FRIDAY 10TH NOVEMBER 2017 MORNING
Hebrews 12:18-24 New International Version (NIV)
The Mountain of Fear and the Mountain of Joy
18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”[a] 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”[b]
22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
Footnotes:
- Hebrews 12:20 Exodus 19:12,13
- Hebrews 12:21 See Deut. 9:19.
The writer of Hebrews is writing to Christians from a Jewish background. He explains how the Christian faith is built on the foundation of the Old Testament Jewish Scriptures. In the above verses he compares the Old covenant of the Law given to Moses on mount Sinai with the New Covenant through Jesus Christ. He talks about Mount Zion as a picture of heaven.
The Old Covenant brought fear and condemnation because we are unable to keep the Law perfectly. But through Christ we receive God’s Grace and forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus Christ.
IJUMAA TAREHE 10 NOVEMBA 2017 ASUBUHI
WAEBRANIA 12:18-24
18 Maana hamkufikilia mlima uwezao kuguswa, uliowaka moto, wala wingu jeusi, na giza, na tufani,
19 na mlio wa baragumu na sauti ya maneno; ambayo wale walioisikia walisihi wasiambiwe neno lo lote lingine;
20 maana hawakuweza kustahimili neno lile lililoamriwa, Hata mnyama akiugusa huo mlima atapigwa kwa mawe.
21 Na hayo yaliyoonekana jinsi yalivyokuwa ya kutisha, hata Musa akasema, Nimeshikwa na hofu na kutetemeka.
22 Bali ninyi mmeufikilia mlima Sayuni, na mji wa Mungu aliye hai, Yerusalemu wa mbinguni, na majeshi ya malaika elfu nyingi,
23 mkutano mkuu na kanisa la wazaliwa wa kwanza walioandikwa mbinguni, na Mungu mwamuzi wa watu wote, na roho za watu wenye haki waliokamilika,
24 na Yesu mjumbe wa agano jipya, na damu ya kunyunyizwa, inenayo mema kuliko ile ya Habili.
Mwandishi wa kitabu cha Waebrania aliwaandikia Wakristo kutoka asili ya Kiyahudi. Anaonyesha jinsi Imani ya Kikristo kiliandikwa katika msingi wa Maandiko Matakatifu wa Kiyahudi. Katika mistari hiyo juu, analinganisha Sheria ziliyopewa Musa katika Mlima Sinai na Mlima Sayuni ambayo ni mfano wa Mbinguni. Anaonyesha jinsi Agano Jipya kupitia Yesu Kristo ni bora kuliko Agano ya Kale la sheria. Sheria zinatisha kwa sababu sote tumeshindwa kutii kikamilifu. Lakini Neema ya Mungu ilifunguliwa kwa njia ya Kifo cha Yesu Kristo. Tunapokea Neema ya Mungu na msamaha wa dhambi kwa njia ya toba na Imani.
