【双语灵修】看顾到底CARING THROUGH THE END

约翰福音 19:17-27

他们就把耶稣带了去。耶稣背着自己的十字架出来，到了一个地方，名叫髑髅地，希伯来话叫各各他他们就在那里钉他在十字架上，还有两个人和他一同钉着，一边一个，耶稣在中

间。彼拉多又用牌子写了一个名号，安在十字架上，写的是：“犹太人的王，拿撒勒人耶稣。”有许多犹太人念这名号，因为耶稣被钉十字架的地方与城相近，并且是用希伯来、罗马、希腊三样文字写的。犹太人的祭司长就对彼拉多说：“不要写‘犹太人的王’，要写‘他自己说我是犹太人的王’。” 彼拉多说：“我所写的，我已经写上了。”

兵丁既然将耶稣钉在十字架上，就拿他的衣服分为四份，每兵一份。又拿他的里衣，这件里衣原来没有缝儿，是上下一片织成的。他们就彼此说：“我们不要撕开，只要拈阄，看谁得着。”这要应验经上的话说：“他们分了我的外衣，为我的里衣拈阄。”兵丁果然做了这事。

站在耶稣十字架旁边的，有他母亲与他母亲的姐妹，并革罗罢的妻子马利亚和抹大拉的马利亚。 耶稣见母亲和他所爱的那门徒站在旁边，就对他母亲说：“母亲[a]，看，你的儿子！” 又对那门徒说：“看，你的母亲！”从此，那门徒就接她到自己家里去了。

7月20日

看顾到底

“耶稣见母亲和他所爱的那门徒站在旁边，就对他母亲说：’母亲，看，你的儿子！’又对那门徒说：’看，你的母亲！’” -约 19:26-27

在这里，我们看见好牧羊人已非常接近生命完结的时候了，祂落在极大的痛苦中。假若祂只把专注集中在祂自己所受的痛苦上，我们当然可以理解。然而，祂却没有放弃自己的责任。

在今天所读的经文中，这位温柔的牧羊人为祂的母亲马利亚感到伤痛。作为对她最后一次的照顾，耶稣确保她不会无家可归、孤单无助，祂差派祂所爱的门徒约翰，把马利亚接到他家里去。

《路加福音》也记载了耶稣怎样回应一个身旁临死的罪犯的祈求。祂以赦免，并应许在乐园的生命，祝福了这个人（路加福音22:39-43）。纵使自己正面对残酷的死刑，我们的牧者仍然继续寻找失丧和迷途的人。

这些事件让我们看到，看顾祂父的羊乃是耶稣所热爱的。耶稣与他们一同走过祂自己死亡的幽谷。

这是何等奇妙的爱！死亡和坟墓也不能控制这份热爱。祂复活和回到天上，已经过了千多年的时间，但这份热爱仍然不会褪色。对我们每一个人来说，这真是一个好消息。

在你生命中，曾在哪一方面经历过好牧羊人的爱呢？

祷告

主耶稣，祢对我们的爱和牺牲，我们实在感恩不尽。在我们尝试向世人展示祢的看顾和慈爱时，求祢帮助我们，叫我们在所作的一切事上都荣耀祢。阿们。

John 19:17-27

SUNDAY, JULY 20

CARING THROUGH THE END

When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” —John 19:26-27

Here we see the good shepherd so near to the end of his life and in so much pain that we would certainly understand if he focused only on his own suffering. But he doesn’t resign from his duties.

In our reading for today the gentle shepherd is moved by compassion for his mother, Mary. In a final act of honor for her care, Jesus ensures that she will not be left homeless and vulnerable. He commissions his dear disciple John to take Mary into his household.

The gospel account of Luke shows, as well, how Jesus responds to the prayer of a convicted criminal who is dying next to him. He blesses the man with forgiveness and with the promise of life in paradise (Luke 22:39-43). The Lord our shepherd continues to pursue the lost and the wandering even as he faces his own cruel death.

These incidents show us that taking care of his Father’s sheep was Jesus’ passion. Jesus walks with them through the valley of the shadow of his own death.

What wonderful love this is! Death and the tomb cannot contain it. The passage of thousands of years beyond his resurrection and return to heaven cannot dull such love. This is good news for us all.

Where in your life have you encountered the good shepherd’s love?

Lord Jesus, we cannot thank you enough for your loving sacrifice for us. Help us to honor you in all we do as we seek to extend your care and love to the world. Amen.