今天的经文中包括了一段耶稣的教导，常常被称为“八福”。八福可以被描述为“终极的福”，这些福指的是在神的国中与神同在的那生命中的荣美。尽管在我们人生中会遇到种种困难，包括因跟随基督而遭受逼迫，但我们可以倚靠这些祝福。所有相信神在基督里的应许的人，都能活在这些应许带来的盼望中。然而，八福不仅是对未来的应许。
请注意，雅各谈到在试炼中要有喜乐。基督徒的喜乐蕴含了一种极其深刻的平安和安慰，即使信徒面对逼迫、试炼和苦难，也得着坚固，这种喜乐的祝福和八福那终极的福是同样的。
透过耶稣基督的降生、受死和复活，神赐给我们一个喜乐、蒙福的灵——不止对来生充满期待，也对今生充满盼望。
喜乐的灵并不代表在任何环境中都是快乐的，它乃是有平安的稳固根基，明白无论发生何事，神都爱我们，认识我们，绝不会撇下我们。这真是最大的祝福！
神圣的主啊，祢总是以祢的同在赐给我们最大的祝福，为此我们谦恭感谢祢。愿我们的灵彰显出在祢里面那充满盼望的喜乐。奉耶稣的名祷告。阿们。
马太福音 5:1-12
1 耶稣看见这许多的人，就上了山，既已坐下，门徒到他跟前来，
2 他就开口教训他们，说：
3 “虚心的人有福了！因为天国是他们的。
4 哀恸的人有福了！因为他们必得安慰。
5 温柔的人有福了！因为他们必承受地土。
6 饥渴慕义的人有福了！因为他们必得饱足。
7 怜恤人的人有福了！因为他们必蒙怜恤。
8 清心的人有福了！因为他们必得见神。
9 使人和睦的人有福了！因为他们必称为神的儿子。
10 为义受逼迫的人有福了！因为天国是他们的。
11 人若因我辱骂你们，逼迫你们，捏造各样坏话毁谤你们，你们就有福了。
12 应当欢喜快乐，因为你们在天上的赏赐是大的。在你们以前的先知，人也是这样逼迫他们。
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds. — James 1:2
Today’s Bible reading includes a section of Jesus’ teaching that is often called “The Beatitudes.” Beatitudes can be described as “ultimate blessings.” These blessings refer to the glorious goodness of life with God in his kingdom and presence. And we can count on these blessings despite all the difficulties we may face in our lives, including persecution for being followers of Christ. All who claim God’s promises in Christ can live in the hope of these promises. But the beatitude blessings are more than just promises for the future.
Notice how James talks about having joy in the midst of trials. Christian joy includes a profoundly deep sense of peace and comfort that sustains believers even in the midst of persecution, trials, and suffering. The blessedness of this joy is the same as the ultimate blessedness of the beatitudes.
Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God offers us a joyful, blessed spirit—not only in anticipation of the life to come but also in this life too.
A joyful spirit is not one that is happy all the time, no matter the circumstances. Rather, it has the firm foundation of peace and understanding that no matter what happens, God loves us, knows us, and will never leave us. This truly is the highest blessing.
Blessed Lord, you offer us ultimate blessedness in your presence always, and for that we humbly thank you. May our spirit reflect the joy of the hope we have in you. In Christ we pray. Amen.
诵读: 楚云
片头: 张妙阳
