阅读经文 

自从雅各和以扫分开到如今，已有二十年了。当初，以扫威胁要杀害他弟弟，雅各就逃命走了。我们能理解，一想到再次见面，雅各就很紧张，尤其是以扫带了四百人一起来。

但是，尽管雅各很害怕 ，他还是尽力想掌控局面，（参创 33:1-3，8）我们看到他有了一些变化。他更谦卑了，意识到自己的礼物不能最终博得以扫的喜爱。很有可能，雅各与拉班的纠葛帮助他意识到自己很久以前对哥哥犯的重大错误。他现在认识到，他所有的一切都是出于神的恩典，他也认识到，他需要以扫的恩典才能与其和好。

我们许多人都与有过摩擦的家人，朋友或其他人关系紧张。或许我们知道和好的必要，只是不知道如何去做。但人际关系总是需要恩典。我们无法控制别人怎么待我们，我们只能给予恩典，并享受别人给我们的恩典。

同样的，我们的罪已经破坏了我们和神的关系，再多的计谋也无法修复这关系。然而在基督里，神出人意外地，满有怜悯地拥抱了我们。为此，我们只有献上感谢，享受神给我们的恩典。

Twenty years had passed since Jacob and Esau had seen each other. Back then, Esau had threatened to kill his brother, and Jacob had fled for his life. We can understand that the idea of meeting again made Jacob nervous, especially since Esau came with 400 men.

But while Jacob is afraid and still trying to control the situation (vv. 1-3, 8), we can see that something has changed in him. He is more humble and realizes that his gift cannot ultimately win Esau's favor. Quite possibly, Jacob's struggles with Laban have helped him to realize the great wrong he had done to his brother long ago. He now acknowledges that all that he has comes only from God, by grace, and he recognizes that he needs grace from Esau if they are to reconcile.

Many of us have strained relationships with family members, friends, or others we have wronged. Perhaps we recognize the need for reconciliation but aren't sure how to go about it. But relationships are always by grace. We cannot control how others respond to us; we can only show grace and enjoy the grace shown to us.

In a similar way, our sin has ruined our relationship with God, and no amount of scheming on our part can restore us. But in Christ we find the unexpected and merciful embrace of God. And for this we can only give thanks and enjoy God's grace shown to us.