Towards a Mature Life Before Becoming Rigid 1
Bible passage: Mark 12:38-44
“38. As he taught, Jesus said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, 39. and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40. They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely." 41. Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. "
After reaching the last month of 2024, we have already come to the third Sunday. We are standing on the final hill of the year, where the end is now clearly visible. Young people will measure how much they have grown in height over the past year. If they have grown a lot, they will clap and rejoice.
Athletes will evaluate how much their skills have improved over the year, and if they see significant progress, they will have hope and look forward to good results in the coming year. As believers, we also need to examine our spiritual state as we face the last month of the year. How much has our faith grown? How many of our prayers have been answered? How much has my life changed? How much have the fruits of the Spirit grown within me?
In today’s passage, two contrasting types of people appear. One type is the scribes, and the other is the poor widow, who is described as a pitiful woman. In Jesus’ time, scribes were upper-class individuals of high status, respected by the society.
Kuelekea Maisha ya Ukomavu Kabla ya Kuwa Mgumu 1
Andiko la Biblia: Marko 12:38–44
“38. Yesu alipokuwa akifundisha, alisema, ‘Jihadharini na waandishi. Wao hupenda kutembea wamevaa mavazi marefu na kusalimiwa sokoni, 39. na kuketi viti vya mbele katika masinagogi na mahali pa heshima kwenye karamu. 40. Huzimeza nyumba za wajane na kwa kujionyesha husali sala ndefu. Hao watapata hukumu kali zaidi.’ 41. Yesu akaketi kando ya sanduku la hazina ya hekalu, akatazama watu walivyokuwa wakiweka fedha humo. Matajiri wengi walitia fedha nyingi. 42. Kisha mjane mmoja maskini akaja akatia sarafu mbili ndogo za shaba, zenye thamani ndogo sana.”
Tumefika mwezi wa mwisho wa mwaka 2024, na tayari ni Jumapili ya tatu. Tumesimama kwenye kilima cha mwisho cha mwaka, ambapo mwisho wake unaonekana wazi. Vijana watapima jinsi walivyoongezeka urefu katika mwaka uliopita. Wakiona wamekua sana, watapiga makofi na kufurahi.
Wanariadha watatathmini jinsi ujuzi wao ulivyoboreshwa mwaka huu. Wakiona maendeleo makubwa, watakuwa na tumaini na kutazamia matokeo mazuri mwaka ujao. Sisi waumini pia tunapaswa kuchunguza hali yetu ya kiroho tunapokaribia mwisho wa mwaka. Imani yetu imekua kiasi gani? Ni maombi mangapi yamejibiwa? Maisha yangu yamebadilika kiasi gani? Tunda la Roho limekua kiasi gani ndani yangu?
Katika kifungu cha leo tunaona makundi mawili tofauti ya watu: waandishi na mjane maskini anayeelezwa kuwa mwanamke wa hali ya chini. Katika siku za Yesu, waandishi walikuwa watu wa tabaka la juu, wenye hadhi na walioheshimiwa na jamii.
