As South Africa prepares for a State Funeral next week and debates what his passing will mean for the future of the country, the tributes continue to flood in from around the world. Although his death has long been expected, it is no less significant. It is likely this is what the world will be talking about this coming week and beyond.
GodFirst church in Johannesburg has been quick to respond to this with a really helpful video tribute to Mandela from Senior Pastor P J Smyth, which both honours Mandela and gently points people beyond Mandela to Jesus.
I think this is a really helpful Christian response to the life of a remarkable man.
You can watch it HERE
The concluding paragraph is particularly striking as we approach Christmas:
'I will never forget the day of the Rugby World Cup final when Madiba pulled on the No. 6 Springbok jersey, considered by many to be the moment when he won the nation. I find that moment profoundly moving at two levels:As a South African, that President Mandela would take on himself the symbol of all that hated him. He did it to reconcile white man to black man.As a Christian, it reminds me of the President of All Presidents, Jesus Christ, who took on human likeness, the symbol of a race that hated Him. He did it to reconcile man to God.As Christians around South Africa and the world, Madiba, we salute you.'
Why not pass on the link to others?
(If you prefer, you can download a PDF Transcript of the tribute HERE)
