Mocking individuals suffering from dementia is crude and inappropriate for someone who claims to be an apostle of Jesus Christ. This underscores the importance of not placing undue adoration on fellow humans, even if they have been known to speak some truth in the past. Humans inherently possess dual natures. Simon Peter was at one point accused by Jesus of being Satanic, despite previously being commended by Jesus for recognizing divine truth. This suggests the possibility of both Satanic and divine influences coexisting within physical humans.
Christians should be advised that as long as they exist in the physical realm, they should never feel complacent. The best posture for a Christian is to remain humble until death. The most flattering experience is to be idolized by multitudes, which leads to a departure from humility. The fundamental principle is to remain aware that truth is pristine and should not be associated with individuals. The fact that one may project some truth today does not necessarily mean they will forever remain truthful. As postulated by Paul, a Christian’s strength is found in humility.
“And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
“I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing. Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds. For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong!” (2 Corinthians 12:7-13 NKJV).
Another reason why sinful nature is found in the physical body is that it seeks to exalt itself against fellow humans. Racial prejudices are inherent in physical nature, misleading some to believe that helping those of opposite skin colour is wrong. In His parable, Jesus used the Good Samaritan because the Jews were prejudiced against the Samaritans. The physical body is the worst enemy of humanity, as without it, categorizing people would be impossible. When we bypass that consideration, our dignity as humans can be restored. The teachings of Jesus leave no room for racial prejudices.
What is patriotic about sitting at home with an ailing mother, unable to provide food and medical assistance? I find it necessary to debunk Apostle Chiwenga’s recent aspersions. To begin with, there are several points of agreement that I resonate with in his sermons, but certainly not his recent outbursts against healthcare workers. He is fully aware that Zimbabwe is a country with broken systems. He overlooks how those despised healthcare workers have filled the gap in life-sustaining provision, having migrated to foreign lands in search of a living.
However, the most important factor concerns the aspect of either violating or not violating God’s laws. The principle of “Charity Begins at Home” is not violated when going abroad seeking to provide food for needy relatives. The advanced argument is that healthcare workers could do well by attending to their own people, rather than being attracted to foreign lands for monetary purposes. The important question is who would receive the net benefit between those hiring and the healthcare workers. Common sense suggests that both benefit, thereby creating a balance in distribution, based on exchange law.
Healthcare workers cannot be blamed for poor governance in their respective countries. Those hiring their services should also not be blamed as if using them without compensation. Money, as the sole medium of exchange, plays a significant role, as is common in commercial practices. It is a question of how to access funds necessary for supporting one’s family members. Money remains money, regardless of who holds it, so there is no need to factor in racism. The most important thing is that those providing services receive compensation based on the laws of exchange. The principle of hard work and providing necessary commodities is commonly outlined in the Biblical narrative (Proverbs 31).
Christians are required to evaluate issues without considering racism or any other bias. Imagine if the Good Samaritan had taken into account the injured person’s background; that person would have died without receiving any help. Good Christians cannot advocate for assistance based on racial background. God loves all humans, regardless of their racial or religious backgrounds. His children apply the same principle, rather than express diatribes with innuendos of racial considerations. Healthcare workers must commit themselves to helping elderly people lovingly, without considering their racial background.
Elderly individuals who have made provisions for their care in old age should be commended for their foresight. Similarly, healthcare workers deserve recognition for their dedication to assisting elderly people during challenging times. The role of money as a medium of exchange should also be acknowledged for facilitating transactions and enabling such noble activities. Financial resources significantly support underprivileged elderly individuals, especially in cases where their governments have neglected healthcare facilities. God is the ultimate facilitator, as He grants good health to those concerned, including creating provisions for taking care of the elderly.
The value of humanity lies in providing service to others, irrespective of their circumstances. Healthcare service providers are undoubtedly valuable, as without them, the impact of suffering would multiply. However, we must also acknowledge the financial support needed to aid the desperate healthcare workers who are effectively caring for elderly parents neglected by rogue rulers in their respective countries. Those elderly, struggling with dementia, were once productive individuals during their prime years. The duties of healthcare workers cannot be more despicable than the instructions Jesus gave to His disciples before His departure.
Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded girded. Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?”
Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet but is completely clean, and you are clean, but not all of you.” For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.” So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am” (John 13:1-12 NKJV).
Washing another person’s feet, when that person is capable of doing it themselves, can be considered more degrading. What Jesus emphasized was to consider the value of another person as if it were that of God. In providing services, the opportunity to serve those in need is more desirable than serving those who seek being served for ostentatious purposes. However, the example of Jesus is that of serving even where there would be no need. One cannot speak of loving God while treating another person carelessly (1 John 4:20). The principle of service is the slavery that reduced black people to nonentities.
This perspective is highly unpopular, as it contradicts the concept of human dignity. However, the truth is that physical humans carry no inherent dignity. Otherwise, we would not have some people with cases of dementia in their twilight years. If there was dignity in humanity, Jesus would not have died on the cross. No one has endured more humiliation than Jesus. Instead of fearing degradation, black people should seize the opportunity to confront it. They should do so, remembering Jesus, who was humiliated to the extent of taking the place of the most notorious criminal, Barabbas.
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:5-11 NKJV).
Rather than embracing the principle of humility as recommended by Jesus and the apostle Paul, many of our black brothers believe there is value in emulating their former oppressors. While denouncing those former oppressors, they often replicate or even practice worse forms of oppression to their fellows. Thus, it should not be surprising to see those who pride themselves on having fought for freedom perpetuating the actions of the former oppressors. This behaviour stems from a lack of understanding that subjugation arises from the spirit rather than from the flesh. The opportunity to serve is invaluable, except to those unaware of the freedom found in Christ. This is irrespective of whether one serves as a farm labourer or in another considered degrading capacity.
Fighting against racial injustices may seem noble, but only to those who remain attached to this world. It is common to hear individuals declaring themselves as sons of the soil. Such people find it justifiable to fight for land acquisition, as if unaware that the land belongs to this world. The enlightened ones understand that they are not sons of the soil, but Sons of God. If Jesus did not fight for land acquisition, how can those claiming to be devoted Christians be involved in controversies over land acquisitions? This results from misinformation when such people are unaware of their true identity.
Changing diapers for elderly people in foreign lands can be seen as degrading, but also providing a way to grow closer to God. The most emotive history is that of the slave trade. Those blacks were stripped of their human dignity, leading current generations to feel vengeful. However, the truth remains that if those slaves were Christians, they would have been better Christians than what currently prevails. This desire to be treated with dignity certainly cannot come from true Christians. This is the sole reason the parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man is highly unpopular.
Those who believe that changing diapers for elderly individuals is dehumanizing have yet to embrace the true essence of Christianity. This statement should not be misconstrued as implying that one must change diapers to be a Christian. However, it suggests that if a person feels humiliated by performing tasks that many consider dehumanizing, that person remains in bondage. True freedom lies in the ability to experience and confront all aspects of servitude.
Jesus endured the most dehumanizing experience of crucifixion without having committed any crime. One cannot truly be a Christian if unwilling to do things that might make them feel embarrassed. The things that keep people away from true Christianity include those considered embarrassing by world standards. It seems that rarely do people envision what Jesus experienced on the cross. They want to wear the label of being called Christians but are unwilling to embrace the conditions of humility. They want to be associated with the glory of Christ but without the willingness to endure what Jesus went through. Nevertheless, the only way through is to go through it.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilization, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, bringing relief to those having witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions––leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book as a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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