【双语灵修】坐在全能父上帝的右边 Seated At The Right Hand Of God
“〔上帝〕所显的能力是何等浩大,…使〔基督〕从死里复活,叫他在天上坐在自己的右边。” - 弗 1:19-20
在使徒信经中,当宣告了耶稣升天之后,我们接下来告白,衪现在“坐在全能父上帝的右边。”
在你的想像中,耶稣坐在天上是怎样的情景呢?祂曾在地上辛苦劳碌,你会想像衪现在正懒洋洋地坐在安乐椅上休息吗?完全没有这个可能。
在天上,耶稣坐在一个华丽的宝座上,祂坐在父的右边,这是有最高荣誉的座位。祂有资格坐在这个座位上,清楚显明祂与父上帝原为一,所以祂配得同样的荣耀和尊崇。圣父上帝已经使万有归服在基督的能力和权柄之下了。
此外,就如使徒保罗在以弗所书中所说的,上帝使耶稣“为教会作万有之首,教会是他的身体。”如同在地上一样,在天上的耶稣也继续着祂的事工。教会的成员是祂在世界各地的信徒,身为教会的元首、并且藉着圣灵的工作,耶稣赐给每一个成员恩赐,以谦卑来服侍众人。衪又以祂神圣的能力和权柄来保守衪的教会,使其不被众多企图毁灭它的势力所侵害。
在天上的耶稣并没有休息,所以我们也当热切和慇勤地在地上继续祂的事工。
祷告
耶稣啊,你为教会-你在地上的身体-孜孜不倦地作工,我们感谢你。无论在任何境况中,都求你帮助我们来信靠你,又善用你赋予的恩赐来建立你的教会。阿们。
以弗所书 1:15-23
15因此,我既听见你们信从主耶稣,亲爱众圣徒,
16就为你们不住地感谢神,祷告的时候常提到你们,
17求我们主耶稣基督的神、荣耀的父,将那赐人智慧和启示的灵赏给你们,使你们真知道他。
18并且照明你们心中的眼睛,使你们知道他的恩召有何等指望,他在圣徒中得的基业有何等丰盛的荣耀;
19并知道他向我们这信的人所显的能力是何等浩大,
20就是照他在基督身上所运行的大能大力,使他从死里复活,叫他在天上坐在自己的右边,
21远超过一切执政的、掌权的、有能的、主治的和一切有名的,不但是今世的,连来世的也都超过了;
22又将万有服在他的脚下,使他为教会做万有之首。
23教会是他的身体,是那充满万有者所充满的。
Seated At The Right Hand Of God
“ [In] his incomparably great power [God] . . . raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms. . . .” - Ephesians 1:19-20
After declaring that Jesus ascended to heaven, we say, with the Apostles’ Creed, that he is now “seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.”
How do you picture Jesus seated in heaven? Do you imagine him lounging in an easy chair, resting from his hard labors on earth? Not a chance.
In heaven Jesus sits on a splendid throne at the Father’s right hand, the very highest place of honor. Sitting there is a sure demonstration that he is one with God the Father and deserving the same honor and respect. God the Father has placed all that exists under Jesus Christ’s power and authority.
Moreover, as the apostle Paul writes in Ephesians, God appointed Jesus as “the head over everything for the church, which is his body.” In heaven, as on earth, Jesus continues his ministry. As the head of the church, made up of his followers throughout the world, and through the work of the Holy Spirit, Jesus blesses each member with gifts to be used in humble service. And with his divine power and authority, Jesus protects his church from the many forces seeking to destroy it.
Just as Jesus isn’t resting in heaven, so too we are earnestly and diligently continuing his work on earth.
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for your tireless work for the church, your body here on earth. Help us to trust you in all situations and to use your gifts to build your church. Amen.