三月三日[mp3_embed playlst=”/downloading/audio/evening/03/0303.mp3″]
经文: 祂就看见上帝的灵,仿佛鸽子降下。(马太福音三:16)
上帝的灵降在主耶稣身上,同样也降在基督身体的肢体上。在能完全明白所发生的事之前,我们居然已被驱逼向着天国前进,实在超乎人的想像,这并不像世俗般的急促,因为鸽子的翼虽快速却也是柔和的。在许多属灵的事工上,安静是必然的;主在安静柔细的声音中出现,祂的恩典如同露珠,从宁静中蒸馏出来。上帝选择鸽子作为纯洁之表记,圣灵本身就是圣洁。当祂降临时带来纯净、神圣和仁慈;罪恶与污秽销声匿迹了。圣灵带着能力降临的地方就是平安统治之处。祂带来的橄榄枝表示了上帝忿怒之洪水平静了。祂改变能力的另一种结果是温柔。被祂触摸的心变为温柔和谦卑。随之而来的结果是无恶意的。斑鸠能忍受冤屈却不会加害于人。我们必学习鸽子,于人无害。鸽子也是爱的象征,祂的声音充满了亲情。经圣灵造访的心对上帝充满爱,对弟兄充满爱,甚至对罪人也充满了爱。而最高的境界就是对耶稣满了爱。上帝的灵运行在深渊之上,首先创造了次序和生命(参阅创一:2)。今天,祂也要赐新生给我们,赐光明在我们心中。
Evening, March 3
Scripture: “He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove.”(Matthew 3:16)
As the Spirit of God descended upon the Lord Jesus, the head, so he also, in measure, descends upon the members of the mystical body. His descent is to us after the same fashion as that in which it fell upon our Lord. There is often a singular rapidity about it; or ever we are aware, we are impelled onward and heavenward beyond all expectation. Yet is there none of the hurry of earthly haste, for the wings of the dove are as soft as they are swift. Quietness seems essential to many spiritual operations; the Lord is in the still small voice, and like the dew, his grace is distilled in silence. The dove has ever been the chosen type of purity, and the Holy Spirit is holiness itself. Where he cometh, everything that is pure and lovely, and of good report, is made to abound, and sin and uncleanness depart. Peace reigns also where the Holy Dove comes with power; he bears the olive branch which shows that the waters of divine wrath are assuaged. Gentleness is a sure result of the Sacred Dove’s transforming power: hearts touched by his benign influence are meek and lowly henceforth and for ever. Harmlessness follows, as a matter of course; eagles and ravens may hunt their prey-the turtledove can endure wrong, but cannot inflict it. We must be harmless as doves. The dove is an apt picture of love, the voice of the turtle is full of affection; and so, the soul visited by the blessed Spirit, abounds in love to God, in love to the brethren, and in love to sinners; and above all, in love to Jesus. The brooding of the Spirit of God upon the face of the deep, first produced order and life, and in our hearts, he causes and fosters new life and light. Blessed Spirit, as thou didst rest upon our dear Redeemer, even so rest upon us from this time forward and for ever.