“基督是上帝在创世以前预先拣选的，却在这末世为你们显现。” – 彼前 1:20（当代译本）
耶稣是神圣洁的羔羊，除去世人罪孽的救主。祂来到世上，为我们的罪而死。祂的死并非意外，祂的使命是在永恒中所预定的。虽然耶稣死于近两千年前耶路撒冷城外的十字架上，但在神的心意和计划中，祂的死在创世以前就预定了。当神计划拯救我们的时候，还没有宇宙和地球。众星还未发光，日头也不明亮。
在创世以前，在永恒的深处，神已经把祂的心意投放在你身上——祂的儿子耶稣已经被拣选，为拯救你被杀。对我们每一个信靠主的人来说，都是如此。
基督的十字架不是失败的记号，而是得胜的记号。耶稣不是作为受害者或殉道者而死，而是作为救赎者而死。祂甘愿受死，为你我献出自己。祂为永恒的使命被拣选。祂用自己的死荣耀了天父，为我们赢得了永恒的救赎。
愿颂赞归与我们的主和救主耶稣基督！
祷告
圣洁的神啊，令我们感到惊讶的是，耶稣的甘愿降服竟然是在永恒中计划好的。你在创世之前就决定爱我们每一个人。我们奉耶稣的名感谢你，尊崇你。阿们。
彼得前书 1:17-21
17你们既称那不偏待人、按各人行为审判人的主为父，就当存敬畏的心度你们在世寄居的日子，
18知道你们得赎，脱去你们祖宗所传流虚妄的行为，不是凭着能坏的金银等物，
19乃是凭着基督的宝血，如同无瑕疵、无玷污的羔羊之血。
20基督在创世以前是预先被神知道的，却在这末世才为你们显现。
21你们也因着他，信那叫他从死里复活，又给他荣耀的神，叫你们的信心和盼望都在于神。
The Eternal Lamb
“[Christ] was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.” – 1 Peter 1:20
Jesus is the holy Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He came into the world to die for our sins. His death was not an accident; his mission was set in eternity. Although his death took place nearly 2,000 years ago on a cross outside Jerusalem, in the mind and plan of God it was set in motion from before the creation of the world. When God planned our salvation, there was no universe and no earth yet. The stars did not yet shine, nor did the sun give its light.
Before creation, in the depths of eternity, God had already set his heart on you—and Jesus, the Son, was chosen to be slain in your place, on your behalf. The same is true for each one of us who believes.
The cross of Christ was not a sign of defeat but of triumph. Jesus died not as a victim or martyr but as the Redeemer. And he died willingly. He gave himself for you and for me, and he was chosen for that mission from eternity. He glorified the Father in his death and won eternal redemption for us.
Praise be to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
Prayer
Holy God, we are amazed that Jesus’ voluntary surrender was planned in eternity. You decided to love each one of us even before you created the world. We thank and bless you, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
