2016年4月8日
轉換住處 In Transition
读经: 約翰福音11章17-27節
Reading: John 11:17-27
我們就要和主永遠同在。-帖撒羅尼迦前書4章17節
We will be with the Lord forever. 1 Thessalonians 4:17
全年读经: 撒母耳記上10-12章;路加福音9章37-62節
Bible in a Year: 1 Samuel 10–12; Luke 9:37-62
在迦納，人們經常將訃聞張貼在看板與街坊的水泥牆上。像「英年早逝」、「與世長辭」、「永在懷念中」這些醒目的詞語，宣告至親已離開人世與將舉行的喪禮。我曾看到一則訃聞寫著「轉換住處」，表明了生命超越墳墓的限制。
當至親或密友過世，我們會感到悲傷，就像馬利亞和馬大因失去兄弟拉撒路而哀痛（約翰福音11章17-27節）。我們因懷念過世的親人而流淚心碎，耶穌也因著朋友的過世而深感悲痛（35節）。
但是在眾人悲傷之際，耶穌卻發出令人欣喜的宣告，談到了死後的生命，祂說：「復活在我，生命也在我！信我的人，雖然死了，也必復活。凡活著信我的人必永遠不死。」（25-26節）
由此可見，我們與過世的信徒只不過是暫時離別，正如保羅強調他們「要和主永遠同在」（帖撒羅尼迦前書4章17節） 。離別固然令人感到悲痛，但是我們可以安心，因確信他們是在上帝安穩的手中。
「轉換住處」意謂著我們只是轉換環境和居住的地方。雖然世上的生命結束了，但我們還會永遠地活著，而且在耶穌的同在中活得更好。「所以，你們當用這些話彼此勸慰」（18節） 。
主耶穌，因為祢，我們才有了盼望，
並有永生的確據。我們感謝祢！
因為耶穌，我們可以永遠活著。
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People post obituary notices on billboards and concrete block walls in Ghana regularly. Headlines such as Gone Too Soon, Celebration of Life, and What a Shock! announce the passing away of loved ones and the approaching funerals. One I read—In Transition—points to life beyond the grave.
When a close relative or friend dies, we sorrow as Mary and Martha did for their brother Lazarus (John 11:17-27). We miss the departed so much that our hearts break and we weep, as Jesus wept at the passing of His friend (v. 35).
"Whoever lives by believing in me will never die." John 11:25
Yet, it was at this sorrowful moment Jesus made a delightful statement on life after death: "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die" (v. 25).
On the basis of this we give departed believers only a temporary farewell. For they "will be with the Lord forever," Paul emphasizes (1 Thess. 4:17). Of course, farewells are painful, but we can rest assured that they are in the Lord's safe hands.
In Transition suggests that we are only changing from one situation to another. Though life on earth ends for us, we will continue to live forever and better in the next life where Jesus is. "Therefore encourage one another with these words" (v. 18).
It is because of You, Jesus, that we have hope and are sure of a forever life. We're grateful.
Because of Jesus, we can live forever.