Time to Party 欢庆之时
Dexu Xia
Let’s have a feast and celebrate. Luke 15:23
Our former church in Virginia held baptisms in the Rivanna River where often the sunshine is warm, but the water is frigid. After our Sunday service, we’d load into our cars and caravan to a city park where neighbors tossed Frisbees and kids mobbed the playground. We were quite a spectacle, traipsing to the river’s edge. Standing in the icy water, I would offer Scripture and immerse those being baptized into this tangible expression of God’s love. As they emerged, soaked to the bone, cheers and clapping erupted. Climbing up the bank, friends and family enveloped the newly baptized in hugs—everyone getting drenched. We had cake, drinks, and snacks. The neighbors watching didn’t always understand what was happening, but they knew it was a celebration.
In Luke 15, Jesus’ story of the prodigal son (vv. 11-32) reveals that it’s cause for celebration whenever someone returns home to God. Anytime someone says yes to God’s invitation, it’s time to party. When the son who’d abandoned his father returned, the father immediately insisted on showering him with a designer robe, a shiny ring, and new shoes. “Bring the fattened calf,” he said. “Let’s have a feast and celebrate” (v. 23). A massive, exuberant party including whoever would join the revelry was a fitting way “to celebrate” (v. 24). By: Winn Collier
Where have you seen transformation and healing happen? What could celebration in these moments look like?
Dear God, I have much to celebrate, and this joy flows from You and Your work in my life
我们来吃喝庆祝。—路加福音15章23节，和合本修订版
我们以前在维吉尼亚州的那间教会，是在里瓦纳河举行洗礼仪式，那里阳光通常很温暖，但河水却异常冰冷。在主日崇拜结束之后，我们会分乘几辆轿车和露营车，一同前往城市公园。当地居民在那里玩飞盘，孩子们聚集在游乐场嬉戏。我们这群人浩浩荡荡地漫步到河边，接着我站在冰冷的河水中朗读经文，为预备受洗的人施洗，以具体的方式让他们沉浸在上帝的爱里。当他们全身湿透地从水中上来时，众人都禁不住鼓掌欢呼！受洗者一踏上岸边，朋友和家人们都上前拥抱他们，结果每个人都湿透了。然后我们一同享用蛋糕、饮料和各式餐点。旁边围观的人不一定知道我们在做什么，但他们知道我们正在举办一个庆祝活动！
在路加福音15章中，耶稣讲到浪子的比喻（11-32节），表明只要有人回转归向上帝，都是值得庆祝的事；每当有人回应上帝的邀请，就是欢庆之时！当那个离弃父亲的浪子回家的时候，父亲立即吩咐仆人给他最好的袍子、闪亮的戒指，还有新鞋子。父亲说：“把那肥牛犊牵来宰了，我们来吃喝庆祝”（23节，和合本修订版）。一场盛大而热闹的聚会，再加上所有愿意参与盛会的人，实在是恰当的庆祝方式！（24节）作者： 郭惟恩
你曾经在哪里看到有人得到改变和医治？
在这样的时刻会有怎样的庆祝方式？
亲爱的上帝，感谢祢在我生命中的作为，使得我有很多值得欢乐庆祝的事。