God’s free gift to us cost Him dearly.

上帝付上极重代价，将救恩白白地赐给我们。

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.John 1:12

凡接待祂的，就是信祂名的人，祂就赐他们权柄，作上帝的儿女。-约翰福音1章12节

When I was twelve years old our family moved to a town in the desert. After gym classes in the hot air at my new school, we rushed for the drinking fountain. Being skinny and young for my grade, I sometimes got pushed out of the way while waiting in line. One day my friend Jose, who was big and strong for his age, saw this happening. He stepped in and stuck out a strong arm to clear my way. “Hey!” he exclaimed, “You let Banks get a drink first!” I never had trouble at the drinking fountain again.

在我十二岁那年，全家搬到了一个沙漠中的小镇。在天气酷热的新学校里，同学们一上完体育课，就会狂奔到饮水机那边排队喝水。我在同级当中比较瘦小，有时在排队时会被人推挤到后面去。有一天，我那长得又高又壮的朋友荷西，看见我又被人推挤。他就上前来，伸出强壮的膀臂，帮我开道。只见他大喝一声：“喂！你们先让他喝水！”此后，我在饮水机那里再也没有遇到麻烦。

Jesus understood what it was like to face the ultimate unkindness of others. The Bible tells us, “He was despised and rejected by mankind” (Isa. 53:3). But Jesus was not just a victim of suffering, He also became our advocate. By giving His life, Jesus opened a “new and living way” for us to enter into a relationship with God (Heb. 10:20). He did for us what we could never do for ourselves, offering us the free gift of salvation when we repent of our sins and trust in Him.

耶稣曾面对他人无情的对待，祂也了解这种难受的心情。圣经上说：“祂被藐视，被人厌弃”（以赛亚书53章3节） 。但耶稣并不只是为我们受苦，祂还成为我们的中保。耶稣牺牲生命，为我们开了一条“又新又活的路”，让我们得以与上帝建立关系（希伯来书10章20节）。耶稣为我们成就了我们自己绝对办不到的事，那就是当我们愿意认罪悔改，并且信靠耶稣，祂就将救恩白白地赐给我们。

Jesus is the best friend we could ever have. He said, “Whoever comes to me I will never drive away” (John 6:37). Others may hold us at arm’s length or even push us away, but God has opened His arms to us through the cross. How strong is our Savior!

耶稣是我们一生最好的朋友。耶稣曾说：“到我这里来的，我总不丢弃他”（约翰福音6章37节） 。他人也许会厌弃甚或排挤我们，但上帝却透过十字架向我们张开强壮的双臂，我们的救主是你我最强大的朋友！

Love’s redeeming work is done, 

fought the fight, the battle won.

 Death in vain forbids him rise; 

Christ has opened paradise. 

Charles Wesley

爱之救赎已完成，战争完毕获全胜。
死亡岂能封主坟，基督开了乐园门。

Hebrews 10:19-23New International Version (NIV)

A Call to Persevere in Faith

19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living wayopened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to Godwith a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings,having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

希伯来书 10:19-23Chinese Union Version Modern Punctuation (Simplified) (CUVMPS)

当存诚心和充足的信心来到神面前

19 弟兄们，我们既因耶稣的血得以坦然进入至圣所， 20 是借着他给我们开了一条又新又活的路，从幔子经过，这幔子就是他的身体； 21 又有一位大祭司治理神的家，22 并我们心中天良的亏欠已经洒去，身体用清水洗净了，就当存着诚心和充足的信心来到神面前。 23 也要坚守我们所承认的指望，不致摇动，因为那应许我们的是信实的。

整理：于姊妹