaweza kuwa mashindano ya kujisifu kuhusu watoto: mmoja aseme mwanawe wa pili ni daktari na humpa fedha nyingi; mwingine ajivunie mwana profesa wa chuo kikuu mwenye kazi thabiti; wa tatu ajivunie mwana aliye mkurugenzi mkuu mwenye mshahara mkubwa.
Mwanamke asiye na mtoto aliyefanikiwa sana anaweza kuuliza, “Je, wana wenu wanahudhuria kanisani kwa uaminifu?” Ghafla wale waliokuwa wakijisifu huwa na wasiwasi na kukiri kwamba watoto wao hawaamini Yesu licha ya kujaribu kuwaeneza Injili. Kuna faida gani kuwa madaktari, maprofesa au wakurugenzi kama wanakosa wokovu? 2) Tuache kutafuta vyeo na hadhi. Mstari wa 39 unasema waandishi walipenda viti vya mbele masinagogini na mahali pa heshima karamu.
Kitabu cha Harry Frankfurt, profesa wa falsafa katika Chuo Kikuu cha Princeton, kina jina la kushangaza *On Bullshit*. Ingawa ni kifupi, kina mawazo mazito ya kifalsafa na kikawa kitabu kinachouzwa sana katika gazeti la *New York Times*. Humo, neno hilo linamaanisha maneno matupu yasiyohusiana na kweli, yanayotokana na ubinafsi, kutaka kutambuliwa au kutawala wengine. Kwa maana hiyo, maneno ya nyoka katika Mwanzo 3:4–5 yalikuwa mfano wa kwanza wa maneno hayo katika historia ya wanadamu: alimwambia Hawa kwamba hawatakufa, bali watakuwa kama Mungu wakijua mema na mabaya.
Kama Hawa angemkemea nyoka, huenda wanadamu wasingeanguka dhambini; lakini aliusikiliza uongo na kula tunda lililokatazwa. Kiburi cha kujiona bora kuliko wengine hutokana na kujipenda kupita kiasi na kujiona kuwa na ubora wa asili. Yesu anataka tuwe watumishi. Mathayo 23:12 inasema ajikwezaye atashushwa, naye ajishushaye atakwezwa. Wafilipi 2:3 inasema tusitende kwa ubinafsi wala majivuno, bali kwa unyenyekevu tuwaone wengine kuwa bora kuliko sisi. Bwana huchukia kutafuta hadhi; tabia hiyo haipaswi kuwa kanisani.
Yakobo 2:1–4 inatuonya tusipendelee watu. Mtu akija mkutanoni akiwa na pete ya dhahabu na mavazi mazuri, na maskini akaja akiwa na nguo chafu kuukuu, tusimpe tajiri kiti kizuri huku tukimwambia maskini asimame au akae chini miguuni petu. Kufanya hivyo ni kubagua na kuwa waamuzi wenye mawazo maovu. Hata kwenye harusi au mazishi tusibague waumini kwa hadhi yao ya kidunia. 3) Yesu anaonyesha unafiki wa waandishi. Mstari wa 40 unasema walizimeza nyumba za wajane na kusali sala ndefu kwa kujionyesha, hivyo watapata hukumu kubwa zaidi. Yesu huchukia unafiki huo.
Mathayo 23:27–28 inasema: “Ole wenu, waandishi na Mafarisayo, wanafiki! Mnafanana na makaburi yaliyopakwa chokaa, ambayo kwa nje yanaonekana mazuri, bali ndani yamejaa mifupa ya wafu na uchafu wote. Vivyo hivyo, kwa nje mwaonekana wenye haki machoni pa watu, lakini ndani mmejaa unafiki na uasi wa sheria.” Unafiki unaweza kujificha ndani yetu pia. Wengine hutafuta vyeo vya juu, kutamani kutambuliwa au kutawaliwa na ubinafsi. Tuchunguze na kuepuka mielekeo hiyo. Krismasi inapokaribia, tumtegemee msalaba na kuomba kwa bidii: “Bwana, usiniache nifuate njia ya waandishi wagumu. Nisaidie kuepuka mitego hii hatari mmoja baada ya mwingine.”
2. Ili kuishi maisha yaliyokomaa badala ya kuwa wagumu, tujifunze kutokana na mjane mnyenyekevu.
Baada ya kuwafundisha wanafunzi wake kuacha mitazamo migumu ya waandishi, Yesu alienda uwanjani pa hekalu na kutazama watu wakitoa sadaka. Marko 12:41–42 inasema Yesu aliketi karibu na sanduku la hazina na kutazama jinsi watu walivyoweka fedha; matajiri wengi walitia fedha nyingi, kisha mjane maskini akaja akatia sarafu mbili ndogo za shaba, zenye thamani ndogo sana. Yesu akawaita wanafunzi wake ili awafundishe kuhusu utoaji wa kweli. Mstari wa 43 unasema: “Amin, nawaambia, huyu mjane maskini ametia nyingi kuliko wote.” Alitaka wajifunze nini kupitia mfano wake? 1) Alimpendeza Bwana kwa kutoa kilicho bora kabisa kwa imani.
Wakati huo *lepton* ilikuwa sarafu ndogo zaidi ya Kigiriki, yenye kipenyo kisichozidi sentimita moja. Ilikuwa ndogo mno hata mtu asingegundua ikiwa imetiwa sandukuni bila kutazama kwa makini. Lakini mstari wa 44 unasema wengine walitoa kutokana na ziada yao, naye mjane akatoa katika umaskini wake kila kitu alichokuwa nacho cha kuishi. Alikuwa na sarafu mbili tu na angeweza kutoa moja na kubakiza nyingine, lakini alitoa zote. Yesu aliyekuwa ameketi mbali alitambua sarafu aliyotoa mjane na idadi yake.
Hii inaonyesha kwamba Bwana hapuuzi hata tendo dogo la kujitoa. Mjane maskini alitoa sarafu ndogo zilizokuwa na harufu nzuri ya upendo, kujitolea na ibada kwa Mungu. Matajiri walitoa fedha nyingi, lakini sadaka zao hazikuwa na moyo, upendo na kujitoa alikoweka mjane katika sadaka yake. Hakutoa fedha tu; alimtolea Mungu upendo na moyo wake wa utumishi. Yesu alisema alitoa zaidi kuliko wengine. Kwa nini? Sadaka ya kweli haipimwi kwa kiasi cha fedha, bali kwa upendo, kujitoa na ibada vinavyoambatana nayo. Katika 1 Wafalme 17, wakati wa ukame wa miaka mitatu Israeli, nabii Eliya alimwomba mjane wa Sarepta aliyekuwa karibu kupika chakula chake cha mwisho yeye na mwanawe amwandalie kwanza mkate.
Bila kusita, mjane huyo alimpa nabii wa Mungu unga na mafuta yake ya mwisho. Baadaye chungu chake cha unga na gudulia lake la mafuta havikuisha, naye akapata baraka ya ajabu. Sarafu mbili za mjane katika kifungu cha leo zilikuwa tendo la imani lenye harufu ya kujitoa, kama ule mkate wa mwisho wa mjane wa Sarepta. Alitoa kila kitu alichokuwa nacho cha kuishi, jambo la imani lililogusa moyo wa Bwana. Bila shaka Mungu alichukua jukumu la maisha yake na kumtunza.
Mungu hulipa kulingana na tunachotoa. Mchungaji Mkuu Mstaafu, Dkt. Jaerock Lee, aliwahi kutoa ushuhuda kama huu. Mwanzoni mwa kanisa, maisha lazima yalikuwa magumu. Siku za joto alipotamani kula tikiti maji, wakati mwingine alikuta tikiti nje ya mlango. Alipokuwa akikosa mchele na kuhofia njaa, alifungua mlango na kukuta gunia la mchele. Kama Mungu anavyowagusa waumini watumikie kwa namna hiyo, huwajibika kwa wale walio na imani ya kweli. Tukitoa kilicho bora, hutubariki kwa wingi. 2) Mjane akawa mfano wa imani. Yesu aliwaita wanafunzi na kusema mjane huyu maskini alikuwa ametoa kuliko wote. Akamtoa kama mfano wa utoaji wa kweli.
Mjane huyo lazima alifurahi sana Yesu mwenyewe alipomsifu kuwa mfano wa imani licha ya umaskini wake. Yesu wakati mwingine hutaja watu kuwa mifano ya imani. Katika Mathayo 8, jemadari alimwomba Yesu amponye mtumishi wake aliyepooza na kuonyesha imani yake. Yesu akasema hakuwa amepata imani kubwa kama hiyo katika Israeli (Mathayo 8:10).
Katika Mathayo 15, mwanamke Msirofoinike ambaye binti yake alikuwa na pepo alisema hata mbwa hula makombo yanayoanguka kutoka mezani pa bwana wao. Yesu akamwambia, “Mama, imani yako ni kubwa; na iwe kwako kama utakavyo.” Katika Matendo 1, Yesu aliwasifu waumini 120 waliokuwa wakisali orofani wakisubiri Roho Mtakatifu aliyeahidiwa. Matendo 1:4–5 inasema aliwaagiza wasiondoke Yerusalemu, bali wangoje ahadi ya Baba: kubatizwa kwa Roho Mtakatifu baada ya siku chache.
Kwa msukumo wa mfano huo, wakati wa mikutano ya Maombi ya Usiku ya Danieli nimekuwa nikiwahimiza watu kuomba kwa bidii kama wale waumini 120 waliopokea moto wa Roho Mtakatifu na kuanzisha kanisa la kwanza. Kila usiku namchagua mshiriki wa “Maombi Bora” na kumpa zawadi ndogo. Tutaendelea na desturi hii hadi Machi mwaka ujao, tukichagua mtu mmoja kila siku.
Ni heshima kubwa kuwa sehemu ya “Kikundi cha Waumini 120 wa Chumba cha Juu,” walioingia katika historia ya kiroho kwa maombi yao ya bidii. Ninaamini Mungu atazawadia juhudi hizo sana mbinguni. Mtume Paulo pia aliwasifu waumini waliokuwa mifano ya imani, kujitoa na maombi, wakimuunga mkono katika huduma. Katika Warumi 16:1 anasema: “Namtambulisha kwenu Foibe, dada yetu, aliye mhudumu wa kanisa lililoko Kenkrea.” Kisha katika mistari ya 2–15 anawataja watu 24 waliokuwa mifano ya imani na kushirikiana naye katika huduma.
Watu hao waliwasaidia sana mitume na kuonyesha imani, kujitoa na utumishi wa pekee. Walimsaidia Paulo kuvumilia miaka mingi ya shida na changamoto, na kufanikiwa katika huduma na umisionari. Bwana akiniuliza leo, “Askofu Caleb, ungemtaja nani kanisani mwako kuwa mfano wa imani?” ningemtaja nani kati ya wachungaji? Viongozi wa kanisa? Viongozi wa vikundi vya nyumbani? Natumaini kila mmoja wenu atakuwa katika orodha hiyo ya waumini wa mfano na kung’aa kama kielelezo cha imani.
3) Alizaa matunda mengi licha ya uwezo wake mdogo.
Mstari wa 44 unasema wengine walitoa kutokana na ziada yao, lakini mjane katika umaskini wake alitoa kila kitu alichokuwa nacho cha kuishi. Ufalme wa Mbinguni ni mahali ambapo uwezo mdogo huzaa matunda mengi. Ndiyo maana Yesu aliufananisha na punje ya haradali, ndogo kuliko mbegu zote. Mathayo 13:31–32 inasema punje hiyo ikipandwa hukua na kuwa mmea mkubwa, hata ndege wakaja kukaa kwenye matawi yake.
Namkumbuka mchungaji mmoja mwenye jina la ukoo kama langu aliyenisimulia kuhusu baba yake, mtu mwenye imani kubwa. Ingawa alikuwa shemasi, alilihudumia kanisa la mashambani lisilokuwa na mchungaji na hata akahubiri. Ujenzi wa kanisa uliposimama kwa kukosa fedha, aliomba kwa bidii na kupata wazo la ujasiri lililomsukumwa na Roho Mtakatifu: aliamua kuuza jicho lake moja ili kukamilisha ujenzi. Alikwenda hospitali ya Kikristo mjini kuomba afanyiwe upasuaji, lakini madaktari waliguswa na imani yake na wakakusanya fedha wenyewe. Kanisa likakamilika bila yeye kuuza jicho. Ingawa hakuwa na mali, imani yake kubwa ilisaidia kujenga kanisa; baadaye mwanawe akawa mchungaji mwaminifu. Ufunuo 3:8 inasema: “Nazijua kazi zako. Tazama, nimeweka mbele yako mlango uliofunguliwa, ambao hakuna awezaye kuufunga. Una nguvu kidogo, lakini umelishika neno langu wala hukulikana jina langu.” Ingawa unaonekana kuwa na uwezo mdogo, uwe mwamini azaaye matunda mengi.
Hitimisho. Ili tuishi maisha yaliyokomaa badala ya kuwa wagumu, tuiige mioyo ya Bwana na mjane mnyenyekevu. Yesu alimjali mjane huyo na kutambua uwepo wake. Marko 12:41–42 inasema aliketi akitazama watu wakiweka fedha katika hazina; matajiri wengi walitia fedha nyingi, lakini mjane maskini akatia sarafu mbili ndogo za shaba. Ulimwengu unaweza kumdharau kwa sababu humwona kuwa asiye na maana, lakini Yesu alimjali na kumwangalia kwa makini. Watu walizingatia kiasi cha fedha matajiri walichotoa; Yesu alithamini tendo la mjane. Hakujali mavazi yake, mwonekano wake au familia yake, bali utu wake na moyo wake. Hakupuuza kujitoa kwake kwa sarafu mbili ndogo.
Tumekusanyika hapa ili kutafakari moyo wa Bwana kupitia msalaba. Tuache mitazamo ya waandishi na tujifunze kuthamini na kuheshimu kila mtu kama Yesu alivyofanya. Neno la Mungu na maombi ni vifaa vya nguvu vinavyotusaidia kuwa kama Yesu. Neno linapopenya ndani ya nafsi zetu na tunaposimama katika nuru kwa maombi, giza na ugumu wa fikra za waandishi vitalegea.
Kwa hiyo, tutii Marko 2:22: “Hakuna atiaye divai mpya katika viriba vikuukuu; la sivyo divai itavipasua, nayo divai itamwagika na viriba vitaharibika. Bali divai mpya hutiwa katika viriba vipya.” Tunaposherehekea Krismasi, tuyafute makakamaa ya mwaka uliopita na tuanze upya kama viriba vipya vilivyo tayari kupokea divai mpya. Divai mpya huchacha na kupanuka kutoka ndani. Viriba vipya vilivyotengenezwa kwa ngozi nyororo ya mbuzi wa eneo la Palestina vinaweza kutanuka bila kupasuka. Viriba vinapozeeka hukakamaa; divai inapopanuka, ngozi kuukuu na dhaifu haiwezi kustahimili shinikizo na hupasuka. Kanisa la zamani linaweza kuwa kama kiriba kikuu, na waumini waliokuwa Wakristo kwa miaka 20 au 30 wanaweza pia kukakamaa.
Ugumu huu ni hatari. Misuli inapokakamaa, mzunguko wa damu huzuiwa na kusababisha usumbufu na maumivu. Vivyo hivyo, nafsi zetu zinapokakamaa, utambuzi wa kiroho na hukumu sahihi hudhoofika, na neema haiwezi kuingia kwa urahisi. Fikra ngumu hushikilia maoni yetu wenyewe kana kwamba ndiyo sahihi na hushindwa kupokea kweli kwa unyumbufu. Lakini tunapoukaribia msalaba kupitia Neno na maombi, nguvu ya msalaba huondoa makakamaa hayo. Tukiushinda ugumu wetu kwa Neno na maombi, tutabadilika kutoka viriba vikuukuu visivyonyumbulika na kuwa viriba vipya vinavyonyumbulika.
Hivyo tutavuka ugumu wa waandishi na kuelekea maisha yaliyokomaa. Kama mjane mdogo na mnyenyekevu, tunaweza kumfurahisha Bwana kwa imani yetu ya moyo wote, kuwa mifano ya imani anayotusifu, na kuzaa matunda mengi hata kwa uwezo wetu unaoonekana kuwa mdogo. Na kila mmoja wenu awe mtu wa namna hiyo. — MWISHO —
