我曾在一件法律诉讼中做证人,律师们定意要确保我对事件有清晰的记忆和有准确的先后次序。他们又告诉我,要把我所知道的任何关于这件事的资料陈述出来;然后他们再决定哪些细节是重要的,哪些是无关重要的。
在升天之前,耶稣以“你们 … 作我的见证”这句话来吩咐跟随衪的人,这是一件我们应该关注的事。我们是耶稣——宇宙的主——的见证人。
我不知道你有什么看法,但我却总觉得这是一件令人却步的差事,尤其令人生畏,就是耶稣说我们的见证要从我们身处的地方开始,一直扩展到地极。我具备足够的条件来做这种见证人吗?
感恩的是,我们不是孤军作战。
在向我们颁布这个大使命时,耶稣同时应许赐给我们圣灵。衪也差遣由我们信徒组成的信仰群体,这件差事是我们一起去承担的。
在这个月,让我们来探讨怎样去为耶稣作忠心的见证人吧。在我事奉的Resonate Global Mission中,我天天都看到忠心见证的典范,圣灵仍在世界各地不断活跃地作工呢!我期望与你一起探讨和分享,今天在我们生活中的福音使命是怎样的。
耶稣啊,在探讨作你见证的意思时,我们愿意敞开我们的心灵接受你的呼召。求你以你的灵充满我们,又教导我们如何更有效地为你作见证。阿们。
使徒行传 1:1-11
1提阿非罗啊,我已经作了前书,论到耶稣开头一切所行所教训的,
2直到他藉着圣灵吩咐所拣选的使徒以后,被接上升的日子为止。
3他受害之后,用许多的凭据将自己活活地显给使徒看,四十天之久向他们显现,讲说神国的事。
4耶稣和他们聚集的时候,嘱咐他们说:“不要离开耶路撒冷,要等候父所应许的,就是你们听见我说过的。
5约翰是用水施洗,但不多几日,你们要受圣灵的洗。”
6他们聚集的时候,问耶稣说:“主啊,你复兴以色列国就在这时候吗?”
7耶稣对他们说:“父凭着自己的权柄所定的时候、日期,不是你们可以知道的。
8但圣灵降临在你们身上,你们就必得着能力,并要在耶路撒冷、犹太全地和撒马利亚,直到地极,作我的见证。”
9说了这话,他们正看的时候,他就被取上升,有一朵云彩把他接去,便看不见他了。
10当他往上去,他们定睛望天的时候,忽然有两个人身穿白衣站在旁边,说:
11“加利利人哪,你们为什么站着望天呢?这离开你们被接升天的耶稣,你们见他怎样往天上去,他还要怎样来。”
"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses. . . ." - Acts 1:8
I once served as a witness on a legal matter. The lawyers determined to make sure that my memories were clear and that the timeline of events was accurate. They also told me to share everything about the situation that I could; they would decide which details were important and which ones weren't.
It is significant that Jesus, before he ascended to heaven, commissioned his followers with these words: "You will be my witnesses. . . ." We serve as witnesses to Jesus, the Lord of the universe.
I don't know about you, but this feels like a daunting task, especially when Jesus says that our witness begins where we are and extends to the ends of the earth. Do I have what it takes to be that kind of witness?
Thankfully, we do not do this alone.
As Jesus commissions us, he promises the gift of his Holy Spirit. He also commissions us, his followers, as a community. This is our task, together.
This month, let's explore how to bear witness to Jesus. In my work with Resonate Global Mission, I see examples of faithful witness every day. The Spirit is alive and well around the world! I look forward to exploring and sharing with you what mission looks like in our lives today.
Jesus, as we explore what it means to be your witnesses, we want to open our hearts to your call. Fill us with your Spirit and teach us how we can grow as witnesses for you. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳