Indlela UPetru Amazi Ngayo UJesu

Esikhathini uPetru asichitha noJesu, uPetru wabona izinto eziningi ezenza uJesu athandeke, izinto okufanele zilingiswe, futhi eziningi zaboniswa yena. Nakuba uPetru abubona ngezindlela eziningi ubuntu bukaNkulunkulu kuJesu, futhi abona ubuntu obuningi obuthandekayo, ekuqaleni wayengamazi uJesu.

UPetru, waqala ukulandela uJesu lapho eneminyaka engama-20 yobudala, futhi waqhubeka emlandela iminyaka eyisithupha. Phakathi naleso sikhathi, wayengamazi uJesu, kodwa wayekulungele ukumlandela ngobuqotho ngoba emazisa. Lapho uJesu embiza okokuqala ogwini loLwandle LwaseGalile, uJesu wabuza: “Simoni ndodana kaJona, ingabe uzongilandela?” UPetru wathi: “Kumele ngilandele lowo othunywe uBaba osezulwini. Kumelwe ngimqaphele lowo okhethwe uMoya Ongcwele. Ngizokulandela.” Ngaleso sikhathi, uPetru wayesezwile kukhulunywa ngendoda ebizwa ngokuthi uJesu, umprofethi omkhulu kakhulu, iNdodana kaNkulunkulu ethandekayo, futhi uPetru wayelokhu enethemba lokuthi uzomthola, ehlezi ethembeni lokuthi uzombona (ngoba iyona ndlela uMoya Ongcwele owawumhole ngayo leyo). Nakuba ayengazange ambone futhi ayelokhu ezwa inzwabethi ngaye, ukulangazela nothando ngoJesu kwakulokhu kukhula kancane kancane enhliziyweni kaPetru, futhi wayelulangazelela kaningi usuku ayeyobona ngalo uJesu. UJesu wambiza kanjani uPetru? Naye wayezwe kukhulunywa ngendoda ebizwa ngokuthi uPetru futhi lokhu kwakwenzeka ngenxa yoMoya Ongcwele owawumthumile: “Hamba uye oLwandle LwaseGalile, lapho kunothile obizwa ngokuthi uSimoni, indodana kaJona.” UJesu wezwa othile ethi kunomuntu obizwa ngokuthi uSimoni, indodana kaJona, nokuthi abantu babelalele intshumayelo yakhe, nokuthi futhi naye wayeshumayela ivangeli lombuso wezulu, nokuthi abantu ababemlalele bakhala wí izinyembezi. Ngemva kokuzwa lokhu, uJesu walandela lowo muntu, waya oLwandle LwaseGalile; lapho uPetru ebizwa uJesu, wamlandela.

Ngalesi sikhathi alandela ngaso uJesu, wayenemibono eminingi ngaye kanye nokwahlulela ngokwendlela yena ayebona ngayo izinto. Nakuba ukusebenza koMoya ayekuqonda ngokwezinga elithile, uPetru wayengakhanyiselwe kakhulu, kanjalo namazwi akhe lapho ethi: “Kumele ngilandele lowo othunywe nguBaba oseZulwini. Kumele ngiqaphele lowo okhethwe uMoya Ongcwele.” Wayengaziqondi izinto uJesu azenza futhi kusobala ukuthi uPetru wayengakhanyiselwe. Ngemva kokumlandela isikhathi esithile, waqala ukuzithanda izinto ayezenza nayezisho, nakuye uqobo uJesu. Wabe esebona ukuthi uJesu wayeshisekeliswa uthando nenhlonipho; wayethanda ukuba naye nokuhlala eduze kwakhe, alalele amazwi kaJesu ayemsiza kakhulu. Phakathi nesikhathi alandela ngaso uJesu, uPetru waqaphela futhi wafaka enhliziyweni konke ngokuphila Kwakhe: Izenzo zakhe, amazwi, ukunyakaza kanye nezinkulumo. Wakuqonda ngokujulile ukuthi uJesu wayengeyena umuntu ovamile. Nakuba ayebukeka njengomuntu ovamile, wayegcwele uthando, enobubele, futhi embekezelela umuntu. Yonke into ayenza noma ayisho yayibasiza kakhulu abanye, futhi uPetru owayeseceleni kwakhe wabona futhi wafunda izinto ayengakaze azifunde ndawo. Wabona ukuthi nakuba uJesu ayengenayo inswebu yokuba mdala noma ubuntu obungavamile, wayenomoya ongavamile futhi oyivela-kancane. Nakuba uPetru ayengakwazi ukukuchaza kahle lokhu, wayebona ukuthi uJesu wayenza izinto ngendlela engavamile kweyabanye, ngoba wayenza izinto ngendlela ehluke kakhulu kweyomuntu ovamile. Esikhathini asichitha noJesu, uPetru wabona nokuthi ubuntu bakhe babungafani nobabantu abajwayelekile. Ngaso sonke isikhathi wayenokwethenjelwa futhi engaxhamazeli, wayengenalo ihaba futhi engathathi izinto kancane futhi eziphatha ndlela evamile nenesithunzi. Ezingxoxweni, uJesu wayenobungani, enomusa, engeneka, emnene futhi kumnandi ukuba naye, kodwa akazange alahlekelwe isithunzi Sakhe nesomsebenzi Wakhe. UPetru waphawula ukuthi kwakuba nezikhathi lapho uJesu ayengakhulumi khona kakhulu, futhi ngezinye izikhathi exoxa ngokukhululeka. Ngezinye izikhathi wayejabula kakhulu abe umqemane njengejuba, kodwa futhi ngezinye izikhathi wayedangala ngezinga lokuthi aze engakhulumi nhlobo. Ngezinye izikhathi wayethukuthela, njengesosha elinesibindi elilungele ukuyobulala izitha, ngezinye izikhathi wayeba ngisho njengebhubesi elibhongayo. Ngezinye izikhathi wayehleka; ngezinye ethandaza futhi akhale. Akukhathalisekile ukuthi uJesu wayenzani, lokho kwenza uPetru waba nothando kanye nenhlonipho ngaye. Uhleko lukaJesu lwamenza waphuphuma injabulo, ukudabuka kwakhe kwamenza waba nosizi, intukuthelo yakhe yayimethusa, kuyilapho umusa, ukuthethelela nokuqina kwakhe kwenza ukuba amthande ngempela uJesu, kwakhulisa indlela ayemazisa ngayo. Yiqiniso, konke lokhu uPetru wakubona ngesikhathi esephile noJesu iminyaka embalwa.

UPetru wayeyindoda ehlakaniphile, wazalwa nesiphiwo sokuhlakanipha, nokho wenza izinto eziningi eziwubulima ngesikhathi elandela uJesu. Ekuqaleni nje, wayenezinkolelo ezithile ngoJesu. Wabuza: “Abantu bathi ungumprofethi, ngakho lapho uneminyaka eyisishiyagalombili futhi usumdala ngokwanele ukuthi ungaqonda izinto, Ingabe wawunguNkulunkulu? Ingabe wawazi ukuthi wakhulelwa ngunina ngoMmoya Ongcwele?” UJesu waphendula wathi: “Cha, akunjalo! Angibukeki yini njengomuntu ojwayelekile kuwe? Ngifana nawo wonke muntu. Umuntu uBaba amthumelayo uba ngumuntu ojwayelekile, hhayi umuntu ongajwayelekile. Futhi nakuba umsebenzi engiwenzayo umelela uBaba osezulwini, umfanekiso wami, ubuntu bami nenyama yami awunakummelela ngokugcwele uBaba osezulwini umelela ingxenye eyodwa kuphela yakhe. Nakuba kade ngiwuMoya, ngisewumuntu ovamile, futhi uBaba ungithume emhlabeni njengomuntu ovamile, hhayi umuntu ongajwayelekile.” Kulapho uPetru ezwa lokhu kuphela lapho aqala khona ukuba nokuqonda okuncane ngoJesu. Futhi kwaba ngemva kokuba bechithe amahora athile emsebenzi kaJesu, wokufundisa, wokwalusa, nowokondla izimvu, lapho aqala khona ukuba nokuqonda okunzulu. Ngonyaka wakhe wama-30, uJesu watshela uPetru ngokubulawa kwakhe okwakuzolandela, ukuthi wayezele ukuzobulawa ukuze ahlenge isintu. Wamtshela nokuthi ezinsukwini ezintathu ngemva kokufa kwakhe, iNdodana yomuntu yayiyovuswa, futhi ngemva kokuvuswa kwayo, yayiyovela kubantu izinsuku ezingama-40. UPetru wadabuka lapho ezwa la mazwi, kodwa wasondelana kakhulu noJesu njengoba ayefaka la mazwi Akhe enhliziyweni yakhe.

Ngemva kwesipiliyoni sesikhathi esithile, uPetru wabona ukuthi konke uJesu akwenza kwakuwukubonisa ubuntu bukaNkulunkulu, futhi wabona ukuthi uJesu wayethandeka kakhulu. Kwaze kwaba yilapho eba khona nalokhu kuqonda lapho uMoya Ongcwele waqala khona ukumkhanyisela. Ngemva kwalokho uJesu waphendukela kubafundi bakhe nakwabanye abalandeli bakhe wababuza wathi: “Johane, uthi ngingubani na?” UJohane waphendula wathi: “UnguMose.” Wabe esebuza uLuka: “Wena Luka, uthi ngingubani na?” ULuka waphendula: “Ungumprofethi omkhulu.” Wabe esebuza owesifazane: “Uthi ngingubani na?” Owesifazane waphendula: “Ungumprofethi omkhulu okhuluma amazwi amaningi okuphila okungunaphakade. Akekho umprofethi omkhulu njengawe, akekho ngisho nonokuhlakanipha okudlula okwakho; Ungumprofethi.” Ngemva kwalokho uJesu waphendukela kuPetru wambuza: “Petru, wena uthi ngingubani na?” UPetru waphendula: “UnguKristu, iNdodana kaNkulunkulu ophilayo. Wehla uvela ezulwini, awuyena owasemhlabeni, awufani nenye indalo kaNkulunkulu. Sisemhlabeni futhi ulapha kanye nathi, kodwa wena ungowezulu, awuyena owomhlaba, owuyena owaleli zwe.” Lokhu kuqonda kukaPetru kwakubangelwa uMoya Ongcwele owawumkhanyisele. Ngemva kwalokhu kukhanyiselwa, wayesekwazisa ngisho nakakhulu okwakwenziwa uJesu, wayesemthanda kakhulu, futhi wayesehlale esenhliziyweni yakhe, engasafuni ukuhlukana noJesu. Ngakho, ngesikhathi uJesu eziveza okokuqala kuPetru, ngemva kokubulawa nokuvuswa uPetru wakhala izinyembezi zenjabulo: “Nkosi! Uvukile!” Ekhala izinyembezi, wabamba inhlanzi enkulu ngokubabazekayo, wayipheka wayilethela uJesu. UJesu wamomotheka, kodwa akashongo lutho. Nakuba uPetru ayazi ukuthi uJesu uvusiwe, wayengayiqondi imfihlo okuyiqukethe. Ngesikhathi enika uJesu inhlanzi, uJesu akenqabanga, kodwa futhi akashongo lutho noma ahlale phansi ukuze adle, kodwa kunalokho wanyamalala kungazelelwe. Lokhu kwamenza washaqeka kakhulu uPetru, futhi waqala lapho ukuqonda ukuthi uJesu ovusiwe wasethe ukuhluka kancane kuJesu wangaphambi kwalokho. Ngemva kokuqaphela lokhu, uPetru walila, kodwa futhi kwamduduza ukwazi ukuthi iNkosi yayisiwuqedile umsebenzi wayo. Wayazi ukuthi uJesu wayesewufezile umsebenzi wakhe, nokuthi isikhathi asichitha nabantu sase siphelile, nokuthi kwase kuzodingeka ukuthi umuntu azimele. UJesu wake wamtshela ukuthi: “Nawe kuzomele uphuze kule sitsha engizakusiphuza (lokhu wakusho ngemva kokuvuswa kwakhe), nawe kuzomele uhambe endleleni engihambe kuyo, kumele unikele ngokuphila kwakho ngenxa Yami.” Ngokungafani namanje, umsebenzi ngaleso sikhathi wawungahlanganisi ingxoxo eyenziwa ubuso nobuso. Phakathi neNkathi Yomusa, umsebenzi woMoya Ongcwele wawucashe kakhulu, uPetru wadlula ebunzimeni obukhulu, futhi kwakuba nezikhathi lapho ayebabaza khona athi: “Nkulunkulu! Anginakho okunye ukuphila ngaphandle kwalokhu. Nakuba kungabalulekile kangako Kuwe, ngifisa ukukunikela Kuwe. Nakuba abantu bengakwazi ukuthanda, futhi uthando nezinhliziyo zabo kungenamsebenzi, ngikholelwa ukuthi uyakwazi ukubona izinhloso zezinhliziyo zabantu. Ngisho noma izinkumbi zabantu zingahlangabezani nezimfuneko zokwamukeleka Kuwe, ngifisa sengathi ungamukela inhliziyo yami.” Ngesikhathi ethandaza wayezothola isikhuthazo, ikakhulukazi lapho ethandaza: “Ngizonikela ngenhliziyo yami Kuwe kuphela Nkulunkulu. Ngisho noma kungekho lutho engikwazi ukulwenzela uNkulunkulu, ngiyomanelisa ngobuqotho uNkulunkulu ngizinikele Kuye ngenhliziyo yami yonke. Ngikholelwa ukuthi uNkulunkulu kumele ahlolisise inhliziyo yami.” Wathi: “Akukho lutho engilucela ekuphileni ngaphandle kokuthi imicabango yami ibonise uthando enginalo ngoNkulunkulu nezifiso zenhliziyo yami zamukelwe uNkulunkulu. Ngibé neNkosi uJesu isikhathi eside, kodwa angikaze ngimthande, lesi isikweletu sami esikhulu kunazo zonke. Ngisho noma ngahlala naye, angizange ngimazi, ngaze ngakhuluma ngisho namazwi antula inhlonipho ngaye engekho. Ukucabanga ngalezi zinto kungenza ngizibone ngiyikweleta kakhulu iNkosi uJesu.” Wayehlale ethandaza ngale ndlela. Wathi: “Kungcono ngisho uthuli kunami. Akukho engingakwenza ngaphandle kokunikela ngale nhliziyo eqotho kuNkulunkulu.”

Kwaba novuthondaba lwezinto uPetru adlule kuzo, lapho umzimba wakhe usucishe wachobozeka waphela, kodwa uJesu wamnika isikhuthazo. Wavela kuye kanye. Lapho uPetru esezinhlungwini ezinkulu futhi inhliziyo yakhe yephukile, uJesu wamyala: “Wawunami emhlabeni, futhi nami ngikhona nawe. Ngemva kwakho konke sizoba nawe ezulwini, ezweni likamoya. Manje ngibuyela ezweni likamoya, futhi wena usesemhlabeni. Ngoba angikho emhlabeni, futhi nakuba nawe ungeyena owomhlaba, kufanele wenze umsebenzi wakho emhlabeni. Njengoba uyisikhonzi, kufanele wenze umsebenzi wakho ngezinga ongakwazi ngalo.” UPetru waduduzwa, ukuzwa ukuthi uzoba sohlangothini lukaNkulunkulu. Ngesikhathi uPetru ecwile kulolu bishi wayengasaphumi endlini, waba nomuzwa wecala ngezinga lokuthi waze wathi: “Ngonakele kakhulu, angikwazi ukwanelisa uNkulunkulu.” UJesu wabonakala kuye wathi: “Petru, kungenzeka yini ukuthi ususikhohliwe isinqumo owake wasenza phambi Kwami? Ingabe usuzikhohlwe ngempela zonke izinto owazisho? Ingabe ususikhohliwe isinqumo owasenza Kimi?” UPetru wabona ukuthi kwakuwuJesu, wavuka embhedeni, uJesu wamduduza: “Angiyena owomhlaba, kade ngikutshelile—lokhu kumele ukuqonde, kodwa kunokunye engikutshele khona osukukhohliwe? ‘Nawe awuyena owomhlaba, awuyena owezwe.’ Njengamanje kunomsebenzi okudingeka uwenze, akufanele uqhathe usizi kanjena, akufanele uhlupheke kanjena. Nakuba umuntu noNkulunkulu bengeke baphilisane ezweni elilodwa, nginomsebenzi Wami nawe unowakho, ngelinye ilanga lapho umsebenzi wakho usuphelile, siyoba ndawonye embusweni owodwa, futhi ngiyokuhola ukuze ube nami kuze kube phakade.” UPetru waduduzwa wabuye waqinisekiswa ngemva kokuzwa la mazwi. Wayazi ukuthi lokhu kuhlupheka kwakuyinto okwakufanele ayibekezelele futhi adlule kuyo, futhi wayephefumulelwe kusukela lapho kuye phambili. UJesu wavela kuye ngomzuzu owawubaluleke kakhulu, emnika ukukhanyiselwa nesiqondiso esikhethekile futhi umsebenzi omningi kuye. Futhi yini uPetru azisola ngayo kakhulu? UJesu wabuza uPetru omunye umbuzo (nakuba eBhayibhelini kungalotshiwe ngale ndlela) kungakabiphi ngemva kokuba uPetru ethe “UyiNdodana kaNkulunkulu ophilayo,” umbuzo wathi: “Petru! Wake wangithanda ?” UPetru wakuqonda lokhu ayeqonde ukukusho, futhi wathi: “Nkosi! Ngangithanda uBaba osezulwini, kodwa ngiyavuma, angikaze ngikuthande.” UJesu wabe esethi: “Uma abantu bengamthandi uBaba osezulwini, bengayithanda kanjani iNdodana esemhlabeni? Futhi uma abantu bengayithandi iNdodana ethunyelwe uNkulunkulu uBaba, bengamthanda kanjani uBaba osezulwini? Uma abantu beyithanda ngempela iNdodana esemhlabeni, nakanjani bamthanda ngempela uBaba osezulwini.” Ngesikhathi uPetru ezwa la mazwi wabona ukuthi usilele kuphi. Wayehlale ezizwa enesikweletu kuze kufike ezingeni lokuthi akhale izinyembezi emazwini akhe “Ngake ngathanda uBaba osezulwini, kodwa wena angikaze ngikuthande.” Ngemva kokuvuswa nokunyukela kukaJesu ezulwini waziswa enesikweletu nosizi olukhulu nakakhulu ngabo. Ekhumbula umsebenzi wakhe wangaphambili nesimo sakhe sangaleso sikhathi, wayethandaza kaningi kuJesu, ehlale ezisola futhi ezizwa enesikweletu ngenxa yokunganeliseki ngesifiso sokukhonza uNkulunkulu anaso, nokungafinyeleli ezindinganisweni zikaNkulunkulu. Lezi zinto zaba umthwalo wakhe omkhulu. Wathi: “Ngelinye ilanga ngiyokunikeza konke enginakho nakho konke engiyikho, ngiyokunika noma yini eyigugu kakhulu kimi.” Wathi: “Nkulunkulu! Nginokholo olulodwa kuphela kanye nothando olulodwa. Ukuphila kwami akulutho, nomzimba wami nawo awufanelwe yilutho. Nginokholo olulodwa kuphela kanye nothando olulodwa. Engqondweni yami nginokholo kuwe futhi enhliziyweni yami nginalo uthando lwakho; kuzo zombili lezi zinto enginakho uqobo lwami kuphela engingakunika lona, akukho okunye.” UPetru wakhuthazwa kakhulu amazwi kaJesu, ngoba ngaphambi kokuba uJesu abulawe, wayethe kuye: “Angiyena owaleli zwe, futhi nawe awuyena owaleli zwe.” Kamuva, ngesikhathi uPetru ezwa ubuhlungu obukhulu, uJesu wamkhumbuza: “Petru, ingabe usukhohliwe? Angiyena owaleli zwe, umsebenzi Wami ongenze ngasheshe ngahamba. Nawe awuyena owaleli zwe, ingabe usukhohliwe? Sengikutshele kabili, awusakhumbuli?” UPetru wamuzwa wabe esethi: “Angikakhohlwa!” UJesu yena wathi: “Wake wachitha isikhathi esimnandi kanye Nami ezulwini nesikhathi esithile useceleni kwami. Uyangikhumbula, Nami ngiyakukhumbula. Nakuba kungasizi kakhulu ukukhuluma ngendalo emehlweni Ami, ngingahlala kanjani ngingamthandi umuntu ongenacala nothandekayo? Ingabe usususikhohliwe isithembiso Sami? Kumele wamukele umyalo Wami emhlabeni; kumelwe ufeze umsebenzi engikuphathise wona. Ngelinye ilanga nakanjani ngiyokuhola ukuba ube seceleni Kwami.” Ngemva kokuzwa lokhu, uPetru wakhuthazeka ngisho nakakhulu, wathola ngisho nesikhuthazo esikhulu nakakhulu, njengokungathi ngesikhathi esesiphambanweni, wayekwazi ukuthi: “Nkulunkulu! Angikwazi ukukuthanda ngokwanele! Ngisho noma ungicela ukuba ngikufele, angikakwazi ukukuthanda ngokwanele! Noma nini lapho uthumela umphefumulo wami, kungakhathaliseki ukuthi ugcwalisa izithembiso Zakho noma cha, noma yini oyenza ngemva kwalokho, ngiyakuthanda futhi ngiyakukholwa.” Ayebambelele kukho kwakuwukholo nothando lweqiniso.

Ngobunye ubusuku, abafundi abaningi, kuhlanganisa noPetru, babesesikebheni. Babendawonye noJesu, futhi uPetru wabuza uJesu umbuzo onobungane: “Nkosi! Kunombuzo ebengilokhu ngizibuza wona isikhathi eside, ngingathanda ukukubuza wona.” UJesu waphendula wathi: “Kulungile ungabuza!” UPetru wabe esebuza: “Ingabe umsebenzi wase uphelile phakathi neNkathi Yomthetho?” UJesu wamomotheka, njengokungathi uthi: “Le ngane, idlala ubungane!” Wabe eseqhubeka enenjongo: “Kwakungemina, kwakuwumsebenzi kaJehova noMose.” UPetru wezwa lokhu wayesebabaza: “Hhawu! Kusho ukuthi kwakungewona umsebenzi Wakho.” Ngemva kokuba uPetru esho lokhu, uJesu akabange esakhuluma. UPetru wazitshela ukuthi: “Kwakungewona umsebenzi Wakho, yingakho uzele ukuzoqeda ngomthetho, ngoba kwakungewona umsebenzi wakho.” Inhliziyo yakhe “yenziwa yaba lula.” Ngemva kwalokho, uJesu waqaphela ukuthi uPetru wayenobungane, kodwa ngenxa yokuthi wayengenakho ukuqonda ngaleso sikhathi, uJesu akashongo lutho noma ambonise ngokuqondile ukuthi unephutha. Ngemva kokuba uJesu enikeze intshumayelo yakhe esinagogeni, futhi bonke abantu bekhona, kuhlanganise noPetru, ukuze bamuzwe eshumayela. UJesu wathi: “Umuntu oyosuka phakade aye ngunaphakade uyokwenza umsebenzi wokutakula phakathi neNkathi Yomusa, ukuze atakule isintu esonweni, kodwa ngeke alawulwe imithetho lapho ekhulula abantu esonweni. Uyophuma emthethweni angene eNkathini Yomusa. Uyotakula sonke isintu. Uyophuma eNkathini Yomthetho aphumele eNkathini Yomusa, kodwa akekho omaziyo, lowo oze evela kuJehova. Umsebenzi uMose awenza wayewunikwa uJehova; uMose waloba umthetho nomsebenzi uJehova awenza.” Ngesikhathi sekushiwo lokhu, waqhubeka: “Labo abafuna ukuqeda imiyalo yeNkathi Yomusa phakathi neNkathi Yomusa bayobhekana nenhlekelele. Kumele bame ethempelini babhujiswe uNkulunkulu, futhi kumele kuqubuke umlilo ubashise.” Lapho uPetru eseqedile ukulalela lokhu, wakhungatheka kancane. Phakathi nenkathi yezinto adlule kuzo, uJesu wamelusa futhi wamqinisa uPetru, ekhuluma nenhliziyo yakhe, okuyinto eyenza uPetru wamqonda kangcono uJesu. Njengoba uPetru ayecabanga ngentshumayelo kaJesu ngalolo suku, umbuzo ambuza wona ngesikhathi besesikebheni nempendulo uJesu amnika yona, nendlela uJesu ahleka ngayo, kwamenza waqala ngaleso sikhathi ukukuqonda konke. Ngemva kwalokho, uMoya Ongcwele wamkhanyisela uPetru, futhi waqala lapho ukuqonda ukuthi uJesu wayeyiNdodana kaNkulunkulu ophilayo. Ukuqonda kukaPetru kweza emva kokukhanyiselwa uMoya Ongcwele, kodwa kwakunenqubo eyayihilelekile ekuqondeni kwakhe. Yayiwukubuza imibuzo, ukulalela uJesu eshumayela, nokusondela ngokukhethekile noJesu kanye nokumelusa Kwakhe ngendlela ekhethekile, yikho okwenza uPetru waqaphela ukuthi uJesu uyiNdodana kaNkulunkulu ophilayo. Lokho akwenzekanga ngobusuku nje obubodwa; kwakuyinqubo, futhi lokho kwamsiza ezintweni adlula kuzo kamuva. Kungani uJesu engawenzanga umsebenzi wokuphelelisa abanye abantu, kodwa kwaba uPetru nje kuphela? Kungenxa yokuthi uPetru wayeqonda ukuthi uJesu wayeyindodana kaNkulunkulu ophilayo, futhi akekho omunye owayekwazi lokhu. Nakuba babebaningi abafundi ababazi izinto eziningi ngezikhathi zabo ngemva kwakhe, ulwazi lwabo lwalwethekelwe. Yingakho uPetru ayekhethwe uJesu njengesibonelo somuntu owenziwe waphelela. Lokho uJesu akusho kuPetru ngaleso sikhathi yilokho asakusho kubantu namuhla, okumele babe nolwazi nokuphila okufinyelela ezingeni likaPetru. Ukuthi uNkulunkulu uzophelelisa wonke umuntu kuvumelana nalezi zimfuneko kanye nale ndlela. Kungani abantu namuhla kudingeka babe nokholo lwangempela kanye nothando lweqiniso? Lokho uPetru abhekana nakho, nawe kumele ubhekane nakho, izithelo uPetru azithola ngenxa yezinto adlula kuzo nawe kumele uzithole, ubuhlungu uPetru abuzwa nawe kumele ubuzwe. Indlela ohamba kuyo iyafana nendlela uPetru ahamba kuyo. Ubuhlungu obuzwayo buyafana nobuhlungu uPetru abuzwa. Lapho uthola inkazimulo futhi uphila ukuphila kwangempela, uyobe uphila ukuphila okwaphilwa uPetru. Indlela iyafana, futhi umuntu wenziwa aphelele ngokuvumelana nalokhu. Nokho, izinga lokuphila kwabantu namuhla, alifani ncamashi nelikaPetru, ngoba izikhathi zishintshile, kanjalo nezinga lenkohlakalo. Futhi eJudiya kwakunombuso owawusubuse isikhathi eside ngesiko lasendulo. Ngakho kumele uzame ukuthuthukisa izinga lokuphila kwakho.

UPetru wayengumuntu owayesheshe azwele, enogqozi ngayo yonke into ayeyenza, futhi ethembeke kakhulu. Wabhekana nezithiyo eziningi. Waqala ukuxhumana nenhlangano eneminyaka eyi-14, eya esikoleni aphinde aye kaningi esinagogeni. Wayenentshisekelo eningi futhi wayehlale ekulungele ukuya emihlanganweni. Ngaleso sikhathi, uJesu wayengakawuqali ngokusemthethweni umsebenzi wakhe; lesi kwakumane kuseyisiqalo seNkathi Yomusa. UPetru waqala ukuxhumana namalungu enkolo eneminyaka eyi-14; ngesikhathi eneyi-18 wayesexhumana nabaholi benkolo, kodwa ngemva kokubona isixakaxaka sasesontweni esasenzeka ekusethekeni, washiya. Ebona indlela ababehlakaniphe ngayo, benamakhono futhi benobuciko ngayo laba bantu, wanyanya kakhulu (lena indlela uMoya Ongcwele owawusebenza ngayo ngaleso sikhathi, ukuze umphelelise), ngakho wayeka eneminyaka engu-18 ukuya esinagogeni. Abazali bakhe bamshushisa futhi babengamvumeli ukuthi akholwe (babengabakadeveli, futhi bengenalo ukholo). Ekugcineni, uPetru washiya ekhaya wahamba izindawo ngokuzithandela, edoba futhi eshumayela iminyaka emibili, phakathi naleso sikhathi wayehola abantu abambadlwana. Manje ungayibona ngokucacile indlela eyathathwa uPetru. Uma lokhu ukubone ngokucacile, khona-ke uyozimisela ukuba umsebenzi wenziwe namhlanje, ukuze ungakhonondi, noma uvumele izinto noma ulangazelele noma yini. Kufanele uyiqonde imizwa kaPetru ngaleso sikhathi: Wayevalelwe usizi; wayeseyekile ukucela ikusasa noma izibusiso. Wayengafune nzuzo, injabulo, udumo, noma inhlanhla yezwe, ayekufuna nje kwakuwukuphila ukuphila okunenjongo, okwakuwukubuyisa uthando uNkulunkulu ambonisa lona futhi anikele ngokuyigugu anakho kuNkulunkulu. Ngemva kwalokho, wayeyokwaneliseka enhliziyweni yakhe. Wayethandaza kaningi kuJesu athi: “Nkosi Jesu Kristu, ngake ngakuthanda, kodwa ngangingakuthandi ngeqiniso. Nakuba ngithe nginokholo Kuwe, angikaze ngikuthande ngenhliziyo eneqiniso. Bengilokhu ngibheke Kuwe, ngikwazisa, ngikukhumbula, kodwa angikaze ngikuthande noma ngibe nokholo Kuwe.” Wayehlale ethandaza ukuze enze isinqumo sakhe, amazwi kaJesu ayemkhuthaza njalo futhi yiwo ayemnika umdlandla. Kamuva, ngemva kwenkathi ethile, uJesu wamvivinya, wamenza ukuba amlangazelele kakhudlwana. UPetru wathi: “Nkosi uJesu Kristu! Yeka indlela engikukhumbula ngayo, futhi ngilangazelela ukukubona. Ngintula kakhulu, futhi akukho engingakubuyisela khona ngothando Lwakho. Ngiyakunxusa ukuba ungithathe ngokushesha. Uyoba nini nesidingo sami? Uyongithatha nini? Kunini lapho ngiyophinde ngibone khona ubuso Bakho? Angisafisi ukuphinde ngiphile esinye isikhathi kulo mzimba, ukuba ngiqhubeke ngonakaliswa, futhi angisafisi ukuphinde ngihlubuke. Ngikulungele ukukunika ngokushesha kangangokunokwenzaka konke enginakho, futhi angisafisi ukuphinde ngikuphathe kabi.” Lena indlela athandaza ngayo, kodwa wayengazi ngaleso sikhathi ukuthi yini uJesu ayeyoyiphelelisa kuye. Phakathi nenhlupheko eyaba sovivinyweni lwakhe, uJesu waphinde wavela kuye wathi: “Petru, ngifisa ukukuphelelisa, ngezinga lokuthi ube ingxenye yesithelo, esiyoba umfuziselo wokukuphelelisa Kwami, futhi engizosijabulela. Ingabe ungafakaza ngempela ngami? Ingabe ukwenzile engithe kwenze? Ingabe uphilile ngamazwi engiwakhulumile? Wake wangithanda, kodwa nakuba wangithanda, wake wangishiya ngaphandle? Yini ongenzele yona? Uyabona ukuthi alukufanele uthando Lwami, kodwa yini ongenzele yona?” UPetru wabona ukuthi wayengamenzelanga lutho uJesu futhi wakhumbula izifungo ayezenzile zokunikela ngokuphila kwakhe kuNkulunkulu. Ngakho wayengasakhonondi, futhi imithandazo yakhe ngemva kwalokho, yaba ngcono kakhulu. Wathandaza wathi: “Nkosi Jesu Kristu! Ngake ngakushiya, Nawe wake wangishiya. Sesichithe isikhathi singekho ndawonye, nesikhathi sindawonye. Kodwa ungithanda ngaphezu kwanoma yini enye. Ngihlubuke ngokuphindaphindiwe kuwe futhi ngalila kaningi. Ngingazikhohlwa kanjani izinto ezinjalo? Umsebenzi owenze kimi nezinto ongiphathise zona ngiyohlale ngizikhumbula, angisobe ngakukhohlwa. Ngomsebenzi owenze kimi, ngikuzamile okusemandleni. Uyakwazi engikwazi ukukwenza, futhi uyayazi nendima engingayidlala. Isifiso sakho singumyalo wami futhi ngiyonikela konke enginakho Kuwe. Uwena kuphela owazi engingakwenzela khona. Nakuba uSathane angikhohlisa kangaka futhi ngahlubuka Kuwe, ngikholelwa ukuthi awusazikhumbuli lezo ziphambeko zami, nokuthi indlela ongiphatha ngayo ayisekelwe kuzo. Ngifisa ukunikela ngokuphila kwami konke Kuwe. Akukho engikucelayo, futhi anginawo amanye amathemba namacebo; ngifisa kuphela ukwenza ngokuvumelana nenjongo Yakho nokwenza intando Yakho. Ngiyophuza esitsheni Sakho esimuncu, futhi ngingowakho ukuba ungiyale.”

Kumele kucace endleleni ohamba ngayo; kumele icace indlela ozoyithatha esikhathi esizayo, lokho uNkulunkulu ayokuphelelisa, nalokho ophathiswe khona. Mhlawumpe ngelinye ilanga, uyovivinywa, futhi uma ukwazile ukukhuthazwa izinto uPetru adlula kuzo, lokho kuyobonisa ukuthi ngempela uhamba endleleni kaPetru. UNkulunkulu wamncoma uPetru ngokholo lwakhe lweqiniso kanye nothando, nangobuqotho bakhe kuNkulunkulu. Futhi kwakungenxa yokwethembeka kwakhe nokulangazelela uNkulunkulu enhliziyweni yakhe okwenza uNkulunkulu wamphelelisa. Uma ngempela unothando nokholo olufana nolukaPetru, nakanjani uJesu uyokuphelelisa.
Imibhalo engezansi:
a. Umbhalo wokuqala ufundeka kanje, “ngala mazwi.”

Umthombo kusuka： UMFULA OHLANZEKILE WAMANZI OKUPHILA