Read: John 11:14-27

Every new leaf of springtime is a reminder of our promisedresurrection.

万物复甦，提醒我们复活的应许。

I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in mewill live, even though they die. John 11:25

复活在我，生命也在我！信我的人，虽然死了，也必复活。-约翰福音11章25节 

Through cold, snowy winters, the hope of springsustains those of us who live in Michigan. May is the month when that hope isrewarded. The transformation is remarkable. Limbs that look lifeless on May 1turn into branches that wave green leafy greetings by month’s end. Although thechange each day is imperceptible, by the end of the month the woods in my yardhave changed from gray to green.

对住在美国密西根州的人来说，春天来临的盼望，是支持我们度过严酷寒冬的动力。每年五月正是这盼望得以实现的月份，其中冰雪消融、万物复甦的景象令人叹为观止。在五月初看起来仍毫无生气的枝条，到了月底，竟挥舞着绿叶。虽然树木每天的变化令人难以察觉，但只要到了五月底，我家院子就脱去灰暗的外衣，换上绿装。

God has built into creation a cycle of rest andrenewal. What looks like death to us is rest to God. And just as rest ispreparation for renewal, death is preparation for resurrection.

上帝在创造大自然的时候，设立了歇息和更新的循环。冬季那些看似死气沉沉的花草树木，对上帝来说，只是暂时的歇息。而正如歇息是为了要更新，死亡也是为了预备要复活。

I love watching the woods awaken every spring,for it reminds me that death is a temporary condition and that its purpose isto prepare for new life, a new beginning, for something even better. “Unless akernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.But if it dies, it produces many seeds” (John 12:24).

我很喜欢观看每年春天万物复甦的过程，因为这提醒我，死亡只是一个暂时的状态，其目的是为了新的生命、新的开始，是为了更美好的事物而先做预备。「一粒麦子不落在地里死了，仍旧是一粒；若是死了，就结出许多子粒来」（约翰福音12章24节）。

While pollen is a springtime nuisance when itcoats my furniture and makes people sneeze, it reminds me that God is in thebusiness of keeping things alive. And after the pain of death, He promises aglorious resurrection for those who believe in His Son.

虽然春天的花粉让人不胜其烦，布满家具的表面，令人喷嚏连连，但这也提醒我，上帝是一切生命的源头。上帝还应许所有相信祂爱子的人，在死亡的痛楚后，必有荣耀的复活。

Read these encouraging verses that remind us ofthe hope of resurrection: 1 Corinthians 15:35-58.

阅读这些振奋人心、提醒我们复活盼望的经节：哥林多前书15章35-58节。

Read: John 11:14-27

14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 andfor your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us goto him.”16 Then Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]) said to the restof the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”   17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarushad already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Now Bethany was less than twomiles[b] from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary tocomfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus wascoming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.21 “Lord,” Marthasaid to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But Iknow that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”23 Jesus said to her,“Your brother will rise again.”24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again inthe resurrection at the last day.”25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrectionand the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”27“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God,who is to come into the world.”

整理：于姊妹