Reflecting God’s Mercy 反映上帝的仁慈
Dexu Xia
In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you. Matthew 7:12
Today's Scripture Matthew 7:7-12
Today's Insights Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) wasn’t His first public address. Matthew 4:13-17 tells us that His teaching ministry had already begun: “Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum . . . . From that time on Jesus began to preach.” The Sermon on the Mount, however, was His first recorded public message. He shares what life in His kingdom looks like—in sharp contrast to the kingdoms of this world. The Beatitudes (5:3-10) show that His kingdom values people and things differently than the surrounding cultures. It describes how we’re to impact the world around us and relates to issues of the heart (as opposed to the letter) of the law. It even calls His kingdom citizens to love their enemies. Life in His kingdom is characterized by care for the poor, prayer that rests in God’s good will, and a trust in the Father that precludes the need for worry. A very different kind of kingdom indeed!
Today's Devotional
A Finnish soldier in the three-month Winter War with Russia (1939-1940) lay wounded on the battlefield. A Russian soldier walked his way, pointing his rifle. The Finn was certain he’d met his end. However, the Russian handed him a medic kit, then kept moving. Remarkably, the Finn later found himself in a similar situation, only the roles were reversed—a Russian soldier lay wounded and helpless on the battlefield. The Finn handed him medical supplies and walked on. Jesus gave us a central, guiding principle for our lives: “In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12). Can you imagine how different our world would be if believers kept this one simple principle? Can we calculate how much oppression would end if we collectively obeyed Jesus’ wisdom? If only, as He guides us, we would give others the same compassion and mercy we’d hope to receive ourselves. As we “give good gifts” to others, we reflect the heart of our “Father in heaven [who gives] good gifts to those” He loves (v. 11).
It’s vital that we see others as not merely enemies or strangers or people with whom we compete for resources or opportunities. Instead, we should see their need for mercy and kindness just as we need it. And as we do, our posture and perspective will change. Then, as God provides, we can freely offer them the love He’s freely offered to us.
Reflect & Pray Why is it vital to treat others the way you’d like to be treated? How can Jesus help you?
Dear God, please help me reflect Your mercy and love in how I treat others.
无论何事，你们愿意人怎样待你们，你们也要怎样待人。马太福音 7:12
今日经文 马太福音 7章7-12节
今日心得 耶稣的登山宝训（马太福音5-7章）并不是他第一次公开演讲。马太福音4章13-17节告诉我们，“耶稣离开拿撒勒，往迦百农去住……从那时起，耶稣开始传道。”然而，登山宝训是耶稣第一次有记录的公开信息。他分享了在他的王国里是怎样生活的，这与我们属世的王国形成鲜明对比。登山宝训5章3-12节阐述了天国对人和对事的看法与周围的文化不同，这里还讲述了我们当如何影响我们周围的世界，以及法律核心相关的问题（不是字面意思）。耶稣甚至呼吁他的国民要爱他们的敌人。在神的国度里生活的特点是关心穷人、祈求信靠上帝的爱、因信而无忧无虑。这确实是一个非常不同的国度！
今日灵修 在与俄罗斯的三个月冬季战争（1939-1940）中，一名芬兰士兵受伤躺在战场上。一名俄罗斯士兵朝他走来，举着步枪。芬兰人确信他已经死了。然而，俄罗斯人递给他一个医疗包，然后继续前行。值得注意的是，芬兰人后来发现自己也处于类似的境地，只是角色互换了——一名俄罗斯士兵受伤无助地躺在战场上。芬兰人递给他医疗用品，然后继续前行。
耶稣给了我们一个指导生活的中心原则：“无论何事，你们愿意人怎样待你们，你们也要怎样待人”（马太福音 7:12）。你能想象如果信徒们遵守这个简单的原则，我们的世界会有多么不同吗？如果我们集体服从耶稣的智慧，我们能计算出有多少压迫会结束吗？只要他在引导我们时，我们能给予他人我们希望得到的同情和怜悯。当我们把“好礼物给别人”时，我们反映了我们“天父的心，他把好礼物给那些他爱的人”（11节）。至关重要的是，我们不要将他人视为敌人或陌生人，也不要将其视为与我们争夺资源或机会的人。相反，我们应该像我们需要怜悯和仁慈一样看待他们对怜悯和仁慈的需求。当我们这样做时，我们的态度和观点就会改变。然后，当上帝供应我们时，我们可以自由地向他们提供上帝自由提供给我们的爱。
反思和祈祷 为何以你希望被对待的方式对待他人至关重要？耶稣如何帮助你？
亲爱的上帝，请帮助我在对待他人的方式中反映出你的怜悯和爱。