我們剛剛度過了一個歡慶的季節,每個節慶都有其原由與意涵。十一月,我們慶祝退伍軍人節,以紀念軍人為保衛我們的國家所做出的犧牲。而感恩節是因早期清教徒在嚴冬的艱難的環境中能生存下來並他們在美國能有首次收成,感謝神的保護及賜與。十二月,我們慶祝我們的救主耶穌基督誕生。緊接著在一月份,我們慶祝新年和農曆新年。
聖經中的神是歡慶的神。在舊約聖經中記載,神給了以色列人七個不同的節期,每個節期都有它的意義。例如,逾越節是為了記念神將以色列人帶出埃及。五旬節是感謝神賜予豐收的日子。贖罪日是至聖之日,提醒以色列人認罪的重要性。這些節期旨在讓以色列人與聖潔的神時時連繫並保持正確的關係。它們也是基督救贖工作的隱喻 (例如,耶穌是無瑕疵的逾越節羔羊,為我們的罪而犧牲)。
在新約聖經中,耶穌設立聖餐是為了記念祂為信徒與聖潔的神和好而做出的犧牲。同時祂也命令進行洗禮 (馬太福音 28:19-20) ,之後使徒保羅也闡明洗禮是表明信徒在死 (浸入水中) 和復活 (從水中復出)上與基督聯合 (羅馬書 6:3-4) 。這些頌揚記念活動為要提醒我們通過相信耶穌在十字架上完成的工作而蒙恩得救。
通過相信耶穌基督,我們還能如何頌揚與神所建立的關係呢?請參考以下經文:
希伯來書 13:15
我們應當靠著耶穌,常常以頌讚為祭獻給 神,這就是那承認主名之人嘴唇的果子。
帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-18
要常常喜樂,不住地禱告,凡事謝恩;因為這是 神在基督耶穌裡向你們所定的旨意。
以賽亞書 12:4-6
在那日,你們要說:當稱謝耶和華,求告他的名;將他所行的傳揚在萬民中,提說他的名已被尊崇。你們要向耶和華唱歌,因他所行的甚是美好;但願這事普傳天下。錫安的居民哪,當揚聲歡呼,因為在你們中間的以色列聖者乃為至大。
腓立比書 4:4-7
你們要靠主常常喜樂。我再說,你們要喜樂。當叫眾人知道你們謙讓的心。主已經近了。應當一無掛慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求,和感謝,將你們所要的告訴 神。神所賜、出人意外的平安必在基督耶穌裡保守你們的心懷意念。
KEEP CELEBRATING AFTER THE CHRISTMAS SEASON
We have just come through a season of celebrations. Each celebration came with a reason and purpose. In November, we celebrated Veteran's Day for the sacrifices that the military made to defend our country and Thanksgiving for the pilgrims' survival of a harsh winter and their first harvest in America. In December, we celebrated the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Then in January, we celebrate the New Year and the Chinese New Year.
The God of the Bible is the God of celebrations. In the Old Testament, God gave Israel seven different feasts- each with their own meaning. For example, Passover was to commemorate God bringing Israel out of Egypt. Pentecost was a time of thanking God for the abundant harvest. The Day of Atonement was a solemn holy day to remind Israel the importance of confessing sin. These feasts were designed to keep Israel connected and in a right relationship with a holy God. They also served as analogies to the redemptive work of Christ (for example, Jesus was the unblemished Passover Lamb that was sacrificed for our sins).
In the New Testament, Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper to commemorate the sacrifice He would make to enable believers to be reconciled to a holy God. Jesus also commanded baptism (Matthew 28:19-20). The Apostle Paul later explains that baptism serves as a word picture of believers being united in Christ in death (submersion into the water) and resurrection (emersion out of the water) (Romans 6:3-4). These celebrations remind us of our salvation by grace through faith in Jesus' finished work on the Cross.
How else can we celebrate our relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ? Consider these verses:
Hebrews 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise— the fruit of lips that confess his name.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 12:4-6 Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.
Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
-朱耀強牧師
