Steel and Velvet / 刚柔并济
Dexu Xia
Steel and Velvet
Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her. John 8:7
Poet Carl Sandburg wrote of former US president Abraham Lincoln, “Not often in the story of mankind does a man arrive on earth who is both steel and velvet, . . . who holds in his heart and mind the paradox of terrible storm and peace unspeakable and perfect.” “Steel and velvet” described how Lincoln balanced the power of his office with concern for individuals longing for freedom.
Only one person in all history perfectly balanced strength and gentleness, power and compassion. That man is Jesus Christ. In John 8, when confronted by the religious leaders to condemn a guilty woman, Jesus displayed both steel and velvet. He showed steel by withstanding the demands of a bloodthirsty mob, instead turning their critical eyes upon themselves. He said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” (v. 7). Then Jesus modeled the velvet of compassion by telling the woman, “Neither do I condemn you . . . . Go now and leave your life of sin” (v. 11).
Reflecting His “steel and velvet” in our own responses to others can reveal the Father’s work of conforming us to be like Jesus. We can show His heart to a world hungry for both the velvet of mercy and the steel of justice.
How does your response to the brokenness of this world compare to Christ’s balance of mercy and justice? Where do you need God’s help to enable you to show His compassion to others?
Dear Father, I thank You for Your Son, whose strength and tenderness perfectly reveal Your heart for our lost world.
刚柔并济
你们中间谁是没有罪的，谁就可以先拿石头打她。-约翰福音8章7节
美国诗人卡尔 · 桑德堡（Carl Sandburg）曾如此描述美国前总统亚伯拉罕 · 林肯：“在人类历史中少有这样一位刚柔并济的人，兼具刚强与柔和⋯⋯在他的意志和情感中，并存着看似矛盾的猛烈风暴与难以言喻的完美和平。”“刚柔并济”道尽了林肯如何施行总统职权，同时又关切人们对争取自由的渴望，致力于在两者间取得平衡。
然而，纵观古今中外，只有耶稣基督能在力量与温柔、权能与怜悯之间，达到最完美的平衡。在约翰福音第8章，一群宗教领袖故意刁难耶稣，要看祂如何处置一个有罪的女人，耶稣便展现出了刚强与柔和。耶稣果断地拒绝这群噬血暴徒的要求，让他们将论断的眼目转回到他们自己身上，祂说：“你们中间谁是没有罪的，谁就可以先拿石头打她”（7节）。接着，祂流露出温柔怜悯，对那女人说：“我也不定妳的罪，去吧！从此不要再犯罪了。”（11节）
在我们与人相处时，当努力效法耶稣的刚柔并济，这可展现天父在我们身上的工作，使我们更像基督。在这个渴望温柔怜悯和刚强正义的世界上，我们可以向世人彰显上帝的刚柔并济。
基督有怜悯与公义，相比之下，
你是如何回应这破碎的世界？
你在哪方面需要上帝的帮助，使你能以刚柔并济待人？
耶稣以怜悯和公义对待这失丧的世界。