Life to the Full 丰盛的生命

[Dexu Xia]

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

Today's Scripture & Insight: John 10:7–15

The year was 1918, near the end of World War I, and photographer Eric Enstrom was putting together a portfolio of his work. He wanted to include one that communicated a sense of fullness in a time that felt quite empty to so many people. In his now much-loved photo, a bearded old man sits at a table with his head bowed and his hands clasped in prayer. On the surface before him there is only a book, spectacles, a bowl of gruel, a loaf of bread, and a knife. Nothing more, but also nothing less.

Some might say the photograph reveals scarcity. But Enstrom’s point was quite the opposite: Here is a full life, one lived in gratitude, one you and I can experience as well regardless of our circumstances. Jesus announces the good news in John 10: “life . . . to the full” (v. 10). We do a grave disservice to such good news when we equate full with many things. The fullness Jesus speaks of isn’t measured in worldly categories like riches or real estate, but rather a heart, mind, soul, and strength brimming in gratitude that the Good Shepherd gave “his life for the sheep” (v. 11), and cares for us and our daily needs. This is a full life—enjoying relationship with God—that’s possible for every one of us.

丰盛的生命

盗贼来，无非要偷窃、杀害、毁坏；我来了，是要叫羊得生命，并且得的更丰盛。-约翰福音10章10节

在1918年第一次世界大战快要结束时，美籍摄影师艾瑞克 · 恩斯特龙（Eric Enstrom）把他的作品集结成册。在那个人们心灵空虚的时代，他决定加入一张能够传达生活丰盛的相片。这张如今深受人们喜爱的照片，显示一个蓄胡的白发老人坐在桌边，十指紧扣，垂首祈祷。在那张桌子上，仅有一本书、一副眼镜、一碗粥、一条面包和一把刀子。就这样，不多也不少。

有人说，这张照片显示物质缺乏，但艾瑞克想表达的其实恰好相反：这是丰盛的生命，这是不论环境如何都心存感恩的生命，你我也同样能够拥有。在约翰福音10章，耶稣宣布了大好的消息，祂要赐给人“丰盛满足的生命”（10节，新普及译本）。但我们若以为丰盛等同于富裕，便是误解福音的真谛。耶稣所说的丰盛，并不是以金钱或房地产等世上的财富为衡量的标准，而是身心灵都对这位“为羊舍命”的好牧人（11节）充满了感恩。这位好牧人看顾我们，供应我们每日所需。当我们以亲近上帝为乐，那么，我们每个人就都能享受丰盛的生命！

亲爱的好牧人，谢谢祢为世人、为我舍命。
也谢谢祢应许会赐予我充足的日用饮食，
使我的身心灵都能得着饱足。

你觉得自己拥有丰盛的生命吗？为什么？
你常将“丰盛”视为“富裕”吗？