2016年2月17日
打開大門 Opening Doors
读经: 馬太福音28章16-20節
Reading: Matthew 28:16-20
所以，你們要去，使萬民作我的門徒。-馬太福音28章19節
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations. Matthew 28:19
全年读经: 利未記21-22章;馬太福音28章
Bible in a Year: Leviticus 21–22; Matthew 28
查理·斯弗德（Charlie Sifford）在美國體壇舉足輕重。在1961年，美國廢除了只限白人可以參加職業高爾夫聯合錦標巡迴賽的條款，他是第一位參賽的非裔美籍球員。即使當時必須承受種族歧視和騷擾，他仍然取得了最高榮譽，他曾贏得兩次錦標賽，而且在2004年成為首位入主世界高爾夫名人堂的非裔美籍球員，並為來自各族群所有的球員打開了進入職業高爾夫球賽的大門。
把門打開也是宣揚福音的首要任務之一。耶穌說：「所以，你們要去，使萬民作我的門徒，奉父、子、聖靈的名給他們施洗。凡我所吩咐你們的，都教訓他們遵守，我就常與你們同在，直到世界的末了。」 （馬太福音28章19-20節）
其中「萬民」（19節）是源自於希臘文ethnos，也就是英文「種族」的字源。換句話說，這節經文的意思就是：「使所有的種族作我的門徒。」耶穌在十字架上所做的，就是為每一個人打開通往天父的道路。
我們既已蒙上帝看顧，也就應當靠著主恩去關懷別人。我們也要為人打開大門，特別是對那些從未想過自己會受歡迎的人，迎接他們進入上帝的家中。
主啊，願祢幫助我能夠關心他人的需要，
賜我合宜的話語，與人分享有關祢的事。
耶穌敞開救恩之門，迎接所有相信祂的人。
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Charlie Sifford is an important name in American sports. He became the first African-American playing member of the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) Tour, joining a sport that, until 1961, had a "whites only" clause in its by-laws. Enduring racial injustice and harassment, Sifford earned his place at the game's highest level, won two tournaments, and in 2004 was the first African-American inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Charlie Sifford opened the doors of professional golf for players of all ethnicities.
Opening doors is also a theme at the heart of the gospel mission. Jesus said, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matt. 28:19-20).
Jesus' work on the cross opened the way to the Father for everyone.
The word nations (v. 19) is from the Greek word ethnos, which is also the source of the word ethnic. In other words, "Go and make disciples of all ethnicities." Jesus' work on the cross opened the way to the Father for everyone.
Now we have the privilege of caring for others as God has cared for us. We can open the door for someone who never dreamed they'd be welcomed personally into the house and family of God.
Lord, help me to be sensitive to others I meet today. Give me the words to tell others about You.
Jesus opened the doors of salvation to all who will believe.