Monday, December 31, 2018

Historical Evidence of the Crucifixion - Jesus Christ

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Although there is overwhelming evidence that the New Testament is an accurate and trustworthy historical document, many people are still reluctant to believe what it says unless there is also some independent, non-biblical testimony that corroborates its statements.
In the introduction to one of his books, F.F. Bruce tells about a Christian correspondent who was told by an agnostic friend that "apart from obscure references in Josephus and the like," there was no historical evidence for the life of Jesus outside the Bible.[1]This, he wrote to Bruce, had caused him "great concern and some little upset in [his] spiritual life."[2] He concludes his letter by asking, "Is such collateral proof available, and if not, are there reasons for the lack of it?"[3]The answer to this question is, "Yes, such collateral proof is available," and we will be looking at some of it in this article.

Evidence from Tacitus

Let's begin our inquiry with a passage that historian Edwin Yamauchi calls "probably the most important reference to Jesus outside the New Testament."[4]Reporting on Emperor Nero's decision to blame the Christians for the fire that had destroyed Rome in A.D. 64, the Roman historian Tacitus wrote:
Nero fastened the guilt ... on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of ... Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judaea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome....[5]
What can we learn from this ancient (and rather unsympathetic) reference to Jesus and the early Christians? Notice, first, that Tacitus reports Christians derived their name from a historical person called Christus (from the Latin), or Christ. He is said to have "suffered the extreme penalty," obviously alluding to the Roman method of execution known as crucifixion. This is said to have occurred during the reign of Tiberius and by the sentence of Pontius Pilatus. This confirms much of what the Gospels tell us about the death of Jesus.
But what are we to make of Tacitus' rather enigmatic statement that Christ's death briefly checked "a most mischievous superstition," which subsequently arose not only in Judaea, but also in Rome? One historian suggests that Tacitus is here "bearing indirect ... testimony to the conviction of the early church that the Christ who had been crucified had risen from the grave."[6] While this interpretation is admittedly speculative, it does help explain the otherwise bizarre occurrence of a rapidly growing religion based on the worship of a man who had been crucified as a criminal.[7] How else might one explain that?

Evidence from Pliny the Younger

Another important source of evidence about Jesus and early Christianity can be found in the letters of Pliny the Younger to Emperor Trajan. Pliny was the Roman governor of Bithynia in Asia Minor. In one of his letters, dated around A.D. 112, he asks Trajan's advice about the appropriate way to conduct legal proceedings against those accused of being Christians.[8] Pliny says that he needed to consult the emperor about this issue because a great multitude of every age, class, and sex stood accused of Christianity.[9]
At one point in his letter, Pliny relates some of the information he has learned about these Christians:
They were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verses a hymn to Christ, as to a god, and bound themselves by a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up; after which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble to partake of food – but food of an ordinary and innocent kind.[10]
This passage provides us with a number of interesting insights into the beliefs and practices of early Christians. First, we see that Christians regularly met on a certain fixed day for worship. Second, their worship was directed to Christ, demonstrating that they firmly believed in His divinity. Furthermore, one scholar interprets Pliny's statement that hymns were sung to Christ, "as to a god", as a reference to the rather distinctive fact that, "unlike other gods who were worshipped, Christ was a person who had lived on earth."[11] If this interpretation is correct, Pliny understood that Christians were worshipping an actual historical person as God! Of course, this agrees perfectly with the New Testament doctrine that Jesus was both God and man.
Not only does Pliny's letter help us understand what early Christians believed about Jesus' person, it also reveals the high esteem to which they held His teachings. For instance, Pliny notes that Christians "bound themselves by a solemn oath" not to violate various moral standards, which find their source in the ethical teachings of Jesus. In addition, Pliny's reference to the Christian custom of sharing a common meal likely alludes to their observance of communion and the "love feast."[12] This interpretation helps explain the Christian claim that the meal was merely "food of an ordinary and innocent kind". They were attempting to counter the charge, sometimes made by non-Christians, of practicing "ritual cannibalism."[13] The Christians of that day humbly repudiated such slanderous attacks on Jesus' teachings. We must sometimes do the same today.

Evidence from Josephus

Perhaps the most remarkable reference to Jesus outside the Bible can be found in the writings of Josephus, a first century Jewish historian. On two occasions, in his Jewish Antiquities, he mentions Jesus. The second, less revealing, reference describes the condemnation of one "James" by the Jewish Sanhedrin. This James, says Josephus, was "the brother of Jesus the so-called Christ."[14] F.F. Bruce points out how this agrees with Paul's description of James in Galatians 1:19 as "the Lord's brother."[15] And Edwin Yamauchi informs us that "few scholars have questioned" that Josephus actually penned this passage.[16]
As interesting as this brief reference is, there is an earlier one, which is truly astonishing. Called the "Testimonium Flavianum," the relevant portion declares:
About this time there lived Jesus, a wise man, if indeed one ought to call him a man. For he ... wrought surprising feats.... He was the Christ. When Pilate ...condemned him to be crucified, those who had . . . come to love him did not give up their affection for him. On the third day he appeared ... restored to life.... And the tribe of Christians ... has ... not disappeared.[17]
Did Josephus really write this? Most scholars think the core of the passage originated with Josephus, but that it was later altered by a Christian editor, possibly between the third and fourth century A.D.[18] But why do they think it was altered? Josephus was not a Christian, and it is difficult to believe that anyone but a Christian would have made some of these statements.[19]
For instance, the claim that Jesus was a wise man seems authentic, but the qualifying phrase, "if indeed one ought to call him a man," is suspect. It implies that Jesus was more than human, and it is quite unlikely that Josephus would have said that! It is also difficult to believe he would have flatly asserted that Jesus was the Christ, especially when he later refers to Jesus as "the so-called" Christ. Finally, the claim that on the third day Jesus appeared to His disciples restored to life, inasmuch as it affirms Jesus' resurrection, is quite unlikely to come from a non-Christian!
But even if we disregard the questionable parts of this passage, we are still left with a good deal of corroborating information about the biblical Jesus. We read that he was a wise man who performed surprising feats. And although He was crucified under Pilate, His followers continued their discipleship and became known as Christians. When we combine these statements with Josephus' later reference to Jesus as "the so-called Christ," a rather detailed picture emerges which harmonizes quite well with the biblical record. It increasingly appears that the "biblical Jesus" and the "historical Jesus" are one and the same!

Evidence from the Babylonian Talmud

There are only a few clear references to Jesus in the Babylonian Talmud, a collection of Jewish rabbinical writings compiled between approximately A.D. 70-500. Given this time frame, it is naturally supposed that earlier references to Jesus are more likely to be historically reliable than later ones. In the case of the Talmud, the earliest period of compilation occurred between A.D. 70-200.[20] The most significant reference to Jesus from this period states:
On the eve of the Passover Yeshu was hanged. For forty days before the execution took place, a herald ... cried, "He is going forth to be stoned because he has practiced sorcery and enticed Israel to apostasy."[21]
Let's examine this passage. You may have noticed that it refers to someone named "Yeshu." So why do we think this is Jesus? Actually, "Yeshu" (or "Yeshua") is how Jesus' name is pronounced in Hebrew. But what does the passage mean by saying that Jesus "was hanged"? Doesn't the New Testament say he was crucified? Indeed it does. But the term "hanged" can function as a synonym for "crucified."For instance, Galatians 3:13 declares that Christ was "hanged", and Luke 23:39applies this term to the criminals who were crucified with Jesus.[22] So the Talmud declares that Jesus was crucified on the eve of Passover. But what of the cry of the herald that Jesus was to be stoned? This may simply indicate what the Jewish leaders were planning to do.[23] If so, Roman involvement changed their plans! [24]
The passage also tells us why Jesus was crucified. It claims He practiced sorcery and enticed Israel to apostasy! Since this accusation comes from a rather hostile source, we should not be too surprised if Jesus is described somewhat differently than in the New Testament. But if we make allowances for this, what might such charges imply about Jesus?
Interestingly, both accusations have close parallels in the canonical gospels. For instance, the charge of sorcery is similar to the Pharisees' accusation that Jesus cast out demons "by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons."[25] But notice this: such a charge actually tends to confirm the New Testament claim that Jesus performed miraculous feats. Apparently Jesus' miracles were too well attested to deny. The only alternative was to ascribe them to sorcery! Likewise, the charge of enticing Israel to apostasy parallels Luke's account of the Jewish leaders who accused Jesus of misleading the nation with his teaching.[26] Such a charge tends to corroborate the New Testament record of Jesus' powerful teaching ministry. Thus, if read carefully, this passage from the Talmud confirms much of our knowledge about Jesus from the New Testament.

Evidence from Lucian

Lucian of Samosata was a second century Greek satirist. In one of his works, he wrote of the early Christians as follows:
The Christians ... worship a man to this day – the distinguished personage who introduced their novel rites, and was crucified on that account.... [It] was impressed on them by their original lawgiver that they are all brothers, from the moment that they are converted, and deny the gods of Greece, and worship the crucified sage, and live after his laws.[27]
Although Lucian is jesting here at the early Christians, he does make some significant comments about their founder. For instance, he says the Christians worshipped a man"who introduced their novel rites." And though this man'sfollowers clearly thought quite highly of Him, He so angered many of His contemporaries with His teaching that He "was crucified on that account."
Although Lucian does not mention his name, he is clearly referring to Jesus. But what did Jesus teach to arouse such wrath? According to Lucian, he taught that all men are brothers from the moment of their conversion. That's harmless enough. But what did this conversion involve? It involved denying the Greek gods, worshipping Jesus, and living according to His teachings. It's not too difficult to imagine someone being killed for teaching that. Though Lucian doesn't say so explicitly, the Christian denial of other gods combined with their worship of Jesus implies the belief that Jesus was more than human. Since they denied other gods in order to worship Him, they apparently thought Jesus a greater God than any that Greece had to offer!

Conclusion

Let's summarize what we've learned about Jesus from this examination of ancient non-Christian sources. First, both Josephus and Lucian indicate that Jesus was regarded as wise. Second, Pliny, the Talmud, and Lucian imply He was a powerful and revered teacher. Third, both Josephus and the Talmud indicate He performed miraculous feats. Fourth, Tacitus, Josephus, the Talmud, and Lucian all mention that He was crucified. Tacitus and Josephus say this occurred under Pontius Pilate. And the Talmud declares it happened on the eve of Passover. Fifth, there are possible references to the Christian belief in Jesus' resurrection in both Tacitus and Josephus. Sixth, Josephus records that Jesus' followers believed He was the Christ, or Messiah. And finally, both Pliny and Lucian indicate that Christians worshipped Jesus as God!
I hope you see how this small selection of ancient non-Christian sources helps corroborate our knowledge of Jesus from the gospels. Of course, there are many ancient Christian sources of information about Jesus as well. But since the historical reliability of the canonical gospels is so well established, I invite you to read those for an authoritative "life of Jesus!"

References [hide]

  • [1] F. F. Bruce, Jesus and Christian Origins Outside the New Testament (Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1974), 13.
  • [2] Ibid.
  • [3] Ibid.
  • [4] Edwin Yamauchi, quoted in Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1998), 82.
  • [5] Tacitus, Annals 15.44, cited in Strobel, The Case for Christ, 82.
  • [6] N.D. Anderson, Christianity: The Witness of History (London: Tyndale, 1969), 19, cited in Gary R. Habermas, The Historical Jesus (Joplin, Missouri: College Press Publishing Company, 1996), 189-190.
  • [7] Edwin Yamauchi, cited in Strobel, The Case for Christ, 82.
  • [8] Pliny, Epistles x. 96, cited in Bruce, Christian Origins, 25; Habermas, The Historical Jesus, 198.
  • [9] Ibid., 27. 
  • [10] Pliny, Letters, transl. by William Melmoth, rev. by W.M.L. Hutchinson (Cambridge: Harvard Univ. Press, 1935), vol. II, X:96, cited in Habermas, The Historical Jesus, 199. 
  • [11] M. Harris, "References to Jesus in Early Classical Authors," in Gospel Perspectives V, 354-55, cited in E. Yamauchi, "Jesus Outside the New Testament: What is the Evidence?", in Jesus Under Fire, ed. by Michael J. Wilkins and J.P. Moreland (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1995), p. 227, note 66. 
  • [12] Habermas, The Historical Jesus, 199.
  • [13] Bruce, Christian Origins, 28.
  • [14] Josephus, Antiquities xx. 200, cited in Bruce, Christian Origins, 36.
  • [15] Ibid.
  • [16] Yamauchi, "Jesus Outside the New Testament", 212.
  • [17] Josephus, Antiquities 18.63-64, cited in Yamauchi, "Jesus Outside the New Testament", 212.
  • [18] Ibid.
  • [19] Another version of Josephus' "Testimonium Flavianum" survives in a tenth-century Arabic version (Bruce, Christian Origins, 41). In 1971, Professor Schlomo Pines published a study on this passage. The passage is interesting because it lacks most of the questionable elements that many scholars believe to be Christian interpolations. Indeed, "as Schlomo Pines and David Flusser...stated, it is quite plausible that none of the arguments against Josephus writing the original words even applies to the Arabic text, especially since the latter would have had less chance of being censored by the church"(Habermas, The Historical Jesus, 194). The passage reads as follows: "At this time there was a wise man who was called Jesus. His conduct was good and (he) was known to be virtuous. And many people from among the Jews and the other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. But those who had become his disciples did not abandon his discipleship. They reported that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion, and that he was alive; accordingly he was perhaps the Messiah, concerning whom the prophets have recounted wonders." (Quoted in James H. Charlesworth, Jesus Within Judaism, (Garden City: Doubleday, 1988), 95, cited in Habermas, The Historical Jesus, 194).
  • [20] Habermas, The Historical Jesus, 202-03.
  • [21] The Babylonian Talmud, transl. by I. Epstein (London: Soncino, 1935), vol. III, Sanhedrin 43a, 281, cited in Habermas, The Historical Jesus, 203.
  • [22] Habermas, The Historical Jesus, 203.
  • [23] See John 8:58-59 and 10:31-33.
  • [24] Habermas, The Historical Jesus, 204. See also John 18:31-32.
  • [25] Matthew 12:24. I gleaned this observation from Bruce, Christian Origins, 56.
  • [26] Luke 23:25.
  • [27] Lucian, "The Death of Peregrine", 11-13, in The Works of Lucian of Samosata, transl. by H.W. Fowler and F.G. Fowler, 4 vols. (Oxford: Clarendon, 1949), vol. 4., cited in Habermas, The Historical Jesus, 206.
© 2001 Probe Ministries

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Tuesday, December 25, 2018

KRISMASI YA KWANZA ILIFANYWA NA MALAIKA

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KRISMASI YA KWANZA ILIFANYWA NA MALAIKA
KUZALIWA KWA YESU NA KUSHEREHEKEWA NA MALAIKA
Ni muhimu kwa kila mmoja wetu kufahamu kuwa wa kwanza kusherehekea kuzaliwa kwa Yesu - (KRISMASI) ni Malaika watakatifu wa Mungu
(Luka 2:8-15) 8 Na katika nchi ile ile walikuwako wachungaji wakikaa makondeni na kulinda kundi lao kwa zamu usiku. 9 Malaika wa Bwana akawatokea ghafula, utukufu wa Bwana ukawang'aria pande zote, wakaingiwa na hofu kuu. 10 Malaika akawaambia, Msiogope; kwa kuwa mimi ninawaletea habari njema ya furaha kuu itakayokuwa kwa watu wote; 11 maana leo katika mji wa Daudi amezaliwa, kwa ajili yenu, Mwokozi, ndiye Kristo Bwana. 12 Na hii ndiyo ishara kwenu; mtamkuta mtoto mchanga amevikwa nguo za kitoto, amelala katika hori ya kulia ng'ombe. 13 Mara walikuwapo pamoja na huyo malaika, wingi wa jeshi la mbinguni, wakimsifu Mungu, na kusema, 14 Atukuzwe Mungu juu mbinguni, Na duniani iwe amani kwa watu aliowaridhia. 15 Ikawa, malaika hao walipoondoka kwenda zao mbinguni, wale wachungaji waliambiana, Haya, na twendeni mpaka Bethlehemu, tukalione hilo lililofanyika, alilotujulisha Bwana.
Kama Malaika watakatifu wa Mungu walisherehekea kuzaliwa kwa Yesu, basi si dhambi kwa yeyote kusherehekea kuzaliwa kwa Yesu, Malaika hawa walishuka kutoka mbinguni, wakimsifu Mungu kwa ajili ya tendo la Yesu Kristo kuzaliwa, kama malaika wa Mungu walimsifu Mungu, mimi na wewe hatuna budi kumsifu Mungu kwani kwa malaika kumsifu Mungu kunaonesha waziwazi jambo hilo limekubaliwa na Mungu,sio hilo tu kuzaliwa kwa Yesu kunatajwa na malaika kuwa ni furaha kuu itakayokuwa kwa watu wote.
Maana yake Mwanadamu yeyote anapaswa kusherehekea kuzaliwa kwa Yesu, na kuzaliwa huko kwa Yesu kuwe ni furaha kwake. Na kwasababu furaha hii kuu inatajwa kuwa itakuwa kwa watu wote, maana yake kila anayeitwa mtu, furaha hii ya kuzaliwa kwa Yesu inapaswa iambatane nae na kama hafurahii kuzaliwa kwa Yesu, huyu bila shaka, atakuwa sio mtu labda ni jini, maana jini hawezi kuwa na furaha ya kuzaliwa kwa Yesu, kwani kuja kwa Yesu kunamuondolea yeye mamlaka ya kuwatesa watu.
Sasa niwakumbushe maana ya Krismasi:
Christ na neno mass, ambayo yakiunganishwa yanazaa neno moja linaloitwa Christmas ambalo maana yake ni ibada ya Kristo.
Ibada hii ya Kristo duniani ilianza rasmi pale Yesu alipozaliwa na wakwanza kufanya ibada hiyo walikuwa ni malaika (Luka2:13). Malaika walishangilia na kumsifu Mungu kwa kuzaliwa kwake Kristo, hivyo basi kama malaika walimsifu Mungu kwa kuzaliwa kwa Kristo, na kwa mara ya kwanza walifanya ibada duniani yaani ibada ya Kristo, ambayo kwa kiingereza ndio Christmas.
Sisi nasi hatuna budi kufanya hivyo kwani tendo linalofanywa na maalaika watakatifu ni lazima tujue ni tendo takatifu, hivyo mwanadamu akisherehekea kuzaliwa kwa Yesu vilevile anafanya jambo takatifu na tujue pia jambo hilo linakuwa linampendeza Mungu.
Shalom,
Max Shimba mtumwa wa Yesu Kristo Mungu Mkuu. Tito 2:13

KWANINI WAKRISTO TUNATUMIA MTI WA KRISMAS?

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JE, NI SAHIHI KIBIBLIA KUTUMIA MTI WA KRISMASI?
SEHEMU YA KWANZA
SOMO:-UKWELI KUHUSU MTI WA KRISMAS
(CHRISTMAS TREE)
NA
MAJIBU YA UFAFANUZI KWA WAPINGA CHRISTMAS
Ili iwe vyepesi kwetu kulielewa vizuri somo hili Tutajifunza somo hili kwa kuligawa katika vipengele vinne ambavyo ni:-
1? HISTORIA YA MTI WA KRISMAS NA UCHAMBUZI WAKE.
2? KWANINI WAKRISTO TUNATUMIA MTI WA KRISMAS?
3? VITU VIWI VYA KUEPUKWA KATIKA SHEREHE YA KRISMAS.
4? MAJIBU YA UFAFANUZI KWA WAPINGA KRISMAS.
Mstari muhimu wa kukumbuka:-
ISAYA 60:13:-" Utukufu wa Lebanoni utakujia wewe, (miti ya) mberoshi na mtidhari na mteashuri pamoja; ILI KUPAPAMBA MAHALI PANGU PATAKATIFU, Nami nitapatukuza mahali pa miguu yangu.".
UTANGULIZI
Katika kipindi kama hichi cha kusherekea sikukuu ya Krismasi. Moja vitu muhimu sana vinavyotumika katika kuipamba na kuitambulisha sherehe hii ni hichi kinachoitwa "Mti wa Krismas" (Christmas tree). Ambao mti huu ni maarufu sana duniani kote katika kuitambulisha Krismas yenyewe. Kila inapofikia majira kama haya ya sikukuu hii, mti huu huwekwa kama pambo muhimu la Krismasi katika makanisa au majumbani mwetu.
Mti huu wa Krismas una historia yake hata kabla ya kuingizwa kwa sherehe yenyewe ya Krismas hapo kabla.
Wako watu wengine kwa mafundisho yao potofu ya kutokuiekewa ile KWELI HALISI YA BIBLIA na kutokuwa na ufahamu mzuri wa kupambanua kujua kipi ni kipi kilicho sahihi na ambacho siyo sahihi kukifuata. Watu hao wapotoshaji wa sikukuu hii, wanapoona wakristo hasa tuliookoka kwenye makanisa ya kipendekoste tunautumia huo mti wa Krismas. Kumekuwa na kelele zao nyingi za kutukashifu imani yetu eti kwa kuutumia huo mti wa Krismas eti tunaabudu miungu ya kipagani ~Tamuz na kufuata desturi za kipagani.
HIII SIYO KWELI HALISI. Bali ni hila za shetani tu za kupindisha pindisha mambo kihistoria ili kututoa katika msingi wa imani yetu ya kweli. HATUNABUDI KUWA NA UFAHAMU MZURI KATIKA KUIELEWA HISTORIA NA KUIPAMBANUA VYEMA kulingana na kipimo cha kweli ya Neno la Mungu (Biblia ).
WAKOLOSAI 2:4-8:-"Nasema neno hili, MTU ASIJE AKAWADANGANYA KWA MANENO YA KUSHAWISHI. Maana nijapokuwa sipo kwa mwili, lakini nipo pamoja nanyi kwa roho, nikifurahi na kuuona utaratibu wenu na uthabiti wa imani yenu katika Kristo. Basi kama mlivyompokea Kristo Yesu, Bwana, enendeni vivyo hivyo katika yeye; wenye shina na wenye kujengwa katika yeye; mmefanywa imara kwa imani, kama mlivyofundishwa; mkizidi kutoa shukrani. ANGALIENI MTU ASIWAFANYE MATEKA KWA ELIMU YAKE YA BURE NA MADANGANYO MATUPU, kwa jinsi ya mapokeo ya wanadamu, kwa jinsi ya mafundisho ya awali ya ulimwengu, wala si kwa jinsi ya Kristo."
WAEFESO 4:14-15:-" ili tusiwe tena watoto wachanga, tukitupwa huku na huku, na kuchukuliwa na kila upepo wa elimu, kwa hila ya watu, kwa ujanja, tukizifuata njia za udanganyifu. LAKINI TUISHIKE KWELI katika upendo na kukua hata tumfikie yeye katika yote, yeye aliye kichwa, Kristo.".
Kumekuwa na kelele nyingi za mafundisho ya upotoshwaji kwa kigezo kupitia dondoo za kihistoria kuhusu sherehe hii ya Krismasi. Neno la Mungu limetuonya hapo TUSIDANGANYIKE BALI TUIFAHAMU ILIYO KWELI NA KUISHIKA.
N. B:- Wakristo katika imani yetu ya wokovu hatuongozwi na historia kama dira ya imani yetu. BIBLIA NDIO DIRA YETU NA KIPIMO CHETU. Na historia yoyote ile usahihi wake tutaufuata baada ya kuupima kwa misingi ya Neno la Mungu (Biblia ) inasema nini au inatufundisha nini kuhusu jambo husika! ". Sio lazima jambo hilo litajwe moja kwa moja kama lilivyo, bali Biblia imetupa kanuni zilizoko kwenye maandiko za kupima kila jambo kama ni vyema au sio vema kwa Mungu.
[ 2 PETRO 1:19; ZABURI 119:105; 2TIMOTHEO 3:15-17].
Ndiomaana tuko hapa leo ili kujifunza neno la Mungu kwa usahihi. Ili Kupitia katika somo hili tupate ufafanuzi na kuelewa kilicho sahihi kwetu wakristo tuliookoka kukifuata.
Endelea kufuatilia somo hili mpaka mwisho.
1? KIPENGELE CHA KWANZA.
HISTORIA YA MTI WA KRISMAS NA UCHAMBUZI WAKE
?? ORIGIN OF THE MODERN CHRISTMAS TREE
(Christmas tree - Wikipedia)
Modern Christmas trees originated during the�Renaissance�of�early modern Germany. Its 16th-century origins are sometimes associated with Protestant Christian reformer�Martin Luther, who is said to have first added lighted candles to an�evergreen�tree.
The first recorded Christmas tree can be found on the keystone sculpture of a private home in�Turckheim, Alsace (then part of Germany, today France), dating 1576.
While today the Christmas tree is a recognized symbol for the holidays, it was once a pagan tradition unassociated with Christmas traditions.
Other sources have offered a connection between the symbolism of the first documented Christmas trees in Alsace around 1600 and the trees of pre-Christian traditions. For example, according to the�Encyclop�dia Britannica, "The use of�evergreen trees, wreaths, and garlands to symbolize eternal life was a custom of the ancient Egyptians,�Chinese, and�Hebrews. Tree worship was common among the pagan Europeans and survived their conversion to Christianity in the Scandinavian customs of decorating the house and barn with evergreens at the New Year to scare away the devil and of setting up a tree for the birds during Christmas time."
During the Roman mid-winter festival of Saturnalia, houses were decorated withwreaths�of evergreen plants, along with other antecedent customs now associated with Christmas.
The�Vikings�and�Saxons worshiped trees.
In�Poland�there was an old�pagancustom of suspending a branch of fir, spruce or pine called�Pod?a?niczka�from the ceiling. An alternative to this wasmistletoe. The branches were decorated with apples, nuts, cookies, colored paper, stars made of straw, ribbons and colored wafers. Some people believed that the tree had magical powers that were linked with harvesting and success in the next year.
In the late 18th and early 19th century, these traditions were almost completely replaced by the German custom of decorating the Christmas tree.
?? (Christmas tree - Wikipedia)
?? UCHAMBUZI WAKE IKO HIVI.
Kama ulivyosoma hapo juu . Miongoni mwa wapagani wa ulaya kabla ya kuwa wakristo na suala hili la Krismas kuanza. Hapo mwanzoni kabla, wapagani hao walikuwa na desturi ya Ibada ya kuabudu mimea/miti ya kijani na kuipamba, wakaingiza majumbani mwao. Kwa sababu waliamini kwamba miti hiyo ilikuwa na nguvu za kimiujiza za kuweza kuwalinda na roho ovu , katika kuwapa mavuno na kuwafanikisha katika mwaka ujao. Miti hiyo pia ilishirikishwa na masuala ya sikukuu ya miungu (sarturnalia-mungu wa kilimo). Na hata baada ya wapagani hao kuwa wakristo waliendelea kuwa na imani hiyo juu ya miti.
Kwa sababu miti hiyo ilitumiwa na wapagani. Sasa JE WAKRISTO KUTUMIA TU MITI HIYO NI KOSA?
Jibu ni hapana! Kwa sababu gani? Ni muhimu kuelewa vizuri Biblia neno la Mungu inaiita miti hiyo kuwa ni "MITI YA BWANA" yeye ndiye aliyeiumba na kuifanya kuwako mimea yote. Biblia inasema katika ISAYA 41:19-20:-"Nitapanda katika jangwa mwerezi, mshita, mhadasi, na mbono; nitatia katika nyika mberoshi, mtidhari, na mteashuri pamoja; ili waone, na kujua, wakafikiri, na kufahamu pamoja, ya kuwa mkono wa BWANA ndio uliofanya jambo hilo. Mtakatifu wa Israeli ndiye aliyeliumba."
ZABURI 104:16:-" Miti ya BWANA nayo imeshiba, Mierezi ya Lebanoni aliyoipanda".
Unaweza kuona! Kumbe hiyo miti siyo ya wapagani, ni ya Mungu. Kwahiyo kama miti ni ya Mungu. Sio kosa sisi wakristo kuitumia. INATEGEMEA TU NI MATUMIZI GANI YA HIYO MITI JINSI TUNAVYOITUMIA ! Kuitumia miti yoyote au mimea yoyote kama kifaa kwa ajili ya matumizi ya kumpa yeye Mungu utukufu sio kosa. Ni halali kabisa!
Kwa mfano juu ya hilo Biblia inasema :- " Msifuni, jua na mwezi; msifuni, nyota zote zenye mwanga. Msifuni, enyi mbingu za mbingu, na maji mlioko juu ya mbingu........Msifuni BWANA kutoka nchi, Enyi nyangumi na vilindi vyote......Milima na vilima vyote, MITI YENYE MATUNDA na mierezi yote. Na vilisifu jina la BWANA, kwa maana aliamuru vikaumbwa..... " [ZABURI 148:1-13]. "Kwa hukumu zako vimesimama imara hata leo, Maana VITU VYOTE ni watumishi wako" [ZABURI 119:91].
Unaweza kuona! Kumbe MITI nayo ni miongoni mwa vitu vinavyopaswa kutumiwa kumwadhimisha yeye BWANA katika kumtumikia na kumsifu (kumpamba).
Sasa ni muhimu kuelewa vizuri walichokosea wapagani sio kutumia hiyo miti, bali ni MATUMIZI MABAYA ya hiyo miti. Wao kwa ujinga wao kosa kubwa walilolifanya ni "kuiabudu hiyo miti na kuitumaini kama kinga yao badala ya Mungu aliye hai. Waliiweka imani yao kwenye mti badala ya kwa Mungu aliye juu". Ndiyo kosa!
Neno la Mungu linatuonya tusiwe na miungu mingine ila BWANA na tena hatupaswi kukitumainia chochote kile badala ya kumtumainia Mungu wetu aliye juu.
HABAKUKI 2:18-20:-" Sanamu ya kuchora yafaa nini, hata yeye aliyeifanya ameichora? Sanamu ya kuyeyuka, nayo ni mwalimu wa uongo, yafaa nini, HATA YEYE ALIYEIFANYA AIWEKEE TUMAINI LAKE, na kufanya sanamu zisizoweza kusema? OLE WAKE YEYE AUAMBIAYE MTI, Amka; aliambiaye jiwe lisiloweza kusema, Ondoka! Je! Kitu hicho kitafundisha? Tazama, kimefunikwa kwa dhahabu na fedha, wala hamna pumzi ndani yake kabisa. Lakini BWANA yumo ndani ya hekalu lake takatifu; dunia yote na inyamaze kimya mbele zake."
KUMBUKUMBU 16:21-22:" Usipande MTI UWAO WOWOTE KUWA ASHERA(mungu) kwako kando ya madhabahu utakayofanya ya BWANA, Mungu wako. Wala usisimamishe nguzo; ambayo BWANA, Mungu wako, aichukia."
Soma pia [KUTOKA 20:3; ISAYA 44:14-19; ZABURI 52:7-8].
Ifahamike vizuri kuwa sisi wakristo tuliookoka tunapoitumia miti hiyo ya Krismasi hatuitumii kwa malengo yale kama walivyoitumia wao wapagani . Maana yetu ya kuitumia miti hiyo iko tofauti kabisa na jinsi ilivyokuwa ikitumika kwa wapagani. Sisi hatuitukuzi wala kuiabudu miti hiyo, wala tumaini la imani yetu haiko juu ya mti bali kwa BWANA.
2? KIPENGELE CHA PILI
KWANINI WAKRISTO TUNATUMIA MTI WA KRISMAS?
Ni kwa mambo makuu mawili:-
(1) Sisi tunautumia mti huu KAMA PAMBO TU la sherehe. Na hata ukiingia makanisani wakati wa majira haya ya Christmas, miti hii hupamba kwenye madhabahu, malangoni n.k. nyumbani mwa Mungu wetu.
Na jambo hili la KUPAMBA KWA MITI liko ki-biblia pia . Tazama neno la Mungu linavyosema:-
ISAYA 60:13:-" Utukufu wa Lebanoni utakujia wewe, (miti ya) mberoshi na mtidhari na mteashuri pamoja; ILI KUPAPAMBA MAHALI PANGU PATAKATIFU, Nami nitapatukuza mahali pa miguu yangu.".
Ndani pia ya hekalu la sulemani alilomjengea Mungu kulikuwamo na miti fulani ya mapambo katika kupapendezesha mahali patakatifu
[2NYAKATI 3:5-6; 1WAFALME 6:14-18].
Na si hilo tu. Kuhusu hoja ya kuitumia miti nyakati za sikukuu. Bado hata hapo ni jambo linaloungwa mkono ki-biblia. Sio kosa wala sio upagani. Tazama neno la Mungu linachosema kwa mfano katika
MAMBO YA WALAWI 23:39-41:-" Lakini siku ya kumi na tano ya mwezi wa saba, hapo mtakapokuwa mmekwisha kuyachuma mavuno ya nchi, mtaweka sikukuu ya BWANA muda wa siku saba; siku ya kwanza kutakuwa na kustarehe kabisa, na siku ya nane kutakuwa na kustarehe kabisa. Nanyi siku ya kwanza mtajipatia matunda ya MITI MIZURI, na MAKUTI YA MITENDE, na MATAWI YA MITI MINENE, na mierebi ya vijitoni; nanyi mtafurahi mbele za BWANA, Mungu wenu, muda wa siku saba. Nanyi mtaishika kuwa sikukuu kwa BWANA muda wa siku saba katika mwaka; ni amri ya milele katika vizazi vyenu; mtaishika katika mwezi wa saba."
Kwahiyo watu wanaotaka kujua uhalali wetu ki-biblia wa kutumia miti nyakati hizi za sikukuu, andiko hilo hapo. Kama watatuita sisi wakristo kwa kutumia miti hiyo eti ni upagani. Hao ni wapumbafu wa kawaida! Hawaijui Biblia kwamba Mungu ndio mwanzilishi wa elekezo la kutumia mti wakati wa sikukuu kwa msingi huo huo pia.
(2) NI ISHARA YA MTI WA UZIMA KUPITIA KWA YESU KRISTO MWOKOZI
Kwanini mti wa Christmas unahusishwa na tendo la kuzaliwa kwa Yesu? Hili ni tendo hasa la ufunuo wa rohoni zaidi. Lakini mtu ukiwa mwilini huwezi elewa lolote.
Iko hivi! Baada ya mwanadamu kuanguka dhambini katika bustani ya Edeni . Alihukumiwa adhabu ya kifo. Na baada ya hapo Mungu alimfukuza kutoka katika bustani ya Edeni. Na hakuweza kuruhusiwa tena kula matunda ya mti wa uzima, Mungu alisema wakila hawa wataishi milele. Biblia inasema Mungu akailinda NJIA YA MTI WA UZIMA, ili mwanadamu asije akausogelea [ MWANZO 3:22-24].
Dhambi ndiyo iliyotutenganisha na mti wa uzima na kufanya tufe milele. Tulipotea kutoka kwenye njia ya mti wa uzima.
Sasa ni muhimu kuelewa Yesu Kristo alizaliwa ulimwenguni ili awaokoe wenye dhambi. Tena Alikuja kutufuta na kuokoa kile kilichopotea njia [MATHAYO 1:21; LUKA 19:9-10].
Sasa Yesu Kristo alipozaliwa ulimwenguni, yeye ndiye aliyekuwa ni njia ya huo mti wa uzima [ YOHANA 14:6; MITHALI 3:18].
Ndiomaana Mti wa Krismas mara nyingi utakuta umepambwa kwa namna fulani ya mfano wa matunda na nyota/taa zenye mwanga. Nyota/taa juu ya mti huo vinamwakilisha Yesu Kristo mwenyewe [MATHAYO 2:1-11; UFUNUO 22:16; YOHANA 8:12]. Kumbuka Yesu Kristo yeye ndiye njia. Sasa mti huo kupambwa kwa nyota/taa, maana yake inamainisha kuwa Yesu Kristo yeye ndiye njia ya huo mti wa uzima.
Sasa kwa ujumla wake MTI HUO WA KRISMAS unatufundisha mambo makuu mawili kwamba:-
(i) Yesu Kristo amekuja kuturudisha kwenye mti wa uzima
(ii) Na sisi tulio ndani ya Yesu yaani tuliookoka, ndio wenye kibali cha kuishi milele kwa kula matunda ya mti ule wa uzima. Haleluya!
UFUNUO 22:1-5, 14:-".........Heri wazifuao nguo zao, wawe na amri kuendea huo mti wa uzima, na kuingia mjini kwa milango yake"
UFUNUO 2:7:-" Yeye aliye na sikio, na alisikie neno hili ambalo Roho ayaambia makanisa. Yeye ashindaye, NITAMPA KULA MATUNDA YA MTI WA UZIMA, ulio katika bustani ya Mungu ". Haleluya!
Ndiyo maana mti wa krismas umekuwa ni alama/nembo muhimu kote duniani katika kuitambulisha Krismas. Hii ndiyo maana ya mti huu na makusudi ya sisi wakristo kuuendelea kuutumia mti huo katika makanisa yetu, majumbani mwetu nakadhalika katika majira haya ya sikukuu.
MUNGU AKUBARIKI.
Sehemu ya pili itaendeleaa...........!
????????????????????
Ukipenda kuwasiliana nami kwa ushauri , maombezi na mafundisho zaidi ya masomo ya neno la Mungu. Karibu :-
Mtumishi wa Mungu aliye hai.
MWL, REV:-ODRICK BRYSON
SIMU:- 0759 386 988; 0717 591 466
Email:- Odrick16@gmail.com.
Whatsapp group.
"KWELI YOTE YA NENO LA MUNGU ISIYOGOSHIWA"
[ 2 WAKORINTO 2:17 ]

MAMAJUSI WAKAANGUKA WAKAMWABUDU NA KUMSUJUDIA YESU

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YESU ALIPO INGIA TU DUNIANI, ANAANZA KWA KUSUJUDIWA, SWALI MWENYE HAKI YA KUSUJUDIWA NI NANI?
Mathayo 2:10-11 “Nao walipoiona ile nyota, walifurahi furaha kubwa mno. Wakaingia nyumbani, wakamwona mtoto pamoja na Mariamu mamaye, wakaanguka wakamsujudia; nao walipokwisha kufungua hazina zao, wakamtolea tunu; dhahabu na uvumba na manemane.
Kulingana na Biblia, watu hao wanaoitwa mamajusi walitoka “sehemu za mashariki,” nao walipata habari za kuzaliwa kwa Yesu wakiwa huko. (Mathayo 2:1, 2, 9) Bila shaka iliwachukua muda mrefu kusafiri kutoka huko hadi Yudea. Hatimaye walipompata Yesu, walianguka na kumsujudia. —Mathayo 2:11.
Mathayo 2: 1 Yesu alipozaliwa katika Bethlehemu ya Uyahudi zamani za mfalme Herode, tazama, mamajusi wa mashariki walifika Yerusalemu, wakisema, 2 Yuko wapi yeye aliyezaliwa mfalme wa Wayahudi? Kwa maana tuliiona nyota yake mashariki, nasi tumekuja kumsujudia.
Mwenye haki ya kuabudiwa na kusujudiwa ni Mungu peke yake. Sasa iweje hawa wataalamu wa Nyota na wajuzi kutoka Mashariki ya Mbali wamwabudu na kumsujudia Yesu?
Kwanini mfalme Herode aliposikia hayo, alifadhaika, na Yerusalemu pia pamoja naye?
Ndio utafahamu kuwa YESU NI MUNGU.
Shalom,
Max Shimba mtumwa wa Yesu Kristo Mungu Mkuu. Tito 2:13

KWANINI WAKRISTO TUNASHEREHEKEA KRISMAS? = SEHEMU YA PILI =

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SOMO:-UKWELI KUHUSU SIKUKUU YA KRISMASI
NA
SABABU ZA MSINGI KI-BIBLIA ZINAZOTUFANYA WAKRISTO KUSHEREKEA KRISMASI .
Ili rahisi kwetu kulielewa vizuri somo hili. Tutajifunza somo hili kwa kuligawa katika vipengele vinne ambavyo ni:-
1. MAANA YA NENO KRISMASI
2. HISTORIA YA KRISMASI NA TAREHE 25/ DESEMBA
3. MAMBO YA KUYAELEWA NA KUYAZINGATIA KUHUSU HISTORIA YA KRISMASI
4. SABABU ZA MSINGI KI-BIBLIA ZA KUWAFANYA WAKRISTO TUSHEREKEE KRISMASI
Mistari muhimu ya kukumbuka :-
L U K A 2:9-11:-"Malaika wa Bwana akawatokea ghafula, utukufu wa Bwana ukawang'aria pande zote, wakaingiwa na hofu kuu. Malaika akawaambia, Msiogope; kwa kuwa mimi ninawaletea habari njema ya furaha kuu itakayokuwa kwa watu wote; maana leo katika mji wa Daudi amezaliwa, kwa ajili yenu, Mwokozi, ndiye Kristo Bwana."
Z A B U R I 118:22-24:"Jiwe walilolikataa waashi Limekuwa jiwe kuu la pembeni. Neno hili limetoka kwa BWANA, Nalo ni ajabu machoni petu. Siku hii ndiyo aliyoifanya BWANA, Tutashangilia na kuifurahia."
Amen!.
INAENDELEAA sehemu ya pili..........!
4/ KIPENGELE CHA NNE
SABABU ZA MSINGI KI-BIBLIA ZA KUWAFANYA WAKRISTO TUSHEREKEE KRISMASI
Bwana Yesu asifiwe watu wa Mungu.
Katika sehemu ya kwanza ya somo hili lilopita tulichambua sana kwa undani kuhusu krismasi na pia tuliona sababu kuu sita (6) ki-biblia zinazotufanya wakristo kusherekea sikukuu ya Krismasi.
Leo katika somo letu tunamalizia kuendelea pale tulipoishia.
Sijui kama ulishawahi kujiuliza swali kama hilo, au sijui kama ulishawahi kuulizwa swali kama hilo. Au sijui wewe mwenzangu unasherekea sikukuu hii kwa sababu unajisikia kusherekea.
Tunasherekea sikukuu hii kwa sababu nyingi mno, ambazo hata kama nikizieleza mahali hapa, basi hakika hapatatosha kabisa.
Lakini nataka nimalizie tena Leo nikuambie baadhi ya sababu tano tu za msingi zinazotusukuma sisi sote wakristo ulimwenguni kusherekea sikukuu hii ya christmas. Na Sababu hizo ni kama zifuatazo;
??(7) Tunasherekea sikukuu ya Christmas kwa kukumbuka kuzaliwa mwokozi, masihi wetu yaani Yesu Kristo wa Nazareti.
Biblia inasema katika LUKA 2:10-11:-" Malaika akawaambia, msiogope; kwakuwa Mimi nawaletea habari njema ya furaha kuu itakayokuwa kwa watu wote; MAANA LEO katika mji wa Daudi, AMEZALIWA KWAAJILI YENU, MWOKOZI, NDIYE KRISTO BWANA".
Haleluyaaaa?
Kama tulivyotangulia kuona kwamba Kumbukumbu za kuzaliwa kwake Yesu Kristo hazimaanishi kwamba alizaliwa tarehe 25 Disemba exactly.
Ikumbukwe kwamba hatusherekei tarehe bali tunasherekea kumbukumbu ya tukio la kuzaliwa kwa Mwokozi, nimesema hivyo maana wako watu wengine waliochanganywa na misongo ya ki-maisha wakidhani tunasherekea siku, au tarehe fulani. La hasha!
Watu wa namna hii, sikukuu ya christmas imewachanganya hata kutafuta kujua kwamba ni siku gani au terehe gani aliyozaliwa Bwana Yesu.
Siku wala tarehe haitusaidii sisi chochote kabisa, tena tarehe kwetu ni ya nini basi!?
La msingi hapa Tunachotaka kujua ni kuwa na kumbukumbu tu ya ujio wa Bwana na kwa hiyo tunasherekea.
Nabii Isaya alitabili kuzaliwa kwa Yesu ( takribani miaka 700 iliyopita kabla ya kuzaliwa kwake Bwana Yesu Kristo ) akisema;
"...bikira atachukua mimba,atazaa mtoto mwanamume, naye atamwita jina lake Imanueli." (ISAYA 7:14).
Tabiri hii ya Nabii Isaya ni hakika na kweli. Zipo tabiri nyingi zilizowahi kutolewa, lakini tabiri ya nabii Isaya imekamilika maana hakika Bwana amezaliwa. Kuzaliwa kwa Bwana Yesu ni muujiza ambao haukuwai kutokea wala haitegemewi kutokea, sababu kuzaliwa kwake kulitokana na UWEZA wa Roho Mtakatifu. Tena angali Bwana Yesu amezaliwa alikuwa tayari amekwisha vikwa uwezo, uweza na nguvu ndani yake.
Sasa waweza kufikiria kwamba ni mtoto gani anayezaliwa akiwa na utiisho wa ki-Mungu kama huo, kwa sababu Biblia inaanza kumuelezea kwamba alipozaliwa tu aliitwa mtoto mwanamume, yaani si mtoto wa kiume bali ni mwanamume ikionesha tayari alikuwa na nguvu za kipekee tena Yeye ni Imanueli Mungu pamoja nasi
[ Mathayo 1:23 ]
(8)Tunasherekea kukumbuka ujio wa wokovu kwa mwanadamu.
Biblia inasema katika WAEBRANIA 2:3:-"SISI JE! TUTAPATAJE KUPONA, TUSIPOUJALI WOKOVU MKUU namna hii? Ambao kwanza ulinenwa na Bwana Yesu, kisha ukathibitika kwetu na wale waliosikia".
Sote twafahamu kwamba mwanadamu alipotea baada ya lile anguko la dhambi ya Adamu na Hawa pale bustanini Edeni. Mwanadamu alikuwa amehesabiwa kutokuwa na maisha ya raha ya umilele. Lakini kwa kuwa Mungu aliupenda ulimwengu, yaani Bwana Mungu alikupenda wewe na mimi ndipo akamtuma mwanaye wa pekee Yesu Kristo ili kila amuaminie awe na uzima wa milele ( Yoh.3:16 ). Kwa lugha nyepesi ni kwamba tunasherekea siku hii kukumbuka WOKOVU aliouleta Bwana Yesu, maana ndani yake ndimo kuna maisha halisi ya umilele.
YOHANA 1:4:-" Na ndani yake ndimo ulimokuwa uzima, na ule uzima ulikuwa Nuru".
(9) Tunasherekea kwa kukumbuka ushindi wa Mungu ndani ya Yesu Kristo dhidi ya mamlaka mbovu ya shetani chini ya jua hili.
SIKIA;
Biblia inasema;
" Hata ulipowadia utimilifu wa wakati, Mungu alimtuma Mwanawe ambaye amezaliwa na mwanamke, amezaliwa chini ya sheria, kusudi awakomboe hao waliokuwa chini ya sheria, ili sisi tupate kupokea hali ya kuwa wana." (WAGALATIA 4:4-5).
Kumbe kabla ya ujio na kumpokea Bwana Yesu Kristo sisi tulikuwa chini ya sheria. Tukiitumikia miungu ya baba zetu, tulikuwa watu tusiokuwa na Mungu duniani. Hivyo basi hatukuweza kufanyika wana wa Mungu, bali ingawa tulikuwa ni watu wa Mungu tu.
Kwa kuliona hili, Bwana Mungu akamtuma mwanaye azaliwe chini ya sheria ili atukomboe sisi sote na tupokee hali ya kuwa wana wa Mungu. Mungu akarejesha ushirika wa Roho wake kwa mwanadamu, ushirika uliokuwa umepotea pale bustanini baada ya dhambi.
YOHANA 1:12-13:-" BALI WOTE WALIOMPOKEA ALIWAPA UWEZO WA KUFANYIKA WATOTO WA MUNGU, ndio wale walioaminio jina lake; waliozaliwa, sio kwa damu, wala sio kwa mapenzi ya mtu, bali kwa Mungu".
1 YOHANA 3:1-2:-"Tazameni , ni pendo la namna gani alilotupa Baba, KWAMBA TUITWE WANA WA MUNGU; na ndivyo tulivyo. Kwa sababu hii ulimwengu hautambui, kwakuwa haukumtambua yeye . Wapenzi , SASA TU WANA WA MUNGU, wala haijadhihirika bado tutakavyokuwa; lakini twajua ya kuwa atakapodhihirishwa , tutafanana naye; kwa maana tutamwona kama alivyo ".
Unajua kama Bwana Yesu asingezaliwa, basi tungebakia kuwa ni watu wa miliki ya shetani, watoto wa Ibilisi milele.
Lakini ashukuruliwe Mungu kwa kuzaliwa kwake Yesu Kristo duniani, tumepokea neema na upendo wa kufanyika watoto wa Mungu aliye hai.
(10) Tunasherekea sikukuu hii kwa kukumbuka ujio wa injili duniani.
Biblia inasema katika MARKO 1:1:-" Mwanzo wa Injili ya Yesu Kristo, Mwana wa Mungu".
Yesu mwenyewe ndio injili.
Yeye alipozaliwa, njili ndio ilizaliwa kwa mara ya kwanza chini ya jua.
Maana Yeye ni neno, INJILI NI HABARI NJEMA ZILETAZO WOKOVU, hivyo ni neno la Mungu liletalo wokovu kwa kila aaminiye. Biblia imeeleza vizuri sana jambo hili, inasema:-
" Malaika akawaambia, msiogope; kwakuwa Mimi NAWALETEA HABARI NJEMA YA FURAHA KUU itakayokuwa kwa watu wote" ( LUKA 2:10).
Malaika wa Bwana anatambulisha kuwa ujio wa Yesu Kristo duniani ni ujio wa habari njema ya furaha kuu. Yaani ni ujio wa Injili, maana injili ina furaha ndani yake katika kumbadilisha mtu aliyekuwa mwovu na katili ,kumfanya awe mtu mpya mwema, mwuungana, mwenye ukarimu na upendo.
WARUMI 1:16:-" Kwa maana siionei haya INJILI; KWA MAANA NI UWEZA WA MUNGU ULETAO WOKOVU, kwa kila aaminiye, kwa myahudi kwanza, na kwa myunani pia."
(11) KWA KUZALIWA KWAKE YESU KRISTO, TUMEIPATA IMANI ILIYO BORA ZAIDI
Mpaka hapo tumeona sababu kuu kumi (10) za msingi .
Zipo sababu nyingi mno, nyingi sana zinazotufanya wakristo tusherekee sikukuu hii ya Krismasi kwa furaha tele. SIKU YA KUZALIWA MASIHI NI SIKU KUBWA SANA, maana ni kumbukumbu tosha ya ujio wa Ukristo duniani kote. Biblia inasema juu ya hilo katika
WAEBRANIA 12:2:-" TUKIMTAZAMA YESU, MWENYE KUANZISHA NA MWENYE KUITIMIZA IMANI YETU; ambaye kwaajili ya furaha iliyowekwa mbele yake aliustahimili msalaba na kuidharau aibu, naye ameketi mkono wa kuume wa Mungu".
2 PETRO:-" Simon, Petro mtume na mtumwa wa Yesu Kristo, KWA WALE WALIOPATA IMANI MOJA NA SISI, YENYE THAMANI, katika hali ya Mungu wetu, na Mwokozi Yesu Kristo".
IMANI YA UKRISTO TULIYOIPOKEA NI IMANI BORA ZAIDI kupita imani zoote duniani. Na Hakuna mtu bora, wa maana mno na wa muhimu sana duniani kama kuwa mkristo. Mkristo ni mtu wa muhimu sana duniani, maana yeye ndiye ofisi /wakili wa ufalme wa Mungu duniani.
Sasa basi kama Yesu asingezaliwa wala hata imani yetu hii ya Ukristo iliyobeba ndani yake: Neema na kweli, baraka na rehema, uweza, mamlaka na nguvu zote za Mungu aliye hai; Isingekuwapo duniani (Yohana 1:16-17; 1 Petro 5:10-12; Waefeso 1:3; 1 Korintho 2:4-5; Mathayo 16:18-19; Luka 10:17-19).
Lakini KWA KUZALIWA KWAKE YESU KRISTO , TUMEIPATA IMANI ILIYO BORA ZAIDI.
NB.
Ngoja nikuambie siri hii , hivi unajua kwamba hakuna msalaba pasipo kuzaliwa kwake Yesu Kristo wa Nazareti. Msalaba ulimuhitaji Yesu azaliwe kwanza chini ya dhambi ingawa Yeye hakutenda dhambi kabisa (Waebrania 4:15).
Sasa unisikilize ndugu; sherehe hii haina maana kwako kama bado Bwana Yesu Kristo hajazaliwa ndani yako. Umaana halisi ni ule Yesu kuzaliwa ndani yako. Kuzaliwa Yesu ndani yako ni kumpa maisha yako, NI KUOKOKA TU.
WARUMI 8:37:-" Lakini KATIKA MAMBO YOTE TUNASHINDA, NA ZAIDI YA KUSINDA, kwa yeye aliyetupenda".
1WAKORINTO 15:57:-"Lakini Mungu na ashukuruliwe ATUPAYE KUSHINDA kwa Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo".
Tazama hatuna njia nyingine ya ushindi isipokuwa njia hiyo tu kwa Yesu Kristo.
Hivyo tunapomalizia kusherekea kumbukumbu zote hizi ni sawa na kusherekea ushindi dhidi ya kila neno la maisha yetu ya kiroho hata kimwili pia, tunapokuwa ndani ya Bwana Yesu, tumeokoka.
Nakuambia hivi, mtu aliyeokoka siku hii ya Leo ya Krismasi anabubujika machozi ya furaha kwa ujio wa Bwana Yesu mkombozi wetu, na hawezi akakuelezea vyote akamaliza, kwa sababu mambo ya rohoni yana upana mkubwa mno hayaelezeki yakamalizika (Zaburi 119:96).
Tumesema ziko sababu nyingi mno ki-biblia zinazotufanya kusherekea sikukuu hii ya Krismasi.
Lakini ikumbukwe kuwa mambo ya rohoni, HUTAMBULIKANA KWA MTU WA ROHONI, lakini mtu wa mwilini siku hii ya Leo ya kumbukumbu ya ujio wa Bwana Yesu, kwake ni upuuzi tu tena kwake ni jambo la kawaida kabisa tena ndiyo siku ya kwake ya kupanga kufanya maasi. KUMBUKA MSHAHARA WA DHAMBI NI MAUTI ; bali zawadi ya Mungu ni uzima wa milele katika Kristo Yesu ( WARUMI 6:23; YOHANA 10:9-10).
Baada ya kufa ni hukumu tu ndugu yangu ( Waebrania 9:27).
Kwanini usiutumie wakati huu kutafakari maisha yako yakojee mbele za Mungu ?
Hivi utaendelea kufanya dhambi zako mpaka lini jamani ?
NJOOOOO KWA BWANA YESU KRISTO LEO, mlango wa neema bado upo wazi kwa ajili yako. Bwana Yesu anakuhitaji awe Bwana na mwokozi wa maisha yako.
Ukihitaji msaada zaidi wa kiroho . Basi usisite kunipigia simu yangu hii hapa chini, ili Bwana Yesu mwenyewe akuhudumie siku hii ya Leo.
Nakutakia sikukuu njema. Na ubarikiwee.
I WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Ukipenda kuwasiliana nami kwa ushauri , maombezi na mafundisho zaidi ya masomo ya neno la Mungu. Karibu :-
Mtumishi wa Mungu aliye hai.
MWL, REV:-ODRICK BRYSON
SIMU:- 0759 386 988; 0717 591 466
Email:- Odrick16@gmail.com.
Whatsapp group.
"KWELI YOTE YA NENO LA MUNGU ISIYOGOSHIWA"
[ 2 WAKORINTO 2:17 ]
SHALOM SHALOM SHALOM,
Max Shimba Ministries Org

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