【双语灵修】神家里的一员

约翰一书 4:9-10

神差他独生子到世间来，使我们藉着他得生，神爱我们的心在此就显明了。不是我们爱神，乃是神爱我们，差他的儿子为我们的罪做了挽回祭，这就是爱了。

6月1日

神家里的一员

“神差他独生子到世间来，使我们藉着他得生，神爱我们的心在此就显明了。不是我们爱神，乃是神爱我们，差他的儿子为我们的罪作了挽回祭，这就是爱了。” -约一 4:9-10

詹姆斯和蒂莎站在教堂圣坛前，他们的女儿布鲁克林和莱拉望着父亲怀中的弟弟哈基姆。布鲁克林踮起脚尖，望向洗礼池的水，随后抬头与我对望。她被这奥秘的仪式和当日庄严的誓约，深深地吸引住。

我对会众说：“若有家庭愿意与布鲁克林、莱拉、詹姆斯和蒂莎一同参与哈基姆的洗礼，请上前来。”本以为只有几位祖父母会回应，我却惊讶全体会众都走上前来，用爱环绕他们。

我们一同聆听神的应许。詹姆斯和蒂莎立下誓言，会众也承诺在基督的团契中扶持哈基姆。随后是洗礼的话语：“耶稣基督，为你，哈基姆来到世间；为你，祂舍命；为你，祂战胜死亡……我们爱，因神先爱我们。哈基姆·埃尔齐，我奉父、子、圣灵的名为你施洗。”

哈基姆成了神家中的孩子。因着耶稣，你也有权利成为这家中的一员（约翰福音1:12-13）。

祷告

慈爱的神，感谢你藉耶稣基督使我们成为你家中的一员。请帮助我们每日忠实地分享你的恩慈之爱。阿们。

1 John 4:9-10

SUNDAY, JUNE 1

PART OF GOD’S FAMILY

“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” — 1 John 4:9-10

James and Tyesha stand at the front of the church sanctuary with their daughters, Brooklyn and Layla, who gaze up at their baby brother, Hakeem, cradled in their father’s arms. Brooklyn stands on tiptoe to peer into the water of the baptismal font; then her eyes look up to meet mine. She is captivated by the mystery, the ritual, and the weight of the promises on this day.

I address the congregation: “If any family would like to join Brooklyn, Layla, James, and Tyesha as we baptize baby Hakeem, you are invited to come forward.” Expecting a few grandparents to join us, I am stunned when the whole congregation steps forward, surrounding them in love.

Together we listen to God’s promises. James and Tyesha make vows, and the congregation promises to stand with Hakeem in Christian community. Then come the words of baptism: “For you, Hakeem, Jesus Christ came into the world; for you, he died; for you, he conquered death. . . . We love because God first loved us. Hakeem Elzy, I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”

Hakeem, a child of God, is part of God’s family. And because of Jesus you have the right to be part of God’s family too (John 1:12-13).

Loving God, thank you for making us part of your family through Jesus Christ. Help us to share your gracious love with others faithfully each day. Amen.