【双语灵修】清还债务PAYING OFF A DEBT

利未记 25:47-55

“住在你那里的外人或是寄居的，若渐渐富足，你的弟兄却渐渐穷乏，将自己卖给那外人，或是寄居的，或是外人的宗族， 卖了以后，可以将他赎回。无论是他的弟兄， 或伯叔，伯叔的儿子，本家的近支，都可以赎他。他自己若渐渐富足，也可以自赎。 他要和买主计算，从卖自己的那年起，算到禧年，所卖的价值照着年数多少，好像工人每年的工价。 若缺少的年数多，就要按着年数从买价中偿还他的赎价。 若到禧年只缺少几年，就要按着年数和买主计算，偿还他的赎价。 他和买主同住，要像每年雇的工人，买主不可严严地辖管他。 他若不这样被赎，到了禧年，要和他的儿女一同出去， 因为以色列人都是我的仆人，是我从埃及地领出来的。我是耶和华你们的神。

星期五

十一月二十八日

清还债务

“‘无论是他的弟兄，或伯叔，伯叔的儿子，本家的近支，都可以赎他。’” - 利 25:48-49

有朋友问；“为什么神必须藉着十字架来赦免我们的罪？”为什么耶稣要为我们受苦，牺牲祂的生命？答案就在今天的经文中。当一个家庭的农地多年没有收成时，他们可能要变卖家产，甚至卖掉一个家庭成员，去清还堆积的债务（利未记 25:23-55）。幸好神的律法容许其他家庭成员去代他们清还债项，解除他们要负的责任。

这些律法指出，我们可能会欠一些我们无法偿还的重债。如果有人伤害我，我可以尝试伤害他们，就等如他们还了债，又或者由我自己来承受我的损失。同样，当我们触犯了神的律法时，我们便欠了债，这笔债项需要有人来偿还，就是由我们或者由神去清还。耶稣在马可福音 10:45这样解释说：“因为人子来，并不是要受人的服事，乃是要服事人，并且要舍命，作多人的赎价。”耶稣不单代我们付了赎价，祂自己更成为赎价，祂的受苦和受死偿还了我们的债务！这意味着我们现在是自由的了！多年前，一个年轻的家庭陷入沉重的债务中，包括医药费、没有预料到的汽车修理费用、房屋贷款和学生贷款。当一个慈善机构代他们清还了债务时，这个家庭的现在和将来，便完全被改变了！相比之下，耶稣所做的远超过这个慈善机构，祂拯救所有相信祂的人，与祂永远同活呢！

祷告

耶稣啊，为着祢为我们所作的我们永远感谢祢。惟愿我们能忠心地在祢为我们赢得的自由中生活。阿们。

Leviticus 25:47-55

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28

PAYING OFF A DEBT

“One of their relatives may redeem them: An uncle or a cousin or any blood relative in their clan may redeem them.”—Leviticus 25:48-49

A friend asked, “Why can’t God just forgive our sins without the cross?” Why did Jesus have to suffer and give up his life for us? The answer is in today’s reading. When a family’s crop failed for years in a row, they might have to sell property, or even a family member, to satisfy debts that could pile up (Leviticus 25:23-55). Fortunately God’s law allowed other family members to pay off their debts, releasing them from their obligations.

These laws show how we can owe a debt that we cannot repay. If someone hurts me, either I will try to make them pay by inflicting harm on them, or else I will pay by absorbing the cost. Likewise, when we violate God’s law, we create a debt that someone must pay, and either we or God will have to pay it. Jesus explains this in Mark 10:45 when he says, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus not only pays our ransom; he becomes the ransom. His suffering and death are the payment for our debt!

This means we are now free! Years ago, a young family was buried under crippling debt—medical bills, unexpected car repairs, a mortgage, and student loans. When a charitable organization paid off their debt, their entire present and future changed! In comparison, Jesus has done so much more—saving all who believe in him to live with him forever!

Lord Jesus, we are eternally thankful for all you have done for us. May we live faithfully in the freedom you have won for us. Amen.