受苦

受苦
聖經閱讀：路加福音9:22-27 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年3月16日(六)

我曾經讀到一則消息，說有一個人徒步越過了美國。當他行走時，他肩上背著一個十字架。這個人是想要大家知道他是一個基督徒，他也想要告訴大家，他願意為耶穌受苦。 　今天的經文中，耶穌告訴猶太人，祂將要受到許多的苦難，而這些苦難就發生在耶穌被抓並且被釘死在十字架上的時候。當時耶穌被鞭打、臉上被吐口水，人們戲弄祂，並將一個用荊棘編成的王冠戴在祂的頭頂，最後把祂釘死在十字架上。 　在這些經節裡，耶穌也提到，凡跟從祂的人也將會受苦。因為基督徒的身分，我們也許會被人嘲笑、被拒絕；或者，因為我們的信心，我們也許會遭受肉體的懲罰、甚至死亡。 　當我們為耶穌受苦時，我們就有機會跟其他人分享耶穌的愛，而受苦也同時讓我們成為更堅強的基督徒。 　我力勸你今天要為耶穌站立得穩，祂將永遠照顧你。 —LB* 「如果有人要跟從我，就得捨棄自己，天天背負他的十字架來跟從我。」 路加福音9:23b 禱告：親愛的天父，今天我要跟從耶穌。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (EHI譯/台南聖教會英語團契)

Suffering
Bible Reading: Luke 9:22-27
Saturday, March 16, 2013

I once read about a man who walked across the United States. As he walked, he carried a cross. This man wanted everyone to know that he was a Christian. He wanted to show that he was willing to suffer for Jesus. 　In our Bible verses today, Jesus told the Jews that He would have to suffer many bad things. These things happened when Jesus was arrested and crucified. Jesus was beaten and spit upon. People made fun of Him. They put a crown of thorns on His head. Finally, they crucified Him on a cross. 　In these verses, Jesus also said that people who follow Him will suffer, too. We may suffer by having people make fun of us or reject us because we are Christians. Or we may suffer physical punishment or even death because of our faith. 　When we suffer for Jesus, we have an opportunity to share Jesus’ love with other people. Suffering also makes us stronger Christians. 　I urge you to stand strong for Jesus today. He will always take care of you. —LB* “You must be willing to carry the cross that is given to you every day for following me.” Luke 9:23b PRAYER: Dear Father, I want to follow Jesus today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.