【双语灵修】洗礼：蒙祝福去成为别人的祝福BAPTISM: BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING

马可福音 10:13-16

有人带着小孩子来见耶稣，要耶稣摸他们，门徒便责备那些人。耶稣看见就恼怒，对门徒说：“让小孩子到我这里来，不要禁止他们，因为在神国的正是这样的人。我实在告诉你们：凡要承受神国的，若不像小孩子，断不能进去。”于是抱着小孩子，给他们按手，为他们祝福。

9月20日

洗礼：蒙祝福去成为别人的祝福

“让小孩子到我这里来，不要禁止他们，因为在神国的，正是这样的人。” - 可 10:14

我所属的宗派传统是会为小孩子施行洗礼的，而在我牧师生涯中，其中最大的一样喜乐，就是曾经为很多的小孩子施洗。

孩童洗礼有时会显得有点混乱，但是我反而喜欢见到这种情形，这样说可能令人感到诧异。在小孩子受洗的那天，父母来到教会时往往已是筋疲力尽，因为大清早要准备好一切，又要在家招待亲友，真是相当忙乱。况且，婴孩的反应是很难预测的，有时他们会在整个聚会中都微笑，但有时他们也会不开心，而且不容易被安抚。

耶稣知道小孩子的反应很难捉摸，但这并没有烦扰祂。就如多年前祂对门徒所说的，事实上祂今天仍带着温和坚定的语气对我们说：“让小孩子到我这里来，不要阻止他们，因为天国也是属于他们的。”祂给我们的是一幅多么美丽的图画！耶稣欣然接纳我们的每一个孩子。

不是每一间教会都会为婴孩洗礼，但我请你想想，耶稣欢迎和接纳你社群中的小孩子，有什么意思呢？让我们祷告，祈求他们长大时，会接受耶稣对他们的爱，他们的生命也能为福音发出响声。

祷告

耶稣啊，感谢你无条件地爱我们每一个人，包括小孩子在内。求你帮助我们去接受你的爱、经历你的饶恕、和走在你为我们安排的道路上。阿们。

Mark 10:13-16

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

BAPTISM: BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” —Mark 10:14

My church denomination baptizes children, and one of the great joys for me as a pastor has been to baptize many children through the years.

It may seem odd to say, but I like it that baptism ceremonies can sometimes be a little chaotic. The parents usually come to church a little frazzled on the day of their child’s baptism. Getting ready in the morning can be frenzied, and there are often additional family and friends to host.

What’s more, babies are unpredictable. Sometimes they smile sweetly throughout the worship service. Other times they are not happy and cannot be consoled easily.

Jesus knew that children could be unpredictable, and that didn’t bother him. As he said to his disciples long ago, he still says to us, in effect, with warm firmness in his voice: “Bring the children to me, and do not stop them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them as well.” What a beautiful picture this provides us! Jesus embraces every single one of our children.

Not every church practices infant baptism, but I invite you to think about what it means for Jesus to welcome and embrace the children of your community. Let’s pray that as they grow and mature, they will embrace Jesus’ love for them and the gospel will resonate through their lives.

Jesus, thank you for your unconditional love for us all, including children. Help us to receive your love, experience your forgiveness, and walk in the path you have set for us. In your name, Amen.