QT 20/12/2024 Fri. Christmas Message 03. The Great Gift. 伟大的礼物。
QT 20/12/2024 Fri. Christmas Message 03. The Great Gift.
READ http://www.esvbible.org/john3:16-21
John 3:16–21 For God So Loved the World
[16] “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. [18] Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. [19] And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. [20] For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. [21] But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” (ESV)
It was due to God's love that He made eternal life available for the world. God loved the world, i.e., that He loved all that He created, especially His people, made in His image. This love was demonstrated when He gave a unique, precious and one-of-a-kind gift—His Son. This love was great as the gift was not only for Israel, but for all the world.
The phrase "his only Son" emphasises the intensity and greatness of this gift. While Abraham was spared from giving up his one-of-a-kind son, Isaac, who was spared when God provided a substitute. Jehovah-Jireh, God the provider (Gen 22:14). Yet God did not spare His own Son Jesus Christ. Any father's heart would feel the intense pain when his son dies, especially when he was innocently killed.
This contrast points to the great opposite that would happen when God gave such a great gift—the great opposites would happen. Instead of condemnation, the opposite of it, "might be saved" holds. Instead of perishing, obtains "eternal life". Instead of struggle through human's inadequacy, "whoever believes" would now be sufficient.
Would you accept such a great gift this Christmas? Would you introduce someone to such a great gift this Christmas?
QT 20/12/2024 星期五. 圣诞信息 03: 伟大的礼物。
http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/joh/3
约翰福音 3:16 神爱世人，甚至将他的独生子赐给他们，叫一切信他的，不至灭亡，反得永生。17 因为神差他的儿子降世，不是要定世人的罪，（或作审判世人下同）乃是要叫世人因他得救。18 信他的人，不被定罪。不信的人，罪已经定了，因为他不信神独生子的名。19 光来到世间，世人因自己的行为是恶的，不爱光倒爱黑暗，定他们的罪就是在此。20 凡作恶的便恨光，并不来就光，恐怕他的行为受责备。21 但行真理的必来就光，要显明他所行的是靠神而行。
正是由于上帝的爱，祂为世人带来了永生。上帝爱世人，即爱他所创造的一切，尤其是按他的形象创造的他的子民。当祂赐下独一无二、珍贵无比的礼物--祂的儿子时，这种爱就得到了彰显。这种爱是伟大的，因为这份礼物不仅是给以色列人的，也是给全世界的。
祂的“独生子” 这个短语强调了这份礼物的强烈和伟大。亚伯拉罕不用放弃或舍去他独一无二的儿子以撒，是因为上帝为他提供了替代品。耶和华以勒，上帝是供养者 (创22：14)。然而，上帝也没有免去祂自己的儿子耶稣基督为世人的受苦。当一个儿子死去，尤其是无辜被杀时，任何一位父亲的内心都会感到强烈的痛苦。
这种对比表明，当上帝赐予如此伟大的礼物时，会发生巨大的反差--巨大的反差会发生。与定罪相反，乃是“得救”。不再灭亡，而是获得 “永生”。信的人不再因人的不足而苦苦挣扎。现在“信他的人”，信心， 就已经足够把这些人带到祂的面前了。
今年圣诞节，你会接受这样一份伟大的礼物吗？今年圣诞节，你会向别人介绍这样一份大礼吗？
