Title April 2021

A “Pool” is commonly understood as a vessel for holding liquids like water or tea. Biblically, however, “Pool” refers to a pool or a small pond created for specific purposes, sometimes crafted with skill, other times simply dug out, depending on the intended use.

Types of Pools in the Bible

• Animal watering pools: Jacob had pools or troughs made for watering livestock. This reflects common pastoral life in the Old Testament (Genesis 30:38, “And he set up the pillars that he had taken from the watering troughs…”). These pools illustrate God’s provision for daily life and animal care.
• Water storage pits: Joseph was thrown into an empty cistern or pit, representing danger and abandonment (Genesis 37:23–24). This type of “pool” shows how water reservoirs were part of daily life but could also symbolize trial and suffering.
• Ceremonial washing pools: In the Tabernacle and later the Temple, bronze basins were provided for priests to wash themselves before entering the holy place (Exodus 30:17–21). These pools symbolize ritual purity, essential for approaching a holy God (cf. Leviticus 16:4). Washing in these pools was an external act pointing to internal holiness (Hebrews 10:22).
• Pools for cleansing prostitutes: The Pool of Samaria was associated with ritual cleansing, showing how some pools were used for moral or religious purification (1 Kings 22:37–38).

The Pool of Bethesda

The Pool of Bethesda (John 5:2–3) was a well-known pool in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate, surrounded by five porches (columns). It was a place where many disabled people gathered, waiting for the waters to stir, believing the first person to enter afterward would be healed.

This pool represents the human tendency to seek healing and salvation through rituals or superstition rather than God Himself.

The story of the man sick for 38 years, healed by Jesus without entering the pool, powerfully illustrates that true healing and salvation come through Christ alone (John 5:6–9).

“Jesus said to him, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk.’ And at once the man was healed…” (John 5:8–9)

This contrasts human effort and waiting for external “waters” with the immediate, sovereign grace of Jesus. It highlights the biblical truth that faith in Christ brings life and restoration, not ritualistic works (Ephesians 2:8–9).

Warning Against False Hopes

Many people today may similarly trust in “silent miracles” or external rituals (like holy water, oils, or pilgrimages) without true repentance or faith. The Bible warns against such superficial reliance:

“They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” (Isaiah 29:13).

True healing begins with repentance, faith in Jesus, and receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). The Pool of Bethesda’s proximity to the Temple reminds us that external religion without heart transformation is insufficient (Matthew 15:8).

Invitation

If you have not yet accepted Christ, now is the time to believe (John 3:16). Receive baptism as a public confession of faith (Romans 6:3–4), and open your heart to the Holy Spirit who guides into all truth (John 16:13).

Jesus is near, seeking those willing to receive Him (Revelation 3:20). Will you respond today?

Come, Lord Jesus!

Print this post

Whoever falls on this stone will be broken – A Theological Reflection on Matthew 21:44

Matthew 21:44 (NKJV)
“And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.”

Matthew 21:45 (NKJV)
“Now when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them.”

1. Introduction: The Stone That Divides

This statement by Jesus comes at the end of the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers (Matthew 21:33–46). In this parable, Jesus confronts the Jewish religious leaders—chief priests and Pharisees—who were actively rejecting His messianic authority. The “stone” Jesus speaks of is not a mere metaphor, but a deeply rooted biblical symbol with prophetic and salvific implications.

2. Who or What Is the Stone?

The “stone” Jesus refers to is Himself, fulfilling multiple Old Testament prophecies:

• Psalm 118:22 (NKJV)
  “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.”

• Isaiah 8:14–15 (NKJV)
  “He will be as a sanctuary, but a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel… and many among them shall stumble; they shall fall and be broken, be snared and taken.”

Jesus, as the Cornerstone, is the foundation of salvation (Ephesians 2:20), but for those who reject Him, He becomes a cause of their downfall. You either build upon Him or are broken by Him.

3. Meaning of “Falling on the Stone”

“Whoever falls on this stone will be broken…”

This implies a personal confrontation with the truth of Christ. Those who encounter Him but resist His authority often experience internal brokenness. This may include conviction, guilt, crisis, or judgment. It is similar to being shattered spiritually or morally.

But this brokenness can be redemptive—like the breaking of pride and self-sufficiency that leads to repentance. Many people come to Christ by first being broken. Think of Paul’s encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). He was broken in spirit before he was built up in Christ.

4. Meaning of “On Whomever It Falls, It Will Grind Him to Powder”

This part of the verse reveals a more final and severe judgment. To be crushed by the stone is to face irreversible destruction. This is not just brokenness—it is obliteration. It symbolizes divine wrath and final judgment for persistent rejection of Christ.

This reflects the prophecy in:

• Daniel 2:34–35 (NKJV)
  “You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet… and broke them in pieces… and the stone… became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.”

That stone in Daniel represents the coming Kingdom of God, established by Christ, which will ultimately destroy all rebellious world systems. Christ is both Savior and Judge.

5. Historical Fulfillment: The Fall of Jerusalem (70 A.D.)

The warning in Matthew 21:44 was not just symbolic. The religious leaders who rejected Jesus eventually faced destruction when the Romans invaded Jerusalem in 70 A.D., destroying the temple and decimating the Jewish leadership. This was a partial fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy in:

• Luke 19:43–44 (NKJV)
  “For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you… and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”

The rejection of the “Stone” led to national ruin.

6. Practical Application: Are You Building or Falling?

We all respond to Jesus in one of three ways:

• Build your life upon Him (Matthew 7:24–25): You find safety, strength, and eternal life.

• Stumble over Him: You resist His Word, leading to brokenness that may or may not lead to repentance.

• Be crushed by Him: Persistent rebellion ends in judgment—eternal separation from God.

2 Corinthians 6:2 (NKJV) reminds us:
“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

7. A Call to Repentance and Faith

If Jesus Christ is not yet the foundation of your life, now is the time to turn to Him. Allow Him to break your pride and rebuild your heart. Receive Him not just as a good teacher—but as the Lord, Savior, and Judge.

• Romans 10:9 (NKJV)
  “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.”

Don’t wait for the stone to fall on you. Instead, come and be built on it.

Conclusion: Build on the Rock

Jesus is the solid Rock—the Chief Cornerstone. To reject Him is to face spiritual ruin. To build on Him is to find eternal life. Are you standing on the Rock—or standing against it?

May the Lord bless you.

Share this message with others.

For prayer, worship schedules, counseling, or questions:
Call: +255693036618 or +255789001312

pride and rebuild your heart. Receive Him not just as a good teacher—but as the Lord, Savior, and Judge.

• Romans 10:9 (NKJV)
  “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.”

Don’t wait for the stone to fall on you. Instead, come and be built on it.

Conclusion: Build on the Rock

Jesus is the solid Rock—the Chief Cornerstone. To reject Him is to face spiritual ruin. To build on Him is to find eternal life. Are you standing on the Rock—or standing against it?

May the Lord bless you.

Share this message with others.

For prayer, worship schedules, counseling, or questions:
Call: +255693036618 or +255789001312

Print this post

“You have heard that it was said”

Scripture, we find two kinds of laws related to human conduct: those directly commanded by God, and those instituted by human leaders or customs that God permitted temporarily among His people. For example, the Israelites were allowed to practice divorce (Deuteronomy 24:1), capital punishment for certain sins such as adultery (Deuteronomy 22:22), and the principle of lex talionis—“an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” (Exodus 21:24)—which regulated justice and prevented excessive punishment.

However, it is crucial to understand that these laws, while found in the Torah, were not part of God’s original design for human relationships and society. From the beginning, God’s intention was for marriage to be a permanent, sacred union. As recorded in Genesis 2:24 (ESV):

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

God never commanded divorce or killing as ideal practices. These laws arose from the hardness of human hearts and the sinful condition of mankind. We see this clearly in the teaching of Jesus Christ, who restored God’s original intention for marriage and human relationships.

The Context of Moses’ Law

The children of Israel inherited many customs from Egypt and their surrounding cultures, including divorce, revenge, and harsh punishments. When God led them out of Egypt to the Promised Land, their hearts remained stubborn and attached to these practices. Because of their spiritual immaturity and hardness of heart, God allowed Moses to permit these laws temporarily. This was an act of divine concession (also called economy or economia in theological terms), not a reflection of God’s perfect will.

Jesus explains this concession in Matthew 19:3-9 (ESV):

3 And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?”
4 He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female,
5 and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?
6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”
7 They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?”
8 He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.
9 And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”

Here, Jesus emphasizes the original intent of marriage as lifelong and exclusive. The allowance of divorce by Moses was a concession to human sinfulness, not God’s ideal. This shows us how God’s law interacts with human weakness — God accommodates but does not approve the brokenness of sin.

Theological Significance

This teaching reveals the progressive nature of divine revelation. The Old Testament laws contained both moral principles and ceremonial or civil regulations appropriate for Israel’s covenantal context. Many laws in the Old Testament anticipate or find their true fulfillment in Christ (Hebrews 8:13). The Mosaic law is pedagogical (Galatians 3:24), guiding God’s people until the coming of the Messiah who perfects and fulfills the Law.

This is why Paul writes in Romans 1:28 (ESV):

“And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.”

God allows human beings to follow their hardened desires, but this is not His perfect plan.

God’s Heart Toward Enemies and Justice

It is also important to recognize that the Old Testament laws regarding revenge and punishment were limited and regulated to prevent escalating cycles of violence (Exodus 21:23-25). They were justice-oriented, not personal vengeance. Yet, God’s ultimate revelation in Christ calls for a higher standard.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus commands radical love and forgiveness (Matthew 5:43-45, ESV):

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.”

This calls us beyond the legalistic, retributive mindset to a life marked by grace, mercy, and reconciliation—reflecting God’s own character.

Paul reinforces this in Romans 12:20-21 (ESV):

20 “To the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

This is the ethic of the Kingdom—not retaliation but overcoming evil through love and goodness.

Conclusion

The laws in the Old Testament reflect God’s patience and mercy toward a fallen people. They are not the final word but part of God’s unfolding redemptive plan. Jesus came to restore God’s original intent for marriage, justice, and human relationships. He calls us to a higher standard of holiness, love, and forgiveness.

Our role today is to live according to this new covenant, pray for those who oppose us, and share the good news of God’s transforming grace.

Maranatha!

Please share this message with others.

For prayers, worship schedules, advice, or questions, contact: +255693036618 or +255789001312
To receive these teachings via WhatsApp or email, send a message to the same numbers.

Print this post

Print this post

Print this post

Greetings to you in the name above all names, our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome once again as we delve into the words of life.

At the time when our Lord Jesus was being crucified, as the sun was about to set and those who had been crucified were still alive, the Jews went to ask Pilate to have their legs broken to hasten their deaths. It should be remembered that, according to Jewish law, it was considered defiling to leave a criminal’s body on the cross until the evening of the Sabbath.

This is explained in the Torah: Deuteronomy 21:22-23 (NIV) says:

“If someone is guilty of a capital offense and is put to death and their body is exposed on a pole, you must not leave the body hanging overnight. Be sure to bury it that same day, because anyone who is hung on a pole is under God’s curse.”

The Jewish leaders wanted to avoid the defilement of leaving bodies on the cross overnight, especially during the Sabbath, which was a holy day. Thus, they asked Pilate to break their legs to hasten their deaths.

Theological Insight:
In the ancient world, crucifixion was a slow and agonizing form of execution, where the condemned person could linger for hours or even days, slowly dying from asphyxiation or blood loss. The breaking of the legs, by preventing the victim from pushing up to breathe, accelerated death.

However, if it weren’t for their law, Roman execution usually allowed someone to stay on the cross until they died of their own accord. This could take days, and was deliberately torturous, ensuring that the person died a slow, agonizing death. The bodies would not be removed until vultures or scavengers came to feed on the remains.

John 19:31-36 (NIV):

31 Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down.
32 The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other.
33 But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.
34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.
35 The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe.
36 These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.”

THEOLOGICAL INSIGHT:

In the New Testament, Jesus’ body fulfills the ancient foreshadowing in the Passover lamb’s sacrifice. The unbroken bones of Jesus directly correlate with the instructions God gave to the Israelites when preparing the Passover lamb.

SO WHY WERE HIS BONES NOT BROKEN? WHAT WAS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS IN SCRIPTURE?

There are two main theological reasons:

1. To confirm that Christ is truly our Passover Lamb.
When the Israelites were preparing to leave Egypt, God gave them specific instructions about the Passover lamb. The lamb had to be without defect, and not a bone of it was to be broken. This was a prophetic picture pointing to the perfect, sinless sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Exodus 12:45-46 (NIV):

“A temporary resident or a hired worker may not eat it.
It must be eaten inside the house; take none of the meat outside the house. Do not break any of the bones.“

This requirement was prophetic, symbolizing that the Messiah, the true Lamb of God, would be without blemish and His body would be untouched, fulfilling the law of the Passover.

John 1:29 (NIV):

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'”

The unbroken bones of Jesus therefore fulfill the Passover lamb’s prophecy, reinforcing that Jesus is our true Passover Lamb, who takes away the sins of the world.

2. To demonstrate that the body of Christ is not broken.
Despite enduring the excruciating torture of the cross—being mocked, whipped, and nailed—His body remained intact. This shows the spiritual truth that the body of Christ, though the Church undergoes suffering, remains whole and unbroken.

Ephesians 5:30 (NIV):

“For we are members of his body.”

This teaching stresses the unity of the body of Christ. Just as Jesus’ physical body was preserved, so too should the spiritual body of Christ—the Church—remain united. The Church is called to be a unified body, and each member must remain connected to Christ and to one another, regardless of the trials faced.

Even though believers may go through hardships, we are to stay united in love, just as Christ’s body remained whole through His suffering. As Scripture teaches, Christ’s body is not broken, and neither should the body of His Church be broken by division.

John 17:22 (NIV):

“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one.”

This passage underscores the importance of unity within the Church. Jesus prayed that His followers would be one, just as He and the Father are one. Dividing the body of Christ goes directly against this divine principle.

THEOLOGICAL INSIGHT:

Jesus’ prayer for unity in the body of believers is central to the life of the Church. Disunity is a direct contradiction to the nature of God, who Himself is unified in the Trinity. When the Church is divided, it disrupts the witness of Christ in the world.

Shalom.

Please share this good news with others.

Print this post

The word “concerning” or “about” . For example, if you want to say, “I don’t know anything about the second coming of Christ,” you could say, “I don’t know anything concerning the second coming of Christ.” So, concerning simply means “about” or “regarding.”

Interestingly, this specific word appears only twice in the entire Bible, both times in the book of Psalms.

Psalm 17:4–5

“Concerning the works of men,
By the word of Your lips I have kept myself from the paths of the destroyer.
My steps have held fast to Your paths,
My feet have not slipped.”

This passage expresses a believer’s commitment to live a holy and righteous life by God’s guidance. “Concerning the works of men” shows an awareness and careful separation from sinful ways, emphasizing personal holiness as commanded throughout Scripture (see 1 Peter 1:15-16).

Psalm 87:5–6

“Yes, of Zion it shall be said,
‘This one and that one were born in her’;
And the Most High Himself shall establish her.
The Lord will count when He registers the peoples,
‘This one was born there.’”

Here, “concerning Zion” speaks about God’s special relationship with His people and the establishment of His kingdom. Zion symbolizes the community of the faithful, a theme echoed in Hebrews 12:22-24, where Zion represents the heavenly Jerusalem.

Knowing what “concerning” means helps us understand how the Bible communicates about important subjects. When applied to doctrines like the second coming of Christ, knowing “concerning” or “about” this event is crucial for spiritual readiness.

The New Testament repeatedly urges believers to be watchful and prepared for Christ’s return (Matthew 24:42-44, 2 Peter 3:10-12). Ignorance about this vital truth can put a person in spiritual danger because the second coming is the culmination of God’s redemptive plan and final judgment (Revelation 22:12).

So, if you don’t know anything about the second coming of Christ, it’s urgent to seek understanding. Study God’s Word, pray for wisdom, and stay spiritually alert. We live in the last days, and Christ’s return is near (Hebrews 10:25). Are you ready to meet Him?

Print this post

From Exodus 22:6 —

“If a fire breaks out and spreads into thornbushes so that it burns sheaves of grain, standing grain, or the whole field, the one who started the fire must make restitution.” (NIV)

QUESTION: I would like to understand the deeper meaning of this verse.

ANSWER: This Old Testament law is about responsibility and accountability — not just in practical terms, but in moral and spiritual terms as well. In ancient Israel, fire was a common danger. If someone started a fire and it got out of control, destroying another person’s crops or field, the Law required them to make restitution — to compensate the victim fairly.

This principle carries spiritual significance, especially when we consider what Scripture elsewhere says about the power of our words and actions.

The book of James compares the tongue to a small spark:

“Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire…”
…“The tongue is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” (James 3:5‑6, NIV)

This imagery warns us that even small words or careless speech can lead to great harm. Just as an unattended spark can destroy a field, careless or malicious speech can damage relationships, reputations, marriages, families, and communities. If we stir up conflict, spread gossip, or sow seeds of discord, the consequences can be far‑reaching — and we will be held accountable, just as the law required restitution for a fire.

For example:

• If you spread falsehoods or fuel anger between friends, causing them to separate or even fight, you share responsibility for the pain that follows.
• If you interfere in someone’s marriage and it leads to divorce, bitterness, and family breakdown, you bear the weight of those consequences.
• If your words lead others into sin, you will be held accountable for the damage caused.

Before we speak, share information, or pass along a secret, we should pause and ask ourselves: Is this necessary? Is this true? Is this helpful? If not, it is better to guard our tongues. Because later — spiritually, emotionally, and before God — we must answer for the impact of our words and actions.

This is the deeper meaning of the Exodus passage:

“If a fire breaks out and spreads into thornbushes… the one who started the fire must make restitution.” (Exodus 22:6, NIV)

Shalom.

Print this post

Exodus 22:31

“You are to be my holy people. So do not eat the meat of an animal torn by wild beasts; throw it to the dogs.”

Shalom, beloved,

In the Old Testament, God gave Israel more than just rules—He gave them principles for living holy and healthy lives. In Exodus 22:31, God commands them not to eat meat from animals torn by wild beasts. On the surface, this was a practical concern for health and hygiene. Torn flesh left out in the wild could be contaminated by disease or decay. But spiritually, this law pointed to a deeper truth: God’s people are to be discerning about what they consume—both physically and spiritually.

God says,

“You are to be my holy people…” (Exodus 22:31).

Holiness means being set apart—not just avoiding sin, but also walking in wisdom and purity. God didn’t want His people feeding on anything questionable or contaminated. In the same way, today, believers must be cautious about what teachings they receive and embrace.

Spiritual Discernment in the New Covenant

In the New Testament, the Apostle John echoes this need for discernment:

1 John 4:1

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

We live in a time filled with information—sermons, podcasts, social media teachings. But not everything labeled “Christian” is biblical or truthful. God calls us to test every teaching against His Word. Just because a message sounds inspiring doesn’t mean it is from the Holy Spirit.

The Danger of Consuming Without Testing

If someone offered you a half-opened bottle of soda from a store, you wouldn’t drink it—you don’t know if it’s spoiled or poisoned. Spiritually, the same principle applies. We should not carelessly receive teachings or revelations we don’t understand or haven’t tested against Scripture.

Proverbs 14:15

 “The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.”

If we aren’t careful, we may consume harmful doctrines that weaken our faith, confuse our identity, or mislead us entirely. That’s how many fall into heresies, legalism, or spiritual bondage.

Feed Yourself from God’s Word

God desires every believer to take responsibility for their spiritual nourishment. Don’t rely solely on what others say—dig into the Word yourself. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you:

John 16:13

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth…”

This means learning to “hunt” for your own spiritual food—reading Scripture, praying for insight, and seeking sound teaching rooted in biblical truth. Be like the Berean believers:

Acts 17:11

 “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character… for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”

Don’t Be Like the Dogs

In Exodus 22:31, God says the torn meat should be thrown to the dogs. Why? Because dogs were not discerning. They ate anything. We are not dogs. We are God’s holy people. We are called to walk in wisdom, not blindly consume everything we hear.

Jesus also warned about spiritual dogs—those who reject or trample on holy things:

Matthew 7:6

“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs…”

So, ask yourself:

• Are you testing what you’re being taught?
• Do you know the source of your spiritual food?
• Are you regularly in God’s Word?

If not, it’s time to start. As deception increases in the last days (Matthew 24:24), only those grounded in truth will endure. Don’t eat just anything because it looks spiritual. If it’s torn, questionable, or compromised—leave it for the dogs.

You are not a dog—you are a child of God. Be holy. Be wise. Be grounded.

Exodus 22:31

“You are to be my holy people. So do not eat the meat of an animal torn by wild beasts; throw it to the dogs.”

May the Lord bless you with discernment and a hunger for His truth.

Print this post

Print this post