JUBILATE - NEW LIFE IN CHRIST
John 12:20-26(24)
Jesus Predicts His Death
20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.My Father will honor the one who serves me.
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall on the ground and die, it abides alone; but if it die, it brings forth much fruit"
Today's scripture brings along a new dawn of realisation to anyone who seeks God.
To this, you may wish to consider this scenario.
The first thing that happens to any soldier undergoing intense military training is the breaking of his self-will. He develops a new identity, shedding the old one, through rugged discipline and a new sense of obedience. No longer
- Does he live for himself
- Does he chose whether to obey his commander
- Does he decide what is right and what is not
He dies to himself, as Jesus says in the scripture. His attitude towards all authority, the depth of his true commitment to the cause he professes to save, is severely tested. He then takes a close hard look at what his real motives are, and what he truly wants from the military. He then has to determine in his mind, his heart and his will, whether the price he has to pay to stay in the army and be successful is worth it to him. As he contemplates this, a revolution will begin to take place deep in within his soul and his spirit. Consequently, his old attitudes, plans and ideas will be uprooted and he will be forced to take on new ones. Emotionally, mentally and spiritually this is the time of ones personal reevaluation and upheavals. Sudden outbursts of resentment, doubts, discouragement may occur, but though it he learns totally new skills, and the image of himself and his purpose in life dramatically changes.
The soldier strength will be developed with new strength of oneness with whomever he serves, and ability to be victorious over whatever comes along. He will have a new sense of pride in the one he serves.
Like this soldier Christians undergoing the first experience in redemption will find themselves experiencing very similar things. God may allow circumstances to test you, to hinder you, old frustrations may crop up.
Once the reality of spiritual war sinks in every thread of your being, you, like a worldly soldier, may experience a revolution in your spirit. You too will be forced to take a close hard look at what the real motives and goals are in the Church. To your horror you may find that, like the Pharisees, you are more like a "whitewashed tomb" which outwardly appears righteous to men, but within is full of spiritual deadness, apathy, indifference and secret sin (Mathew 23:27).
But do not despair, this phase is necessary, for after you have humbled yourself, turned to the Lord and repented of these areas of darkness, He has great things for you . He will revive your spirit and your heart as never before. Amen! Blesses!
MSHANGILIENI BWANA -MAISHA MAPYA NDANI YA KRISTO
Yohana 12:20-26(24)
Palikuwa na Wayunani kadha wa kadha miongoni mwa watu waliokwea kwenda kuabudu kwenye sikukuu.
21 Basi hao walimwendea Filipo, mtu wa Bethsaida ya Galilaya, wakamwomba, wakisema, Bwana, sisi tunataka kumwona Yesu.
22 Filipo akaenda, akamwambia Andrea; kisha Andrea na Filipo wakamwambia Yesu.
23 Naye Yesu akawajibu, akasema, Saa imefika atukuzwe Mwana wa Adamu.
24 Amin, amin, nawaambia, Chembe ya ngano isipoanguka katika nchi, ikafa, hukaa hali iyo hiyo peke yake; bali ikifa, hutoa mazao mengi.
25 Yeye aipendaye nafsi yake ataiangamiza; naye aichukiaye nafsi yake katika ulimwengu huu ataisalimisha hata uzima wa milele.
26 Mtu akinitumikia, na anifuate; nami nilipo, ndipo na mtumishi wangu atakapokuwapo. Tena mtu akinitumikia, Baba atamheshimu.
"Amin, Amin, nawaambia, Chembe ya ngano isipoanguka katika nchi , ikafa, hula hali iyo hiyo peke yake, bali ikifa, hutoa mazao mengi "
Somo la Leo linaleta mtazamo mpya kwa yeyote anayemtafuta Mungu! hivyo basi nakusihi usome taarifa ifuatayo.
Kitu cha kwanza ambacho Askari kuruta anafanyiwa akiingia kambini ni kuivunja nafsi. Atapata sura mpya, akiibadilisha ile ya zamani, kupitia Kwata kali anayopitishwa na kupata mfumo mpya wa utii anaoupata . Kamwe tena
- Hataishi kwa ajili yake mwenyewe
- Hatakuwa na uhuru wa kuamua ajibu au la
- Hatakuwa na uhuru wa kuamua kipi ni sawa na kweli,
Nafsi yake itakufa ndani yake, kama Yesu anavyosema katika Neno. Mtazamo wake juu ya utawala na mamlaka na uthabiti wake juu ya jeshi na maamuzi utajaribiwa kisawasawa. Hapo atatafakari maana ya kujiunga na Jeshi. Lazima aamue mustakabali wake na kama anaona kuna faida kuendelea na jeshi, au la! Akiwa katika kutafakari hivi, ndani mwake mabadiliko yataanza kutokea na mitazamo, mipango na mifumo nafsini mwake na katika nia yake vitajitokeza na kuyabadilisha kabisa maisha ya Askari huyu. Atajiafunza stadi mpya na mtazamo wake wa ndani utabadilika kabisa, hatakuwa tena yule wa jana!
Atajiona ni mshindi na kuona fahari kuitwa askari, na fahari kupokea amri toka kwa yule anayemwongoza!
Wakristo nao pale wanapokutana na injili ya wokovu, na kuwa na hamu ya kumjua Yesu, hupitia katika mkondo kama aliopitia Askari huyu. Katika kuukulia wokovu Mungu wakati mwingine huruhusu majaribu, yaje kwako, ili ukifanya maamuzi ya busara hali yako ya kutembea Naye ibadilike kuwa bora zaidi, na uuone utukufu wa Mungu kwa uwazi zaidi. Ni kweli kuwa pengine katika kujipima utakuja kuona kumbe uko kama wale mafarisayo, ambao Yesu aliwaita ni makaburi yaliyopakwa chokaa (Mathayo 23:27), usiogope, ni kipindi muhimu, kwani ukisha tubu na kujishusha kwa Bwana, mtu mpya atatoka ndani yako. Kule kufa ndani yako, ili mtu mpya atokee ni lazima, ili uzae matunda yatakayo mtukuza Mungu. Amen. Barikiwa!
