誕生的故事 (3)

誕生的故事 (3)
聖經閱讀：馬太福音20:25-28 現代中譯本|合和本
2015年12月14日(一)

在第一個聖誕節，馬利亞生下了一位僕人。在今天經文閱讀的第28b節，耶穌談到祂自己：「正像人子一樣，他不是來受人侍候，而是來侍候人，並且為了救贖眾人而獻出自己的生命。」耶穌說祂出生是要來作僕人。
耶穌服事上帝、也服事人，怎麼說呢？耶穌醫治人，祂教導上帝國度的事情；耶穌為人禱告，祂向人宣講上帝的救贖計畫；耶穌裝備祂的門徒在祂回天國後能繼續祂的工作，而最重要的是，耶穌順服上帝並完全遵守上帝的律法。耶穌使我們跟祂永遠同住成為一件可能的事。
上帝也希望我們成為僕人，就像耶穌一樣，我們出生是為了服事上帝和彼此服事。我希望你會效法耶穌的榜樣，並忠心地服事上帝和其他人。 —GT

「弟兄姊妹們，上帝選召你們，要你們成為自由人。只是不可用這自由作放縱情慾的藉口，卻要以愛心互相服事。」 加拉太書5:13

禱告：天上的父，求祢幫助我忠心地服事祢和其他人。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(周維音譯)

Birth Story (3)
Bible Reading: Matthew 20:25-28
Monday, December 14, 2015

On that first Christmas, Mary gave birth to a servant. In verse 28b of our Bible Reading today, Jesus talked about Himself. “The Son of Man did not come for people to serve him. He came to serve others and to give his life to save many people.” Jesus said that He was born to be a servant.
Jesus served both God and people. How? Jesus healed people. Jesus taught about God's kingdom. Jesus prayed for people. Jesus told people about God's plan of salvation. Jesus prepared His disciples to continue His work after He returned to heaven. Most importantly, Jesus obeyed God and kept God's law perfectly. Jesus made it possible for us to live forever with Him.
God wants us to be servants, too. Like Jesus, we are all born to serve God and each other. I hope you will follow Jesus’ example and faithfully serve both God and other people. —GT

“My brothers and sisters, God chose you to be free. But don't use your freedom as an excuse to do what pleases your sinful selves. Instead, serve each other with love.” Galatians 5:13

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me to faithfully serve You and other people. In Jesus’ name. Amen.