【双语灵修】最好的尚未来到THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

利未记 23:9-14；哥林多前书 15:20-23

耶和华对摩西说： “你晓谕以色列人说：你们到了我赐给你们的地，收割庄稼的时候，要将初熟的庄稼一捆带给祭司。 他要把这一捆在耶和华面前摇一摇，使你们得蒙悦纳。祭司要在安息日的次日把这捆摇一摇。 摇这捆的日子，你们要把一岁、没有残疾的公绵羊羔献给耶和华为燔祭； 同献的素祭，就是调油的细面伊法十分之二，作为馨香的火祭献给耶和华；同献的奠祭，要酒一欣四分之一。 无论是饼，是烘的子粒，是新穗子，你们都不可吃，直等到把你们献给神的供物带来的那一天才可以吃。这在你们一切的住处作为世世代代永远的定例。

但基督已经从死里复活，成为睡了之人初熟的果子。 死既是因一人而来，死人复活也是因一人而来。 在亚当里众人都死了，照样，在基督里众人也都要复活。 但各人是按着自己的次序复活：初熟的果子是基督，以后在他来的时候，是那些属基督的。

星期四

十一月二十日

最好的尚未来到

“基督已经从死里复活，成为睡了之人初熟的果子。” - 林前 15:20

我教会的一位会友最近被诊断患上末期癌症。另一个我相熟的家庭，正在面对家人相继因患上失智症而续渐失去记忆的痛苦。又有一位同事突然死亡，遗下爱妻和两个孩子。每天新闻的头条都是有关战争、疾病和天灾人祸。简而言之，我们活着的世界，是以死亡为标志的。

“初熟节”是指向不久将来的一线希望。人们把初熟大麦收成的一部分献给神。这个奉献是一个感恩和相信神会继续供应祂的子民的行动。这个节日也是表示初熟的庄稼会带来更多的收成的讯号。

耶稣死后的星期日，是阳光灿烂的初熟节。那复活的初熟果子耶稣，从死亡的睡眠中打开了眼睛、活着走出坟墓！祂是第一个这样做的，但以后肯定还有其他的。每一个相信祂的人，都会从坟墓里起来、出死入生了！

我们只需要看看耶稣，便知道我们从坟墓里起来会是怎么样的。我们会有一个完美的身体和心灵，不再有失智、不再有癌病、不再有帕金森氏症、不再有抑郁、身心都不会再衰败了！

初熟节邀请我们去相信耶稣的复活只是开始－还有更美好的将会来到呢！

祷告

赐生命的主啊，我们盼望能与祢一同复活，求祢以这个盼望来安慰和支持我们！奉祢满有能力的名字祈求，阿们。

Leviticus 23:9-14; 1 Corinthians 15:20-23

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20

THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. —1 Corinthians 15:20

A member of my church was diagnosed recently with terminal cancer. Another family close to me is watching as dementia robs their family member of memories, one at a time. A colleague recently died unexpectedly, leaving behind a dear wife and two children. Daily headlines announce war, disease, and natural disasters. In short, we live in a world marked by death.

The Feast of Firstfruits pointed to a glimmer of hope on the horizon. The people offered God a portion of the first crops of their barley harvest. The offerings were given in gratitude and as an act of trust that God would continue providing for his people. This feast signaled that the first of the crop would lead to more.

On the Sunday after Jesus’ death, the sun rose bright on the Feast of Firstfruits. Jesus, the firstfruits of resurrection, opened his eyes from the sleep of death and walked out of the grave, alive! He was the first, but he will not be the last. All who believe in him will also rise from the grave, brought out of death into life!

To know what we will be like after rising from the grave, we need only look to Jesus. A perfected body and mind. No more dementia, no more cancer, no more Parkinson’s, no more depression, no more wearing out of bodies and minds!

The Feast of Firstfruits invites us to trust that Jesus’ resurrection was just the beginning—and there is more to come!

Lord of life, comfort and sustain us with the hope that we will join you in resurrection! In your powerful name we pray. Amen.