Empty Hands 空手而归
Dexu Xia
His father saw him and was filled with compassion for him. Luke 15:20
Robert was embarrassed when he showed up for a breakfast meeting and realized he’d forgotten his wallet. It bothered him to the point that he pondered whether he should eat at all or simply get something to drink. After some convincing from his friend, he relaxed his resistance. He and his friend enjoyed their entrees, and his friend gladly paid the bill.
Perhaps you can identify with this dilemma or some other situation that puts you on the receiving end. Wanting to pay our own way is normal, but there are occasions when we must humbly receive what’s graciously being given.
Some kind of payback may have been what the younger son had in mind in Luke 15:17–24 as he contemplated what he would say to his father. “I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants” (v. 19). Hired servant? His father would have no such thing! In his father’s eyes, he was a much-loved son who’d come home. As such he was met with a father’s embrace and an affectionate kiss (v. 20). What a grand gospel picture! It reminds us that by Jesus’ death He revealed a loving Father who welcomes empty-handed children with open arms. One hymn writer expressed it like this: “Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to thy cross I cling.”
How does it make you feel that because Jesus has paid your sin debt, you can receive forgiveness for all your sins? If you’ve never received this forgiveness, what’s keeping you from accepting this gift through Jesus?
God of heaven, help me to receive and enjoy the forgiveness You’ve provided through Your Son, Jesus.
他父亲看见，就动了慈心。—路加福音15章20节
瑞明和朋友相约一起享用早餐，到了现场竟发现自己忘记带皮夹，这让他感到很尴尬，甚至打算什么都不要吃，或只喝点饮料。一直到他朋友花了些工夫说服他，他才不再坚持。他们一起享用餐食，他朋友也很乐意帮他付帐。
也许，你也经历过这种进退两难的情况，或者需要接受别人的帮助或赠予。我们自然会想要支付自己的花费，只是有些时候我们必须谦虚地接受别人慷慨的赠予。
在路加福音15章17-24节，当小儿子盘算着该对父亲说什么时，可能想到的是某种形式的偿还。正如他想对父亲说：“从今以后，我不配称为你的儿子，把我当作一个雇工吧！”（19节）当成雇工？他父亲可没有这种打算！在他父亲眼中，他是迷途知返的爱子，因而被父亲拥抱与亲吻（20节）。这是一幅多么伟大的福音画面！它提醒我们上帝藉着耶稣受死，表明了慈爱的天父张开双臂迎接空手而归的孩子。有位诗歌的作词者这样表达：“两手空空到主前，只有依紧十架边。”
耶稣已为你付清罪债、赦免你所有的罪，
这让你有何感受？如果你尚未接受赦罪之恩，
是什么阻止你接受这份透过耶稣而赐下的恩典？
天父，请帮助我欢喜领受
祢藉着祢的爱子耶稣所赐的饶恕。