UJohane wayetshumayela esithi: ‘Kuza umuntu omkhulu kulami.’ UJesu eseleminyaka engaba ngu-30, waya eGalile emfuleni uJodani lapho uJohane ayebhabhathizela khona abantu. UJesu wayefuna uJohane ambhabhathize kodwa uJohane wathi: ‘Akumelanga ngikubhabhathize. Wena nguwe okumele ungibhabhathize.’ UJesu wathi: ‘UJehova ufuna ungibhabhathize.’ Yikho bangena emfuleni uJodani, uJohane wasecwilisa uJesu emanzini.

UJesu wathi ephuma emanzini wakhuleka. Amazulu avuleka, umoya ongcwele kaNkulunkulu wehlela phezu kukaJesu unjengejuba. UJehova wasekhuluma esezulwini wathi: “Lo yiNdodana yami engiyithandayo; ngiyathokoza kakhulu ngayo.”

UJesu waba nguKhristu loba uMesiya ngesikhathi umoya ongcwele usehlela phezu kwakhe. Sasesifikile isikhathi sokuthi aqalise umsebenzi ayewuthunywe nguJehova.

Esanda nje kubhabhathizwa, uJesu waya enkangala wahlala amalanga angu-40 khonale. Esephendukile waya kuJohane. UJohane wathi: “Khangelani, nansi iMvana kaNkulunkulu esusa isono somhlaba.” Amazwi la enza abantu bazi ukuthi uJesu unguMesiya. Uyakwazi yini ukuthi kwenzakalani kuJesu enkangala? Ake sibone.

Umoya ongcwele wakhokhela uJesu wamusa enkangala ngemva kokubhabhathizwa kwakhe. Kazange adle lutho okwamalanga angu-40 yikho wayeselambe kakhulu. USathane wamlinga wathi: ‘Nxa uyiNdodana kaNkulunkulu, tshela amatshe la abe yisinkwa.’ Kodwa uJesu wamphendula esebenzisa iMibhalo, wathi: ‘Kubhaliwe ukuthi umuntu kaphili ngokudla kuphela kodwa kumele alalele konke okukhulunywa nguJehova.’

USathane wasemisa uJesu phezu kwethempeli, wathi: ‘Nxa uyiNdodana kaNkulunkulu ziphosele phansi. Kubhaliwe ukuthi uNkulunkulu uzathuma izingilosi zakhe zikugame.’ UJesu waphinda waphendula esebenzisa iMibhalo, wathi: ‘Kubhaliwe ukuthi akumelanga ulinge uJehova.’

Ngemva kwalokho uSathane watshengisa uJesu yonke imibuso yomhlaba lenotho yayo kanye lenkazimulo yayo wasesithi: ‘Ngizakunika yonke imibuso le lenkazimulo yayo nxa ungakhothama kanye nje ungikhonze.’ Kodwa uJesu wathi: ‘Suka kimi Sathane! Kubhaliwe ukuthi kumele ukhonze uJehova kuphela.’

USathane wamtshiya uJesu. Izingilosi zeza kuJesu zamnika ukudla. Wathi esuka lapho wahle waqalisa ukutshumayela izindaba ezinhle zoMbuso. Yiwo umsebenzi ayethunywe ukuthi azowenza emhlabeni. Abantu babekuthanda ababekufundiswa nguJesu njalo bamlandela loba ngaphi lapho ayesiya khona.

Kucatshangelwa ukuthi uJesu waya eJerusalema ngabo-April, ngomnyaka ka-30 C.E. Abantu abanengi babeze eJerusalema belande iPhasika. Okunye okwakusenziwa emkhosini lo yikunikela ngezifuyo. Abanye babebuya lezifuyo kodwa abanye babezithenga eJerusalema.

UJesu wathi efika ethempelini wathola abantu bethengisa izifuyo ethempelini. UJesu wenzani ebona lokhu? Wenza umchilo wasexotshela phandle izimvu lezinkomo. Wagenqula amatafula alabo ababetshintsha imali futhi wachithela phansi imali yabo. Wasetshela labo ababethengisa amajuba wathi: “Susani izinto lezi lapha! Yekelani ukwenza indlu kaBaba indlu yokuthengiselana.”

Abantu ababesethempelini bamangala bebona lokho okwakusenziwa nguJesu. Abafundi bakhe bakhumbula isiphrofetho esikhuluma ngoMesiya esithi: “Ngiyayitshisekela indlu yakho.”

Ngomnyaka ka-33 C.E., uJesu waphinda walihlanza ithempeli. Kazange avumele loba ngubani ukuthi adelele indlu kaYise.

Sekudlule isikhathi iPhasika liphelile, uJesu labafundi bakhe badlula eSamariya sebebuyela eGalile. Bama endaweni ebizwa ngokuthi ngumthombo kaJakhobe oseduzane ledolobho okuthiwa yiSikhari. UJesu wasala ephumula khonapho ngesikhathi abafundi bakhe beyethenga ukudla edolobheni lelo.

Esahlezi, kwafika owesifazana ezokukha amanzi. UJesu wathi kuye: ‘Ngicela amanzi okunatha.’ Owesifazana waphendula wathi: ‘Yindaba ungikhulumisa wena ukwazi ukuthi ngingumSamariya? AmaJuda lamaSamariya kawakhulumisani.’ UJesu wathi kuye: ‘Ngabe uyakwazi ukuthi ngingubani ngabe ucela kimi amanzi okunatha.’ Owesifazana wathi: ‘Utshoni njengoba ungelaso isigubhu sokukha amanzi.’ UJesu wathi: ‘Lowo onatha amanzi engimupha wona kasoze ome.’ Ngakho owesifazana wathi: ‘Ngicela ungiphe amanzi lawo.’

UJesu wathi: ‘Hamba uyebiza umkakho.’ Owesifazana wathi: “Kangilandoda.” UJesu wathi: ‘Uqinisile ngoba sowatshada ka-5 futhi lendoda ohlala layo khathesi kayisiyo yakho.’ Owesifazana wathi: ‘Senginanzelele ukuthi ungumphrofethi. Abantu bakithi bathi kumele sikhonzele entabeni le kodwa amaJuda athi kumele siyekhonzela eJerusalema kuphela. Ngicabanga ukuthi nxa uMesiya angafika uzasitshela ukuthi kumele sikhonze njani.’ UJesu wasetshela owesifazana lo into ayengakaze ayitshele muntu, wathi: ‘NginguMesiya.’

Owesifazana lo wahle wasuka lapho waya edolobheni lamaSamariya wafika wathi: ‘Ngibone indoda engitshele konke ngempilo yami, ngibona angani nguye uMesiya. Asambeni siyembona.’ Bamlandela bafika balalela uJesu efundisa.

AmaSamariya anxusa uJesu ukuthi aze edolobheni lawo. Wahlala okwamalanga amabili njalo abanengi bakukholwa lokho ayebafundisa khona. Batshela owesifazana bathi: ‘Sizizwele njalo sesikwazi ukuthi indoda le ingumsindisi womhlaba.’

UJesu esanda nje ukubhabhathizwa wahle waqalisa ukutshumayela esithi: ‘UMbuso kaNkulunkulu ususeduze.’ Abafundi bamlandela ngesikhathi etshumayela eGalile laseJudiya. Wathi ebuyela eNazaretha lapho ayekhulele khona, waya esinagogeni, wavula incwadimgoqwa ka-Isaya, wasebalela phezulu esithi: ‘UJehova usenginike umoya ongcwele ukuze ngitshumayele izindaba ezinhle.’ Lokhu kwakusitsho ukuthi uNkulunkulu wanika uJesu umoya ongcwele ukuze atshumayele izindaba ezinhle hatshi ukuthi enze izimangaliso kuphela. UJesu wasetshela abantu wathi: ‘Isiphrofetho lesi sigcwalisekile lamuhla.’

Esuka lapho, waya eLwandle lwaseGalile lapho ahlangana khona labafundi bakhe abane ababengabagoli benhlanzi. Wathi kubo: ‘Ngilandelani, ngizalenza abagoli babantu.’ Amabizo abo kwakunguPhetro, u-Andreya, uJakhobe loJohane. Bahle batshiya ukugola inhlanzi bamlandela. Babhoda iGalile betshumayela ngoMbuso kaJehova. Batshumayela emasinagogeni, emamakethe lasemigwaqweni. Babelandelwa lixuku elikhulu. Abantu bonke okugoqela labaseSiriya, bezwa ngoJesu.

Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi uJesu wapha abanye abalandeli bakhe amandla okusilisa abantu lawokuxotsha amadimoni. Abanye babehamba laye betshumayela kuyo yonke imizi lakuwo wonke amadolobho. UMariya Magadalena, uJowana, uSusana labanye abesifazana babebanakekela.

UJesu waqala wabafundisa abafundi bakhe engakabathumi. Batshumayela iGalile yonke futhi abanengi baba ngabafundi babhabhathizwa. Banengi ababefuna ukuba ngabafundi okokuthi uJesu waze wabafananisa lensimu esilungele ukuvunwa. Wathi: ‘Celani uJehova athume ezinye izisebenzi zokuvuna.’ Ngemva kwesikhathi esithile wakhetha abafundi abangu-70 njalo wabathuma ngababili ukuthi batshumayele kulo lonke elaseJudiya. Babetshumayeza bonke abantu mayelana loMbuso. Abafundi batshela uJesu konke okwakwenzakale ekuhambeni kwabo. Kwakungelalutho uSathane ayengalwenza ukuthi amise umsebenzi wokutshumayela.

UJesu waba leqiniso lokuthi abafundi bakhe babezaqhubeka betshumayela esebuyelile ezulwini. Wathi kubo: ‘Tshumayelani izindaba ezinhle emhlabeni wonke. Fundisani abantu iLizwi likaNkulunkulu futhi libabhabhathize.’

UJesu weza emhlabeni ezotshumayela izindaba ezinhle zoMbuso kaNkulunkulu. UJehova wamnika umoya ongcwele ukuze enze izimangaliso ezazitshengisa lokho azakwenza eseyiNkosi. Wayeselapha yonke imikhuhlane. Abagulayo babezocela ukuthi abelaphe futhi wayebelapha bonke. UJesu welapha iziphofu, izacuthe, izigoga labalamadimoni. Lalabo ababethinta umphetho wesigqoko sakhe babesila. Abantu babelandela uJesu loba ngaphi lapho ayesiya khona. UJesu kazange abaxotshe lanxa kwezinye izikhathi wayefuna ukuba yedwa.

Ngelinye ilanga abantu baya kuJesu belendoda eyayigula yome umhlubulo. Kodwa indlu yayigcwele kakhulu okokuthi behluleka ukungena. Yikho babhoboza uphahla basebesehlisela indoda leyo kuJesu. UJesu wasetshela indoda leyo wathi: ‘Vuka uhambe.’ Abantu bamangala kakhulu bebona indoda leyo ivuka.

Ngesinye isikhathi, uJesu wathi engena edolobheni elithile wabona amadoda alitshumi ayelobulephero. Amadoda lawo amemeza athi: ‘Jesu, sincede!’ Ngaleso sikhathi abantu abalobulephero babengavunyelwa ukusondela ebantwini. UJesu watshela amadoda lawo ukuthi aye ethempelini, ngoba uMthetho kaJehova wawusithi abalobulephero benze njalo nxa bangasiliswa. Bathi besendleleni basila. Omunye wamadoda lawo waphenduka wazobonga uJesu futhi wadumisa loNkulunkulu. Kodwa abangu-9 kabaphendukanga.

Kwakulowesifazana owayesegule okweminyaka engu-12. Waya ngemva kukaJesu wathinta umphetho wesigqoko sakhe. Wahle wasila. UJesu watshibilika wabuza wathi: ‘Ngubani ongithintileyo?’ Owesifazana wesaba kodwa wasetshela uJesu ukuthi nguye owayemthintile. UJesu wathi: ‘Ndodakazi, hamba ngokuthula.’

Umbusi wesinagogi okuthiwa nguJayirosi wancenga uJesu wathi: ‘Buya endlini yami! Indodakazi yami iyagula.’ Kodwa intombazana leyo yafa uJesu engakafiki. UJesu wathi efika, wabona abantu abanengi ababeze emfeni. UJesu wathi kubo: ‘Lingakhali, ulele.’ Wasebamba isandla sentombazana leyo wathi: ‘Ndodakazi, vuka.’ Intombazana yahle yavuka. UJesu wasetshela abazali bayo ukuthi bayinike ukudla. Ake ucabange ukuthi abazali bayo bazizwa njani!

UJesu wathi esetshumayele okwesikhathi esedlula umnyaka, kwasokumele akhethe ukuthi ngobani ayezasebenza labo. Abantu ayezabakhetha yibo ababezakhokhela ibandla lobuKhristu. UJesu wayedinga ukuncediswa nguJehova ukuze akhethe abantu labo. Yikho wahamba entabeni wafika wakhuleka ubusuku bonke. Ekuseni wabiza abanye abafundi bakhe wasekhetha abaphostoli abangu-12. Yibaphi obakhumbulayo? Amabizo abo kwakunguPhetro, u-Andreya, uJakhobe, uJohane, uFiliphu, uBhatholomewu, uTomasi, uMathewu, uJakhobe indodana ka-Alifewu, uThadewu, uSimoni loJudasi Iskariyothi.

Abaphostoli laba babezahamba loJesu. Wabafundisa ukutshumayela wasebathuma ukuthi bayetshumayela bodwa. UJehova wabanika amandla okukhipha amadimoni lawokusilisa abagulayo.

UJesu wayebathemba abaphostoli bakhe waze wathi bangabangane bakhe. AbaFarisi babecabanga ukuthi abaphostoli kabafundanga futhi ngabantukazana. UJesu wabafundisa indlela yokutshumayela. Babezakuba loJesu ngezikhathi eziqakathekileyo empilweni yakhe. Abaphostoli bakhe abanengi babevela eGalile njengaye. Abanye babetshadile.

Abaphostoli babewenza amaphutha ngoba babelesono. Kwezinye izikhathi babekhuluma bengacabanganga futhi babesenza izinqumo ezimbi. Ngezinye izikhathi babesehluleka ukubekezela njalo babephikisana ngokuthi ngubani oqakathekileyo. Lanxa babesenza njalo, babemthanda uJehova. Yibo ababezakhokhela ibandla uJesu esebuyelile ezulwini.

Esekhethe abaphostoli abangu-12 uJesu wehla entabeni waya lapho okwakubuthene khona abantu abanengi. Abantu labo babevela eGalile, eJudiya, eThire, eSidoni, eSiriya laphetsheya kweJodani. Abanye babegula njalo abanye babelamadimoni. UJesu wabelapha bonke. UJesu wasehlala phansi waqalisa ukufundisa. Wakhuluma ngalokho lathi okumele sikwenze ukuze sibe ngabangane bakaNkulunkulu. Kumele sazi ukuthi siyamdinga uNkulunkulu ezimpilweni zethu njalo kumele simthande. Kodwa asingeke simthande uNkulunkulu nxa singabathandi abanye. Kumele sibe lomusa njalo sibaphathe kuhle abanye, okugoqela lezitha zethu.

UJesu wathi: ‘Akumelanga uthande abangane bakho kuphela kodwa kumele uthande lezitha zakho. Kumele uxolele abanye nxa bangakuphambanisa. Nxa ungacaphula omunye, kumele uhle uyexolisa. Phatha abanye ngendlela ofuna bakuphathe ngayo.’

UJesu waphinda wakhuluma ngenotho. Wathi: ‘Ukuba ngumngane kaNkulunkulu kuqakathekile kulokuba lemali. Isela lingatshontsha imali yakho, kodwa akulamuntu ongakutshontshela ubungane bakho loJehova. Lingakhathazeki ngokuthi lizakudlani, lizanathani lokuthi lizagqokani. Khangelani izinyoni, uNkulunkulu uyazinika okokudla. Ukuzikhathaza akusoze kwengezelele impilo yakho. UJehova uyakwazi elikudingayo.’

Abantu babengakaze bazwe umuntu ofundisa njengoJesu. Abafundisi babo babengakaze babafundise izinto uJesu ayebafundise zona. Okwenza uJesu wafundisa kuhle kangaka yikuthi ayekufundisa kwakuvela kuJehova.

Konke abaFarisi ababekwenza babekwenzela ukubukwa. Nxa babenceda othile, babekwenzela ukubonwa ngabantu. Babebamba ngekhanda imithandazo emide futhi babeyiphindaphinda emasinagogeni lasemakhoneni emigwaqo ukuze abantu bazwe ababekutsho. Yikho abantu bamangala lapho uJesu esithi: ‘Lingalingiseli abaFarisi nxa likhuleka. Bacabanga ukuthi uNkulunkulu uyayithanda imithandazo yabo emide, kodwa kayithandi. Nxa uthandaza uyabe ukhuluma loJehova, yikho ungaphindaphindi into efananayo. UJehova ufuna umtshele okusenhliziyweni yakho.

‘Kumele lithandaze kanje: “Baba wethu osezulwini, malihlonitshwe ibizo lakho, umbuso wakho kawuze, intando yakho yenziwe emhlabeni njengalokhu isenziwa ezulwini.”’ UJesu wabatshela lokuthi bangathandazela ukudla kwabo kwansuku zonke, lokuthi izono zabo zithethelelwe lezinye nje izinto ezibakhathazayo.

UJesu wathi: ‘Lingayekeli ukukhuleka. Hlalani licela izinto elizifunayo kuYihlo uJehova. Wonke umzali uyafuna ukupha umntanakhe izinto ezinhle. Nxa indodana yakho ingacela isinkwa, ungayinika ilitshe yini? Nxa ingacela inhlanzi, ungayinika inyoka yini?’

UJesu wasesitsho isifundo esisendabeni le, wathi: ‘Nxa likwazi ukupha abantwabenu izipho ezinhle pho kangakanani uYihlo uJehova? Uzalipha umoya ongcwele nxa lingawucela.’ Uyakwenza yini lokho okwatshiwo nguJesu? Yiziphi izinto wena ozithandazelayo?

Sekuzafika iPhasika lomnyaka ka-32 C.E., abafundi baphenduka bevela ezindaweni ababeyetshumayela kuzo. Babediniwe yikho uJesu wahamba labo ngesikepe eBhethisayida lapho ababengaphumula khona. Ngesikhathi isikepe sesizafika ekhunjini, uJesu wabona ukuthi izinkulungwane zabantu zazibalandele. Lanxa uJesu wayefuna ukuthi ake atshaywe ngumoya elabafundi bakhe kazange abaxotshe abantu. Welapha ababegula waseqalisa ukubafundisa. UJesu watshona ebafundisa ngoMbuso kaNkulunkulu. Kwathi sekuntambama abafundi bakhe baya kuye bathi: ‘Kumele ukuthi abantu sebelambile. Batshele bahambe bayedinga ukudla.’

UJesu wathi: ‘Akumelanga bahambe kodwa bapheni ukudla.’ Abaphostoli babuza uJesu bathi: ‘Ufuna sihambe siyebathengela ukudla yini?’ Omunye wabaphostoli okuthiwa nguFiliphu wathi: ‘Lanxa besingabe silemali enengi, besingeke senelise ukuthengela umuntu wonke olapha ukudla.’

UJesu wababuza wathi: ‘Silokudla okungakanani?’ U-Andreya wathi: ‘Silezinkwa ezinhlanu lenhlanzi ezimbili ezincane, kodwa abantu laba banengi kakhulu.’ UJesu wasesithi: ‘Ziletheni lapha izinkwa lezo lenhlanzi zakhona.’ Wasetshela abantu ukuthi bahlale etshanini bengamaqembu abantu abangu-50 loba 100. UJesu wathatha izinkwa lenhlanzi wakhangela ezulwini wasekhuleka. Wasenika abaphostoli bakhe ukudla lokhu ukuthi bakunike abantu. Amadoda angu-5 000 kanye labomama labantwana badla baze basutha. Abantu sebeqedile ukudla abaphostoli babutha okwakusele ukuze kungabi lokudla okulahlwayo. Bagcwalisa amabhasikiti angu-12. Kwakuyisimanga sibili.

Abantu bathaba baze bafuna ukwenza uJesu inkosi yabo. Kodwa uJesu wayekwazi ukuthi isikhathi sokuthi uJehova amenze abe yinkosi sasingakafiki. Yikho wathi abantu kabahambe njalo watshela abaphostoli bakhe ukuthi baye phetsheya koLwandle lweGalile. Abaphostoli bagada isikepe bahamba, uJesu wasekhwela entabeni eyedwa. Wayesiyakwenzani? Wayesiyakhuleka kuYise. Lanxa wayelemisebenzi eminengi kangakanani, uJesu wayengayekeli ukuthandaza.

UJesu wayeselapha abagulayo, evusa labafileyo futhi elamandla okumisa umoya lezulu. Wathi eqeda ukukhuleka entabeni wabona kulomoya omkhulu eLwandle lweGalile. Abaphostoli bakhe babesesikepeni bezama ukugwedla kodwa umoya wawubathwalise nzima. UJesu wehla entabeni wasehamba phezu kwamanzi esiya esikepeni sabaphostoli. Abaphostoli besaba lapho bebona umuntu ehamba phezu kwamanzi. Kodwa uJesu wathi kubo: ‘Yimi, lingesabi.’

UPhetro wathi: ‘Nkosi, nxa kunguwe sibili, tshono ukuthi ngize kuwe.’ UJesu wathi: ‘Buya.’ Yikho lanxa kwakulesiphepho, uPhetro wehla esikepeni wasesiya kuJesu ehamba phezu kwamanzi. Kodwa wathi esezafika kuJesu, wakhangela isiphepho. Wesaba waseqalisa ukutshona emanzini. Wamemeza wathi: ‘Nkosi nginceda.’ UJesu wambamba ngesandla wathi: ‘Yindaba uthandabuzile? Lungaphi ukholo lwakho?’

UJesu loPhetro bagada esikepeni, futhi umoya wahle wathula. Ubona angani abaphostoli bezwa njani? Bathi: “Wena uyiNdodana kaNkulunkulu sibili.”

UJesu wayengaqalisi ukuthulisa umoya. Ngelinye ilanga uJesu wayelele esikepeni ngesikhathi esiya ngaphetsheya kolwandle elabaphostoli bakhe. Wathi elokhu elele, kwaba lesiphepho esilamandla. Amanzi ayelokhu engena esikepeni. Abaphostoli bamemeza uJesu bathi: ‘Mfundisi, sizakufa. Sincede!’ UJesu wavuka watshela ulwandle wathi: ‘Zwi, thula.’ Umoya lolwandle kwahle kwathula. UJesu wababuza wathi: ‘Lungaphi ukholo lwenu?’ Bakhuluma bodwa bathi: “Phela umoya lolwandle lakho kuyamlalela!” Abaphostoli bafunda ukuthi kwakungamelanga besabe, kodwa kwakumele bahlale bemthemba uJesu.

AbaFarisi babemzonda uJesu yikho babedinga isizathu sokumbopha. Babesithi akumelanga elaphe abantu ngeSabatha. Ngelinye ilanga kuliSabatha uJesu wathola eyinye indoda emgwaqweni icela uncedo ebantwini. Watshela abafundi bakhe wathi: ‘Khangelani ukuthi amandla kaNkulunkulu azayinceda njani indoda le.’ Wavuba udaka ngamathe akhe waselufaka emehlweni endoda leyo. Wasesithi: ‘Hamba uyegeza echibini leSilowami.’ Indoda leyo yakwenza lokho yasivuleka amehlo.

Abantu bamangala kakhulu basebesithi: ‘Kayisiyo yini indoda le eyayicela uncedo ebantwini kumbe ifanana layo nje?’ Indoda le yathi: ‘Yimi sibili, ngazalwa ngiyisiphofu.’ Abantu bayibuza bathi: ‘Amehlo akho avuleke njani?’ Yathi isibatshelile okwakwenzakele bayihambisa kubaFarisi.

Yatshela abaFarisi yathi: ‘UJesu uninde udaka emehlweni ami ngageza, manje sengibona.’ AbaFarisi bathi: ‘Umuntu lo kaveli kuNkulunkulu ngoba kaligcini iSabatha.’ Kodwa abanye bathi: ‘Ngabe kaveli kuNkulunkulu ubengasoze enelise ukwenza isimangaliso esinje.’

AbaFarisi babiza abazali bendoda le bababuza bathi: ‘Umntanenu uvuleke njani amehlo?’ Abazali bayo besaba ukukhuluma ngoba babezwe kuthiwa abaFarisi bathi loba ngubani okholwa kuJesu uzaxotshwa esinagogeni. Yikho baphendula bathi: ‘Asikwazi buzani yena.’ AbaFarisi babelokhu beyibuza indoda le yaze yathi: ‘Ngilitshelile, kanti yindaba lilokhu lingibuza?’ AbaFarisi bazonda basebeyihudulela phandle.

UJesu wathi ehlangana lendoda le wathi kuyo: ‘Uyakholwa yini kuMesiya?’ Indoda le yathi: ‘Ungubani ukuze ngikholwe kuye.’ UJesu wathi: ‘NginguMesiya.’ Uyakubona yini ukuthi uJesu wayelomusa? Welapha indoda leyo njalo waphinda wayinceda ukuthi ibe lokholo.

UJesu wayelabangane abangu-3 ababehlala eBhethani njalo wayebathanda. Amabizo abo kwakunguLazaro, uMatha loMariya. Ngelinye ilanga uJesu engaphetsheya komfula uJodani wathola umlayezo ovela kuMariya loMatha owawusithi: ‘Buya ngoba uLazaro uyagula.’ Kodwa uJesu wahlala izinsuku ezimbili engayanga eBhethani. Ngemva kwalokho wathi kubafundi bakhe: “Umngane wethu uLazaro uselele kodwa ngiya khona ukuze ngiyemvusa.” Abaphostoli bathi: “Nxa elele kutsho ukuthi uzasila.” Wasebatshela ephumela egcekeni wathi: “ULazaro usefile.”

Ngesikhathi uJesu efika eBhethani, uLazaro wayeselamalanga amane engcwatshiwe. Kwakulabantu abanengi ababezoduduza uMariya loMatha. UMatha wagijima wayahlangabeza uJesu ngesikhathi esizwa ukuthi usefikile. Wathi kuye: “Nkosi, aluba ubukhona ngabe umfowethu kafanga.” UJesu wathi kuye: ‘Umnewenu uzavuka, uyakukholwa yini lokhu?’ Yena waphendula wathi: ‘Ngiyakwazi ukuthi uzavuka nxa sokuvuswa abafileyo.’ UJesu wathi: “Mina ngiyikuvuka kwabafileyo lokuphila.”

UMatha waya kuMariya wamnyenyezela wathi: ‘UJesu usefikile.’ UMariya wagijima waya kuJesu njalo abantu bamlandela. Waguqa phambi kwakhe waqhubeka ekhala. Wathi: ‘Nkosi, aluba ubulapha ngabe umfowethu kafanga.’ UJesu wabona ukuthi wayesizwa ubuhlungu laye waqalisa ukukhala. Abantu bathi bekubona lokhu bathi: “Liyabona ukuthi ubemthanda njani!” Kodwa abanye bazibuza bathi: ‘Kanti wehluleke njani ukwenza ukuthi uLazaro angafi?’ Ake sibone ukuthi uJesu wenzani.

UJesu waya engcwabeni likaLazaro elalilubhalu njalo livalwe ngelitshe elikhulu. Wathi: ‘Lisuseni ilitshe.’ UMatha waphendula wathi: “Kumele ukuthi usenuka ngoba sekungamalanga amane.” Lanxa kunjalo balisusa ilitshe, uJesu wasekhuleka esithi: “Baba, ngiyabonga ukuthi ungizwile. Bengikwazi sibili ukuthi uhlala ungizwa. Kodwa ngikhulume ngenxa yabantu abalapha ukuze bakholwe ukuthi ungithumile.” Wasememeza ngelizwi elikhulu wathi: “Lazaro phuma!” Kwenzakala isimanga: ULazaro waphuma engcwabeni ethandelwe ngamalembu. UJesu wasesithi: “Mthukululeni limyekele ahambe.”

Abanengi ababona lokhu bakholwa kuJesu. Kodwa abanye bahamba bayatshela abaFarisi. Kusukela lapho abaFarisi basebefuna ukubabulala bobabili uJesu loLazaro. Omunye wabaphostoli okuthiwa nguJudasi Iskariyothi waya kubaFarisi wababuza wathi: ‘Nxa ngingalincedisa ukuthi libambe uJesu lizanginika malini?’ AbaFarisi bathi bazamnika izinhlamvu zesiliva ezingu-30. Kusukela khonapho uJudasi wahle waqalisa ukudinga ithuba lokuthengisa uJesu kubaFarisi.

AmaJuda ayesenza iPhasika minyaka yonke mhlaka 14 ngenyanga kaNisani. Lokhu kwakubakhumbuza indlela uJehova ayebakhulule ngayo ebugqilini eGibhithe wabasa eLizweni Lesithembiso. Ngomnyaka ka-33 C.E., uJesu labaphostoli bakhe benza iPhasika endlini ephezulu eJerusalema. Sebeqedile ukudla, uJesu wathi: ‘Omunye wenu uzanginikela.’ Abaphostoli bamangala bambuza bathi: ‘Ngubani?’ UJesu wathi: ‘Ngulowo engizamupha ucezu lolu lwesinkwa.’ Eqeda ukutsho njalo, wapha uJudasi Iskariyothi ucezu lwesinkwa. UJudasi wahle wasukuma wahamba.

UJesu wasethandaza, wahlephula isinkwa wasinika abaphostoli bakhe. Wathi: ‘Dlanini isinkwa lesi. Simela umzimba wami engizawunikela ngenxa yenu.’ Waphinda wathandaza, wasebanika iwayini. Wathi: ‘Nathani iwayini leli. Limela igazi lami engizalinikela ukuze izono zithethelelwe. Kwenzeni lokhu minyaka yonke lingikhumbula. Ngiyalithembisa ukuthi lizabusa lami ezulwini.’ Lalamuhla abalandeli bakaJesu bayabuthana kanye ngomnyaka ngelanga lelo ntambama. Umbuthano lowo kuthiwa yiSidlo SeNkosi Sakusihlwa.

Sebeqedile ukudla abaphostoli baphikisana ngokuthi ngubani oqakathekileyo phakathi kwabo. Kodwa uJesu wabatshela wathi: ‘Omkhulu phakathi kwenu ngulowo ozibona emncane kulani lonke.

‘Lingabangane bami. Ngilitshela konke uBaba afuna ngilitshele khona. Sekuseduze ukuthi ngiye kuBaba ezulwini. Lina lizasala futhi abantu bazakwazi ukuthi lingabafundi bami ngendlela eliyabe lithandana ngayo. Kumele lithandane njengoba lami ngilithanda.’

Ekucineni uJesu wakhuleka ecela uJehova ukuthi avikele bonke abafundi bakhe. Wacela uJehova ukuthi abancede bazwanane. Wakhulekela ukuthi ibizo likaJehova likhazinyuliswe. UJesu labaphostoli bakhe basebehlabela bedumisa uJehova. Ngemva kwalokho baphuma bahamba. Isikhathi sokuthi uJesu abotshwe sasesifikile.

UJesu labaphostoli bachapha iSigodi seKhidroni baya eNtabeni yama-Oliva. Kwakuphakathi laphakathi kobusuku njalo mhlalokho inyanga yayigcwele. Bathi befika endaweni okuthiwa yiGetsemane uJesu wathi kubo: ‘Hlalani lapha lilinde.’ UJesu wahamba ibanganyana waseguqa. Wakhuleka kuJehova ekhathazeke kakhulu wathi: “Kayenziwe intando yakho.” UJehova wasethuma ingilosi yafika yamqinisa. Ngesikhathi uJesu ebuyela kubaphostoli wathola sebelele. Wathi kubo: ‘Vukani! Lesi ayisiso sikhathi sokulala. Sesifikile isikhathi sokuthi nginikelwe ezitheni zami.’

Esakhuluma uJudasi wathutsha ekhokhele ixuku elalithwele izinkemba lezinduku. Wayekwazi ukuthi uzamthola ngaphi uJesu ngoba babejayele ukuza endaweni leyo. UJudasi wayetshele amasotsha ukuthi uzawatshengisa uJesu. Waqonda kuJesu wafika wathi kuye: ‘Sabona Mfundisi,’ wasemqabuza. UJesu wathi: ‘Judasi, unginikela ngokungiqabuza?’

UJesu wasesiya phambidlana wabuza ixuku wathi: “Lifuna bani?” Bathi: “UJesu waseNazaretha.” UJesu wabaphendula wathi: “Nginguye,” amadoda lawo ayezombopha asetshedela emuva awela phansi. UJesu waphinda wabuza wathi: “Lifuna bani?” Bona bathi: “UJesu waseNazaretha.” UJesu wasesithi kubo: ‘Ngilitshelile ukuthi nginguye. Yekelani laba bahambe.’

UPhetro wathi ebona okwakusenzakala wahwatsha inkemba waquma indlebe kaMalikhusi inceku yomphristi omkhulu. Kodwa uJesu wabamba indlebe yendoda le wayisilisa. Wasesithi kuPhetro: ‘Buyisela inkemba yakho. Nxa usilwa ngenkemba, uzabulawa ngenkemba.’ Amasotsha abamba uJesu ambopha izandla, abaphostoli basebebaleka. Yikho bamthatha uJesu bamusa ku-Anasi umphristi okhokhelayo. U-Anasi wabuza uJesu imibuzo wasemusa endlini yomphristi omkhulu uKhayifasi. Kodwa kwenzakalani kubaphostoli?

Ngesikhathi uJesu elabaphostoli bakhe endlini ephezulu, wabatshela wathi: ‘Ngabona lobu busuku lonke lizabaleka lingitshiye.’ UPhetro waphendula wathi: ‘Lanxa bonke abanye bengakutshiya, mina kangisoze ngikutshiye.’ Kodwa uJesu wathi kuPhetro: ‘Iqhude lingakakhali, uzangiphika kathathu usithi kawungazi.’

Kwathi lapho amasotsha ehambisa uJesu endlini kaKhayifasi, inengi labaphostoli labaleka. Kodwa kulababili abalandela ixuku elathatha uJesu. Omunye wabo kwakunguPhetro. Wangena egumeni lomuzi kaKhayifasi wafika wotha umlilo. Wasebonwa yintombazana eyayisebenza khonapho yathi kuye: ‘Wena ngiyakwazi! Ungumngane kaJesu!’

UPhetro waphika esithi: ‘Hatshi! Angikwazi lokho okhuluma ngakho!’ Nango esuka eqonda egedini. Eyinye incekukazi yambona yasitshela abantu ababekhonapho yathi: ‘Indoda le yayiloJesu!’ UPhetro wathi: ‘Angimazi uJesu!’ Eyinye indoda layo yathi: ‘Wena ungomunye wabo. Ngizwa lendlela okhuluma ngayo ukuthi ungoweGalile njengoJesu.’ Kodwa uPhetro waphika esithi: ‘Angimazi mina!’

Khonokho nje, iqhude lakhala. UPhetro wabona uJesu ethalaza emkhangela. Wahle wakhumbula amazwi kaJesu, waphuma phandle wakhala kabuhlungu.

Kusenjalo, abadala labaphristi abakhulu kanye lababhali bahlangana emzini kaKhayifasi bezothonisisa uJesu. Babevele befuna ukumbulala, okwasekusele yikuthola isizatho sokuthi bambulale. Kodwa basiswela. Ekucineni uKhayifasi wabuza uJesu wathi: ‘UyiNdodana kaNkulunkulu yini?’ UJesu wathi kuye: ‘Ye.’ UKhayifasi wasesithi: ‘Kasisabafuni abanye abantu abangafakaza. Ukhulume into embi kakhulu!’ Bonke ababelapho bathi: ‘Indoda le kufanele ibulawe.’ Batshaya uJesu ngamampama langenqindi, bamkhafulela. Bamvala amehlo bathi kuye: ‘Nxa ungumphrofethi sitshele ukuthi ngubani okutshayileyo!’

Ekuseni abaphristi abakhulu labangane babo bathatha uJesu bamusa ewolu ababehlangana kuyo baphinda bambuza bathi: ‘UyiNdodana kaNkulunkulu yini?’ UJesu waphendula wathi: ‘Kunjengoba lisitsho.’ Bathi ulecala lokukhuluma kubi ngoNkulunkulu basebemusa endlini kaPhontiyu Philathu ugavena owayengumRoma. Kwasekusenzakalani? Ake sibone.

Abaphristi bahambisa uJesu emzini umbusi uPhilathu. UPhilathu wababuza wathi: ‘Lithi umuntu lo wenzeni?’ Bathi: ‘Uthi yena uyinkosi.’ UPhilathu wabuza uJesu wathi: ‘UyiNkosi yamaJuda yini?’ UJesu waphendula wathi: “UMbuso wami kayisiwo walo umhlaba.”

UPhilathu wathi uJesu kahanjiswe kuHerodi owayebusa eGalile ukuze laye amthonisise. UHerodi katholanga lutho olubi kuJesu yikho wambuyisela kuPhilathu. UPhilathu wasetshela abantu wathi: ‘Mina loHerodi asitholi cala emuntwini lo. Yikho ngizamkhulula.’ Ixuku lamemeza lisithi: ‘Kabulawe! Kabulawe!’ Amasotsha atshaya uJesu ngomchilo, amkhafulela njalo amtshaya langenqindi. Beluka umqhele ngameva bawufaka ekhanda lakhe basebemhoza besithi: ‘Siyakubingelela, wena Nkosi yamaJuda.’ UPhilathu waphinda watshela ixuku wathi: ‘Angitholi cala endodeni le.’ Ixuku lamemeza lisithi: “Mbethele!” UPhilathu wavuma ukuthi abulawe.

Bahamba loJesu endaweni okuthiwa yiGoligotha bafika bambethela esigodweni basebesimisa. UJesu wakhuleka wathi: ‘Baba, baxolele ngoba abakwazi abakwenzayo.’ Abantu bamhleka besithi: ‘Nxa uyiNdodana kaNkulunkulu yehla esigodweni leso. Zisindise.’

Esinye isigebenga esasibethelwe eceleni kwakhe sathi: “Ungikhumbule nxa ungafika embusweni.” UJesu wamthembisa wathi: ‘Uzakuba lami ePharadayisi.’ Mhlalokho emini kwaba mnyama yonke indawo okwamahora amathathu. Abanye abafundi bama eduze lalapho uJesu ayebethelwe khona, loMariya umama kaJesu wayekhonapho. UJesu watshela uJohane ukuthi anakekele uMariya ngendlela ayenganakekela ngayo unina.

Ekucineni uJesu wathi: ‘Kufeziwe.’ Wakhothamisa ikhanda wasesifa. Esanda kufa, kwaba lokuzamazama komhlaba okukhulu. Ikhetheni elehlukanisa iNgcwele leNgcwelengcwele ethempelini ladabuka phakathi. Induna yamasotsha yathi: ‘Lo ube yiNdodana kaNkulunkulu.’

UJesu esefile indoda enothileyo okuthiwa nguJosefa yahamba kuPhilathu yacela ukwethula isidumbu sikaJesu. UJosefa wagcoba isidumbu sikaJesu ngamafutha anukelelayo njalo wasigoqela ngelembu elenziwe ngelineni wasesiyamngcwaba ethuneni elalingakaze lisebenze. Wagiqa ilitshe elikhulu wavala ngalo ithuna. Abaphristi abakhulu bathi kuPhilathu: ‘Siyesaba ukuthi abanye abafundi bakaJesu bangatshontsha isidumbu sakhe besebesithi uvukile.’ Yikho uPhilathu wathi kubo: ‘Hambani liyelinda ithuna ukuze kungangeni muntu.’

Ngemva kwamalanga amathathu, abanye abesifazana bavuka ekuseni kakhulu baya ethuneni. Bathola ilitshe ligiqiwe lasuswa ethuneni. Bathi bengena kulo bathola ingilosi yabatshela yathi: ‘Lingesabi. UJesu usevusiwe. Hambani liyetshela abafundi bakhe ukuthi bayehlangana laye eGalile.’

UMariya Magadalena wagijima wayadinga uPhetro loJohane. Wabatshela wathi: ‘Kulomuntu othethe isidumbu sikaJesu.’ UPhetro loJohane bagijima baya ethuneni. Bathi bebona ukuthi ithuna alilalutho babuyela emizini yabo.

UMariya wathi esebuyele ethuneni wabona izingilosi ezimbili wathi kuzo: ‘Angazi ukuthi iNkosi yami bayibeke ngaphi.’ Wasebona eyinye indoda wacabanga ukuthi ingumnikazi wensimu, wathi kuyo: ‘Mnumzana, ngicela ungitshele ukuthi umuse ngaphi.’ Kodwa lapho indoda leyo isithi “Mariya,” wahle wabona ukuthi nguJesu. Wamemeza wathi: ‘Mfundisi!’ wasembamba. UJesu wathi kuye: ‘Hamba uyetshela abafowethu ukuthi ungibonile.’ UMariya wahle wagijima wayatshela abafundi ukuthi ubone uJesu.

Ngalelolanga emini abafundi ababili basuka eJerusalema baqonda e-Emawusi. Besendleleni kwathutsha indoda yabambisana labo indlela yasibabuza ukuthi baxoxa ngani. Bathi: ‘Kanti awuzwanga ukuthi ezinsukwini ezintathu ezidlulileyo abaphristi abakhulu babulele uJesu? Kodwa khathesi abanye abesifazana bathi uvukile.’ Indoda leyo yasibabuza yathi: ‘Kanti alikukholwa okwatshiwo ngabaphrofethi? Angithi bathi uKhristu kumele afe aphinde avuswe.’ Indoda leyo yasiqhubeka ibachasisela iMibhalo. Bathi sebefikile e-Emawusi abafundi bacela indoda leyo ukuthi ihlale labo. Bathi besidla ukudla kwantambama yathandazela isinkwa basebenanzelela ukuthi nguJesu, wasenyamalala.

Abafundi ababili bathi lothu babuyela eJerusalema baqonda endlini eyayilabaphostoli bafika babatshela konke okwakwenzakele. Besendlini leyo uJesu wama phakathi kwabo. Baqala bengakholwa ukuthi nguJesu sibili. Yena wathi kubo: ‘Khangelani izandla zami; ngithintani. Phela kwalotshwa ukuthi uKhristu uzavuka.’

Kwathi sekudlule isikhathi uJesu ebonakele kubaphostoli bakhe, uPhetro wasuka wayagola inhlanzi elwandle lwaseGalile. UTomasi, loJakhobe loJohane labanye abafundi bahamba laye. Kodwa ubusuku bonke abazange babambe lutho.

Ekuseni kakhulu babona indoda imi eceleni kolwandle. Indoda le yabamemeza yathi: ‘Zikhona yini inhlanzi elizibambileyo?’ Baphendula bathi: “Hatshi!” Yona yasisithi: ‘Phosani umambule wenu ngakwesokudla kwesikepe.’ Lakanye benza njalo babamba inhlanzi ezinengi kakhulu baze behluleka lokudonsela umambule esikepeni. UJohane wahle wananzelela ukuthi indoda le kwakunguJesu, wasesithi: “YiNkosi!” UPhetro wathi esizwa lokho wahle weqela emanzini wabhukutsha esiya ekhunjini. Abanye abafundi balandela ngesikepe.

Bathi befika kuJesu bamthola epheka inhlanzi lesinkwa emlilweni. Wabatshela ukuthi balethe ezinye inhlanzi ukuze babe lokudla okunengi. Wasesithi kubo: ‘Wozani lizokudla.’

Sebeqedile ukudla, uJesu wabuza uPhetro wathi: ‘Uyangithanda yini ukwedlula ukugola inhlanzi?’ Yena waphendula wathi: ‘Yebo, Nkosi, uyakwazi ukuthi ngiyakuthanda.’ UJesu wathi: ‘Phana amazinyane ami ukudla.’ UJesu waphinda wathi: ‘Phetro uyangithanda yini?’ UPhetro wathi: ‘Nkosi, uyakwazi ukuthi ngiyakuthanda.’ UJesu wathi: ‘Yelusa izimvu zami.’ Waphinda njalo wambuza okwesithathu. UPhetro wadana kakhulu, wasesithi kuye: ‘Nkosi, uyazazi zonke izinto. Uyakwazi ukuthi ngiyakuthanda.’ UJesu wathi: ‘Phana izimvu zami ukudla.’ Wasetshela uPhetro wathi: ‘Qhubeka ungilandela.’

UJesu waba lomhlangano labalandeli bakhe eGalile. Wabapha umlayo oqakathekileyo othi: ‘Hambani lenze abafundi ezizweni zonke. Libafundise konke engilifundise khona futhi libabhabhathize.’ Wasebathembisa wathi: ‘Khumbulani, ngizaba lani kuze kube sekucineni kwesikhathi.’

Phakathi kwamalanga angu-40 evusiwe, uJesu wabonakala kubafundi bakhe abanengi eGalile laseJerusalema. Wabafundisa izinto eziqakathekileyo futhi wenza lezimangaliso ezinengi. UJesu waphinda waba lomhlangano wokucina labaphostoli bakhe eNtabeni yama-Oliva. Wabatshela wathi: ‘Lingasuki eJerusalema. Qhubekani lilindele lokho uBaba akuthembisayo.’

Abaphostoli bakhe kabazwisisanga ukuthi wayesitshoni. Yikho bambuza besithi: ‘Usuzakuba yiNkosi yako-Israyeli yini?’ UJesu wathi: ‘Asikafiki isikhathi sokuthi uJehova angibeke ukuba yiNkosi. Kodwa lina lizakwamukela umoya ongcwele futhi lizakuba ngofakazi bami. Hambani liyetshumayela eJerusalema, eJudiya, eSamariya, lasezindaweni ezikhatshana zomhlaba.’

UJesu wasephakanyiselwa esibhakabhakeni futhi iyezi lamvala. Abafundi bakhe babelokhu bekhangele phezulu kodwa wayesehambile.

Abafundi basebesuka eNtabeni yama-Oliva baya eJerusalema. Babehlala behlangana ukuze bakhuleke ndawonye. Babelindele ukuthi uJesu abacacisele lokho okwakumele bakwenze.