2015年12月23日
人人適用 One Size Fits All
读经: 約翰福音3章10-21節
Reading: John 3: 10-21
叫一切信祂的，不至滅亡，反得永生。-約翰福音3章16節
Whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.- John 3:16
全年读经: 那鴻書1-3章;啟示錄14章
Bible in a Year: Nahum 1–3; Revelation 14
我就像多數的孩子一樣喜歡過聖誕節。我會滿心期待地窺探聖誕樹下的禮物，猜想裡面是什麼玩具或遊戲盒。但隨著收到禮物都千篇一律，就不再驚喜連連了，因為往往不是襯衫，就是褲子。但去年聖誕節，孩子們送我幾雙別出心裁的襪子，豔麗的色彩與精巧的設計，讓我似乎又恢復青春。這樣的襪子也適合成年人，如標籤所示：「單一尺碼，人人適用」。
「單一尺碼，人人適用」這個流行用語，讓我想起耶穌降生的好消息，也是人人都適用的最佳聖誕禮物。正如天使最先把好消息傳給社會底層的牧羊人，之後再傳給東方博士，他們是隨著星星來朝拜聖嬰基督的社會高層。
耶穌開始傳講天國的福音之後，一位深具影響力的猶太公議會成員夜訪耶穌。在談話中，耶穌邀請「一切信祂的」人到祂那裡去。也就是說，只要單單相信並接受基督，就能得著永生（約翰福音3章16節）。
如果耶穌來只為著貧窮或弱勢的族群，或只為著權貴名流，那麼我們多數人恐怕都沒有資格領受福音。但基督來是為著我們每一個人，無論我們屬於社會哪個階層，具備什麼樣的經濟能力和社會地位，祂是唯一人人適用的禮物。
主啊！感謝祢，讓每個人都可以得著祢愛的禮物。
教導我們謹記祢的愛適合我們每一個人，
並以祢的愛為樂，也幫助我們將這份愛傳給他人。
為我們捨命的救主，是上帝賜給這垂死世界的禮物。
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Like most children, I thoroughly enjoyed Christmas. With great anticipation, I would snoop under the tree to see what toys and games awaited my eager grasp. So I felt deflated when I started getting things like shirts and pants. Grownup gifts were no fun! Then last Christmas, my kids gave me some cool socks with bright colors and designs. I almost felt young again! Even grownups could wear these socks, as the label reassured me: "One size fits all."
That welcome phrase "one size fits all" reminds me of the best gift of Christmas—the good news that Jesus is for everyone. The point was proven when the first invitation sent by angel choirs was to shepherds on the bottom rung of the social ladder. The news was underscored further when the VIPs—the wealthy and powerful Magi—followed the star to come and worship the Christ-child..
After Jesus began His ministry, an influential member of the Jewish ruling council came to Him at night. In the course of their conversation, Jesus invited "whoever believes" to come to Him. The simple act of faith in Christ grants eternal life to those who trust in Him (John 3:16).
If Jesus were just for the poor and marginalized, or only for the famous and fortunate, many of us would not qualify. But Christ is for everyone, regardless of status, financial situation, or social standing. He is the only gift truly fit for all.
Thank You, Lord, that no one is unqualified for the gift of Your love. Teach us to rejoice in the fact that Your love was just right for us, and help us to share that love with others.
God's gift to a dying world is the life-giving Savior.