The Light of the World: Part II (John 8:12-9:41)

DUNYO NURI .
IKKINCHI QISM
YUHANNO 8:12-9:41
ISO BUTUN DUNYODA HUDONING ILOHIY NURIDIR VA U
KO’ZI KO’RA OLMAYDIGAN INSONLARGA NUR BERADI
D. Imon darajalari
Endilikda men e’tiborimizni imon darajalariga qaratmoqchiman, ya’ni ushbu ko’zi ochilgan odamda vahiy nurining unda yuksalishini ko’rsatmoqchiman. Bir kunning o’zidayoq u birdaniga hayotida ilk marotaba jismoniy qorong’ulikdan jismoniy yorug’likka chiqdi, va hayotida birinchi marotaba atrofidagi tabiatning go’zalligini ko’rdi. Hayotida ilk marotaba narsalar qanday ko’rinishga ega ekanligini ko’rdi.
Lekin bu hali hammasi emas edi. U yana ilohiy yorug’likni ko’rish yo’lida edi, bu yo’l uni tog’ri Hudoning taxtiga Isoning poyiga yetaklar edi. Ana shu yerda u Iso Masihni o’zining Shoxi va Rabbiysi sifatida ko’radi va anglaydi.
1. Inson ongining sustligi.
Ushbu odamni yaxshilab nazorat qiling. U nurda yurish uchun va oz’ini ojiz deb bilgani uchun o’rnidan turib, nurda va vahiyda olg’a qadamlar tashlash kerak bo’ladi, bu sizlarga g’alati tuyulmyaptimi? O’sha vaqtning o’zida esa boshqa yerda Yahudiylar o’zlarining bilimdorligidan uch marta maqtanadilar. Bu chekkada esa bu odam o’zini ojiz va o’muligidan uch marta “Men bilmayman, Men tushunmayman” deb xitob qilmoqda. Mana bu odam atrofda men bilmayman, men tushunmayman deb aytadi, lekin u har safar vahiy nurini ko’rmoqda.
2. Odamning o’rganishga tayyorligi
Ko’rdingizmi agar inson hamma narsani bilishi xaqida maqtansa, Hudo unga yordam bera olmaydi. Biroq odam o’zini insoniy, dunyoviy bilimlardan bo’shatsa va Hudoning oldiga borib “Hudoyim, men hech narsani tushunmayman, men hech narsani bilmayman, Lekin Sen meni bu narsaga o’rgatishni hohlasang, Men bunga tayyorman” desa, oshanda unga ko’p narsalar ochiladi.
So’ngra o’sha odamning qadamlarini va harakatlarini tomosha qiling. Birinchi safar u faqat shifo olganini va Iso Masih yordam berganin biladi xolos. Ikkinchi safar u Iso payg’ambar ekangligini tan oladi. Uchinchi safar u Uni Hudoning odami ekanligini va axiran u Isoga tiz cho’kib uni “Rab Hudoim” deb chaqiradi.
Mana aynan shu vahiy va ongning, Hudoga yaqin bo’lish va hayotingiz butunlay Unga ochilishining narvonidir. U jismonan atrofda yorug’lik va nurni ko’ryapti, lekin shu vaqtning o’zida u jismoniy nurdan ko’ra yanada muhimroq narsa mavjud ekanligini anglamoqda. U yuksaklikdan, Hudodan kelayotgan ilohiy vahiyning tarkibini ko’rmoqda. Men ba’zida shunday deyman “ Yo, Rabbim agar biz samoviy uyimizga ojiz bo’lib boradigan bo’lsak, hech bo’lmasa yuragimiz bilan xaqiqatni ko’rishga yordam ber.”
3. Dalton Short ismli ko’zi ko’r odamning misoli.
Men olti yil bir ko’zi ko’r odamning cho’poni [pastori] edim. Men vaazlarimda u xaqda ko’p aytaman. Uning ismi Dalton Short. Siz u odamni bilishingiz orqali ko’p barakalanasiz. Balkim orangizdagi ba’zilar uni taniysiz. U meni juda ko’p narsalarga o’rgatdi. U menga qanday qilib ko’zi ojiz odamlarning orasida o’zimni tutishim , yordam berishim va shu o’rinda men va boshqa ko’zi o’jizlar o’zini qulay xis qilishimiz mumkinligi xaqida ko’p narsalarni o’rgatdi. U menga qanday qilib ko’zi ojiz odamni eshikkacha olib borib uni eshikdan chiqarib qo’yishga, faqat uni ehsikning oldiga olib borib qo’yish emas, balkim uning qo’lini eshikning ushlagichiga qo’yish kerakligini, ya’ni u odam eshikni o’zi ochib chiqib ketishi uchun u uchlagichni sezishi lozimligini o’rgatdi.
Tasavvur qiling, ojiz odam, mashinaning oldiga kelsa va siz unga eshikni ochib bersangiz, u eshikning ochiqligini ko’rmaydi va sezmaydi. Lekin agar eshikni o’zi ochsa u mashinaga qanday joylashishini biladi. Men bunday oddiy narsalar xaqida oldin hech o’ylab ko’rmagan ekanman.
Men, Hudo uni Muqaddas Rux bilan barakalagan vaqtlarini ko’rgan edim, u ko’p narsalarni bu dunyo chegarasidan tashqari ko’rar edi. U o’zining dast ro’molini olib ko’ra olmagan yoshlarini artar edi, son’gra “Ko’rmagan Qo’lini ushlab turibman, degan qo’shiqni aytar edi. Ishonasizmi yo’qmi men pianino chalar edim. U “Najotkorim bilan yuzma-yuz” nomli qo’shig’ini aytganida mening yuragim ezilib u orqali barakalanar edi.
U 17-18 yoshligida Janubiy Illinoisda konchilik sanoatining ishi davomida ko’zi shikast yegan. Po’latning bir kichkina parchasi ko’ziga kirib ketib, ikkinchi ko’ziga ham shikast yetkazib ko’r bo’lib qolgan. U Hudoning ishlarida ko’p vaqt ojiz bo’lib xizmat qilgan. Biroq, u qalbining ko’zlari ko’ra oladi va imon barmoqlari bilan Hudoni seza olar edi, va abadiylikka qo’li bilan yetisha olardi. Hudoga hamdu – sanolar bo’lsin. Biz gul va tabiatning go’zalligini ko’rishimiz yoki ko’ra olmasligimizdan qat’iy nazar, Hudo bizga, biz Uning Xaqiqatdan mavjud ekanligini bilishimiz va qidirib topa olishimiz uchun imon ko’zlarini bergan.
4. Ko’zi ochilgan odamning imon pog’onalari – uning tabibning ismi Iso Masih edi
U o’sha kuni shifo topadi va shu kunning oz’idayoq so’roq qilinadi. Uni birinchi so’roq qilganlar uning qo’shnilari edi. Qachonki siz Hudo bilan munosabatingizni boshlaganingizda, huddi shunday hodisa siz bilan yuz beradi. Uydagilaringiz va qo’shnilaringiz sizni birincho o’rinda so’roq qilishga yetib keladi. Agar siz o’sha sinovlarda tetik tursangiz, siz boshqa yerdagi sinovlarda ham qiynalmaysiz. O’shanda ham odamlar bir biriga “ bilasanmi bu odam oldin ko’r edi”, ba’zilari “ha o’sha ko’r odamga o’xshar ekan” deb gumon qilishdi. Ular u bilan ro’y bergan narsani tushuna olmasdilar. Bu yerdan ko’rsak bo’ladiki, odamlar unga oldin juda ko’p e’tibor berishganlari mumkin. Ular undan ‘bizga bu xaqda so’ylagin, bu qanday sen bilan sodir bo’ldi, bizga tushuntirib ber” deb talab qilishadi.
U esa ularga “men bilmayman, u odamning ismi faqat Iso ekanligini bilaman holos, U mening ko’zlarimni loy bilan surtdi, son’gra borib hovuzda yuvingin dedi, men borib
yuvindim va qaytib kelganimda ko’zim ochilib hamma narsani ko’ra boshladim’ deya javob beradi. Odamlar bu hodisa xaqida nima o’ylashni bilmasdi, lekin bu ish shanba kuni yuz bergani uchun, bu xaqda ruhoniylarning fikrini bilishni va ular bu odamni so’roq qilishlarini zarur topdilar.
5. Imonning ikkinchi pog’onasi-Isoning Payg’ambarlik vazifasini tan olish.
Shunday qilib ular odamni yahudiy ruxoniylarining oldiga keltirdilar. Ular bu hodisa muqaddas shanba kuni yuz bergani uchun mo’jizaga va Isoga isnod keltirmoqchi bo’ldilar. Ular undan gumon qilib “biz bu inson Hudodanmi yoki yo’qmi, hatto kimligini bilmaymiz” deydilar. Keyin ko’zi ochilgan odam “Menimcha u payg’ambar bo’lsa kerak”, deydi. E’tibor beryapsizmi, Yahudiylar Isoga qarshi chiqayotgan paytda, odam unga berilgan nur bilan anglashni va imonda kuchayishni boshlaydi. Bu Iso kimligi xaqida yaxshi maslahatdir, nima uchun deysizmi? Chunki boshqalar biron bir odam xaqida yomon gapirsa, yoki qarshi chiqsa, U xaqda menga maslahat , tavsiya beriladi. Lekin agar hamma inson sizning tarafingizni olsa, bu sizning obro’yingiz yomon ekanligidan dalolatdor. Hayron bo’lmang, Men cho’pon bo’lganimda menga ko’p odamlar kelib “ Siz buni yoki uni o’rganishingiz kerak, va bu xushxabar uchun ham buni o’rganishingiz kerak” deyishgan, ular bu xaqda ko’p maslahat bergani uchun ham u narsalar menga kerak emasligini bilar edim.
Shunday qilib ruxoniylar orasidagi baxs -mulohozalar chuqurlashib ketadi va ular ko’r odamning ota-onasini keltirishlarini so’raydilar. Lekin uning ota-onasi obro’li bo’lgani uchun boshqa yuqori tabaqadagi odamlar bilan munosabati buzilmasligi va ma’bad a’zoligidan haydalmasligi uchun so’roq qilinishlaridan bosh torta olmasdilar.
Biroq savollar davomida barcha javobgarlikni o’g’lining yelkasiga tashlab qo’yib “U voyaga yetgandir, uning o’zidan so’ranglar” deyishadi. Bo’lmasa ular har kuni uni u aytgan joyiga yetaklab borishar edi. Endi esa u birdaniga voyaga yetib qoldi, uning oz’idan so’rashlarini aytadilar.
Bilasizmi, bugungu kunda ham shunday ota-onalar borki ular farzandlarining ruhan o’sishi uchun javobgarlikni olgisi kelmaydi. Buning achinarli tarafi shundaki, ular o’zlari mustaqil o’zlarining imoni bilan keladigan vasvasa va sinovlardan yakka holda o’tishiga majburdirlar. Agar orangizda hozir shundaylar bor bo’lsa, bilingki siz yakka emassiz. Mana bu yerda yana bir birodaringiz, ota-onasi yonboshida tursa ham, sinovdan o’zi yakka holda o’tyapti.
6. Imonning uchinchi darajasi – Iso Hudoning odamidir
Aynan o’sha odam “men bilmayman” degan daqiqaning o’zidayoq Hudo unga boshqa tarafdan u tushunishi mumkin bo’lgan vahiylarni bermoqda. U imon qanotlarida uchib Hudodan javob olmoqda. Aynan shunday Hudo biz bilan ham ishlaydi. Ya’ni boshqa so’zlar bilan aytganimizda, kurash vaqtida Hudo sizga kuch beradi, aynan kuch olgan vaqtingizda siz imonga erishasiz. Hudoga hamdu – sanolar bo’lsin!
Ular bu odamni yana so’roq qilgani boshqa ruxoniylarning oldiga olib boradi va ular undan “Nimaga sen rostini aytib, Hudoni sharaflamaysan, chunki bu ishni qilgan odam
gunohkordir, u Shanba kunida bu ishni qilib gunoh qildi, agar shunday qilgan bo’lsa u Hudoning va bizning qonunlarimizni yaxshi bilmaydi” deb arz qilishadi.
Endi odamning javobiga e’tibor bering “ Unda bu odam Hudoning odami bo’lsa kerak, chunki men sizlarga shuni aytay, dunyo yaralganidan beri, hali biron marta ham ko’r tug’ilgan odamning ko’zi ochilganini eshitmaganman. Agar u Hudoning odami bo’lmaganda edi, u hech narsa qila olmasdi”. Mana jismonan ko’zi ochilgan odam, yana ruxiy savol va jumboqlarga javob topmoqda.
Lekin yahudiylarga uning javobi yoqmaydi va odamlar unga tashlanmoqchi bo’ldilar. Ular shunday ham qildilar, uni tutib olib, sinagogadan quvib chiqardilar. Lekin o’sha vaqtda u ruxoniylarning ruxiy ko’zlari ojizligidan nola qiladi.
Bilasizmi, Hudoning oldiga endi kelgan odamda dadillikning mavjud bo’lishi ajoyibdir. Ushbu odam Hudoning ilohiy vahiysini qabul qilganda Huddi shu narsa ro’y beradi.
U ko’p narsalarni bilmaydi va hattoki undan so’ralgan savollarga ham javoblarni bilmaydi, lekin bitta narsani u aniq biladi, u ko’r edi, endi esa uning ko’zi ochildi.
U unga shifo bergan odam xaqida ham ko’p narsa bilmaydi, lekin bu narsa boshqalarga borib bu xaqiqattan ham yuz berganligi xaqida guvohlik berishga yetarlidir. Huddi shunday biz bilan ham ro’y beradi, Pentakost nimaligini ko’plar tuchunmaydi, siz esa bu xaqda qayg’urmang, faqat uning tajribasidan shodlaning. Buni boshqalar tushuntirsin, siz esa Hudoni olqishlang va u sizning yuragingizni barakalasin!
7. Imonning to’rtinchi pog’onasi – U tiz cho’kib uni Rabbim deb chaqiradi.
Endi hodisaning oxiriga qarang, uni sinagogadan quvib chiqarishadi, Iso bu xaqda eshitadi. U kelib uni topadi. U o’shanda olov sinovlaridan yakka o’zi o’tayotgan edi. Iso esa shu atroflarda edi, lekin U O’zini unga ko’rsatmadi. U uning olovda imoni mustahkam bo’lishiga imkoniyat berdi.
Endi do’stlarim, meni eshitinglar, agar siz ham olovdan o’tayotgan bo’lsangiz, bu Hudo sizni tashlab ketdi degani emas. U sizga yaqin, lekin ba’zida u biz biron narsaga erishisgimiz uchun bu olovdan oz’imiz o’tishimizga imkoniyat beradi. Ammo o’sha odam quvib chiqarilgandan keyin Iso uning oldiga boradi. Aynan boshqalar sizdan yuz o’girganda, aynan o’sha vaqtda Isoning huzuri bizga qadrlidir.
Yuhanno xushxabar maktubining yozilishiga ham shu – Yaxshi Cho’ponga ergashishning qadrligi sababdir. Qachonki ‘bilimga boy’ o’sha diniy ruxoniylar sizlarni haydaganda, Yaxshi Cho’pon sizni topib keladi.
Iso u bilan gaplashadi. U o’zini odamning oldiga kelib “Sen ishonasanmi?” deb so’raydi.
odam esa Unga “Ha Rabbim ishonaman” deya javob beradi va uni ulug’laydi. (38 oyat)
Siz ham olovlardan o’tib, hozir imonning ushbu yuqori pog’onasida yuribsiz. Endi siz bu pog’onada Iso kimligini va sizning yoningizda o’sha qiyin vaqtlarida bo’lmagani uchun achinmasdan, Uni so’roqqa tutmasdan,balkim Uni xaqiqatdan, ushbu so’zning ma’nosini anglagan holda “Rabbim” deb chaqirasiz.
Siz bu pog’onada Uni olqishlaysiz. Bu imonning cho’qqisidir. Uni endi odam va payg’ambar yoki Hudoning odami sifatida qabul qilish emas, balkim aksincha Iso
Masihga ishonish, Unga Rabbimiz sifatida ega bo’lish va uni ulug’lash lozimdir. Chunki faqat U ulug’lanishi lozim bo’lgan Rab Hudodir.

Doing the Fathers Will (John 12:20-33)

Otaning irodasini bajo keltirish yo’lida

Yuhanno 12:20-33

Iso xoch bilan yuzma – yuz uchrashish arafasida va bu orqali Otaning irodasini bajarish yo’lida turmoqda.

Kalomdan parcha – Yuhanno 12:20-33

Sig’inish uchun bayramga kelganlar orasida ba’zi yunonlar bor edi. Ular Jalilaning Baytsayda shahridan bo’lgan Filipning oldiga borib o’tindilar:

    – Taqsir, biz Isoni ko’rmoqchi edik.

Filip borib Idrisga aytdi; keyin Idris bilan Filip ikkalasi Isoning oldiga borib, Unga aytishdi. Iso ularga shunday javob qaytardi;

-Inson O’g’li ulug’lanadigan vaqt soat keldi. Sizlarga rostini aytay; agar bug’doyning doni yerga tushib o’lmasa, u bir donligicha qoladi. Agar u o’lsa, u ko’p hosil beradi. Kim o’z jonini sevsa, uni yo’qotadi. Kim bu dunyoda o’z jonini ayamasa, uni abadiy hayot uchun saqlab qoldai. Agar kim Menga xizmat qilsa, Mening izimdan yursin. Men qayerda bo’lsam, xizmatchim ham u yerda bo’ladi. Kim menga xizmat qilsa, Otam ham uni hurmat qiladi.

Endi esa yuragim siqilyapti, Men nima ham desam ekan? “Ey Otam, Meni ushbu vaqt-soatdan qutqaz” deymi? Vaholanki, men shu vaqt soat uchun kelganman. Ey Ota, O’z nomingni ulug’lagin!

Iso shunday deyishi bilanoq osmondan:

– Men uni ulug’laganman, va bundan keyin ham ulug’layman, – degan sado keldi. U yerda turgan omma buni eshitib, momaqoldiroq deb o’yladi.

-Yo’q, Unga farishta gapirdi! – deyishdi boshqalari.

Bunga javoban Iso aytdi:

    – Bu sado Men uchun emas, sizlar uchun bo’ldi. Hozir bu dunyo hukm qilinadi, hozir bu dunyoning hokimi tashqariga chiqarib haydaladi. Men yerdan yuqoriga ko’tarilganimda, Hammani O’zimga jalb qilaman.

Ushbu so’zlarni Iso Oz’ining qay yo’l bilan o’lishini bildirish maqsadida aytgan edi.

Kirish

Uchbu parchaning yigirma uchinchci oyati “ vaqt-soat keldi”, deb aytadi. Iso Masih O’zining bu yer yuzida bajarayotgan xizmatini eng cho’qqisiga yetib keldi. U bu dunyoda O’z taqdirining buyuk soatiga yetib keldi. Iso Quddus shahriga tantanavor ravishda kirib kelganiligi bizga ma’lumdir. Uning har qadamini kutib olgan xalq Unga

– Hosanna, Hosanna, Hudovand nomidan kelayotgan Isroilning Podshohi muborak” – deb qichqirganini bilamiz. O’sha Hosanna so’zining ma’nosi – najot bergin demakdir. Iso Quddus shahriga minglab odamlarning olqishi ostida kirib keldi. O’sha vaqtda xalq Uni bag’riga oldi. O’sha vaqti xalq Uni qabul qilgan edi.

    A. “ Vaqt –soat keldi” iborasining tahlili.

    1. Yahudiylar Uni podshoh deb qabul qilishga tayyor edilar.

Ular Uni Podhsoh deb qabul qilish uchun qo’llarini cho’zdilar. Ular Isodan U Isroil xalqini uning dushmanlaridan ozod qilishini, ayniqsa Rim Imperiyasining bosqinchiligidan qutqarishini kutgan edilar. Shuning uchun ular Unga “ Najot bergin” deya hayqirishar edi.

Bu O’z podshohini yuksaltirmoqchi bo’lgan xalqning ovozidir. Iso bir ho’tikning ustida minib kelayotganida ular Uni palma daraxtining shoxlari bilan tantanavor ravishda kutib oldilar. Uni shoxlik taxtiga o’tqazmoqchi edilar. Chunki qadimgi yahudiylar odati bo’yicha Shox taxtga ko’tarilganda uni palma daraxti shoxlarini silkitish orqali ulug’lashar edilar. Ular Isoni podshoh sifatida huddi shunday kutib olishdi.

2.Ma’jusiylar Uni ko’rishni istadilar

Iso shu marosimning o’rtasida, xalq deyarli Isoni podshox deb qabul qilayotgan vaqtning o’zida, ma’jusiy yunonlar davraning chekkasida turib, yahudiylarning bu marosimiga qo’shila olmasligini bilar edilar, lekin bunga qaramasdan ular Isoga yaqinroq kelib, Uni ko’rishni istadilr. Ulardan ba’zilari Isoning shogirdlarining oldiga borib, ayniqsa Andreyning oldiga borib “ Biz Isoni ko’rmoqchi edik” deb aytishdi.

    3. Iso O’z shogirdlariga – “ …vaqti-soati keldi”, deb aytadi.

Filip va Idris Isoning oldiga borib, Unga nima bo’layotganini aytishadi, lekin Iso ularga shunday deydi “Inson O’gli ulug’lanadigan vaqti-soati keldi”, deya javob beradi. Ya’ni bu orqali Iso ularga “ Men aynan hozir ma’jusiylar (yani Yahudiy bo’lmagan halq) oldiga bora olmayman, Ularning oldiga kechroq boraman.Chunki Men uchun belgilangan vaqt-soat keldi. Men O’zimni o’sha vaqt-soatga topshirishim kerak. Men ma’jusiylarning oldiga kechroq boraman. Bu narsa boshqa odamlar orqali bo’ladi. Bu ba’zi bir muhim va buyuk hodisalardan so’ng bo’ladi, lekin Mening vaqt-soatim keldi’ – degan mazmunda javob beradi.

    4. Iso sogirdlariga bundan avval “Mening vaqti-soatim hali yetib kelmadi” deb aytgan edi

Iso “vaqt-soatim keldi” deb javob berishi bizni hayron qoldiradi. Chunki bundan avval u uch marta “Mening vaqti soatim hali yetib kelmadi”,deb javob berishini kuzatimiz. Ba’zida Uning atrofidagi odamlar Undan ba’zi narsalarni talab qilishadi. Uning aka-ukalari Undan biror narsani bajarishni talab qilishar edi. Hattoki Uning onasi va yaqin do’stalri ham Undan ba’zi narsalarni talab qilishar edi, lekin har doim U ularga “ vaqti –soatim hali yetib kelgani yo’q” deya javob berar edi. Endi esa butun dunyo yolvorib, Unga “ Biz Isoni ko’rmoqchimiz” deb aytganida, Iso ularga “ Vaqti-soatim keldi” deb aytdi

    B. “Vaqt-soati keldi’ iborasining mazmuni

    5. Bu Otaning irodasini bajarish soati demakdir.

Ko’rdingizmi, , Undan bir vaqtlari so’ralgan boshqa insoniy talablardan ko’ra, ma’jusiylarning hohishi Iso uchun katta mazmun bildiradi. U nimani nazarda tutgan edi? Bu Hudo O’glining ilohiy taqdir soatining yetib kelganligidan dalolatdir. Azaldan belgilab qo’yilgan vaqt soatning yetib kelishidir.

Iso O’zining butun irodasini Otaning irodasi bilan bog’lab, qabul qiladigan buyuk qarorning soatidir. Bu Otaning irodasi va hohishini Iso so’zsiz va arzsiz bajaradigan, bu dunyo uchun belgilab qo’yilgan xizmatining to’liq ato etilishi va bajo keltirilishining buyuk vaqt-soatidir. U O’zining oldida turgan taqdirga qarab – “vaqtim keldi va Men uni qabul qilaman” deydi.

    6. Bu o’lim soatidir.

Bu soat nafaqat Otaning irodasini bajo keltirish soatidir, balkim o’lim soati hamdir. Zero U shunday deydi “ agar bug’doyning doni yerga tushib o’lmasa, u bir donligicha qoladi. Agarda o’lsa, ko’p hosil beradi”. Ya’ni toki o’lim bo’lmaguncha, hayot oz’idan o’zi hayotni yaratmaydi. Hosil beradigan har bir urug’ avval o’lishi kerak, o’zining tarkibini yo’qotish kerak. Urug’ yerga tushgandan keyin, yumshab , o’zining asl ko’rinishi yo’qotadi va yerga singandan keyin, yangi hosil beradigan hayot o’simligini hosil beradi, va oldingidan ham ko’proq hosil beradi.

    C. Hayot bo’lishidan oldin, o’lim bo’lishi kerak

    7. Ilohiy Qonuniyat

Hudo yaratgan butun borliqda, butun odamzodda, Uning barcha ishlarida belgilangan ilohiy qonuniyat mavjuddir. Ya’ni bu hayotga ega bo’lishdan oldin, o’lim bo’lishi lozimdir. Dun’yo bu narsani hech qachon anglab yeta olmagan , ya’ni o’lim orqali hayot beriladi, va ojizlik orqali kuch beriladi. Xochda uyat, la’nat va sharmandalik bo’lib ko’rilgan Isoning o’limi orqali shuhrat va ulug’vorlik namoyon bo’ladi, va bu dahshatli narsadan go’zallik va ajoyib sevgi, ojizlikdan quvvat, va nihoyat, zulmatdan bu dunyoni yoritib turadigan yorug’ nur olib keladi. Hudovandga tasannolar bo’lsin!

    8. Qayta tirilgan hayot – kuch va shuhratdir

O’sha biz gapirgan bug’doy urug’i ojizlikda o’tqazilgan bo’lsin, lekin u kuchda va shuhratda o’stiriladi va bu orqali yashab ketadi. Ya’ni bu Hudoning Kalomi orqali o’sishdir. Bu Hudoning irodasidadir. Bu Hudo maqsadining asosidir. Toki men va siz o’zimiz uchun va gunohga nisabatan o’lmaganimizcha, yangi hayotning qayta tug’ilishini ko’ra olmaymiz.

    9. Bizning shaxsiy irodamiz xochda o’lishi kerak.

Agar biz o’zimizning shaxsiy hohish va irodamizni hochga ko’tarsak, o’zligimizni o’lim bilan ko’mmasak, biz hech qachon Isoga bo’lgan xizmatimizning ajoyibligini va samarasini ko’ra olmaymiz. Agar biz zulmatdan, o’lim jarligining yoqasida turib, toki Isoga butun vujudimizni topshirib “ Iso Mening hayotimning Rabbiysi bo’lgin”, deb aytmasak, nur yo’lida doim yura olmaymiz.

Zero U shunday deb aytadi “ … bug’doy urug’i yerga tushib o’lmasa, u bir donligicha qoladi’. Buning mazmuniga chuqur e’tibor bering. Tiz cho’kishni rad etadigan va faqatgina o’zini o’ylaydigan hayot, Hudovand kalomini va irodasini rad etadigan hayot, Isoning xochini U bilan birga kotarishni rad etadigan hayot – faqatgina o’zi, yolg’iz hayotligicha qoladi va hosil bermaydigan tirik o’limga o’hshaydi.

D. Bu dunyoning ustidan g’alaba qiliadigan xizmat xoch orqali bo’lishi shart.

Iso ma’jusiylarning orasiga kirib borishdan oldin, dunyoni qutqarishdan oldin xochga bordi. Bu yerda boshqa bir buyuk qonuniyat mavjuddir. Dunyoda Hudoga har qanday xizmat qilishingizdan oldin – siz birinchi o’zingizning hayotingizni Iso mixlangan xochga.boring va o’sha erda hayotingizni bering.

    1. Ba’zilar Galgo’taga bormasdan dunyoda Hudoga xizmat qilmoqchi bo’ladilar.

Men, missionerlik xizmatini bajarmoqchi bo’lgan odamlarni ko’p uchrataman. Avval ular bu xizmatni quvonch va sabrsizlik bilan kutadilar, lekin moliyaviy hisob kitob, nimalardan voz kechishini, qanday turmush ularni kelajakda kutishini eshitganidan keyin, yuzlari burishadi, ko’ngli g’ash bolishni boshlaydi. Ular o’zining shaxsiy hohishlari tufayli g’ash bo’ladilar. Lekin ma’jusiylarga yetib borishdan avval, insonlarning yuragiga kirib borishdan oldin Iso O’z hayotini xochda topshirdi. Iso hoch yo’li orqali borishi kerak edi.

    2. Xochda mixlangan hayot uchun muhtojlik.

Men sizlarga shuni aytmoqchimanki, agar men va siz xochga mixlangan hayot haqida to’liq anglab yetganimizda edi,bu dunyoda va atrofimizdagi odamlarga “etti tushimizga” kirmagan hizmat bilan xizmat qilgan bo’lardik. Zero Galgo’taga borib, o’z hayotini topshirib, o’z shaxsiy irodasini xochga mixlab, Isoning qoni bilan yuvilgan, Iso kabi “Hudoim mening irodam emas, balkim Seniki bo’lsin” deya olgan odamlar bu dunyoda Hudoga bo’lgan xizmatini Hudoning kuchi bilan amalga oshira oladilar, chunki Hudoning qudratli qo’li ularning ustida bo’ladi.

    3. Samodagi narsaga erishish uchun yer yuzidagi narsadan voz kechishimiz kerak

Iso shunday savol beradi , “Men nima ham desam ekan? Ey Otam, Meni bu vaqt-soatdan qutqargin deymi? Vaholanki, Men shu vaqt soat uchun kelganman”. Hudoga hamdu-sanolar bo’lsin! Mana aynan shu joyda U samodagi xizmatini boshlash uchun bu yerdagi xizmatini nihoyasiga yetkazmoqchi. Mana shu yerda U xochga borish va o’lish taklifini qabul qiladi, lekin g’alaba, qudrat va inoyat bilan boradi, zero U shunday

deydi “Hayotimni topshirishim uchun O’zimda kuch bor va hech kim uni mendan ololmaydi”. Iso xochga shuxrat va g’alaba bilan bordi, Unga tasanno! Toki Unga ergashgan har bir inson o’sha toqqa chiqib, Golgo’ta qoshida tiz cho’kib, Muqaddas qon bilan yuvilishi va Muqaddas Olov bilan tozalanishi zarur.Toki bu inson u erdan o’zi emas, balki Hudoga butunlay berilgan inson bo’lib qaytsin. Yurakdan gham-tashvish va urush-janjal ketib, Hudoga hohishiga taslim bo’linganda, Hudo bizga qanday hursandchilik va shodlik olib kelishini siz hatto tasavvur ham qila olmaysiz.

    4. Azob chekuvchiga Hudoning axdi

Ushbu bobning yigirma yettinchi oyatida Hudo azob chekishga rozi bo’lib borayotgan O’gliga Uni oldida kutayotgan axdini aytadi. U shunday deydi “Endi esa yuragim siqilyapti;…” Aynan huddi shu ma’nodagi soz’larni biz o’n birinchi bobdagi parchada uchratamiz. Iso Lazar qabrining oldiga yaqinlashayotganida 33 oyat “…Iso buni ko’rib ko’ngli o’rtanib ketdi” deyiladi. Biz bu iboralarning mazmuniga chuqurroq qarasak, azob va iztirob chekish, shu bilan birga g’azablanish ham demakdir.

Iso Lazarning qabri oldida turganida u qattiq iztirobga tushdi, va shu paytning o’zida u o’limning dahshatli hunukligini ko’rib g’azablandi. Vaholanki, Iso o’sha payti Lazarning hayotga qaytarilish narxi Isoning o’lib tirilishi ekanligini bilar edi.

Endi yana Iso o’ziga belgilangan irodani bajarish arafasida va Uning yuragi yana siqilmoqda. Bu degani vujudni titratadigan vazifa – azob, iztirob va achchiqlanishdir. Isoning iztirob chekishi- Gunoh insoniyatni nimaga yetaklagani xaqida. U Insoniyat uchun istirobga tushdi, ammo gunohga nisbatan g’azablandi. Insoniyating achinarli ahvoli haqida iztirob chekish, lekin inson dushmaniga nisbatan g’azablanish edi.

Men sizlarga shuni aytayin, Isoning vaqti-soati yetib kelganida shunday dedi “ Ota Meni qutqar deymi? Vaholanki, Men mana shu vaqt-soat uchun kelganman. Huddi Matto, Luqo va Mark orqali yozilgan hushhabarda aytilganidek Iso bog’da 3 marotaba ibodat qiladi va shunday deydi “Agar mumkin bo’lsa meni bu azob soatidan qutqaz”, biroq har bir ibodatining oxirida “ Mening hohishim emas, balkim Sening irodang bo’lsin” deya yakunlaydi.

Isoning Hudo irodasiga bo’ysunish voqeasini Yuhanno guvohlik bergan.

    5. Biz Azob chekish uchun axd qilishimiz lozim

Men sizlarga yana bir muhim narsani aytmoqchiman. Hudoning irodasini bajaramiz deganimizda, ba’zida yuragimiz zob chekadi, ba’zida yurak g’ash bo’ladi. Chunki Hudoning ilohiy irodasi Uning Kalomi orqali vertikal ravishda keladi va u sizning irodangiz bilan kesishib o’tadi. Qaysi joyda u kesishsa, aynan o’sha nuqtada sizning xochingiz ko’tariladi va aynan o’sha kesishish nuqtasida siz hayotingiz uchun muhim qaror qabul qilishingiz lozim. Vaholangki, siz o’z irodangizni mixlab Hudonikini qabul qilasiz yohud siz “ Men hayotim xaqida nima deya olaman? Men O’zimni shu vaqt-soatdan va axddan qutqazaymi? Men xizmat uchun beriladigan mukofotdan o’zimni saqlaymi?”, deb aytishingiz mumkin.

Aynan mana shu nuqtada siz yuqoridagi savolga nisbatan qaror chiqarasiz, yoki shunday deysiz: “Yo’q, mening shu yerda bo’lishim Bu Hudoning irodasi, va U meni shu yerda ishlatadi”. Siz meni anglayapsizmi azizlar, hayotdagi eng go’zal joy bu – sen Uning mehrobi oldida turib “Hudoim mening irodam emas, balkim Seniki bo’lsin” deb aytgan joyingdir. Hudoga tasanno!

Yana bir go’zal joyga e’tiboringizni qaratmoqchiman. Iso ushbu so’zlarni aytganida “ Ota, Sening noming ulug’lansin”, va “ Vaholanki, men mana shu vaqt – soat uchun kelganman” deb aytganida, huddi bug’doy urug’idek yerda tushib o’lganda, samoning yo’llari ochilib u yerdan Otaning ulug’ momaqoldiroq kabi tasdiqlovchi sadosi keladi.

Do’stlarim, siz Hudoga bo’ysinib Uning irodasini bajo keltirsangiz samoviy yo’llar sizlarga ochiladi. Aynan o’sha yerdan siz Hudoning ovozini eshita olasiz. Aynan o’sha paytda Hudoning qudratli qo’li sizga cho’ziladi.

Unga Tasanno!

Aynan osha vaqtda Hudoning irodasi Sizning hayotingiz orqali daryodek

jo’shqin uradi. Aynan o’sha vaqtda siz endi bu dunyo tashvishlari bilan o’zingizning kuchingiz bilan emas, balkim, Hudoning va Muqaddas Ruxning kuchi bilan kurashasiz. Siz Hudoga qarshi kurashishni to’xtatganingizda, Uning ilohiy kuchi siz orqali O’zining shuhrati va ulug’vorligi uchun kurashishni boshlaydi.

Bu g’alabali taslim bo’lishdir. Bu taslim bo’lish sizga kuch-qudrat olib keladi.

Bu shunday taslim bo’lsihki u sizga shuhrat olib keladi. Bu narsa bu dunyoda hamda oxiratda ham natija olib keladi.

Hudoning roziligi va maqullashi- bu fikrni yuragingda xazinaday saqla. Bu dunyoda hayotingiz uchun biron bir insonning roziligini izlashdan ko’ra, hayoting uchun Hudoning roziligini izlash afzalroqdir. Shunday ekan tinmay Hudoning roziligni olish uchun tinmasdan izlangin.

Vaqt-soat keldi.

Troubled Hearts Part 1 (John 14)

Notinch yuraklarga hushhabar: 1-Qism
Yuhanno13:33-38
Iso shogirdlarining yuragidagi bezovta va havotirni ko’rsatgan savollariga javob bermoqda:
“Yuraginigiz g’ash bo’lmasin”.
A. Tanishuv qismi va ko’rsatmalar
• Shogirdlarning to’rt savoli
Yuhanno kitobining 13:36 oyatidan boshlab, to o’n to’rtinchi bobning davomigacha Rabbimiz Iso Masih shogirdlarining notinch yuraklaridan kelib chiqqan savollarini kuzatamiz , ya’ni, to’rt har hil insondan to’rtta har hil savol. Bu savollar shogirdlarning har birining yurakalrini qattiq bezovta va g’ash bo’layortganini ko’rsatadi.
• Ushbu savollarning bugungi kunga bo’g’liqligi
O’tmishda berilgan ushbu savollar bizning hozirgi kunlarimizga ham
hali – hamon bog’liqdir, chunki o’sha paytlari Rabbimiz shogirdlari bilan yolg’iz o’zi suhbat qilganida va O’zining ko’tarilishi haqida so’zlaganda, Unga shogirdlari tomonidan berilgan savollar va yuraklardagi notinchlik bilan odamlar hozirgi kunlarda ham to’qnashadilar.
• Kalomdan parcha -Yuhanno 13:33-38
Bolalarim! Endi Men sizlar bilan uzoq bo’lmayman. Meni qidirasizlar. Yahudiy mansabdorlariga ayttgan edim, sizga ham aytaman: Men boradigan joyga sizlar borolmaysizlar. Sizlarga yangi buyruq beryapman: bir-biringizni sevinglar. Men sizlarni qanday sevgan bo’lsam, sizlar ham bir-biringizni shunday sevinglar. Agr orangizda muhabbat hukmron bo’lsa, sizlar mening shogirldlarim ekaningizni hamma shundan bilib oladi.
Simun Butrus Isoga dedi:
• Rabbim, qayerga ketyapsan?
– Endi Men boradigan joyga sen orqamdan borolmaysan., keyinchalik borarsan,-dedi unga Iso.
• Rabbim, – dedi Butrus, – nega endi Sening orqangdan borolmas ekanman? Men Sen uchun jonimni fido qilaman!
Iso unga javob berdi:
• Men uchun joningni fido qilasanmi-ya? Senga rostini aytsam, ho’roz qichqirmasdanoq, sen menda uch marta tonasan!
• Yangi Buyruq
Rabbimiz Iso eshikning ortida o’z shogirdlari bilan o’tkazayotgan fursatlarda, U buyuk ramziy harakat oyoq yuvish marosimini ko’rsatib, ulug’likka qanday erishish mumkinligi va Hudoning ulug’vorligiga qanday yetishish yo’lini namoyon qildi. Aynan o’sha daqiqalarda Rabbiiz o’z shogirdlariga yangi buyruqni berdi -Iso Masih bizni qanday sevgan bo’lsa, biz ham bir-birimizni huddi shunday sevishimiz lozim.
• Notinch yuraklar
So’ngra, U shogirdlarining yuraklarini g’ash qiluvchi narsalar haqida ayta boshladi. O’sha kecha shogirdlarning yuraklari bezovta bo’lishiga sabablar bor edi. Sabablardan biri shuki, shogirdlardan bittasi Hudo O’gliga hiyonat qilish uchun o’sha kecha g’oyib bolgan edi. Hiyonatchi g’am va azobga yetaklaydi. Yana bir shogirdi osha oqshom Isodan uch marta yuz o’girdi. Bu yuraklarning g’ash bolishiga ikkinchi sababdir. So’ngra Iso shogirdlari borolmaydigan joyga ketishi haqida aytdi, ya’ni bu orqali shogirdlari yaqin vaqt ichida Undan ajralishini va Undan uzoqlashishini anglatar edi. Aynan mana shu yuraklarning bezovta va g’ash bo’lishiga sababdir.
• Shogirdlar savol bermoqda va Iso javob bermoqda
Har bir Iso aytgan so’zlar va javoblar shogirdlarning yuragida qaynab turgan savollarining ketidan kelardi. Berilgan javoblar qalbni qamrab oladi va biz bu javoblarni ko’rib chiqamiz. Biz bu qismda faqatgina birinchi savolni, keyinchalik qolgan savollarga ham to’xtalib o’tamiz.
• Shogirdlarning javoblari ko’rib tushunishga asoslangan.
Shogirdlar bergan barcha savollari ko’rib tushunishga asoslangan. Ular aytilayotgan narsani aniq va ravshan tushunishga harakat qilishadi. Ular o’zlarining ongida shubha yoki qandaydir bezovtaga duch kelishni hohlamadilar.
Bu holat haqiqiy insoniy holat. Biz ham shunday bo’lishini hohlar edik. Siz ham umuman qayg’u, qo’rquv, havotir va tashvish yo’q bo’lgan, hayotda hamma narsani bilgan holda yashagingiz kelmaydimi ? Qani edi shunday bo’lsa, bu juda ajoyib hayot bo’lar edi. Aynan mana shu narsani shogirdlar ham xoxladi. Lekin shu va har qanday boshqa vaziyatda bunday ahvol Hudoning irodasini ko’rsatmaydi, chunki ba’zida Hudo bizga imon bilan birma bir qadam tashlashga o’rgatishni hohlaydi.
B. Butrusning savoli va Rabbimizning ibodati
• “Rabbim, Sen qayerga ketyapsan? Nega endi Sening orqangdan borolmas ekanman?”
Simun Butrus shunday dedi, “Sen qayerga ketyapsan? Nega endi Sening orqangdan borolmas ekanman?” Uning ushbu savoli ayriliqning havotirini ko’rsatar edi, chunki Simun Butrus Iso bilan uch yarim yil yonma-yon, birga bo’lgan edi. Tasavvur qiling, Iso bilan uzoq vaqt yurib, uning huzurida bo’lish, Uni ko’rish, uning yelkasiga suyanish va u bilan muloqotda bo’lish: Keyin to’satdan Ustoz ulardan ayrilishi haqida e’lon qilayapti. U siz borolmaydigan joyga ketyapti. Shubhasiz , bu sizning yuragingizga tashvish soladi. Hozir ham Simun Butrus Iso bilan ketmoqchi, uning orqasidan ergashmoqchi. Qayerga yo’l bo’lmasin, Butrus U bilan bormoqchi. Qanday xizmat bo’lmasin, u Iso bilan, Iso uning ko’z o’ngida, yonida bo’lsa bas, u Iso bilan bormoqchi.
• “Endi Men boradigan joyga sen orqamdan borolmaysan., keyinchalik borarsan” ( Yuhanno 13:36 )
Iso aytdi, ” Sen Men boradigan joyga hozir borolmaysan,” – ya’ni,- “Sen, hozir men borayotgan xochga Men bilan bora omaysan, mening hochimni Men bilan xozir bo’lisha olmaysan. Men bilan Golgofaga ergasha ololmaysan, lekin kechroq menga ergashasan.”
Bu yerda Iso Simon Butrus kelajakdagi azob chekish yo’li va kamtarlik xizmatini bajo keltirishini bashorat qildi va lekin bu kechroq sodir bo’lishini aytdi. Butrus xochini ko’tarib Isoga ergashish nimaligini anglaydi va lekin bu kechroq sodir bo’ladi.
• Birinchi Butrusdagi azoblar
Simun Butrus bu saboqni yahshi o’rgandi. U Isoga ergashish xaqiqatda qanday bo’lishini o’rgandi. U butun hayotini masihiylik hizmatining mehrobiga bag’ishladi va qanday qilib solihlik yo’lida yurib Iso Masihga ergashishni o’rgandi. Faqatgina Butrusning yozgan Birinchi maktubiga nazar soling va u yerda azobli xizmatning yo’li va ramzini ko’rasiz.
Butrus o’zining birinchi maktubining o’zida “azob chekish” iborasini o’n to’rt marta ishlatadi. Yetti marta “Masih uchun azob chekuvchilarga” nisbatan ishlatilgan. Ha, u Iso Masihning orqasidan kechroq ergashishning nimaligini angladi. U xochini olib yurish, Masih uchun azob va uqubat chekish nimaligini angladi. G’am va musibatli kunlarda, azob ostida yashash va atrofingdagi odamlar sendan yuz o’girganda qanday qilib yashashni o’rgandi. Masih uchun azob chekish nimaligini bildi.
• Butrusning o’ziga haddan ishonishi
Iso bilan gaplashgan vaziyatda Butrus o’ziga bo’lgan ishonch bilan o’zidan ustun chiqdi. Mening fikrimcha u o’ziga ozgina haddan ishonib yubordi, chunki u Isoga “Rabbim, Men Sening orqangdan hoziroq borishga tayyorman. Dalilim shuki, men Sen uchun jonimni fido qilaman!”
Iso unga qarab savol beradi.
Men o’ylaymanki, biz Isoga bo’ysunamizmi yoki yo’qmi, unga to’laligimizcha xizmat qilamizmi yoki yo’qmi, Uning savollari bizning yuragimizning tubiga kirib boradi. Iso Butrusga, ” Men uchun joningni fido qilasanmi-ya? Hozir menga joningni fido qilmoqchimisan? Simo’n,, senga rostini aytsam, ho’roz qichqirmasdanoq, sen mendan uch marta tonasan!” Aynan Isoning o’zi Butrusga tosh ma’nosidagi “Kifa” taxallus ismini bergan edi va aynan o’sha tosh, qat’iy inson, shu oqshomning o’zida vasvasining hujumidan azob bilan ruhan parchalandi.
O’ziga haddan tashqari ishonmoq havflidir, chunki biron bir narsani o’zimizning kuchimiz va qobiliyatimiz bilan yengish biz Iso uchun jonimizni fido qilishda emas, balkim Iso biz uchun jonini va hayotini fido qilganligiga asoslanadi. Aynan mana shu asosdan bizga kuch keladi. G’alaba keladi. Quvvat keladi. Ya’ni biz Unga nima qila olishimizdan emas, balkim U biz uchun qilgan amaldan, U biz uchun jonini fido qildi. Unga hamdu sa’nolar bo’lsin.
C. Bizning bugungi savolimizga Rabbimizning javobi
Bu savollar haligacha mavjud, ” Rabbimiz bizdan yiroqda bo’lgan joyda bo’lsa-yu, inson bu dunyoda yolg’iz o’zi qanday yashay oladi?” Yuhanno o’zining hushhabarida bu muammo bilan qayta – qayta bo’lishadi. U bizga Rabbimiz Iso Masih qaytib kelishigacha, qanday yashashni va qanday yashashimizni, qanday hizmat qilishimizni, qanday imonda va itoatkorlikda yurishni o’rgatadi.
• Yuragingiz g’ash bo’lmasin
Aynan mana shu javobni Iso Simo’n Butrusning va bizning hozirgi kundagi savolimizga berdi, ” Yuragingiz g’ash bo’lmasin. Hudoga ishoning, Menga ham ishoningiz!”
Hudoga bo’lgan ishonch sizning hayotda imon bilan qanday yashash haqidagi savollarringizni qoplaydi. Men bilmadim, agar biz haqiqatdan ham biz ishongan Hudo bo’lmaganida, bugungi kechada biz nima qilar edik. Bitta muhim narsani bilami, U hamma narsalarni to’g’ri biladi va bizga nisbatan ham to’g’ri ish qiladi. Hudo meni to’g’rilikka yetaklashi bu hayotimda mening yuragimni qamrab olgan eng ajoyib dalildir. U menga nisbatan to’g’ri ish qiladi. Men unga ishonaman chunki har qanday menga qarama – qarshi bo’lgan vaziyatda ham, u mening tarafimda turib, to’g’ri vaziyatga yetaklaydi. Ba’zida siz buni his qilmasligingiz mumkin, sizning ustingizni faqat qora bulutlar qoplaganday tuyuladi va qalbingizda har hil xis-to’yg’ular qamrab oladi.
Lekin do’stim, senga aytmoqchiman, samoda Hudo mavjud, va U hali ham o’zining tahtida o’tiribdi va U yuz o’girgani to’q. U o’sha joyda. U o’z vazifasini bajarmoqda. U o’z ma’badida. U seni biladi. U Sen qayerdaligingni biladi. U Seni to’g’ri yo’lga boshlaydi. U sen bilan birga bo’ladi. Unga hamdu sanolar bo’lsin. Uning nomi ulug’lansin.
• Menga ham ishoningiz.
Navbatdagi savolimizga javoblardan biri bu Isoga ishonishdir. Iso shunday deydi “Menga ham ishoningiz. Hudo o’zining yorug’ kuchi bilan sizning vujudingizga kirib borishi naqadar ajoyib. Siz birdaniga o’zingizning kimligingizni , nimaga muhtojligingizni anglaysiz va Iso Masihga najotkor sifatida qichqirasiz. Hayotingizning o’sha vaqtidan boshlab siz Uni Rabbingiz sifatida qabul qilasiz, sizning butun hayotingiz Iso Masih bilan bo’g’liq bo’ladi, U sizni qamrab oladi va hayotingiz mazmunining markazi Iso Masih bo’lib qoladi.
U barcha mavjud narsaning markazi. U Muqaddas Kalomning markazi. U butun insoniyat tarihining markazi. U jamoat yuragining va bizning borliq hayotimizning markazi. Men, Iso Masih barcha narsaning yuragi bo’lib turganidan Hudoga minnatdorman. Agar siz Kalom ba Yangi Ahdni chuqurroq o’qisangiz, Hudo barcha mavjud narsani Isoning poyiga olib kelishini ko’rasiz.U butun sarvari olam va koinotning markazi bo’ladi.
Kolossaliklarga maktubda yozilganidek ” Barcha narsa U orqali mavjuddir, ya’ni olam va Uning kuchi birgalikda bir buyuk qudratni tashkil etadi. Masih har bir vaqt, koinotdafi abadiylik va biz biladigan boshqa mavjudotning yuragidir. Hudoga shukronalar bo’lsin! Bularning barchasi biz uchun jonini fido qilgan va bizni sevgan tirik Hudoning yagona O’glining atrofida aylanadi.
Men Uning va Uning sevgisining buyukligi haqida o’ylaganimda, men o’zimni unutaman. Men sizdan uzr so’rayman, agar hozir ham o’zimni unutgan bo’lsam, lekin Iso Masihning hayotimiz uchun bo’lgan ma’nosi haqidagi o’ylar mening yuragimni larzaga soladi. Chunki U shunday deydi, “agar yuragingiz g’ash bo’lsa, savollar qamrab olsa, faqatgina Menga ishoning”.
• Samodagi joyga ishoning
Oyatning keyingi satrlarida U shunday deydi, ” Otamning uyida maskan ko’p. Shunday bo’lmasa, Men sizlarga joy tayyorlagani ketarmidim. Men sizlarga borib joy tayyorlayman”. Biz bugungi zamonda foniy, o’limdan keyingi hayotning yo’qligi haqidagi har hil g’ arbiy falsafiy oqimlar va ta’limlar bilan to’qnashamiz. G’arbiy falsafa olimlari abadiy hayot yo’qligiga odamlarni ishontirish uchun tirishib harakat qilishadi. Men, biz qanday qilib maktabda har hil g’arbiy falsafa, Hinduizm, Buddizm va hkz:larni o’rganganimiz yodimda keladi. Ularda hech qanday abadiylik haqida g’oya yo’q. Bunday odamlarda nima uchun umid yo’qligidan hayron bo’lmaymiz. Iso Masih tanilgan joylarda yashaydigan odamlar bir mashina sifatida yashashi ham bizni hayron qoldirmaydi.
Men hozir ham samodagi hayotga (jannatga) ishonaman. Men bu dunyodan keyingi hayotga ishonaman. Men ishonaman o’limdan keyin hayot bor. Men ishonaman bu rivojlanishimizning birinchi qadami. Agar siz samodan kelgan hayotni qabul qilsangiz, bu sizning abadiy rivojlanishingiz uchun birinchi imkoniyatdir.
Iso aytdi : “Men siz uzhun joy tayyorlagani ketyapman”. Unga hamdu sanolar bo’lsin. Haqiqiy va pok lahzalarning joyi bor va Uni Rabbimiz Iso Masih tayyorlamoqda. Rabbimiz Iao Masih orqali berilgan umid uchun Hudoga shukronalar bo’lsin.
• Uning qaytib kelishiga ishoning.
Rabbimiz suhbatining oxirida shunday deydi, “Mana, Men sizlarga borib joy tayyorlaymanu, yana kelib, Men bo’lgan joyda bo’lishingiz uchun sizlarni oldimga olib ketaman”. Uning qaytib kelishi haqidagi xushxabar. Uning qaytib kelishiga ishoning. Men bilaman, biz bu haqda ko’p qo’shiqlar aytamiz va va’zlar eshitamiz, lekin hayotingizda shunday daqiqalar bo’ladiki siz bu dunyoda o’zingizni begonadek xis qilasiz. Masalan, siz shahar markazidagi ko’chalarda do’st va birodarlaringiz bilan sayr qilasiz, lekin siz o’zingizni begonadek xis qilasiz. Hudo bergan umid o’sha vaqtda sizning yuragingizni hayotga qaytarib, yupatadi va kuch beradi. Bu bizning g’ash va notinch yuraklarimizga xushxabar, ay’ni Hudoga shubhasiz imon bilan ishonish va Uning va’dasi va kalomi ustida tetik turishdir. Shuningdek, Rabbimiz Iso Masih Hudoning O’gli va Najotkorligiga ishonish. U, biz hattoki tasavvur qila olmaydigan , biz uchun tayyorlagan solihlik joyiga ishonish. Bularning barchasi, avvalom bor Iso Masih qaytib kelgunga qadar Muqaddas Rux orqali ochilishi kerak.Muqaddas Rux bizning g’ash yuraklarimizdagi savollarga javob beradi. U bizga Hudoning Kalomiga va Rabbimizning qaytib kelishiga bo’lgan imonimizni kuchaytiradi.

Troubled Hearts Part 2 (John 14)

Notinch yuraklarga hushhabar: 2-qism
Yuhanno 14:22
Iso shogirdlarining yuragidagi bezovta va havotirni ko’rsatgan savollariga javob bermoqda:
“Yuraginigiz g’ash bo’lmasin”.
Kirish
Yuhanno orqali xushxabar maktubining o’n to’rtinchi bobida yigirma ikkinchi oyatdan boshlab biz Rabbimiz Iso Masih ketishidan oldin shogirdlari tomonidan berilgan so’nggi savollarinin ko’ramiz. Bundan yuqorida biz uchta shogird tomonidan berilgan uchta savolni ko’rib chiqdik, ya’ni Simo’n Butrusning savoli, To’mas va Filipning savoli. Biz ularning yuragini bezovta qilayotgan savollarga, huddi shu o’rinda bugungi kunda bizning notinch yuraklarimiz uchun ham javob oldik.
Kalomdan parcha = Yuhanno 14:22-27
“ Ishqariyot bo’lmagan boshqa Yahudo Isoga dedi:
-“Rabbim bu qanaqasi, Sen o’zingni dunyoga emas, bizga ko’rsatmoqchimisan?”
Iso unga shunday javob berdi:
-“Kim meni sevsa mening so’zimga amal qiladi. Otam ham uni sevadi. Biz uning huzuriga kelib, O’zimizgz maskan yaratamiz. Meni sevmagan so’zlarimga amal qilmaydi. Sizlar tinglayotgan so’z meniki emas, balki meni yuborgan Otamnikidir.
Buni meni sizlar bilan ekanman aytdim. O’sha yupatuvchi, ya’ni mening nomimdan Otam yuboradigan Muqaddas Ruxning O’zi sizlarga hammasini o’rgatadi. Mening sizlarga aytgan hamma so’zlarimni U yodingizga tushiradi. Men sizlarga tinchlik qoldirayapman. O’z tinchligimni sizlarga beryapman. Men bergan tinchlik dunyo bergan tinchlikka oxshamaydi. Yuragingiz siqilmasin, qo’rquvga tushmasin”.
A. Isoga Yahudo (Ishqariyot bo’lmagan) orqali berilgan savolning mazmuni
1. Savolga e’tibor bering: “ Rabbim, bu qanaqasi, Sen o’zingni dunyoga emas, bizga ko’rsatmoqchimisan? ”
Bu Ishqariyot bo’lmagan Yahudo orqali berilgan g’alati savol. (Yana bir narsa achinarliki, ushbu Isoning shogirdi, butun hayoti davomida, aslida kimligi va kim emasligi haqida tushuntirish bilan o’tib ketgan) G’alati savol ekanligiga dalil shuki, undan oldin Iso aytgan edi, “Birozdan keyin dunyo meni boshqa ko’rmaydi. Ammo sizlar meni ko’rasizlar, Men hayot bo’lganim uchun, sizlar ham yashaysizlar. Men otamda, sizlar menda va Men sizlarda ekanligimni o’sha kunda fahmlaysizlar”. Iso ularning ichida yashovchi haqiqat haqida aytadi. Hudo o’zi yuragingizga xaqiqiy, ajoyib, o’ziga xos tasdiqni yuboradi. Sizlar Uni taniysizlar. U xaqiqatdir.
2. Yahudo fikrining chalkashib ketishi
Isoning bu shogirdi Yahudo Rabbimiz o’zini bu dunyoga emas, balkim faqat ularga, ya’ni o’zining shogirdlariga ochilishi, dunyo esa bundan bexabar qolishi, boshqa odamlar Uni ko’rmasligi haqidagi fikr bilan chalkashib ketadi. Yahudo Hudodan qandaydir bir haqiqiy katta g’ayri tabiiy sahna orqali keluvchi tasdiqni kutgan edi, ya’ni Hudo O’zinining huzurini haqiqiy bir ulug’ kuchi bilan namoyon etadiki, butun dunyo
Hudo qayerdaligini biladi, degan fikr bilan tasavvur qilgandi. Hudo O’zini shunday namoyon qiladiki, ular qayerga nazar boqmasin, Hudo o’sha yerdaligini bilsa, Uning kuchi o’sha yerda, Uning shuhrati o’sha yerda mavjud bo’lsa. Ushbu shogird buni qandaydir bir diniy marosim sifatida tasavvur qilgan edi, ya’ni qayerda bo’lmasin va qayerga nazar bo’qmasin, o’sha yerda Hudoga shon – sharaf berilmoqda va buni hamma ko’ra olsa.
3.Boshqalar buning guvohi bo’la oladigan dinga tashnalik
Mening fikrimcha, hammamizning oramizda shunday odamlar borki, ular hamma ko’rib taniy oladigan va qabul qiladigan dinga e’tiqod qilishni qattiq hohlaydi. Tarixda va butun asrlar davomida odamlar xuddi o’sha hohishga yetishish uchun ko’pdan ko’p har hil tizimlar yaratib kelganlar.
Ularning fikricha, agar biron bir hashamatli cherkovni ko’rsangiz, odamlar bilsinki Hudoning huzuri o’sha yerda; agar odamlar qandaydir o’ziga hos uslubda kiyinishsa, siz Hudoning huzuri qayerdaligini bilasiz. Odamlarning hatti harakatiga qarab ham Hudoning huzuri qayerdaligini bilasiz. Ular
“ Hudo o’zinini bu dunyoda bildirdi” deb aytadilar.
4. Yahudoning hohishi
Boshqa so’zlar bilan aytganda, Yahudo o’zining savoli orqali bunday mazmunni nazarda tutgandi: “ Rabbim, qanday qilib Sen o’zingni qanday qilib bu dunyoning odamlari bilan aloqada bo’lmoqchisan va Otamiz qanday O’zini bu dunyoga bildiradi? Biz Seni bizlarga namoyon bo’lishingni albatta hohlaymiz, shubhasiz, Sening ulug’vorliging, sevging , qudrating va shafqatingni bizga namoyon bo’lishini hohlaymiz, lekin, biz hohlar edikki dunyo biz bilan birga Seni tanisa, chunki shunday kunlarga duch kelamizki, biz yo’lg’iz bo’lamiz, biz qayg’uga botamiz, biz kuchsiz bo’lamiz, lekin biz hohlaymiz odamlar bizga qarab “ Ana, Hudoning odamlari, ular Rabbiyning shogirdlari, ular Rabbiy Iso Masihga bo’ysunadi va Hudo ularga O’zini bildirgan”, deb aytsin.
B. Rabbimizning Yahudoga ( Ishqariyot bo’lmagan) javobi
Kelinglar birgalikda ushbu javobga, ya’ni Hudo bu dunyoda O’zini qayerda namoyon qilishini, qayerda harakat qilishini va qayerda O’z qudratini ko’rsatishi haqidagi javobga chuqur nazar tashlaylik. Iso Masih bu haqda aniq va ravshan so’zlar bilan aytadi.
1. Iso shunday dedi – “ Meni sevinglar!”
Birinchi marta U shunday deydi “ Meni sevinglar”. Iso Masihni sevgan inson Hudoning huzurini qabul qilgandir. Ular Hudoning ilohiy huzurini va ulug’vorligini qabul qilish uchun yuraklari va idroki ochiq odamlardir. Bunday odamlar sevgi va Hudoning jannatiy huzuri bilan qamrab olingan odamlardir.
“Meni sevinglar”, – deydi U, chunki siz o’zingiz guvohsiz, sevgi hech qachon o’zini hurmastsizlik va itoatsizlik bilan tenglashtirmaydi. Hozirgi kunda “ sevgi” tushunchasini bunchalik darajada past bo’lib ketganligiga ba’zida mening yuragim achinib ketadi, ba’zida jahlim keladi. Iso Masih
o’z – o’zini tasdiqlay oladigan “sevgi” haqida gapiradi, ya’ni o’zini Rabbimiz Isoning kalomiga amal qilishi orqali namoyon qilinadigan sevgidir. Agar siz Hudoni sevib, Uni kalomiga amal qiladigan va Unga nisbatan itoatkor bo’lgan va Isoni sharaflaydigan
Insonni ko’rsangiz, siz shubxasiz “mana Hudo O’zining huzuri bilan namoyon bo’lmoqda” deb ayta olasiz. Aynan o’sha odamlarning orasida Hudo O’z huzurini bu dunyoga namoyon qiladi. Kimdir huddi ko’zgudek Hudoning buyukligini bu dunyoga namoyon qiladi.
2. Yupatuvchi Ruxning kuchi.
O’sha bobning navbatdagi satrlarida Iso yupatuvchining kuch qudrati haqida yana bir bora ta’kidlaydi. Bu qudratli maslahatchi, shafoatkor rux biz bilan birga bo’lib, hayotimizga mazmun bag’ishlaydi. Hayotning qiyin va azobli kunlarida tinchlik va madad beradi. Hudoning ajoyib va mo’jizalarga boy ekanligi haqida o’rgatib, bizga yo’l- yo’riq ko’rsatadi.
Hozirgi kunda ko’p odamlar 1 Korinfliklarga 2:9, 10 oyatlarini qayta –qayta ta’kidlashni hush ko’rishadi: “Ko’z ko’rmagan, quloq eshitmagan, inson aqli bovar qilmagan narsalarni Hudo O’zining sevganlariga muhayyo qilgan”. Bo’ldi shu yerda odamlar to’xtab qolishadi, lekin Havoriy Pavlus bu yerda to’xtamaydi. U davom ettiradi, “ Bizlarga esa Hudo buni O’z Ruxi orqali oshkora qildi”. Hudoga hamdu sanolar bo’lsin, bu xaqiqat, aynan, Muqaddas Ruh orqalidir.
Men sizlarga shuni aytmoqchimanki, xozirgi kunda dunyoda ilohiy vahiylar ochilmoqda. Muqaddas Rux orqali ilohiy ta’limotlar ketmoqda. Muqaddas Rux orqali Hudo O’zini namoyon qilib, insonlarga ilohiy yo’l yo’riq va madad bermoqda. Hudo bu dunyoda faqatgina U uchun o’z yuraklari va qalbini ochgan odamlarga O’zini namoyon qilmoqda.
Shunday qilib U shunday deydi, “O’sha yupatuvchi, ya’ni Mening nomimdan Otam yuboradigan Muqaddas Ruxning O’zi sizlarga hammasini o’rgatadi., Mening sizlarga aytgan hamma so’zlarimni yodingizga tushiradi”.
Bugun Siz yechim topa olmayotgan muammolarga duch keldingizmi? Boshingizni qayerga urmang javob topa olmayapsizmi? Bir narsadan boshqa narsaga boshingizni urishingizdan ko’ra, atrofda bitta narsadan boshqa narsaga behuda harakat qilib yugurishning o’rniga, o’zingizning honangizga kirib, tiz cho’kib, hamma tahsvishlaringizni yolg’iz Hudoning huzuriga keltirish osonroq emasmi?! Muqaddas Rux sizning yo’lingizni boshqarishga ijozat bering. U sizning hayotingizni boshqarsin, siz uchun shafoat qilsin, toki siz Hudoning ilohiy kuchidan, shafqatidan, qudratidan bahramand bo’ling,
Agar jamoat Muqaddas Rux bizni yetaklashining butun va to’liq ta’sirini anglasa, biz barchamiz tiz cho’kib Hudoni ulug’lagan bo’lar edik.
Biz o’sha vaqtni sabrsizlik bilan kutib, barchamiz birgalikda bitta ruxda yi’gilib, bu vaqtlarni va shunday qilishni hush ko’rar edik. Samoviy Otamizning Muqaddas Ruhi orqali to’planib, Hudoning namoyon qilgan ulug’vorligidan va ilohiy kuchidan bahramand bo’lardik.
Men sizga bugun aytmoqchiman, Muqaddas Rux sizning hayotingizda yonma yondir. U sizga yupatuvchi, maslahatchi, Hudo, va o’rgatuvchi sifatida ichingizda namoyon bo’lib, barcha bezovta va shubhalaringizdan xalos atmoqchi. Hayotingizdagi havotirlaringizni yengmoqchi. U sizning qalbingizdagi sovuq, shubhali va notinch joylariga Hudoning yumshoq kaftini va iliq huzur halovatini sizga bermoqchi.
U hayotingizda siz ishonmayotgan, qo’rqadigan, qaror topa olmaydigan joylariga yetishib, Hudoga ishonish, Uning Kalomiga quloq solish va Uning orqasida ergashish
nima ekanligini sizga ko’rsatib bermoqchi. U sizni boshqarishiga ruxsat bering, sizning yuragingizni havotirga soladigan shubhalarni Unga topshiring.
Iso shunday deydi, “ Qachonki siz meni sevgan odamni ko’rsangiz, o’sha joyda Xudo o’zini namoyon qiladi. Qachonki siz mening kalomimga amal qilganni ko’rsangiz, bilingki bu Hudoning vahiysi va bu dunyoga Hudo O’zini namoyon qilganidir. Qachonki siz Muqaddas Ruxda yashayotgan, Muqaddas Ruxda yurgan, Muqaddas Rux orqali madad va kuch olayotgan insonni ko’rsangiz, bilingki bu buyuk Hudoning O’zining bu dunyoga namoyon qilganidir. Siz boshqa odamlar tan oladigan dinga e’tiqod qilishni hohlaysizmi? Unda Xudoning sevgisi sizni qamrab olishiga ijozat bering. Uning Muqaddas kalomiga itoat qiling va ushbu Kalomning saxifalarida sayr qiling. Kimdir sizning e’tiqodingizni tan olishini hohlaysizmi? Unda Muqaddas Rux olovini qabul qiling. Muqaddas Rux va Hudoning buyukligi bilan to’lib toshing va dunyo Hudo qayerda va kimlarning orasida ekanligini ko’radi.
3. Muqaddas Ruxning mevalari.
So’ngra, Iso o’z shogirdlariga Muqaddas Ruxning mevalari – tinchlik inomi va sevgining qudrati xaqida gapiradi.
U shunday deydi, “ O’z tinchligimni sizlarga beryapman”.
Eh, bugungi dunyoning tashvishalri, shubhalari, qo’rquvlari, ular faqatgina inson qalbini yemiradi, hattoki masihiylarni ham! Biroq, Iso Masih O’zining inomi, O’zining tinchligini bizga bermoqda.
Men bu haqda mavzuni yoritmoqchi emasman. Men tarang asablarimizni bo’shtadigan dorilar, farzandlarimiz qanday qilib bunday har kungi ahvolimizni tomosha qilishlari xaqida gapirmoqchi emasman. Ba’zida farzandlarimiz bizdan so’rab shunday deydi “Oyi, dada, mana bunday qiling, nima uchun bu narsa menga og’r botishi kerak?” Men bu haqda gapirmayman, bunday baxsu – munozaralarga biz har kuni duch kelamiz.
Men shu kunlarda yashayotgan manzilimizda, honadonimizning yon tarafdagi qo’shnimining o’g’li giyohvand moddalarga chalingan va har kuni bu asoratga qarshi har kuni kurashadi. Ko’chamizning oxirida er-xotin har kuni ajrashadi, urishadi, har kuni uyi to’la to’polon. Qayerga boshingizni suqmangiz, hamma joy bezovta ruxiga to’la, urishish ruxi, nafrat va kelishmovchilik ruxi mavjud. Bundaylar bizning oramizda ham, jamoatga borib yuradigan, Hudoga yaqin bo’lishni hohlaydigan odamlarda ham mavjud. Iblis bizni bu narsadan mustasno qoldirmagan. Iblis xonadonlarni buzish, oilalarni vayron qilish , hayotimizni, ongimizni buzib, bizning tinchligimizni va qatt’iy irodamizni olib qo’yish, ichki kuchimiz va sevgi mevalarini quritib tashlash uchun qattiq kurashadi.
Biz Yuhannoga singari Rabbimizning bag’riga o’zimizning boshimizni qo’yib, bizni besovta qilayotgan bor dardimizni Unga ochishimiz kerak. Qalbimizdagi bor narsalarni Unga topshiraylik, toki hech qanday shubha va havotir qolmasin va Hudoning tinchligi bizning qalbimizni to’ldiradi.
Uning sevgisi va tinchligidan bahra olaylik. Agar Uning tinchligini rad etib, yuz o’girsangiz, bu dunyoning tashvishlari, notinchligi va azoblari sizni yana qamrab oladi. Iso Masihni hayolingizdan olib tashlar ekansiz, siz sog’lom idrokingizni yo’qotasiz. Agar Uni yuragingizdan chiqarib tashlasangiz, parchalanasiz. Lekin Iso shunday dedi, “ O’z tinchligimni sizlarga berayapman.Men bergan tinchlik dunyo bergan tinchlikka
o’xshamaydi. Yuragingiz siqilmasin, havotirga tushmanglar.” Agar siz Hudoni ko’rmoqchi bo’lsangiz, haqiqiy e’tiqod, dunyo ko’ra oladigan e’tiqodingizni ko’rsatmoqchi bo’lsangiz, unda Hudoning xaqiqiy farzandiga, dunyoning tashvish va azob bo’ronlarini Iso Masih bergan tinchligi bilan yutgan xaqiqiy farzandiga nazar boqing.
4. Yangi amr
O’z so’zining oxirida Iso shunday satrlarni so’zlaydi “ Men sizlarga yangi amr beraman. Men sizlarni sevganimdek siz ham bir biringizgizni shu yo’sinda seving”. Yana shunday deydi – “shu orqali boshqalar biladi”.- “agar sizni boshqalar tan olishini hohlasangiz, dunyo qanday imonda ekanligini bilishini hohlasangiz”, U shunday deydi , “ bu orqali hamma sizlar mening shogirdlarim ekanligingizni biladi”.
O’ylaymanki, oramizda ba’zilar keyingi satrlarda kam e’tibor beradi. Balkim shu tufayli ba’zida bizni katta jamoatimiz borligi tufayli, yoki, bizda ko’p mablag’ bo’lganligi sababli, yoki bizning nomimiz ulug’ligi orqali biz boshqalarga tanilamiz deb o’ylashimiz mumkin. Ba’zida biz muhim narsalarni boshqacha tartibda qo’yamizki, hattoki Hudoning O’zi achinib ketadi deb o’ylayman. U esa shunday deydi “agar dunyo odamlari sizlarni mening shogirdlarim ekanligingizni bilishini hohlasangiz, bir biringizni seving”.
Inson birodarini so’zda va amalda sevishini ko’rsangiz , siz aytishingiz mumkin Hudo O’z huzuri bilan o’sha yerda.
Agar kimningdir hayoti o’ziga emas, balkim o’zgalarga nisbatan sevgi bilan to’lganligini ko’rsangiz, bilingki Hudo o’zini namoyon qildi.qachonki biz bir birmizni sevsak , bilingki do’stlarim bu Hudoning bizlarga va o’zgalarga namoyon bo’lishidir.
Siz Havoriy Pavlusning korinfliklarga bo’lgan maktubida ko’rasiz, qanchalik korinfliklar o’zining e’tiqodi, bashorat inomlari, ta’limotlari bilan mag’rur bo’lganligini. Biroq Pavlus ularga aniq, ravon va to’g’irlab yozadiki, sevgi bo’lmasa, bu inomlarning barchasi faqatgina jaranglaydigan mis cholg’u, yangraydigan zangdir. ( 1 Korinfliklarga 13:1)
Sizda samodagi Otamiz Xudodan keladigan sevgi to’lib toshishi kerak.
Efes jamoati ham mag’rur edi. U o’zining ishlari, xizmatchilari va yolg’on soxta ta’limotchilarni farqlay olish qobiliyatlari va ularni topib toshbo’ron qilayotgan amallari bilan mag’rur edi. Lekin Iso ularga shunday deydi “ agar tavba qilmasang, shamdoningni joyidan siljitib yuboraman, sen ilk muhabbatingdan ayniding”. ( Vahiy kitobi 2:5)
Shunday qilib bezovta yuraklarga javob qayerda mavjuddir?
Havoriy Butrusning bezovta bo’lgan yuragidan chiqib kelayotgan savol
“ Nima uchun, nima uchun Rabbim? Sen qilayotgan ishlaringni anglay ololmayapman, men orqali qilmoqchi bo’lgan ishlaringni anglay ololmayapman. Mendan nimani hohlaysan?” Bu yerda yana o’sha javob keladi “ Menga ishon. Otamga ishon. Men tayyorlash uchun ketayotgan maskanga ishon. Mening qaytib kelishimga ishon”.
Bezovta yuraklardagi savollar Isoga qarab iltijo qiladi, “ Rabbim, men adashib qoldim. Mening har bir qadamim chalkashib ketyapti. Bu dunyoda yolg’iz o’zim yengib chiqishimni qanday tasavvur qilay?”
Aynan o’sha javob “Men yo’l, haqiqat va hayotdirman,” aytilgan so’zlarni asrlar osha, davrlar mobaynida va bugungi kechada qulog’imiz eshitib, bu so’zlar bizning yuragimizga kirib boradi. Filip ham, Hudoning ilohiyligini tushunmoqchi bo’lgan shogirdining savoliga Iso o’sha javobini beradi
“Menga ishoning, Mening so’zlarim va qilayotgan ishlarimga ishoning. Muqaddas Ruxning kuchini qabul eting va ibodat qilishni o’rganing”’- deb javob beradi.
Barcha savollarga hulosa javobi mana bu yerda – Isoni seving, uning so’zlariga amal qiling. Sizning hayotingizda Muqaddas Rux ishlasin! Tinchlik va sevgining mevalarini hosil qiling! Aynan mana shu javob, hattoki hozirgi yigirma birinchi asrning yurak kasalliklariga shifosidir. Butun qalbingiz va yuragingiz bilan ishoning! Muqaddas Ruxga to’lib toshing! Ibodat qiling! Hudo bilan yonma yon yuring! Uning Ruxida yashang! Uning tinchligini qabul aylang! Uning sevgisining mevalaridan hozil bering va barcha shak-shubhalar Uning huzurida yo’qolib ketadi.

Troubled Hearts Part 3 (John 14)

Notinch yuraklarga hushhabar: 3-qism
Yuhanno 14:5-6
Iso shogirdlarining yuragidagi bezovta va havotirni ko’rsatgan savollariga javob bermoqda:
“Yuraginigiz g’ash bo’lmasin”.
• Kirish qismi
• Butrusning savoli
Bundan avvalgi voiz qismida biz Simo’n Butrusning Rabbimiz Isoga bergan ” Rabbim nima uchun men Senga ergasha olmayman?” degan savoliga javobni ko’rib chiqqan edik.. Bu qismda biz To’ma orqali berilgan savol xaqida baxs yuritamiz. To’ma uning taxallusi “Inonmas To’ma” dir ( Injilda u Egiz laqabi bilan atalgan). Biz uning savoli orqali yana bir bora notinch yuraklarning Isoga iltijo qilishini ko’ramiz.
O’n to’rtinchi bobning boshida berilgan Simo’n Butrusning savoliga javobni ko’rgan edik, Rabbimiz Masih shunday javob bergan edi ” Yuragingiz g’ash bo’lmasin”, shu o’rinda U yana bizning notinch yuraklarimizga va Butrusning savoliga ” Xudoga ishoning, Menga Ishoning, Men Sizlar uchun tayyorlayotgan joyga ishoning, Mening qaytib kelishimga ishoning” degan javobni beradi.
• Isoning tasdiq so’zlari
Iso shunday dedi ” Men boradigan joyni bilasizlar, yo’lni ham bilasizlar”.
-Rabbim ! – dedi Unga To’ma, Qayerga borishingni bilmaymiz-ku, yo’lni ham qanday bila olamiz?
Mana To’maning qo’rquvi va havotiri aynan shu savolning o’zida nomoyon bo’ldi. To’ma Rabbidan hayron bo’lib so’ramoqda, chunki U Iso aytayotgan so’zlarni to’g’ri anglamoqchi, lekin u Iso aytayotgan so’zlarni tushunmadi. Chunki bundan oldin Iso ulardan ketishini, va U borayotgan joyga shogirdlari bora olmasligini aytgan edi. Hozir esa U men borayotgan yo’lni sizlar bilasizlar deb aytmoqda. Shogirdlari bundan havotirga tushishdi, chunki ular Isoning hayot rejasi qanday amalga oshayotganini tushunmas edilar.
• To’maning savoli.
• To’ma savolining mazmuni
To’ma shunday deydi ” Rabbim qayerga borishingni bilmaymiz-ku! Biz bu yerdagi vazifangni ham bilmaymiz. Sen nima xaqida gapirayotganini tushunmayapmiz. Biz
Sening o’rningni ko’rmayapmiz. Biz oxirini ko’rmayapmiz. Agar qayerga ketayotganingni bilmasak, qanday qilib biz yo’lni bilamiz. Manzilni bilmasdan turib, qanday safarga otlanasan?!
• To’maning kurashishi
To’ma nima bilan kurashdi ? Umuman o’zimizni ularning o’rniga qo’yib, o’sha to’rt shogirdning bergan savollariga o’z ko’zimiz bilan nazar tashlaylik. Simo’n Butrus doim Isoning huzurida bo’lishni hohlar edi. U Isodan ajralmaslikni hohlar edi.
Hozir esa To’ma hayot yo’lining oxir manzilini ko’rmoqchi. U bir kitobning oxirgi saxifasini boshqa saxifalardan oldin o’qib bilmoqchi. U hayot kitobini ag’darib, avval oxirgi saxifasini o’qimoqchi.
• Inson nazari bilan kurashish
Filip va Yahudo ( Ishqariyot bol’magan ) bergan savolda Iso ularni o’z nazari bilan kurashayotganini biladi. Shogirdlar o’sha zahotiyoq hamma tan oladigan va ular o’sha zahotiyoq anglab oladigan e’tiqodga ega bo’lishmoqchi edi.
Tasavvur qiling, bu qanchalik ajoyib bo’lar edi. Siz ustingizda qora bulutdek to’plangan savollaringizga siz barcha javobni bilasiz. Hamma narsa siz uchun aniq yoritilgan. Bu ajoyib emasmi?! Hamma narsani siz tuchunasiz va anglab yetasiz, bu ajoyib emasmi?!
Ammo Hudo biz barcha savollarimizga birdaniga javob bermaydi, toki yuragimizni Unga to’liq bag’ishlamask., Hudo bizga o’z javoblarni ochmaydi.
• Nima uchun biz barcha narsalarni oldindan ko’ra olmaymiz?
Agar biz hamma narsadan oldindan boxabar bo’lsak, hamma narsani oldin tushunib yetsak, Hudo bilan bizning hayot safarimiz qiziqarli bo’lmas edi.
Biz Hudoning boshqaruvini ko’ra olmagan va sezmagan bo’lar edik. Iso bizni har qanqay hayot so’qmoqlaridan O’zining kuchli va muloyim qo’li bilan chiqaroyotganini, imonimizni qanday o’stirayotganini xis qila olmasdik. Biz abadiy hayotga yetaklab boruvchi ruxiy janglarda qatnashish va ulardan g’olib chiqish imkoniyatidan mahrum bo’lar edik. Biz imon orqali yuqoridan kelayotgan ruhiy kuchning qudratini sezmagan bo’lar edik.
• Imon uchun kurashda To’maning birinchi qadami.
• Lazarning tirilishi
Biz To’ma o’zining imoni bilan kurashoyotgan suratlarnini kuzatsak, uchta turli hil holatlarni ko’ramiz va ularning uchovi ham bizni xursand qilaydigan ahvolda emas. Birinchi voqea Yuhanno kitobining o’n birinchi bobida sodir bo’ladi, ya’ni Iso O’z
shogirdlari bilan Baytaniya shahriga Lazarning o’lim ta’ziyasiga borishi. U yerda shogirdlari Isoga
” Ustoz, tezroq bor, Sen sevgan do’sting o’lim to’shagida yotibdi “. Ular Uni shoshiltirib olib borishmoqchi edi. Ammo ba’zi sabablarga ko’ra Iso o’sha zahotiyoq bormadi. Bir necha kun o’tgandan son’g, U shogirdlariga
“Qani endi yuringlar, uning oldiga boraylik”, deydi va To’ma buni eshitib tushkunlikka tushadi. Chunki u shahardagi kelishmovchiliklarni bilar edi, havfni bilar edi. Agar Iso Yahudiylarning orasiga tushib qolsa, Uni qanday havf kutayotganini va kelishmovchiliklar bilan yuzma yuz kelishini To’ma bilar edi. U nima sodir bo’lishini mumkinligini bilgan, shuning uchun To’ma tushkunlikka tushib ” Qani yuringlar biz ham U bilan o’lamiz!” dedi. Bu shunday tushkunlik holatiki, nimaiki sodir bo’lsa unga endi baribir va u hamma narsaga tayyor deganidir. Bu shunday tushkunlikki, Isoning orqasidan ergashib, Undan umidsiz bo’lish. Unga ishonmaslik. Imonning sustligi, qo’rquv va umidsizlikning qalbni yengish holati.
Qanday achinarli ahvol! Ha, Rabbimizning orqasida ergashib, eng dahshatli narsani kutamiz. Aynan mana shunday ahvol fojeaga yetaklaydi, bizning oramizda bunday ahvolga tushishni hech kimga tilamayman. Rabbimizning orqasidan ergashish, lekin unga ishonmaslik, imonning yo’qligi, hattoki imonga ega bo’lishga harakat qilmaslik fojeali ahvoldir.
Do’stlarim, men sizlarga aytaman, Iso Baytaniyaga Lazarni hayotga qaytarish uchun ketayotgan edi. U unga jonini qaytarish uchun ketayotgan edi. U O’zining o’lim ustidagi hokimiyatini va g’alabasining qudratini namoyon qilish uchun ketayotgan edi.
• Isoga ergashishning mo’jizalari
Siz Isoga ergashsangiz, Undan buyuk va ajoyib narsalarni kutishingiz mumkin. Zulmat yo’lidan yurganingizda, undan porlab keluvchi nurni ko’rishingiz mumkin. Vujudingiz ojiz bo’lib qolganda, hayotingizga quvvat bag’ishlaydigan kuch olishimgiz mumkin. Uztingizda muammolar qorong’u bulut kabi to’plaganda, siz samodan sizga yo’l ko’rsatuvchi Uning tiniq ovozini eshtishingiz mumkin. Siz Isoga ergashsangiz, yuragingiz g’ash bo’lmasin va yomonlikni kutmang. Unga ishoning. Bu imoningizning birinchi qadamidir.
• Imon uchun kurashda To’maning ikkinchi qadami.
• To’ma yo’lning oxirini ko’rmoqchi
Mana biz asosiy matn joyiga yetib keldik. Qanday biz yo’lni bilishimiz mumkin. Bu yerda To’ma imoni bilan ikkinchi marotaba kurashmoqda.
U yo’lning oxirini ko’rmoqchi. U yo’l qaysi manzilga yetaklayotganini bilmasdan turib, safarga chiqishni hohlamaydi. U yo’lning atrofida va ohirida nima borligini ko’rmasdan turib, so’qmoqlardan o’tishni hohlamaydi.
2. Yo’l bu Shaxsdir
To’ma nur taratuvchi tong saharini kutmaydi. U hozirning o’zidayoq ertangi kunda nima bo’lishini bilishni hohlaydi. U sabrsizlik ko’rsatyapti, lekin Iso To’maga Hudoga ishonish va Unga imon bog’lash uchun hamma narsaning ohirini bilish shart emasligini o’rgatadi. Eng asosiysi siz yo’lni bilishingiz kerak. Yo’l bu inson, yo’l bu – Isodir. Iso ularga dedi ” Men yo’l, xaqiqat va hayotdirman”, Hudoga hamdu sanolar bo’lsin, U yo’ldir!
Dos’tim menga quloq sol, senga ertaga nima bo’lishini, keyingi hafta, keyingi yil, yilning ohirida, va hayotingning oxirida nima sodir bo’lishini bilishing zarur emas. Barcha narsadan muhimi sen Iso Masih Hudoning tirik O’gli, va u orqali Hudoga yo’l borligini bilishing zarur.
Unga ochiq ko’zlaring bilan nazar boqsang, yo’l qayerga yetaklayotganini bilmasang ham, U seni yetaklaydi. Faqatgina Unga nazar boq! Unga ochiq ko’zlaring bilan boqsang, atrofingda nima bo’layotganini tushunmasang ham, imonga ega bo’lasan. Unga ochiq ko’zlaring bilan qarasang so’qmoqli yo’llarda qoqilmaysan. Senga kerak bo’lgan yo’l – aynan Udir.
3.Xaqiqat – Shaxsdir
U nafaqat yo’l, U ham xaqiqatdir. Biz puxta bajarilgan xaqiqatni qidiramiz. Biz xaqiqatni kitoblardan qidiramiz. Biz uni eshitar qulog’imiz bilan boshqalarning nutqida qidiramiz. Biz uni odamlarning orasidan, ta’lim maskanlaridan, turli ta’limotlardan qidiramiz. Xaqiqatni topish ilinjida hattoki ba’zan biz surbet bo’lib ketamiz, chunki biz hech qachon uni topa olmaymiz va u mavjud emas degan qarorga kelamiz. Bizlarning yuragimiz va qalbimiz g’am va tashvishga botib ketadi, chunki bizning o’ylarimiz shubha va noaniqliklarga to’la. Qorong’u bulutlar bizning ustimizga qo’rquv ishonchsizlikni yo’g’diradi.
Biroq xaqiqat kitoblarda emas. Haqiqat – shaxsdir, Iso Masih Hudoning yagona tirik O’glidir.
Agar Uni bilsangiz, qalbingizda va ongingizda Uni saqlasangiz, barcha shunbha va qo’rquvlardan halos bo’lasiz.
Xaqiqat sizni ozod qiladi. Iso shunday deydi: “Siz xaqiqatni bilasiz va u sizni ozod qiladi. Agar Inson O’g’li sizni ozod qilsa, xaqiqatdan ham sizlar erkin bo’lasizlar”.
Xaqiqatni bajo keltirgan insonga inonish, sizni bu dunyonig johilligidan halos qiladi. Uni bilish bizning ko’zimizni to’r pardadek qoplab olgan shubha va ishonchsilikdan halos qiladi.
Bugungu kunda aynan o’sha ishonchsizlik va shubhalar insonlarning yuragiga joylashib, bezovta qilmoqda. Agar xaqiqatga ega bo’lsak, ular bir zumda keta boshlaydi.
Men sizlarga ishonch bilan aytamanki, Iso Masihga qarab , Unga ko’z tikib yursangiz hech qachon qoqilmaysiz. Siz hech qachon havfli va shubhali yo’llardan yurmaysiz, chunki U shunday dedi ” Men xaqiqatdirman”.
• Hayot bu Shaxsdir.
To’maga Iso shunday dedi “Siz nafaqat yo’l va xaqiqatni, balki hayotni ham bilishingiz kerak va Men hayotdirman”. Ko’rdingizmi, qayta tirilish bu faqat bir kungina emas. Qayta tirilish bu Iso Masihdir. Hayot bu faqat siz yashayotgan hayot emas. Hayot bu siz ega bo’ladigan va qalbingizga yaqin tutadigan holatdir. Masihiy bo’lish bu Yagona tirik Hudoning O’g’liga ergashish, Uning orqasidan ishonch bilan qadam tashalsh., Uning inoyati va qudrati ostida yashash demaksir. Hudoga hamdu sanolar bo’lsin!
Menga bir eski qo’shiq yoqadi, u yerda shunday satrlar bor ” men ertangi kunni bilmayman. Men faqatgina kundan kunga qarab yashayaman. Men tushunishga ham urinmayman. Men bilaman kelajak kimning qo’lida va men kimning bag’rida”. Sizga kelajak nima tayyorlab qo’yganini bilish shart emas. Eng asosiysi, kelajagingiz kimning qo’lida ekanligini biling. Uning qo’li sizning ustingizda. U sizga faqat to’g’ri narsalarni qiladi.
Siz hech qachon “Hudo, Sen noto’g’ri ish qilding, Sen meni pastga urding” deb aytadigan kunlarga duchor bo’lmaysiz.
Agar To’ma shu yerda bo’lganida, yoki men o’sha yerda bo’lganimda, men unga shunday so’zlarni aytgim kelyapti – “To’ma, Sen imoning bilan kurashmoqdasan, men sening tushkunligingdan achnyapman, sening bu g’alati savollaring, loqaydliging mening qalbimni og’ritmoqda?! Men sendan hafaman To’ma, Sen Hudoning Yagona O’g’lining oldida yonma – yon turib, nima uchun imoning susayishiga yo’l qo’yding?”
Lekin To’ma menga bunday javob beradi – “SENING qo’rquv bilan va imon bilan kurashayotgan kunlaringni yodingga solmoqchiman. SEN, senga yordam qo’lini cho’za oladigan kimdirni izlab yurgan daqiqalaringni yodingga solmoqchiman. SEN Hudoni ulug’lashning o’rniga, shubha va arzlaring bilan arazlab yurgan kunlaringni esingga solmoqchiman”.
Ha, men To’maning ahvolini bila turib, bunday tushkunlikka botganida, men o’zimning arzlarimni unga aytishim mumkin edi. Men bilaman, nimaga bu narsalar u bilan sodir bo’ldi. Men faqat uning imon bilan kurashganini bilaman, va ba’zi vaqtlarda sabrsizlik bilan unga aytgim keladi, lekin Iso Masihning aytgan so’zlari rostdir. Iso Masih yo’ldir. Iso Masih xaqiqatdir. Iso Masih hayotdir.
Hech kim Otaning huzuriga bora olmaydi, lekin yagona yo’l U orqalidir. Iso orqali siz taxtga yeta olasiz. Iso orqali siz Hudo qudratini va shuhratini ko’ra olasiz. “Yuragingiz g’ash bo’lmasin,” Iso shunday degan – ” Men Yo’l, xaqiqat va hayotdirman”.
• Imon uchun kurashda To’maning uchinchi qadami.
Bu Iso qayta tirilganidan keyin sodir bo’ldi.. To’ma shunchalik shubha bilan yurishga o’rganib qoldiki, imoni kundan kunga pasayib borardi. U Iso xochga mixlanganini ko’rgach, imoni va umidi batamom so’ngan edi.
• To’ma u yerda emas edi
Shogirdlar birgalikda to’planishganda , To’ma ularning orasida yo’q edi.Ular kichik bir xujrada to’planib, bo’lib o’tgan voqealarni muhokama qilishar va bir birini ruhan qollab quvvatlashar edi. Biroq, To’ma u yerda emas, u hattoki borishga intilmadi. U o’zining jamoatini qoldirdi.
Men uchun bitta narsa g’alatiki, imoni bilan kurashayotgan odamlar Hudoning harakat qilishini ko’rishni hohlaydi, ular Hudoning odamlari orasida sevgi va tinchlik hukm surishini hohlaydilar, lekin aynan o’sha barakali yom’gir kuni kelganda, ular o’sha joyda xozir bo’lishmaydi.
To’ma u yerda emas edi. Iso boshqalarga va shogirdlar o’tirgan xujrada huzur bo’ldi va ularga tabarruk barakani ato qilib aytdi ” Muqaddas Ruxni qabul aylang”. Iso shogirdlari bilan gaplashdi va ularga O’z tinchligini berdi, lekin To’ma u yerda yo’q edi. Hudo O’z barakasini nozil qilayotganda xozir bo’lmaslik va barakadan baxra olmaslik, bu fojeadir. Shogirdlar To’maning oldiga borib “Sen biz bilan bo’lishing kerak edi, Biz rabbimiz Masihni ko’rdik, U tirik” – deb aytishdi. Ular aynan o’sha so’z
“ko’rdik” deb aytishdi. To’ma esa ularga qarab “men o’z ko’zim bilan kor’maguncha, Uni ushlab, qo’llaridagi mix izlarini kor’maguncha, ishonmayman”, deb javob berdi. To’ma uchun ishonish bu ko’rish demakdir.
2.To’ma o’sha joyda bo’lganda
Ammo voqea shu yerda to’xtamaydi. U olomondan chiqadi; U birodarlarining imoniga qo’shila olmaydi, shuning uchun bu narsadan zavq ham ololmaydi. U baland xursandchilik ovozi bilan boshqalarga bu xaqda ovoza qila olmaydi, chunki u Isoni ko’rmadi. Ammo voqea davom etadi. Bu hodisa To’mani oz’ shubhalari va tushkunligi bilan chetga surib, bir burchakda qoldirib yakunlanmaydi. Iso aynan uning oldiga zuhur bo’ladi. Iso O’z shogirdlarining oldiga yana boradi, va aynan To’maga yaqinlashib shunday deydi: “Mana, To’ma qo’llarimga boq. Ularni ushlab ko’r va izlarni sezib ko’r”.
Bu so’zlar menga Hudoning O’g’li meni biladi, meni tushunadi deganidir. U qayta tirilgandan son’g asrlar o’tsa ham, senga nima va qanday shubha hujum qilishidan qat’iy nazar, U sening oldingga keladi. Sen yo’lg’iz bo’lishing mumkin, sen o’z yo’lingni
ko’rmasliging mumkin, lekin U sening oldingga keladi. U sen qayerdaligingni biladi. U seni sevadi. U senga shaxsan keladi. U kelib, seni isming bilan chaqiradi. Unga hamdu sanolar bo’lsin!
U senga ishonsh, baraka va inoyatini olib keladi.
Ko’rdingizmi, Rabbimiz imon uchun kurash nima ekanligini tushunadi. Qo’rquv va shubhalar bizga nimalar qilishi mumkinligini biladi. U Iblis imoni past odamlarni qanday yo’ldan urishi mumkinligini ham biladi. Ammo U aynan o’sha zulmatli va shubhaga to’lgan kunlarning o’zidayoq oldingga keladi. U asrlar osha bizning qiyin kunlarimizda aynan o’sha so’zlari bilan yashaymiz, ular doim ongimiz va vujudimizga kirib boradi :
“Yuragingiz g’ash bo’lmasin, Hudoga ishoning, Menga ishoning. Muqaddas Ruxni qabul eting, tinchlikni qabul aylang”. Rabbimizga Tasanno!
To’ma shunda yerga yiqilib ” Rabbim va mening Hudoim!” deb aytdi. Iso esa unga shunday dedi “To’ma sen buni ko’rib ishonding, lekin ko’rmasdan ishonganlar baxtliroqdir”. Yuhanno aytganday, Iso Masihga ishonish uchun tabiiy ko’z bilan ko’rish shart emas.
Xulosa
Men ham bir mahallari osha vodiylardan o’tgan edim. Men imonim kuchayishi va bu narsalarni tushunish uchun ibodat qilgandim. Men Hudoning inoyati va qudratini butunlay ko’rmoqchi edim. Qani edi sizda Master bank hisobi bo’lsa -da, sizga qachon yana qo’shimcha inoyat kerak bo’lganda siz uni osha Master Card orqali olish imkoniyatiga ega bo’lar edingiz. Biroq bu to’g’ri emas. Men Kentucky, Lousvilleda mashina haydab, ibodat qilib ketayotgan edim. Shu paytda Hudo menga bir suratni ko’rsatdi va shunday dedi “Joe, sen haydab ketayotgan eski zangori Plyumosnni (amerika avtomobili) bilasanmi? U o’zida kuch bilan to’plangan. Bu kuch rulni erkin aylantirish uchun xizmat qiladi, lekin u senga yordam ko’rsatishidan avval sen uni ishlatishing kerak. Agar sen to’g’ri haydab ketayotgan bo’lsang va hech qanday burilishlar qilmasang, senga bu kuchning yordami kerak emas. Ammo burilish qilmoqchi bo’lsang, senga bu kuch kerakdir. Sen faqatgina qo’ling bilan rulni burib, bu kuchni ishltasan va to’g’ri holatda haydahsni boshlaysan. Hudo menga shunday dedi “Huddi shu yo’sinda Men ham sizlarning hayotingizda ishlayman. Sizda jang boshlanganda, yechilmas muammolar paydo bo’lganda, siqilganingizda, hayotiy burilishlarda Men sizga O’z kuchimni berishni boshlayman. Ana shu yerda sizga imon keladi. Siz ojiz bo’lganingizda, sizga kuch kuladi”.
Men ibodat majlisiga ketayotgan edim. Men o’sha kechasi hattoki kim va’z o’qigani ham esimda yo’q. Men haligacha o’sha Hudo menga ko’rsatgan surat xaqida o’ylar edim. Men o’sha kecha hamma fikrimni qo’g’ozga tushirdim. Ilhom kelganda she’riy satrlar yozdim.
Bu qanday ibodat qilish xaqidadir. (ingliz tilidan tarjima)
Bermasdan oldin baraka so’ramang.
Hukmdan o’tmasdan inoyatni talab talab qilmang.
Nizolarni tushunmasdan tinchlikka intilmang.
Jangsiz imonga shoshilmang.
Kurashsiz kuch so’ramang.
Maqsadsiz umidni qidirmang.
Qiyinchiliksiz shodlikni so’ramang.
Sevgisiz qudratga intilmang.
Itoatkorliksiz yo’nalishni qidirmang.
Harakatsiz omadni kutmang.
Ko’ngilchanliksiz shuhratni izlamang.
O’limsiz hayotni so’ramang.

Troubled Hearts Part 4 (John 14)

Notinch yuraklarga hushhabar: 3-qism
Yuhanno 14:7-21
Iso shogirdlarining yuragidagi bezovta va havotirni ko’rsatgan savollariga javob bermoqda:
– Yuraginigiz g’ash bo’lmasin
Kirish

Biz Yuhanno orqali yozilgan hushhabar maktubida to’rt shogirdning Rabbimiz Iso bilan bo’lgan suxbatini kuzatdik. Shogirdlarining savoli ularning yuraklari havotirda bo’lganini bildik. Biz notinch yuraklarga aytilgan hushhabar haqida so’z yuritgan edik.
Biz Havoriy Butrusning qalbini qiynayotgan ayriliq azobini ko’rdik, chunki u Isodan ajralishni hohlamas edi va Isoning orqasidan ergashsishga tayyor edi. Biz To’maning shubha bilan so’ragan savollarini ko’rdik, ya’ni
“Rabbim, Sen qayerga ketayotganingni biz bilmaymiz, qanday qilib u yerga yo’lni bilaylik?”
Biz uchta shogird orqali berilgan savollarga Iso qaytargan javoblarni ko’rib chiqdik, bu qismda endi biz Filip orqali berilgan savolni kuzatamiz.
Kalomdan parcha – Yuhanno 14:7-21
” Agar Meni bilsangiz, Otamni ham bilasizlar. Bundan buyon Uni ham bilasizlar, Uni ko’rgansizlar”.
Filip Isoga dedi:
• Rabbiy, bizlarga Otani ko’rsat, shu biz uchun yetarli!
• Filip, – dedi unga Iso, Men shuncha vaqtdan beri sizlar bilan birgaman-u, meni tanimaysanmi? Meni ko’rgan Otamni ko’rgan bo’ladi. Endi sen qanday qilib, “Otani bizlarga ko’rsat”, deyapsan? Men Otamda hozirman, Otam esa menda hozir, Sen menga ishonmaysanmi? Men sizlarga O’zimdan to’qib gapirmayapman, balki Menda hozir bo’lgan Otam O’z ishlarini bajarmaoqda. Menga ishoninglar; Men Otamda, Otam Menda hozirdir. Bordi-yu bunga ham ishonmasangizlar, aqalli bajarayotgan ishlarimning O’zi orqali Menga ishoninglar. Sizlarga rostini aytayin; Menga ishongan kishi, Men qilayotgan ishlarni o’zi qiladi va hatto bundan kattarog’ini ham qiladi. Zero, Men Otamning oldiga ketyapman. Mening nomimdan Otamdan biror narsa so’rasangizlar, uni
bajo keltiraman, toki Ota O’z O’gli orqali ulug’lansin. Ha, Mening omim uchun nima so’rsangizlar, men uni bajo keltiraman. Agar Meni sevsangizlar, amrlarimga amal qilinglar. Men Otamga murojaat qilaman va U to abad sizlar bilan qoladigan boshqa Yupatuvchini yuboradi. Bu yupatuvchi Xaqiqat Ruxidir. Dunyo Uni qabul qila olmaydi, chunki Uni na ko’radi, na biladi. Sizlar esa Uni bilasizlar, chunki U sizlar bilan doim birgadir, U ichingizda yashaydi. Sizlarni yetim qoldirmayman, yana oldingizga qaytib kelaman. Birozdan keyin dunyo meni boshqa ko’rmaydi. Ammo sizlar meni ko’rasizlar; Men hayot bo’lganim uchun sizlar ham yashaysizlar. Men Otamda, sizlar Menda va Men sizlarda hozir ekanimni o’sha kuni fahmlaysizlar. Kim Mening amrlarimni bilsa-yu, ularga amal qilsa, u Meni sevadi. Kim Meni sevsa, Otam ham uni sevadi. Men ham uni sevaman va O’zimni unga ko’rsataman.
Matn tarkibi
• Filipning Hudoni bilishga chanqoqligi.
Biz shogirdlarning bezovta qalbini ko’rib, ayniqsa Filipning naqadar Hudoni to’liq tushunishga, bilishga va ko’rishga ishtiyoqi kuchli ekanligini ko’ramiz.
U hammamizga juda o’hshab ketadi. Masalan, men Hudo xaqida ko’p narsalarni bilishni hohlayman. Hudo qanday ko’rinishga ega ekanligi va uning kuch – qudrati xaqida bugun sizda ham savollarinigiz bordir?
“Hudo” degan so’zni eshitsak, bizning ongimizda qanday tasavvur paydo bo’ladi? Siz kuch-qudratga to’la va porlab turgan taxtni, yoki mehribon otaning suratini tasavvur qilasizmi? Kimdir “Hudo” deganda sizning ongingizda qanday fikrlar paydo bo’ladi?
• Filipning talabi – “Bizga Otani ko’rsat”
Iso o’sha payti O’z shogirdlariga “Garchan Meni bilsangiz, Otamni ham bilasizlar”deb aytgan edi, ya’ni Men bu dunyoga kelib nafaqat O’zimni balki Otamni, ulug’vorlik Hudosini tanishtirgani keldim. Biroq Filip hali hamon bu soz’larning tubiga yetib bormadi. U Isodan talab qilib ” Bizga Otani ko’rsat, bizga shunisi yetarli” deb so’radi.
Isodan turli savollarni so’ragan bu to’rtta shogird hamma narsani ko’rib bilishni hohladi. Ular o’z ko’zlari bilan ko’rib anglab yetmoqchilar. Ular faqat imon bilan anglash mumkin bo’lgan narsalarga, dunyoviy aqli bilan tushunib yetmoqchi. Ular o’zlarining qo’llari bilan ushlab, sezish orqali tushunib yetmoqchi. Filip Qudratli Hudoni ko’rmoqchi. U buyuk Otani ko’rishni hohlagan edi.
• Hudoni ko’rish hohishi
Filip O’zi Hudoni ko’rishni va boshqalar ham Uni korishlarini hohlaydi. Shuning uchun bu dunyoda bud va sanamlarga sajda qilish keng tarqalib ketgan. Inson u ulug’layotgan
shahs bilan yuzma-yuz, va ko’rish orqali aloqada bo’lishni hohlaydi. Ular ushlab, seza oladigan va ko’rish mumkin bo’lgan Hudo bilan muloqotda bo’lishni hohlaydi.
• Ko’rish mumkin bo’lmagan Hudo
Biroq Muqaddas Kalom bizga muqaddas, buyuk, biz ko’rishimiz mumkin bo’lmagan Hudo haqida o’rgatadi. Hattoki, agar kimdir Uni ko’rsa, ularning ko’zi Uning porlagan nuri va kuchidan ojiz bo’lib qolishi mumkinligi xaqida aytadi. Muqaddas Kalom Hudoni hali hech kim ko’rishga sazovor bo’lmaganligi haqida gapiradi. Ammo Iso yuragi bezovta bo’lgan shogirdiga aytadi “Meni ko’rgan, Otamni ko’rgan bo’ladi”.
5.Filipning notinch yuragi
Biroq Filipning yuragi hali ham notinch edi, chunki Iso ularga yo’l bo’lishini aytib, lekin shogirdlari Uning yo’li xochga borayotganidan hayron edi. U Xaqiqat bo’lishini aytgan edi, lekin shogirdlariga bu xaqiqatni aytuvchi bir oliy shaxs yo’q edi. Iso hayot bo’lishini aytgan edi, biroq yaqinlashayotgan yigirma soat ichida Uni hochga osib mikhlanishini bilish, shogirdlarining yuragiga shubha va havotir solayotgan edi.
Filipning savoliga javob berishning o’rniga, Iso O’zining Otasi bilan bo’lgan aloqasi xaqida so’zlay boshlaydi. Bu juda ham ajoyib o’gitdir. U ularga Hudoni tushunish mumkin bo’lgan beshta yo’l xaqida gapiradi. Hudoni bilish va tushunishning beshta yo’li borki, ular bizga Hudoni anglashga, ko’rishga , shubhalarimizdan halos bo’lib Unga nisbatan yuragimizni ochib, imonimizni kuchaytirishga yordam beradi. Kelinglar shu beshta yo’l haqida muhokama yuritamiz.
Hudoni bilishning beshta yo’li
• Hudoni Masih orqali biling
Avvalgi satrlarda Iso shunday deydi “Meni Ko’rgan Otamni ko’rgan bo’ladi”.
Siz Hudo xaqidagi barcha narsani Iso Masih orqali o’rganasiz, Chunki U inson tanasidagi, odam qiyofasidagi yer yuziga kelgan Hudo edi. U olam yaralishidan oldin, barcha mavjudotdan avval, azaldan mavjud bo’lgan Tirik Kalom (Soz’) edi. Aynan U o’sha Tirik kalom orqali Hudo insoniyat bilan aloqada bo’la oladi, O’z kuchi va Shuhratini, Sevgisi va Inoyatini namoyon qiladi.
Iso shunday deydi, “Agar Menga qarasangiz, Meni tushunsangiz, Siz Hudoni bilasiz. Meni qanchalik sevsangiz, shunchalik siz Hudoni sevasiz. Menga qanchalik ergashsangiz, Hudoga ergashgan bo’lasiz”. Aynan mana shu so’zlarni Iso ta’kidlaydi, shuning uchun, do’stlarim, sizlarga aytaman agar siz Qudratli Hudoning siyratini anglamoqchi bo’lsangiz, Iso Masihga, Rabbimizga qarang! Unga Ergashing! Uni ulug’lang va Hudo Sizga yanada ko’proq namoyon bo’ladi, Unga Tasanno!
• Hudoni Uning Kalomi orqali biling
Iso keyingi satrlarda – Mening so’zlarimg ishoning,- deb aytadi.
Ba’zi odamlarga Hudoning Kalomiga ishonish juda osondir. Ular Muqaddas Kalomga bitta nazar orqali qarash bilan imonga ega bo’ladilar, va Kalomga amal qilib ketaveradilar.
Hudoning Kalomiga ishoning. Men huddi o’sha bir oqsuyakning o’g’li o’lim to’shagida yotganida, Isoga kelib iltijo qilganida, Iso unga – qaytib boraver, og’ling tirik, – deb aytganda, u imon bilan burilib uyiga qaytib ketgandek, bizda ham huddi shunday kuchli imon bo’lishini hohlardim. U bir kecha tunab, keyingi kun to’liq ishonch bilan uyiga ketdi. Imon bilan, tinchlik bilan, havotirsiz, toliq ishonch bilan ketdi!
Siz meni anglayapsizmi, azizlarim?! Agarda siz qandaydir hayot-mamot bo’lib turgan muammo va qiyinchiliklarga duchor bo’lsangiz, hattoki o’lim bilan yuzma- yuz tursangiz, Isoning So’zlariga ishoning.Uning Muqaddas Kalomiga ishoning, shundagina sizda kuchli imon bo’ladi, Uning kuchi bilan olg’a tetik qadam tashlay olasiz, chunki U O’z so’zini bajaradi. Uning amrlari va so’zlariga rioya qilish, U sizga aytgan har qanday amrni bajo keltirish uchun hokimiyat beradi.
• Hudoni Uning ishlari orqali biling
Bobning keyingi satrlarida Iso shogirdlariga shunday deydi:
• Men sizlarga O’zimdan to’qib gapirmayapman, balki Menda hozir bo’lib turgan Otam O’z ishlarini bajarmoqda. Menga ishoning.
Hudoga shukurlar bo’lsin. Bu satrlar butun bir va’zning o’zidir. Bu so’zlar Hudo O’zining buyuk ishlarini ushbu yaralgan olamda ko’zimiz ko’rib turgan tabiat va mavjudot orqali bajarishidan guvoh beradi. Uning buyuk ishlari xaqida tarix va Uning odamzodni qutqarish uchun bajargan ishlari guvohlik beradi. Olam yaralishdan boshlab, azaldan , asrlar osha Hudo bajargan ajoyib ishlarini va namoyon qilgan mo’jizalarini sanab o’tishga vaqt yetmaydi.
Iso shunday deydi “Mening qilayotgan ishlarimga ishoning”. Men sizlarga yana eslatib o’taman, bugungi kunda ko’plab odamlar Hudo mavjud ekanligidan shubhalanib keilshmoqda. Men buyuk faylasuflarning va taqvodor olimlarning ta’limotlarini va nazariy qarashlarini o’rganganman, va ularning Hudo mavjudligi xaqidagi baxslarni eslab qolishga harakat qilar edim. Men bu narsalarni o’rganganimda, o’zimni g’alati xis qilar edim. Biroq sizga aytamanki, bu xaqda tashvishga tushmang, chunki Iso Masihning bajargan ishlari bizlarning yuragimizda tasdiqlangan va bu xaqiqiy Qudratli va Inoyatli Hudo mavjudligidan xabar beradi.
Hudoga hamdu sanolar bo’lsin!
Men hayotimda tavba qilib Isoni Rabbim deb qabul qilgan va o’tmishda giyohvandlikka va ichkilikka ro’jo qo’ygan, qotil bo’lgan insonlarning hayoti Hudoning buyuk inoyati va
qudrati orqali o’zgarishini ko’rsam, Isoning qilgan ishlariga ishoning va siz O’z taxtida va mehrobida o’tirgan buyuk Hudoni ko’rasiz deb aytaman. Faqatgina buyuk Hudovandgina insonni o’zgartirish va gunoh qulligidan ozod qilish kuchiga egadir.
Men bilaman, ba’zi bir tanqidchilar yoki mening fikrimga qo’shilmaydigan odamlar imondan qaytib ketgan odamlarning hayotini ko’rsatib, Hudoning mavjud emasligini isbotlashga urinadilar. Mayli, hohlasangiz ularga qo’shiling. Agar hohlasangiz ularga qarab yashang, Biroq bilingki ularning har bittasi ikkiyuzlamachidir. Ularning imoni past bo’lgani uchun ular yo’lning yoqasida yotgan kulga o’hshaydi, lekin men sizlarga Isoga imon bog’lab, hayotning olov va bo’ronlaridan o’tib, Hudoga sodiq qolib, Uning inoyati orqali yashayotgan imoni kuchli yuzlab odamlarni ko’rsatishim mumkin. Hudoga tasanno! Men sizlarga guvohlik beryapman, bugun Iso Masih insonlarning hayotida bajarayotgan ishlari, Hudoning mavjudligidan buyuk dalolatdir. Uning nomini ulug’laylik!
• Hudoni ibodat orqali biling
To’rtinchi satrda Iso shunday deydi, ” Ibodatning kuchini biling”. Agar siz ibodat qilsangiz “agar xaqiqatdan ham xaqiqiy ibodatni nazarda tutayotgan bo’lsangiz, sizda barcha shubxalar yo’qolib ketadigan huzur halovatga kelasiz. Siz Hudoni Unda mavjud bo’lgan qudrati va shuxratida ko’rasiz”.
Siz qanday qilib imon bilan Uning taxtiga yaqinlashishni va nimaiki so’rasangiz, Mening nomimdan so’rang va Men uni bajaraman.”. Agar jamoat Iso ibodat qilganday ibodat qilishni o’rgansa edi, men sizlarga ishontirib aytayin, jamoat butun Hudoning ulug’vorligini va shuxratini ko’rgan bo’lar edi. Siz bugun shubha va ishonchsizlik bilan kurashyabsizmi, men sizlarga bitta yahshi javobni beraman.. Ibodat bu Hudoning kuchi, shuxrati, sevgisi va inoyatining mavjud ekanligi haqidagi eng katta dalil beradi. Bu barcha boshqa kitoblardagi isbotlardan ustunroqdir. Hudoga hamdu sanolar bo’lsin.
Muqaddas Qutlug’ kechada bo’lish va Qudratli Xudoning huzuri bu olamda mavjud ekanligini sezish naqadar tantanavor tajribadir. Bu bizni to’liq ishonch bilan Uning inoyat taxtiga yetaklaydi.
Men sizlarga aytayin, Hudo mavjud bo’lmaganda edi, dunyodagi millionlab odamlar Unga ibodat qilmagan bo’lar edi. Biroq Xudoga tashakkur aytamanki, U sizning ibodatlaringizga javob berganida, siz huddi qorong’u vodiydan yorug’ dalaga chiqqandek bo’lasiz va Uning huzurini atrofingizni qamrab olganini bilasiz. U bu narsani bajardi. Qo’rquv va shubhalar bilan orqaga qadam tashlashning o’rniga, U sizga Ibodat orqali U bilan qanday aloqada bo’lishni , va imon bilan ilgari qadam tashlashni o’rgatdi. Siz Uning oldida tiz cho’ka oldingiz, siz Otaning bag’riga intilgandek, Uning bag’riga otildingiz, U sizga O’z sevgisi va mehrini ko’rsatdi va siz Uni “Ota” deb chaqirdingiz.
Samoviy Ota! Men bilmayman hayolimda qanday fikrlar to’lib ketgan, lekin men bilaman mening qariya otam bor. U meni bag’riga bosganida, mening badanim haligacha qaltirab ketadi. Men haligacha ularni hurmat qilaman va yahshi ko’raman. Shunday vaqtlar
bo’lganki u menga yaxshi saboqlar bergan. U menga yaxshi ish kunlarini qadrlashga o’rgatdi. U meni boy qildi, chunki u u yashi ish kunlarini qadrlashga o’rgatdi. U menga o’z o’git va nasihatlari orqali mening hayotim, qalbim haqida qayg’urishini ko’rstadi. Men bu qismni tushundim.
Men va singlim tif kasalligi tufayli baland tana harorati bilan o’lim to’shagida yotganimizda, otam nima uchun o’ziga kelolmaganini tushunaman. Otam va onam bizlarga qarar edi va ibodat qilishar edi. Men yahshi narsalarga erishishim uchun otam ter to’kib ishlagan kunlarini tushunaman. Chunki u men haqimda qayg’urgan. Menga otam juda qadrlidir. Endi men tushunaman, faqatgina Iso orqali biz Hudoning taxtiga kelib, “Otajon” deb qichqiradigan Muqaddas Rux bizda mavjuddir.
5. Xudoni uning Muqaddas Ruxini qabul qilish orqali biling
Iso shunday deydi, “agar siz ibodat kuchini bilsangiz, siz Hudoni bilasiz. Siz Hudoni ko’rmoqchimisiz? Mening so’zlarimga ishoning, Mening qilayotgan ishlarimga ishoning; yana bitta narsa – Yupatuvchini qabul eting. U shunday degan ” Men sizlarga boshqa Yupatuvchini yuboraman.”
Aynan o’sha “boshqa” soz’i yunon tilida, “mening turimning boshqa biri” degan manoni bildiradi. “Men siz bilan bo’ldim, Men yoningizda turdim, Men sizlarga ustoz edim, Men sizlarga hokim edim, Men orangizda Otamiz Hudoning huzuri edim, toki siz bu dunyoda mening kuchim, va hokimiyatim bilan , ibodat orqali Men sizlarga o’rgatgan narsalarni boshqalarga o’rgating.
Siz Meni ko’rdingiz. Siz men bilan bo’ldingiz. Siz mening huzurimni sezdingiz. Men sizlarga O’zimdan keyin huddi Men kabi, boshqa yupatuvchini yuboraman.”
Sizlar bilan Muqaddas “Yupatuvchi” xaqida so’z yuritishga vaqt bo’lishini hohlar edim. Bu yunon tilidagi ajoyib “PARAKLETES” soz’ining tarjimasidir. Bu so’z turli mazmunlarda butun Muqaddas kalomda uchraydi.
Bu so’zning bir mazmuni yupatuvchi va madad beruvchidir. Bu xaqda Muqaddas kalomda ko’p mavzular mavjuddir. Hattoki, Korinfliklarga bo’lgan ikkinchi maktubda bu soz’ yigirma sakkiz marotaba ishlatilgan va turli, lekin bir biriga o’xshash soz’larda tarjima qilingan, masalan yupatuvchi, madad beruvchi, bazida shofoatchi kabidir.
Men sizlarga Muqaddas Yupatuvchi, Muqaddas Rux xaqida aytmoqchi bo’lgan narsa shuki, U barcha madad, inoyat va imon kuchining bosh manba’idir. U bizga shunday deydi “Yuragingiz g’ash bo’lmasligini hohlaysizmi? Savollaringizga javob olishni Istaysizmi? Hudo xaqida bilishni hohlasangiz, Muqaddas Ruxni qabul eting va U sizga maslahatchi, o’gitchi, yo’l ko’rsatuvchi va doim yoningizda O’z huzuri bilan bo’ladi. U siz uchun shafoat qiladi. U siznii himoya qiladi. U siz bilan abadiy qoladi. U hozir siz bilan va Sizning ichingizda yashaydi. Muqaddas Ruxga tasannolar bo’lsin. Qo’llaringizni ko’tarib Uni olqishlang.
 

The Ministry of Holy Spirit (John 16:7-15)

TOKI SIZ ISHONING
DOKTOR F.J. MAY VA DOKTOR H. LIN STOUN (ing. H.Lynn Stone)
2-QISM. YAXSHI CHO’PON QO’YLARI UCHUN JONINI BAG’ISHLAYDI (YUHANNO 10-17)
12-LEKSIYA. MUQADDAS RUHNING XIZMATI (YUHANNO 16:7-5)
KALOMDAN PARCHA – YUHANNO 16:7-15

“Ammo sizlarga xaqiqatni aytaman mening ketishim sizlar uchun foydalidir. Agar men ketmasam, Yupatuvchi oldingizga kelmaydi. Agarda ketsam, Uni oldingizga yuboraman. U esa kelib, gunoh, adolat va hukm xususida dunyoning hato qilganini fosh qiladi. Dunyoning gunohi shundan iboratki, odamlar Menga ishonmaydilar. Ilohiy adolat shundaki, Men otamning oldiga ketyapman va sizlar meni boshqa ko’rmaysizlar. Ilohiy hukm shundan dalolat beradiki, bu dunyoning hokimi hukm qilingan.
Sizlarga yana aytadiganlarim ko’pu, lekin endi ichingizga sig’dirolmaysizlar. Muqaddas Xaqiqat Ruhi kelgach, U sizlarni butun xaqiqat yo’liga boshlaydi. U O”zicha gapirmaydi, neki eshitsa o’shani so’zlab beradi, U kelajak xaqida sizlarga ma’lum qiladi. U Mendan eshitgan narsalarni sizlarga ma’lum qiladi, shu bilan Meni ulug’laydi. Otam ega bo’lgan hamma narsa Menikidir. Ana shu sababdan, U Mendan ehsitgan narsalarni sizlarga ma’lim qiladi deb aytdim. Ko’p o’tmay sizlar Meni ko’rolmaysizlar, yana ko’p o’tmay ko’rasizlar. Chunki Men Otamning oldiga ketyapman”.

A. Muqaddas Ruh bizning himoyachimiz sifatida

1.U bizni qanday himoya qilishi xaqida

Havoriy Yuhanno Muqaddas Ruhning bizni himoya qilishi xaqida so’z yuritganda, u bizga huddi ayblovchi va jabrlanuvchi o’rtasida ketayotgan bir sud jarayonini tasvirlab berishga harakat qiladi. Bu tasvirda huddi biz ayblanayapmiz va lekin Muqaddas Ruh huddi advokat, himoyachi kabi bizni himoya qiladi. U yana bizning guvohimiz singari ham Hudoning sharafi va ulug’vorligi uchun himoya qiladi. Muqaddas Rux bizga aniq maslaxat, yo’l-yo’riq va kuch-quvvat bera olishiga juda ham sevinaman va biz Unga butunlay ishonch bilan suyansak bo’ladi.

2. O’tkan kunlarimizdan bir misol – Floridadagi Jake Roberts

Men bu voqeani birodarimiz Jake Roberts, o’sha vaqtlarda u Floridadagi bir jamoatning cho’poni bo’lib xizmat qilgan edi, va u bu voqeani har safar so’zlab berar edi. U o’sha paytlarda xizmatda juda ham yosh edi, jamoatida odamlar ko’p va har doim juda shovqin bo’lgani uchun qo’shnilari ulardan arz qilishar edi va bir kuni uni sudga chaqirishdi.
Sudga ketayotgan kunida, u yo’lning bir palma daraxtining oldida to’xtab, unga suyanib, ibodat qilish uchun o’tirdi. Cho’ntagidan bir dollar va to’qson sakkiz sentli Injil kitobchasi yerga tushdi. Ibodatdan so’ng u narsalarini ko’tarib cho’ntagiga solmoqchi bo’lganida kitobchasining bir varog’iga ko’zi tushib qoldi va unda shunday yozilgandi, “qachonki ular sizni tutib ulamo-yu hokimlarning oldiga keltirishsa, nima gapiraman va nima soz’layman deb qayg’urmang, zero Muqaddas Ruh siz orqali gapiradi”. Jake palma daraxtining atrofida xursand bo’lib sakradida, mashinaga o’tirib shoshilganicha sudga haydab ketdi.
Sud ishi boshlandi va sud janobi undan har hil savollarni so’rashni boshladi, ulardan ba’zilari shunday edi “Siz binoning lampochkalarini o’chirib, yerda dumalab yuradigan odamlar guruhining cho’ponimisiz?” Shunda Jake unga bu xaqda hattoki Kalomda yozilganini ham eshitmaganligini aytadi. So’ngra u Kalomdan shunday misolni keltiradi “Axmoq odamning axmoqligiga qarab axmoqona javob berma, chunki sen ham unga o’xshab axmoq bo’lib qolasan”. O’sha savol-javob qilnayotgan paytda, Muqaddas Ruh sud zalida o’tirgan “Hudo jamoati” ning odamlarining ustiga tushdi va ularning hammasi shodlikdan qichqira boshladi. Keyin cho’pondan yana bitta axmoqona savol so’rashdi, lekin sudya odamlarning shovqiniga chiday olmasdan “Ularni bu yerdan olib ketinglar, sud yopiq deb e’lon qilindi”, deb buyruq berdi.
Men sizlarni mana shu joyga ahamiyat berishingizni so’rayman, chunki Yuhanno aynan mana shunday tog’ri ma’noda Muqaddas Ruh bizni himoya qilishi jarayoni xaqida gapirgan edi. Aynan Muqaddas Ruh sizning maslahatchingiz, himoyachingiz va eng zarur bo’lgan vaqtda u sizga ichingizdan sekin ovozi bilan nima qilish yoki aytish kerakligini aytib turadi. U sizni hattoki katta bo’ronda ham yetaklaydi va yo’l ko’rsatadi. U siz ,va Hudo bilan o’rtangizda vakilingiz bo’ladi. U Hudo bilan sizningo’rtangizda bo’lgan ajoyib ilohiy aloqangizdir. U orqali siz Hudoning huzurida bo’lasiz va Qudratli Hudoning kuchidan kuch olasiz.

B. Muqaddas Rux dun'yo gunohini fosh qiluvchi

Endi men sizlarga Muqaddas Ruhning boshqa vazifasi xususida o’qib bermoqchi edim. U dunyoga nisbatan munosabatini birdan o’zgartiradi. U bizning himoyachimiz, vakilimiz edi, lekin hozir endi u ayblovchiga aylandi – Uning xizmati dunyoning ishlarini fosh qilishdan iborat. U dunyoning hato qilganini fosh qiladi, aniqlik kiritadi, U adolat o’rnatadi. U dunyoning donoligi-yu, bilimlarini, yo’llari va niyati noto’gri ekanligini isbotlab beradi. Muqaddas Ruh to’gri yo’lni va adolatni ko’rsatib beruvchidir. U hatolarni fosh qiladi. Uning O’zi bu dunyoni hukm qiladi.
Bizning Hudoga itoatkorligimiz va Muqaddas Ruhga to’lib yurishimiz – bu dunyo hech qachon ko’rmagan mahkumlikdir. Biz orqali Muqaddas Ruh bajarayotgan ajoyib ishlarning oz’i bu dunyoni katta mahkumlikka duchor qiladi.
Men ba’zida odamlar Pentakos imoniga yetishishning iloji yo’qligi xaqida tushuntirishiga harakat qilishini ko’rib, hayron qolaman. Yaqinda, hafta so’ngida men bir gazetada, Tennesidagi bir odam Muqaddas Ruh bilan cho’mdirilishning iloji mavjud emasligini men va sizga tushuntirib bermoqchi?! Men allaqachon, Muqaddas Ruh bilan cho’mdirilgan, Muqaddas Ruhning ishlaridan guvoh bo’lgan odamga, menga va sizga u buning iloji yo’qligini tushuntirib bermoqchi?! Omin?
Men sizlarga shuni aytayki, Muqaddas Ruh Ruhga cho’mdirilgan imonlilar orqali amal qilmoqda va dunyoni mahkumlik qolipi bilan qoplamoqda, chunki bu dunyo Hudodan va Uning xaqiqatidan nafratlanadi. Bu dunyoning adolatsizligi-yu va yovuzligini fosh qilib, hech qachon tushuntirib va anglab bo’lmaydigan xaqiqat nurini bu olamga namoyon qilish Muqaddas Ruhning vazifalaridan biridir.
Bu nurni o’chirib bo’lmaydi, chunki u har qanday zulmatlik kuchiga qarshi porlaydi. U har qanday jamoatni qamrab olgan qorong’u bulutlarning orasidan ot’ib, yorqin porlab turaveradi. Hudoga hamdu-sanolar bo’lsin!
Men bu dunyoda bugun yohud bu kecha O’z ishini bajarayotgan Muqaddas Ruhning kuchi xaqida so’zlayapman.

1. Muqaddas Ruh Insoniyat gunohini fosh qiladi

Birinchi navbatda U gunohkor dunyoni ayblaydi. U bu dunyoni mahkumlovchisidir. U bu dunyoda gunoh degan narsaning ustiga og’ir aybni qo’yadi. U “chunki ular Menga ishonmaydilar”deydi. Inonmaslik – nurda yurishni rad etish, Hudoning O’g’lini rad etish, Masihga inonmaslik, Kalomga ishonmaslikning o’zi bu dunyoning katta gunohlardan biridir.
Siz muqaddas yozuvlarda Hudodan qaytganlar misolini ko’p ko’rasiz- masalan Yahudo maktubida. Yozuvlarda qanday qilib insonlarning imoni sustlashib Hudo yo’lidan qaytib ketganlar haqida hattoki va o’z oliy lavozimida tura olmagan Hudoga bo’sh egmagan farishtalar haqida ham o’qib ko’rsak bo’ladi.
Har bir qarshi chiqadigan, Hudoga qarshi qo’zg’olon ko’taradigan har bir boshning ildizi – bu imonsizlik, inonmaslikdir. Hattoki Isroilliklar ham Hudoga inonmaganligi sababli va’da qilingan makonga kira olmadilar.
Men sizlarga shuni aytmoqchimanki, hamma gunohlardan yolg’onga yetaklaydigan gunoh bu – Hudodan shubxalanish, Uning Kalomidan shubxalanishdir; Xaqiqatga ko’z
yumishimizdir, Muqaddas Ruhning bizni boshqarishiga, Hudoning Ruhi bizni yetaklashiga yuragimizda yo’l bermaslik. Mana shu yerda Muqaddas Ruh kelib dunyodagi bunday odamlarning poyiga, yuragiga, ongiga buyuk aybni qo’yadi.
Mana, bugungi kunda Hudoning Kalomi aytilgan, Uning nuri porlagan, insonlarning yuragidan Uning sevgisi toshib oqayotgan, Hudoning qudratli va g’ayritabiiy kuchi orqali odamlarning o’zgargan hayotini ko’rib turib, Hudoni va Uning xaqiqatini rad etayotgan odamlar Muqaddas Ruhning mahkumligiga duchor bo’lmoqda. Bu dunyo ayblarini va hatolarini fosh qilish Muqaddas Ruxning faoliyati va vazifasidir.

2. Muqaddas Ruh Insoniyatga [haqiqiy] solihlikni tushuntiradi

Muqaddas Ruh dunyoni solihlik haqida ham tushuntiradi, chunki Iso,“Meni Yuborganning oldiga ketyapman” degan edi. U bu yerda nima xaqda so’zlayapti? U O’zining ketishi xaqida soz’lamoqda, O’zining ketadigan yo’li xaqida, ya’ni xoch orqali ketadigan yo’li xaqida so’zlamoqda. Muqaddas Ruh solihlikka yetishadigan yagona yo’l bu Iso Masih va hoch orqali ekanligini bu dunyoga yetkazmochi. Solihlikka yetishish bu Yahudiy dinining to’qqiz yuz to’qson to’qqizta qonuni bajarish orqali emasligini, balkim Iso orqali ekanligini ko’rsatmoqchi. Muqaddas Ruh o’zining ustiga sohta solihlik libosinin kiyib olgan har bir yurakni ayblaydi. Bundaylarga faqat Muqaddas Ruhgina “bu bunday emas birodar, sen bu yo’ldan ketsang o’limga mahkum bo’lasan, chunki Masihsiz sen yo’ldan adashgan hisoblanasan, Masihdan boshqa solihlikka yetishishning boshqa hech qanday yo’li ham, iloji ham yo’q, Masihdan boshqa hech qanday nom yo’qki, u orqali sen najot topsang”, deydi.
Bilasizmi, biz va’zimizni o’qib bo’lganimizdan son’g bizning aytgan da’vatlarimizga hech kim javob berib, tavba qilmasa, biz va’azxonlar darrov tushkunlikka tushamiz. Biroq, Muqaddas Ruh baribir o’sha yerda va O’zining vazifasini bajarmoqda, siz Uni biron bir ish qilishga majbur qila olmaysiz va shuningdek odamlarni ham majburlay olmaysiz.
Najot yo’liga etaklashga har doim ham odamlar quloq bermaslgininng bir sababi ham shudir. Biz Muqaddas Ruhga ish buyurolmaymiz, chunki toki Muqaddas Ruh ham odamning hatolarini fosh qilishi so’ngra inson o’zini aybdor deb tan olishiga vaqt kerak. Siz odamni ayblab, qutqara olmaysiz, chunki Muqaddas Ruh unga gunohlarini fosh qilib, Uning adashganligini aytishi kerak.
Odamlarni qaror qabul qilishga undash, meva bermaydigan harakatlar qilish, va keyingi yakshanba kunigacha davom etmaydigan guvohliklar berish juda oson. Biroq, Hudoning Ruhi va xaqiqat nuri insonni qamrab olganda u tiz cho’kib “men aybdor va gunohkorman, Hudoning shafqatidan boshqa meni hech narsa qutqarishga qodir emas” deb tavba qilgan insonning yuragi abadiy yashaydi va Hudoning huzurida to o’limgacha yurishga qodir.
Bugungi kunlarda ko’p jamoatlarning kamchiligi shundaki, xaqiqiy, chin dildan tavba qilish xususiyati yo’qolib ketmoqda. Agar insonlar Muqaddas Ruhning ishlashiga yo’l berganida edi, balkim odamlar xaqiqatdan, yuragining tubidan tavba qilarmidi?
3. Muqaddas Ruh dunyoni mahkumlaydi
So’ngra, U yorug’likka xaqiqat hukmini olib chiqadi. Mahkumlik bu hukm qilish bo’lsa ham u faqatgina dunyoning oxirat kunida bo’lmaydi. Ha, albatta oily hukm kuni mavjud, biroq u bugungi kunning o’zida xaqiqatni aytadigan va undan yuz o’giradigan odamlarning o’rtasida tabiiy mavjuddir, chunki Muqaddas Ruh xaqiqatni rad etadigan odamlarni ko’rsatadi.
Iso “Bu dunyoning hokimi allaqachon hukm qilingan, Uning ishlari Qudratli Hudoning qo’lidan o’tgan va aybdor deb topilib, hukm qilingan” deb aytadi.
Faqatgina uning o’zi emas, balkim har bir odamning ishi Qudratli Hudoning ko’zidan kechiriladi va o’shanda, siz hech kimni sotib olib unga pora bera olmaysiz. Chunki Hudoning boshi bo’lmish Muqaddas Ruh u yerda ham ayblovchi, ham himoyachi vazifasini bajaradi, va Uning hukmidan hech kim
qochib ketolmaydi.
Har bir odam o’zini oqlashga bahona topishi mumkin. U o’zining dalilu-arzlarini aytishi mumkin, umuman hohlagan narsasini aytishi mumkin, lekin qachonki so’nggi qaror qabul qilinib bo’lsa, orqaga qaytish yoki uni o’zgartirish yo’li bo’lmaydi. Nur g’olib keladi. Xaqiqat nuri porlaydi. Qaror aniq o’qiladi.
Muqaddas Ruh endi xaqiqat uchun qasdini oladi, U endi Iso Masihni, Xaqiqat va Nurni rad etganlarga qarshi oliy hukmni va aybni o’qiydi.
Meni hozir eshityapsizmi? Imonsizlar va Hudodan yuz o’giruvchilar buyuk Qudratli Hudoning hukmi ostida qoladilar. Hukm jarayoni har doim davom etadi va bir kuni u ijro etiladi xolos.

A. Muqaddas Ruhning Jamoatga xizmati

1. Muqaddas Ruh Iso Masih tanasining a’zolari orqali ishlaydi

Iso shunday deydi: “…U sizlarni butun xaqiqat yo’liga boshlaydi…U kelajak xaqida sizlarga xabar qiladi. U Mendan eshitgan narsalarni sizlarga ma’lum qiladi, shu bilan Meni ulug’laydi.”
Agar siz yuqoridagi Iso aytgan uchta bayonatni diqqat bilan kuzatsangiz, U nimani nazarda tutayotganini aniq tushunasiz.
Qarang, Iso shogirdlariga aytayotgan narsa shuki “Men sizlardan hozir ketyapman, lekin men O’z jamoatimning yuzini Muqaddas Ruhga qarataman, va U sizlarga keladi, va sizning ichingizda yashaydi, va shu yerning o’zida mening jamoatim Men bilan bo’lgan aloqani ko’rinmas Muqaddas Ruh orqali bog’laydi” degan narsani nazarda tutadi.
Mana aynan shu yo’l orqali Iso Masih O’z jamoatini boshqaradi va yetaklaydi. U jamoat yo’lini men va sizning ichingizda yashaydigan Muqaddas Ruh orqali ko’rsatadi. U Muqaddas Ruh orqali jamoatiga har hil in’omlar beradi. U jamoatning har bir muhtojligini biladi va qachonki bu in’omlar namoyon bo’lishi lozim bo’lsa, Muqaddas Ruh har qanday odamni O’zi bilan to’ldirib, o’sha odam orqali O’zining ishini namayon qiladi. Hudoga hamdu-sanolar bo’lsin!
Muqaddas Ruh bilan to’lib yurgan Hudoning farzandi Hudo u orqali har qanday vaqtda, har qanday joyda, har qanday usulda O’z ishi uchun ishlatishini bilishi kerak. Hudo siz va sizning hayotingiz orqali ishlashni
istaydi. Agar siz o’zingizni Unga ochib bersangiz, hayotingiz oqim kabi ketadi. U siz orqali o’sha oqimni qo’yib yuboradi. Haleluya, Ha U shunday qiladi. Omin.

2. Muqaddas Ruh sizga yo’l ko’rsatib yetaklaydi

Iso Masih aytgan uchta gapiga e’tibor bersangiz, U jamoatdagi uch hil in’om va uch hil xizmat xaqida gapirmoqda. Birinchi navbatda Iso “U sizni yetaklaydi” deydi. Muqaddas Ruhning bizni yetaklashi bu bizning Iso Masihning tanasini to’ldirish va uni rivojlantirishimiz demakdir. Bu degani, kalom, ruh, va imon kuchi bilan qurollanib bu dunyoda Hudoning ishlarini bajarishdir. Mana shu yerda Muqaddas Ruh xizmat bajarilishi uchun buyuk ustoz kabi Hudoning irodasi va kalomini o’z odamlariga ko’rsatib beradi. Sizlardan ham ba’zilaringiz Muqaddas Ruhga e’tibor berib, Unga itoat etsangiz Hudoning yo’lida buyuk xizmatlar bajarishingiz mumkin. O, men oddiy jamoa azolarining xizmatidan hursandman. Har bir Iso Masih tanasining a’zosi bu buyuk ruhiy xizmatiga qatnashishi lozim, shu narsani sizga takidlayman, bu Muqaddas Ruhning jamoatdagi ishi va xizmatidir.
Agar Muqaddas Ruh O’zining yo’lini ko’rsatib, barchaning ustiga O’z irodasini quysa barcha odamlar olovdek yonadi [Hudo xizmatiga] . U barchani ishlatadi, ibodat qilishga undaydi va hammaning imon-ishonchida o’stiradi. U hammani O’zining muqaddas olovi bilan yondirsa unda hamma bazi darajalarda ustoz, va’azchi, xaqiqatni yoyuvchilar bo’ladi. Hudoga hamdu-sanolar bo’lsin!
Muqaddas Ruh Siz orqali haligacha shu kabi ishlarni bajarmagan bo’lsa, unda Uni ichingizda siqib, uhslab turmang , chunki U albatta siz orqali ishlarini namoyon etadi. Uni da’vat etib chaqiring, Unga yo’l bering va U sizni qamrab oladi, so’ngra sizning yuragingiz, vujudingizga kirib sizni ilohiy imon muhitiga olib chiqadi.
Siz oldin ko’rolmagan vahiylarni ko’ra boshlaysiz, muammoyu tashvishlarning ustidan o’tib, imon qanotlarida burgut kabi ko’tarilib ucha boshlaysiz. Sizning hayotingiz Hudoning Ruhi va kuchini yangi darajalarigacha chiqadi.

3. Muqaddas Ruh sizga kelajak xaqida xabar qiladi

Iso yana shogirdlariga “U sizga kelajak xaqida habar qiladi va Mendan eshitgan narsalarini sizlarga ma’lum qiladi” deb aytadi. Bu yerda Iso o’sha
ajoyib in’omlarga ishora qilayapti, ya’ni Muqaddas Ruh orqali ochib beriladigan vahiy in’omlarini nazarda tutmoqda.
Sizlar shu narsani bilishlaringizni hohlaymanki, pentakos imonlilari aynan mana shu Muqaddas Ruhning in’omlarini amalda qo’llashi bilan boshqa imonlilardan ajralib turadi, chunki biz Hudoning vahiylarini ko’rish, ruhlarni ajrata bilish, no’malum tillarda ibodat qilish va bashoratlarni talqin qilish in’omlaridan to’liq foydalanib, Muqaddas Ruhning kuchi va qilayotgan ishlarini ko’ramiz.
Men sizlarga aytay, bugun minglab ovozlar bizga qarshi bo’lishi, minglab boshqa ishlar bizni qamrab olishga harakat qilishi mumkin, lekin men shunday taklif kiritmoqchiman, kelinglar biz Muqaddas Ruhning ovozini eshitish uchun qalbimizni tayorlaylik, U bizga Isoni ko’rsatsin. U bizga Muqaddas Kalomni ko’rsatsin. U bizga nima aytishimizni ko’rsatsin.

4. Muqaddas Ruh Hudo O’g’lini ulug’laydi.

Oxirida Iso “U Meni ulug’laydi” deb aytadi, ya’ni Masihni ruhda va xaqiqatda ulug’lash uchun jamoatga kerak bo’lgan barcha in’omlarni Iso ularga Muqaddas Ruh orqali berishini aytadi. Men hayotimda ko’rgan eng zulmatli narsa bu odamlar Hudoga topinmasligi va Muqaddas Ruh huzuri ular orasida bo’lmasligidir. Men uchun eng qiziq va qalbimni qizdirib yondiradigan joy bu sevgi bilan va Muqaddas Ruhga to’lib Masihni ulug’layotgan Hudoning solih odamlarning to’plangan makonidir. Aynan mana shunday makonlarda buyuk mo’jizalar ro’y beradi.

A Biblical Strategy for Ministry in The Local Church

INTRODUCTION

The word “ministry” refers to the work of the entire church, the body of Christ in the world. In many churches, the work of ministry has been restricted to a few members of the local body. The New Testament teaches that ministry belongs to all of God’s people. The local church is to be a community of ministers fulfilling their individual calling.
 
The work of a pastor is “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Ephesians 4:12). The ministry of the laity is integral to the accomplishment of the mission of the church.
 
Jesus Christ is the model for ministry and any theology of ministry must begin with the life and teachings of Christ as presented in the New Testament. His ministry was first incarnational.  “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14 NKJ).
 
Jesus proclaimed, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18, 19).
 
Christ’s ministry was carried out in the power of the Holy Spirit. Christ’s ministry was one of humble service (Mark 10:45 and John 13:14). Christ’s ministry was one of shepherding. Jesus depicted himself as a faithful and caring Shepherd who gives his life for the sheep (John 10:11-18). The ministry of Jesus culminated in His substitutionary death for the sins of humanity and His glorious resurrection.
 
The church is an extension of Christ’s ministry in the world. The anointing of the Holy Spirit is essential to effective Christian ministry. The gifting of the Holy Spirit is for every believer.
 
The Biblical ministry of the laity does not diminish the necessity and importance of clergy ministry, but it better clarifies the role of pastoral leadership. The New Testament makes it clear that ministerial leadership is of divine origin (1 Corinthians 12:28). Every believer, clergy and laity, should cultivate a ministry of edification and service for the glory of God and the extension of His kingdom.
 
Once the theoretical and theological foundations upon which ministry rests have been determined, it is then necessary to put those truths into practice. The “hearer” must become the “doer” (James 1:22-27). The truth of God, received into the heart, will not only bring transformation of the mind, but it will also, inevitably, translate itself into practical acts of ministry.
 
Nowhere is this concept of truth translating into deeds more important than in the life and work of those who are identified and function as ministerial leaders. From the standpoint of their position and their visibility, they serve as “models” for all believers. In a personal sense, their satisfaction and success depend upon how closely their “practice” parallels their “preaching.”
 
The purpose of this lecture is to establish a Biblical strategy for the practice of ministry as it relates to motivation, performance, and pattern.

1) MOTIVATION

A) Commitment to the call

Jesus Christ calls all believers to commit themselves to the call of God to ministry. As has been noted, this call is universal since it is given to the entire body of Christ. An understanding of this Scriptural fact is fundamental to the stewardship of the Gospel. Seen from this perspective, money and management considerations are secondary and subservient to ministry. In general, ministry is comprised of all that the church does to accomplish her two-fold mission of love and discipleship (the Great Commandment and the Great Commission). Therefore, when one answers the call to the ministry, it should be understood primarily in terms of a commitment to obedience and discipleship. Within that larger context, however, there is yet a more specific calling to equip the saints for the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:1112).

B) Dangers Faced in Answering the Call
Ministers, both clergy and laity, face two grave dangers in answering the call to ministry to the body of Christ. The first danger is that we may not develop a workable understanding of our call to ministry and realize exactly what God wants for us. The second danger is that we might get so overwhelmed with the multiple demands people and the ministry make on us that we lose sight of God’s will for us and lose the joy and sense of divine purpose so desperately needed to fulfill God’s call.
 
A minister confronting these dangers may have a low level of motivation and remain rather bewildered and confused about what is important and designed by God. Some ministers oversimplify issues to avoid conflict at any cost. They may be inadequately prepared to deal with the complex and deep problems of the people. They tend to avoid face-to-face interaction in question-and-answer teaching or small-group discussion encounters. Some pastors may even be more and more personal in the pulpit while becoming increasingly unavailable and aloof in person.
 
Elton Trueblood makes the following observation: “The central problem which faces the minister is that of his/her own identity. In the midst of competing and even contradictory pressures it is sometimes hard to know who we really are. This problem must be solved before lesser problems can be addressed. Am I a prophet, teacher, promoter, performer, preacher, counselor, visitor, business manager, or what? This question is not easy to answer because it is intrinsically complex.”
 
Such a dilemma need not occur if a Biblical understanding of the ministry of the whole body, putting the servant role of the minister and the church in proper perspective, is developed.  It will then become apparent why the apostle Paul majors in character and knowledge of the Word as primary qualifications for ministerial leadership (1 Timothy 3). If the minister understands himself/herself to be a servant, then he/she can develop a specific plan that will give expression to a Biblical identity and will result in personal fulfillment rather then psychological and spiritual burn-out. Self-fulfillment in service to the body occurs when we see our ministry as more than that of a mechanical, entertaining motivator of passive listeners. When a relationship of mutual trust and interdependence in Christ is the primary goal, the minister and the people make disciples and build ministries which will stand the test of time and eternity.
 
The servant of Christ believes that each of us will face God and give an account for our ever word and deed. We also know that the coming of the Lord will happen suddenly and unexpectedly. This sense of accountability and urgency, when seen in the light of the love of God, becomes a purifying hope which sanctifies the ordinary and extraordinary deeds of ministry. All of life becomes worship to the glory of God, and all who serve Him in the Spirit know that their labor is not in vain. Such a belief becomes a strong motivation for us to summon all of our resources and to put forth every effort to fulfill God’s specific will for our lives.

2) PERFORMANCE

As conscientious ministers, we have the desire to fulfill our responsibilities properly. As we learn more and more about what we must do, we are motivated to reach those ideal goals. We want to be successful in the ministry and, most of all, we want to please God.
 
The tremendous frustration facing many ministers today is not a lack of desire to do what should be done, but rather the lack of time, information, and resources to accomplish those goals. We are generally aware of the “what” and the “why” of our calling, but we struggle with the “how.” Our vision to be a person of prayer and anointed to speak God’s Word is sometimes shattered by the real world of ringing phones, committee meetings, and financial pressures. We get too many messages from too many sources, when what we need is to hear from God afresh.
 
In order for us to break out of debilitating patterns and be the person God wants us to be, we need to focus on the following three guidelines: recognize specific needs; appropriate God-given gifts; and utilize available resources.
A) Recognize Specific Needs
Often there is a sense of frustration and lack of satisfaction in a job responsibility because there is not specificity with regard to the bounds of the responsibility. A pastor under pressure sometimes tries to do everything and winds up doing nothing well. A definition of purpose is absolutely necessary to the proper management of responsibility. “Live life, then, with a due sense of responsibility, not as men (and women) who do not know the meaning and purpose of life, but as those who do” (Ephesians 5:15-17 Phillips)
 
  • Analyze the needs
    Guided by our own unique perspective of the task, and also by Scriptural insight, we must determine what needs to exist in the church and in our own family. A proper evaluation of people’s needs will help us to understand why people do what they do and how we can relate to them effectively and minister to them as a spiritual leader.
     
  • Prioritize the needs
    All needs do not have the same level of importance. In order to satisfactorily fulfill a responsibility, first things must be done first.
If we do not focus most of our time and energy on the highest priorities, we will lose our efficiency and effectiveness in ministry. It is not always how hard we work that matters but how smart we work. All leaders, at times, find themselves having to juggle several high priority projects. This juggling act can turn out to be very costly when we fail to prioritize needs and tasks.
 
The needs we should strive to meet first are those that are of the highest importance and highest urgency. We choose or lose. We evaluate or stalemate. Effective leaders tend to initiate positive action while followers tend to react with less planning or prioritizing.
 
Dayton and Engstrom, in their book Strategy for Living, suggest a simple method to establish priorities. Instead of listing tasks by numerical rank, assign each an A, B, or C designation: A—must do—high priority; B—should do—medium priority; C—can do—low priority. If there are too many “A” goals, then subdivide them, using the same ranking procedure. The main point is to choose. The leader cannot allow the pressure of responsibility to dictate priorities; leaders must take the initiative.
B) Appropriate God-Given Gifts
Once life-goals have been identified, analyzed, and prioritized, then there must be a determined effort to appropriate the gifts that God has made available. These may be supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit, and they also may be natural gifts, talents, and abilities which God provides through others as well as our own personal development.
 
Scripture makes it clear that God does bestow gifts and graces sufficient to accomplish His will: “I can never stop thanking God for all the wonderful gifts he has given you now that you are Christ’s. He has enriched your whole life…Now you have every grace and blessing; every spiritual gift and power for doing his will” (1 Corinthians 1:4-7 Living Bible).
 
The discovery, affirmation, and appropriation of these special gifts and abilities are absolutely essential to the accomplishment of the will of God. The following steps of positive action may be helpful in this regard.
 
  1. Free yourself from the prison of self-incrimination. You are a person of great worth endowed with God’s special gifts (Ephesians 4:7).
  2. Make yourself available to God. A person of prayer, study, and faith will create an atmosphere in which his/her gifts will be discovered and appreciated (Isaiah 6:5-8).
  3. Center on others rather than on self. Gifts are discovered and revealed as a person is in the process of ministering to others.
  4. Don’t be afraid to acknowledge your gifts. Recognition of one’s own abilities need not be prideful; indeed, it is necessary to the continued strengthening of those gifts.
C) Utilize Available Resources
Boundless resources, which are so necessary to the effective work of ministry, are available to every minister. Sometimes these resources are overlooked because they are so readily available—public and institutional libraries, Bible colleges with special courses for area ministers, state colleges with courses such as counseling and writing, special emphasis seminars offered by other denominations and church agencies.
 
In addition to its variety of on-campus training programs, the Church of God offers the most extensive programs of in-service training for ministers of any denomination: Ministerial Affirmation Program (MAP), Ministerial Internship Program (MIP), Certificate in Ministerial Studies (CIMS), Lay Leadership Development (LLD), and various other seminars, conferences, and retreats.
 
Today in our world of high-velocity change, with the breakdown of morals and with a loss of faith, we need ministers who will follow the example of Jesus Christ in attitude, perspective, behavior, values, and desires.
 
God has called men and women into the ministry of the Word in order to proclaim Christ to a lost and confused world. Spiritual leaders in church ministry, at all levels, must work to shape the ministry by correct belief, behavior, and character. Ministers are role models and everything a minister does serves as one more building block in the habit patterns and spirituality of the church.
 
Because of the call of God upon the lives of ministers, people in the church see ministers as having power and influence. Therefore, ministers are seen as having special ability to achieve that which is important and to motivate others to follow Christ.
 
More than ever, Church of God ministers must demonstrate daily a profound trust in God’s plan and model a life that is on the pathway to joy, peace, and life everlasting. Church of God ministers must never forget that we are servants of God to the church and the world. As Christ did, we must take on the very nature of a servant leader (Philippians 2:7).
 
Our world has quickly changed. Some would say that the world’s role model has switched from Mother Teresa to Madonna. The message of the world is clear: indulge, satiate; pursue pleasure without restraint. Selfish interest is not only tolerated today, but actively promoted and encouraged. This must not in any way be true of the ministry.
 
We are only gradually awakening to the full extend of the disaster taking place in our world and even in Christianity. The devil is attempting to destroy things which make life important—especially our values and our faith in God. Almost surprisingly, we find ourselves in trouble. All too often, we find our lives to be prayerless, depressing, and self-destructive.
 
The church needs a ministry spiritually fit for the challenge. Spiritually we need quicker reflexes, more speed, agility, and power with God. All too often we find a ministry out of touch with God and blind to the diversions of satan.
 
Ministers need a plan and a strategy for personal and spiritual development. All ministers should be strongly encouraged to participate in continuing educational experiences and to take advantage of the development resources available to them.
 
In the final analysis, it is the strength that flows from all the body that makes possible the fulfillment of the individual member’s unique ministry. “Under his direction the whole body is fitted together perfectly, and each part in its own special way helps the other parts, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love” (Ephesians 4:14 Living Bible).

3) PATTERN

Ministry should be the work of a powerful ministry team—a team working together in unity to achieve success by sharing responsibility. Pastors succeed only when lay leaders succeed.
 
Leading people means that we motivate, train, mobilize, and trust them to fulfill a shared vision. Therefore, pastoral leadership involves reaching, teaching, training, and releasing people to fulfill their passion for ministry.
 
The local church is called to be a team and to follow a Biblical Pattern of unity and spirituality.
 
A pastor’s role is always that of the coach, trainer, and spiritual leader helping every member of the team to face their challenges to fulfill God’s call and purpose.
A) Responsibilities of Pastoral Leadership
The roles laity play in the ministry of the local church is vital to the success of the work of ministry. In order to achieve a vision-driven sense-of-purpose and unity, a pastor must seek to achieve the following goals of leadership:
  1. Recruit and Motivate
  2. Train and Discipline
  3. Empower and Trust
B) Goals of Spiritual Development and Maturity
In order for pastors and lay leaders to achieve a faithful obedience to their shared vision, they must seek to attain the following goals of spiritual development:
  1. Calling and Conviction
  2. Character and Cooperation
  3. Competence and Consistency
When pastors fulfill their responsibilities of leadership in equipping people for ministry and when leaders are growing and developing spiritual maturity, each person can fulfill his/her role as part of a great ministry team.
C) Strategic Leadership Roles and Patterns
Within spiritual leadership roles there are basic patterns of abilities and preferences. We will look at twelve (12) positive attributes or characteristics of leadership patterns. Some people are more gifted and prefer some of these attributes over the others.
 
Levels of strength in these twelve attributes can be measured by an inventory developed by Larry G. Hess, but for this presentation we will only list and briefly summarize these attributes.
 
  1. Enthusiasm
    A high score would describe a leader who is optimistic, enthusiastic, and passionate about his/her goals.
  2. Integrity
    This attribute describes leaders who are motivated by their own values and beliefs rather than manipulating or pleasing others. They are honest, faithful, and assume responsibility for their own actions. They are true to their convictions and willingly accountable.
  3. Growth and Renewal
    These leaders are committed to learning and adapting to life’s challenging situations. They seek answers and faithfully strive to be in control of their weaknesses and inner urges. By constantly seeking spiritual renewal and growth, leaders are better able to control inner forces such as pride, lust, greed, passion or self-centeredness.
  4. Accomplishment
    A high score in accomplishment describes a leader who makes things happen, gets things done, makes significant improvements, meets real needs, and does things for specific purposes or reasons.
  5. Determination
    Strong determination indicates a leader who does not give up easily or back down under stages of external pressure. They stand up to challenges, do not compromise principles, and meet life head-on with great resolve.
  6. TeamBuilding
    A high emphasis on team building describes a leader who seeks to accomplish results through a unified partnership. They focus on helping people work together toward a common goal. They seek to reconcile conflicting interests and to heal divisions between people, when possible. They possess good communication skills, are flexible and adaptive. They express appreciation and give recognition for the contributions of team members.
  7. Courage
    Courageous leaders display confidence, accept challenges, and trust their own ability to succeed. They have strong convictions in the face of trouble and are resilient over set backs or failures. They manage stress, overcome discouragements, and are persistent where others might give up. They tend to be good critical thinkers who are capable of enduring adversity.
  8. Understanding
    Leaders who are high in understanding try to look beyond details and see the big picture with a high degree of insight. They tend to assume the best of others, listen carefully, and admit their own mistakes. They know that building strong relationships requires character, humility, and patience.
  9. Judgment
    A high score in judgment describes a leader who uses information for careful analysis. They seek to be cautious, accurate, and to anticipate the consequences of actions and decisions. They seek to sort the right priorities within an array of possibilities. They guide people toward positive and moral decisions.
  10. Unifying
    A strong unifying leader wants to bring people together in unity and cooperation. They build consensus and keep people focused on the primary purposes and highest goals. They appreciate the contributions of other, promote high self-esteem in others, and play down images of status or rank.
  11. Encouraging
    Highly encouraging leaders show empathy to others, listen, show respect, and demonstrate sincere appreciation. They inspire people to have faith and to believe in God, as well as believing in their own potential and value. They seek to help people discover positive ways to meet needs, build relationships, and overcome obstacles. They inspire in others courage, hope, and confidence.
  12. Serving Others
    With compassion and humility these servant leaders look out for the welfare and interest of others. They display a caring sense of concern, a commitment to integrity and sense of self-sacrificing behavior, which is congruent with their claims or stated values. These leaders usually manifest the admired qualities of competence, faith, flexibility, and confidence.
CONCLUSION
The struggle to be all that one should be as a minister is an intense, ongoing process. The process is much more manageable and less painful when the minister understands more precisely his/her responsibilities. In a world of many messages, it is imperative that we hear the voice of God and that we be convinced of the uniqueness of our individual mission.
 
The motivation to fulfill our ministerial responsibilities becomes stronger as we perceive our work as a completion of the ministry of Christ on earth (John 14:12; 20:21). Our task becomes more joyous as we understand how we fit into the purpose of God. We ultimately embrace the testimony of the apostle Paul: “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13, 14).

A Church In Crisis

INTRODUCTION

It is not unusual to find a local church facing a crisis of one kind or another.  In these confusing and changing times, we see some churches looking like they have a terminal illness.  A church in pain needs a specialist who, with God’s help, can restore good health.  God has called and equipped many special people with the ability to help churches in crisis.

Probably no one in our movement sees more of these crises than does a state overseer.  Therefore, state overseers are key men used by God to help troubled churches.  Also, God has called and equipped some pastors with a special love, wisdom, and anointing to help a church through a crisis.

We all know that we are in a spiritual battle.  We know that the church operates in an atmosphere and environment of opposition, trouble, and crisis.

1) CHURCHES HAVE PROBLEMS

Just as a hospital treats sick people, a church houses sinners of all shapes and sizes.  These people come with problems of every kind.  Problems can take the form of personality disagreements where people take sides, a financial crisis, or even a congregational depression, where for one reason or another most of the church is enmeshed in confusion and conflict.

It is essential to remember that each church is unique and that each new problem must be dealt with uniquely.

The objects could be persons, groups, or organizations.  In understanding a conflict, it is important to determine the positions and issues involved in the conflict.  The conflicting parties, their competing goals, and the issues of the conflict should be identified.

To be human means we will have conflict.  Yet, we try to avoid conflict and usually see it as dysfunctional.  The truth is that the only option we have is not whether, but how to deal with conflict.

Everyone in the ministry needs a strong faith and self-esteem so they can face conflict openly and in a creative way.  I encourage pastors to see themselves as problem solvers and manifest a mature, self-controlled attitude in the face of conflict.  The danger is that we will become so defensive and self-destructive that we let conflict destroy us.

Obviously, every conflict does not work out satisfactorily.  It could be because we did not have the self-control necessary to discover what the conflicting parties want and to find solutions.

Most pastors and church leaders do not regard themselves as conflict managers, yet that is one of their chief tasks.  Their aim is to run the church smoothly and avoid as many confrontations as possible.  Much of the conflict in a church ends up getting managed in “parking lot” fashion.  That is when people keep silent about their dissatisfaction until they get in the parking lot.  The “parking lot” phenomenon operates prior to the meeting as well.  Some key persons get together and decide on what will be decided before the decision-making meeting is ever held.  Then they use a generous dose of persuasion on everyone else.

Conflict over contrary hopes, decisions, or priorities does not have to end in alienation or apathy.  It can be an occasion for growth.  It must be managed so as to encourage expression of diverse hopes, make the differences visible, and explore alternatives for attaining divergent goals.  The pastor, whether effective or not, is the primary manager in the system.  For the health and vitality of the church and its members, conflict management must be a pastoral priority.

The only choice we human beings have concerning conflict is whether it will be managed constructively or destructively.  A style of avoidance and repression has proven to be destructive.  It is not enough to recognize conflict.  We need to manage it constructively.

What does the Bible say about conflict management?  The Bible teaches us to love one another, even our enemies, because we are all created in the image of God.  In that context, we remember that as unique individuals we are intentional and goal-directed, guided by what is important and fulfilling to us, and we choose our goals and decide their appropriateness from our own perspective.  First and foremost then, to love another is to affirm the right and necessity of the person to have goals, to have intentions, and to have a unique perspective.  Thus we are not to love only those who agree with us, whose goals and actions we support and regard as right.  The love of God in us means that we are to treat people with respect and kindness even when we disagree.

Sometimes it is hard to believe, but there are benefits in conflicts and crises.  Following are some of the benefits.

2) THE BENEFITS OF CONFLICT

A) Resistance Reveals Our Insight and Intentions

Resistance from others enables us to not only perceive our own limitations and weaknesses, but also to understand our own motives and intentions as we are challenged.  Loving people will at times require that we confront them with what we see as true and right, even if they don’t want to face it.

B) Challenges Cause Us To Check Our Paradigm

In order to keep our paradigm or perspective clear, we need to have our thinking questioned.  Inquiry and scrutiny promotes vitality and self-renewal.  Conflict in a church might not be a sign of ill health but a force to produce growth.

C) Issues Get Explored Fully

Conflict can get people to confront the priorities which need attention and get important issues out in the open and promote positive action.

D) Better Decisions Are Made

Without some tension, church leaders may not act carefully and conscientiously evaluate their decisions.

E) People Are More Committed to Decisions

Commitment to a decision is usually the result of understanding, questioning, clarifying, and participating.  If I believe I had something to do with the creation of an idea, I am more likely to help carry it out.

3) THE ABILITY TO MANAGE CONFLICT AND HANDLE CRITICISM

How we respond to criticism reveals a lot about our calling and our composure.  Stuart Briscoe described the qualifications of a pastor as follows:  “The mind of a scholar, the heart of a child, and the hide of a rhinoceros.”

Men and women of God have to be tough and strong in faith to keep their resolve in the times of conflict and criticism.  Being on the receiving end of pointed criticism is one of the most severe tests of our resolve and commitment.  The criticism comes in various forms.  Sometimes it is subtle, sometimes it is sharp, or scathing.

Following are some suggestions for managing our life and its conflicts and criticisms:

A) Live For Christ, Not Ministry

The busier we get with church ministry, the less consistent we are with spiritual disciplines.  If we are not careful, the pressures and demands of ministry will rob us of true joy.

If we are going to be at our best and in control of our emotions, we must learn to make Christ our life and not ministry.

B) Maintain a Realistic View of Human Nature

Saved men and women can at any moment act out under the influence of the old nature.  When that happens, immature and defensive Christians can behave very ugly.  Sometimes we get criticism which we deserve and which can be beneficial.  At other times, we get a lot of invalid flak generated in the life of an angry, oppositional member who needs a lot of junk eradicated from his/her personality.

Don’t be caught by surprise when someone acts ugly and learn to be proactive not reactive.

C) Conduct Regular, Systematic Self-Evaluations

Proverbs 12:15 states, “The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.”

Perhaps one reason many ministers cannot handle conflicts or criticism is because they have never functioned under supervision and accountability.  They have never been in a positive setting where they asked for and received systematic evaluations of their service.  Regularly scheduled assessments help avoid stress-producing showdowns.

Sometimes “parking lot” criticism is the only kind of assessment some members can ever give of their pastor and not be challenged by him/her.

Consider the following example of a regularly scheduled assessment. We will discuss its assets and dangers.  One pastor of a large fundamental church is evaluated every three (3) years by his board, based on the eleven points of his job description.  On each item, they offer commendations, recommendations, or criticisms.  He said, “As they gave their assessment, I listened, interrupting only to clarify what they were saying.  They provided me with a printed evaluation and I wrote on them my notes as they shared with me.”  A systematic evaluation gives people permission to express positive and negative feelings about their minister.  Without some constructive means of criticism we, by default, encourage people to share their views only among themselves, which is a sure formula for pastoral paranoia.  Allow some discussion on this issue.

D) Allow For Different Tastes

Most parents have difficulty keeping their children from each other’s throats.  Put many families together in a church and you will have crisis and conflict.  When conflict seems at its worst, it may be simply a matter of preferences or tastes.  Some people like things one way and others another.  The next thing you know, people are squabbling fiercely.  We must remember that some people’s criticisms are nothing more than a matter of taste.  Don’t try to please everyone.  Do your best and live for God’s glory.

4) ANALYZING THE LEVELS OF CONFLICT

The level of conflict has less to do with the problem than with people’s reaction to it.  The more important an issue is to us, the more likely we are to overreact and intensify the conflict.

There are at least four (4) levels (or types) of church conflict.  In any level of conflict, the pastor/leader needs to evaluate two things.  They are:  (1) What are the objectives of the parties involved?  What are they really wanting?  (2) How much distorted, irrational, subjective thinking is taking place?  Are the participants thinking rationally, logically?  If not, at what level of subjectivity are they functioning at?  When the motives are self-serving and the thinking is irrational, you have a conflict that will be hard to solve.

Some people are used to living in conflict and they are not happy without a fight.  Some churches are that way also.  Churches and families do not necessarily move neatly from one level of conflict to the next.  They may skip levels as they move up or down the scale of conflict severity.

A) Level 1 – Predicaments

At this level, the major objective of the parties is to solve the problem.  Level 1 disputants don’t accuse people, they stay focused on the problem.  Language tends to be specific and clear.  They are thinking rationally and find it easier to articulate what could be done.  The conflicting parties tend to be open with one another about the problem.  Trust and mutual respect is still high and each assumes goodwill upon the part of the other.  The level of candor (frank and open communication) is an excellent indicator of the level of conflict.

Conflict at this level is valuable to a church and allows much to be accomplished, problems solved, relationships improved, and trust deepened.

B) Level 2 – Disagreement

Each party at this level is more concerned with self-protection.  They do want to solve the problem but they also want to come out looking good.  At this level, people’s language has a higher emotional content.  Tensions begin to show.  Trust of leaders decreases and inappropriate talking on the side occurs.

Parties also begin withholding information at this level.  They look for everyone to compromise.  They stop looking for a win-win situation.  They go for a win-lose settlement.

At this level, conflicts start becoming a contest of intellectual prowess; thus, coming to a consensus becomes more difficult.

C) Level 3 – Contest

Conflict has become a full contest. The participants are now less concerned about the problem (Level 1) or looking good (Level 2); now they want to win, to get their way.

They have probably lost perspective on the issue.  At Level 3, problems and solutions have moved to the background.

It is very difficult for people at this level to see clearly, act fairly, and understand what is going on. Several distortions occur at this third level.

Dichotomizing:
This represents an inability to see alternatives or gray areas.  Everything is black or white.

Universalizing
This involves making broad generalizations and using words like always, never, nobody, and everybody. These words only further distort reality.

Magnifications
This is assuming that the other party has evil motives while only our motives are righteous.

Fixation on Feelings
In this we are dominated, fixated on feelings and not on the facts.

At Level 3, groups and factions emerge. It becomes difficult to separate issues from persons. Personal attacks increase and take the place of talking about the problem.  People start looking for someone to blame or punish.

Members begin to try to influence one another through emotional appeals rather than rational arguments. No one wants to give in or make a move toward resolution.

D) Level 4 –Fight/Flight

At this level, the major objective of parties is to break the relationship, either by leaving or getting the other to withdraw. No longer is victory palatable; now the very relationship is a problem.

Not only do you have the language of Level 3 and its anger, but you also will see a cold indifference toward each other developing. Parties stop speaking, literally turn their backs, shout, make obscene gestures, etc.

The focus shifts from issues and emotions to principles.  The strategies at Level 4 are usually designed to end the relationship.  Opponents are punished, shamed, and attacked in the hope that they will choose to go away.

Any level of conflict beyond Level 4 would be motivated to crush the opponent.  Conflicts at Level 4 or beyond are out of control and the only hope for resolution is with the help of an outside professional.

Do not allow conflicts to get beyond Level 3, if possible.  Let’s look at how to handle a conflict before it is too late.

5) HOW TO HANDLE SERIOUS LEVEL 3 CONFLICTS

These conflicts corrode a congregation.  Decisions made at Level 3, because they are based on seriously distorted thinking, will often create more problems than they solve.

The goal of conflict management and resolution is to first reduce Level 3 conflicts to Level 2 or Level 1.  There are several ways a pastor, leader, state overseer, or counselor should work at reducing these conflicts.

A) Increase Communication

Increase the amount of clear, direct communication between the parties.

Get them together in a safe environment and attempt to:

1) clarify who will be there.

2) clarify the agenda

3) clarify the ground rules.

B) Explore Areas of Common Agreement

Help parties explore areas of common agreement.  You want to raise their level of hope.  They must believe that they do have common ground on some issues or they will see no possibility of a solution.

C) Discovering Deeper Concerns

Help the parties discover their deeper interests, concerns, and priorities.  These deeper, unarticulated concerns can become the basis upon which other alternative solutions arise.

D) Involve as Many People as Possible

Involve as many people in helping you as possible.  Group intervention is better than trying to handle it alone.

There is wisdom in a multitude of counselors.  Pastors should keep the state overseer informed concerning serious conflicts, and overseers should keep the General Executive Committee informed.

E) Do Not Take Sides

Each side in a controversy wants the pastor to be the judge and rule in their favor.

F) Do Not Rush Into Intervention

Rushing to resolve a conflict can cause greater problems.  Only get involved if you really need to.  Nobody wants a busy-body for a pastor or leader.  Anything the pastor says or does can expand a conflict and polarize the issue.

Pastors can set a pattern of being expected to solve every conflict and people will continue to call on him/her while they act immaturely.

G) Find Out if Negotiation is Possible

Find out if the parties are willing to negotiate a win-win solution.  If they are willing to negotiate and work with those mediators, then intervention is possible.

CONCLUSION

We did not enter the ministry to handle crisis conflicts or to be the object of invalid criticism.  Settling scuffles and fights are undesirable tasks.  We get frustrated when we have to take time away from preaching, motivating, mentoring, leading, planning, and soul-winning in order to hose down fires.  But ministry boils down to relationships, to individuals working together in harmony.  Positive, peaceful relationships are the building blocks of a strong church.  Therefore, conflict resolution is more than bleak necessity:  “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9).

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Cloud, H. and Townsend, J.  Boundaries.  Grand Rapids:  Zondervan Publishing House, 1992.

Covey, Stephen R.  The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.  New York:  Simon & Schuster, Inc., 1990.

Diehm, William J.  How to Get Along with Difficult People.  Nashville:  Broadman Press, 1992.

Dobson, E. and Leas, S. and Shelley, M.  Mastering Conflict & Controversy.  Portland:  Multnomah, 1992.

Edwards, Gene and Brandon, Tom.  Preventing A Church Split.  Maine:  Christian Books Publishing House, 1987.

Fenton, Horace L.  When Christians Clash, How to Prevent & Resolve the Pain of Conflict.  Illinois:  InterVarsity Press, 1987.

Leas, S. and Kittlaus, P.  Church Fights – Managing Conflict in the Local Church.  Philadelphia:  The Westminster Press, 1973.

Lewis, G. Douglass.  Resolving Church Conflicts – A Case Study Approach for Local Congregations.  San Francisco:  Harper & Row, 1981.

McCarthy, Kevin W.  The On-Purpose Person – Making Your Life Make Sense.  Colorado Springs:  Nav Press, 1992.

McSwain, L. and Treadwell, W.  Conflict Ministry in the Church.  Nashville:  Broadman Press, 1981.

Oates, Wayne, editor.  Coping with Difficult People.  Philadelphia:  The Westminster Press, 1980.

Shelley, Marshall.  Well-Intentioned Dragons – Ministering to Problem People in the Church.  Waco:  Word Books, 1985.

Sherwick, Winton M.  “Helping Troubled Churches.”  Christianity Today, Inc. Leadership Journal (Winter 1983): 59.

Switzer, David K.  The Minister As Crisis Counselor.  Nashville:  Abingdon, 1974.

Willimon, William H.  Preaching About Conflict in the Local Church.  Philadelphia:  The Westminster Press, 1987.

Building a Shared Vision

INTRODUCTION

The core premise for all ministry is to build on the foundation of God’s Word with faithfulness to God’s vision for the church.  The vision must stay focused on the priority to glorify God and bear the fruit of new converts.  The vision must follow the process of discipleship, unity, and partnership.

Our trust must always be first in the power of the Holy Spirit, who will anoint our vision and our work to build a life-giving church through the empowering ministry of the Holy Spirit.

The vision must be shared by people committed to prayer, spiritual disciplines, humility, integrity, and obedience to God.  The pastor will have to be a faithful shepherd who is willing to trust, equip, empower, and lead as one who truly walks in the power of the Holy Spirit.

The vision must be shared by lay leaders who yield themselves in sacrificial service to fulfill the passion God has placed in their hearts.  These lay leaders have been recruited, trained and trusted to stay the course.  They have a clear personal statement of purpose that directs their efforts to see God’s vision for their church become a reality.

1) Laying the Groundwork for Building a Shared Vision

Leaders get impatient with “process” and they want to know, “How fast can I get through these stages of groundwork?”  These early stages are not highly visible and leaders sometimes become overly eager to start the real work and get meaningful results.

Laying the groundwork is critical to the ultimate success of the process.  When the implementation of the vision begins, the likelihood of controversy, resistance, or apathy will increase significantly.  Either the congregation will not understand why change is necessary, or they may refuse to support the vision.

The early stages of the process enable the pastor and other key leaders to demonstrate why change is needed and why this vision is right.  The first stages in building a shared vision bring the church to the point of being prepared to change and allow the new vision to bring about the needed transformation.  [The following stages are drawn from the book “Leading Congregational Change,” Herrington, Bonem, & Furr]

STAGE ONE - Personal Preparation

Prepare yourself and key leaders to be ready for the journey of casting the vision and building unity within the congregation.  Effective leaders continually hold up the mission and vision of the church as a basis for unity.  They call people to commitment by describing and pursuing the Biblical mission of the church.  The mission then becomes a foundation that allows the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of people.

Unity can come out of people’s commitment to God’s mission and through the development of spiritual maturity and vitality.

Personal Preparation involves:

  • Consistent practice of spiritual disciplines
  • Focusing on what God wants to do in the future to clarify how you can be mission driven
  • Conducting an honest self-assessment and determining to immediately address issues that become clear
  • Being accountable to peers and/or a mentor
  • Proactively addressing problems
  • Determining to stay humble and open to God
  • Finding the right speed for your process of bringing change and transformation

The key challenge for Stage One is committing enough time and energy to starting right and coping with the stress of the process.

STAGE TWO – Create a Sense of Urgency

Communicating to the church the urgency of working through the process of committing to God’s vision and bringing about transformation is critical.  Urgency is critical for congregational change and transformation because it becomes a driving force motivating compliance and commitment.

A sense of urgency can cause people to start asking the right questions.  In a negative sense, it can also create conflict, denial, and resignation as some people resist needed change.  Many people do not want to feel the discomfort of admitting needs.

Creating urgency involves:

  • Correctly identifying current realities
  • Communicating these realities to everyone
  • Conducting a congregational assessment
  • Being open to feedback
  • Promoting honest and constructive criticism as appreciated and necessary
  • Making the status quo unacceptable

The key challenge will be that Stage Two makes people uncomfortable and will cause some resistance.

STAGE THREE – Engage the core of leaders in casting the vision

Moving a church to a new or expanded vision must not be the sole undertaking of the pastor. Building a trusting relationship with a core of key lay leaders is absolutely necessary.  This is where stage one and stage two can often be best accomplished by launching the Lay Leadership Development program.  Six months or even one year of mentoring of key leaders will expand the core of leaders to where you can quickly move beyond Stage Three.

Stage Three – just as Level One in Lay Leadership Development, involves:

  • Involving a diverse community
  • Training and encouraging growth and personal development
  • Building unity, trust, and consensus
  • Promoting personal accountability with each lay leader in relation to their passion and calling
  • Additional training where needed, combined with regular group meetings
  • Finding the connection between the lay leader’s personal hopes and aspirations and the clarified vision
  • Lay Leadership Development engaging within the group a collaborative process of discernment and decision making

The key challenge in Stage Three is to create an environment in which people are led to a dimension of unity, commitment, and trust.  Stage Three then involves the recruiting and training of lay leaders, who will make up the visionary leadership group of core influencers.

2) Communicating the Vision

When the pastor is spiritually prepared and a core team of visionary leaders is ready, the vision must be communicated to the entire congregation. The core leaders already have committed themselves to the vision and are ready to lead others towards God’s will and toward the renewing and transforming of the local church.

STAGE FOUR – Communicating the Vision

A vision is a clear, shared, and compelling picture of the preferred future to which God is calling the church.  Achieving God’s vision always requires the deep commitment of a group of individuals, not just the pastor.

Discerning and articulating the vision must be done in stages one to three when the pastor and key lay leaders unite around the vision.  During this process in stages one to three, the vision will become perfected and made ready for stage four.

The pastor will always play a central leadership role in discerning and clarifying the vision.  However, the vision will also merge with the visions of the individual key lay leaders so that the final shared vision reflects the commitment and consensus of the core group.

Without a mentoring program such as Lay Leadership Development, it can be very difficult for a pastor to find a positive way to make the transition from his/her vision to a genuinely shared vision celebrated in unity.

Jesus told His disciples, “You are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house,” (Matthew 5:14,15).

In the same way, we must proclaim God’s vision to the local body of believers.  The local church leadership team publicly communicates the vision and how the vision will change the church in a positive way.

The communication stage is to be ongoing and will use various methods to keep the vision clear, up-front, and alive to sustain the process of transformation.  Most churches under-communicate the vision!  The vision must be restated on a frequent basis (perhaps every week).    It is unrealistic to expect the total congregation to ever come to understand and support the vision without adequate interaction, training, and support.

People learn in different ways and they hear through different filters.  Constant and varied communication is necessary.  The more the vision is communicated and celebrated as vital will reinforce or signal to the congregation that this is priority – it is essential.

Communicating the vision involves:

  • An explicit communication strategy
  • Core group leading the congregation using various methods to build unity for the vision
  • Selecting words, phrases, and analogies that will be owned by the congregation to communicate and remember the vision
  • Repeating, repeating, repeating
  • Getting feedback on the vision and the methods used for communication.

The key challenge in communicating the vision is to find enough creative ways to enable everyone to understand God’s vision for the future.

3) Keep the Vision Alive and the Process Moving

Reaching the goals of a shared vision is something that “the pastor cannot do this alone!”  Stage five is best accomplished by an equipping pastor who is continuing to mentor lay leaders through Lay Leadership Development and thus expanding the local church’s core group of trustworthy leaders.

STAGE FIVE – Empowering Lay Leaders

Developing and mentoring lay leaders establishes a new model for leadership within the local church.  It also removes many obstacles that have prevented or destroyed unity and cooperation.

Broadening the base or expanding the core of leadership requires that the pastor trust others and delegate responsibility.  It requires that the lay leaders live worthy of trust and accept the responsibility to follow their passion and be accountable to other lay leaders.

Empowering lay leaders involves:

  • Constant recruiting, training, and trusting
  • Mentoring
  • Delegating
  • Accountability
  • Trusting people in leadership to be creative and to take some risks
  • Facilitating change without destroying needed structure
  • Communicating the value and importance of change
  • Not breaking the rules needed to maintain stability and trust

The key challenge in Stage Five is to keep cultivating new leaders and expanding the core through pastoral mentoring and lay leadership development.  A danger is that the pastor will undervalue the importance of continuing to personally mentor new leaders and further expand the core of trustworthy lay leaders.

Maintaining growth and a widespread impact of the vision requires commitment to working this process and keeping lay leaders focused, motivated, and spiritually strong.

CONCLUSION

The process of Lay Leadership Development will work in any church and can enable a committed few to lead the implementation of a new vision and spiritual transformation within the church.

When a church is declining, leaders often try to implement some new change but fail to build a foundation and core vision group to produce growth and new life.

Successful implementation of a vision requires coordination, consensus, commitment, and positive expectation.  The larger the core group of trustworthy lay leaders, the greater the success of implementing God’s vision.

First things first…the pastor is the key to building a shared vision.  Becoming an equipper and a mentor of lay leaders must become a high priority for the pastor.  Then with patience, the pastor must work the process – recruit, train, and trust people who are necessary for the vision to become a reality.

In order to build a shared vision, we must build a leadership team of laity whose gifts, passions, and resources are fully committed to God’s vision for their church.  When a team of lay leaders dialogue, connect, treat one another as colleagues, and hold each other accountable for leadership integrity, great things happen and radical spiritual transformation is possible!