2015年12月8日
最佳禮物 The Perfect Gift
读经: 羅馬書12章1-8節
Reading: Romans 12: 1-8
要將耶和華的名所當得的榮耀歸給祂，拿供物來進入祂的院宇。-詩篇96篇8節
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts.- Psalm 96:8
全年读经: 但以理書8-10章;約翰三書
Bible in a Year: Daniel 8–10; 3 John
每年，美國大湍市的植物園都會舉辦一場活動，展示世界各地如何慶祝聖誕節。我最喜愛法國人佈置的耶穌誕生場景。馬槽邊沒有傳統中牧羊人與博士帶著黃金、乳香與沒藥，取而代之的是法國村民帶著禮物獻給嬰孩耶穌。他們帶了麵包、酒、乳酪、花朵，以及其他上帝讓他們能生產的物品。這使我想起，舊約裡以色列人遵從吩咐帶著初熟的農產品到上帝的殿中（出埃及記23章16-19節） 。法國人所佈置的耶穌誕生場景，表明我們所擁有的一切都來自上帝，所以我們唯一需獻上的其實就是上帝賜給我們的。
保羅教導羅馬的信徒將自己當作活祭獻上，意思是要他們將上帝的賞賜──他們自己，獻給上帝（羅馬書12章1節）。這包括上帝所給的恩賜，甚至他們謀生的能力。我們知道上帝給予人們不一樣的能力，有人擅長音樂，例如大衛（撒母耳記上16章18節） ；有些人專精藝術創作，像比撒列與亞何利亞伯（出埃及記35章30-35節） ；有的人則善於寫作、教導、園藝等等各方面。
當我們願意將上帝先賜給我們的全獻給祂，我們就是獻給祂最佳的禮物──我們自己。
主耶穌已為我們犧牲，當將我們所有獻給祂。
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Every year our local botanical garden hosts a celebration of Christmas around the world. My favorite display is a French nativity. Instead of the traditional scene showing shepherds and wise men with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh gathered around the manger, it shows French villagers bringing their gifts to baby Jesus. They bring bread, wine, cheese, flowers, and other items that God has given them the ability to produce. This reminds me of the Old Testament command to bring the firstfruits of our labor to the house of the Lord (Ex. 23:16-19). This depiction of the nativity illustrates that everything we have comes from God, so the only thing we have to give is something that God has given us.
When Paul instructed the Romans to present themselves as a living sacrifice, he was telling them to give back to God what God had given them—their own selves (Rom. 12:1). This includes the gifts He gave them, even their ability to earn a living. We know that God gives people special abilities. Some, like David, were skilled in music (1 Sam. 16:18). Some, like Bezalel and Oholiab, were skilled in artistic works (Ex. 35:30-35). Others have skill in writing, teaching, gardening, and many other things.
When we give back to God what He has first given to us, we give Him the perfect gift—ourselves.
What can you offer to Jesus?
Give your all to Christ who gave His all for you.