「我想現在的苦楚,若比起將要顯於我們的榮耀,就不足計較了。」(羅八18—20世紀譯本)
在英國某個婚禮上發生了一件奇特的事情。一位上流社會富有的年輕人,在他十歲時,一次意外事故弄瞎了他的眼睛。儘管他是位盲人,但他仍然取得了大學榮譽學位,並獲得美麗新嫁娘的芳心,雖然他從未得見她的面容。就在他快要結婚之前,專家為他安排了一項特殊的治療,其結果將在他婚禮那天揭曉。
這天終於到來,許多賓客蒞臨。有現任內閣大臣、將軍、主教、社會賢達和婦女。他身著新郎禮服,他的父親開車送他到教堂,但他的眼睛仍然覆蓋着紗布,那位著名的眼科醫生與他們在教堂相會。
新娘挽著白髮父親的手臂緩緩進入教堂,她激動得幾乎說不出話來。她的愛人最後是否能像其他人一樣看見她的容貌,不必像過去他只能用手來觸摸她的臉龐?
當她走近聖壇前,優美的結婚進行曲彌漫在教堂中,這時她的眼光投射在一羣特別的人身上。
新郎與他的父親站立那裡了,後面是那位了不起的眼科醫生正剪開他眼上的繃帶。這時新郎向前走了一步,幾乎不敢相信自己是醒着的。玫瑰色的光線從聖壇旁的彩色玻璃窗照射在他的臉上,但他似乎沒有注意它。
他看見了甚麼嗎?不錯!突然之間,他帶着無比的喜悅衝向他從未見過面的新娘。他們彼此深情款款地注視對方,他的眼神透露出滿足的喜樂。
她說:「終於!」他低下他的頭莊嚴地回應著:「終於」。這一幕帶著何等大的戲劇張力。無疑地,無比的喜悅滿溢其中。這不僅僅是一個表徵,而是實際上將發生的光景。到那日,所有世上走過患難和哀痛的基督徒,在天堂將面對面看見我們的主。-- 選
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"I do not count the sufferings of our present life worthy of mention when compared with the glory that is to be revealed and bestowed upon us" (Rom. 8:18, 20th Century Trans.).
A remarkable incident occurred recently at a wedding in England. A young man of large wealth and high social position, who had been blinded by an accident when he was ten years old, and who won University honors in spite of his blindness, had won a beautiful bride, though he had never looked upon her face. A little while before his marriage, he submitted to a course of treatment by experts, and the climax came on the day of his wedding.
The day came, and the presents, and guests. There were present cabinet ministers and generals arid bishops and learned men and women. The bridegroom, dressed for the wedding, his eyes still shrouded in linen, drove to the church with his father, and the famous oculist met them in the vestry.
The bride, entered the church on the arm of her white-haired father. So moved was she that she could hardly speak. Was her lover at last to see her face that others admired, but which he knew only through his delicate finger tips?
As she neared the altar, while the soft strains of the wedding march floated through the church, her eyes fell on a strange group.
The father stood there with his son. Before the latter was the great oculist in the act of cutting away the last bandage. The bridegroom took a step forward, with the spasmodic uncertainty of one who cannot believe that he is awake. A beam of rose-colored light from a pane in the chancel window fell across his face, but he did not seem to see it.
Did he see anything? Yes! Recovering in an instant his steadiness of mien, and with a dignity and joy never before seen in his face, he went forward to meet his bride. They looked into each other's eyes, and one would have thought that his eyes would never wander from her face.
"At last!" she said. "At last!" he echoed solemnly, bowing his head. That was a: scene of great dramatic power, and no doubt of great joy, and is but a mere suggestion of what will actually take place in Heaven when the Christian who has been walking through this world of trial and sorrow, shall see Him face to face. --Selceted
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