2020-08-10
Ephesians 2:8 NLT
The Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15 is a familiar story, but have you ever considered that there might be two prodigal sons in that story? The chapter begins: ‘Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people…So Jesus told them this story’ (Luke 15:1-3 NLT). Jesus was talking to two different groups: 1) Rule breakers like the Prodigal Son, who realise it’s only through God’s grace that we’re saved. 2) Rule keepers like the older brother, who think they can earn salvation by doing good works. And that makes rule keepers judgmental towards rule breakers. In Luke 15:28-30, the older brother refused to attend his brother’s homecoming party. He had followed his father’s instructions and worked hard, and he didn’t think it was fair that his brother should be celebrated while he got nothing. But his father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours’ (vv. 31 ESV). By using the word ‘son, Jesus was teaching that we’re saved by relationship, not rule-keeping. The older brother thought his father’s acceptance depended on his actions. Although our actions are important to God, our redemption depends only on Christ’s actions: ‘God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it’ (Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT). We are saved by grace alone.
Deut 25-27; Luke 12:22-34; Ps 119:33-40; Prov 17:16
2020-08-09
Matteus 5:39 NLV
Jesus het gesê: ‘…As mense jou op jou regterwang klap, draai vir hulle ook jou ander wang.’ In Jesus se tyd was die samelewing rondom skande en eer gebou. Die linkerhand is as onrein gesien; dit moes nie gebruik word om te eet – of te slaan – nie. Dus sal ‘n klap op die regterwang deur die agterkant van die hand gedoen word. Dit was ‘n manier om iemand in die openbaar te beledig. Net iemand wat sosiaal benede jou is, soos ‘n slaaf of ‘n kind, is met die rugkant van jou hand geklap. Wanneer iemand jou dus beledig, wat moet jy doen? Almal verwag een van twee reaksies: weerwraak of ineenkrimping. Jesus sê dat jou veiligheid en jou eer in die hande van jou hemelse Vader is. Nou raak ons kreatief. Een moontlikheid is om die ander wang te draai. Jou vyand kan jou nie met die rugkant van sy hand op jou linkerwang slaan nie. Óf hy moet jou as sy gelyke beveg, wat hy nie wil doen nie, óf hy moet ‘n vreedsame manier kry om die konflik op te los. Deur wie word jy dus beledig? ‘Klappe’ neem dikwels die vorm van snedige of agterbakse opmerkings aan. Iemand verkleineer jou idee by die werk. Iemand beskuldig jou vals by die huis. ‘n Familielid sê iets veroordelend oor jou. Wat is jou eerste instink – weerwraak, vrees, of beide? Met die Heilige Gees wat jou help, is daar ‘n nuwe moontlikheid. Moenie weghardloop en wegkruip nie. Moenie terugslaan nie. Konfronteer die ander persoon met eerlikheid en krag. Wees kreatief, geduldig en aktief. Werk liefdevol na ‘n versoening toe. Wanneer iemand jou ontstel – kies Jesus se opsie.
Sielskos: Rut 2:5-12; Rut 3:1-6; Rut 4:9-17
Matthew 5:39 NCV
Jesus said, “If someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other…also.” In Jesus’ day, society was built around shame and honour. The left hand was considered unclean; it was not to be used for eating – or for hitting. So a blow to the right cheek would be done with the backhand. It was a way to publicly insult someone. A backhanded slap was something done only to a social inferior, such as a slave or a child. So when someone insults you, what should you do? Everyone expects one of two responses: retaliation or cowering. Jesus is saying, “Your safety and your honour are in the hands of your heavenly Father.” So now we get creative. One possibility is that we could turn the other cheek. Our enemy can’t backhand our left cheek. Either he has to fight you as an equal, which he doesn’t want to do, or he has to find a nonviolent way to resolve the conflict. So, who do you get insulted by? “Slaps” often take the form of barbs, digs, and “backhanded” comments. Someone demeans your idea at work. Someone accuses you falsely at home. A relative says something judgmental about you. What is your first instinct – retaliation, fear, or both? With the Holy Spirit helping you, there’s a new possibility. Don’t run and hide. Don’t strike back. Confront the other person with honesty and strength. Be creative, patient, and active. Lovingly work toward reconciliation. It is the reason the Bible calls the Christian life a “high calling” (Philippians 3:14 KJV). So, the next time someone upsets you, “Take the high road!”
Soul food: Ruth 2:5-12; Ruth 3:1-6; Ruth 4:9-17
Matthew 5:39 NCV
Over the last few days we’ve been thinking through how we deal with difficult people and negativity. We know that we don’t need to fear others, or exact revenge. With the Holy Spirit helping us, we’re asked to confront the other person with honesty, strength, and where possible, positivity and grace. We can use the tools God has given us to check in with Him before reacting, and lovingly work towards reconciliation. There’s a reason that Philippians 3:14 calls the Christian life a ‘high calling’ (KJV). With God, we really can rise above any difficulty. In Matthew 5:43-47, Jesus says ‘You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.” But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven… If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?… And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others?’ (NIVUK). God is calling us not only to deal well with difficult people, but to love them and pray for them. That’s a hard instruction, but we can be assured that whatever God asks us to do, He will help us with. A good first step is to pray for those people as Jesus instructs. Make sure not to use that as a chance to dwell on your anger or to be passive-aggressive, though. Set the situation aside for a moment, and pray for the difficult person as a human being. Pray for their heart, for them to have a life-changing relationship with God. Pray for them to be surrounded by so much good that they soften. Pray for their healing. Pray positively, and pray with love.
Ruth 2:5-12; Ruth 3:1-6; Ruth 4:9-17
2020-08-08
Romans 12:19 NIV
Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you…If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other…also” (Matthew 5:38-39 NIV). Though the “eye for an eye” statement sounds harsh to us, it was actually an enormous step forward in the ancient legal world, where powerful people could kill you for a slight injury. This law limited retribution by teaching proportional justice. But it still leaves us with a problem. Instinct says if someone hurts you, you hurt them back – and the pain you experience always seems worse than the pain you cause the other person. In an experiment, a group of subjects was paired up, and each person received pressure against their finger. Then they were told to exert the same amount of pressure on the other person’s finger. When it was their turn, they always inflicted more pain than they received. Always. The result is an eye “plus-a-little-something-extra” for an eye. You say, “But this person hurt me and they should pay for it.” How much should they pay? God alone is capable of answering that question fairly! And His Word says: “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:19-21 NIV).
Soul food: Deut 22-24; Luke 12:13-21; Ps 119:25-32; Prov 17:11-15
