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經文：「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8:18-20） 在英國的某場婚禮上發生了件奇特的事： 一位上流社會富有的年輕人，在他十歲時曾因意外事故導致眼睛失明。儘管如此他仍舊取得大學榮譽學位，並獲得某位美麗女子的芳心，雖然他從未得見她的面容。就在快要結婚之前，醫生為他安排了一次專門的治療，而結果將在婚禮那天揭曉。 這天終於到來，蒞臨的眾賓客中有現任內閣大臣、將軍、主教、社會賢達等許多人。新郎的父親親自駕車送他抵達教堂；他身著新郎禮服但是眼睛仍然覆蓋着紗布，而那位著名的眼科醫生就在教堂與他們會合。 新娘挽著白髮父親的手臂緩緩進入禮堂，整個人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，不必再像過去只能用手觸摸她的臉龐？她緩緩走近聖壇，優美的結婚進行曲正彌漫著禮堂，這時她的眼光投射在一羣特別的人身上。原來是新郎與他的父親站立在那，而後面那位重要的眼科醫生正剪開他眼上的紗布。 當紗布完全解開，新郎向前踏出第一步。這時他簡直不敢相信自己是醒着：玫瑰色的光線從聖壇旁的彩繪玻璃照射在他的臉上，但是他似乎並不在意。是看見了甚麼嗎？不錯！就在此時他帶着無比的喜悅衝向他從未見過面的新娘。他們深情地注視著對方，眼中透露出何等滿足的喜樂。她說：「終於！」他低下頭莊嚴地回應：「終於」。這一幕充滿何等大的戲劇性，當然，滿溢著無比無比的喜樂。 這不僅僅是一個表徵，而是真實即將發生的光景。到那日，所有曾在世上走過患難和哀痛的基督徒，都將在天堂面對面地看見我們的良人：主耶穌。-- 選 新譯｜荒漠甘泉讀書會
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Scripture: "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 ｜ Mrs. Charles Cowman
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