【双语灵修】如云彩般的见证人

希伯来书 11:39-12:4 6月10日

这些人都是因信得了美好的证据，却仍未得着所应许的。因为神给我们预备了更美的事，叫他们若不与我们同得，就不能完全。

我们既有这许多的见证人，如同云彩围着我们，就当放下各样的重担，脱去容易缠累我们的罪，存心忍耐，奔那摆在我们前头的路程，仰望为我们信心创始成终的耶稣。他因那摆在前面的喜乐，就轻看羞辱，忍受了十字架的苦难，便坐在神宝座的右边。那忍受罪人这样顶撞的，你们要思想，免得疲倦灰心。你们与罪恶相争，还没有抵挡到流血的地步。

“我们既有这许多的见证人，如同云彩围着我们，就当放下各样的重担......存心忍耐，奔那摆在我们前头的路程，仰望为我们信心创始成终的耶稣。” -来 12:1-2

每年，我们教会都会举行庄重的纪念仪式。我们在教堂前方摆放桌子，上面安放未点燃的蜡烛。会众们带着已故亲人的照片上前，逐一走到麦克风前，念出亲人的名字并点燃蜡烛。有时，他们也会分享故事。

我们曾为自然离世的老祖母、街头遇害的青年、流产的婴孩、因吸毒过世的亲人点燃蜡烛。每个名字都承载着一个故事，每支烛光都代表着一个曾触动我们生命的人。

神的家不仅包括现今活着的我们，还包含那些先我们而去、进入永恒的见证者。他们活在我们所讲述的故事中，值得我们驻足缅怀。

《希伯来书》第十一章记载了许多组成这“云彩般见证人”的先贤榜样，他们都激励我们在信心中前行。

我们都应停下脚步思想：谁曾为你铺路？谁曾激励你？你可曾为那些神安排在你信仰旅程中的人献上感恩？此刻，让我们记念他们，并为每个人感谢神。

祷告

父神，我们感谢所有凭信心和为我们牺牲开路的前人。愿他们的榜样激励我们谦卑前行，服侍他人，活出你的爱与恩典。阿们。

Hebrews 11:39-12:4

TUESDAY, JUNE 10

CLOUD OF WITNESSES

“Surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us . . . run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” — Hebrews 12:1-2

Each year, our church community holds a solemn celebration. We set up tables at the front of the church and place unlit candles on them. Church members come forward with photos of loved ones who have died. One by one, people approach the microphone, announce the name of a loved one, and light a candle. Sometimes they also share a story.

We’ve lit candles for grandmothers who died of natural causes, young men killed on the streets, babies lost to miscarriage, and loved ones taken by overdoses. Each name carries a story; each candle represents a life that touched ours.

God’s family includes not only we who are living right now but also the many who came before us and who have gone on to eternity. They live on in the stories we tell, and it’s important to stop and remember them.

In Hebrews 11 we find many examples of people who make up the “great cloud of witnesses” who have gone before us. All of these examples encourage us to walk in faith.

We all do well to pause and remember: Who came before you? Who inspired you? Who are the people for whom you are grateful, knowing that God sent them to be part of your faith journey? Take a moment to name them and to thank God for each one.

Father, we thank you for all who have gone before us, paving the way with faith and sacrifice. May their legacy inspire us to walk humbly and serve others, reflecting your love and grace. Amen.