Lives Change (A) Swahili

Introduction

Have you ever made a bad choice? Good choice?

How do we know if something is a bad choice? Good choice?

Lives Change (A) Swahili

In the Bible there is a story about some people that had to make a choice.

Hebu tu-fungue Biblia yetu kwenye kitabu cha Mathayo, sura ya mbili, kuanzia mstari wa moja —

Mat 2:1-2 — 1 Baada ya Yesu kuza-liwa katika mji wa Bethlehemu huko Uya-hudi, wakati wa utawala wa Mfalme Herode, wata-alamu wa mambo ya nyota kutoka mashar-iki wali-fika Yerusalemu 2 waki-uliza, “Yuko wapi huyo ali-yeza-liwa mfalme wa Wayahudi? Kwa maana tume-ona nyota yake iki-tokea mashar-iki, nasi tume-kuja kumwa-budu.”

Herod the great was a terrible person. His ancestors had been forced to convert to Judaism. So he was Jew...but not a godly person at all.

There are a lot of Christians like this, too, aren’t there?

Herod was a cunning politician — when he saw an opportunity, he found a way to become king. His family had wealth and were able to buy power, strength, and opporutnity.

There are a lot people like this, too, aren’t there?

Herod was mean and suspicious of everyone, even his own family. At one point he had his wife killed, along with two sons, his wife’s brother, and his wife’s grandfather and mother.

And when he knew he was close to dying he ordered his soldiers to kill some of the best and most respected men in the kingdom, so that the kingdom would be in mourning when he died.

So, when Herod heard about a new king — he was not happy — and he began to figure out a plan for making sure Jesus did not live long.

Herod was great...but Jesus was greater...

Herod represents all that the world has to offer — the things that our world tempts us to grab onto, to hold onto, to trust and depend no for our hope and well-being.

Hebu tuen-delee kusoma kutoka kwa Mathayo:

3 Mfalme Herode ali-posi-kia jambo hili ali-ing-iwa na hofu sana pamoja na watu wote wa Yerusalemu. 4 Herode aka-waita pamoja vion-gozi wa maku-hani na walimu wa sheria, aka-wau-liza ni mahali gani ambapo Kristo angeza-liwa. 5 Nao wakam-wambia, “Katika Bethlehemu ya Uyahudi,...

Na sasa twende kwenye mstari wa saba:

7 Ndipo Herode aka-waita wale wata-alamu wa nyota kwa siri na kutaka kujua kutoka kwao uha-kika kamili wa wakati ile nyota ili-one-kana. 8 Kisha aka-watuma wa-ende Bethlehemu aki-wa-ambia, “Nendeni mkam-tafute kwa bidii huyo mtoto. Nanyi mara mtaka-pom-wona, mnile-tee habari ili na mimi niweze kwenda kum-wa-budu.”

The Magi had come a long way following a star to find this new king. They were very wise...and smart...and knew how to read the stars.

We don’t know how long the journey took, but it could have been a several days, several weeks, or even several months.

Most likely, they arrive in Jerusalem when Jesus was already a boy, perhaps two years old. We also don’t know how many Magi there were.

Christian traditions often talk about three...but the Bible does not tell us that.

So, they meet with Herod...and Herod sees a great opportunity.

He’ll send the Magi to find Jesus — they were smart enough to do that, and Herod wouldn’t have to waste any of his own time and resources.

But, he tells them, when you find him let know.

He tells the Magi he wants to worship the new king, but it’s clear that his plan has nothing to do with worship. He wants to kill the young child.

Mathayo mbili, mstari wa tisa:

Mat2:9-11 — 9 Baada ya kum-sikia mfalme, wale wata-alamu wa nyota waka-enda zao, nayo ile nyota wali-yo-iona mashar-iki ika-watan-gulia, nao wakai-fuata mpaka ili-posi-mama mahali pale alipo-kuwa mtoto. Wali-poi-ona ile nyota wakajawa na furaha kubwa mno. 11 Wali-poingia ndani ya ile nyumba, wakam-wona mtoto pamoja na Maria mama yake, wakam-sujudu na kum-wa-budu yule mtoto Yesu. Ndipo waka-fungua hazina zao, wakam-tolea zawadi za dhahabu, uvumba na mane-mane. 

So, the Magi find Jesus, the bow down in worship...and they give him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Did anybody give you any frankincense for Christmas? Or some myrrh for your birthday.

The gifts might seem a little strange, but they are symbolic. Each points to a part of Jesus’ divine identity as Son of God, Lord, and Savior.

Na hati-maye, tuna-kuja kwenye mstari wa kumi na mbili:

Mat 2:12 — 12 Nao waki-isha kuonywa katika ndoto wasi-rudi kwa Herode, waka-rudi kwenda katika nchi yao kwa njia nyingine.

The Magi had a choice to make — go back to Herod, as they had been ordered to do. Herod was the king, doing what he said was expected.

It was the safest option...and it might have led to new opportunities, more wealth, and perhaps more power as part of Herod’s inner circle.

From a human perspective, Herod could give them a lot more, and do a lot more for them, than little two-year-old Jesus.

Herod offered them all the stuff that the world offers — wealth, power, position, opportunity, acceptance, and more. And all they had to do was tell Herod where Jesus lived.

But.....they had bowed down before Jesus. They had given the gifts...maybe they even played with Jesus or sang him songs.

And, Matthew tells us, they had been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod. Maybe by an angel...maybe the Holy Spirit.

We don’t have any details. God had told them to not go back to Herod, to turn their back on all the good stuff they could gain...as part of their worship to Jesus.

God asks us to do the same today.

Paul tells us in Romans to lay ourselves down on the alter as living sacrifices.

Jesus never had a home...never bought a new car...he was not the same kind of king as Herod....not at all.

In our own lives, we also have the same choice — Herod or Jesus. All that the world can give us...or all that Jesus has promised for those who follow him.

Herod spend time, talents, and money on himself and his own desires.

Jesus gave his time, talents, and money to serve others.

Who will we follow? Who will be our king? Which path will you take?

Will you use your time for build your own kingdom...or to build God’s kingdom?

Will you use your talents to do what you want to do...or what God wants you to do?

Will you use your money to buy stuff that makes you happy....or to support the work of the church?

How we use our time, our talents, and our money reflects our heart...and gives indicates who sits on the throne of our hearts — Herod or Jesus? Are we our own king or queen....or do we bow before the one and only Son of God, our Lord and Savior?

In Joshua 24:15, we find Joshua making his final speech to the people of Israel — he reminds them of all that God had done for them throughout the generations. He reminds them of the God who saved them because he knows that some of them are clinging to other gods… holding on to other Herod’s that promise them protection, and the good life.

And Joshua calls them to make a decision — it’s a call to complete commitment - either serve the Lord fully or choose another god, but stop trying to have it both ways.

Yoshua sura ya ishirini na nne, mstari wa kumi na nne:

Yosh 24:14 —  “Sasa basi mcheni Bwana na kumtumikia kwa uaminifu wote. Itupeni mbali miungu ambayo baba zenu waliiabudu huko ngʼambo ya Mto Frati na huko Misri, nanyi mtumikieni Bwana. 15 Lakini msipoona vyema kumtumikia Bwana, chagueni hivi leo mtakayemtumikia, kama ni miungu ile ambayo baba zenu waliitumikia ngʼambo Frati, au miungu ya Waamori, ambao mnakaa katika nchi yao. Lakini mimi na nyumba yangu, tutamtumikia Bwana.”

Herod or Jesus?

Yourself or your God?

The kingdom of this world....or the kingdom of God.

Herode na Yesu?

Wewe mwenyewe au Mungu wako?

Ufalme wa dunia hii....au ufalme wa Mungu.

Let’s pray.