Andrea Sieberhagen
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Why are you frightened? Have you still no faith?” Mark 4:40, GNT
Jesus and his disciples decided to cross to the other side of the lake. In the meantime, a storm arose, and the disciples became anxious as the wind picked up and the waves grew stronger. Jesus slept peacefully, seemingly unaware of the storm around them.
The disciples woke him. “He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” (Mark 4:39, NIV) I believe the disciples were astonished. Jesus, in turn, was surprised by their fear and questioned their faith.
Our lives often feel stormy. Just as the disciples stared at the towering waves and fierce wind on the stormy sea, we too fix our eyes on overwhelming circumstances and challenges that appear impossible to overcome. Many questions arise within us. The disciples asked Jesus in Mark 4:38, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are about to die?” We often ask similar questions when the ocean of our lives becomes turbulent and panic threatens to swallow us. Yet Jesus’ counter-question in verse 40 provides a clear and simple answer once again: hold firmly to your faith.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to not fix my eyes on the stormy sea around me. Help me to remember that in every turbulent circumstance, you remain in control and you still the storms within me. Amen
Andrea Sieberhagen
Toe sê Hy vir hulle: "Waarom is julle bang? Het julle dan nie geloof nie?” Markus 4:40. 1983-vertaling
Jesus en sy dissipels besluit om na die oorkant van die meer toe te vaar. Intussen ontstaan 'n storm en die dissipels raak angstig te midde van die wind en die hoë golwe. Jesus slaap rustig, onbewus van die stormagtigheid.
Die dissipels maak vir Jesus wakker. “Toe staan Hy op, bestraf die wind en sê vir die see: Hou op! Bedaar! Die wind het gaan lê en daar het 'n groot stilte gekom.” (Markus 4:39) Ek glo die dissipels was verbaas. Jesus was ook verbaas omdat hulle so bang was en bevraagteken hulle geloof.
Ons lewens voel heel dikwels stormagtig. Soos die dissipels op die stormsee vaskyk in die reusagtige golwe en sterk wind, kyk ons ook maar vas teen oorweldigende omstandighede en skynbaar onoorkomelike uitdagings. Dan kom baie vra by ons op. Die dissipels vra in Markus 4:38 vir Jesus: "Meneer, gee U dan nie om dat ons vergaan nie?” Ons vra dikwels soortgelyke vrae wanneer ons lewensoseaan stormagtig raak en paniek dreig om ons te verswelg Jesus se teenvraag in vers 40 gee egter die antwoord onomwonde en weer eens eenvoudig: hou vas aan jou geloof!
Gebed: Hemelse Vader, help my om nie in die stormsee om my vas te kyk nie. Help my om te onthou dat U in alle onstuimige omstandighede steeds in beheer is en maak al die storms in my stil. Amen
Andrea Sieberhagen
Because of the crowd, however, they could find no way to take him in. So they carried him up on the roof, made an opening in the tiles, and let him down on his bed into the middle of the group in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw how much faith they had, he said to the man, “Your sins are forgiven, my friend.” Luke 5:19-20, GNT
Another story of complete trust, trust so deep that no effort is too great to reach Jesus.
The friends of a paralysed man wanted to bring him to Jesus, but the crowd was too large to get him inside. They did not give up. They devised a plan, climbed onto the roof, and lowered him through the tiles to the feet of Jesus.
The result?
In Luke 5:24 Jesus says to the paralysed man, “I tell you, get up, pick up your bed, and go home!” And that is exactly what the man does, praising God as he goes.
Fortunately, we do not need to climb onto rooftops to reach Jesus. We simply need to become still. A moment with closed eyes in prayer, and we are with him. We can walk through the doors of a church and experience the presence of our Father together with other believers, effortlessly.
“Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, ‘We have seen remarkable things today’’” (Luke 5:26, NIV)
God can do incredible things.
How much effort are we willing to make to experience even a glimpse of his wonders? Do we realise that it can be effortless? Do we realise that the reward is always great?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us, in complete trust, to seek your presence. Amen
Andrea Sieberhagen
Toe hulle vanweë die gedrang nie kans sien om hom in te bring nie, klim hulle op die dak en laat hom met draagbaar en al deur 'n opening tussen die dakteëls afsak tussen die mense in en vlak voor Jesus. Toe Hy hulle geloof sien, sê Hy: “Mens, jou sondes is jou vergewe." Lukas 5:19-20, 1983-vertaling
Nog 'n verhaal van volkome vertroue. Vertroue wat so groot is dat geen moeite te veel is om by Jesus uit te kom nie.
Vriende van 'n verlamde man wil hom na Jesus bring, maar daar is net te veel mense om hom na binne te bring. Hulle gee egter nie op nie. Hulle maak 'n plan. Hulle doen die moeite om op die dak te klim en laat sak hom deur 'n opening in die dakteëls tot voor Jesus.
Die resultaat? In Lukas5:24b sê Jesus vir die verlamde man, “Ek sê vir jou: Staan op, vat jou draagbaar en gaan huis toe.” En dis presies wat die man doen, terwyl hy God prys.
Ons hoef nie op dakke te klim om by Jesus uit te kom nie. Ons kan maar net stil word. Ons kan maar net vir 'n oomblik ons oë sluit in gebed en ons is by Hom. Ons kan maar net by 'n kerk se deur inloop om saam met ander gelowiges die teenwoordigheid van ons Vader te beleef. Moeiteloos.
“Almal het verbaas gestaan en God geprys en vol eerbiedige vrees gesê: 'Vandag het ons ongelooflike dinge gesien.'” (Lukas 5:26)
God kan ongelooflike dinge doen. Hoeveel moeite is ons bereid om te doen om in staat te wees om iets van hierdie ongelooflike dinge te ervaar? Besef ons dat dit moeiteloos kan wees? Besef ons dat die beloning altyd groot is?
Gebed: Hemelse Vader, help ons om in volkome vertroue u teenwoordigheid op te soek. Amen