2016年2月2日
留下什麼
Leave a Legacy
读经: 歷代志下21章4-20節
Reading: 2 Chronicles 21:4-20
因為人子來，並不是要受人的服事，乃是要服事人。-馬可福音10章45節
Even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve. - Mark 10:45
全年读经: 出埃及記29-30章;馬太福音21章23-46節
Bible in a Year: Exodus 29–3; Matthew 21: 23-46
從事公路工程的工頭提姆意外身亡。他的家人、同事和社區裡的人都感到哀傷。因為弔喪的人太多，於是，教會就把喪禮改到一個較大的場地，弔唁的親友們擠滿了整個會場。可見提姆在生前感動了許多人的生命，所以有這麼多人懷念他的善良、幽默感和他對生命的熱忱。
從喪禮回來後，我想到猶大王約蘭的一生，實在是和提姆有天淵之別！歷代志下21章記載了約蘭王短暫的恐怖統治：為了鞏固自己的權力，不惜殺了自己的親兄弟和其他幾位首領 （4節） ，甚至還帶領猶大人去拜偶像。聖經告訴我們，他離世的時候，沒有人哀悼他 （20節） 。約蘭以為這種蠻橫的做法能讓他留名青史。確實，聖經永遠記載著他是一位邪惡、以自我為中心的王。
儘管耶穌也是君王，然而祂來到世上，是要成為眾人的僕人。在祂的服事當中，這位僕人般的君王不但忍受那些掌權者的仇視，甚至還甘願被他們釘死在十字架上。
如今，耶穌為我們留下榜樣，只要我們生命的中心不再是自己而是基督，便能活出祂的樣式，傳承祂生命的典範。耶穌渴望以祂大能、寬恕的臂膀，擁抱回轉歸向祂的人。
主啊，無論祢活在世上，
或是死在十字架上，祢都是眾人的僕人。
求祢幫助我們，在各樣的事上服事他人。
為上帝而活的人，留下美好典範。
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When a road-construction foreman was killed in an accident, the love of this man for his family, co-workers, and community resulted in an overwhelming sense of loss. His country church couldn't accommodate all the mourners, so planners moved the service to a much larger building. Friends and family packed the auditorium! The message was clear: Tim touched many lives in a way uniquely his. So many would miss his kindness, sense of humor, and enthusiasm for life.
As I returned from the funeral, I thought about the life of King Jehoram. What a contrast! His brief reign of terror is traced in 2 Chronicles 21. To solidify his power, Jehoram killed his own brothers and other leaders (v. 4). Then he led Judah into idol worship. The record tells us, "He passed away, to no one's regret" (v. 20). Jehoram thought that brute force would ensure his legacy. It did. He is forever commemorated in Scripture as an evil man and a self-centered leader.
Although Jesus also was a king, He came to Earth to be a servant. As He went about doing good, He endured the hatred of those who grasped for power. In the process, this Servant-King gave His life away.
Today, Jesus lives along with His legacy. That legacy includes those who understand that life isn't just about themselves. It's about Jesus—the One who longs to wrap His strong, forgiving arms around anyone who turns to Him.
Lord, in Your death as well as in Your life, You did the will of Your Father and served others. In some small way, help us to serve others with our lives today.
A life lived for God leaves a lasting legacy.