牧者心聲
復活的節期
周敬敏牧師
2024 年 4 月 20 日 / 21日
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在教會年曆中，復活節起計第40天為升天日（Ascension Day），之後再過多十天是聖靈降臨日（Pentecost，今年的聖靈降臨日為5月19日）。而這50天的期間，教會稱之為復活期。在這段時間，北宣家雖然沒有像將臨期或預苦期般，在崇拜中安排特別編寫的崇拜程序或詩歌，但是我們仍記得耶穌已經從死裡復活。
耶穌復活後向門徒顯現，然而門徒對於眼前已從死裡復活的基督，卻是覺得不知所措。路加福音二十四章記載，兩位門徒在前往以馬忤斯的路上遇見耶穌，耶穌與他們碰上，但他們卻認不出主，並且「臉上帶著愁容」（路二十四17）。這愁容是否你我的日常？
誠然，我們生活上確有不少挑戰：工作上似乎不會減退的壓力；自己、家人那令人憂心的健康；孩子的成長和學習過程；少年人的考試壓力；社會上所發生的傷心事情⋯⋯似乎這一切都成為了我們會「臉上帶著愁容」的切實原因。你或會說：根本沒有理由為何要笑臉迎人。
作為牧者，我也不能免疫：有時服事的擔子很重，壓力過大；或為肢體的屬靈生命成長憂心；心靈有時也會疲乏。我亦承認自己「臉上帶著愁容」的時間實在不少。
因著負責的事工的緣故，我平日會在教會不同的禮堂內帶領聚會，每次望見禮堂中間的十字架，我便會想起耶穌不單為我們「出死」，祂也帶領我們「入生」。十字架的大能提醒我們，這位從死裡復活的主是超越一切限制。眼前的無力感雖沒有頓時消失，但十字架卻提醒我：基督已從死裡復活，好叫我們單單仰望祂。
兩位門徒遇見耶穌後，耶穌一直向他們講解聖經（二十四27）。後來他們回想起：「在路上，他和我們說話，給我們講解聖經的時候，我們的心豈不是火熱的嗎？」（二十四32）在生命中遇見主，祂為我們帶來了不一樣的盼望，叫我們在生活中可以倚靠這復活主的大能，這得勝的確據成為了我們繼續努力前行的動力。
在幾星期前的復活節主日，其中一首詩歌的一節是這樣：
我確知道主耶穌已復活，被釘受死，祂斷開死枷鎖，
沉痛、灰心盡化歡慶凱歌；哈利路亞！」
（《恩頌聖歌》273〈我確知主已復活〉）
當我們再說：「願復活主的大能與你們同在」，那並非純粹一句簡單的話，而是你我都帶著堅定的心去相信的盼望。
In the liturgical calendar, the 40th day from Easter Sunday is the Ascension Day. It is followed by Pentecost 10 days later (which falls on May 19 this year). This 50-day period is called Eastertide. During this period, although NPAC does not have a special worship order or worship songs in our worship services like we do at Advent and Lent, we do remember that Jesus is risen from the dead.
After the resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples. However, the disciples were not sure about what to do with the resurrected Christ before their eyes. Luke 24 tells us that two disciples met Jesus on the road to Emmaus but did not recognize the Lord with "… their faces downcast" (Luke 24:17). Now is that also what you and I look like in our daily lives?
No doubt, we all have challenges and obstacles: The pressure of work that seem to never subside; health troubles looming over ourselves and our family members; the growth and studies of children; the exam pressure for the youth; unfortunate events in society… All these seem to be solid reasons that make our faces "downcast." You might as well say: There is simply no reason why we should smile all the time before others.
As a pastor, I am no exception. I have to tackle these times as they are: Sometimes the load of ministry is very heavy and the pressure is immense; or I would worry about the spiritual growth of brothers and sisters; or my heart and soul can be tired at times. I acknowledge that many a time my face is "downcast."
Because of the ministries I am responsible for, I lead worship services and meetings in different worship halls of the church. Every time I see the cross in the middle of the hall, I will remember that Jesus not only leads us "out of death" but also "into life." The mighty power of the cross reminds us that the Lord who is risen from the dead surpasses all limitations. Although the feeling of lack of strength does not vanish right away, the cross reminds me of this: That Christ is risen from the dead and we will only need to look unto Him.
After the two disciples had met Jesus, He kept explaining the Scripture to them (Luke 24:27). Looking back, they asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" (Luke 24:32) We encounter the Lord in our lives. He brings us hope that is unique. We can rely on the mighty power of the resurrected Lord to live each day. This assurance of triumph fuels our way forward.
On Easter Sunday several weeks ago, one of the hymns goes like this:
"We know that Christ is raised and dies no more.
Embraced by death He broke its fearful hold;
and our despair He turned to blazing joy.
Alleluia!"
("We Know That Christ Is Raised," #273, Sounds of Grace)
The next time we say, "May the power of the resurrected Christ be with you," we know that it is not just another simple phrase but rather the hope we believe in with steadfast conviction.
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