Nakasuka eJerusalema ngoMvulo ntambama, uJesu ubuyela eBhethaniya engemkhuphukelweni ongepumalanga yeNtaba yama-Oliva. Kungenzeka ulala ekhabo labangani bakhe uLazaru, uMariya noMarta.

Nje kusekuseni ngoNisan 11. UJesu nabafundi bakhe basendleleni godu, babuyela eJerusalema begodu namhlanjesi lilanga lakhe lamaswaphela asethempelini. Godu lilanga lakhe lokugcina asebenza tjhatjhalazi ngaphambi kokuthi agidinge iPhasika, ahlome isiKhumbuzo sokufa kwakhe, kudenjwe umlandu aphoswe wona ngemva kwalokho abulawe.

Nabasendleleni esuka eBhethaniya eNtabeni yama-Oliva baya eJerusalema, uPitrosi ubona umuthi loya uJesu awuqalekise ngayizolo. Uyarareka, uthi: “Rabi, qala! Umuthi wamafeyi loya owuqalekisileko utjhwabile.”—Markosi 11:21.   

Kubayini uJesu atjhwabise umuthi lo? Uveza ibanga lakhe lokuwutjhwabisa, uthi: “Ngiqinisile ngithi kini, nangabe niyakholwa begodu aninakuzaza, angekhe nenze kwaphela engikwenze emthini wamafeyi, kodwana ngitjho nanyana ningathi entabeni le, ‘Suka lapha uphoseke ngelwandle,’ kuzokwenzeka. Ngalokho zoke izinto enizibawa ngomthandazo, nanikholwako, nizozifumana.” (Matewu 21:21, 22) Ngalokho ubuyelela iphuzu akhewalitjho ngaphambilini malungana nokuthi ukukholwa kungakghona ukutjhidisa intaba.—Matewu 17:20.

Nje-ke, ngokutjhwabisa umuthi, uJesu uveza isifundo sokuthi kuqakathekile ukukholwa kuZimu. Uthi: “Zoke izinto enizithandazelako nenizibawako, yibani nekholo lokuthi senizamukele, nizozifumana.” (Markosi 11:24) Lesi sifundo esiqakathekileko kibo boke abalandeli bakaJesu! Sifundo esiqakathekileko khulukhulu nakuqalwa iinlingo abapostoli abazokuqalana nazo ingasikade. Kodwana kunokhunye ukuhlobana okukhona hlangana nokutjhwaba komuthi wamafeyi nezinga lokukholwa.

Isitjhaba sakwa-Israyeli sinjengomuthi wamafeyi lo, asisingilokho esibonakala singikho ngaphandle. Abantu besitjhabesi banesivumelwano noZimu begodu ngaphandle babonakala bawulalela umThethwakhe. Kodwana isitjhabesi sitjengise bona asikholwa, asinazo neenthelo ezihle. Khenge siyamukele ngitjho neNdodana kaZimu. Nje-ke, ngokwenza bona umuthi wamafeyi utjhwabe, uJesu utjengisa ukuthi sizokuba njani isiphetho ngesitjhaba esingatheliko nesingakholwakwesi.

Msinyana uJesu nabafundi bakhe bangena eJerusalema. Njengombana ajayele ukwenza, utjhinga ethempelini begodu uthoma ukufundisa. Abaphristi abakhulu nabadala kungenzeka bakhumbula lokho uJesu akwenze ngayizolo ebantwini abatjhentjha imali, yeke bayambuza bathi: “Uzenza ngamaphi amandla izintwezi? Namkha ngubani okunikele amandla wokwenza izintwezi?”—Markosi 11:28.

UJesu uphendula ngokuthi: “Ngizonibuza umbuzo munye tere. Ngiphendulani, nami ngizonitjela ukuthi ngizenza ngamaphi amandla izintwezi. Ibhabhadiso lakaJwanisi belivela ezulwini namkha ebantwini? Ngiphendulani.” Nje-ke abaphikisi bakaJesu ngibo abaqalene nombuzo ovela kuye. Bathoma ukubonisana bodwa, bathi: “Nasingathi, ‘Ezulwini,’ uzokuthi, ‘Kubayini-ke, ningakhenge nimkholwe?’ Kodwana nasingathi, ‘Ebantwini,’ kuzokwenzekani kithi?” Baphendulana bodwa ngendlela le ngombana basaba isiqubuthu, “ngombana soke besiqala uJwanisi njengomphorofidi.”—Markosi 11:29-32.

Labo abaphikisa uJesu bayabhalelwa kunikela ipendulo ezwakalako. Nje-ke bathi kuye: “Asazi.” UJesu uthi kibo: “Nami-ke angekhe nginitjele ukuthi ngizenza ngamaphi amandla izintwezi.”—Markosi 11:33.

UJesu usethempelini, usand’ ukurara abaphristi abakhulu nabadala, ebebambuza ukuthi uzenza ngamandla kabani izintwezi. Ipendulo kaJesu ibavala umlomo. Ngemva kwalokho ubenzela umfanekiso obembulako ukuthi bababantu abanjani.

UJesu uthi: “Indoda ethileko beyinabantwana ababili. Yaya kewokuthoma, yathi, ‘Mntwanami, khamba uyokusebenza esimini yamadiribe namhlanjesi.’ Waphendula wathi, ‘Angifuni,’ kodwana ngemva kwesikhathi, wazisola wakhamba. Waya kowesibili, wamtjela okufanako. Waphendula wathi, ‘Ngizokuya Baba,’ kodwana akhenge aye. Ngimuphi phakathi kwababilaba owenze intando kayise?” (Matewu 21:28-31) Ipendulo isepepeneneni, indodana yokuthoma ngiyo eyenze intando kayise.

Nje-ke, uJesu uthi ebaphikisini bakhe: “Ngiqinisile ngithi kini abathelisi neengwadla bazokungena ngaphambi kwenu emBusweni kaZimu.” Abathelisi neengwadla ekuthomeni abavumi ukulotjha uZimu. Kodwana njengendodana yokuthoma, ngokukhamba kwesikhathi bayatjhuguluka, bamlotjhe. Abadosiphambili bezekolo banjengendodana yesibili, bayavuma ukuthi bazomlotjha uZimu kodwana babhalelwa kukwenza njalo. UJesu uthi kibo: “UJwanisi [uMbhabhadisi] weza kini ngendlela yokulunga, kodwana akhenge nimkholwe. Nokho, abathelisi neengwadla bamkholwa, begodu nanyana nikubona lokho, akhenge nizisole bona nikholelwe kuye.”—Matewu 21:31, 32.

UJesu wenza omunye umfanekiso. Emfanekisweni lo, utjengisa ukuthi ukubhalelwa kwabadosiphambili bezekolo kungaphezu kokuliselela ukulotjha uZimu. Kuhlekuhle babantu abambi. UJesu uthi: “Indoda ethileko yatjala isimu yamadiribe yakha umthangala magega nayo, yemba umgodi wokutlhodlhela iwayini yakha nesithala; yayiqatjhisela abalimi yona yakhamba yaya enarheni ekude. Ngesikhathi sokuvunwa kwamadiribe, yathumela isisebenzi kubalimi bona siyomthathela isihlephulelo sakhe sesivuno. Kodwana basibamba, basidula, basibuyisela emuva singakaphathi litho. Godu yathumela esinye isisebenzi kibo, leso basilimaza ehloko bebasihlambalaza. Yathumela esinye, sona basibulala, yathumela nezinye ezinengi, ezinye bazibetha begodu ezinye bazibulala.”—Markosi 12:1-5.

Kghani abantu abalalele uJesu bazowuzwisisa umfanekiso lo? Kungenzeka bakhumbula amezwi ka-Isaya wokusola, athi: “Isidiribe sakaSomnini uMninimandlawoke siyindlu ka-Israyeli, nabantu bakwaJuda basitjalo sakhe esikhethekileko. Walindela ubulungiswa, kodwana qala, kwaba kukwephulwa komthetho.” (Isaya 5:7) NoJesu wenza umfanekiso ofanako. Umnininarha nguJehova, isimu yamadiribe sitjhaba sakwa-Israyeli, esikantjelwe begodu savikelwa mThetho kaZimu. UJehova wathumela abaphorofidi bona bafundise begodu basize abantu bakhe baveze iinthelo ezihle.

Nokho, ‘abalimi’ baziphatha kumbi “iinsebenzi” ezathunyelwa kibo. UJesu uyahlathulula, uthi: “Yathumela indodanayo ethandekako kubalimi ithi, ‘Bazoyihlonipha indodanami.’ Kodwana abalimabo barera babodwa bathi, ‘Le yindlalifa. Yizani siyibulale, sithathe ilifa layo libe ngelethu.’ Ngalokho bayibamba bayibulala.”—Markosi 12:6-8.

Nje-ke uJesu uyababuza: “Umninisimu yamadiribe uzokwenzani?” (Markosi 12:9) Abadosiphambili bezekolo bayamphendula, bathi: “Uzobabhubhisa kabuhlungu ngombana bakhohlakele, bese aqatjhisele isimakhe yamadiribe kwabanye abalimi abazomnikela iinthelo nazivuthwako.”—Matewu 21:41.

Ngokutjho njalo bazahlulela bona bangazi, ngombana baphakathi ‘kwabalimi’ ‘besimu yamadiribe’ kaJehova, okusitjhaba sakwa-Israyeli. Iinthelo uJehova alindele ukuzifumana kubalimabo zihlanganisa ukukholwa eNdodanenakhe, enguMesiya. UJesu uqala abadosiphambili bezekolo emehlweni, uthi: “Akhenge khenifunde na umtlolo lo othi: ‘Ilitje abakhi abalininako, libe lilitje eliqakatheke ukuwadlula woke. Livela kuJehova begodu liyakarisa emehlwenethu’?” (Markosi 12:10, 11) Nje-ke uJesu ukhanyisa iphuzu lakhe, uthi: “Kungebangelo ngithi kini, umBuso kaZimu uzokuthathwa kini, unikelwe isitjhaba esithela iinthelo zawo.”—Matewu 21:43.

Abatloli nabaphristi abakhulu bayalemuka ukuthi uJesu “ukhuluma ngabo emfanekisweni lo.” (Lukasi 20:19) Nje-ke bafuna khulu ukumbulala ukudlula phambilini, njengombana ‘ayindlalifa.’ Kodwana basaba iinqubuthu ngombana zikholelwa ukuthi uJesu mphorofidi, yeke abalingi ukumbulala khonokho.

Njengombana umsebenzi kaJesu wokutjhumayela uya ngekupheleni, uraga nokusebenzisa imifanekiso bona embule abatloli nabaphristi abakhulu. Kungebangelo bafuna ukumbulala. (Lukasi 20:19) Kodwana uJesu akakaqedi ngabo. Wenza omunye umfanekiso, uthi:

“UmBuso wezulu ungafaniswa nekosi eyenzela indodanayo umnyanya womtjhado. Yathumela iinsebenzi zayo bona zibize labo abamenywe emtjhadweni, kodwana babhala ukuza.” (Matewu 22:2, 3) UJesu wethula umfanekiswakhe ngamezwi athi “umBuso wezulu.” Kuyazwisiseka ukuthi ‘ikosi’ le nguJehova uZimu. Alo, indodana yekosi nalabo abamenywe emnyanyeni womtjhado bobani? Nalapha kulula ukubona ukuthi indodana yekosi, yiNdodana kaJehova eyenza umfanekiso lo begodu labo abamenyiweko ngilabo abazokuba neNdodana emBusweni wezulu.

Bobani abamenywa kokuthoma? Kanti bobani uJesu nabapostoli bakhe ebebabatjhumayeza ngomBuso? Bebatjhumayeza amaJuda. (Matewu 10:6, 7; 15:24) Isitjhabesi samukela umThetho wesivumelwano ngomnyaka ka-1513, ngalokho baba ngebokuthoma ukuba “mbuso wabaphristi.” (Eksodusi 19:5-8) Kodwana bebazokubizwa nini ‘emnyanyeni womtjhado’? Isimemweso saphuma ngomnyaka ka-29 lokha uJesu nakathoma ukutjhumayela ngomBuso wezulu.

Ama-Israyeli amanengi asamukela njani isimemwesi? Njengombana uJesu atjho, ‘abhala ukuza.’ Abanengi babadosiphambili bezekolo nabantu akhenge bamukele ukuthi unguMesiya nokuthi yiKosi ebekwe nguZimu.

Nokho uJesu uveza ukuthi amaJuda bekazokufumana elinye ithuba, uthi: [Ikosi] “yathumela ezinye iinsebenzi zayo, yathi, ‘Tjelani labo abamenyiweko nithi: “Ukudla sekulungile, iinkunzi neenlwana zami ezinonisiweko sezihlatjiwe, koke sekulungile. Yenize emnyanyeni.”’ Kodwana akhenge bazithathele ehloko, bazikhambela, omunye waziyela esiminakhe, omunye erhwebeni lakhe; abanye babopha iinsebenzi zayo, baziphatha kumbi bebazibulala.” (Matewu 22:4-6) Lokho kukhambisana nalokho ebekuzokwenzeka nakuthonywa ibandla lobuKrestu. Ngesikhatheso, amaJuda bekasese nethuba lokuba semBusweni kodwana amanengi wawo asala isimemo, atlhorisa ngitjho ‘neensebenzi zekosi.’—IzEnzo 4:13-18; 7:54, 58.

Waba yini umphumela ngesitjhabesi? UJesu uthi: “Ikosi yasilingeka yathumela amabuthwayo ukuthi abulale ababulalabo, atjhise nedorobho labo.” (Matewu 22:7) Lokho kwenzeka esitjhabeni samaJuda ngomnyaka ka-70, lokha amaRoma nakatjhabalalisa ‘idorobho lawo,’ iJerusalema.

Kghani ukwala kwawo isimemo sekosi kutjho ukuthi abasekho abanye ebebazokumenywa? Awa, ingasi ngokuya ngomfanekiso kaJesu. Uraga uthi: [Ikosi] “yathi eensebenzini zayo, ‘Umnyanya womtjhado sewulungile, kodwana egade bamenyiwe bebangafaneleki. Yeke, khambani niye eendleleni ezikulu zedorobho, nimeme nanyana ngubani enimfumanako bona eze emtjhadweni.’ Iinsebenzezo zaya eendleleni zabuthelela boke abantu ezibafumanako, abalungileko nabangakalungi; ikumba ebekubanjelwe kiyo umnyanya womtjhado yazala swi iimvakatjhi.”—Matewu 22:8-10.

Isimemwesi besizokuphuma ngokukhamba kwesikhathi lokha umpostoli uPitrosi nakathoma ukusiza abantu abangasimaJuda—labo babantu ebebangasimaJuda ngokubelethwa godu ebebangakaphendukeli ebuJudeni—bona babe maKrestu weqiniso. Ngomnyaka ka-36, isikhulu samabutho weRoma uKorneliyasi nomndenakhe bafumana ummoya kaZimu, baba sethubeni lokufumana indawo emBusweni wezulu uJesu akhuluma ngawo.—IzEnzo 10:1, 34-48.

UJesu uveza ukuthi akusingibo boke abeza emnyanyeni abazokwamukeleka ‘ekosini.’ Uthi: “Ikosi nayifikako izokuhlola iimvakatjhi, yabona indoda engakambathi isambatho somtjhado. Yathi kiyo, ‘Mfo, ungene njani la ungakambathi isambatho somtjhado?’ Yabhalelwa kuphendula. Ikosi yathi eensebenzini zayo, ‘Ibopheni izandla neenyawo niyiphosele ngaphandle ebumnyameni. Lapho ukulila nokuqinisa amazinywayo kuzoba khona.’ Ngombana banengi abamenyiweko, kodwana bambalwa abakhethiweko.”—Matewu 22:11-14.

Kungenzeka bona abadosiphambili bezekolo abalalele uJesu abazwisisi ukuthi utjho ukuthini. Nanyana kunjalo, abakathabi begodu bazimisele khulu kunangaphambilini ngokubulala uJesu.

Amanaba kaJesu wezekolo asilingekile. Uqeda ukwenza imifanekiso ebaveza ukuthi bababantu abambi kangangani. Nje-ke abaFarisi bayahlangana, baluka amano wokumbamba. Balinga ukumenza akhulume okuthileko okuzomenza abanjwe mbusi weRoma, begodu babhadela nabanye babafundi babo bona bambambe.—Lukasi 6:7.

Bathi kuye: “Mfundisi, siyazi ukuthi ukhuluma begodu ufundisa kuhle, awukhethi, kodwana ufundisa indlela kaZimu ngeqiniso: Kulungile na ngathi bona sibhadele umthelo kuKhesari namkha awa?” (Lukasi 20:21, 22) UJesu akathengwa mamezwabo wokumtshima la, ngombana uyazi ukuthi kuhlekuhle babazenzisi begodu bamaqili. Nakangathi, ‘Awa, akukafaneli ukubhadela umthelo,’ angabekwa umlandu wokuvukela umbuso weRoma. Kodwana nakangathi, ‘Iye, kufanele ukubhadela umthelo,’ abantu abangafuni ukubuswa mbuso weRoma nokulalela imithethwawo, bangamhlanukela uJesu. Alo, ubaphendula uthini?

UJesu ubaphendula uthi: “Ningilingelani nina bazenzisi? Ngitjengisani imali yomthelo.” Bamnikela udenariyu. Uthi kibo: “Ngewakabani umfanekiso nomtlolo lo?” Bathi: “NgewakaKhesari.” Yeke uJesu uyabanqophisa uthi: “Nje-ke, buyiselani izinto zakaKhesari kuKhesari, kodwana izinto zakaZimu, kuZimu.”—Matewu 22:18-21.

Amadoda la ararwe mamezwi kaJesu, begodu angazi bona angamphendula athini, ayakhamba. Kodwana awapheleli lapho, awalisi namano wawo wokumbamba. Ngemva kokubhalelwa kwabaFarisi, kuza abadosiphambili besinye isiqhema sekolo kuJesu.

AbaSadusi, abathi akukho ukuvuswa kwabafileko, bamphosa ngombuzo ngendaba yokuvuka kwabafileko neyokuthi umfazi athathwe mfowabo lendodakhe. Bayambuza bathi: “Mfundisi, uMosi wathi: ‘Indoda nayingahlongakala inganabantwana, umfowabo kufuze atjhade nomkayo abelethele umfowabo abantwana.’ Nje-ke besinamadoda alikhomba abantwana bomuntu. Yokuthoma yathatha umfazi kodwana yahlongakala inganamntwana, yatjhiya umkayo kumfowabo. Kwenzeka okufanako kweyesibili nakweyesithathu bekwaba kweyekhomba. Emaswapheleni, umfazi loyo wahlongakala. Alo-ke ekuvusweni kwabafileko, kilaba abalikhomba uzokuba mkabani? Ngombana boke bebatjhade naye.”—Matewu 22:24-28.

UJesu nakabaphendulako, uqalisela emitlolweni kaMosi, njengombana nabaSadusi bayamukela, uthi: “Nitjhaphile, ngombana aniyazi imiTlolo namandla kaZimu. Ngombana nabavuswa kwabafileko, amadoda awathathi nabafazi abendiswa, kodwana banjengeengilozi ezulwini. Malungana nokuvuswa kwabafileko, anikafundi na encwadini kaMosi, endabeni yomuthi wameva, ukuthi uZimu wathi kuye: ‘NginguZimu ka-Abrahama noZimu ka-Isaka noZimu kaJakopo’? AkasinguZimu wabafileko, kodwana ungewabaphilako. Nitjhaphe khulu.” (Markosi 12:24-27; Eksodusi 3:1-6) Ipendulo kaJesu itjhiya iinqubuthu zibambe ongenzasi.

UJesu ubaval’ umlomo abaFarisi nabaSadusi, ngebanga lalokho iinqhema ezimbilezi zekolo ziyahlangana bona ziphikisane naye. Omunye umtloli uyambuza uthi: “Mfundisi, ngimuphi umyalo omkhulu kunayo yoke emThethweni?”—Matewu 22:36.

UJesu uphendula uthi: “Wokuthoma ngilo, ‘Yizwa Israyeli, uJehova uZimethu nguJehova munye, kufuze uthande uJehova uZimakho ngehliziywakho yoke nangomphefumulwakho woke nangomkhumbulwakho woke nangamandlakho woke.’ Wesibili ngilo, ‘Kufuze uthande umakhelwanakho njengombana uzithanda wena.’ Awukho omunye umyalo omkhulu kunale.”—Markosi 12:29-31.

Ngemva kokuzwa ipendulo, umtloli lo uthi: “Mfundisi, ukhulume kuhle, ngokuvumelana neqiniso, ‘UZimu munye, akakho omunye ngaphandle kwakhe’; begodu ukumthanda ngehliziywakho yoke, ngelemuko lakho loke, ngamandlakho woke nokuthanda umakhelwana njengombana umuntu azithanda yena kuqakatheke khulu ukudlula iminikelo yokutjhiswa nemihlatjelo.” UJesu nakabona ukuthi umtloli lo uphendule ngokuhlakanipha, uthi kuye: “Awusikude nomBuso kaZimu.”—Markosi 12:32-34.   

Amalanga amathathu woke (ngoNisan 9, 10, no-11) uJesu bekasolo afundisa ethempelini. Abanye abantu njengomtloli lo, bebakuthabela ukumlalela afundisa. Kodwana ingasi abadosiphambili bezekolo, ‘abangasanasibindi sokumbuza godu.’

Abaphikisi bezekolo babhalelwe kuhlazisa nokubamba uJesu bona bamkghaphele kumaRoma. (Lukasi 20:20) UJesu nakasesethempelini ngoNisan 11, ujik’ izinto, uziveza kibo. Uthoma ngokubabuza, uthi: “Nicabangani ngoKrestu? Uyindodana kabani?” (Matewu 22:42) Bamphendula bathi nguMesiya, ngombana kuyaziwa ukuthi uKrestu namkha uMesiya, uzokuvela emndenini kaDavida.—Matewu 9:27; 12:23; Jwanisi 7:42.

UJesu uyababuza: “Alo kuza njani bona uDavida ngaphasi kokuphefumulelwa mmoya ocwengileko ambiza ngokuthi yiKosi, wathi, ‘UJehova wathi eKosinami: “Hlala ngesidleni sami bekube kulapho ngibeka amanabakho ngaphasi kweenyawo zakho”’? Ngalokho-ke, uDavida nakambiza ngokuthi yiKosi, kuza njani bona abe yindodanakhe?”—Matewu 22:43-45.

AbaFarisi bayathula ngombana banethemba lokuthi isizukulwana sakaDavida, ngiso esizobatjhaphulula ekulawulweni maRoma. UJesu nakakhuluma ngamezwi kaDavida akuRhubo 110:1, 2, uhlathulula bona uMesiya uzokuba ngaphezu kombusi omumuntu. UyiKosi kaDavida, begodu uzokuthoma ukubusa ngemva kokuhlala ngesandleni sokudla sakaZimu. Ipendulo kaJesu ibaval’ umlomo abaphikisi bakhe.

Abafundi nabanye abanengi bebasolo balalele. Nje-ke uJesu ukhuluma nabo, ubayelelisa ngabatloli nabaFarisi. Amadoda la ‘azibeke esihlalweni sakaMosi’ bona afundise umThetho kaZimu. Uyala abantu abamlaleleko, uthi: “Zoke izinto abanitjela zona, zenzeni, kodwana ningenzi njengabo, ngombana bayakhuluma bangakwenzi abakutjhoko.”—Matewu 23:2, 3.

Ngemva kwalokho uJesu ubenzela iimbonelo zobuzenzisi babo, uthi: “Benza amafilakteriya wabo abe makhulu.” Amanye amaJuda athwala amabhoksana amancani la aneendinyana ezifitjhani ezivela emThethweni epandla namkha emkhonweni. AbaFarisi bayawakhulisa wabo ukwenzela bona babonakale ngasuthi bawutjhisakalela khulu umThetho. Godu benza ‘nemiphetho yezambatho zabo ibe mide.’ Ama-Israyeli bekufuze enze imiphetho ezambathweni zawo, kodwana abaFarisi benza yabo ibe mide khulu. (Numeri 15:38-40) Benza koke lokhu bona ‘babonwe babantu.’—Matewu 23:5.

Ngitjho nabafundi bakaJesu kungenzeka nabo babenaso isifiso sokuvelela, nje-ke uyabayala uthi: “Akukafaneli nibizwe ngokuthi Rabi, ngombana munye uMfundisi wenu, noke nina nibafowabo bomunye nomunye. Godu ningabizi muntu ephasini ngokuthi baba, ngombana munye uBaba wenu, ngiLoyo osezulwini. Akukafaneli nibizwe nangokuthi nibarholi, ngombana munye uMrholi wenu, uKrestu.” Alo abafundi kufuze baziphathe begodu baziqale njani? UJesu uthi kibo: “Omkhulu kini noke kufuze abe sisebenzi senu. Nanyana ngubani oziphakamisako uzokuthotjiswa, nozithobako uzokuphakanyiswa.”—Matewu 23:8-12.

UJesu utjho umlandelande wabomaye kubatloli nabaFarisi ababazenzisi, uthi: “Maye kini, batloli nabaFarisi, bazenzisi ndina! Nivalela abantu umBuso wezulu; ngombana nina aningeni, nalabo abasendleleni eya kiwo niyabavimba.”—Matewu 23:13.

UJesu ulahla abaFarisi ngokungazithatheli phezulu izinto uJehova aziqala njengeziqakathekileko, njengombana lokho kubonakala ekukhetheni abakwenzako. Ngokwesibonelo bathi: “Nangabe umuntu ufunga ngethempeli, akunandaba; kodwana nangabe ufunga ngegolide lethempeli, ubophekile bona asiphethe isifungo sakhe.” Ngokwenza kwabo njalo, batjengisa ukuba ziimphofu endleleni abaziphatha ngayo, ngombana badzimelela khulu egolideni lethempeli kunokudzimelela eqinisweni lokuthi ithempeli yindawo okulotjhelwa kiyo uJehova. ‘Baziphayela eqadi izinto eziqakatheke khulu zomThetho, okubulungiswa, umusa nokuthembeka.’—Matewu 23:16, 23; Lukasi 11:42.

UJesu ubiza abaFarisaba ngokuthi ‘barholi abaziimphofu, abakhupha unompopoloza eenselweni zabo kodwana bagomojela ikamela!’ (Matewu 23:24) Bakhupha unompopoloza ngewayinini labo ngombana ngokwesiko akakahlwengeki. Kodwana ukuphayela kwabo eqadi izinto eziqakatheke khulu zomThetho, kufana nokugomojela ikamela, nalo elingakahlwengeki ngokwesiko, begodu likhulu nalimadaniswa nonompopoloza.—Levitikusi 11:4, 21-24.

Elangeni lakhe lamaswaphela asethempelini, uJesu uragela phambili nokuveza tjhatjhalazi ubuzenzisi babatloli nabaFarisi, ubabiza ngokuthi bazenzisi. Usebenzisa isibonelo, uthi: “Nihlanza ingaphandle lekapho nesitja, kodwana ingaphakathi lazo lizele ukuba marhamaru nokuzitika. MFarisi osiphofu, thoma ngokuhlwengisa ingaphakathi lekapho nelesitja, bese nengaphandle lazo lizokuhlwengeka.” (Matewu 23:25, 26) Nanyana abaFarisi bathembekile khulukhulu nakuziwa ekuhlwengekeni kwangaphandle ngokwamasiko, abamtjheji umuntu wangaphakathi begodu babhalelwa kuhlwengisa iinhliziyo zabo ezingokomfanekiso.

Ubuzenzisi babo buyabonakala godu ekuzimiseleni kwabo ukwakha amathuna wabaphorofidi begodu bawahlobise. Kodwana njengombana uJesu atjho, ‘bamadodana walabo ababulala abaphorofidi.’ (Matewu 23:31) Bakutjengisile lokhu emizamwenabo yokubulala uJesu.—Jwanisi 5:18; 7:1, 25.

UJesu godu utjela abadosiphambili bezekolo lokho okubalindeleko nabangaphendukiko, uthi: “Nina nyoka ndina, bantwana beenyoka ezinetjhefu, nizosibalekela njani isigwebo seGehena?” (Matewu 23:33) KunoMrhoba kaHinomu osetjenziselwa ukutjhisa nokulahla iinzibi, okumfanekiso wokurhayilwa isiphelani okuzokwenzeka kubatloli nabaFarisi.

Abafundi bakaJesu bazomjamela ‘babebaphorofidi, amadoda ahlakaniphileko nabafundisi batjhatjhalazi.’ Bazokuphathwa njani? UJesu utjela abadosiphambili bezekolo, uthi: “Abanye babo [babafundi bami] nizobabulala nibaphanyeke eengodweni, abanye nibarithe emasinagogenenu begodu nibahlunguphaze ukusuka kwelinye idorobho kuya kwelinye, khona kuzobuyela phezu kwenu zoke iingazi ezilungileko eziphalazwe ephasini, kusukela eengazini zaka-Abela bekube kwezakaZakariya . . . enambulala.” Ubayelelisa uthi: “Kwamambala ngithi kini, zoke izintwezi zizokwenzeka kilesi sizukulwana.” (Matewu 23:34-36) Nangambala lokho kwenzeka ngomnyaka ka-70 lokha ibutho lamaRoma lirhayila iJerusalema litjhabalalisa neenkulungwana zamaJuda.

Ukucabanga ngobujamo obuthusakobu akumphathi kuhle uJesu. Yeke, adanile, utjho naka amezwi: “Jerusalema, Jerusalema, mbulali wabaphorofidi nomkghadlhi ngamatje walabo abathunyelwe kuwe—kunini ngifuna ukubuthelela abantwabakho njengesikhukhukazi nasibuthelela amadzinyanaso ngaphasi kwamaphikwaso! Kodwana akhenge nivume. Nje-ke, indlwenu itjhiywa nani.” (Matewu 23:37, 38) Abamlaleleko bayazibuza bonyana ngiyiphi ‘indlu’ akhuluma ngayo. Kghani kungenzeka bona ukhuluma ngethempeli eliphazimulako eliseJerusalema, leli ekubonakala ngasuthi uZimu uyalivikela?

UJesu uyaraga uthi: “Ngithi kini, angekhe nisangibona bekube kulapho nithi, ‘Ubusisiwe oza ngebizo lakaJehova!’” (Matewu 23:39) Udzubhula amezwi asiphorofido akuRhubo 118:26 athi: “Ubusisiwe ongenako ebizweni lakaSomnini. Siyanibusisa sisethempelini lakaSomnini.” Kuyakhanya ukuthi lokha nasele lirhayiliwe ithempeleli, akakho umuntu ozokuza kilo azokulotjha uZimu.

Nje uJesu utjhinga kwenye ingcenye yethempeli lapho kunamabhoksi weminikelo abumbeke njengebhorompita. Abantu bangafaka iminikelwabo kiwo. UJesu uqalile njengombana amaJuda afaka iminikelo, nabanjingileko ‘baphosela imali enengi.’ Nakasaqalileko, ubona umhlolokazi otlhagileko aphosela “iimpaparwana ezimbili zenani eliphasi khulu.” (Markosi 12:41, 42) Asizazi ukuthi uJesu uyazi bona isiphwesi simthabisa kangangani uZimu.

Ubiza abafundi bakhe uthi kibo: “Ngiqinisile ngithi kini umhlolokazi otlhagileko lo uphosele ukudlula boke abanye abaphosele imali ngemabhokisini womnikelo.” Kubayini atjho njalo? Uyahlathulula: “Ngombana boke badzubhule emnothwenabo, kodwana yena ekutlhageni kwakhe, uphosele koke anakho, nagade angaphila ngakho.” (Markosi 12:43, 44) Mbala, indlelakhe yokucabanga nezenzo zakhe zihlukile endleleni abadosiphambili bezekolo abenza ngayo!

Njengombana ilanga langoNisan 11 liraga, uJesu uyakhamba ethempelini kwamaswaphela. Omunye wabafundi bakhe uthi kuye: “Mfundisi, qala bona mahle kangangani amatje la nemakhiwo le!” (Markosi 13:1) Iye, amanye amatje akha iboda lethempeleli makhulu, aveza amandlalo begodu alenza liqine. Kuyamangaza-ke ukuthi uJesu uthi: “Uyayibona imakhiwo emikhulu le? Akunalitje elizokutjhiywa phezu kwelinye lingagirizelwa phasi.”—Markosi 13:2.

Ngemva kokutjho izintwezi, uJesu nabapostoli bakhe bayama uMrhoba weKidroni bakhuphukela eNtabeni yama-Oliva. Lokha nabasentabeni, uJesu uba nabapostoli bakhe abane—uPitrosi, u-Andrisi, uJakopo noJwanisi. Khonapho phezulu, balibona kuhle ithempeli eliphazimulako.

Kungemva kwamadina ngeLesibili, ngoNisan 11, begodu ilangeli liya ngekupheleni. Akusingilokho kwaphela okuphelako, nomsebenzi omkhulu kaJesu ephasini uya ngekupheleni. Emini ufundisa ethempelini begodu ebusuku uya eBhethaniya lapho alala khona. Abantu bebanekareko ekulu, “bebeza kuye ekuseni bona bazomlalela ethempelini.” (Lukasi 21:37, 38) Koke lokho kudlulile, nje uJesu uhlezi eNtabeni yama-Oliva nabapostoli bakhe abane—uPitrosi, u-Andrisi, uJakopo noJwanisi.

Abafundi abanaba beze kuye ngemsitheleni. Batshwenyekile ngethempeli ngombana uJesu uqeda ukubikezela ukuthi akunalitje lalo elizokutjhiywa phezu kwelinye. Nokho, kunengi okuseengqondweni zabo. Ngaphambilini uJesu bekathe kibo: “Hlalani nijame ngomumo, ngombana iNdodana yomuntu izokufika ngesikhathi eningasicabangiko.” (Lukasi 12:40) Bekakhulume ‘nangelanga iNdodana yomuntu ezokwambulwa ngalo.’ (Lukasi 17:30) Kghani amezwi lawo ayahlobana nalokho aqeda ukukutjho ngethempeli? Abapostoli barhuluphela ukwazi. Bathi kuye, “Sitjela bona izintwezi zizokwenzeka nini, nokuthi sizokuba yini isibonakaliso sokuba khona kwakho nesokuphela kwephasi?”—Matewu 24:3.

Kungenzeka bacabanga ngokupheliswa kwethempeli abaliqalilekweli, eliseduze. Babuza nangokuba khona kweNdodana yomuntu. Nalapha, mhlamunye bakhumbula umfanekiso uJesu awenzako ‘ngomuntu othileko obelethwa ebukhosini owaya enarheni ekude ayozithathela ubukhosi bese wabuya.’ (Lukasi 19:11, 12) Kwamaswaphela, bayazibuza ukuthi ‘ukuphela kwephasi’ kuzokubandakanyani.

Ependulwenakhe emumethe imininingwana, uJesu ubanikela isibonakaliso sokuthi ukulotjha kwamaJuda kuhlanganise nethempeli kuzokuphela nini. Ubanikela nokhunye okungeziweko. Isibonakaliswesi sizokusiza amaKrestu esikhathini esizako bona azi nakaphila hlangana ‘nokuba khona’ kwakhe nokuthi iphasi selizokupheliswa.

Njengombana iminyaka ikhamba, abapostoli bakaJesu bayasibona isiphorofido sakhe sizaliseka. Izinto ezinengi azibikezelako zithoma ukwenzeka basadla amabele. Kungebangelo amaKrestu atjhejileko aphila emnyakeni ema-37 ngemva kwesiphorofidwesi, ngomnyaka ka-70, azilungiselele ukutjhatjalaliswa kwendlela yamaJuda yokulotjha nethempeli lawo. Nokho, akusingikho koke uJesu akubikezelako okwenzeka ngaphambi komnyaka ka-70 nahlangana nawo. Alo-ke, khuyini esazokutjengisa ukuba khona kwakhe emBusweni? UJesu wembula ipendulo ebapostolini.

Ubikezela ukuthi, kuzokuba ‘nezipi nemibiko yezipi’ nokuthi “isitjhaba sizokulwa nesitjhaba, umbuso ulwe nombuso.” (Matewu 24:6, 7) Uthi godu, “kuzokuba nokusikinyeka kwephasi okukhulu, nokutlhayela kokudla nezifo ezibulalako eendaweni ngeendawo.” (Lukasi 21:11) UJesu uyelelisa abafundi bakhe, uthi: “Abantu bazonibamba banihlunguphaze.” (Lukasi 21:12) Kuzokuvela abaphorofidi bamanga baphambukise abanengi. Ukungabi nomthetho kuzokwanda begodu ithando labanengi lizokuphola. Nakangezelelako, uthi: “Iindaba ezimnandezi zomBuso zizokutjhunyayelwa kilo loke iphasi bona kube bufakazi kizo zoke iintjhaba, ngemva kwalokho isiphelo sizokufika.”—Matewu 24:14.

Nanyana isiphorofido sakaJesu sizaliseka ngokwengcenye ethileko ngaphambi nahlangana nokutjhatjalaliswa kweJerusalema maRoma, kghani kungenzeka bona uJesu ukhuluma ngokuzaliseka okukhulu kwesikhathi esizako? Uyabubona na ubufakazi bokuthi isiphorofido sakaJesu esiqakathekileko sizaliseka khulu esikhathini sethu?

Esibonakalisweni sokuba khona kwakhe, uJesu ukhuluma ngokuvela ‘kwento enyenyisako ebangela ukutjhabalala.’ (Matewu 24:15) Into enyenyisako le ivela ngomnyaka ka-66, ‘ilibutho’ leRoma, elilotjha iinthombe. AmaRoma abhoda iJerusalema begodu agiriza eminye imithangala yalo. (Lukasi 21:20) Ngalokho-ke, “into enyenyisako” le ijame lapho ingakafuzi ijame khona, “endaweni ecwengileko” kumaJuda.

Nakaragako uJesu, ubikezela uthi: “Kuzokuba nesizi elikhulu elingakhenge khelibe khona soloko kwathoma iphasi bekube gadesi, nelingekhe lisaba khona godu.” Ngomnyaka ka-70, amaRoma atjhabalalisa iJerusalema. Ukuhlulwa okubuhlungu ‘kwedorobho elicwengileko’ lamaJuda nethempeli lalo nokubulawa kweenkulungwana zabantu kuba lisizi elikhulu. (Matewu 4:5; 24:21) Ukutjhatjalaliswokhu kukhulu ukudlula nanyana ngikuphi idorobheli namaJuda akhe akubona begodu kuphelisa indlela amaJuda ebekalotjha ngayo amakhulu weminyaka. Nje-ke, okhunye ukuzaliseka okukhulu okusezako kwesiphorofido sakaJesu kuzokuhlahlathelisa umzimba.

UKUBA NESIBINDI EMALANGENI WOKUPHELA

Ikulumiswano kaJesu nabapostoli bakhe mayelana nesibonakaliso sokuba khona kwakhe emBusweni nesokuphela kwephasi ayikapheli. Nje ubayelelisa ngokugijima ngemva ‘kwaboKrestu bamala nabaphorofidi bamala.’ Uthi, bazokulinga ‘ukudurhisa ngitjho nabakhethiweko nakukghonekako.’ (Matewu 24:24) Kodwana abakhethiwekwaba ngeze badurhiswe. AboKrestu bamala bayabonakala, ngokuhlukileko, ukuba khona kwakaJesu ngeze kubonakale.

Nakakhuluma ngesizi elikhulu elizokuba khona nakuphela iphasi, uJesu uthi: “Ilanga lizokufiphazwa, inyezi ayizukukhanya, iinkwekwezi zizokuwa zivela ezulwini, namandla wezulwini azokusikinywa.” (Matewu 24:29) Abapostoli nabezwa ihlathululo ethusako leyo, abazi ukuthi kuzokwenzekani kuhlekuhle, kodwana bayaqiniseka ukuthi kuzokuba kumbi.

Izenzakalo ezithusakwezi zizobathinta njani abantu? UJesu uthi: “Abantu bazokuyatha ngokwesaba nokulindela lokho okuzokwehlakalela iphasi ngombana amandla wezulwini azokusikinywa.” (Lukasi 21:26) Nangambala, uJesu uhlathulula isikhathi esizokuba simbi khulu ebantwini.

Okukhuthazako kukuthi uJesu ukwenza kukhanye ebapostolini bakhe ukuthi akusingibo boke abazokulila lokha ‘iNdodana yomuntu iza inamandla nephazimulo ekulu.’ (Matewu 24:30) Besele atjhwile ukuthi uZimu uzokungenelela “ngebanga labakhethiweko.” (Matewu 24:22) Nje-ke, abafundi abathembekilekwaba kufuze benzeni ngemininingwana ethusako uJesu ayivezako? UJesu ukhuthaza abalandeli bakhe, uthi: “Izintwezi nazithoma ukwenzeka, jamani rwe niphakamise iinhloko zenu, ngombana ukutjhatjhululwa kwenu kutjhidele.”—Lukasi 21:28.

Alo, abafundi bakaJesu abaphila esikhathini esibikezelwekwesi bazokubona njani ukuthi ukuphela kwephasi kutjhidele? UJesu wenza umfanekiso ngomuthi wamafeyi, uthi: “Nawumila iimpande ezincani, utlhurha namakari, niyazi bona ihlobo selitjhidele. Yeke nani, nanibona zoke izintwezi, yazini bona iseduze, isemnyango. Ngiqinisile ngithi kini, isizukulwanesi angekhe sidlule zingakenzeki zoke izintwezi.”—Matewu 24:32-34.

Nje-ke, abafundi bakhe nababona iingcenye ezihlukeneko zesibonakaliswesi zisaliseka, kufuze babone ukuthi ukuphela kwephasi kuseduze. Nakakhuthaza abafundi abazobe basaphila ngesikhathi esiqakathekilekweso, uJesu uthi:

“Malungana nelangelo ne-irelo akakho owaziko, ngitjho neengilozi ezulwini namkha iNdodana, kodwana nguBaba kwaphela owaziko. Yeke njengombana beyinjalo imihla kaNowa, kuzokuba njalo nokuba khona kweNdodana yomuntu. Njengombana bekunjalo ngemihla yangaphambi koMthwalela, abantu bebadla basela, amadoda athatha nabafazi bendiswa, bekwaba lilanga uNowa angena ngalo ngemkhunjini, akhenge batjheje bekwafika uMthwalela wabarhurhula boke, kuzokuba njalo nokuba khona kweNdodana yomuntu.” (Matewu 24:36-39) UJesu ukhumbuza abamlaleleko ukuthi uMthwalela wangemihla kaNowa, wathinta iphasi loke. Nje-ke nokuphela kwephasi kuzokuba njalo.

Akunakuzaza ukuthi abapostoli abalalele uJesu eNtabeni yama-Oliva bayabona ukuthi kuqakatheke kangangani bona batjheje. UJesu uthi: “Tjhejani bona iinhliziyo zenu zingadisibezwa kukudla khulu, kusela khulu namatshwenyeko wokuphila, ilangelo linifikele ningakalindeli njengesifu. Ngombana lizokufikela boke abahlala ephasini loke. Nje-ke, hlalani niphapheme, ngaso soke isikhatheso nibawe bona niphumelele ekubalekeleni zoke izintwezi okufuze zenzeke nekujameni phambi kweNdodana yomuntu.”—Lukasi 21:34-36.

UJesu godu utjengisa ukuthi lokhu akubikezelako akupheleli lapho. Akaphorofidi ngezenzakalo ezizokwenzeka eminyakeni ema-30 namkha ema-40 ezako begodu ezokuthinta kwaphela idorobho leJerusalema namkha isitjhaba samaJuda. Kunalokho, ukhuluma ngezenzakalo ‘ezizokufikela boke abahlala ephasini loke.’

Uthi abafundi bakhe kuzokufanele bahlale batjhejile, bayelele begodu bahlale bajame ngomumo. UJesu ugandelela ukuqakatheka kwesiyeleliswesi ngokwenza omunye umfanekiso, uthi: “Kodwana yazini into yinye: Ngathana umninimuzi bekasazi isikhathi sobusuku isela elizokufika ngaso, bekazokuhlala aphapheme begodu bekangekhe avumela bona umuzakhe ugqekezwe. Ngebanga lalokho, nani kufuze nizibonakalise nikulungele, ngombana iNdodana yomuntu izokufika nge-iri eningalicabangiko.”—Matewu 24:43, 44.

Nakaragako uJesu, unikela abafundi bakhe ibanga lokuba nethemba. Ubaqinisekisa ngokuthi nakuzaliseka isiphorofido sakhe, kuzokuba ‘nenceku’ etjhejileko nekhutheleko. UJesu ukhuluma ngobujamo abapostoli ababuzwisisa lula, uthi: “Kuhlekuhle ngubani inceku ethembekileko nehlakaniphileko ikosayo eyibeke phezu kweensebenzi zayo, bona izinikele ukudla kwazo ngesikhathi esifaneleko? Iyathaba inceku leyo okuzokuthi ikosayo nayifikako iyifumane yenza njalo! Ngiqinisile ngithi kini, izoyibeka phezu kwakho koke okungokwayo.” Kodwana nakungenzeka “inceku” ibe nemicabango emimbi begodu iphathe abanye kumbi, ikosayo “izoyijezisa kabuhlungu khulu.”—Matewu 24:45-51; madanisa noLukasi 12:45, 46.

Nokho, uJesu akatjho ukuthi isiqhema sabalandeli bakhe sizokuba nemicabango emimbi. Alo, ngisiphi isifundo uJesu afuna ukusigandelela ebafundini bakhe? Ufuna bahlale batjhejile begodu bakhuthele. Lokhu ukwenza kukhanye ngomunye umfanekiso.

UJesu bekaphendula umbuzo wabapostoli bakhe omalungana nesibonakaliso sokuba khona kwakhe nesokuphela kwephasi. Acabanga ngalokhu, ubanikela isiyeleliso ngokubenzela omunye umfanekiso. Ngilabo abaphila hlangana nokuba khona kwakhe abazokubona ukuzaliseka kwawo.

Uthoma umfanekiswakhe nganasi indlela: “UmBuso wezulu ungafaniswa neentombi ezilitjhumi ezathatha iimbani zazo zayokuhlangabeza umkhwenyana. Ezihlanu zazo beziziindlhadlha, ezihlanu zazo bezihlakaniphile.”—Matewu 25:1, 2.

Ngokwenza umfanekiso lo, uJesu akatjho ukuthi ingcenye yabafundi bakhe ezokuzuza ilifa lomBuso wezulwini iziindlhadlha bese kuthi enye ihlakaniphile. Kunalokho, utjho ukuthi malungana nomBuso, umfundi ngamunye angakghona ukuzikhethela ukuthi ufuna ukuba ngophaphamileko namkha oyendako. Nokho, uJesu akazazi ukuthi iinceku zakhe zingahlala zithembekile begodu zifumane iimbusiso zakaYise.

Emfanekisweni lo, zoke iintombi ezilitjhumi ziyaphuma ziyokuhlangabeza umkhwenyana begodu zihlanganyele emnyanyeni womtjhado. Nakafikako, iintombi zizokukhanyisa endleleni ngeembani zazo, zimdumise njengombana aletha umakotakhe ngendlini alungiselelwe yona. Alo kwenzekani?

UJesu uyahlathulula: “Eziziindlhadlha zathatha iimbani zazo kodwana khenge zithathe namafutha, kwathi ezihlakaniphileko zaphatha amafutha ngamabhodlelo neembani zazo. Umkhwenyana wariyada, zoke zayenda zalala.” (Matewu 25:3-5) Umkhwenyana akafiki ngesikhathi alindelwe ngaso. Kubonakala ngasuthi uriyada khulu, kangangobana neentombi zibanjwa buthongo. Kungenzeka abapostoli bayakukhumbula lokho uJesu akhe akutjho ngomuntu othileko obelethwa ebukhosini owaya enarheni ekude begodu ‘ekugcineni wabuya ngemva kokuzifumanela ubukhosi.’—Lukasi 19:11-15.

Emfanekisweni lo, uJesu uhlathulula okwenzekako nakufika umkhwenyana: “Phakathi nobusuku kwazwakala itjhada: ‘Nang’ umkhwenyana! Phumani niyomhlangabeza.’” (Matewu 25:6) Inga-kghani iintombezi zikulungele begodu zikuphaphamele na ukufika komkhwenyana?

Uraga uthi: “Yeke zoke iintombezo zavuka zalungisa iimbani zazo. Eziziindlhadlha zathi kezihlakaniphileko, ‘Akhe nisiphungulele amafuthenu, ngombana iimbani zethu sezizokucima.’ Ezihlakaniphileko zaphendula zathi: ‘Mhlamunye nathi azasitlhayelela nasingawabelana nani. Khambani niye kilabo abawathengisako, niyozithengela.’”—Matewu 25:7-9.

Iintombi ezihlanu eziziindlhadlha azikakuphaphameli begodu azikakulungeli ukufika komkhwenyana. Azikaphathi amafutha aneleko yeke kufuze ziyowafuna. UJesu uthi: “Nazisayowathenga, umkhwenyana wafika. Iintombi ebesele zilungile zangena naye emnyanyeni womtjhado, kwavalwa umnyango. Ngemva kwesikhathi, iintombi ezikhambilekweza zafika, zathi, ‘Kosi, Kosi, sivulela!’ Wathi kizo, ‘Ngiqinisile ngithi kini, anginazi.’” (Matewu 25:10-12) Lo-ke mphumela obuhlungu ezaqalana nawo wokungakuphaphameli nokungakulungeli ukufika komkhwenyana!

Abapostoli bayabona ukuthi umkhwenyana uJesu akhuluma ngaye lo, nguye. Ngaphambilini khewazifanisa nomkhwenyana. (Lukasi 5:34, 35) Alo, bobani iintombi ezihlakaniphilekwezi? UJesu nakakhuluma ‘ngomhlambi omncani,’ ozokunikelwa umBuso, usebenzise amezwi naka: “Mbathani, nizilungiselele begodu nikhanyise iimbani zenu.” (Lukasi 12:32, 35) Nje-ke emfanekisweni lo, abapostoli bayazwisisa ukuthi uJesu uqalisele kibo. Ngimuphi-ke umlayezo uJesu awudluliselako ngomfanekiso lo?

UJesu akabatjhiyi bazibuza. Uphetha umfanekiswakhe ngokuthi: “Ngalokho hlalani nilindile, ngombana anilazi ilanga ne-iri.”—Matewu 25:13.

Kusemtarini ukuthi uJesu uyelelisa abalandeli bakhe abathembekileko bona ‘bahlale balindile’ malungana nokuba khona kwakhe. UJesu uzokuza begodu kufuze bazilungiselele bebahlale baphapheme—njengeentombi ezihlanu ezihlakaniphileko—ukuze bangalahlekelwa lithemba labo eliligugu bese balahlekelwe kufumana umvuzwabo.

UJesu nakasesenabapostoli bakhe abane eNtabeni yama-Oliva, ubenzela omunye umfanekiso. Emalangeni ambalwa ngaphambi kwalokho, lokha nakaseJerikho wabenzela umfanekiso wabomina nakabatjengisa ukuthi ukufika komBuso bekusesekude esikhathini esizako. Umfanekiso awenzako nje unezinto ezithileko ofana ngazo nomfanekiso awenze phambilini. Uyingcenye yependulo ayinikelako bona aphendule umbuzo omalungana nokuba khona kwakhe kunye nokuphela kwephasi. Ipendulwakhe iveza ukuthi abafundi bakhe kufuze bathembeke bebazimisele emsebenzini abanikela wona.

Uthoma ngokuthi: “Godu kunjengendoda ezokuthatha ikhambo lokuya endaweni ekude eyabiza iinsebenzi zayo yaziphathisa koke okungokwayo.” (Matewu 25:14) Njengombana uJesu besele azifanise nendoda ethatha ikhambo lokuya endaweni ekude ‘eyozithathela ubukhosi,’ kubulula ngabapostoli ukubona ukuthi “umuntu” lo uJesu akhuluma ngaye, nguye.—Lukasi 19:12.

Emfanekisweni lo, ngaphambi kokuthi umuntu lo athathe ikhambo lokuya endaweni ekude, uphathisa iinsebenzi zakhe izinto eziqakathekileko. Eminyakeni emithathu nesiquntu yomsebenzi kaJesu, udzimelele khulu ekutjhumayeleni iindaba ezimnandi zomBuso kaZimu, wabandula nabafundi bakhe bona benze umsebenzi lo. Nje uyakhamba begodu uyaqiniseka bona bazowenza kuhle umsebenzi lo njengombana ababandulile.—Matewu 10:7; Lukasi 10:1, 8, 9; madanisa noJwanisi 4:38; 14:12.

Emfanekisweni, umuntu lo ubahlukanisela njani izinto zakhe? UJesu uthi indoda le: “Yanikela esinye amatalende amahlanu, esinye amabili, esinye yasinikela linye, ngasinye ngokwamakghonwaso, bese yakhamba.” (Matewu 25:15) Zizokwenzani iinsebenzezi ngezinto ezinikelwe zona? Kghani zizozisebenzisa kuhle zicabangela ikosazo? Nakhu uJesu akutjela abapostoli bakhe:

“Msinyana isisebenzi esafumana amatalende amahlanu sakhamba sayokurhweba ngawo sazuza amanye amahlanu. Nesisebenzi esafumana amabili senza okufanako sazuza amanye amabili. Kodwana isisebenzi esifumene italende linye sakhamba sayokwemba umgodi safihla imali yekosaso lapho.” (Matewu 25:16-18) Kuzokwenzakalani ikosi nayibuyako?

UJesu uraga uthi, “Ngemva kwesikhathi eside, ikosi yeensebenzezo yafika izokuhlola ukuthi zenzeni ngemalayo.” (Matewu 25:19) Ezimbili zokuthoma zenza koke okusemandlenazo, “ngasinye ngokwamakghonwaso.” Isisebenzi ngasinye besikhuthele, sizimisele begodu sikhiqiza kilokho ebesinikelwe khona. Esanikelwa amatalende amahlanu sawabuyelela kabili, njengombana kwenza nalesa esanikelwa amatalende amabili. (Ngesikhatheso isisebenzi bekufuze sisebenze iminyaka eli-19 nasizakufumana isilinganiso setalende linye.) Yeke ikosi ibathokoza ngokufanako nayithi kibo: “Wenze kuhle, sisebenzi esilungileko nesithembekileko! Uthembekile kokuncani. Ngizokubeka bona utlhogomele nokunengi. Thaba nekosakho.”—Matewu 25:21.

Kuyahluka-ke nasiza esisebenzini esanikelwa italende linye. Sithi: “Kosi, ngiyakwazi bonyana uyindoda engacabangeliko, uvuna lapho ungakatjali khona begodu ubuthelela lapho ungakarhatjhi khona. Yeke ngasaba ngayokufihla italende lakho ehlabathini. Nanti, thatha okungokwakho.” (Matewu 25:24, 25) Isisebenzesi asikayibulungi imali esanikelwa yona ukwenzela bona izale khona izokunikela ikosaso inzuzo. Ekhabolakhona, senze okuhlukileko kilokho ebekulindelwe yikosi.

Ngebanga lalokho, ikosi ibiza isisebenzesi ngokuthi “sisebenzi esimbi nesivilaphako.” Sithathelwa koke ebesinakho, kunikelwa isisebenzi esizimiseleko nesikhutheleko. Ikosi itjho naka amezwi: “Nanyana ngubani onakho, uzokunikelwa okungeziweko, bese uba nenala. Kodwana onganakho, uzokumukwa ngitjho nalokho anakho.”—Matewu 25:26, 29.

Kunengi abafundi bakaJesu ekufuze bacabange ngakho, kuhlanganise nokuthi umfanekiso lo utjho ukuthini kibo. Bayabona ukuthi lokho uJesu abaphathise khona—ilungelo eliligugu lokufundisa abantu—kuqakatheke khulu. Ulindele bona bazimisele, begodu bakhuthale emsebenzini lo. Akakalindeli bona boke batjhumayele ngezinga elilinganako. Njengombana umfanekiso lo utjengisile, umuntu nomuntu kufuze enze okusemandlenakhe ‘ngokwamakghonwakhe.’ Nokho, lokho akutjho ukuthi uJesu uzokuthatjiswa ‘buvila’ bomuntu nokubhalelwa ukwenza okusemandlenakhe bona athuthukise izinto zeKosi.

Isiqinisekiso esithi: “Nanyana ngubani onakho, uzokunikelwa okungeziweko” kufuze bona siyabathabisa abapostoli!

ENtabeni yama-Oliva, uJesu uqeda ukwenza umfanekiso weentombi ezilitjhumi nowamatalende. Uyisonga njani ipendulo yombuzo wabapostoli bakhe omalungana nesibonakaliso sokuba khona kwakhe nesokuphela kwephasi? Uyisonga ngokwenza umfanekiso wamaswaphela wezimvu neembuzi.

UJesu uthoma ngokwenza isisekelo sawo, uthi kibo: “INdodana yomuntu nayiza ngephazimulwayo, ikunye nazo zoke iingilozi, izokuhlala esihlalweni sayo sobukhosi esiphazimulako.” (Matewu 25:31) UJesu ukwenza kukhanye ukuthi umfanekiso lo umayelana naye. Kanengi bekazibiza ngokuthi, ‘yiNdodana yomuntu.’—Matewu 8:20; 9:6; 20:18, 28.

Uzokuzaliseka nini umfanekiso lo? Uzokuzaliseka uJesu ‘nakeza ngephazimulwakhe’ akunye neengilozi begodu azokuhlala ‘esihlalweni sakhe sobukhosi esiphazimulako.’ Besele akhulumile ‘ngeNdodana yomuntu eza iselifwini inamandla nephazimulo ekulu’ ineengilozi zayo. Kuzokwenzeka nini lokho? “Msinyana ngemva kwesizi.” (Matewu 24:29-31; Markosi 13:26, 27; Lukasi 21:27) Ngalokho-ke, umfanekiso lo uzokuzaliseka esikhathini esizako lokha uJesu nakeza ngephazimulo. Uzokwenzani?

UJesu uyahlathulula: ‘INdodana yomuntu nayizako  . . . , zoke iintjhaba zizokubuthelwa phambi kwayo, izokuhlukanisa abantu babe ziinqhema ezimbili, njengomelusi nakahlukanisa izimvu neembuzi. Izokubeka izimvu ngesidleni sayo, iimbuzi ngesinceleni sayo.’—Matewu 25:31-33.

Nakakhuluma ngezimvu ezingehlangothini elithandwako, uJesu uthi: “Yeke iKosi izokuthi kilabo abangesidleni sayo: ‘Yizani nina enibusiswe nguBaba, yidlani ilifa lomBuso anilungiselele lona kusukela ekuthonyisweni kwephasi.’” (Matewu 25:34) Kubayini iKosi ithanda izimvu?

IKosi iyahlathulula: “Bengilambile nangipha ukudla; bengomile nangiseza. Bengimqhamuka nangamukela ngeendlini zenu; ngihlubule nangembathisa. Ngigula nangitlhogomela. Bengisejele nangivakatjhela.” Izimvezi, “abalungileko,” nazibuzako ukuthi ziyenze njani imisebenzi emihle leyo, iyaphendula: “Ngokwezinga enikwenze ngalo komunye wabancani kubafowethwaba, nikwenzile nakimi.” (Matewu 25:35, 36, 40, 46) Imisebenzi emihle le aziyenzi ezulwini, ngombana akunabantu abagulako nabalambileko ezulwini. Kunalokho, ziyenzela abafowabo bakaKrestu ephasini.

Kuthiwani-ke ngeembuzi ezibekwe ngesinceleni? UJesu uthi: “[IKosi] izokuthi kilabo abangesinceleni sayo: ‘Sukani kimapha, nina eniqalekisiweko, tjhingani emlilweni ongapheliko olungiselelwe uDeveli neengilozi zakhe. Ngombana bengilambile nangidima ukudla; ngomile, akhenge ningiseze. Bengimqhamuka, akhenge ningamukele eendlini zenu; ngihlubule, akhenge ningembathise; ngigula begodu ngisejele, akhenge ningitlhogomele.’” (Matewu 25:41-43) Isigwebwesi siyafaneleka ngombana iimbuzi zibhalelwe kuphatha abafowabo bakaKrestu abasephasini kuhle, into ebekufuze ziyenzile.

Abapostoli balemuka ukuthi isigwebo esizakwesi sizokuba nemiphumela ezokuhlala isikhathi esingapheliko. UJesu uthi kibo: “[IKosi] izobaphendula ithi: ‘Ngiqinisile ngithi kini, ngezinga eningakakwenzi ngalo komunye wabancanaba, anikakwenzi nakimi.’ Laba bazokuya ekutjhatjalalisweni kwaphakade, kodwana abalungileko bazokuya ekuphileni okungapheliko.”—Matewu 25:45, 46.

Ipendulo kaJesu embuzweni wabapostoli imumethe okunengi abalandeli bakhe ekufuze bacabange ngakho, ibasiza bahlolisise indlela abacabanga ngayo nezenzo zabo.