Andrea Sieberhagen
Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’ Matthew 19:14, NIV
As Jesus moved among the people, they brought little children to him, but his disciples wanted to send them away. In verse 14 we find Jesus’ response. He does not regard the children as insignificant. He welcomes them with open arms and blesses them. His words – that the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as them – should make us pause and reflect.
How can we be more like these children? I believe the answer lies in unconditional faith. A child’s faith does not ask many questions. As adults, we often come with arguments so clever that we reason away the core truths of God’s Word.
We do not have to understand everything completely. “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.” (1 Corinthians 13:12a)
These words tell us that we are not meant to fully understand everything in our lives or in the world around us. Why, then, do we try so hard to do so? We make it more difficult than it is.
Perhaps we should accept that sincere, childlike faith is all that God requires of us.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to believe like a child, and then take my hand and walk every step with me. Amen.
Andrea Sieberhagen
Maar Jesus het gesê: "Laat staan die kindertjies en moet hulle nie verhinder om na My toe te kom nie, want die koninkryk van die hemel is juis vir mense soos hulle." Matteus 19:14, 1983-vertaling
Terwyl Jesus tussen die mense beweeg, het hulle kindertjies na Hom gebring, maar Jesus se dissipels wou hulle wegwys. In vers 14 vind ons Jesus se reaksie. Hy beskou die kinders nie as gering nie. Hy verwelkom die kinders met ope arms en seën hulle. Sy woorde dat die koninkryk van God juis bedoel is vir mense soos hulle, moet ons vir langer as net een oomblik laat nadink.
Hoe kan ons meer soos hierdie kinders wees? Ek dink die antwoord lê in onvoorwaardelike geloof. Geloof van 'n kind vra nie baie vrae nie. Ons, as volwassenes kan so dikwels met soveel slim argumente na vore kom dat ons die kernwaarhede van God se Woord heeltemal wegredeneer.
Ons hoef nie altyd alles heeltemal te verstaan nie. “Nou kyk ons nog in 'n dowwe spieël en sien 'n raaiselagtige beeld, maar eendag sal ons alles sien soos dit werklik is.” (1 Korintiërs 13:12a.)
Hierdie woorde dui vir my aan dat ons in werklikheid nie veronderstel is om alles in ons lewens en in die wêreld rondom ons volkome te verstaan nie. Hoekom probeer ons dan so hard om dit te doen? Ons maak dit moeiliker as wat dit is.
Dalk moet ons aanvaar dat opregte, kinderlike geloof al is wat God van ons vra.
Gebed: Hemelse Vader, help my om te glo soos 'n kind en neem dan my hand en stap elke tree saam met my. Amen.
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