Blamelessness
Reading Scripture: Matthew 12:18-21
Verse to Memorize: Matthew 12:20
Reference: Job 1:20-21 Goal: to achieve a blameless heart like the heart of Jesus who did not either break off a battered reed or put out a smoldering wick In this world today people may face many kinds of hardships in their life's journey. They encounter such situations mainly because their hearts are to be blamed.
On the other hand, a blameless man doesn't pursue things in vain. He pursues holiness and keeps his heart in the truth, and faithfully fulfills his duties. Hence, a blameless person can gain wisdom from above and enjoy prosperity in all things.
- 1. The spiritual meaning of 'Blamelessness'
Man looks at the outward appearance in judgment, but God looks at the heart of man. Thus, He clearly knows who is of goodness or evilness. In the sight of such God, Job was blameless (Job 1:1). Dictionaries define 'blameless' as 'free of guilt; not subject to blame' or 'free of blame or guilt; innocent'. People who are blameless are generally considered to be gentle and meek, and they act and speak with generous virtue. Even if they are faced with a situation that is harmful to themselves, they won't pay evil for evil and accept everything in goodness.
Therefore, the spiritual meaning of 'blamelessness' is 'to reveal gentleness in deeds'. Job enjoyed great blessings in finance, fame, children, and health such that he was recognized as the greatest of all the men of the east. One day, however, due to disasters he lost all his possessions and he also lost his children overnight. But Job didn't blame God but instead he arose, tore his robes, shaved his head, and fell to the ground and worshiped God (Job 1:20). Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God. He still held fast to his integrity. That is why God acknowledged Job and said, "For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man fearing God and turning away from evil" (Job 2:3). But Job started to curse the day of his birth when he got sore boils and had great pain.
In time he argued with his friends. But why then had God said Job was 'blameless' though he still had evil? It is because Job lived in the time of the Old Testament before the Holy Spirit did not yet come into the hearts of people. It means that as long as one didn't act out something that was against the Law he wasn't deemed a sinner. Job didn't commit sins in action and did many good deeds such as helping orphans and widows. That is why God acknowledged him as blameless. However, God wanted him to cast away every form of evil and even the sinful natures from his heart. God did not want him to just stay at the level of not 'doing sins in action'. In reality, only when we circumcise our hearts and cast off every form of evil including evil in our nature can we finally become blameless in a spiritual sense.
- 2. In order to become blameless
Matthew 12:19-20 shows how blameless Jesus was. It says, "He will not quarrel, nor cry out; nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. A battered reed He will not break off, and a smoldering wick He will not put out, until He leads justice to victory." Then, what should we do to become a blameless man like Jesus? Firstly, we should not break off a battered reed When one grows a tree or a plant, he cuts off withered leaves or branches. Likewise, people turn their backs on those who are not beneficial to them or who do them harm. They may 'break them off' or break off from them.
However, Jesus didn't 'break off' any soul even though he was like a battered reed, but instead He tried to save him. Then, what kind of person does 'a battered reed' refer to? It refers to a person who is filled with sins and evil and worldly things. For example, it includes the people who had evil intent toward Jesus though they witnessed Him practicing goodness. Jesus didn't forsake even such people. He taught them the truth, and patiently bore with them. Nor did He abandon the sick and the poor but loved them and tried to save them until the end. A blameless man has mercy on even those who are full of evil and tries to save them. Secondly, we should not put out a smoldering wick A smoldering wick is likened to a person whose heart is stained with so much evil that the light of their spirit is dying out. Even though one had no possibility to be revived in spirit and was helpless in every affair, Jesus didn't give such people up and tried His best to save them until the end.
Jesus foreknew that Judas Iscariot would betray Him, but He was with him and patiently waited for him to change. He also interceded for the forgiveness of those who were crucifying and mocking Him, and cried out in prayer, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." He didn't give up on those people no matter how evil they were. We should have patience to lead souls with love until the end in a same way that Jesus did. The heart of not putting out a smoldering wick is similar to the fruit of patience among nine fruits of the Holy Spirit. This is because one with the fruit of patience sees others with spiritual love and hope and guides them with faith and patience until the end. People commonly abandon those who do harm to them or cause them shame, in a same way that they put out a smoldering wick, even though they are their parents or their own children.
But one who has a blameless heart and is deemed perfect in the sight of God never gives up on them and prays for them until the end from the heart. Thirdly, we should not quarrel, nor cry out. Jesus didn't quarrel nor cry out even when He was faced with things that could not be endured at all. Evil persons plotted evil schemes against Him in many affairs and tried to put Him to death because of their jealousy. He didn't stand against them at all, but taught them in wisdom of goodness in those situations and sometimes avoided in wisdom. He kept silent when questioned to fulfill the providence of salvation. When we meet with something contrary to our thoughts or our desires, if our faith is small, we easily become hot-tempered and quarrelsome. If we quarrel, we should blame ourselves for it. It happens because we have a small heart-vessel and we have self-righteousness and self-framework that make it impossible to embrace others. So, we should get rid of all evils from our hearts quickly. Jesus didn't boast off and His behavior was truly holy and pure.
Jesus could have flaunted Himself when He manifested amazing works that men couldn't do. But He never desired to gain favor from people for His powerful ministry. He didn't want to reveal Himself at all, but just acted humbly without boasting off and only gave glory to God. We should not desire to gain recognition from others for our contributions and should not flaunt ourselves. Our actions must be needed to only glorify God. Then God, who knows everything, will let all our good works to be revealed.
- 3. Blessings given to a man of blamelessness
Since Abraham was blameless and his deeds were perfect, he received God's love. He brought harm to no one and never paid evil for evil. He solved every kind of problem in goodness and patiently endured with everyone. That is why God was pleased with him and blessed him. How did Abraham deal with the matter when his possessions and those of Lot, his nephew, had become so great that they could no longer remain together, and there was strife between their herdsmen?
Though Abraham was Lot's uncle, he gave away the better things to his nephew. Moreover, he didn't harbor any kind of discomfort or hard feelings though Lot chose the better land seeking his own benefit. Abraham even saved Lot at risk of his own life when Lot was taken captive. In this way, Abraham neither quarreled, nor cried out, or sought his benefit. He acted without blemish. As a result he suffered no loss, but received only tremendous blessings.
In the end, Abraham was recognized by God as the 'father of faith' and the 'friend of God.' If we have a blameless heart, we will neither break off a battered reed, nor put out a smoldering wick, nor quarrel, nor cry out, and then we can embrace many people and lead them to the way of salvation. Only then can we enjoy a prosperous life in which everything goes well with us like Abraham and be recognized as great in Heaven.
Kutokuwa na Lawama
Soma: Mathayo 12:18-21
Mstari wa kukariri: Mathayo 12:20
Marejeo: Ayubu 1:20-21. Lengo: kuwa na moyo usio na lawama kama Yesu, ambaye hakuvunja mwanzi uliopondeka wala kuzimisha utambi utokao moshi.
Watu wanaweza kukumbana na taabu nyingi maishani, hasa kwa sababu mioyo yao ina makosa. Mtu asiye na lawama hafuatilii mambo yasiyo na maana; hujitahidi kuwa mtakatifu, hudumisha moyo wake katika kweli na kutimiza wajibu wake kwa uaminifu. Kwa hiyo, anaweza kupokea hekima itokayo juu na kufanikiwa katika mambo yote.
- 1. Maana ya kiroho ya “kutokuwa na lawama”
Mwanadamu hutazama sura ya nje, lakini Mungu hutazama moyo na anajua wazi nani ni mwema au mwovu. Machoni pake Ayubu hakuwa na lawama (Ayubu 1:1). Kamusi hufafanua asiye na lawama kuwa hana hatia wala hastahili kulaumiwa. Watu wa namna hiyo kwa kawaida ni wapole na wanyenyekevu, hutenda na kusema kwa wema wa ukarimu. Hata wakikumbana na jambo linalowadhuru, hawalipi ubaya kwa ubaya bali huitikia kwa wema. Kwa hiyo, maana ya kiroho ni kuonyesha upole kwa matendo.
Ayubu alikuwa amebarikiwa mali, umaarufu, watoto na afya, na alihesabiwa kuwa mkuu kuliko watu wote wa mashariki. Lakini msiba ukamnyang’anya mali yake yote na watoto wake wakafa siku moja. Ayubu hakumlaumu Mungu; alisimama, akararua mavazi yake, akanyoa kichwa, akaanguka chini na kuabudu (Ayubu 1:20). Hakutenda dhambi wala kumlaumu Mungu, akashikilia uadilifu wake. Mungu akamwambia shetani Ayubu alikuwa mtu asiye na lawama na mnyofu, aliyemcha Mungu na kujiepusha na uovu (Ayubu 2:3). Hata hivyo, majipu mabaya yalipomletea maumivu makali, alianza kuilaani siku aliyozaliwa na kubishana na marafiki zake.
Kwa nini Mungu alimwita Ayubu asiye na lawama ilhali alikuwa na uovu? Aliishi katika Agano la Kale, kabla Roho Mtakatifu hajakaa mioyoni mwa watu. Wakati huo, mtu hakuhesabiwa kuwa mwenye dhambi ikiwa hakutenda jambo lililovunja Sheria. Ayubu hakutenda dhambi kwa matendo na alifanya mema mengi, kama kuwasaidia yatima na wajane; ndiyo maana Mungu alimkubali kuwa asiye na lawama. Lakini Mungu alitaka aache kila aina ya uovu, hata asili ya dhambi moyoni, si kutotenda dhambi kwa nje tu. Tunakuwa wasio na lawama kiroho tunapotahiri mioyo yetu na kuondoa kila uovu, hata ule ulio ndani ya asili yetu.
- 2. Ili tuwe wasio na lawama
Mathayo 12:19-20 hutuonyesha jinsi Yesu alivyokuwa asiye na lawama: hatagombana wala kupaza sauti; mwanzi uliopondeka hatauvunja wala utambi utokao moshi hatauzima, mpaka aifikishe hukumu ya haki kwenye ushindi. Tufanye nini ili tufanane naye?
Kwanza, tusivunje mwanzi uliopondeka. Mtu anayepanda mti au mmea hukata majani na matawi yaliyokauka. Vivyo hivyo, watu huwaacha wasio na faida kwao au wanaowadhuru, kana kwamba wanawavunja. Yesu hakumwacha mtu yeyote aliyekuwa kama mwanzi uliopondeka; alijaribu kumwokoa. Mwanzi uliopondeka humaanisha mtu aliyejaa dhambi, uovu na mambo ya dunia. Hata waliomkusudia Yesu mabaya ingawa waliona akitenda mema, hakuwakataa. Aliwafundisha kweli na kuwavumilia kwa saburi. Hakuwatelekeza wagonjwa na maskini; aliwapenda na kujaribu kuwaokoa hadi mwisho. Mtu asiye na lawama huwahurumia hata waliojaa uovu na kujaribu kuwaokoa.
Pili, tusizime utambi utokao moshi. Utambi huo hufananishwa na mtu ambaye moyo wake umechafuliwa sana na uovu kiasi kwamba nuru ya roho yake inakaribia kufa. Hata mtu aonekane hana tumaini la kufufuliwa kiroho na asiweze kujisaidia katika jambo lolote, Yesu hakumwacha; alijitahidi kumwokoa hadi mwisho. Yesu alijua Yuda Iskariote angemsaliti, lakini aliendelea kuwa pamoja naye na kumngoja abadili moyo. Pia aliwaombea msamaha waliomsulubisha na kumdhihaki, akisema, “Baba, uwasamehe, kwa kuwa hawajui watendalo.” Hakuwakataza watu hata wawe waovu kiasi gani. Sisi pia tuwe na saburi ya kuwaongoza watu kwa upendo hadi mwisho. Kutokuzima utambi kunafanana na tunda la saburi kati ya matunda tisa ya Roho: mwenye saburi huwaona wengine kwa upendo wa kiroho na tumaini, huwaongoza kwa imani hadi mwisho. Watu huacha kwa urahisi waliowadhuru au kuwaaibisha, hata kama ni wazazi au watoto wao.
Mwenye moyo usio na lawama na mkamilifu machoni pa Mungu hamwachi mtu huyo; huendelea kumwombea kwa moyo wote. Tatu, tusigombane wala kupaza sauti. Yesu hakugombana wala kupaza sauti hata alipokabiliwa na hali isiyovumilika. Watu waovu walipanga njama dhidi yake na kutaka kumwua kwa wivu. Hakupigana nao; aliwafundisha kwa hekima ya wema au akajiepusha nao kwa busara. Alinyamaza walipomhoji ili kutimiza mpango wa wokovu. Tukikutana na jambo lisilolingana na mawazo au matamanio yetu, imani ikiwa ndogo tunakasirika na kugombana kwa urahisi. Tukigombana, tujilaumu wenyewe: hutokea kwa sababu moyo wetu ni mdogo na umejaa kujihesabia haki na mawazo yetu wenyewe, yasiyoturuhusu kuwakumbatia wengine. Tuondoe uovu mioyoni haraka.
Yesu hakujisifu; mwenendo wake ulikuwa mtakatifu na safi. Angeweza kujionyesha alipotenda miujiza ambayo wanadamu hawangeweza kufanya, lakini hakutafuta sifa za watu. Alitenda kwa unyenyekevu bila kujisifu na akampa Mungu utukufu pekee. Sisi pia tusitafute kutambuliwa kwa mchango wetu wala kujionyesha; matendo yetu yawe kwa ajili ya kumtukuza Mungu. Yeye anayejua yote atadhihirisha mema tuliyofanya.
- 3. Baraka anazopewa mtu asiye na lawama
Abrahamu hakuwa na lawama na matendo yake yalikuwa kamili, hivyo akapokea upendo wa Mungu. Hakumdhuru mtu wala kulipa ubaya kwa ubaya. Alitatua matatizo kwa wema na kuwavumilia watu; Mungu akampenda na kumbariki. Mali ya Abrahamu na ya Lutu, mpwa wake, ilipoongezeka kiasi cha kutoweza kukaa pamoja na wachungaji wao kugombana, alitatua jambo hiloje?
Ingawa Abrahamu alikuwa mjomba wa Lutu, alimpa mpwa wake nafasi ya kuchagua ardhi bora. Hakuhifadhi uchungu hata Lutu alipochagua sehemu nzuri kwa faida yake mwenyewe. Abrahamu hata alihatarisha maisha yake kumwokoa Lutu alipotekwa. Hakugombana, kupaza sauti wala kutafuta faida yake; alitenda bila lawama. Matokeo yake hakupata hasara bali baraka nyingi.
Hatimaye Mungu alimkubali Abrahamu kuwa baba wa imani na rafiki wa Mungu. Tukiwa na moyo usio na lawama, hatutavunja mwanzi uliopondeka, kuzima utambi utokao moshi, kugombana wala kupaza sauti; tutaweza kuwakumbatia watu wengi na kuwaongoza kwenye wokovu. Hapo ndipo tutakapofurahia maisha yenye mafanikio kama Abrahamu na kutambuliwa kuwa wakuu mbinguni.