Title July 2022

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What Is “Uchaga”? Understanding Luke 12:24
Answer: Let’s explore this Scripture together.

In Luke 12:24 (NIV), Jesus says,

“Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!”

Here, Jesus calls our attention to the ravens, emphasizing their lack of food storage “storeroom” (a small place for grain) and uchaga (a larger granary used for long-term storage of grain and other provisions). The ravens have no barns or silos to store food for future seasons, yet God faithfully provides for their needs.

Theological significance:
Jesus uses the ravens as an example of God’s providence His ongoing care and provision for His creation. This echoes the biblical theme of God as the ultimate provider (Psalm 104:27-28; Matthew 6:25-34). The fact that ravens survive without storing food points to God’s sovereign power over creation and His ability to sustain life even in seemingly impossible circumstances.

Remember the story of Elijah during the drought (1 Kings 17:2-6, NIV):

“Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah:
‘Leave here, turn eastward and hide by the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.’
So he did what the LORD had told him. He went and stayed by the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.”

During this time of famine and divine judgment, when “the heavens were shut” and people and animals were dying (v. 1), God demonstrated His care by commanding the ravens to feed His prophet. This miraculous provision shows God’s faithfulness even when natural resources fail.

Applying this to Jesus’ teaching:
If God can provide for the ravens who have no storehouses how much more will He provide for His children? Jesus reassures us that as His followers, we are infinitely more valuable to God than birds (cf. Matthew 10:29-31). This promise calls believers to trust God’s providence and reject anxiety about material needs.

Further assurance from Hebrews 13:5-6 (NIV):

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’
So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?’”

This passage reinforces God’s covenantal promise of His continual presence and support. Trusting in God’s provision frees believers from the fear and greed that so often dominate human hearts.

Invitation:
Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Have you become His child? If not, understand that life apart from God offers no lasting securityonly death (Romans 6:23). The world values you less than the ravens in times of hardship. Those who trust in worldly things perish, but those who trust God endure and receive eternal life (John 10:27-28).

If you haven’t yet, receive Jesus today. Be baptized as a public confession of faith, symbolizing the washing away of sins (Acts 2:38), and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, who empowers you to live a godly life (Acts 1:8).

Maranatha! (Our Lord, come!)

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The Swahili word kujazi translates to “to repay,” “to reward,” or “to compensate.” In biblical theology, this concept aligns with the idea that God, who sees the hearts and intentions of His people, rewards them according to their faithfulness, obedience, and sincerity. This reward is not always material it may be spiritual, eternal, or both.

Let’s explore how Scripture supports this principle:

1. God Rewards What Is Done in Secret

Matthew 6:2–4 (NIV)

“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Theological Insight:
Jesus taught against ostentatious acts of charity. Giving is an act of worship and compassion, not a means of gaining public recognition. When we give discreetly, God, who sees beyond outward appearances, honors and rewards such integrity. This principle reflects God’s justice and omniscience He sees and evaluates the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

2. Prayer Is Personal Communication with God

Matthew 6:6 (NIV)

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Theological Insight:
Prayer is not a performance but an intimate dialogue with God. The emphasis here is not just on secrecy but sincerity. God values genuine relationship over ritualistic repetition. The Greek word for “reward” (misthos) implies recompense from a just employer God repays with perfect fairness.

3. Fasting Is About Seeking God, Not Attention

Matthew 6:17–18 (NIV)

“But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,
so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen;
and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Theological Insight:
Fasting is meant to humble the soul and seek God’s presence not to impress others with your piety. Jesus taught that spiritual disciplines must be God-focused. The reward for such fasting may be deeper spiritual insight, answered prayer, or personal transformation.

4. God Rewards Acts of Loyalty and Kindness

Ruth 2:11–12 (NIV)

“Boaz replied, ‘I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before.
May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.’”

Theological Insight:
Boaz recognized Ruth’s sacrificial love and loyalty. In blessing her, he acknowledges God as the ultimate rewarder of good deeds. The imagery of taking refuge under God’s wings points to God as a protector and provider (cf. Psalm 91:4). Ruth’s story foreshadows the redemptive inclusion of Gentiles into God’s covenant family.

Conclusion: God Sees and Rewards Faithfulness

The consistent message across these passages is clear: God sees everything done in secret, and He is faithful to reward those who seek Him with pure motives. Whether it’s through giving, praying, fasting, or showing kindness no act of obedience or love escapes His notice.

While some rewards may come in this life (such as peace, provision, or favor), others are stored up in heaven (Matthew 6:20). Ultimately, our greatest reward is God Himself knowing Him, being transformed by Him, and spending eternity in His presence (Hebrews 11:6; Revelation 22:12).

All glory, honor, and praise be to the Lord who sees, rewards, and blesses His people. Amen

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1. Slave (Mtumwa)

In biblical times, a slave (Hebrew: ‘ebed; Greek: doulos) was a person typically male who was legally owned by another and had little to no personal autonomy. Slavery was a recognized institution in both the Old and New Testaments, though often distinct from the racial slavery seen in later history.

Spiritually, the concept of slavery takes on deeper meaning. In the New Testament, Paul often describes believers as “slaves of Christ”, indicating complete surrender, obedience, and loyalty to the Lord Jesus. This form of servanthood leads not to oppression but to true freedom.

2 Timothy 2:24 (ESV)

“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil.”

Here, “servant” translates the Greek doulos, meaning slave. In contrast, those who reject Christ are described as slaves to sin:

John 8:34–36 (ESV)

Jesus answered them,

“Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.
The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

Jesus reveals that sin enslaves, but He alone has the power to liberate. This echoes Paul’s teaching:

Romans 6:16 (ESV)

“Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?”

2. Maidservant (Mjakazi)

A maidservant (female slave) shared the same condition as a male slave in terms of ownership and lack of freedom. In Hebrew, this is often the word ’amah or shiphchah, and in Greek, it is doulē. Maidservants were common in patriarchal societies and often performed both domestic and personal duties.

A well-known example is Hagar, Sarai’s Egyptian maidservant, whom Sarai gave to Abram to bear a child:

Genesis 16:1 (ESV)

“Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. She had a female Egyptian servant whose name was Hagar.”

Hagar’s story illustrates the social and emotional complexities of servanthood in the ancient world while she was a servant, she became a mother of nations (Ishmael’s descendants), under God’s watchful care (Genesis 16:13).

3. Handmaid (Kijakazi)

The term handmaid typically refers to a female servant of even lower status, often used more humbly or affectionately. It reflects deep submission and lowliness, often voluntarily adopted in relationship to God.

In biblical usage, especially in Luke’s Gospel, “handmaid” (doulē in Greek) becomes a term of honor in submission to God’s will. When the angel Gabriel told Mary she would bear Jesus, she responded:

Luke 1:38 (ESV)

“And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant (handmaid) of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.'”

Bilhah and Zilpah, maidservants to Rachel and Leah, respectively, are referred to in the Old Testament in a lower capacity:

Genesis 35:25–26 (ESV)

“The sons of Bilhah, Rachel’s servant: Dan and Naphtali.
The sons of Zilpah, Leah’s servant: Gad and Asher.”

This distinction shows a hierarchy even within servanthood, especially in familial or tribal settings.

Freedom in Christ vs. Slavery to Sin

Theologically, the most significant form of slavery in Scripture is slavery to sin. All people are born into sin (Psalm 51:5; Romans 3:23), and apart from Christ, they live under its control. However, Jesus offers a radical exchange slavery to righteousness that results in life.

Romans 6:22–23 (ESV)

“But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Unlike the slavery of sin, which leads to death, servanthood to Christ leads to eternal life, purpose, and joy.

A Call to Surrender to Christ

Rather than striving in our own strength or being bound by human systems, Scripture calls us to full submission to Jesus Christ:

Matthew 11:28–30 (ESV)

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

To wear His yoke means to enter a relationship of loving obedience with the only Master who gives rest, freedom, and eternal reward.

Final Word: Serve the Lord Alone

We are not to be enslaved by people, materialism, or sin. We were purchased at a price the blood of Christ.

1 Corinthians 7:23 (ESV)

“You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.”

To be Christ’s servant is the highest calling. It is slavery that leads to life, joy, and eternal glory.

Maranatha.

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Introduction

This is one of the most debated passages in Christian theology.

Many have misunderstood or misapplied Jesus’ words in Matthew 16:18, thinking He meant to build His Church upon the person of Peter. But when we examine the full context of Scripture, and compare it with the rest of the New Testament, we discover a much deeper and richer truth.

The Passage in Context

Matthew 16:16–18 (NIV):

“Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’
Jesus replied, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.’”

The Greek behind this text helps clarify the meaning. The name “Peter” comes from the Greek Petros, meaning “a small stone” or “a piece of rock.” But the word Jesus uses for “rock” in “on this rock I will build my church” is petra, which refers to a massive, immovable rock  a foundational stone.

Jesus was not saying He would build His Church on Peter the man, but on the truth of the confession Peter had just made: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Christ Is the True Foundation

This interpretation is not only linguistically accurate, but also aligns with the broader teaching of Scripture:

1 Corinthians 3:10–11 (NIV):

“By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care.
For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

Paul is clear: Christ is the only foundation upon which the Church is built. No apostle, pope, or church leader can claim that role.

Even Peter Points to Christ as the Rock

It is vital to notice that Peter himself never claimed to be the rock. In fact, in his own epistle, he refers to Jesus as the living Stone, the cornerstone, and the true foundation:

1 Peter 2:4–6 (NIV):

“As you come to him, the living Stone rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him
you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house… For in Scripture it says: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.’”

Here, Peter refers to Isaiah 28:16, a prophecy about the coming Messiah. The “cornerstone” is a metaphor for Christ as the foundation of God’s redemptive work.

Theological Significance

Understanding this passage correctly is vital for maintaining the centrality of Christ in the Church. When we say the Church is built on Christ, we affirm:Christ’s deity and authority (Colossians 1:17–18)The sufficiency of His sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10–14)is role as the head of the Church (Ephesians 1:22–23)

To place any person  even an apostle  in that role is to diminish the preeminence of Christ and introduce a dangerous theological error.

This is why followers of Jesus are called Christians, not “Petrians” or any other derivative. Our identity and salvation rest on Christ alone.

Beware of False Foundations

Anyone claiming to be the rock, or the sole mediator between God and man, is taking a role that belongs only to Jesus Christ. Scripture warns us:

1 Timothy 2:5 (NIV):

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.”

To assume this title or role is to stand in opposition to Christ, which is the spirit of antichrist (1 John 2:18–22).

Final Call: Have You Built on the Rock?

The question is not just theological  it’s personal:

Have you placed your faith in Jesus Christ?
Have you repented of your sins, been baptized, and received the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38)?

If not, today is the day to make that decision. Build your life not on tradition, or religion, or personalities  but on the unshakable Rock who is Jesus Christ.

Maranatha! 

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