Theme: HBF 20/01/2021

IMIGANI YA YESU / PARABLES OF JESUS  

Mu mugani dusanga muri Luka 14:7-14, hatwereka ko Yesu yatwigishirije mu bintu bisanzwe by’ubuzima bwacu. Yesu yatumiwe mu birorin’abafirasayo, nkuko natwe twese tujya dutumirwa.

• Abafarisayo

Yesu yatumiwe n’Abafarisayobiyemeraga ko bazi amategeko y’Imana.Berekanaga ko ari intungane kandi barangije kumenya iby’Imana.Niwibwira ko warangije kumenya Imana, byerekana intege nke zawe kuko ntawe umenya iby’Imana byose, duhora twiga.  Abafarisayo ntibemeraga kandi ntibanakundaga Yesu kuko yababwizaga ukuri, ariko ibyo ntibyabujije Yesu kwitabira ubutumire bwabo. Bikwiriye kutwigisha uburyo twitwara kubo twita abapagani cyangwa tutemeranya ku myifatire n’imyemerere yabo.

• Guca bugufi

Kwitabira ubwo butumwa, byateye Yesu kwigisha abantu ku guca bugufi no kwiyoroshya, kuko kwishyira hejuru bibanziriza kugwa.

Muri Matayo 23:5-7 hatwereka koabo bafarisayo bakoraga imirimo kugirango abantu babarebe.Ese wowe mubyo ukora ni iki kigusunika? Abafarisayo bakoreraga ijisho – mureke twe kuba nk’abafarisayo ngo dukorere abantu twifuza ko batwogeza kuko Ijambo ry’Imana ritubwira ko iyo bigenze bityoingororano yacu tuba twayibonye!

• Gutanga nta zindi nyungu zihishe

Muri Matayo 6:1-2 hatwigisha ko dukwiriye kugira neza nta zindi nyungu zihishe ziri inyuma, ibyo dukora byose bigasunikwa n’urukundo rw’Imana!

Dukwiriye guhindura uko dukora ibintu;twaba dusenga, tugirira neza bagenzi bacu, umurimo wose twaba dukora, tujye dusuzuma ibidusunika.Bityo ibyo dukora byose tubikorere Kristo.Nibwo tuzabona ingororano zacu zizava ku Mana. Nuko rero twitonde twe kujya twishyira aho Imana itadushyize.Aho ujya hose n’ibyo ubamo byose, ntukishyire hejuru.Reka Imana abe ariyo igushyira ahakwiriye, iguhe icyubahiro yo ibona ko ukwiriye. Muri byose, tujye dukorera Imana.

Ibyanditswe: LUKA 14:7-14; MATAYO 23:5-7; IMIGANI 25:6-7; MATAYO 6:1-2; IBYAKOZWE N’INTUMWA 24:16

The parables written in Luke 14:7-14 shows that Jesus taught using daily life examples. One day, He was invited to a feast by Pharisees, the same way we are usually invited somewhere.

• Pharisees

Jesus was invited by boastful Pharisees who thought that they knew God’s laws. They showed that they were righteous and knowledgeable enough about God. Unfortunately, assuming that you know all about God shows one’s weakness because no one can know all about God.We study and discover Him progressivelyinstead. The Phariseesneitherbelievedor love Jesus because He told them the truth. Surprisingly, it didn’t prevent Jesus from attending their feast when He was invited. Thus, it should teach us the way we conduct ourselves to those who are non-believers and those we don’t share beliefs and other differences.

• Humility

Jesus took the opportunity of the invitation to a wedding in order to teach people about humility considering that boasting is followed by humiliation.

Matthew 23:5-7 shows that the motive of Pharisees actionswas to be seen by people. How about us? What triggers all that you do? The Pharisees worked to be seen. However, shouldn’t be like the Pharisees with the motive to be appreciated by people, because the Word of God says that when that happens our reward is already paid in full!

• Giving without strings attached

Matthew 6:1-2 shows that our motive of doing good should not to be impressing people, the same way hypocrites do. On the contrary, whatever we do should be triggered by the love of God.

We should examine the motive of everything we do and make necessary changes in what we do. Whatsoever we do should be for the glory of God in order to receive our reward from Heaven. We should not position ourselves where God did not put us. Wherever you go and whatever you do, do not boost. Allow God to put you in the right position and honor that you deserve. And let us doing everything for God’s honor.

Scriptures: Luke 14:7-14; Matthew 23:5-7; Proverbs 25:6-7; Matthew 6:1-2; Acts 24:16

_Sr Pastor Liliose K. TAYI

Theme: IMIGANI YA YESU / PARABLES OF JESUS (Part 3)

UMUGANI W’UMUBIBYI

Bibiliya nyinshi zita uwo mugani uw’umubibyi ariko witegereje neza usanga utavuga cyane ku mubibyi, ahubwo uvuga cyane kumiterere itandukanye y’ubutaka burimo ubwiza n’ububi.

Yesu, nyuma yo kwitegereza agasanga abantu batumva neza ibyo avuga, yahisemo kubabwira uyu mugani ngo arebe ko bakumva, bagashobora no gusobanukirwa ibindi. Muri uyu mugani rero, ikibazo ntago cyari akaboko k’umubibyi, ahubwo cyari imiterere y’ubutaka izo mbuto zaguyemo:

1. “Ku nzira, inyoni ziraza zirazitoragura.
2. “Izindi zigwa ku kāra kadafite ubutaka bwinshi, uwo mwanya ziramera kuko ubutaka atari burebure, ariko izuba rivuye ziraraba, kandi kuko zitari zifite imizi ziruma.”
3. “Izindi zigwa mu mahwa, amahwa ararāruka araziniga, ntizera imbuto”
4. “Izindi zigwa mu butaka bwiza ziramera, zirakurazera imbuto, kandi imwe ibyara mirongo itatu, indimirongo itandatu, indi ijana, bityo bityo.”

Usomye neza, uyu mugani niwo wonyine Yesu yasobanuye.

• Ubusobanuro bw’umugani w’ubutaka (Mariko 4:13-20)

Ngo Ubiba cg umubibyi ni ubiba Ijambo ry’Imana. Uyu mugani ugizwe n’ibyiciro bikurikira:

1. Inzira: Ni abatera intambwe ya mbere yo kujya kumva Ijambo ry’Imana, ariko imitima yabo yarakomeye imeze nk’akayira nyabagendwa cyangwa urutare, kugeza ubwo Ijambo ry’Imana rivugwa rikabura aho rifata, rikaguma kugasi. Nuko umwanzi akabagenderera, akababwira ko Jambo rizavugwa n’ubutaha, batagomba kuryitaho, icyo Imana yababwiye bakagita aho. Ibyo kandi bigera kuri bose, bisaba gusa ko umuntu anangira umutima gato, umutima ugahinduka urutare. Ibyo bisonura impamvu tugira abapagani benshi mu Rusengero kandi Ijambo rivugwa buri munsi.

2. Akāra kadafite ubutaka bwinshi: Abo ni abumva Ijambo ry’Imana, bakishima cyane, bakaryakira banezerewe, bakava aho biyemejeko bagiye kubishyira mu bikorwa ariko ngo hashira igihe gito, batangiye kurenganirizwa iryo jambo, bagahita babivamo.Tujya twibeshya ko tutarenganyirizwa Ijambo ry’Imana kuko aho tuba ntawe ugukubitira kumva iryo Jambo. Ariko, iyo tumaze kuryumva, ikigeragezo cy’ibyo twumvise kigahita kiza, ugatangira kugeragezwa kubw’Ijambo wakiriye kandi wifuza gushyira mu bikorwa. Ikizamini ushobora kugisanga mu rugo, ku kazi n’ahandi nyuma yo kumva Ijambo. Urugero, ukava mu rusengero wiyemeje kutazongera kunyereza imisoro, wagera mu kazi, umuyobozi akakubwira ngo nutabikora urirukanwa. Wareba uko ukeneye akokazi, ugahitamo kuyinyereza aho kubura akazi.

Kumva Ijambo ry’Imana ntubishyire mu bikorwa, ntacyo bimaze. Ni kimwe n’ubumenyi bwo mu mutwe gusa budafite akamaro!

3. Mu mahwa: Ni abumva Ijambo, ariko ibi bintu 3: amaganya y’isi, ibihendo by’ubutunzi n’irari ryo kwifuza ibindi byabageraho bagata ibyo bumvise. Ibyo bintu 3 mu yandi magambo byakwitwa “kutanyurwa”.

Hari ibyo Imana itubaza kubw’ibyo ivuga ariko bikanigwa n’ubuzima tubayeho!

4. Ubutakabwiza: Aba ni ba bandi bumva Ijambo ry’Imana kandi bakemera gutanga ikiguzi cyo kumvira Imana kugirango bashyire mu bikorwa icyo Imana isaba. Yesu ntiyigeze aduhisha icyo kumukurikira bisaba. Yatubwiye ko dukwiriye kwikorera imisaraba yacu! Nyamara abemeye gutanga icyo kiguzi nibo bunguka mirongo itatu, undi mirongo itandatu, undi ijana, bityo bityo.

Yesu akomeza kubabwira ati: “Nimuzirikane ibyo mwumva. Urugero mugeramo nirwo muzagererwamo kandi muzarushirizwaho, kuko ufite azahabwa, kandi udafite azakwa n’icyo yari afite” (Mariko 4:24-25).

Urugero rwo guhinduka icyo Imana yakuremeye, ntago rushingiye kurugero rw’amateraniro witabira cyangwa se ibyo ukorera Imana, ahubwo ruri mu rugero rw’ibyo twumva, tukabishyira mu bikorwa.

Imana ireba uko wumva, ikareba uko ubishyira mu bikorwa, maze nayo ikaba ariko iguhindura.

“Kuko dore iyo ubutaka bwanyoye imvura yabuguyeho kenshi, bukameramo imyaka igirira akamaro ababuhingirwa, buhabwa n’Imana umugisha. Ariko niba bumeramo amahwa n’ibitovu, buba buhinyutse bugeze hafi yo kuvumwa kandi amaherezo yabwo ni ugutwikwa.”(Abaheburayo 6:7-8).

Ese wowe uri ubuhe bwoko bw’ubutaka? Ese dushyira mu bikorwa kuruhe rugero Ijambo ry’Imana? Ese ugeze he uba umwigishwawa Yesu? Dukwiriye kujya dufata umwanya tukisuzuma. Ese iby’Imana yakubwiye wabishyize mu bikorwa? Ese ni iki cyakubujije gushyira mu bikorwa ibyo Imana ikubwira?

THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER

Many versions of the Bible call it the parable of the sower, but when we look at it attentively, we realize that it doesn’t put the emphasis on the sower, but rather on the different types of soils including good and bad ones.

Following Jesus observation of people, and seeing that they didn’t understand His words, He chose to tell them this parable to help them understand other things. In this parable, the issue is not the hand of the sower, it is the nature of the soil the seed fell on.

1. “Along the path, the birds came and ate it up.”
2. “Other seed fell on rocky ground with shallow soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow, but when the sun came up, the plants were scorched and they withered because they had no root.”
3. “Other seed fell among thorns which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain.”
4. “Other seed fell on good soil, it came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred time.

If you read attentively, this is the parable that Jesus explained.

Hereunder is the explanation of the parable of the soils referring to Mark 4:13-20.

The sower sows the Word of God, and this parable is made up of the following parts:

1. Along the path: These are the ones who make the step of going to hear the Word of God, but their hearts are hardened like a path or a rock to the extent that the Word of God cannot penetrate into their hearts. Thus, it stays on the surface. Then, the enemy visits them, tells them that the Word will continue to be preached, that they do not have to pay attention to it. Consequently, they don’t hold to what God told them. This happens when people hardens their heart a bit, and it becomes like a rock. This explains why we have so many unbelievers in the Church and yet the Word is preached everyday.
2. Rocky ground with shallow soil: These are the ones who hear the Word, receive it with gladness, they purpose to do what the Word says but shortly after, when persecution arises because of the Word, they can’t stand it. We get deceived that we do not face persecution because where we live no one is beaten because of the Word. However, after hearing the Word, we get tested with regards to what we have heard and we start being tested by the Word we have heard, in order to apply it. After hearing the Word, the test will be encountered at home, work place and any other place. For example, you might leave the workplace with the commitment to stop tax evasion, but when at work the boss tells you that if you do not do it you will be fired. Considering that you need that job, you may choose to compromise instead of being jobless.

Hearing the Word of God without applying it is useless. It is only head knowledge that is of no use.

3. In thorny ground: those are the ones who hear the Word, but are hindered by: the cares of the World, the deceitfulness and other desires. When these come to them, they forsake what they heard. These 3 things are considered as “un-contentment.”

There are things God expects from us but they are sometimes-hindered by the life we live in!

4. Good ground: These are the ones who hear the Word, accept to pay the price to obey God and to put into practice what God asks them. Jesus never hid the cost of following Him. He told us that we need to carry our cross! Those who accept to pay the price are the ones who harvest thirty, sixty, hundred times, and so on and so forth.

Jesus continues telling them: “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.” (Mark 4:24-25).

The measure of being transformed accordingly to God’s purpose for our lives is not equal to our attendance in the service or our actions for God. It is rather proportional to the measure to what we hear and how we apply it.

God considers how we hear and how we apply what we heard. And God transforms us likewise.

“Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. 8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.”(Hebrews 6:7-8).

What type of soil are you? To what extent do we apply the Word of God? How far have you gone in your journey of discipleship? We need to take time to do self-assessment. Have you applied what God told you? What has hindered you in applying what God has told you?

Theme: IMIGANI YA YESU / PARABLES OF JESUS (Part 2)

Theme: IMIGANI YA YESU / PARABLES OF JESUS (Part 1)

TUBE IBISONGA BYIZA MU GIHE CYACU

Ubuzima ni ubwacu, ariko twitondere aho tubujyana. Turi abarinzi b’ubuzima bwacu. Ni yo mpamvu tugomba gushaka uko tumenya ubushake bw’Imana mu buzima bwacu, kuko tuzabibazwa nyuma. Kandi Yesu ntiyishimira ubunebwe.

Nyuma y’urupfu hazaza urubanza. Uwo uri we, ibyo uzi, amahirwe ubona n’ibindi ushoboye wabihawe kugira ngo wagure Ubwami bw’Imana. Kuko uri igisonga cya Yesu ufite inshingano yo kurinda ubuzima bwawe. Bibiliya itubwira ko byose tubyemerewe, ariko si ko byose bidufitiye umumaro. Dukwiye gushima kubera ibyo ufite nk’abana b’Imana. Kureba ibibura gusa bitera gucumura. Niba Yesu ari mu buzima bwawe, ntago ukwiye kuba mu bibi kuko Imana yera. Buri muntu agomba kuva mu bibi yita umunezero.

Umunyabwenge abara iminsi ye yo kubaho, agasaba Imana kubimufashamo, kuko ikintu cyose kiri munsi y’ijuru kizerekanwa. Ufite inshingano yo gukoresha neza amahirwe ubona kugira ngo Yesu ahabwe icyubahiro. Hari igihe bidakorwa kubera kwikunda. Dukwiye kwagura iyerekwa ryacu no kureba kure kandi tugaha abandi ku byo dufite. Duharanire kuba umugisha kuko ushaka guhabwa agomba gutanga nkuko Bibiliya ivuga. Yesu ntakunda ubuzima butagira umusaruro, kandi Imana itanga ubwenge. Ubahisha Uwiteka n’ubutunzi bwawe n’umuganura w’ibyo wunguka, kuko ni We uguha ibyo byose.

Dufite inshingano yo kubirinda ibyo duhabwa byose kuko bibereyeho gukorera Ubwami bw’Imana. Ntuzitwaze ko utigeze ubimenya, kandi Bibiliya itubwira ko udafite ubwenge abusaba. Ba igisonga cyiza; hitamo neza aho gutinya ngo ntibizashoboka. Humura, bizashoboka hamwe na Yesu. Fata icyemezo cyo kurekura ibidahesha Yesu icyubahiro. Ibyo ushoboye byose bikorere Ubwami bw’Imana bigishoboka.

LET US BE GOOD STEWARDS IN OUR TIME

We should be careful about how we live, even though our lives are personal. We are custodians of our own lives. Thus, we should search for God’s purpose upon our lives because we will be held accountable. In addition, Jesus in not pleased with our laziness.

There will be judgement after this life on earth. Who you are, what you know, and opportunities you get are meant to help expand the Kingdom of God. You have a responsibility to protect your life as a good steward of Jesus. The Bible indicates that we have the right to do anything, but not everything is beneficial for us. We should be grateful for what we have as children of God. Looking at what is lacking only leads to sin. If Jesus is in your life, you cannot be held hostage of sin because God is Holy. And we should get rid of all wickedness that we confuse with pleasure.

A wise person numbers the days of his or her life, and asks for God’s help bearing in mind that all things will be revealed. You have a responsibility to use appropriately opportunities that you get in order to glorify God. Sometimes, it is not done because of selfishness. We should enlarge our vision and be long sighted. We should share what we have with others and strive to be a blessing to others, because giving is better than receiving according to the Bible. Jesus doesn’t like unfruitful life, considering also that God gives wisdom. Honor God with your possessions and your first fruits because they all come from Him.

We have a responsibility to take good care of our possessions, bearing in mind that they are meant to serve in the Kingdom of God. Thus, you should not say that you didn’t know it while the Bible requires those in need of wisdom asking for it. You should therefore be a good steward; make the right chose instead of fearing that it is impossible. Don’t worry, it is possible with Jesus. Take a decision to release what doesn’t honor God. And do everything you can in the interest of God’s Kingdom when it is still possible.

Theme: IMIGISHA IVA KU MANA. / BLESSINGS FROM GOD.