645 英翻中 (345) A true friend. 真正的朋友. 1/17/2024

645 英翻中 (345)                     A true friend.                               真正的朋友.                       1/17/2024

Jan.  17.        A true friend.              Bible reading : John 14:1-18                  Key verse : Proverbs 17:17  1 月 17 日   真正的朋友.               讀經 :               約翰福音 14:1-18     鑰節 :         箴言 17:17

                                                      A friend loves at all times,                                                                                                                            And a brother is born for adversity.                                                                                                              朋友永遠相愛,                                                                                                                                              兄弟因患難而生.

Have you ever had a friend who liked you because you were fun to be with and put on a good appearance?  However, the moment your life took a turn for the worse, you found him distancing himself from you.  If you have experienced such rejection, you're not alone.  Jesus experienced all kinds of rejection.                                                                                                                                                  你是否曾經有過朋友, 因為你和他相處愉快, 並因你外表漂亮而喜歡你？ 然而, 當你的生活變得不合他意時, 你發現他疏遠了你.  如果你經歷過此類拒絕, 那麼你並不孤單.  耶穌經歷過各種的拒絕.

And in some ways that rejection continues.  Perhaps He asks something of us that we think is too harsh or requires something we don't want to give up.  We back off in hopes that He will leace us alone.  Once Jesus began talking about a deeper life commitment, many of His followers left.                                      有些時候這種拒絕會繼續.  也許主耶穌基督對我們的要求, 有時我們認為太苛刻, 或者我們不想放棄.  我們退後, 是希望祂不要打擾.  一旦耶穌開始談論更深層的人生承諾, 祂的許多追隨者就離開了.

The disciple told Him that His words wee too severe.  But Jesus was not persuaded by human opinion, and He held fast to the message the Father had given Him.  His words were meant to convict while separating those who would remain with Him from those who would leave.                                            門徒告訴耶穌, 祂的話太嚴厲了.  但耶穌並沒有因世人的意見而放棄, 祂堅守天父所賜給祂的信息.  上帝的話為了定罪, 同時將那些會留在祂身邊的人, 和那些會離開祂的人分開.

What kind of friend is Jesus?  He is the kond   who willingly laid down His life as payment for your sins --- past, present, and future.  Without complaint He bore all your sorrows and suffering, while pledging never to leave or fosake you (John 14:1-18).                                                                                耶穌是何等的朋友？ 祂願意為你的過去, 現在, 和未來的罪, 獻出自己的生命.  祂毫無怨言地承擔了你所有的悲傷和痛苦, 同時保證永遠不會離開或拋棄你（約 14:1-18）.

He is a Friend who sticks closer than a brother.  And before you whisper your most intimate prayer, He knows your heart and rushes to your side.                                                                                                    耶穌是比兄弟更親密的朋友.  在你低聲說出最親密的禱告之前, 祂已知道你的心, 並急於來到你的身旁.

                   Jesus, thank You for laying down Your life for my sin and bearing my sorrow and                                     suffering.  Thank You that You will never leave me or forsake me.                                                              耶穌, 感謝祢為我的罪捨棄生命, 並承受我的悲傷和痛苦.  更謝謝祢永不會離開我或                       離棄.