Friday, 12 March 2021
Bruised
Prathab V

Mathew 12:20

It was a difficult and stressful season. Spiritually bruised, it had been almost two years since I spoke to a family member. To say our relationship had been difficult is an understatement. The relationship was almost fractured beyond repair. As I look back, it was difficult to point to a single reason for the estrangement. But it was a gradual deterioration, interspersed with many “skirmishes” and pain. 

Perhaps it was also my fault for not showing enough patience, care or understanding. Perhaps my standards were just too high. Or perhaps it was the perceived lack of respect towards me. 

But I also needed to repent for my actions. In the heat of the moment, words were said that I utterly regret. I had failed to control my tongue.  

I decided to look to Jesus for help. He is gentle, sacrificial and loving. However, I am aware that Jesus too had gotten angry and upset. Jesus unleashed harsh words against the Pharisees and scribes. On a few occasions, Jesus even scolded his disciples for having little faith.

But He was always forgiving and patient. Jesus preached forgiveness, love and repentance. He preached reconciliation of mankind to God. 

Why can’t I be more like Jesus? I truly want to walk in obedience, but it is not easy.

I admit that two years of silence was just too long. It is not healthy. During those days, I agonised much over the estranged relationship. “This must not be allowed to continue,” I said to myself. Thankfully, my wife then decided to intervene and mediate. By God’s grace, we were eventually reconciled. 

Jesus opposes pride. He opposes hypocrisy. He led a humble life among the regular people, reaching out to those who were thirsty for God’s love. Jesus said: “ Those who are well don’t need a doctor, but the sick do need one. I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17) 

Perhaps that’s why the author of Matthew quoted Isaiah 42:1-4, saying “ a bruised reed He will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out”.

I am no saint. We are all sinners. Works in progress.   

I sometimes struggle with showing patience. So I pray and often ask for strength to forgive others earnestly, to love unconditionally. Since Jesus accepted a lesser bruised reed like me, shouldn’t I do the same for others?

However, I am also aware that I should balance my attitude. Forgiveness and repentance go hand in hand together. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death (2 Cor 7:10).

Repentance is necessary for forgiveness. To those who continuously show an unrepentant attitude, we must be cautious not to be overzealous by extending cheap grace. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer described, cheap grace is “the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance.“ 

Today, if you are facing a similar estranged relationship with a family or church member, don’t despair. Trying to analyse who is at fault, is usually a futile exercise. Why not chose to forgive freely, as we ourselves have been forgiven? God’s glory is magnified when brothers and sisters live together in harmony (Ps 133:1). 

Forgiveness should emerge from the bottom of our hearts, not from the lips alone (Matthew 18:15). I pray that you will have the courage to seek forgiveness, forgive unconditionally and seek reconciliation. Like me, you may be spiritually bruised. But I pray that the Lord will bless your many endeavours as you bring glory to Him and Him alone. 

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for my sins when I delay forgiveness to others. Teach me to truly forgive others from the bottom of my heart. In Your name alone I ask, AMEN.

每日灵粮
星期五，2021年3月12日
标题：受了伤
作者：Prathab V
翻译：巫惠如

马太福音 12:20

那是一段艰难而紧张的季节。当时的我内心悲痛，至少两年的时间没有与一位家庭成员说活了。说我们的关系一直处于紧绷状态就过于轻描淡写。这段关系几乎破裂，无法修复。当我回首往事时，很难指出彼此疏远的主要原因。但这是一种逐渐恶化的局面，其间夹杂着许多小冲突和痛苦。

也许，我没有表现出足够的耐心、关心或理解也是我的错。也许我的标准太高了。又或许是我感到不被尊重。

但我也需要悔改。在盛怒之下，我说了不该说的话。我控制不住舌头。

我决定求耶稣帮助。他温柔、为他人舍身且满有慈爱。然而，我也知道耶稣曾感到愤怒和沮丧。耶稣严厉地斥责法利赛人和文士。有几次，耶稣甚至责备门徒没有信心。

但他总是宽容，有耐心。他也教导宽恕、爱和悔改。他教导人们与上帝和好。

为什么我不能更像耶稣？我真的想顺服，但这并不容易。

我承认，两年的沉默实在是太长了。这并不健康。在那段时间，我为渐行渐远的关系痛苦不已。我对自己说，“这不能继续下去。”感谢主，我妻子后来决定介入此事，做中间人。在上帝的恩典下，我们最终和解了。

耶稣反对骄傲。他反对伪善。他在普通人中过着卑微的生活，向渴望上帝爱的人伸出援手。耶稣说：“康健的人用不着医生，有病的人才用得着。我来本不是召义人，乃是召罪人。”（可2:17）

或许正因为如此，马太福音的作者引用了以赛亚书42:1-4，“压伤的芦苇他不折断，将残的灯火他不吹灭，等他施行公理，叫公理得胜。“

我不是圣人。我们都是罪人，就像正在进行的工程。

我有时很难表现出耐心。所以我祈祷，并且经常要求主赐力量去真诚地原谅他人，无条件地爱。既然耶稣接受了像我这样伤得较轻的芦苇，我难道不应该也照样对他人吗？

但是，我也意识到，我应该平衡自己的态度。宽恕和悔改是同时发生的：“因为依着上帝的意思忧愁，就生出没有后悔的懊悔来，以致得救；但世俗的忧愁是叫人死”。（林后7:10）

懊悔是宽恕的必要条件。对于那些持不悔改态度的人，我们必须谨慎，不要过度热心而施予廉价的恩典。正如迪特里希·潘霍华尔所描述的，廉价的恩典是“叫人不需悔改但必须饶恕。”

如今，如果你与家人或教会成员面临类似的疏远关系，不要绝望。想办法分析谁有错，通常是徒劳的。为什么不选择自由地原谅呢？弟兄姐妹和睦共处(诗133:1)就是高举上帝的荣耀。

宽恕应该是发自内心的，而不仅仅是口头上的（太18：15）。我祈祷你有勇气求宽恕、无条件地原谅并与人和好。和我一样，你可能内心悲痛，但我祈求当你一心要荣耀上帝时，他必赐福你。

祈祷：主耶稣，当我拖延原谅他人时，请原谅我的罪。教我从心底真正原谅别人。奉你的名求，阿门。