Thursday, 23 December 2021
Title: I know Him, for I come from Him, and He sent me (John 7:29)
By Choong Yoon Tong

Christmas is the celebration of God with us. Christ, the Prince Immanuel, who is God Himself incarnated in human form came to dwell with man. In John’s gospel, Jesus repeatedly reminds us that the Father has sent Him. God sent His beloved Son to suffer humiliation, to be stripped of His divine glory and ultimately to sacrifice Himself to atone for all of man’s sin, simply because He loves us. O, what a sacrificial love that all human love pales in comparison!

God’s love that transcends all human wisdom, is given to all irrespective of race, status, or personal worth. Through His love, we learn to love one another. Love breaks all animosity and heals every heart ache. It bridges every social difference and reconciles all broken relationships.

Jesus came to reveal God. He knows God, for He came from God, and God sent Him. For no one has ever seen God but Christ came to demonstrate the attributes of the heavenly Father. God is Spirit and love. He is eternal, the Creator of the universe and He prevails over all nature. He has the power to save, to heal, and most importantly, the power to forgive sin. He feeds the hungry and even cares for the sparrow. God is holy and just. We patiently await His final judgement and victory that only the Lamb that was slain has the authority to execute.

Jesus came to bear witness to the truth. The world is blinded by all sorts of falsehood and lies; be it in politics, religion, media, and even education. Jesus Himself is the truth and He testifies that the eternal Word of God is the truth. Only when we are sanctified in the truth that our eyes and hearts are opened to the light. Truth leads to hope and peace in Christ. He is the Saviour of the world; He shall rule and reign and shall make all things new.

Jesus came to proclaim good news. He came to do the Father‘s will, seeking and saving the lost, so that everyone who believes in Christ will no longer be condemned of their sin, but receive forgiveness. The captives and the oppressed are liberated and the blind receive their sight. The sacrificial Lamb came to save us and give us abundant life. A life of joy of knowing Him and worshiping Him.

The birth of Christ is the proclamation of love, hope, joy and life. O Christ Himself is the immeasurable gift; He is the superabundant grace given incongruously irrespective of the recipient’s worth. Nothing is expected in return except for the believer to be transformed into His image.

Prayer
Lord, we thank You for You are the most wonderful gift, Immanuel, God with us. Thank You, Jesus, for You came to give us love, hope, joy and eternal life. May Your light continue to shine gloriously and Your peace to prevail over all nations. May Your truth be proclaimed that hearts will turn to You for eternal life. Amen.

每日灵粮
2021年12月23日，星期四
题目：我却认识祂，因为我是从祂来的，祂也是差了我来
经文：约翰福音7: 29
作者：钟荣堂执事
翻译：吴淑娉姐妹

圣诞节是庆祝上帝与我们同在的日子。基督，以马内利王子，正是上帝道成肉身，降世与人同住。在约翰福音中，耶稣一再提醒我们：差遣祂的是天父。上帝差遣祂的爱子前来，受尽屈辱，被剥夺神圣的荣耀，最后更牺牲自己，为人类赎罪——只因为祂爱我们。啊！多么牺牲的爱！相比之下，人类所有的爱实在是相形见绌！

上帝的爱超越了人类一切的智慧，衪将爱赐给所有的人，不分种族、地位及个人价值。借着祂的爱，我们学会了彼此相爱，爱不但打破人与人之间的仇恨，而且可以治愈每一个痛楚的心灵，弥合社会差异、修补种种破裂的关系。

耶稣来是要向人揭示上帝，祂认识上帝，乃因祂是从上帝而来，是上帝亲自差遣祂来的。除了基督，没有人见过上帝，基督前来是为了要彰显天父的属性：上帝既是灵和爱，也是永恒，是宇宙的创造者；祂胜过一切自然力量，能拯救、医治，最重要的是能赦罪；祂喂饱饥饿的人，照顾微小的麻雀；上帝是圣洁和公义的，只有受宰的羔羊才有权进行最后的审判，让我们耐心地等候祂的审判和最终胜利！

耶稣来是为真理作见证，世界被各种谬误和谎言所蒙蔽，包括政治、宗教、媒体，甚致教育各方面。耶稣自己就是真理，祂见证到上帝永恒的话语就是真理。当我们在真理中成圣（sanctified)时，我们的眼睛和心灵便会向光明敞开。真理令我们在基督里得到平安，祂是救世主，祂有权统治，使一切变成新的。

耶稣来是要传好消息，祂来是为了遵行天父的旨意，寻找及拯救迷途的人，使所有信祂的人不再被定罪，反得宽恕，罪的俘虏和受压迫的人获得解救，＂盲的＂重见光明。献祭的羔羊前来拯救我们，赐我们丰盛的生命，若能认识祂、敬拜祂，我们会一生喜乐。

基督的诞生宣告着爱、希望、喜乐和生命，啊！基督是一份无法估量的礼物，是上帝深厚的恩典，不管接受者的价值、地位如何，白白地赐给信徒，不求回报，只要信祂的人都遵从祂的话语，逐渐蜕变成主的形象。

祷告

主啊，感谢祢！祢是一份最美妙的礼物，以马内利——上帝与我们同在。感谢耶稣，祢的降临给我们带来爱、希望、喜乐和永生。愿祢的光继续闪耀辉煌，愿祢的和平笼罩各国，愿祢的真理得到宣扬，使人心转向祢，从而获得永生。阿们。