十一月六日[mp3_embed playlst=”/downloading/audio/evening/11/1106.mp3″]
经文: 说,这血就是上帝与你们立约的凭据。(希伯来书九:20)
血这个名词有一股奇异的能力,每看到血时也总会叫人动容。仁慈的心不忍看到麻雀流血,至于动物被杀,是更觉惨不忍睹。人的血是神圣之物。在暴怒中流人的血是谋杀,在战争中白流人血是可怕的罪行。每当我们思想上帝儿子的宝血时,我们的敬畏就更加深。当我们想到罪的邪恶,以及背负世人罪孽者所忍受之可怕刑罚时,我们就战栗不已。血是珍贵的,而当血从“以马内利”的肋旁汨汨流出时,那更是无价的。耶稣的血是恩典之约的保证,教这约永远确立。旧的约是藉献祭而立的,这永恒的约也是以相同方法确立。在上帝公义的稳固基础上得蒙拯救是何等欣慰啊!上帝的公义是不容羞辱的!靠律法之功获救是不牢固的,像遭海难的破船一般;然而依靠恩约之船却不畏风暴,因为宝血教它全然坚固。耶稣的宝血使祂的圣约变为有效。立遗嘱的人若不死,他的遗嘱便不生效。就此而言,兵丁以枪扎主的肋旁证明主已死去,于信心是一恩助。藉救主之死而明白自己能确获属天祝福的人是快乐的。这宝血岂不也呼召我们要为主而洁净自己,因祂已救赎了我们?这宝血岂不也呼召我们的生命要有新的样式,并且激励我们要像主那样完全圣洁?但愿今晚我们都能明白并感受宝血的大能!
Evening, November 6
Scripture: “Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.”(Hebrews 9:20)
There is a strange power about the very name of blood, and the sight of it is always affecting. A kind heart cannot bear to see a sparrow bleed, and unless familiarized by use, turns away with horror at the slaughter of a beast. As to the blood of men, it is a consecrated thing: it is murder to shed it in wrath, it is a dreadful crime to squander it in war. Is this solemnity occasioned by the fact that the blood is the life, and the pouring of it forth the token of death? We think so. When we rise to contemplate the blood of the Son of God, our awe is yet more increased, and we shudder as we think of the guilt of sin, and the terrible penalty which the Sin-bearer endured. Blood, always precious, is priceless when it streams from Immanuel’s side. The blood of Jesus seals the covenant of grace, and makes it for ever sure. Covenants of old were made by sacrifice, and the everlasting covenant was ratified in the same manner. Oh, the delight of being saved upon the sure foundation of divine engagements which cannot be dishonoured! Salvation by the works of the law is a frail and broken vessel whose shipwreck is sure; but the covenant vessel fears no storms, for the blood ensures the whole. The blood of Jesus made his testament valid. Wills are of no power unless the testators die. In this light the soldier’s spear is a blessed aid to faith, since it proved our Lord to be really dead. Doubts upon that matter there can be none, and we may boldly appropriate the legacies which he has left for his people. Happy they who see their title to heavenly blessings assured to them by a dying Saviour. But has this blood no voice to us? Does it not bid us sanctify ourselves unto him by whom we have been redeemed? Does it not call us to newness of life, and incite us to entire consecration to the Lord? O that the power of the blood might be known, and felt in us this night!