在敬拜时,我们通常都会向我们的救主上帝献唱赞美诗和圣诗。
就很多方面而言,使徒信经就如同一首圣诗,而有不少赞美诗歌也是根据这篇信经的内容谱写而成的。
圣经中也包括很多以诗歌体裁写成的经文,我们今天的经文腓立比书2章中,便包括这样一个例子。第6至11节这段经文看来是一首圣诗(或诗歌的一部份),它是在第一世纪初期的基督徒歌咏颂唱的圣诗。使徒保罗劝勉读者“当以基督耶稣的心为心”时,便用了这首圣诗来概括所要传达的重要教导。从某些意义来看,这首古老的圣诗就像使徒信经那样,告诉我们耶稣是谁、祂为我们成就了什么作为、以及祂再来时会有什么事情发生。
想像一下你正在2000年前参与某场礼拜,有主内的弟兄姊妹在你周围、一起颂唱这首圣诗。然后请你再读(或唱)出来这首在历代历世不断回响的古旧诗歌,因着“我主耶稣基督,上帝独生的子,”让我们反思和默想这些我们不断颂扬的意义深远,改变生命的真理。
像使徒信经那样,这首收录在圣经中的圣诗让上帝的话语铭刻在我们心里。当我们彼此相爱和彼此服事,并以此来追求为上帝而活时,它呼召我们当学效耶稣、在一切人际的关系上都怀着谦卑的心。
耶稣啊,出于爱,你为我们倒空你的生命;求你帮助我们,今天也能出于爱来彼此倒空自己的生命。奉你的名祈求,阿们。
腓立比书 2:5-11
5你们当以基督耶稣的心为心。
6他本有神的形象,不以自己与神同等为强夺的,
7反倒虚己,取了奴仆的形象,成为人的样式;
8既有人的样子,就自己卑微,存心顺服以至于死,且死在十字架上。
9所以神将他升为至高,又赐给他那超乎万名之上的名,
10叫一切在天上的、地上的和地底下的,因耶稣的名无不屈膝,
11无不口称耶稣基督为主,使荣耀归于父神。
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 2:5
In worship services it is common to sing songs of praise and hymns to God our Savior.
In many ways, the Apostles’ Creed is like a hymn, and many songs have been composed from the words of this creed.
The Bible includes many song texts as well, and our reading from Philippians 2 includes one of them. This text in verses 6-11 appears to be a hymn (or part of one) that was recited and sung by early Christians in the first century. And the apostle Paul uses it to summarize a number of important teachings as he urges readers to “have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” In some ways like the Apostles’ Creed, this ancient hymn tells us who Jesus is, what he did for us, and what will happen when he comes again.
Imagine yourself in a worship service 2,000 years ago, surrounded by sisters and brothers in the Lord and singing these words together. Then reread (or sing) this ancient hymn that has echoed down through the centuries. Reflect and meditate on the deep, life-changing truths we can celebrate because of “Jesus, Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord.”
This hymn in Scripture, like the Apostle’s Creed, allows God’s Word to settle into our hearts. And it calls us to humble ourselves like Jesus in all our relationships as we seek to live for God by loving and serving each other.
Jesus, out of love, you poured out your life for us; now help us, out of love, to pour out our lives for each other. In your name, Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳