Africa-Press – Eswatini. Some pastors are accused of siding with political enemies and taking advantage of being close to the authorities.
Chairperson of the League of Churches, Bishop Samson Hlatjwako said this in his sermon, after welcoming Their Majesties to the Sunday Service at Somhlolo National Stadium. The service was attended by His Majesty King Mswati III, the Queen Mother and the King of Zululand, Misuzulu KaZwelithini and members of the royal family. Also present were members of the diplomatic corps, members of both Houses of Parliament, chairpersons of commissions and Boards of various church denominations. Just before 1pm, Hlatjwako, who was leading the programme, said it was a blessing for the nation to meet and celebrate the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ as He died and rose for the cleansing of people’s sins.
Scripture
He said the Sunday service was set to celebrate that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Hlatjwako then read the scripture from the Book of Mathew 21 verses 18 – 22, after which he narrated that many people had lost their faith as Christ was no longer with them. “There are many people who claim to be Christians yet they are on the other side, despite that they have to pray for peace. This is despite that like me, they are pastors,” he said. He went on to state that if people had faith, they could pray that the Mdzimba Mountain should move and same would happen. He said this meant that the challenges that the country faced could be conquered if people could be united and ‘remove the mountain’ that caused a wedge among emaSwati.
He said it was disheartening that some pastors were contributing to the political turmoil. Hlatjwako supposed that there were people who were close to the Monarch yet offering assistance in overthrowing the government. “These pastors, on one side pray for peace while on the other side want to overthrow government. If they want to leave, let them do so and not be on both sides. Your Majesty, it is true that you can also find me in a meeting plotting against the authorities. These meetings are held at night and not during the day because they are evil.”
Meetings
Hlatjwako said when such meetings were held during the course of the day, doors and windows were closed. He said if the nation could be united and be honest, while Christ was within people, all would be well. He said as the nation was engaged in preparation to elect parliamentarians, it would be best for emaSwati to pray for legislators who would assist in the development of the country. Hlatjwako said the country should not regress but must be prosperous. He said there were so many divisions because there were wedges among people. He further supposed that gossip was on the rise even among prominent pastors who were chitchatting a lot. This, he said, was stalling progress in the country and if it could be thwarted, the country could be prosperous.
The verses quoted by the bishop:
Matthew 21:18-22: Jesus curses a fig tree.
18 Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, He was hungry.
19 Seeing a fig tree by the road, He went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then He said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.
20 When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.
21 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done.
22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
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