Life and Death 生与死
Dexu Xia
Death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart. Ecclesiastes 7:2
Today's Scripture Ecclesiastes 7:1-10
Today's Insights The Teacher in Ecclesiastes (1:1) offers the bleak perspective that for human beings, who are destined to die, attempting to grasp a firm understanding of life’s meaning is futile, like trying to take hold of the wind (v. 14). Yet the Teacher doesn’t conclude that pursuing wisdom is pointless. Chapter 7 emphasizes that some paths in life are “better” than others (vv. 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10). Death’s finality (vv. 1-2, 4) clarifies the relative greater value of some things over others—such as a life guided by wisdom instead of foolishness (v. 11). Still, Ecclesiastes contains an unresolved tension: Wisdom has value, yet death erases the permanence of all that’s valuable. The New Testament offers a fuller answer to the questions death raises—insisting that Jesus defeated death’s power through His death and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:54-57; 2 Timothy 1:10). Through Christ, all of life regains meaning in light of eternity.
Today's Devotion Besides attending ceremonies and signing policies after taking the oath of office, new US presidents are greeted with a cold reality: They start making their own funeral plans. That way the country will be prepared to celebrate their lives when they die. George H. W. Bush was asked if it was “weird” to be planning his own memorial. He replied, “You kind of get used to it.” Historians will write about their legacies, but presidents get to plan the personal and traditional parts of their services and the ways they will be remembered.
Death is a sobering reality we all must face. King Solomon, who searched for the meaning of life in pleasure, work, and knowledge, and came up empty, said, “It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting” (Ecclesiastes 7:2). Negative situations give more perspective than happy times. If we face the reality of death, we can better prepare for what comes after. Verse two adds, “Death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart.” We should ponder it and plan on it.
Preparation comes from receiving forgiveness of sin from Jesus, who died for us and rose again. Everyone dies because death came when the first man, Adam, disobeyed God, and we have followed his ways. But “everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life” (1 Corinthians 15:22 nlt).
Reflect & Pray How have you prepared to face death? How do you want to be remembered? Thank You, saving God, for promising that in Christ all who die will be made alive again. By Anne Cetas
“死亡是每个人的归宿；生者应当将此铭记于心。”（传道书7:2）
今日经文：传道书7章1-10 节
今日感悟：传道书中的“传道者”（1:1）提出了一种略显悲观的观点：对于注定必死的世人而言，试图牢牢把握生命的意义是徒劳的，就像试图去捕捉风一样（14节）。然而，传道者并未因此断言追求智慧毫无意义。第七章强调，人生中的某些道路确实比其他道路“更美”（1、2、3、5、8、10节）。死亡的终极性（1-2、4节）突显了某些事物与其他事物相比有更高的价值。例如，一种由智慧而非愚昧所指引的人生（11节）。尽管如此，传道书中依然存在一种未解的张力：智慧固然有其价值，但死亡却抹去了所有有价值之物的永恒性。新约圣经针对死亡所引发的种种疑问，提供了一个更为完备的解答，它坚定地宣告：耶稣已借着祂的死与复活，战胜了死亡的权势（哥林多前书15:54-57；提摩太后书1:10）。借着基督，我们的人生在永恒的光照之下，重新焕发出了其应有的意义。
今日灵修：除了出席各类典礼并签署各项政策文件之外，新任美国总统在宣誓就职后，往往会面临一个冷峻的现实：他们必须着手规划自己的身后事，即葬礼的安排。唯有如此，当他们离世之时，国家方能有条不紊地筹备仪式，以纪念并表彰他们的一生。乔治HW布什曾被问及：亲自规划自己的追思仪式是否会让人感到有些“怪异”？他回答道：“久而久之，也就习惯了。”历史学家固然会执笔书写他们的历史功绩与政治遗产，但总统本人却拥有这样的特权：亲自规划其葬礼仪式中那些极具个人色彩与传统意涵的细节，并决定后人将以何种方式来缅怀他们。
死亡，是一个我们每个人都必须直面的、令人深思的现实。所罗门王，那位曾在享乐、劳作与知识的领域中苦苦追寻生命真谛，最终却发现一切皆属虚空之人，曾如是说：“往哀丧之家去，强如往宴乐之家去”（传道书7:2）。与安顺快乐的时光相比，逆境往往能带给我们对人生更深刻的洞察。若能直面死亡这一现实，我们便能更好地为身后的归宿做好准备。经文第二节补充道：“死亡是众人的结局；凡活着的人都当将此事铭记于心。”我们理当对此深思，并为此未雨绸缪。 这种准备，始于领受耶稣所赐的赦罪之恩，祂曾为我们舍身受死，并从死里复活。世人皆有一死，因死亡始于人类始祖亚当违背上帝之时，而我们亦步其后尘。然而，“凡属基督的人，都将获得新生命”（哥林多前书15:22）。
反思与祷告：你已为直面死亡做好了怎样的准备？你希望自己在身后留下怎样的名声？施行拯救的上帝，我感谢祢，因祢应许：在基督里死了的人，都将重获新生。作者：安妮 赛特斯