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The Story Behind The Song – Sow The Good Seed By Greater Vision
Ephesians 5:25–27 uses Christ’s unique role as the one who sanctifies the church as a model for how a husband should love and care for his wife. These verses say that “Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish” (NKJV).
In marriage, a husband should sacrificially love his wife, as Christ loved the church. Unlike marriage, however, husbands do not “sanctify” or “wash” their wives. But this is something that Christ does for His church. In this context, to sanctify is to set apart for God’s purpose and purify from sin. Through faith in the finished work of Christ, believers are set apart as holy and dedicated to God’s service (see Romans 12:1–2; 1 Peter 1:15–16).
In Ephesians 5:26, the expression washing of water is linked to water baptism, as mentioned in Romans 6:3–4. According to Paul, baptism symbolizes the believer’s death to sin and new life in Christ. The reality is that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV). Water for cleansing also played a part in a bride’s preparation for her wedding day.
There may also be a link between Ezekiel 16:1–13 and Ephesians 5:26–27. In the Ezekiel passage, Israel is portrayed as an abandoned girl who becomes a queen. This passage prefigures the New Testament concept of the church as the bride of Christ, who is sanctified and cleansed for Him. The metaphor is further enriched by Ezekiel 36:25, where God promises to “sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleanness, and from all your idols I will cleanse you” (ESV). In Christ, we are thoroughly cleansed.
The culmination of Christ’s sanctifying work is beautifully illustrated in the eschatological visions of Revelation 19:7–9 and 21:2, 9–11. In these passages, the apostle John describes the marriage supper of the Lamb, an event that represents the final consummation of Christ’s relationship with His church. This future event is not only a celebration but a fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan, where Christ presents “the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:27, ESV).
Ephesians 5:26 also specifies the agency through which Christ accomplishes His “washing” of the church: it is done “through the word.” In His High Priestly Prayer, Jesus said, “Sanctify them [the disciples] by the truth; your word is truth.” The means by which God justifies, saves, and sanctifies His people is the Word of God (see also John 15:3; James 1:18). It is by the Word that God accomplishes His purpose “to prepare and equip his people to do every good work” (2 Timothy 3:17, NLT).
While the focus of Ephesians 5:26–27 is on Christ’s role, there are practical implications for believers. Because we have been “sanctified” and “washed,” God expects us to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1–3, ESV). Such a “walk,” or lifestyle, is not about earning salvation; rather, it is about responding to God’s grace with reverence and obedience.
The church, as the collective body of believers, plays an important role in the sanctification process. This communal aspect of sanctification is emphasized in Hebrews 10:24–25, which encourages believers “to stir one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (ESV).
The sanctification process is both personal and communal. Individually, believers are called to engage with Scripture, allowing the Word of God to cleanse them from sin and transform their hearts and minds (Psalm 119:105; James 1:22–25). Collectively, the church reflects the holiness and purity of Christ, given to the church through what He accomplished on the cross.
Ephesians 5:26–27 presents profound insights into Christ’s role in the sanctification of His church, drawing from Old Testament allegories and culminating in our future union with Him. Not only does this passage reveal the depth of Christ’s love and sacrifice, but it also calls us to a life of holiness and dedication to God’s service. Let us, then, live out the fulness of our spiritual cleansing, demonstrating to everyone that we belong to Christ, who sanctifies us “by the washing with water through the word.”
Efesiërs 5:25–27 gebruik Christus se unieke rol as die een wat die kerk heilig as ‘n model vir hoe ‘n man sy vrou moet liefhê en vir haar moet sorg. Hierdie verse sê dat “Christus ook die kerk liefgehad het en Homself daarvoor oorgegee het om haar te heilig, nadat Hy haar gereinig het met die waterbad deur die woord, sodat Hy haar voor Hom kon stel, ‘n verheerlikte kerk, sonder vlek of rimpel of iets dergeliks; maar dat sy heilig en sonder gebrek sou wees” (NKJV).
In die huwelik moet ‘n man sy vrou opofferend liefhê, soos Christus die kerk liefgehad het. Anders as die huwelik, “heilig” of “was” mans egter nie hul vrouens nie. Maar dit is iets wat Christus vir Sy kerk doen. In hierdie konteks is om te heilig om af te sonder vir God se doel en van sonde te reinig. Deur geloof in die voltooide werk van Christus word gelowiges afgesonder as heilig en toegewy aan God se diens (sien Romeine 12:1–2; 1 Petrus 1:15–16).
In Efesiërs 5:26 word die uitdrukking waterbad gekoppel aan waterdoop, soos genoem in Romeine 6:3–4. Volgens Paulus simboliseer die doop die gelowige se dood aan sonde en nuwe lewe in Christus. Die werklikheid is dat “as iemand in Christus is, is hy ‘n nuwe skepsel. Die oue het verbygegaan; kyk, die nuwe het gekom” (2 Korintiërs 5:17). Water vir reiniging het ook ‘n rol gespeel in ‘n bruid se voorbereiding vir haar troudag.
Daar kan ook ‘n verband wees tussen Esegiël 16:1–13 en Efesiërs 5:26–27. In die Esegiël-gedeelte word Israel uitgebeeld as ‘n verlate meisie wat ‘n koningin word. Hierdie gedeelte voorafskadu die Nuwe-Testamentiese konsep van die kerk as die bruid van Christus, wat vir Hom geheilig en gereinig is. Die metafoor word verder verryk deur Esegiël 36:25, waar God belowe om “skoon water op julle te besprinkel, en julle sal rein wees van al julle onreinhede en van al julle afgode” (ESV). In Christus word ons deeglik gereinig.
Die hoogtepunt van Christus se heiligmakende werk word pragtig geïllustreer in die eskatologiese visioene van Openbaring 19:7–9 en 21:2, 9–11. In hierdie gedeeltes beskryf die apostel Johannes die bruilofsmaal van die Lam, ‘n gebeurtenis wat die finale voltrekking van Christus se verhouding met Sy kerk verteenwoordig. Hierdie toekomstige gebeurtenis is nie net ‘n viering nie, maar ‘n vervulling van God se verlossingsplan, waar Christus “die kerk in heerlikheid aan Homself aanbied, sonder vlek of rimpel of iets dergeliks, sodat sy heilig en sonder gebrek kan wees” (Efesiërs 5:27).
Efesiërs 5:26 spesifiseer ook die middel waardeur Christus Sy “was” van die kerk volbring: dit word gedoen “deur die woord”. In Sy Hoëpriesterlike Gebed het Jesus gesê: “Heilig hulle [die dissipels] deur die waarheid; u woord is waarheid.” Die middel waarmee God Sy mense regverdig, red en heilig, is die Woord van God (sien ook Johannes 15:3; Jakobus 1:18). Dit is deur die Woord dat God Sy doel bereik “om sy mense voor te berei en toe te rus vir elke goeie werk” (2 Timoteus 3:17, NLT).
Terwyl die fokus van Efesiërs 5:26–27 op Christus se rol is, is daar praktiese implikasies vir gelowiges. Omdat ons “geheilig” en “gewas” is, verwag God van ons om “te wandel op ‘n manier wat waardig is aan die roeping waartoe julle geroep is, met alle nederigheid en sagmoedigheid, met geduld, terwyl julle mekaar in liefde verdra, en gretig is om die eenheid van die Gees te bewaar deur die band van vrede” (Efesiërs 4:1–3, ESV). So ‘n “wandel”, of lewenstyl, gaan nie daaroor om verlossing te verdien nie; dit gaan eerder daaroor om op God se genade met eerbied en gehoorsaamheid te reageer.
Die kerk, as die kollektiewe liggaam van gelowiges, speel ‘n belangrike rol in die heiligmakingsproses. Hierdie gemeenskaplike aspek van heiligmaking word beklemtoon in Hebreërs 10:24–25, wat gelowiges aanmoedig om “mekaar tot liefde en goeie werke aan te spoor en die onderlinge byeenkoms nie na te laat soos sommige die gewoonte het nie, maar mekaar aan te moedig, en dit des te meer namate julle die dag sien nader kom” (ESV).
Die heiligmakingsproses is beide persoonlik en gemeenskaplik. Individueel word gelowiges geroep om met die Skrif om te gaan, sodat die Woord van God hulle van sonde kan reinig en hulle harte en gedagtes kan verander (Psalm 119:105; Jakobus 1:22–25). Gesamentlik weerspieël die kerk die heiligheid en reinheid van Christus, wat aan die kerk gegee is deur wat Hy aan die kruis volbring het.
Efesiërs 5:26–27 bied diepgaande insigte in Christus se rol in die heiligmaking van Sy kerk, deur te put uit Ou-Testamentiese allegorieë en te kulmineer in ons toekomstige vereniging met Hom. Hierdie gedeelte openbaar nie net die diepte van Christus se liefde en offer nie, maar dit roep ons ook op tot ‘n lewe van heiligheid en toewyding aan God se diens. Laat ons dan die volheid van ons geestelike reiniging uitleef en aan almal bewys dat ons aan Christus behoort, wat ons heilig “deur die was met water deur die woord.”
Bible Verse and Prayer for Today
Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.
Deuteronomy 13:4
Prayer
Lord Please help Christianity of today , They tend to cleave and cling to Earthly Celebrity Pastors , Please let us not look to men and women with the gift of the Gab , But let us keep our eyes on You ONLY Lord . we Pray in Jesus name , amen and amen
Bybel Vers en Gebed vir Vandag
Julle moet die HERE julle God navolg en Hom vrees en sy gebooie onderhou en na sy stem luister en Hom dien en Hom aanhang.
Deuteronomium 13:4
Gebed
Here, help asseblief die Christendom van vandag. Hulle is geneig om aan aardse bekende pastore vas te klou. Laat ons asseblief nie na mans en vroue met die gawe van die Gab kyk nie, maar laat ons ons oë op U alleen hou, Here. Ons bid in Jesus se Naam, amen en amen.
Bible Teaching of the Day
In John 7:38, Jesus makes a promise using a metaphor: “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” The statement comes at a key moment during the Feast of Booths. In the Gospels, Jesus had much to say about the idea of water and new life.
Earlier, Jesus had told Nicodemus that one had to be born of water and the Spirit in order to enter the kingdom of God (John 3:5). Jesus’ reference to water here was an allusion either to physical birth or to the Jewish concept of washing as a symbol of spiritual cleansing (see Ezekiel 36:25). In John 4:10 Jesus tells the Samaritan woman that He could give her “living water.” This was in contrast to the physical water that the Samaritan woman came to the well to retrieve. That physical water would run out, and she would need to continually return to get more. But Jesus offered the woman water that would never run out—water that would become within the believer “a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14).
In John 7, Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Feast of Booths, or the Feast of Tabernacles. John relates what happened and provides commentary: “On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’ By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified” (verse 37–39). So, during the feast Jesus offered Himself as the source of the water of life. At the same time, He was signaling the fulfillment of Isaiah 12:3, “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation” and pointing to Himself as the water-giving rock in the wilderness (see 1 Corinthians 10:4). Anyone could come to Him and receive the Holy Spirit and the never-ending life He provides.
The timing of Jesus’ offer of living water was perfect. One of the rites performed during the Feast of Booths involved water. Every morning for seven days, a priest led a procession with music from the temple to the nearby pool of Siloam. There the priest filled a golden container with water and carried it back to the temple as the people rejoiced. At the altar, the priest poured the water out, while another priest poured a drink-offering of wine on the other side of the altar. During the libation the people sang the Hallel (Psalms 113—118). On the eighth and final day, according to some sources, the water-pouring ceremony was not repeated. It was during that time—the one day when there was no water—that Jesus stood up in the temple and shouted the news that He Himself was the source of living water. The effect would have been profound. Here was the Messiah, offering “water,” conspicuous in its absence, that stood for the Holy Spirit and eternal life. All that was needed was to come to Jesus in faith.
After offering living water, Jesus adds that rivers of living water would flow from the heart of the believer (John 7:38). Here Jesus alludes to Isaiah 55:1 and Isaiah 58:11—passages that similarly present the Messianic hope in terms of life-giving water (cf. Exodus 17:1–6; Psalm 78:15–16; 105:40–41; Proverbs 18:4; Isaiah 12:3; Ezekiel 47:1–11; and Zechariah 14:8). In stating that rivers of living water would flow from believers, Jesus was claiming to be the fulfillment of Scripture’s water allusions and prophecies. Because He is the Life-giver, those who believe in Him will have eternal life within them and no longer need to seek for life from external sources.
God puts His Spirit within each believer (Romans 8:9), and each believer has eternal life (John 6:47) and the evidence of life (in the Holy Spirit) within. It is in that sense that “rivers of living water” flow from the hearts of believers. Commentator Joseph Benson wrote that the believer “shall receive spiritual blessings, or communications of divine grace, in so great an abundance, that he shall not only be refreshed and comforted himself, but shall be instrumental in refreshing and comforting others” (Benson Commentary on the Old and New Testaments).
Paul describes how, in love, Christ sanctifies His church, washing her with the water of His word (Ephesians 5:25–26). The writer of Hebrews continues the theme, noting that our hearts are sprinkled and “our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:22). Peter adds that believers are cleansed as if by water (1 Peter 3:20–21). Finally, in a beautiful portrayal of Jesus’ ministry, John says that the Lamb would be the Shepherd, leading His people to the water of life (Revelation 7:17). This is reminiscent of David’s song of Psalm 23 in which the Shepherd leads David beside quiet waters and restores his soul (Psalm 23:2–3). Jesus is the One who freely gives eternal life. “If you . . . know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13).
Bybel Lering vir die Dag
In Johannes 7:38 maak Jesus ‘n belofte deur ‘n metafoor te gebruik: “Elkeen wat in My glo, soos die Skrif sê, riviere van lewende water sal uit hulle binneste vloei.” Die stelling kom op ‘n sleutelmoment tydens die Huttefees. In die Evangelies het Jesus baie te sê gehad oor die idee van water en nuwe lewe.
Vroeër het Jesus vir Nikodemus gesê dat ‘n mens uit water en Gees gebore moet word om die koninkryk van God binne te gaan (Johannes 3:5). Jesus se verwysing na water hier was ‘n verwysing na óf fisiese geboorte óf na die Joodse konsep van was as ‘n simbool van geestelike reiniging (sien Esegiël 36:25). In Johannes 4:10 sê Jesus vir die Samaritaanse vrou dat Hy haar “lewende water” kon gee. Dit was in teenstelling met die fisiese water wat die Samaritaanse vrou na die put gekom het om te kry. Daardie fisiese water sou opraak, en sy sou voortdurend moes terugkeer om meer te kry. Maar Jesus het die vrou water aangebied wat nooit sou opraak nie – water wat binne die gelowige “‘n fontein van water wat opspring tot in die ewige lewe” sou word (Johannes 4:14).
In Johannes 7 was Jesus in Jerusalem vir die Huttefees, of die Huttefees. Johannes vertel wat gebeur het en lewer kommentaar: “Op die laaste en grootste dag van die fees het Jesus gestaan en met ‘n groot stem gesê: ‘Laat elkeen wat dors het, na My toe kom en drink. Elkeen wat in My glo, soos die Skrif sê, riviere van lewende water sal uit hulle binneste vloei.’ Hiermee het Hy die Gees bedoel wat diegene wat in Hom geglo het, later sou ontvang. Tot op daardie tydstip was die Gees nog nie gegee nie, omdat Jesus nog nie verheerlik was nie” (vers 37–39). Dus, tydens die fees het Jesus Homself as die bron van die water van die lewe aangebied. Terselfdertyd het Hy die vervulling van Jesaja 12:3 aangedui: “Met blydskap sal julle water skep uit die fonteine van verlossing” en na Homself gewys as die watergewende rots in die woestyn (sien 1 Korintiërs 10:4). Enigeen kon na Hom toe kom en die Heilige Gees en die nimmereindigende lewe wat Hy voorsien, ontvang.
Die tydsberekening van Jesus se aanbod van lewende water was perfek. Een van die rituele wat tydens die Huttefees uitgevoer is, het water behels. Elke oggend vir sewe dae het ‘n priester ‘n optog met musiek van die tempel na die nabygeleë poel Siloam gelei. Daar het die priester ‘n goue houer met water gevul en dit terug na die tempel gedra terwyl die mense gejuig het. By die altaar het die priester die water uitgegiet, terwyl ‘n ander priester ‘n drankoffer van wyn aan die ander kant van die altaar uitgegiet het. Tydens die drankoffer het die mense die Hallel (Psalms 113-118) gesing. Op die agtste en laaste dag, volgens sommige bronne, is die watergiet-seremonie nie herhaal nie. Dit was gedurende daardie tyd – die een dag toe daar geen water was nie – dat Jesus in die tempel opgestaan en die nuus uitgeroep het dat Hyself die bron van lewende water was. Die effek sou diepgaande gewees het. Hier was die Messias, wat “water” aangebied het, opvallend in sy afwesigheid, wat vir die Heilige Gees en die ewige lewe gestaan het. Al wat nodig was, was om in geloof na Jesus te kom.
Nadat Hy lewende water aangebied het, voeg Jesus by dat riviere van lewende water uit die hart van die gelowige sal vloei (Johannes 7:38). Hier verwys Jesus na Jesaja 55:1 en Jesaja 58:11 – gedeeltes wat die Messiaanse hoop op soortgelyke wyse in terme van lewegewende water voorstel (vgl. Eksodus 17:1–6; Psalm 78:15–16; 105:40–41; Spreuke 18:4; Jesaja 12:3; Esegiël 47:1–11; en Sagaria 14:8). Deur te sê dat riviere van lewende water uit gelowiges sal vloei, het Jesus beweer dat Hy die vervulling van die Skrif se water-allusies en profesieë is. Omdat Hy die Lewegewer is, sal diegene wat in Hom glo, die ewige lewe in hulle hê en nie meer lewe uit eksterne bronne hoef te soek nie.
God plaas Sy Gees in elke gelowige (Romeine 8:9), en elke gelowige het die ewige lewe (Johannes 6:47) en die bewys van lewe (in die Heilige Gees) binne. Dit is in daardie sin dat “riviere van lewende water” uit die harte van gelowiges vloei. Kommentator Joseph Benson het geskryf dat die gelowige “geestelike seëninge, of mededelings van goddelike genade, in so ‘n groot oorvloed sal ontvang, dat hy nie net self verkwik en vertroos sal word nie, maar ook instrumenteel sal wees om ander te verkwik en te vertroos” (Benson Commentary on the Old and New Testaments).
Paulus beskryf hoe Christus in liefde Sy kerk heilig deur haar te was met die water van Sy woord (Efesiërs 5:25–26). Die skrywer van Hebreërs gaan voort met die tema en merk op dat ons harte besprinkel word en “ons liggame met suiwer water gewas word” (Hebreërs 10:22). Petrus voeg by dat gelowiges gereinig word soos deur water (1 Petrus 3:20–21). Laastens, in ‘n pragtige uitbeelding van Jesus se bediening, sê Johannes dat die Lam die Herder sou wees wat Sy mense na die water van die lewe sou lei (Openbaring 7:17). Dit herinner aan Dawid se lied van Psalm 23 waarin die Herder Dawid na stil waters lei en sy siel verkwik (Psalm 23:2–3). Jesus is die Een wat die ewige lewe vrylik gee. “As julle dan weet om goeie gawes aan julle kinders te gee, hoeveel te meer sal julle Vader wat in die hemele is, die Heilige Gees gee aan die wat Hom bid!” (Lukas 11:13).
Today’s Devotional
Jesus washing the feet of the disciples (John 13:1–17) occurred in the upper room during the Last Supper and has significance in three ways. For Jesus, it was the display of His humility and servanthood in forgiving sinners. For the disciples, the washing of their feet displayed a mindset in direct contrast to their heart attitude at that time. For us, washing feet is symbolic of our role in the body of Christ.
Walking in sandals on the roads of Israel in the first century made it imperative that feet be washed before a communal meal. People ate reclining at low tables, and feet were very much in evidence. When Jesus rose from the Last Supper and began to wash the feet of the disciples (John 13:4), He was doing the work of the lowliest of servants. The disciples must have been stunned at this act of humility and condescension—that Jesus, their Lord and Master, should wash the feet of His disciples. Washing feet was more properly their work, but no one had volunteered for the job. Jesus came to earth not as King and Conqueror but as the suffering Servant of Isaiah 53. As He revealed in Matthew 20:28, He came “not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” The humility expressed by Jesus’ act with towel and basin foreshadowed His ultimate act of humility and love on the cross.
Jesus’ attitude was in direct contrast to that of the disciples, who had recently been arguing among themselves as to which of them was the greatest (Luke 22:24). There was no servant present in the upper room to wash their feet, and it never occurred to them to wash one another’s feet. When the Lord Himself stooped to this lowly task, they were stunned into silence. Peter was profoundly uncomfortable with the Lord washing his feet, and he protested: “You shall never wash my feet” (John 13:8a).
Then Jesus said something that must have further shocked Peter: “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me” (John 13:8b), prompting Peter, whose love for the Savior was genuine, to request a complete washing (verse 9). Then Jesus explained, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you” (verse 10). The disciples had “bathed,” and they were all “clean” but one—Judas, who would betray Him (verse 11).
So, Jesus’ act of washing the disciples’ feet illustrated their spiritual cleansing. Jesus is the One who forgives. Peter and the rest had experienced the full cleansing of salvation and did not need to be bathed again in the spiritual sense. Salvation is a one-time act of justification by faith. What follows is the lifelong process of sanctification: a daily washing away of the stain of sin. As we walk through the world, some of the world’s spiritual filth will cling to us, and that needs to be washed away—forgiven by Christ (see 1 John 1:9). Peter and the other disciples—all except Judas, who never belonged to Christ—needed only this minor cleansing.
When we come to Christ for salvation, He condescends to wash our sins away, and we can be sure that His forgiveness is permanent and complete (2 Corinthians 5:21). But, just as a bathed person needed to wash his feet periodically, we need periodic cleansing from the effects of living in the flesh in a sin-cursed world. This is sanctification, done by the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, through the “washing of water by the Word” (Ephesians 5:26), given to equip us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
Further, when Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, He told them (and us), “I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you” (John 13:15). As His followers, we are to emulate Him, serving one another in lowliness of heart and mind, seeking to build one another up in humility and love. Part of that humble service is to forgive one another (Colossians 3:13). When we seek the preeminence, neglect to serve others, or refuse to forgive, we displease the Lord. True greatness in His kingdom is attained by those with a servant’s heart (Mark 9:35; 10:44), and they will be greatly blessed (John 13:17).
Vandag se Bemoediging
Jesus wat die voete van die dissipels was (Johannes 13:1–17) het in die bovertrek tydens die Laaste Avondmaal plaasgevind en het op drie maniere betekenis. Vir Jesus was dit die vertoon van Sy nederigheid en diensbaarheid deur sondaars te vergewe. Vir die dissipels het die was van hulle voete ‘n denkwyse vertoon wat in direkte kontras was met hulle hartsgesindheid destyds. Vir ons is voetewas simbolies van ons rol in die liggaam van Christus.
Om in sandale op die paaie van Israel in die eerste eeu te loop, het dit noodsaaklik gemaak dat voete gewas word voor ‘n gemeenskaplike maaltyd. Mense het aan lae tafels geëet, en voete was baie sigbaar. Toe Jesus van die Laaste Avondmaal opgestaan en die voete van die dissipels begin was het (Johannes 13:4), het Hy die werk van die nederigste van dienaars gedoen. Die dissipels moes verstom gewees het oor hierdie daad van nederigheid en neerbuiging – dat Jesus, hulle Here en Meester, die voete van Sy dissipels moes was. Voetewas was meer gepas hulle werk, maar niemand het vrywillig vir die werk aangebied nie. Jesus het nie as Koning en Oorwinnaar aarde toe gekom nie, maar as die lydende Dienaar van Jesaja 53. Soos Hy in Matteus 20:28 geopenbaar het, het Hy gekom “nie om gedien te word nie, maar om te dien en sy lewe te gee as losprys vir baie.” Die nederigheid wat uitgedruk is deur Jesus se daad met handdoek en wasbak, het Sy uiteindelike daad van nederigheid en liefde aan die kruis voorafgeskadu.
Jesus se houding was in direkte kontras met dié van die dissipels, wat onlangs onder mekaar gestry het oor wie van hulle die grootste was (Lukas 22:24). Daar was geen dienskneg in die bovertrek teenwoordig om hulle voete te was nie, en dit het nooit by hulle opgekom om mekaar se voete te was nie. Toe die Here self tot hierdie nederige taak buig, was hulle verstom in stilte. Petrus was diep ongemaklik met die Here wat sy voete was, en hy het geprotesteer: “Jy sal nooit my voete was nie” (Johannes 13:8a).
Toe sê Jesus iets wat Petrus verder moes geskok het: “As Ek jou nie was nie, het jy geen deel aan My nie” (Johannes 13:8b), wat Petrus, wie se liefde vir die Verlosser opreg was, aangespoor het om ‘n volledige was te versoek (vers 9). Toe verduidelik Jesus: “Dié wat gebad het, hoef net hulle voete te was; hulle hele liggaam is skoon. En julle is skoon, alhoewel nie almal van julle nie” (vers 10). Die dissipels het “gebad”, en hulle was almal “rein” behalwe een—Judas, wat Hom sou verraai (vers 11).
So, Jesus se daad van die was van die dissipels se voete het hulle geestelike reiniging geïllustreer. Jesus is die Een wat vergewe. Petrus en die res het die volle reiniging van verlossing ervaar en hoef nie weer in die geestelike sin gebad te word nie. Verlossing is ‘n eenmalige daad van regverdiging deur geloof. Wat volg, is die lewenslange proses van heiligmaking: ‘n daaglikse afwas van die vlek van sonde. Soos ons deur die wêreld wandel, sal van die wêreld se geestelike vuilheid aan ons kleef, en dit moet weggespoel word—vergewe deur Christus (sien 1 Johannes 1:9). Petrus en die ander dissipels—almal behalwe Judas, wat nooit aan Christus behoort het nie—het slegs hierdie geringe reiniging nodig gehad.
Wanneer ons na Christus kom vir verlossing, verlaag Hy Hom om ons sondes weg te was, en ons kan seker wees dat Sy vergifnis permanent en volledig is (2 Korintiërs 5:21). Maar, net soos ‘n gebadde persoon sy voete periodiek moes was, het ons periodieke reiniging nodig van die gevolge van die lewe in die vlees in ‘n sondevervloekte wêreld. Dit is heiligmaking, gedoen deur die krag van die Heilige Gees wat in ons woon, deur die “waterbad deur die Woord” (Efesiërs 5:26), gegee om ons toe te rus vir elke goeie werk (2 Timoteus 3:16–17).
Verder, toe Jesus die dissipels se voete gewas het, het Hy vir hulle (en vir ons) gesê: “Ek het julle ‘n voorbeeld gegee, om soos Ek aan julle gedoen het, ook so te doen” (Johannes 13:15). As Sy volgelinge moet ons Hom navolg, mekaar dien in nederigheid van hart en verstand, en daarna streef om mekaar op te bou in nederigheid en liefde. Deel van daardie nederige diens is om mekaar te vergewe (Kolossense 3:13). Wanneer ons die voorrang soek, versuim om ander te dien, of weier om te vergewe, mishaag ons die Here. Ware grootheid in Sy koninkryk word bereik deur diegene met ‘n diensbare hart (Markus 9:35; 10:44), en hulle sal grootliks geseën word (Johannes 13:17).
The Collectors of Manna – Women of the Word // Gaarders van Manna – Vroue van die woord
Dilize Light has Managed a TruLight Ladies Group on Telegram for the Past 6 Years and from Today . she will be Sharing her Manna with the Ladies in The TruLight Daily Manna Platform . Dilize is the only Daughter of Pastor Dirk and has been part of the Ministry since the age of 11 . Dilize is also the Radio Host for the Popular TruLight Top 10 that airs on TruLight Radio XM saturdays at 17h00′
Dilize Light bestuur die afgelope 6 jaar ‘n TruLight Damesgroep op Telegram en van vandag af sal sy haar Manna met die Dames deel op die TruLight Daaglikse Manna-platform. Dilize is die enigste dogter van Pastoor Dirk en is deel van die bediening sedert die ouderdom van 11. Dilize is ook die radio-aanbieder vir die gewilde TruLight Top 10 wat Saterdae om 17:00 op TruLight Radio XM uitgesaai word.
Wispelturige Volgelinge:
Hoe gou kan die publieke opinie verander ! Toe Jesus Jerusalem vir die Paasfees binnegery het, is Hy deur juigende skares verwelkom wat Hom tot Koning wou laat kroon ( Joh 12:13 ). Maar teen die einde van die week het die skares geëis dat Hy gekruisig moes word ( Joh 19:15 ).
Ek herken myself in daardie wispelturige skares. Ek ondersteun so graag ń span wat wen en juig hulle toe, maar as hulle begin verloor, stel ek nie meer belang nie. Ek volg Jesus so graag wanneer Hy die ontmoontlike doen, maar ek sluip weg wanneer Hy van my verwag om iets moeiliks te doen. Dis ń uitdaging en opwindend om Jesus te volg wanneer ek deel van die triomferende skares kan wees, en om Hom te vertrou wanneer Hy die persone wat in magposisie is, uitoorlê sien Matt 12:10; Matt 22:15-46 ). Maar wanneer Jesus begin praat van lyding en dood, dan huiwer ek.
Ek wil so graag dink dat ek Jesus tot by die kruis sou volg, maar ek twyfel regtig. As ek nie vir Hom opkom en getuig wanneer dit veilig is nie, wat laat my dink dat ek in situasies van vervolging en tussen sy vyande, vir Hom sal opkom ?
Ek is so dankbaar dat Jesus vir wispelturige volgelinge gesterf het, sodat ons deur sy dood, toegewyde volgelinge kan word.
Christus verdien voltydse volgelinge.
Fickle Followers:
How quickly public opinion can change! When Jesus rode into Jerusalem for the Passover, he was greeted by cheering crowds who wanted to crown him King ( John 12:13 ). But by the end of the week, the crowds were demanding that he be crucified ( John 19:15 ).
I recognize myself in those fickle crowds. I love to support a winning team and cheer for them, but when they start losing, I lose interest. I love to follow Jesus when he does the impossible, but I slink away when he expects me to do something difficult. It is a challenge and an excitement to follow Jesus when I can be part of the triumphant crowds, and to trust him when he sees those in positions of power outsmarting those in power ( Matt 12:10 ; Matt 22:15-46 ). But when Jesus starts talking about suffering and death, I hesitate.
I would like to think that I would follow Jesus to the cross, but I really doubt it. If I don’t stand up for Him and testify when it is safe, what makes me think that I will stand up for Him in situations of persecution and among His enemies?
I am so grateful that Jesus died for fickle followers, so that through His death, we could become committed followers.
Christ deserves full-time followers.
TruLight Ministries Daily Entertainment
TruLight TV – Kingdom Kidz TV = HOW HARDSHIPS SHAPE GREAT LEADERS!
Today on Kids Hour, Meet Joseph, he is the main character on our new Bible story, he had a rough start, but in the end he was a great leader for his people. and later In the Bible, David and Jonathan were leaders who celebrated each other. Scout and Ziggy learn to follow their example in this week’s episode!
Today on TruLight Radio XM
TruLight Radio XM 24/7
Program
GMT / UTC +2
Monday To Fridays
00:15 Words to Live By Testimonies
01.15 Science Scripture and Salvation
02.15 Ground Works
04.00 Gospel Concert of the Day
05.00 The Daren Streblow Comedy Show
5:55 It is Today devotional
6:00 Gaither Homecoming Morning Show
7:15 Discover the Word
8.15 Destined for Victory
8:55 Science Scripture and Salvation
9:00 Holy Spirit Hour – Normally Sermons
10:15 Hope of the Heart
11:15 Unshackled
11.45 Words to Live By
12:15 Truth for Life
13:15 Living on the Edge with Chip Ingram
14:15 Focus on the Family
15:00 Kids Hour
16:00 In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley
16:30 Groundwork
17:15 Live in the Light
18:15 Renewing your Mind
19:00 Gaither Homecoming Show
20:15 Growing Hope
21:15 Adventures in Odyssey Radio Drama
21:45 Bible Reading
22:15 Nightsounds
23.00 Good Old Country Gospel / Rhema Gospel Express
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Bible Prophecy in the News
Rabbi Leo Dee – It’s Time To Reclaim The Temple Mount
| Rabbi Leo Dee, the “Geulah Jew” tells the crowd at this year’s Pulse of Israel Conference that it is time to reclaim the Temple Mount and finally win the war. |
Signs of the Times
Major US Cities Threatened with Missiles Strikes if Iran Attacked
Gog and Magog Update
Trump Sets Expectations for End of Gaza War
President Donald Trump hinted Monday that Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza is approaching its final stages, predicting that the conflict will end by mid-September.
“The war is coming to an end,” Trump said during a meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in the Oval Office.
“Within the next two to three weeks, you’re going to have pretty good, conclusive — a conclusive ending” to the war, the president added.
Trump stressed that while the conflict “does have to end,” the public should not “forget October 7th,” referencing the Hamas-led massacres that saw some 1,200 people in Israel killed and an additional 250 kidnapped to the Strip.
When asked by reporters how many Israeli hostages remain alive in Gaza, Trump replied, “I hope 20,” while adding that “there are rumors that some have died.”
The president also touched on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, noting that the U.S. has been heavily involved in aid efforts.
“We dropped a lot of food and money” in the enclave, he said, stressing that Washington is sending “a lot” of assistance to civilians.
TruLight Ministry News
TruLight Ministries orders from God since 2012 . Teach Them , Comfort Them and Warn Them!
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TruLight Ministries opdrag vanaf God sedert 2012. Leer hulle, Troos hulle en Waarsku hulle!
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