The weakest team!

“Which is the best team?”, my dad asked one of his grandsons. Of course, the 10-year-old immediately replied ‘Viking’ – the home-team. The boy followed up with a long explanation and solid arguments why the Vikings were so much better than the guests. “Then you can cheer on the Vikings, and I can cheer on the guests” granddad said as they went to watch the match. “Why?” was the grandson’s worried response. “Because the weakest team also needs someone to cheer on them!”, granddad replied.

It was probably said with a ‘twinkle in the eye’, but it also describes my dad’s basic attitude and values: He always took the side of the weakest.

When Jesus died on the cross, he was actually ‘on’ the weakest team with a rebel on each side. But he also died ‘for’ the weakest team:

“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Matthew 9:12-13

This statement was Jesus' response to the Pharisees who criticized him for eating with tax collectors and sinners. If the Salvation Army is no longer alongside the weak, we have lost sight of an important part of our calling. That's why General Peddle reminds us to take responsibility. It involves a ‘costly compassion’ for the weak. It means that we must defend others, seek justice, express generosity and participate in redemptive actions (1). When we do this, we begin to learn what ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice’ (2) means.

Then we don’t only cheer on the weakest team - we become part of the weakest team - vulnerable like Jesus became, but we also become winners of life!

‘Manna’ for today:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (3)

Blessed Easter!
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(1) ‘A Call to Costly Compassion’ is the second call under the charge to take responsibility, in General Peddle’s Call to Mission.
(2)  Hosea 6:6, Matthew 9:13

(3) 2 Corinthians 12:9

Join in suffering!

In Christian faith there are many mysteries, and suffering is one of them. Although Pa­ul, through his ministry saw many people healed from diseases and different kinds of suffering, he was very clear that he did not consider the life of a disciple to be a life without suffering. He had experienced a lot of suffering, persecution and torture, but also physical suffering caused by disease (1). 

In his letters to Timothy, Paul touched this theme several times, even as an encouragement to join in suffering as a part of the mission:

“join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.” 2 Timothy 1:8b

The big difference between suffering in general and the suffering Paul wrote about, is that it is linked to the gospel, and the gospel is linked with power. After his salvation, Paul never doubted the power of the Gospel (2). Facing suffering, or the "thorn in the flesh", which is probably a reference to all the persecution he endured, he experienced that "power is made perfect in weakness" (3).

Many people have made the same experience. They are never stronger than when they are weak. I have also been there. It's a strange place to be, but God is there.

'Manna' for today:

I am strong when I am weak.

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(1) Gal 4:13-14
(2) Rom 1:16
(3) 2 Cor 12:9