No One Is Insignificant Even When There Is A Feeling Of Insignificance

Whenever a dark cloud hit one’s life, there is a tendency to ask if their life plays any significant role. The bible reminds us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made and for his purposes has God created us. It so happens that in that state comes an opportunity which in otherwise demonstrates fourth that in spite of our what seems to be insignificant life is significance. In 2 Kings 5 is a well narrated story of the healing of Naaman, the Aramean Commander, from leprosy. He was a well decorated soldier whom the King had a great admiration for. Sometimes I tend to think young men and boys were pointed to this gentleman as a man they could emulate in fighting for one’s nation and bringing victory. Naaman, due to his capability and leadership and victories attached to his name would at no point be relieved off his duties. Imagine if he was a regular soldier or a losing soldier? How was Naaman feeling with this condition of leprosy? That in spite of his military capabilities he had skin condition. Between his restoration to the baby skin and his current situation is a maiden in his home whose name is not recorded anywhere for us. She was a Jew most likely taken in as a slave at a time when Arameans had conquered Israel. She is the one who comes with the idea of Naaman visiting the man of God, Elisha, and that he would be healed. This was something that Naaman would be hesitant try out of possibly having tried other means of healing unsuccessfully. Would Naaman have taken that as a set up? Would the girl’s idea have sounded like a treason in the ears of Israeli king? She had a genuine concern for Naaman who must have been desperate for healing and true to her word Naaman’s skin glows to the status of that of a young baby. Without this girl the story of Naaman’s restoration would not have made it to the pages of the Bible.

Another category is the lepers who had been positioned outside of the gate due to the same condition as Naaman- 2 kings 7. This was in accordance to the law of God with regards to individuals with that condition- Leviticus 13.46. This was during a hunger that had lavished the land of Israel to the extent of people becoming cannibals- 2 kings chapter 6 while at the same time after consuming the consumables they had turned out to doves’ faecal materials as well as donkey head whose cost had shot high due to high demand vs low supply. These men had smelled death and all that was left was to chose the means through which they would die or at least die trying. They opted to match to the Arameans camp- the perennial tormentors of Israelites. Miraculously God used these men to cause a situation through which food became plenty in the land of Israel and more lives were saved as well as their livestock. Dignity was restored. In the process: These men who were leprous had access to the very camp which they were outsiders to. Nobody within the city felt threatened anymore by their skin condition. Secondly, they had preserved their lives in a situation which would seem like a treason plan. Lastly, just like the maiden in Naaman’s house, they are not acknowledged neither are we aware of who their names were. But their acts, boy they ended up saving a lot of lives. Their insignificance at that particular moment didn’t matter in comparison to the great role they had played in bringing out a significant role.

Thirdly I think of Joseph whose landing in Egypt originated from a number of dreams shared to individuals who thought it too wayward for a younger brother, the second last kid, to claim that he is going to lead the rest. To this reason they turned him into a merchandise that lands into a place of slavery and dungeon and in all these places his antenna kept on being broken by those who interacted with it. When those to whom their dreams he gave an interpretation forgot him he must have thought within himself’’ kwani watu hutaka aje? ‘’- what exactly do people want? However, this insignificant prisoner interprets a dream that the king had to accuracy and from that simple act of interpreting a dream came a man who saved an entire nation and abroad while turning the same nation into a super power economically. It was the International Cereals centre where everyone came for food. The insignificant dreamer becomes the hero of the moment and unlike the two characters demonstrated above, for him was honour and crown that seems to come before his achievement. What was going on through Josephs mind when no one remembered him even after helping them out? What about Potiphar’s wife who had landed him to jail from a lustful desire which joseph committed not to fulfil even though that would have been a leeway for favours? Did he ever feel like he had been forgotten by those that matter to him? His brothers found him and his only explanation to them was that God had sent him there so as to prepare a table for them and rescue them because this hunger had its fangs ready to spike anyone whom it interacted with. Without Joseph’s dream and experience, may be the powerful Egypt would not have risen as well as Israel being preserved.

Lastly is the case of Jesus. Jews are being tormented by the Romans and they are seeking to lay rods of iron over them. To this effect they are revisiting every promise that they had been issued with previously so as to see when the king would arrive and relieve them from their tormentors. I guess there must have been some sons of Issachar who knew time because this was a curious wait. They are waiting for a political figure who is to come and lead a resistance movement against these ungodly Romans and subdue them. Unfortunately, and opposite to their expectation is the arrival of a king who comes through the most awkward way. Since they expect a political king, their expectation is like that of a US president checking into a public arena. To their surprise, he lands in a manger, he lands into a carpenter’s house- no fame is expected to arise from such an environment not unless it is of something that is not godly. He lands into a city whose coordinates in the maps is not noticeable. And this is the very individual who raises a claim that he has not only come to the Jews but to the whole world. Sounds like a joke of the season. A comic play one would state. The means of bringing victory also doesn’t seem to add up- death on the cross? Seriously? Is that how we are to defeat the romans who are qualified users of crude weapons- swords, knives, proper whips, etc? What were those who had believed in him thinking? The self-proclaimed king is dead and now their hopes shuttered. Is that not the reason as to why Peter and the squad decided fishing is okay and soon were to shift their loyalties to the former masters- pharisee? But wait until he conquers death. This does not only brighten their hope but reignites their zeal and passion for this king such that his disciples 2000yrs later are not diminishing but matching fourth with the course. Counting the cost and increasing in numbers.

These are just but a few samples of cases that demonstrates fourth that the individuals who from self and others think that they are insignificant end up being significant in extraordinary cases. This is a demonstration that no one no matter what is happening to them is insignificant. We are all significant. In spite of the prevailing circumstances, the truth remains that there is a significance in each one of us whether it shall be acknowledged or not. And at the role we play brings a so much effect positively that nobody remembers whether we were in a situation that seemed to endanger them or shame them or not so appealing. At such a point even kings will dine with the hobos in a bid to demonstrate how happy they are. The best attitude therefore is to acknowledge that we are made in his image and likeness and for himself has he made us- Psalms 139.14.

From the harlotry of Jericho to Messianic Lineage

At one point during Jesus ‘ministry some Pharisees and teachers of law accused him of his trend of feasting with sinners to which he replied: ‘’healthy people don’t need a doctor- the sick people do’’. He had come for sinners who were desperate for repentance and forgiveness (Luke 5.30-32).

In Joshua 2 we are introduced to a prostitute by the name of Rahab- who might have been running a brothel at the edge of the well-established-fortified city of Jericho- seems a good spot for spying and spotting clients. Prior to verse 1, it seems this city was well conversant with the Israelites. Their fame had landed in this city like the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombing- vs 9-11. The news about Yahweh had sent cold shivers down the spine of every city dweller; from the king to the citizens. It is out of these news that Rahab grasped who the spies were, from where and what was going to follower soon. I believe that they found themselves here not in pursuit of her ‘honey jar’ but as them seeking for help having been discovered (spies know when they are being spied). It also seems Rahab had kept them on toes and upon realizing what the future had and what was going to happen to these guys per chance they were caught, she sort to rescue them. Good humanity act though against all odds. From Joshua 2, the following parallels can be drawn as foreshadowing to the New Testament:

First: Rahab lived a life that was dry of dignity- prostitution. The entry of these two individuals initiated the transformation and renewal of her life as well as destiny. This is comparable to the entry of Jesus Christ in our lives which becomes the transformational initiation into our lives. The forgiven life. It marks the moment where we are groomed with the new regalia of righteousness. Jesus made it crystal clear that of the righteous he came not but for the sick. She, Rahab, is most likely the one who welcomed them into her home. The very lowly, destitute, the blind, the dumb, the sick, the lost, the dead to God- for such he came. Isa 61:1  “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn,  To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”

Second: she asks for an agreement/covenant with regards to her acts of shifting her loyalty. In john 3.16-21… “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. “For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. “But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” Jesus offers the covenant himself. He dictates what is in it for them that believe in Him. Joh 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. the disciples wanted a clarification of what comes out of their lives if they would follow Jesus and he told them…Mt 19:27 -29 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?” So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. Rahab was also given some affairs to set in place. First was that if her family members were to be saved they had to be in the right place on the day of judgement- in the house. Otherwise, they would be condemned with everyone else and that will be their choice. Jesus reminding us that he will still come again said that them that shall be outside of him when he comes back like a thief shall perish eternally. It is an act of disobedience, disregard and defiance that an individual chooses to embrace in spite of knowing the outcomes of the choices they take. Hell is choice for those individuals who have chosen to reject God. Jesus says that he is the truth, way and life (John 14.6). He is the door to the sheep pen of the flock of our LORD. At the same time he has said that if we hear him knock at our heart he will check in if we let him. The conclusion of it all is that there is no inheritance of the kingdom without him. Rahab additionally was given a flag to fix to the window which would be visible to the attacking militant which would safeguard them. Similarly, during the last plague in Egypt the Israelites were to mark the doorposts of their doors with lambs’ blood upon which the angel of death would pass over. Per chance an Israelites chose to ignore these instruction the calamity would have befallen them and consequently an Egyptian who would have put blood on door post would not be punished with the rest. This is the grace that was extended to Rahab and it was upon her to do with the flag as instructed. Notably, she placed that flag instantly lest forgetfulness and delay checked in. When we receive Christ we declare that we want to walk in his steps and as such a cross is placed on our shoulder; we are to deny self and follow him daily – Luke 9.23. The garment of faith must remain on. He places on us a seal which is the Holy Spirit who authenticates our belief in him – 2 Timothy 2.19. She was lastly given the call to change her allegiance. The expectation was that she will not give the betrayal kiss to the terms of the covenant. In our walk with the Lord we are called to do it in spirit and truth. He, Jesus, has offered salvation to us and the Holy Spirit to help us. The call is to walk in righteousness while rejecting sin; of course this does not translate to perfection. It is the call to live a surrendered life and that of bearing fruit- Gal 5.16-26. Are you walking in the spirit? Am I walking in the spirit?

In chapter 6 Jericho is seized. It happened in a mysterious and funny way. Rahab could see the day fast approaching while the other people must have been confused at the approach of the enemy- Israelites- who made rounds without attacking. In Matthew 24 Jesus gives signs of the end times and said again that like a thief will he come. The call is that of preparedness. Those whose trust is in the Lord, like Rahab, will be taken to paradise while those who will be outside of him will be judged eternally. Rahab and her family were saved as well as being of the lineage of the Lord Jesus Christ-Matthew 1.5, Hebrew 11.31.The delight of the LORD is in the death of a righteous man as opposed to a sinner. He is coming but before then he may call us home. It is an either or situation and ultimately a must. How is your relationship with him? He is calling all to believe in the ultimate sacrifice by surrendering to him by accepting Christ Jesus as Lord and Saviour because after death is judgement- Hebrew 9.27.

The Specimen For Rogue Pastors is The ‘Ignorant’ Majority

Deuteronomy 4 forms a part of Moses’ last speech to the Israelites. One of the key instruction that kept popping up was obedience the Lord’s command. This would guarantee prosperity and increase in the land which they we going to check into and occupy. He cautions them against adding and subtracting the decrees of God- he knew that this was a likelihood not only then but today as well. The order was that they should listen and obey/ follow. Between the written decrees and prosperity stands the pivot of listening and obeying. Deuteronomy 4-9: Hear, Israel: Yahweh is our God; Yahweh is one: and you shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all you might. These words, which I command you this day, shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them for a sign on your hand, and they shall be for symbols between your eyes. You shall write them on the door posts of your house, and on your gates. The guarding are charged with being the first teachers of the law to their children.

If they would follow the instructions given, their wisdom, intelligence and prudence would be a testimony to the surrounding nations. That is to say that their lifestyle would be an evangelistic tool to the non-believers. The answers and responses they would give would result to the glorification of the name of Yahweh. In chapter 6 of Deuteronomy they are charged with the responsibility of teaching the same decrees. Deuteronomy 6:7-9 “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. “You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. “You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Is that the case today?

When I think of the Shakahola crisis, fake miracles, planting of seeds (kupanda mbegu) buying of brooms to sweep problems, holy water from Jerusalem, handicaps for hire, false prophecies of how your neighbor or relative is the one visiting witch doctors to curse you, the ‘robbing of stars’, over emphasis on prosperity gospel, I’m convinced that we have negated the biblical text and far from it have wandered. If truth does not matter, why should I want it to matter to another individual? If the biblical teachings are not a priority to me, why should they be to my child(ren)? If I do not study, meditate, etc. on the word of God, how will I know what to believe in or not, when to do what and where and how? Will I even tell if I or my children are being indoctrinated to fasting to death or buying brooms to sweep Satan or planting to harvest? How will I tell if the ‘man of God’ is preaching heresy or truth? Will I even tell if I am being alienated from my family or other members of the society for the ease of brainwashing or even leading my family to disasters even death through fasting?

No wonder Ezra thought through it and made a resolve to learn, practice and teach the law to others (Ezra 7.10). In our time our anointed men of god’ have been cunning enough to realize open doors and have ended up adding and subtracting scriptures for maximum benefit. They are sowing where they have not sowed; though they have sowed to some extent by ensuring that the ignorance of many does not only remain but blossoms. The Bereans in acts 17 are said to have been more prudent in verifying if Paul and Silas were preaching rumors or the true gospel. They didn’t want to build skyscraper on heresy…Acts 17.10-11 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

Mt 28:18 -20…And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Witness, then make those new believers into disciples. The disciples will most likely reflect the master. No wonder followers of these warped believers will always reason alike and will defend them by all means. The making of disciples is to start right from Jerusalem- our houses. The first disciples ought to be our child(ren). If we are lukewarm, so shall they be. Imagine a society of lukewarm believers? This is spiritual poverty. In Deuteronomy 6:8-9″You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. “You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. The call was intentional. We are always using our hands and so having the laws in your hands was a constant reminder. Per chance you did not see them on your hands, one shall see them on the forehead of the person they meet or interact with or be with ay any given moment… as you check into the home you will spot them on the door post of every structure bearing a door. If you be along the road, gates will have the laws scribed on them. This is intentional and it takes time and sacrifices. There was no reason for not knowing.

Neither hearing nor knowing is enough. Think of how we religiously install bible apps in our phones. How many open those bible apps leave alone obeying?  And when they open them by chance they barely can recall what they read. I bet that sometimes that the bible is one of the apps that the phone system proposes to be uninstalled because they are the least used apps and this would create space. Like the Israelites to the surrounding nations, the call is to walk the talk. If there is a disparity between what we confess and how we live the same, then we become a salt without flavor of light that has been positioned under the bed even after it has lit. It is when we live lifestyles that demonstrate Christ whom we confess that many shall be drawn. Gimmicks, fake miracles, rumors about Christ amongst others will never draw non-believers. They too know some truth about Christ. It starts by us mediating on the word of God and living it out. Psalms 1:1-4 blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. The more Bereans we have the more the likes of Paul Makenzie and other rogue pastors will have reduced specimens with whom they can implement their warped doctrine. We shall be in a position to shift gears from the ‘man of god’ centered gospel to Jehovah. We shall be in a position to discern messages and sermons delivered to see if they really are true or false by the use of word of God- bible as the standard.

Deuteronomy 4 forms a part of Moses’ last speech to the Israelites. One of the key instruction that kept popping up was obedience the Lord’s command. This would guarantee prosperity and increase in the land which they we going to check into and occupy. He cautions them against adding and subtracting the decrees of God- he knew that this was a likelihood not only then but today as well. The order was that they should listen and obey/ follow. Between the written decrees and prosperity stands the pivot of listening and obeying. Deuteronomy 4-9: Hear, Israel: Yahweh is our God; Yahweh is one: and you shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all you might. These words, which I command you this day, shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them for a sign on your hand, and they shall be for symbols between your eyes. You shall write them on the door posts of your house, and on your gates. The guarding are charged with being the first teachers of the law to their children.

If they would follow the instructions given, their wisdom, intelligence and prudence would be a testimony to the surrounding nations. That is to say that their lifestyle would be an evangelistic tool to the non-believers. The answers and responses they would give would result to the glorification of the name of Yahweh. In chapter 6 of Deuteronomy they are charged with the responsibility of teaching the same decrees. Deuteronomy 6:7-9 “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. “You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. “You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Is that the case today?

When I think of the Shakahola crisis, fake miracles, planting of seeds (kupanda mbegu) buying of brooms to sweep problems, holy water from Jerusalem, handicaps for hire, false prophecies of how your neighbor or relative is the one visiting witch doctors to curse you, the ‘robbing of stars’, over emphasis on prosperity gospel, I’m convinced that we have negated the biblical text and far from it have wandered. If truth does not matter, why should I want it to matter to another individual? If the biblical teachings are not a priority to me, why should they be to my child(ren)? If I do not study, meditate, etc. on the word of God, how will I know what to believe in or not, when to do what and where and how? Will I even tell if I or my children are being indoctrinated to fasting to death or buying brooms to sweep Satan or planting to harvest? How will I tell if the ‘man of God’ is preaching heresy or truth? Will I even tell if I am being alienated from my family or other members of the society for the ease of brainwashing or even leading my family to disasters even death through fasting?

No wonder Ezra thought through it and made a resolve to learn, practice and teach the law to others (Ezra 7.10). In our time our anointed men of god’ have been cunning enough to realize open doors and have ended up adding and subtracting scriptures for maximum benefit. They are sowing where they have not sowed; though they have sowed to some extent by ensuring that the ignorance of many does not only remain but blossoms. The Bereans in acts 17 are said to have been more prudent in verifying if Paul and Silas were preaching rumors or the true gospel. They didn’t want to build skyscraper on heresy…Acts 17.10-11 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

Mt 28:18 -20…And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Witness, then make those new believers into disciples. The disciples will most likely reflect the master. No wonder followers of these warped believers will always reason alike and will defend them by all means. The making of disciples is to start right from Jerusalem- our houses. The first disciples ought to be our child(ren). If we are lukewarm, so shall they be. Imagine a society of lukewarm believers? This is spiritual poverty. In Deuteronomy 6:8-9″You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. “You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. The call was intentional. We are always using our hands and so having the laws in your hands was a constant reminder. Per chance you did not see them on your hands, one shall see them on the forehead of the person they meet or interact with or be with ay any given moment… as you check into the home you will spot them on the door post of every structure bearing a door. If you be along the road, gates will have the laws scribed on them. This is intentional and it takes time and sacrifices. There was no reason for not knowing.

Neither hearing nor knowing is enough. Think of how we religiously install bible apps in our phones. How many open those bible apps leave alone obeying?  And when they open them by chance they barely can recall what they read. I bet that sometimes that the bible is one of the apps that the phone system proposes to be uninstalled because they are the least used apps and this would create space. Like the Israelites to the surrounding nations, the call is to walk the talk. If there is a disparity between what we confess and how we live the same, then we become a salt without flavour of light that has been positioned under the bed even after it has lit. It is when we live lifestyles that demonstrate Christ whom we confess that many shall be drawn. Gimmicks, fake miracles, rumours about Christ amongst others will never draw non-believers. They too know some truth about Christ. It starts by us mediating on the word of God and living it out. Psalms 1:1-4 blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. The more Bereans we have the more the likes of Paul Makenzie and other rogue pastors will have reduced specimens with whom they can implement their warped doctrine. We shall be in a position to shift gears from the ‘man of god’ centred gospel to Jehovah. We shall be in a position to discern messages and sermons delivered to see if they really are true or false by the use of word of God- bible as the standard.

If I Call It By Name, The Reality Will Sink.

Genesis39:7-12…7 and Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded. [8]But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household. [9]No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.” [10]She kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day, but he refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way as much as possible. [11]One day, however, no one else was around when he went in to do his work. [12]She came and grabbed him by his cloak, demanding, “Come on, and sleep with me!” Joseph tore himself away, but he left his cloak in her hand as he ran from the house.

Joseph is handsome and well built. He was is a youth meaning he has energy and power in abundance. He is excellent in all his duties. It is his devotion and commitment that gives him a rank in the household of Potiphar. There is Potiphar, a busy man who is majorly involved in the affairs of the kingdom of which he was a high ranking officer in pharaoh’s army- major general. He must have achieved so much for the kingdom in terms of military achievements – hence well known. There is Potiphar’s wife: house wife, well kept, one commanding respect by association of her husband.

Think of the offer that Potiphar’s wife comes with to Joseph and the ‘benefits’ attached to it. More promotion on the account that he’ll keep on servicing his side of contract. May be he would have been given a personal assistant by the influence of this woman so as to preserve his energy. May be he would have enjoyed more gifts, good treats, valuables, etc.  Maybe he would have secured his freedom eventually through the back door. But again how long would have this illicit relationship have lasted for? Joseph was to choose his values and principles or choose the big mama and reap the benefit thereof. There was not fence sitting. This was a tough situation bearing he was in a foreign land and the benefits would have ‘rescued ‘his life. It would have been a shortcut towards liberating himself.

You may mask this relationship under the blanket of privacy and secrets. That no one would have to discover. What would have happened if the man of the house discovered that this young man has been feeding excellently from his trough? This jail term that he got would most likely have remained not an option. The young man would have been sliced and barbecued by major general Potiphar.

The response by Joseph is key. Potiphar’s wife proposal was to COME AND SLEEP WIT HER. That sounds nice and diplomatic. Sleeping only. She was offering the stolen fruit. She probably was ashamed of calling the act by its name. The real call would have been: Joseph, COME COMMIT ADULTERY WITH ME. Joseph aroused her to the reality of her call. ‘How CAN I DO SUCH A WICKED (ADULTERY) THING WITH YOU?’ To Potiphar’s wife, the secret would be sealed but to Joseph they were as naked as visible to all. Joseph was not blind to the reality that GOD WAS IS OMNIPRESENT. He could have said okay this one has been long overdue or let us have it one time only and we’re done but to him, calling a spade a spade enhanced his stand. He was awakening his conscience that sin is not to be tossed with. He was not willing to cross the line or even draw near to it. He was also a loyal servant to his master Potiphar. He was free to interact with anything else but not his wife. He knew his limits and boundaries. Life is always full of situations which will require of us to make choices. After all man is a summation of all the choices he has been making.

The story of Joseph is that of an individual who was not ready for shortcuts- which sometimes are longer, if not always, than the long route. But our generation has a different view of this. Such an opportunity is seen as a route to gain. Joseph is more likely to be termed a fool and one that wastes fortunes. Is it not the reason that so many cases of murders happening because of love betrayals? The rise of ‘sponsors’ whereby older women and men, who are wealthy, seek love and sensual pleasures from young men and girls respectively (who are struggling to keep a good life but are physically well). The drive is to get high-end life within the shortest time and easiest way possible. It is baptized with good titles: sponsor, mbabaz, wash-wash, mmama wa harrier, etc. The wickedness is massaged to eliminate guilt and shame. This does not only happen within the confines of sexual pleasures but also in other vices. It is the drive of self. Why is there corruption, stealing, cheating, fornication, adultery etc. if it be not that the individuals committing these vices having the mind of having themselves occupy the inner, middle and outer court? 

The question about choices will always emerge and tough ones will always be when we are caught up in a mix and the deal seems to be liberating. Joseph’s decision demonstrates what his convictions were. He, Joseph, knew what the odds were. He had these principles anchored in his mind. Do I have boundaries, values, principles, limits that I’ll never violate no matter the situations I find myself in? Our responses to situations do test whether our confessions and beliefs are what we mean or just good statements good for citations and knowhow. He must have made such choices long ago. Sexual sin is a shadow that will stick wherever one is at. By the way, every form of sexual sin is sin as long as it is not to the married partner. Our bodies being the temple of the Holy Spirit calls us to keep it holy. He has called us to live holy lives. The call is to say no to all ungodliness. Till we understand what sin is, then like children playing in a landmine will be the game till it blows us up. Is all lost to the one fallen to that trap? God is always open to a repenting heart.

Dancing to the right tune.

When Abraham and Lot’s (his nephew) wealth grew abundantly, wisdom dictated that the best way to solve the internal squabbles between their hirelings, due to condensed space and pasture control, was to part ways. Pasture and space emerged as the push factors. Their longtime honeymoon was amicably disillusioned. Gen 13:9 Is not all the land before you? then let us go our separate ways: if you go to the left, I will go to the right; or if you take the right, I will go to the left. It was the genesis of two different narratives.

Lot, assumably, must have learned alot from Abraham by this time. Given the choices that were available, and out of self love which I believe was not a crime, he chose the good looking area. Ge 13:10… And Lot, lifting up his eyes and looking in the valley of Jordan, saw that it was well watered everywhere, before the Lord had sent destruction on Sodom and Gomorrah; it was like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, on the way to Zoar. You cannot make the wrong choices especially where the person giving you such a deal wants the best for you.

When I gave my life to Christ, I was not skyrocketed to my maker or ushered into the golden streets in the new Jerusalem. This is the state of many who’ve accepted Jesus Christ as their redeemer. We maintain it here in the fallen world. Infact, we are positioned in the midst of the very world where we are witnesses of every manner of wickedness for a purpose. How then is it expected of us in such moments? Are we still on course or have we aborted the mission? 

I am not sure at what point Sodom and Gomorrah evolved to the LG and an insinuated B (LGBT) society but it is the next thing that is told after the parting. It seems all of Lot’s road converged to the Corinths of the era. Few chapters later God’s agents are on their mission to wipe every oxygen user within Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot is the man who is extending hospitality to the angels. Since they were men, the queer community were ready to extend their unnatural ‘fellowship’ to these men. They were not few but many extending from all over that land. Fascinatingly, Lot seems to have been baptized from the state of radical to liberal minded man evidenced by his response: Gen 19:7-8… And he said, My brothers, do not do this evil. See now, I have two unmarried daughters; I will send them out to you so that you may do to them whatever seems good to you: only do nothing to these men, for this is why they have come under the shade of my roof – he wants to orient them to the B section of LGB…

Think of how our society operates and how believers, you and I, respond to some of the issues that are there. Either from the pulpit, work places, friend circles,etc. How many times have we made jokes, given options and opinions that seem less harmful in the name of making it cool? The response that I do not care about as long as it is not affecting me or everyone has their own issue to deal with has become the rhyme scheme. We give options to immorality. According to Lot, ‘sacrificing’ his daughters out for gang raping was not that evil in comparison to homesexuality. I have heard people say lesbianism is even understandable in comparison to man to man – they say so showing a disgusted face in reference to the latter. Or let us teach children safe sex to avoid pregnancy and STIs as opposed to teaching them that fornication is sin. These are solutions that have been coined by both non-believers and believers; for non-believers that is not news anyway.

Ro 12:1-2… For this reason I make request to you, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you will give your bodies as a living offering, holy, pleasing to God, which is the worship it is right for you to give him. And let not your behaviour be like that of this world, but be changed and made new in mind, so that by experience you may have knowledge of the good and pleasing and complete purpose of God. The LORD, who made it clear that sin is sin in spite of our intentions to disguise the outcome as less harmful, is still highly enthroned and has not waived his standards. Lot brings out a character who is so much absorbed by the environment around him forgetting God’s call- assuming he had learnt about worship from Abraham. This means we have enrolled to the institute of parttime Christianity instead of full time attendance. Could it be that Lot went from a hot to a lukewarm worshiper? Could it be that he had forgotten his daily walk with the master? That worship had long been overtaken by some ‘important’ things? Are we following in the footsteps of Lot or Abraham- after the parting Abraham’s story was quite the opposite?

The question of whether there would be enough evidence to convict you as a Christian were you to be arraigned in court is a call to a self-introspection. Who would stand to witness( believers and unbelievers alike) and testify that your conduct, consistency, character, etc demonstrates truly that you are a Christian? Are we walking the talk?  Or would they, witnesses, be candidates of emergency rooms from the shocker of having your name and Christianity in the same stanza? How truthful are we to the call? In the words of Ray Boltz: Let us proudly stand and boldly say,I pledge allegiance to the Lamb, With all my strength, With all I am, I will seek to honor His commands I pledge allegiance to the Lamb.

Fruit, The Mark Of The Beginning Of Growth.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness & self-control are some of the parts of the fruit of the Holy Spirit according to Galatians 5.22-23. From observation, one can only expect a fruit, whether for consumption or reproduction, from a mature plant. With this list that Paul sent to the church in Galatia, it is worth noting that the fruit is visible and identifiable by other people. In this case, the fruit becomes the litmus paper of our faith and relationship with God: Key Performance Indicators (KPI). 
In the market place, we may or will play the role of either the baptizer or the one getting baptized into the culture, norms, vision, mission, values, etc. of a certain job or organization we are getting into. One cannot realize their KPIs effectively until they have understandably soaked themselves into the organization as well as the scope of their job description. Similarly, Christianity may be a journey full of bruises, lamentation, self-pity, bitterness, etc. if one has not understood the breadth, the length, the height and the depth (Scope) of the faith. With regards to the understanding of the calling we have been called to, Paul makes FIVE prayer requests for the church in Ephesus in regards to the foundations of getting rooted in salvation according to Ephesians 3.14-19: …that He (God) would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, 1to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 2that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; 3that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height and 4to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; 5that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 
Practice makes perfect only if it is the correct thing or from the correct manual for that matter; otherwise, the thunder of the multiple fails will be loud enough. If we as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are to know what and how of our faith, the Bible must be the source of it. The Psalmist states…Psalms 1:2-3 … but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. With the correct script, the play will always flow well in spite of hiccups while the wrong script will be pathetic. Paul beseeches the Ephesus church in Ephesians 4:1-3 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Our faith’s KPIs are measurable. They can be tested and verified. This is possible based on how we relate with others in relation to the standards: the biblical scriptures. For how else can charity be charity if it remains unpracticed? So is goodness, love, humility, etc.
This is the call similarly to the one that Christ Jesus emphasized when he called us to clean the cup on both the inside and the outside. It is the challenge of walking the talk; the call to consistency. It the emphasis on migration from hypocrisy to authenticity. The producing of a fruit does not mark the end to the growth process but rather a mark of the beginning of growth and maturity. The Christianity call is a journey to maturity. It is a continuum till the end of time or return of the Messiah as a king. This growth is not an automatic drive but one a journey that is coupled with its own mountains to negotiate with and overcome. It translates to being in steps with the master teacher. The discipline and commitment into his school, spiritual disciplines, means the more we gain about him and the more we learn of how far we are from perfection. We must be committed to self-introspection and living the same truths thereby exhibiting the very nature of Christ Jesus to all. At no time, just as life itself is, does the master teacher expect you and me to cease growing. So Let us grow.

THE TOOTING MEDIATOR.

 

2 Corinthians 5:18-20… But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation; namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation. We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating us. We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

During the creation story God laid clear instructions to Adam and Eve on what to do. There was just a single caution of not taking the fruit from the tree in the middle of Eden which they ended up doing. God does not just throw them out, he makes a garment to cover their nakedness – Genesis 3. 

During my young age and upbringing, I often became a victim of my mother’s whip which was not a cup of milk served at the cool of the day. With this in mind, I would regularly be in exile for a couple of days to see if the fury would decrease – most of the time this trick worked as a means to postpone, not a forgiveness. But in other cases, I would pay a visit to and look for a local elder or adult whom my mother would listen to. It worked. A truce would check in and life moved on.

Fast tracked down the years of high priest beginning with Aaron. He was a mediator who did the sacrifice to consecrate himself and his forgiveness as well as the forgiveness of others. He pleaded for their cleansing with the blood of animals. But it was not sufficient. Hebrew 9:13-15… For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify to the cleanness of the flesh: how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant, since a death has occurred for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, that those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. And so Christ Jesus lands with the mediation role.

John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him. He has already laid the route. Just like the elder I used to go for to play the role of my attorney and my mum would listen to her, Jesus Christ is that attorney who represents us to God the father. What then has Christ Jesus done that Paul would say that we have been called to be mediators in his second letter to the corinthians? He has sent us out to go and toot the horn of mediation…Matthew 28:18 Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Therefore go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.With such an assurance, the disciples continued to execute this role faithfully and never gave up irrespective of the challenges and threats they faced including losing their own lives. The call to persevere, be proactive and committed to tooting the horn of mediation has been mandated to all that believe in Christ Jesus as the lord and savior. To whom then shall we toot the call to? It is to the lost, the spiritually blind, the spiritually lame, those that do not have a relationship with Him. Acts of Apostles 1-28 is a beautiful story of men and women who have been faithful to the course. Chapter 29 is where you and I are positioned and as mediators of men to Christ, this is the tune that they shall be getting: Romans 10.9-13 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”

The Well, Water & Life

Ever heard of the statement: ‘Leave that one alone, I cannot pursue them since I’ve given up on doing it’? This is not only used by friends or family members but it’s a common statement among believers (followers of Christ). We, believers have not only said it but have gone ahead to live it. Is this the way we ought to do it?

In John 4, Jesus and his disciples are en-route to Galilee from Judea when He decided to take a break at Sychar in Samaria while his disciples went to a nearby town to fetch food. He was tired the Bible says. There was an ancient well that once belonged to Jacob which was next to where he was. What travails there demonstrates that the market was quite a distance since it was time enough for an evangelism to take occurrence.

A Samaritan woman came to fetch water and Jesus borrowed her some. She was able to detect may be from skin complexion or dress code or whatever it was that this was a Jew ASKING for assistance. This gesture by Jesus must have sounded sarcastic to the woman. I am Samaritan and a woman for that matter. ‘You Jews have nothing to do with us.’ This is different from the statement we have nothing to do with each other. It seems this trend was initialized by the Jews. Who were the Samaritans? They were a breed of individuals tracing their genesis from intermarriage between ‘BACKSLIDDEN’ Jews and pagans. They believed in Torah only hence disregarded other Jewish prophets. This called for the hatred by Jews. Pork would have been a better option to deal with than a Samaritan argues one historian. The hatred that Jews had was greater than the one they had for pagans. Jesus must have dined at the feet of the teachers of law and had them reference these people and so in having this conversation with her, he was conscious and aware of the attitude.

The conversation is worked through to a point that Jesus reveals his identity in verse 26. Suddenly, the disciples check in. Another lot of Jews who are enrolled in the school of Christ- hence they were still learning. Joh 4:27 … At that point the disciples came back, and they were surprised to see him talking to a woman; but not one of them said to him, what is your purpose? Or, why are you talking to her? Why the surprise? My guess is that she is a woman, a Samaritan woman (and may be a Samaritan woman who was popular with husband snatching). Concentration on the first two, it demonstrates how Jews detested Samaritans. No wonder when later on Jesus gives the parable of the Good Samaritan they get pissed off. What is the purpose of the conversation? One enquired. I thought to myself: could it be that she was a kind of a prostitute and may be they thought that Jesus was in need of her services? Or were they asking that to indirectly inform him of her character? Or were they reminding him of who he is (a Jew) and WHAT, not who, she is (Samaritan)?

She rushes home and calls her tribes men to come and be witness to the good news. In her absentia Jesus converses with his disciples who are calling on him to have food, an offer he declines so as to bring clarity on the very intentions of his coming. I want to think that they had more questions even if they are not recorded for us. Finally he tells them: Joh 4:34 Jesus said to them, my food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work. This work is what is stated in the previous chapter: Joh 3:16-17… For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him. If this be the case, he was ready to take any given opportunity to even that of waiting for the woman to resume with the crowd as well as tarrying in Samaria- the hated region and its people- for two days.

He not only liberated the Samaritans by giving them the living water but by also reminding them that the Jews were not perfect and were in dire need of redemption too. The true worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth which means the invitation was extended to them too, yes to all of us. What Jews had was half the truth. Look at it this way, Israelites from Exodus to Malachi are a clear demonstration of a people who often failed to meet the standards of God in monotheistic worship, social justices and so on. Yet at no moment did God gave up on them and never failed to pursue them. Often times he punished them but that does not translate to giving up. He followed them. What of us (Sembuse sisi)? He continued to love them. Jesus was occasionally seen with them whom the religious men of the time could not associate with yet in need of grace. He gave the tax collectors, thieves, Samaritans, prostitutes, and us all a sense of living, a purpose and an assurance of forgiveness. Mark you I am not saying we go to pubs and brothels- Jesus did not get them there but in open spaces. However, we must be deliberate in reaching out.

In his commissioning, Jesus sends us, his believers and followers, to all the world. He is quite aware that we live in fallen world and as such must be deliberate and wise in executing out the mandate. We do not leave them out. We are beneficiaries of his promise in Acts of Apostles…1:8…But you shall receive power, the Holy Spirit coming upon you. And you shall be witnesses to me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the end of the earth. He never failed to mention Samaria. In spite of how the church, we the believers, think that we have it right, we are not yet there till we serve in this capacity. Till we partner with God in reaching the world with his love, we are yet to be impactful. We must be the ambassador we were called to be and as such must diligently execute this role. 2Corinthians 5:17…So that if anyone is in Christ, that one is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 whereas God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and putting the word of reconciliation in us. 20 Then we are ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as God exhorting through us, we beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For He has made Him who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. It must be a personal as well as collective responsibility. She became an ambassador of the good news to which they testified that not only had they heard from her but have had the encounter. Reverse evangelism I call it. In reaching out an individual we may end up reaching out a family, clan, society, region or even continent. Samaria was on a revival due to a conversation about water. Christians, followers of Jesus Christ, are a work in progress and as such must continue to seek God in spirit and truth as well as making disciples which is a part of walk with him.

So the, if there is a worth celebration during this year’s Christmas, it is his love. It is his coming. It is his purpose. It is his grace that as many as there are need to know, embrace and surrender unto. Christmas retold is about a king who is always reminding us that he is full aware about us, identifies with us and wants a relationship with each one of us. So then, our candles and the light in us must shine to all. Not only shall we wait for them to ask us about the light but shall be proactive in explaining about that light that is shining in us- Christ’s light. It means that we have to lift the light high and draw towards them so that we can light unto them as well as light their candles. Romans 10:1415…How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without preaching? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things!”  So have we been sent? Yes we have: John 20:21 Then Jesus said to them again, Peace to you. As My Father has sent me, even so I send you.

Sharing your faith with individuals of different faith(s).

1 Peter 3:15…Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 2 Timothy 1:7…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. The call to present one’s faith to individuals of different faith groups is not an easy task.

There is a fear amongst Christians, followers of Jesus Christ, to present their Gospel Faith to Muslims who are the second majority in terms of religious composition in Kenya. To justify their inert state in engaging in evangelism, respect of other people’s faith is the excuse. This is grounded on the second, which is the fear that they will be quoted for some scripture(s) and will be turned into a spectacle for not answering the question put across. People will say: Waislamu wanajua Bible sana so siwezi argue na wao ( Muslims know the bible so I will not Argue matters of faith with them). In writing this, I share my two times engagement with them in a public forum even though I have shared with some at personal level.

Last Sunday, 7th November 2021, an open door to share my Faith was presented just outside of the flat I live in. There was a mhadhara (Debate), by Muslims,which in real sense doesn’t qualify to be called a debate. I was quick to get to the debate because the first person they had set on the hot seat was a drunkard who claimed to be a Christian- their definition of a christian is different from who a christian really is. Anti-Muslim in Kenya will be branded a Christian since Hindus are openly known by their skin colour.

They asked who I was And I responded that I’m Ken, a born again Christian; follower of Christ Jesus. That was their genesis of the flaws. I was rudely interrupted with a citation of Matthew 19.26 part a only… Humanly speaking this is impossible….In Swahili : Hakuna anayeweza kuokoka. In the efforts to explain that there is no need to cite scriptures halfly and without a context, I was cut short. This time round to a different angle of how they’re the ardent follower of Jesus Christ and how he is one of the best prophets they follow. I proposed that we have a one topic discussion without mixing issues and I was told the discussion is being led by them and so should I follow to which I agreed. Before time we were on the issue of marrying many women and how that  is evident in the Bible and Quran through Prophet Mohammed. 

‘Abraham, Solomon, David,Etc had many wives but your pastors tell their flock to marry one and have mipango ya kando (gigolettes)’ stated one sheikh. I stated that it is evident that the so quoted individuals had many wives but that narration or description doesn’t amount to prescription. In Christs’ own words, it was not so from the beginning since God created one woman for Adam whose name is Eve. Secondly, Abraham had one wife Sarah whose death led to the marriage of Keturah. They had cited Genesis 25.1 … Abraham married another wife whose name was Keturah. Again my effort to draw to the context drew no attention because the microphone was being swiped to their guy reading the Bible and quran in perfect swahili and Quran Surah 4: An-Nisa’: 2-3…If ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry women of your choice, two, or three, or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one, or (a captive) that your right hands possess…was read. In the explanation that Adam and Eve are mentioned in the quran as two individuals without polygamy I was advised that mohammed is the last prophet and he was handed a book which led to another angle: vitabu vya mitume hupewa Manabii, Biblia ni kitabu cha nani juu hakuna nabii aliyepewa bible? ( whose book is the bible since all of God’s books are handed over to prophets?).

My argument was that the Bible is God’s word, authored by over 40 authors under inspiration of the holy spirit over a period of 1500 years with unity in the contained message. Before the grabbing of the mike I was told the bible is corrupted with torah, psalms, injeel not being as they were and I demanded from them the original copies- which I’m sure they will not hand over any soon. I reminded them that the Quran has amended the verse which their prophet kept on changing at his will. And I asked whether he composed it or it was handed and from where did he learn about allah before the quran and whether he practised it. Before the question was handled satisfactorily the discussion was headed for the doctrine of trinity. Not mentioned earlier is that before taking the so-called hot seat, a guy had just taken shahada which is what I asked about its location in the Quran and the rounds were many. 

So much was discussed and I decided to change the course by introducing the deity of Christ. ‘The bottomline is that the whole bone of contention we have today is built and revolving around the person of Christ Jesus who you refer to as prophet while we Chrsitian refer to as God,’ ‘I said. The obvious question was posed: where in the bible does Jesus say that he is God and that we should worship him? “Show me and I’ll never speak about Islam?” The obvious answer is Nowhere. You should have seen the confusion because he thought I would gamble through the question. I asked him if he was married, had children, takes care of the family and so fourth to which he replied yes.’If a third individual heard me ask these questions and reported to a fourth individual that you, the sheikh, are a husband and a father, will he be wrong?’ he said no. I said that there is evidence about the deity of Christ in the Bible. The quranic verses do not depend on each other, majority, for meaning unless in the bible where you have read within a context to grasp the meaning. Text without context is a pretext I said. 

In John 8.58 is a verse within a context where Jesus is presenting nhis case as one from God and being one with the father and that he was not of the devil…John 8:56-59… Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad.” The people said, “You aren’t even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham?” Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I AM!” At that point they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple. Why would they seek to stone him? It was out of the reason for citing Exodus 3:14 … God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you.” Jesus said ‘I AM’ not ‘I was’. Their counter argument was the original bible says ‘i am’ in small letters but our edited versions say I AM in caps. The question I posed was: did they want to stone Jesus for editorial reasons really? Can’t you grasp the concept. Which is your original version? I said that John 3.16, John 14.6, are within a context and the argument flew to grammar (lugha) as opposed to the concept. In explaining the context, the guys became hostile and they asked so many questions without time to answer and with a lot of mockery. In Matthew 26 during the mock trial, Jesus in verse 64 made Caiphas tore his holy garments because he cited Daniel 7.13-14. That was blasphemous as per the law. Jews understood monotheism, Jesus did it too yet he did cite these words being aware of the punishment. Was he mad? I asked. Before long the sheikh was doing some recitation and it, open forum, was over. One individual approached me and told me: read in Swahili Jeremiah 8.8 and I said that there is a context too that’s far from what you intend to mean: that the bible is corrupt. So was 1 Corinthians 1.25 too which they said makes the bible unbelievable. All these are texts that will shake a non-believer or a christian who does not read their bibles. 

Lessons learnt: Read and study the bible. This is one way of being sure and certain of that which you believe in. This calls into place the use of mind too. The bible says we love God with everything which means reasoning through scriptures ain’t no sin. Read commentaries and gain perspectives of individuals points of view. Listen to religious discussions and debates. Depend on God for guidance. The spirit of the Most High is a teacher, guide,etc. He leadeth us. He gives us utterances, what to and how to say. Live and practice godliness. Visible evangelism goes beyond the theoretical format. We are able to change many if we live out the faith . The call to reach the non-believers is a fundamental call as Christ ordered us in Matthew 28.18-20, John 20.21. It is also of essence, if one has the stability and capacity, to read other people’s belief system. Understanding other individuals’ faith is key and lays a foundation of comparative discussions and being in a position to identify points of discussion.

How Shall I Deal With My Neighbour?

Imagine the hatred that manifests during the election season in our beloved country Kenya. Net effect of property destruction, loss of lives, displacements, etc. You have some idea of the feeling and its causes between Jews and Samaritans in the time of Jesus. Both politics and religion were involved.

I was raised in rural areas of central Kenya and that meant exposure to people of different cultures was equivalent to milking sheep- at least for myself. There was indoctrination of hatred which we gladly absorbed unconsciously. If you behaved in a manner that demonstrated decimal or no hygiene we were told by our mothers: Tiga mitugo ya Jaluo aria mathambagiria mwana karai ga kurugira ngima (Don’t behave like Luos who bath their children in the metallic basin which will later be used to cook ugali) or Tiga guikara ta Turukana haha (Don’t stay here like turkana- nakedness) or tiga gutuhenia ta maathai (Don’t cheat us like maasai). Imagine now of an individual who never left the locality of the people of his culture and how their perspective is shaped with reference to the mentioning of these tribes. They will think that Luos are dirty, maasais are fools, naked like Turkana and dark-skinned like Nubians amongst others. This reminds me of a roommate in college who told me of a similar experience where being called a Dinka (a tribe) was an insult by their parents- he is from South Sudan. Funny enough he had never known that such a tribe exists.

Such warping of minds by our parents and old folks of our cultures are meant to cut short any link of friendship, association and so on with other communities. They tried to establish utopias which are hard based on the idea that we have at some point stretched ourselves beyond the horizon in search of better lives. Unfortunately, many have remained captives of such ideologies and whenever they see individuals from other tribes especially from western Kenya they will describe them as Nyamu (animals). This is not a problem with Kikuyus only but with other tribes too referring to others as wachawi (witches), wezi (thieves), night runners, etc. Talk of deep rooted stereotyping. There is a saying amongst the kikuyus: mari kuraihu matininaga nyota (the water that is far away will not quench your thirst) which means that your brother who was willing to assist you yet he is far is no good. The one near you is far more important. Imagine insulting others by the mention of other tribes: wewe jaluo, wewe maasai, wewe this, wewe that. Jews called the Samaritans a ‘herd’, not a nation. A widely used Jewish proverb stated that “a piece of bread given by a Samaritan is more unclean than swine’s flesh.”  The worst insult that a Jew could use was to call someone a Samaritan, such as in John 8:48 when the hostile Pharisees answered Jesus by saying, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and are possessed?”

When I was relocated beyond my region to RifValley, I was deposited in the midst of individuals of different cultures and had to subscribe to a different school of reasoning. Experience and exposure opened my mind to the running of the actual individuals and the errors we had been baptized into. Our parents had not also had that much experience and so this was a narrative that was long instilled into them by the political elites and their parents too. Theirs has been the commitment to pass these ‘oracles and knowledge’ (of course it is foolishness) to the next generation. Intermarriages were and are still avoided due to the myths and misconceptions that have been deeply inculcated into them/us. I hear there are curses in some of our clans where the great grandpas left statements of how noone in their families shall marry from certain tribes and parents forbidding their children from marrying from other tribes or else be excommunicated. At one point I went home and I was asked by one of the elders: Nyamu iramutwara atia (how are those animals taking you)? I knew he was referring to the demonstrators during the 2017/2018 election period and I told him  God has distinguished animals and people and he should not confuse the two. Those are human beings, not animals.

How ought we to treat our neighbours irrespective of them being different from us? Should we still hold on unto the myths whose origin is not our doings? It is the generalization concept that has made temperatures and tensions to be held unto all along. Have we allowed ourselves to be  overtaken by bigotry and prejudices?

The fact that there was such dislike and hostility between Jews and Samaritans is what gives the use of the Samaritan in the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37) such force! The Samaritan is the one who is able to rise above the bigotry and prejudices of centuries and show mercy and compassion for the injured Jew after the Jew’s own countrymen pass him by! It is with those centuries of opposition and incidents behind their peoples that we can understand the surprise of the Samaritan woman (John 4:9) when Jesus rises above the social and religious restrictions not just of a man talking to a woman, but also of a Jew talking to a Samaritan. At times the Samaritans were known to lie in wait for Jews traveling from Galilee to Jerusalem for the feast days. Sometimes these attacks escalated into death. As a result, Galileans (except for Jesus) used the longer route on the other side of the Jordan. Keeping this long-running feud in mind, Jesus’ contact with the Samaritan woman at the well was not only surprising, it was shocking. And his parable of the ‘Good Samaritan’ was not a gentle story, but a stinging insult to the Pharisees.

This is no different than what we experience in our times. When you introduce your fiance, business partner, best friend, close allies, etc from a different tribe other than your own where everyone else from your locals are left with their mouths wide open. I must confess that my best friends are not from my tribes and my locals find that hard nut to crack. That you support individuals from different tribes other than yours is such a surprise.

Just like the old day rabbis, our politicians have made use of these mistrusts and stereotypes to hold captive the electorate by lighting their emotions. It is in this season that the so-called kingpins will converge and plot schemes to manipulate the electorate in the name of tribes. On one hand it will be about us and our people and on the other hard it will be about how the other tribes are not worth. That is when massacre and wars burst forth. And what for? Mtu wetu/ our tribe. Soon we will paste our minds with the old mindset replacing the help, assistance, friendship, brotherhood, goodness, etc we have received from other individuals. Just like the Jews of old, we dehumanize others and that makes it easy to perform any other animosity unto them. We overlook the neighbours we were having as family friends, fellowship members, clients and customers, etc. They will trigger on the emotional parts like land, positions in government, livelihood and so on. At the end of the day everyone will rise against the other but their safety is guaranteed. 

The jews looked for an opportunity to trap Jesus in the bid to discredit his teaching as well as vindicate their ground. In Matthew 22.34-39 Jesus gave a very compelling answer contrary to their expectations that the whole law is pegged on two commands: Love God with everything and secondly love your neighbor as yourselves. He did not speak of tribe, kins, etc but anyone who is your neighbour. The samaritan woman and the good samaritan display the truthfulness of this script. Jesus has loved the whole world and since no one holds the monopoly of choosing the tribe to be born into, the best we can do is to treat everyone with love. Do away with stereotyping and prejudice and avoid generalising. Worth noting is the fact that no matter the evils we find in individuals belonging to certain tribes, the truth will always be that the guilt is on the individual and not the tribe and the reason for them being so is not pegged on the tribe but individual decision. So then, how shall I treat my neighbor? I will do so by love.