The Zulu greeting “sawubona” means “I see you,” offering honour and respect. Jesus saw those society overlooked, offering love, healing, and restoration. When we see others as Christ does – truly and compassionately – we reflect His love and build life-changing relationships. Who can you truly “see” today?
The Zulu greeting “sawubona” is a common way to say, “I see you” in South Africa, meaning “I see you, and by seeing you, I bring you into being”. It is a term of honour and respect.
Jesus really ‘sees’ individuals, especially those invisible to the world, the outcasts and despised.
The Samaritan woman at the well, the ten men with leprosy, the woman caught in adultery, Zacchaeus the tax collector, the woman bleeding for 12 years…, their lives were profoundly changed by their intimate encounter with Jesus. He did not look at them with judgement, but with infinite love and compassion. Being seen by Jesus brought restoration, identity, honour, healing, boldness, and purpose.
We too are called to see people as Christ sees them. It is not easy. It is radical. It requires generosity of effort and sacrifice of time and emotion. It means laying aside our own agenda and going against social norms, even within church cultures. We must not allow our vision to be marred by prejudices of nationality, religious bias, culture, gender or social status. We must be willing to listen more than to speak.
Through CHARIS’s work with asylum seekers and refugees, we have discovered that really 'seeing' the marginalised through Christ’s eyes leads to deep, meaningful, trusting, and mutually respectful relationships.
The common response to “sawubona” is “Yebo, sawubona”, meaning “I see you seeing me.” One asylum seeker wrote to me, “We saw how you stepped up for us, for us, our soul and body. We saw your hands, your efforts…We felt your love. Your sympathy saved us.”
Dave Mann, CHARIS
Reflect
"So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer". 2 Corinthians 5:16 (NIV)
Pray
Pray for the eyes to see people as Jesus sees them – with love, compassion, and without judgment. Ask for the courage to look beyond cultural, social, or personal barriers, and to truly ‘see’ the invisible or marginalised in your community. Pray for the generosity of heart to listen, understand, and respond with Christlike love, building meaningful relationships that reflect God’s kingdom on earth.
Act
Acts for you to consider today:
| Encourage everyone you talk with today. Everyone. This might actually be easier than you think! | ||
| Take a 'no phone during mealtimes' pledge and give someone your undivided attention. | ||
| Find an opportunity during your daily routine to pay attention to someone who you wouldn't usually interact or engage with. Listen more than you speak. |
Share
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About CHARIS
CHARIS was formed in response to the Government's opportunity for communities to sponsor refugee families from the Middle East.
Moved by the plight of thousands of refugees, three churches in Taunton set up the charity and applied to the Home Office to become a Community Sponsor.
