2020-02-11
1 Petrus 3:8 NLV
Hoe betoon mens medelye? Jy kan dalk, byvoorbeeld, uitvind hoekom iemand so gestres of depressief is. Wat is in hulle gedagtes en hoe kan jy help? Of miskien is ‘n vriend met ‘n siekte soos hoë bloedruk, diabetes, artritis of kanker gediagnoseer. Wat moet jy doen? Miskien beplan jou broer of nefie ‘n uitspattige troue of het nou net ‘n groot huis in ‘n luukse woonbuurt gekoop. Miskien is ‘n kollega pas bevorder en die ander kollegas is jaloers en gegriefd daaroor. Maar jou broer is opgewonde oor sy troue, jou nefie kan nie wag om in sy nuwe huis in te trek nie en jou kollega kan nie uitgepraat raak oor sy nuwe verantwoordelikhede nie. Raak saam met hulle opgewonde! Miskien het iemand wat jy ken pas ‘n geliefde aan die dood afgestaan en jy weet nie wat om te sê nie. Moenie iets sê nie, wees net daar! Die Bybel sê: ‘As ander blydskap ervaar, juig saam met hulle. As hulle hartseer is, deel dit met hulle’ (Romeine 12:15 NLV). Met ander woorde, as iemand seer het, wees saam met hulle seer en as hulle bly is, wees saam met hulle bly. Dis hoe jy medelye betoon. Ons kom soms hard en onsensitief voor in ‘n poging om heilig te lyk. Paulus het hierdie kwessie as volg aangespreek: ‘Julle is die mense wat God uitgekies het om Syne te wees en wat Hy liefhet. Daarom moet julle die volgende soos klere aantrek: deernis, vriendelikheid, nederigheid, sagmoedigheid, geduld’ (Kolossense 3:12 NLV). Sommige van ons moet harder hieraan werk as ander. As kind van die Here kan jy egter nie anders nie. ‘…Wees almal eensgesind, simpatiek, lief vir mekaar, goedhartig en nederig.’ Dit sluit jou in!
Sielskos: Jes 63-66; Matt 13:36-46; Ps 138; Spr 4:14-17
1 Peter 3:8 NKJV
Compassion means “to enter into another’s passion.” How can you do that? You might, for example, find out why the other person is so stressed or depressed. What’s preoccupying them, why do they feel so passionately, and how can you enter into it? Or maybe a friend has been diagnosed with an illness, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, or cancer. What should you do? Maybe your brother or cousin is planning a high-end wedding or has bought a new home in an upscale neighbourhood. Perhaps an associate just got promoted and the rest of their coworkers are envious and resentful. Attitudes are fickle at best – and outright ugly at worst. But the person who got promoted is beaming, so enter into their passion and beam with them! Maybe someone you know just lost a loved one and you don’t know what to say. Don’t say anything; just “be there”! The Bible says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15 NKJV). In other words, if someone is hurting, hurt with them, and if they’re happy, be happy for them. Enter into their passion – that’s how you show compassion! In an effort to look holy, sometimes we come across as harsh and insensitive. Here’s how Paul addressed that very issue: “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves…clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” (Colossians 3:12 NLT). Some of us have to work harder at this than others. But there’s no opt-out clause: “All of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another.” That includes you!
Soul food: Isa 63-66; Matt 13:36-46; Ps 138; Prov 4:14-17
2020-02-10
James 5:11 NIV
When it comes to Christlike compassion, the Bible teaches us two more things. Firstly, compassion relates to the needs of others. Paul writes, ‘Jesus…This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do’ (Hebrews 4:14-15 NLT). Jesus understands. Whatever situation, challenge, or difficulty we find ourselves in, Jesus can relate. He faced pressure, rejection, pain, temptation, and false accusations. And when we face those things, we can understand how other people feel too. None of us like facing tough times, but those times are the ones which grow our compassion. We become able to help and encourage those who are facing a similar situation. Secondly, compassion responds to the needs of others. It’s not enough just to recognise and relate to the needs of others. We need to provide practical help; otherwise, our compassion doesn’t mean much. Jesus responded to sick people with healing, to hungry people with food, and to lost people with the good news of the gospel. Maybe we can sponsor a hungry child, spend time with someone who is lonely, bring a meal to someone who’s grieving, pray for someone who is struggling, or listen patiently to someone who needs a friend. The Bible says that Jesus ‘went around doing good’ (Acts 10:38 NIV). We need to make sure we’re focused on ‘doing good’ rather than appearing good. Our compassion shouldn’t just be for show. In James 5, we’re told that ‘the Lord is full of compassion and mercy.’ Are we people who are full of compassion? And are we prepared to let that compassion move us to help when we see people in need?
Isa 58-62; Matt 13:24-35; Ps 134; Prov 4:5-13
Jakobus 5:11 NLV
Wanneer dit by Christelike medelye kom, leer die Bybel ons nog twee dinge. Medelye: 1) Verstaan die behoeftes van ander. Paulus skryf: ‘…Jesus… Hierdie Hoëpriester van ons kan ten volle met ons swakhede saamvoel, want Hy moes presies dieselfde versoekings as ons trotseer…’ (Hebreërs 4:14-15 NLV). Jesus verstaan – hoe gerusstellend is dit nie! Dit maak nie saak watter situasie, uitdaging of teenspoed ons onsself in bevind nie, Jesus sê: ‘Ek verstaan. Ek was al daar.’ Druk? Verwerping? Pyn? Versoeking? Laster? Leuens? Valse beskuldigings? Hy verstaan, want Hy het dit self ervaar. 2) Reageer op die behoeftes van ander. Dis nie net genoeg om die behoeftes van ander te herken en te verstaan nie. Jy is op ‘n praktiese vlak tot aksie geroep; anders is jou medelye betekenisloos. Jesus het op siek mense met genesing, op honger mense met kos en op verlore mense met die goeie nuus van die Evangelie, gereageer. Medelye het nie beperkings nie. Dit borg ‘n honger kind, help iemand wat langs die pad gestrand is om ‘n wiel om te ruil, bring ‘n maaltyd na iemand wat rou se huis toe en luister geduldig na iemand wat ‘n vriend nodig het. Medelye maak jou hande vuil; dit skryf tjeks uit, offer jou eie agenda, skedule, begeertes en drome op om aan die behoeftes van ander mense te voldoen. Die Bybel sê: ‘…God [het] Jesus van Nasaret met die Heilige Gees en met krag gesalf… Jesus het toe rondgegaan, oral goeie werke gedoen en almal gesond gemaak wat onder die duiwel swaargekry het, want God was by Hom’ (Handelinge 10:38 NLV). Wat is jou grootste belang in die lewe – om goed te lyk of goed te doen? As jy meer soos Jesus wil wees, ken jy reeds die antwoord op daardie vraag!
Sielskos: Jes 58-62; Matt 13:24-35; Ps 134; Spr 4:5-13
James 5:11 NKJV
When it comes to Christlike compassion, the Bible teaches us two more things. Compassion: (1) Relates to the needs of others. Paul writes, “Jesus…This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do” (Hebrews 4:14-15 NLT). Jesus understands – how comforting! Whatever situation, challenge, or adversity we find ourselves in, Jesus is saying, “I can relate. I’ve been there.” Pressure? Rejection? Pain? Temptation? Slander? Lies? False accusations? He understands because He’s been there. (2) Responds to the needs of others. It’s not enough just to recognize and relate to the needs of others. You’ve been called to action on a practical level; otherwise, your compassion is meaningless. Jesus responded to sick people with healing, to hungry people with food, and to lost people with the good news of the Gospel. Compassion has no limits. It sponsors a hungry child, helps change a tire for someone stranded on the side of the road, brings a meal to someone who’s grieving, and listens patiently to someone who needs a friend. Compassion gets its hands dirty; it writes checks; it sacrifices its own agenda, schedule, desires, and dreams to meet the needs of another. The Bible says: “God anointed Jesus…with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him” (Acts 10:38 NKJV). What’s your main concern in life – looking good or doing good? If you want to be more like Jesus, you already know the answer to that question!
Soul food: Isa 58-62; Matt 13:24-35; Ps 134; Prov 4:5-13
