Andrea Sieberhagen
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed those who were ill. Matthew 14:14, NIV
Jesus wanted to go to a quiet place to be alone, but the people followed him. He once again found himself among the people. He does not send them away or explain that he wishes to be alone. No, he had compassion on them and healed the sick. He saw the need and responded.
When it became late, the disciples suggested that Jesus send the people away to buy food in the towns. Jesus told the disciples to give them something to eat. But there were only five loaves and two fish available, and here the miracle of multiplication took place. The crowd was fed, and 12 baskets of bread were left over.
Jesus notices needs, not only big and urgent ones, but also small, everyday ones. The sick were healed, but there was also the ordinary need for food.
He also sees our big and small needs daily. Sometimes we are not even aware of how he provides for us; it could be a green traffic light when we are in a hurry, a parking space when we need one most, or simply a comforting word from a friend.
If we take these things for granted less, we will develop a new attitude and look at the needs of others with different eyes. Then, perhaps, we too can brighten someone else’s day with a small, thoughtful gesture.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you that you provide for all my needs every day. Open my eyes to also see the needs of others so that I, too, may do something to make their day better. Amen
Hy het hulle innig jammer gekry en die siekes onder hulle gesond gemaak. Matteus 14:13b, 1983-vertaling
Jesus wou na 'n stil plek gaan om alleen te wees, maar die mense het Hom gevolg. Weer eens bevind hy hom tussen die mense. Hy stuur hulle nie weg en verduidelik dat Hy alleen wil wees nie. Nee, Hy kry hulle jammer en maak siekes gesond. Hy sien die nood en reageer daarop.
Wanneer dit laat word, stel die dissipels voor dat Jesus die mense wegstuur om te gaan kos koop in die dorpe. Jesus sê dat die dissipels vir hulle iets moet gee om te eet. Daar was egter net vyf brode en twee visse beskikbaar en dit is hier waar die wonderwerk van die vermeerdering van die vis en brood plaasvind. Die skare word gevoed en twaalf mandjies vol brood bly oor.
Jesus sien behoeftes raak. Nie net groot en dringende behoeftes nie, maar ook kleiner en alledaagse behoeftes. Mense is gesond gemaak, maar daar was ook die doodgewone behoefte aan kos.
Hy sien ook daagliks ons groot en klein behoeftes raak. Soms is ons nie eens bewus van hoe daar vir ons voorsien word nie – 'n groen verkeerslig wanneer ons haastig is, 'n parkeerplek wanneer ons dit die nodigste het of sommer net 'n vertroostende woord van 'n vriend of vriendin.
As ons al hierdie dinge minder as vanselfsprekend aanvaar, mag ons moontlik 'n nuwe ingesteldheid kweek en met ander oë na mense om ons se behoeftes kyk. Dan kan ons dalk ook met 'n klein bedagsame gebaar iemand anders se dag beter maak.
Gebed: Hemelse Vader, baie dankie dat U elke dag in al my behoeftes voorsien. Open my oë dat ek ook ander mense se behoeftes sal raaksien sodat ek ook iets vir iemand anders kan doen om hulle dag beter te maak. Amen
Andrea Sieberhagen
'Say to Daughter Zion, "See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey." ' Matthew 21:5, NIV
'For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.' Luke 19:10, NIV
I am pondering on two stories: Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, and Jesus finding Zacchaeus up in a sycamore tree.
When I read these two stories, I am deeply impressed by the fact that while Jesus was on earth, he moved among real people. Here we see a continuation of the example of humility that began at the manger. He enters Jerusalem on an ordinary donkey and eats with Zacchaeus.
Zacchaeus was a tax collector. When Jesus said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today,” (Luke 19:5) the people around them raised their eyebrows. They objected and said, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” (Luke 19:7) Yet Jesus did not pay attention to the opinions of those around him – and that very attitude brought change in Zacchaeus’ life.
None of us are too small or insignificant to share in his great love and grace. All who believe in him can claim the truth that we are children of the King, and therefore, we never, ever need to feel inferior. Status or income do not matter. The new hope he brings is meant for you too!
All you need to do is take hold of it, so that change may also take place in your life.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, remind me each day that in your eyes I am important and special, for I am your child!
Andrea Sieberhagen
"Sê vir Sion: Kyk jou Koning kom na jou toe; Hy is nederig en Hy ry op ’n donkie, op die vul van 'n pakdier." Matteus 21:5, 1983-vertaling
Die seun van die mens het immers gekom om te soek en te red wat verlore is. Lukas 19:10. 1983-vertaling
Ek dink hier aan twee verhale. Jesus wat op 'n esel Jerusalem binne ry en Jesus wat vir Saggeus bo in die wildevyeboom kry.
As ek hierdie twee verhale lees, kom ek diep onder die indruk van die feit dat Jesus terwyl Hy op aarde was tussen regte mense beweeg het. Hier sien ons steeds dat die voorbeeld van nederigheid, wat by die krip begin het, voortgesit word. Hy ry Jerusalem binne op 'n doodgewone donkie en gaan eet saam met Saggeus.
Saggeus was 'n tollenaar. Toe Jesus vir Saggeus sê, “Ek moet vandag in jou huis tuis gaan,” (Lukas 19:5) het die mense om hulle, se wenkbroue gelig. Hulle het beswaar aangeteken en gesê: “Hy gaan by 'n sondige man tuis!” (Lukas 19:7) Jesus steur hom egter nie aan die opinies van die mense rondom Hom nie en juis dit veroorsaak 'n verandering in Saggeus se lewe.
Niemand van ons is te gering of te onbelangrik om te deel in sy groot liefde en genade nie. Almal wat in Hom glo, kan aanspraak maak op die feit dat ons koningskinders is en daarom hoef ons nooit, nooit minderwaardig te voel nie. Status of inkomste is onbelangrik. Die nuwe hoop wat Hy bring is ook vir jou bedoel!
Al wat jy moet doen is om dit aan te gryp, sodat daar ook by jou 'n positiewe verandering in jou lewe kan plaasvind.
Gebed: Hemelse Vader, herinner my elke dag dat ek in u oë belangrik en spesiaal is want ek is u kind! Amen