2008-09-16 Devotionals Today

知信行網上團契為各主內肢體提供的每日靈糧，歡迎訂閱，推介及奉獻支持。 《網絡天糧》查詢，請電郵：ccf@ccfellow.org 訂閱天糧 | 轉介天糧 | 修訂訂閱 | 奉獻支持 神的真正使者與祭司 粵語 國語 第16天 讀經：   希伯來書三章1至13節 猶太人非常尊重頒布律法的摩西，很難想像會有另一個人能超越他。然而，希伯來書的作者卻指出，基督在各方面都勝過摩西。基督建造了神的家，但摩西只是神家中的一份子。 作者在三章1節呼籲我們要「思想耶穌」，這意味著我們定睛在祂身上。我們不單是要看祂的表面，而是要思考耶穌是誰，了解祂所做的一切，以及這一切事情對我們的意義。 我們在第1節也看見基督被稱為「使者」。新約之中，只有此處是這樣稱呼基督。「使者」的意思，是指神「所差派，要進入世界來事奉神的那一位」。基督曾經自言，祂是父所差來的，要在地上服侍人。 同一節經文也稱耶穌為「大祭司」。當祂作為使者的時候，祂是代表神來服侍人；但當祂作為大祭司的時候，祂就是代表人來向神祈求。耶穌基督至今仍是我們的大祭司(參來七25)。 此外，作者還給我們提出一個嚴厲的警告。摩西對神盡忠(5節)，但以色列人卻沒有對神盡忠(8至11節)。神將各樣好處賜給他們，但他們只管享受各種好處，卻將賜恩的神忘懷。我們是否像他們那樣呢？ 「今天」永遠是神的時間。我們經常會為「明天」許下很多輕率的承諾，但神卻是注目「今天」。第7節提醒我們，要在今天便聽從神的話，和抓緊基督給我們的一切。 禱告： 主啊，求你今天使我成為你的使者，差派我出去為你工作。 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GOD'S TRUE APOSTLE AND PRIEST Day 16 Bible Reading:   Hebrews 3:1-13 It would be very hard for a Jew to think of anyone as being greater than Moses, the law-giver. This book of Hebrews tells us that Christ is greater in every way than even Moses. Christ is the builder of the house of God. Moses was only one part of that house. In verse 1 we are told to 'consider Jesus'. That means we are to fix our attention on him. It is more than just looking at a person. Anyone can do that. But we are to think about who Jesus is and what he has done and what it all means to us. Christ is called 'the Apostle' also in verse 1. This is the only time in the New Testament where Christ is given that name. The word means 'one who has been sent' by God to serve him in this world. Christ said himself that the Father had sent him with a message and ministry here on earth. He is also called the High Priest. As an apostle, he represented God to man. As High Priest, he represented man to God. He is still our High Priest today. (See Hebrews 7:25) The writer gives a strong warning to us also. Moses was faithful to God (v. 5) but Israel was not (vv. 8-11). God would have done everything for them but they took all the privileges and forgot the one (God) who was giving them. Are we likely to do the same? Today is God's time always. There is a limit to all of God's offers. We speak very lightly about tomorrow, but God's great word is NOW. As it says in verse 6 let us hold fast now to what God has given to us and to all that we have in Christ. A PRAYER: Lord make me your apostle and send me out in your service today.