马太福音

Day 1

第1日

Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions below.
請慢慢細讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反複思考問題。

Scriptural Reflection
Matthew 6:16–24

1. Of almsgiving, prayer and fasting, which one tends to be the one which Christians use to gauge their own spirituality? Why?

2. Since Jesus includes fasting in His warning to us against using it as an “act of righteousness” (6:1). What then should their attitude concerning fasting be according to Jesus?

3. Pagans also practice fasting. How should ours be different from theirs?

4. Jesus’ teaching of not storing up treasures on earth is a familiar one:
a. How would you define “store up”?

b. Are you then storing up treasures on earth?

c. What is meant by “where your treasure is, there your heart will be”?

d. According to your definition, where then is your heart these days?

5. According to Jesus, what leads to “great” darkness? Why? (Note: Jesus does not say, “the light within you becomes darkness”, but “is darkness”. What does that mean?)

6. How would you define “master”? What might be the signs that something or someone has become your master?

7. Using the signs you have come up with, is God or Money your master?

8. What is the main message to you today and how can you apply it to your life?


經文默想
馬太福音6:16-24

本週我們繼續研讀馬太福音。請慢慢細心讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反復思考問題。

(1) 在施捨、禱告和禁食這三樣「義的表現」中，愛主的基督徒通常用那一項來衡量自己的靈性呢？為什麼？

(2) 主耶穌對我們的禁食也要提出警告，原因何在？祂提醒我們禁食的正確態度是什麼？

(3) 異教徒也多有禁食的；基督徒的禁食與他們的禁食應有何分別？

(4) 不要積財在地上是聖經清楚的教訓：

a. 「積」是什麼意思？為何不對？

b. 你有否積財在地上呢？

c. 「你的財寶在那裡，你的心也在那裡」是什麼意思？

d. 按你所給的定義，你的心在那裡呢？

(5) 按耶穌所言，是什麼引至「何等大」的黑暗呢？(註：主並不是說：你裡頭的光若變成黑暗。原文是：你裡頭的光若是黑暗。「光」是「黑暗」是什麼意思？)

(6) 請給「主」下一個定義？當一樣東西(或人) 成為我們的「主」，會有什麼徵兆？

(7) 按你所言的徵兆，究竟你今日的主是什麼？是神還是瑪門？

(8) 今天你得到的主要信息是什麼？你會怎樣應用在你的生命中？

Meditative Reflection
Fasting

In the last few decades, fasting as a form of spiritual discipline seems to be in vogue among evangelical Christians again, perhaps rightfully so.

It was practiced by the people of God in the Old Testament (1 Sam. 7:6; Jer. 36:9; 1 Ki. 21:9, 12, 27; 2 Sam. 12:16), even after their exile (Est. 4:1-3,15-17; Neh. 1:4; Dan. 9:3) and was in fact mandated as part of the Law of Moses (Lev. 16:29, 31; 23:27, 32; Num. 29:7). The New Testament believers, including the Apostles continued to practice it as part of their church life (Acts 13:2,3; 14:23).

And yet, Jesus chooses to warn us against practicing it as an “act of righteousness”, whether to impress God, ourselves or others.

I think most Christians would not practice fasting to impress others. But to safeguard against this pitfall, Jesus commands us not to show others any sign of our fasting (let alone telling people that we fast).

But the danger of impressing ourselves does exist. I have come across many Christians who practice fasting as if they would not be quite complete without it, but with it, they would be closer to God.

And the danger of impressing God also is real, in that, we may think that we are able to twist God’s arm into submission to our agenda, our will or our desire.

As we carefully consider all the examples and teachings given in the Bible, the overwhelming focus on fasting is repentance. Indeed, the abstinence from food or drink and from our work or routine is purely an expression of our genuine sorrow over sin.

The Chinese Bible beautifully translates “fasting” on the Day of Atonement as a “bitter denial of one’s heart”. Such is the essence of fasting according to most of the examples and teachings in the Scripture concerning this practice.

While the rest of the passages about fasting, like those in the Book of Esther, Nehemiah and Daniel, do include a desire for divine intervention or wisdom, they are still grounded in sorrow and repentance.

Indeed, regular fasting from food or drink or any of our routines that would be a distraction from a time focused on God is very helpful in drawing us close to God, but we should never use a work mentality that by fasting, we can somehow twist God’s arm into loving us or accepting us more, let alone answering our prayers.

We do not have anything to offer God, except “a broken and contrite heart.” (Ps. 51:17)

靈修默想小篇
禁食

在最近的二十多年，我發覺不少的福音派基督徒能熱衷的重新重視禁食的靈修操練。這未嘗不好。

在舊約時代，禁食是常有的習慣(見撒上7:6；耶36:9；王上21:9, 12, 27；撒下12:16) 。就是在被擄後，也沒有停止(見斯4:1-3, 15-17；尼1:4；但9:3) 。摩西的律法更有定禁食之例(見利16:29, 31；23:27, 32；民29:7) 。禁食也繼續成為新約的教會，包括使徒們，的生活的一部份。

然而，主耶穌特別在登山寶訓中提醒我們不要把它變成「義行」來叫別人、自己、甚至神對我們另眼相看。

我相信大部份有禁食習慣的信徒都不是用來取悅人的。主耶穌特別提醒我們，不要故意讓別人知道我們在禁食，當然更不應告訴人。

但用來取悅自己的心態卻容易存在。我遇見好些信徒在不知不覺中用禁食來衡量自己與神的關係的深度。

用來取悅神的心態就較常見了，以為因此可以感動神來成就我們的心願，或向我們有所顯示，甚至顯現。

若果我們仔細思想上述有關禁食的經文，就可以看出絕大部份是與悔改、認罪有關的。藉著在一段時間中不進飲食、停止工作或慣常的生活，為要專心的向神表達對罪誠意的懊悔。

中文和合本聖經在繙譯贖罪日的禁食條例時，譯作「刻苦己心」，就充份表達了禁食的原委了。

其他有關禁食的經文，像在以斯帖記、尼希米記和但以理書的記載，雖然有祈求神的干預和賜予智慧的成份，但他們的禁食仍以悔罪為基礎。

誠然，能藉禁食而擺脫平日世事的思慮，確有助我們更親近神；但我們要提防「功德主義」，不要以為禁食更屬靈，更能擺動神的心意，使祂更喜悅我們，對我們另眼相看。

其實，我們沒有什麼能獻給神的，除了一顆「憂傷痛悔的心」。(詩51:17)

Day 2

第2日

Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions below.
請慢慢細讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反複思考問題。

Scriptural Reflection
Matthew 6:25–34

1. What is “life”, physical, emotional and spiritual, to you?

2. What aspect of life was Jesus addressing?

3. How would you define “worry”?

4. What does the example of the birds illustrate? Does it mean that we don’t have to labor and plan ahead?

5. If we have food, drink and clothes, does it mean that you will be free from worries? Why or why not?

6. What does the example of lilies illustrate? What do the birds and the lilies have in common?

7. Why did God make us different from birds and lilies? How different are we?

8. Who are the pagans and what are their characteristics?

9. How should we be different from them?
a. What is meant by “to seek”?

b. In 6:33, what is first and why? What is second?

c. What is meant by seeking His Kingdom?

d. What is meant by seeking His righteousness?

e. How do we know that we are “seeking” something? Do you know or really trust that “these things” will be “added” unto you? If so, why are you still seeking them?
10. Will tomorrow worry about itself? Really? How? Why?

11. Can I worry about today then?

12. How then should you face tomorrow then — family, relationship, career, school or anything that might bring you anxiety, unease, trouble, agitation or a lack of peace?

13. What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

經文默想
馬太福音6:25-34

請慢慢細心讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反復思考問題。

(1) 主說：不要為生命憂慮。對你而言什麼是「生命」？

(2) 主耶穌這樣說，是指肉身、精神或是靈的生命呢？

(3) 請給「憂慮」下一定義？

(4) 飛鳥的比喻的重點是什麼？是否我們就不用勞苦，不用計劃呢？為什麼？

(5) 是否我們穿得暖、吃得飽，就沒有憂慮呢？為什麼？

(6) 百合花的比喻的重點是什麼？與飛鳥的比喻的共通點是什麼？

(7) 神造我們與飛鳥和百合花之別是什麼？

(8) 外邦人有什麼特點？

(9) 我們應與他們有何分別：

a. 「求/seek」是什麼意思？

b. 求神的國是什麼意思？

c. 求祂的義又是什麼意思？

d. 為什麼要「先求」這些？「後」可以求什麼呢？

e. 我們怎樣曉得自己在「求/seek」一些東西呢？

f. 你真的相信在「神國」與「義」之外，其他的都會「加給」你嗎？那樣，為何你還常在憂慮呢？

(10) 一天的難處一天當就夠了是什麼意思？這是說我們可以為今天憂慮嗎？

(11) 今天你應如何面對你的難處：包括家庭、關係、工作、學業所帶來的緊張、不安、煩惱、血壓、和失眠？

Meditative Reflection
Serving Two Masters

In my secular career, I worked for a few family businesses. The benefits of working for a family business included a much cozier working environment, with less of a bureaucratic structure in decision making and more of a relational approach to line and functional management. I found it more comfortable in such an environment as a Christian. However, it also had its pitfalls and the most important of them was having to answer to more than one boss unofficially.

Officially, I reported to the chairman of the company who was the father of the family, but unofficially I had to answer to the other members of the family, who often had competing interests. In one such company, as much as I enjoyed my work very much and the complete trust of the chairman, I had no choice but to resign, because it is true that, “No one can serve two masters (or more).”

However, as much as I have had this first-hand experience, I have found myself very comfortable in serving two masters in my personal life.

I am familiar with the teaching of 1 John 2:15, “do not love the world…If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” Since my conversion in my late teen-years, I learned to memorize this verse. But as I reflect on my secular career, as successful as it was for the most part and one in which I invariably gained the trust of my boss, I, imperceptibly, had engaged in the rat race, just like many others in the corporate world.

Yes, I joined short-term missions, I sought to share the gospel at work and even led Bible study in my office, and I served actively in the church. While I might even be able to maintain a good reputation as a good Christian at work, deep down, I admired, I pursued and I sought after fame, fortune and power. The only difference was that I was able to hide it quite well in the eyes of my colleagues, but not in the eyes of my Lord.

Indeed, “If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness.” (Matt. 6:23)

All along, I “saw” myself as a good Christian, but what I saw was, in fact, darkness, that is, false light. How great had that darkness been!

It was not until I learned to set aside time for regular prolonged self-reflection and examination (in addition to my daily rush-devotion time), that I came to see my folly. As a result, when I was invited to speak at my son’s wedding (he is an accountant married to another accountant, just as I am), I said to him, “Do not follow my footsteps to a tee.”

I was referring to how I tried to gain the world and the Lord at the same time.

靈修默想小篇
事奉兩個主

當我在商界工作時，有機會在家庭式的商業中工作。雖然這些公司都頗具規模，但始終是家族的生意，沒有太多官樣的文章，人情味亦較濃，是我甚喜歡的工作環境。但同時，也帶給我像主耶穌在登山寶訓所指出的難處，就是「一個人不能事奉兩個主」。

在外表上，我在這些公司中都是直接向公司的總裁報告，他的位份也就是家庭的父親。實質上，往往我也要向家庭的其他成員交代，而他們之間往往有不少利益上的衝突。在其中一間家族的機構中，雖然為父的對我甚器重，對我絕對的信任，我卻因「不能事奉兩個主」，或應說：多個主，而辭別。

雖然我有這些實際的工作體驗，然而在個人的靈命中，我長期是甘於事奉兩個主。

約翰一書2:15的教導是我熟悉的：：「不要愛世界和世界上的事。人若愛世界，愛父的心就不在他裡面了。」我從小就曉得背誦這金句。當我回想在商界二十多年的工作時，我為著能得到僱主們絕對的信任而感恩；但同時，我看到自己在工作中的力爭上游，卻與世人無異。

對，我在這些年間不斷參加短宣、嘗試傳福音、更有在公司開設福音性查經、更在教會中熱心的事奉。在工作中，也算有好見證。但在心底裡，卻羨慕、追求和渴求名譽、地位和權勢。我或許能欺騙自己，其實不能欺騙神！

是的：「你裡頭的光若黑暗了，那黑暗是何等大呢！」(太6:23)

一直來，我「看」自己為愛神的，但其實我所看的是黑暗，這黑暗也實在是何等的大！當我學習到平日匆忙的靈修以外，找到真正安靜自省的時間後，才「看到」自己的黑暗！故此，在我的兒子邀請我在他的婚禮中證道時，(他像我一樣，是會計師，也找了同行的女子作妻子) ，我就坦白的勸導他，不要跟足我的腳踪。當然，我是指到我又想得到主，又想得到世界，魚與熊掌都想兼得的心態。

Day 3

第3日

Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions below.
請慢慢細讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反複思考問題。

Scriptural Reflection
Matthew 7:1–12

To Judge or not to Judge:
1. What is the definition of judging, and how is it different from forming an opinion?

2. Jesus is obviously using an exaggerated analogy. Why would He choose to use such an exaggeration? What is His point?

3. What is the definition of a hypocrite?

4. Jesus does not appear to stop us totally from judging; we may only so long as we remove our “plank” first. What if we really look at ourselves and remove our “plank” first; what would it do to our “judging” of our brothers?

The Warning:
1. Who are the dogs and pigs (v.6)? (See Prov. 26:11 and 11:22.)  What does Jesus mean here?

2. In Jesus’ case, who trampled the sacred and ended up tearing Him to pieces?

Seek and It will be Given:
1. Consider these similar sayings.
a. “What you do not want done to you, do not do it to others.” (Confucius)

b. “What is hateful to yourself, do to no other.” (Rabbi Hillel )

c. “What thou thyself hatest, to no man do.” (Tobit 4:16)
How does what Jesus say in v. 12 differ from the above?

2. V. 12 is linked to the preceding verses on prayer by the word, “therefore”. How does it sum up the Law and the Prophets? How is it tied to our attitude of prayer and the fact that we are “evil”?

[If you have time, you may wish to consider the following as well:
•    What will happen to us, if we are serious in obeying this “sum”?
•    How can we do this?
•    Look up Mark 12:29-31 and Luke 10:27. What aspect of the Law and Prophets is being emphasized? The negative or the positive?
•    Therefore, the Law, if rightly understood is about “relationship”. Do you agree?]
3. What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?


經文默想
馬太福音7:1-12

請慢慢細心讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反復思考問題。

第1-5節

(1) 什麼是「論斷」？與「判斷」有分別否？

(2) 在此，主耶穌明顯地是用「誇張法」來表明真理。用意何在？

(3) 請給「假冒為善」下一定義？

(4) 似乎主耶穌沒有制止我們作判斷，乃是叫我們先去掉自己眼中的梁木。如果我們真能先除掉自己眼中的梁木，這對我們的「論斷」會有什麼影響？

第6節

(5) 狗與豬是指誰？(可參箴言26:11及11:22) 耶穌的用意是什麼？

(6) 在耶穌的身上，祂至終是給誰所咬？聖物給什麼人所踐踏？

第7-12節

(7) 請把主耶穌在第12節所言與以下的名言相比，看看其主要分別何在？

a. 己所不欲，勿施於人 (孔子)

b. 己所憎惡，勿施於人(著名拉比Hillel)

c. 你所憎惡的，勿作在任何人身(次經Tobit 4:16)

(8) 第12節是與上文(7-11節) 有關的，故此以「所以」作承接詞。這與禱告有何關連？它怎樣「就是」律法和先知的道理呢 ？

[若時間許可，可多作以下反思：

- 如果我們真勵行第12節的教訓，我們的生命會產生什麼改變？

- 如何能做得到？

- 參馬可福音12:29-31及路加福音10:27。這樣怎樣給律法作出總結？是正面還是反面的？

- 這樣律法和先知的總意，不是在乎規條，乃在乎關係。你說對嗎？]

(9) 今天你得到的主要信息是什麼？你會怎樣應用在你的生命中？

Meditative Reflection
The Sum of the Law

In today’s scriptural reflection, I ask about the main difference of Jesus’ teaching —“So, in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you…” (Matt. 7:12) from the following:
1. “What you do not want done to you, do not do it to others?” (Confucius)

2. “What is hateful to yourself, do to no other.” (Rabbi Hillel )

3. “What thou thyself hatest, to no man do.” (Tobit 4:16)
It is obvious that these proverbs focus on the negative, while that of Jesus focuses on the positive.

But the difference goes much deeper. In the latter sayings, one seeks to avoid doing things that are wrong, and to do the things that are right (for us). Doing right is at the center of the decision and so we ourselves are still central in the decision. But Jesus teaches us to make others the center of our decision, and “others” include those who might have made us their enemies (as mentioned in Matt. 5:44 earlier).

But the sum of the Law and Prophets is that of love.

The Jews of Jesus’ time, especially their teachers, approached the Law and Prophets based on observance, making their religious life a set of “dos and don’ts”.

But Jesus is saying that if we truly love God and love people, then, essentially, our actions will more than meet the letter of the Law, and the very heart of our Heavenly Father also.

This is why I am very leery of the church trying to set up too many “dos and don’ts”, instead of teaching the people to love God and their neighbors whole-heartedly. It is perhaps also a reflection of how we approach the raising of our children at home. We take pride in their obedience, their academic excellence and their career achievements, as if somehow it would lessen the pain of knowing that they do not really put God first in their life.

靈修默想小篇
律法的總意

在今天的經文默想中，我提議把主耶穌在馬太福音7:12所言與以下的名言相比，看看其主要分別何在：

a. 己所不欲，勿施於人 (孔子)

b. 己所憎惡，勿施於人 (著名拉比Hillel)

c. 你所憎惡的，勿作在任何人身 (次經Tobit4:16)

其中一個分別，很明顯的是這些名言都是負面的忠告；而耶穌所言卻是正面的。兩者的分別有更深的一個層面：這些名言的主旨似在乎叫自己不做錯的事，少不免仍以自己為中心；但主的教導卻絕對以他人為中心 — 甚至連「仇敵」也在內。(太5:44)

故此，主耶穌指出這並非是新的教訓，舊約的律法和先知的總意就已是如此！

耶穌時代的猶太人把律法的教導變成「該作、不該作」的條文，但耶穌卻指出，如果我們作事真的以愛神、愛人為本，所行的自然不但滿足律法字面的條文，更滿足父神的心意。

因此，在神的家我們要小心，不是要加設眾多的條例；要看重的，乃是教導弟兄姊妹去切實的愛神、愛鄰舍。恐怕，我們若是看重條例，其實是反映我們在家庭中對兒女諸多要求的同一心態。在不自覺中，我們看重兒女的孝順、學業的成績和工作的成就，多於他們的靈性是否真的把神放在他們生命的首位。前者的成就，似乎可以叫我們對他們後者的倒退不至太不安！

Day 4

第4日

Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions below.
請慢慢細讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反複思考問題。

Scriptural Reflection
Matthew 7:13–29

Matthew concludes the recording of the Sermon on the Mount with a series of analogies based on contrast:
  • narrow versus wide gates/roads
  • good and bad trees
  • good and bad foundations
1. What are the two kinds of people being contrasted by the above?

2. The two kinds of gates/roads:
a. Why does Jesus use gates and roads to describe the fate of the two kinds of people?

b. What does the use of size point to?

c. What does this message mean to you?
3. The two kinds of trees (teachers):
a. From the description of v. 22, can you tell what do not constitute fruits?

b. What then are the fruits that Jesus is talking about based on v. 21?
4. The two kinds of foundations (presumably as a conclusion to the Sermon on the Mount)
a. Try to highlight all the words and phrases repeated here, and also, the words and phrases that denote contrast.

b. What do they tell you about life?

c. “Everyone who hears these words of mine”. Sum up the essence of what they have heard about:
  1. The beatitudes and being salt and light
  2. The error of outward observance of the law and being perfect as the Father
  3. The futility of outward “acts of righteousness”
  4. Who their Master is — Money or God.  Is it expressed in their focus of life by worry or seeking first the Kingdom and His righteousness? How?
  5. Relationship with others — no judging
  6. Relationship with God — trust as our Heavenly Father
  7. The two ways of life, the two kinds of teachers, and now the two kinds of believers.
Now Jesus urges them to put into practice what they have heard. Could they? Can you?

Can you sum up the Sermon on the Mount in one sentence?

5. What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

經文默想
馬太福音7:13-29

請慢慢細心讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反復思考問題。

在要結束登山寶訓時，馬太記錄了一連串對比式的教訓：

- 兩條相反的門路

- 兩種相反的果樹

- 兩等相反的根基

(1) 這些對比所喻的是那兩類的人？

(2) 兩條相反的門路：

a. 為何主耶穌用門和路作兩類人的生命寫照？

b. 用大小與寬窄的用意何在？

c. 這教訓對你有什麼提醒？

(3) 兩種相反的果樹:

a. 按第22節所言，我們可以知道什麼不是主耶穌在15-21節所指的果子呢？

b. 既是這樣，什麼是我們可鑒別的果子呢？

(4) 兩等相反的根基：這比喻恰恰作了登山寶訓的總結

a. 請列出所有(意思或直接)重複和相反的詞句。把這些總結起來，看看我們對人生有何領會。

b. 「凡聽見我的話」：請把他們在登山寶訓所聽的試作總結：

i. 八福的生命與光和鹽

ii. 律法表面的遵守與神真正的心意

iii. 「義行」的錯誤

iv. 憂慮顯示我們以誰為主，在追求什麼

v. 律法與先知的總意:

1. 與人的關係：不可論斷

2. 與神的關係：天父心

vi. 兩種相反的生命

可否用一句話來總結耶穌登山寶訓的教導？

我們如何能「行出」祂的話？

(5) 今天你得到的主要信息是什麼？你會怎樣應用在你的生命中？

Meditative Reflection
Lord, Lord!

“Man of Vision” is a book about the founder of World Vision, Bob Pierce. He was obviously a very successful and influential man. He obviously preached in the name of Jesus. He might not have driven out demons, but he certainly performed things that very few could match — the setting up of World Vision that has greatly impacted the lives of many in the Third World, especially children in abject poverty.

But in the book I just mentioned, his daughter honestly tells of how he could not get along with other people in leadership, how he ignored his family and contributed to the suicide of one of his daughters. While he might have helped millions of families, he ruined his own. It was by the extreme mercy of God that he was able to reconcile somewhat with his family before his death.

Bob Pearce’s life is a warning to us, especially those in Christian leadership. Jesus is not looking at the fruit of our lavish claim about Him, our effective preaching and teaching ministry, our great sacrifice for Him nor any achievements recognized by the world. He only looks at our relationship with Him, if we are obedient to Him and His will. That is the only fruit He looks at.

靈修默想小篇
主阿，主阿！

“Man of Vision” 是宣明會創辦人 Bob Pierce的傳記。他是一位極成功的人士，又是極具影響力的人。他曾奉耶穌的名傳道，雖然可能未曾趕出污鬼，但他誠然行了大事是鮮有人能相比的—他創辦了宣明會，改變了萬千貧苦兒童的命運。

在這傳記中，他的女兒誠實的報導，叫我們知道他是一個不能與人同工的人，連家人他也不能和洽相處，引至其中一個女兒自殺。他雖然幫助了千萬的家庭，卻毀滅了自己的家。但在神極大的憐憫下，他有機會在死前與家人修好。

Bob Pierce是我們作神僕人的鑒戒。主耶穌叫我們要憑果子認出樹，但祂所指的果子不是我們有力的講道、或是所耗盡的精力、或是偉大的成就。被祂看重的是我們與祂的關係—我們是否作順命的兒女。這是祂所看重的果子。

Day 5

第5日

Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions below.
請慢慢細讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反複思考問題。

Scriptural Reflection
Matthew 8:1–13

The healing of the leper:
1. How did the leper come to Jesus?

2. What did he ask for?

3. What might it say about him as a person, physically (health, possession, work etc.), emotionally (relationally-family, friends, dignity, companionship etc.) and spiritually (attitude toward God)?

4. How did Jesus heal him? Were there any other ways that He could have healed him? Why did He choose this particular method?

5. What might be the significance of asking the healed leper to follow the practice of the law?

The healing of the centurion’s servant:
1. What are the differences between the healing of the leper from this healing of the centurion’s servant in terms of
a. Who made the request?

b. Why they made the request?

c. How they made their request?
In what way(s) can you see the greatness of the faith of the centurion?

What truth did Jesus choose to expound on using this occasion? How significant was it to the large crowds (of Jews) that would have heard His words?

2.  What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?


經文默想
馬太福音8:1-13

請慢慢細心讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反復思考問題。

醫治長大痳瘋者：

(1) 這患病者是怎樣來見耶穌的？

(2) 他要求什麼？

(3) 我們可以怎樣形容他的境況？

a. 肉身方面：健康、財富、工作？

b. 情緒方面：家庭、朋友、尊嚴、夢想？

c. 靈性：對神的感受、與神的關係？

(4) 耶穌怎樣醫治他？可用其他的方法嗎？為何獨用此法？

(5) 耶穌吩咐此人遵摩西律法而行的用意何在？

醫治百夫長的僕人：

(6) 這兩者的醫治的分別何在？

a. 誰是那請求者？

b. 請求的動機是出於什麼？

c. 你在那些地方可以看出百夫長信心之大？

d. 耶穌趁機表明什麼真理？

e. 這信息對當時的大群(猶太)人有何重要性？

(7) 今日你得到的主要信息是什麼？

Meditative Reflection
Does Jesus Care?

Today, I invite you to reflect on the lyric of this old hymn:
Refrain
Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress
And the way grows weary and long?

Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near?

Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong;
When for my deep grief there is no relief,
Though my tears flow all the night long?

Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye”
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks,
Is it aught to Him? Does He see?
(Source: hymnalaccompanist.com)
History of author, Frank Graeff (1860-1919):

Is God really present and concerned during my times of hurt?  Does He care when the burdens weigh heavily on my every thought and activity?  Does He care when I can no longer endure some strong testing?  Does He care when I must say a final farewell to my dearest loved one on earth?

These questions and doubts are common to nearly all of God’s children at some time or other in life, just as they were to the author of this text, Frank E. Graeff.  Mr. Graeff was a minister in the Methodist denomination and served some of its leading churches in the Philadelphia Conference.  Throughout the district, he was known as the “sunshine minister.”  C. Austin Miles, author of the popular hymn, “In the Garden", paid this tribute to Frank Graeff:

He is a spiritual optimist, a great friend of children; his bright sun-shining disposition attracts him not only to children, but to all with whom he comes in contact.  He has a holy magnetism and a child-like faith.

In spite of his outwardly-cheery disposition and winsome personality, Graeff was often called upon to go through severe testing experiences in his life.  It was while passing through such a test and experiencing severe despondency, doubt and physical agony, that Mr. Graeff wrote this text.  He turned to the Scriptures for solace and strength.  1 Peter 5:7 became especially meaningful to him during this particular struggle:
“Casting all your care upon Him;
for He careth for you.”
The phrase, “He careth for you,” spoke deeply to his need and eventually became the basis for this text.

To experience times of question and even doubt regarding the nearness of God, as Frank Graeff did in the verses of this hymn, is only human and normal.  It is only as a believer comes through such a struggle, however, with the firm conviction as Mr. Graeff did in the chorus of this hymn, “O yes He cares, I know He cares,” that a child of God can be truly victorious.

靈修默想小篇
主必看顧

今天讓我們思想這首感人的詩歌的歌詞：

耶穌是否仍然看顧我？

當我心靈破碎時；

前途滿荊棘，

魔鬼來攻擊；

主耶穌是否仍看顧？

耶穌是否仍然看顧我？

當黑雲遮滿天時；

意外的驚恐，

難解的苦衷；

主耶穌是否仍看顧？

耶穌是否仍然看顧我？

當遇試探攻擊時；

心中的苦況，

朋友不同情；

主耶穌是否仍看顧？

耶穌是否仍然看顧我？

當疾病纏繞我時；

心中真難過，

無人安慰我；

主耶穌是否仍看顧？

副歌：

祂必看顧，祂必看顧，

因祂同情我痛苦；

環境雖變遷，

人情雖改易，

但耶穌永遠看顧。

作者Frank Graeff (1860-1919) 簡介:

神真的在我痛苦中與我同在嗎？當每一思想帶來更大的重壓時，祂真的關心我嗎？當我抵擋不了試探時，祂關心嗎？當我與所愛的人見最後一面，祂關心嗎？

在神的兒女的生命中，總有產生這些問題的時刻，就像這詩歌的作者一樣。他是循道會的牧師，在佛羅理達州事奉。在該區會中，他有「日光牧師」的雅號。「在花園裡」的作者Austin Miles就這樣論及他：Greaff是屬靈的樂觀者，是小朋友們的好友。他的燦爛生命不單吸引了兒童，更吸引了凡接觸到他的人。他具神聖的吸力，也有孩童般的信心。

外表雖然如此，他內裡的生命卻常經歷極大的試煉。這首詩就是在他經歷一次的試煉，在絕望、懷疑和忍受肉身的痛苦時寫出的。在經歷中，彼得前書5:7的說話對他尤為寶貴：「你們要將一切的憂慮卸給神，因為祂顧念你們。」

「祂顧念你們」這幾個字感動了他寫成這首詩歌。

在試煉時像作者一樣感到疑惑，發出問題是頂自然的。但能像他緊抓著神的應許，連連唱出「祂必看顧」，便能得勝。

摘譯自hymnalaccompanist.com

Day 6

第6日

Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions below.
請慢慢細讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反複思考問題。

Scriptural Reflection
Matthew 8:14–22

1. What has Peter given up in following Jesus (see 19:27)?

2. What impact might it have on his family, including his mother-in-law?

3. What did she do after being healed? What might this fever and its healing mean to Peter’s family, especially his mother-in-law?

4. Again, Matthew seized the opportunity to affirm Who Jesus is by how He fulfilled OT prophecy. Which prophecy did he choose and how might it help you to understand this prophecy from Isaiah 53:4?

5. But why did He choose to leave them in v. 18?

6. If you had been following Jesus, had heard His preaching (in which He claims God as His Father, that He Himself is “righteousness”, and that His Word is to be obeyed the same as the Law and Prophets), and had seen what He did (driving out demons with a word, and healing all who were sick instantly), what might motivate you to follow Him? What would "following Him" mean?

7. Given the positive reactions of some, shouldn’t Jesus be overjoyed? What was He trying to point out about following Him with the following?
a. Comparing Himself to the foxes and birds
  1. What is the meaning of “wherever you go”? (v.19)
  2. What should His disciples be prepared for?
b. Describing the burying party as the dead
  1. Was He not being too harsh?
  2. What did He want this would-be follower to understand?
8. What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

經文默想
馬太福音8:14-22

請慢慢細心讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反復思考問題。

(1) 彼得為要跟從耶穌放棄了什麼？(參19:27)

(2) 你可以想像到這決定對他的家人，包括岳母，有何影響？

(3) 他的岳母在得醫治後起來作什麼？這次的醫治對彼得家人，特別是他的岳母有何意義？

(4) 馬太趁機再次指出耶穌如何應驗舊約的預言。這次馬太引用了以賽亞書53:4。你對這預言的應驗有何領會？

(5) 為何耶穌在第18節看見許多的人，反而離去？

(6) 若果你是群眾之一，親耳聽見耶穌的信息(包括祂稱神為父、稱自己就是「義」，更叫人聽祂的話--與律法相等) ，也親眼看見祂所行的(醫病、趕鬼) ，而想跟從祂，原因何在？你會對跟從祂有何領會？

(7) 既然有人願意跟從，為何主耶穌不是甚為高興，反而有所戒心？

a. 祂把自己與狐狸和飛鳥相比：用意何在？

b. 把安葬的家人比作死人，是否有點過份？祂要想跟隨祂的人明白什麼？

(8) 今日你得到的主要信息是什麼？你會怎樣應用在你的生命中？

Meditative Reflection
Following Christ

Sometimes I wonder why Jesus would make rather harsh statements to those who wished to follow Him, as if to deter them from following.

But as some of those who tried to follow were put off by His words and really “turned back and no longer followed Him” (Jn. 6:66), He would be greatly saddened.

It is obvious that He really wants us to follow Him, but if anyone comes to Him “and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters — yes, even his own life —“ he cannot be His disciple. (Lk. 14:26) The key word is “cannot”, not "better not" or "should not", but "cannot" — the Greek word (δύναμαι) is for dynamo — not having the power to follow through!

I have not found one place in the gospel that Jesus calls anyone to follow Him for their own sake. Each one of us is called to follow Him for the sake of the furtherance of His Kingdom.

What good is a nominal disciple who is of no use to the furtherance of His Kingdom (that is the meaning of being salt without taste in Lk. 14:34)?

A young man recently told me that he would like to believe in Jesus and I asked him why. He told me that he had prayed to get a good result from his latest test with the promise that he would be a Christian if God answered his prayer.

He got an “A” from his test and so he wished to become a Christian as promised. As I explained to him that faith in Christ is not purely intellectual faith nor it is about getting a temporal benefit, be it health, wealth or a grade, but total trust in His saving work on the Cross and the commitment to follow Him at all costs. And I asked him if he still would consider being a Christian. To this he hesitated, which was good. This is what Jesus desires us to do — to count the cost of following.

I am glad to share that this young man, though hesitant at first, did eventually decide to put his total trust in Christ and to follow Him.

靈修默想小篇
跟隨基督

有時我不禁在想，為何主耶穌要對那些欲跟隨祂的人說些很嚴厲的話，好像要攔阻他們來跟隨祂。當他們當中真的有人要「退去，不再和祂同行」時，祂卻是非常的傷心。(約6:66)

明顯的，主耶穌甚願我們來跟隨祂。但正如祂所言：「人到我這裡來，若不愛我勝過愛（愛我勝過愛：原文是恨）自己的父母、妻子、兒女、弟兄、姐妹，和自己的性命，就不能作我的門徒。」注意：祂不是說：「最好不要作」，也不是說：「不應作」，祂乃是說：「不能」；原文是今日英文的dynamo，意即沒有力量去完成之意。

是的，聖經找不到一處是主耶穌呼召人為自己去跟從祂的。每一個門徒被召都是為要拓展神的國度。若有人自稱是跟從祂，卻無助於國度的拓展，就是「失了味的鹽」了。(路14:34)

最近，有一位年青人跟我說要信耶穌。我就問他個中的原因。原來，他曾向神禱告，如果某科成績能得甲等，他便信耶穌。結果成績真的是甲等。我仔細的告訴他，這樣不是耶穌要他信祂的原因。信耶穌不單是頭腦的相信，也不是為今生的福份：如因學業或健康等福氣而信祂。真正的相信乃是完全信靠主耶穌代死的功勞，接受祂為救主，更是一生的跟隨祂，以祂為我們生命的主。我這樣講解後，再問他是否仍願意信耶穌，他竟然有所遲疑。這其實是好的，耶穌是希望每一個欲跟從祂的想清楚代價，才相信跟隨祂。

感謝主，這年青人雖然有所遲疑，但終於決心相信並跟隨耶穌。

Day 7

第7日

Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions below.
請慢慢細讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反複思考問題。

Scriptural Reflection
Matthew 8:23–34

Authority over nature:
1. What did the disciples witness so far? Whom did they believe Jesus to be at this point?

2. Why then were they surprised by Jesus? How different would His authority over the winds and waves be from that over demons and sickness?

3. If you were one of the disciples, and saw that Jesus remained asleep during the storm, would you really react differently?

4. In a way, Jesus was demonstrating what might be part of following Him. What might it be?

Authority over demons:
As we have already considered, the land of Galilee was inhabited by both Jews and Gentiles. This explains why pigs were raised.

1. What is life like under demon-possession as depicted by Matthew?

2. How did the demons address Jesus? How did demons understand their eventual fate? Were they not doing Jesus a favor?

3. As they witnessed such an undeniable miracle and heard about who Jesus is, why would the people “plead” for His departure?

4. How does their action reflect the attitude of the world in general, even today?

5. What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?


經文默想
馬太福音8:23-34

請慢慢細心讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反復思考問題。

掌管大自然：

(1) 在此之前，門徒目睹什麼神蹟？他們對主耶穌有何認識？

(2) 為何現在見此神蹟而感驚訝？這神蹟與前所見的有何分別？(試從類別和個人感受兩方面思想)

(3) 若你處身在船中，眼見耶穌熟睡了，風波又大，你會有不同的反應嗎？真的？

(4) 這些經歷可以叫門徒明白到跟隨主包括了什麼？

勝過污鬼：我們已分析過加利利地是與外邦人混雜之地，故此有養豬的作業：

(5) 按馬太的描寫，我們可以領會到那被鬼附的人生是怎樣的？污鬼怎樣稱呼耶穌？牠們豈不是為耶穌作見證嗎？牠們明白自己的終局嗎？

(6) 這些本地人不是目睹或耳聞耶穌的大能嗎？為何卻要求祂離去？

(7) 他們這舉動與今日世人對福音的態度有何相似的地方？

(8) 今日你得到的主要信息是什麼？你會怎樣應用在你的生命中？

Meditative Reflection
Miracles

I think you would have heard skeptics of the gospel say that if they see God with their own eyes, they would believe in Him.

Of course, our natural and logical response is that if they can see God, they do not have to “believe” Him. Faith, by definition is to be “certain of what we do not see” (Heb. 11:1), not to mention that, because of our sins, as God puts it, “No one may see me and live.” (Exod. 33:20)

That does not mean that God would not give us enough evidence for us to believe in Him, as Paul eloquently puts it, “For since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities — His eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” (Rom. 1:20)

But God has not stopped at what we call, general revelation. He, through His Son’s incarnation, has made Himself known to us. The Gospel of John is also called the Book of Signs, in that, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, John carefully crafts his gospel to tell of the signs (i.e. miracles) performed by Jesus. His purpose is that we “may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing, (we) may have life in His name.” (Jn. 20:31)

You may wonder why, we in the intellectual world, no longer witness similar miracles as recorded in the Gospels. I believe, for one, we now have the privilege of the written Word of God in languages that we can understand. If we do not believe in God’s comprehensive witness through His written word, even if we see miracles every day, like the resurrection of the dead (Lk. 16:31), we will still reject God.

But on the other hand, we do see miracles everyday — the rising and setting of the sun, the birth of a baby, and most of all the regeneration of a sinner who repents to God.

They all witness to us the eternal power and divine nature of our Creator God.

靈修默想小篇
神蹟奇事

我相信大部份的基督徒都聽過不信的朋友說，如果他們能親眼看見神，便會相信。當然，我們自然和合理的回答是，如果他們能看見神，就不用信了；因為按定義：「信是未見之事的確據。」(來11:1)

況且，神曾說：「人見我的面不能存活。」(出33:20)

這並不是說神不會給我們足夠的證據，證明祂的存在。正如保羅所言：「神的永能和神性是明明可知的，雖是眼不能見，但藉著所造之物，就可以曉得，叫人無可推諉。」(羅1:20)

神並沒有停在藉被造物所顯出的普通啟示，祂更藉著祂兒子的降世被顯明出來。整本約翰福音是圍繞著主耶穌在世所行的神蹟而寫成，一般的學者稱之為「神蹟之書」(Book of the Signs)。約翰在總結他的記載時說：「但記這些事，要叫你們信耶穌是基督，是神的兒子；並且叫你們信了祂，就可以因祂的名得生命。」(20:31)

既是這樣，你可能問：為甚麼福音書所記的種種神蹟，在這文明的社會中，好似再看不到呢？我相信，正如主耶穌在路加福音16:31所言，如果我們今天有這全備的聖經而仍不願意相信，就是有如死人復活的神蹟，我們也不會信服神的！

話雖如此，其實神正每日向我們顯示祂的神能--每一個日出，每一個日落，每一個新生的嬰孩，更是當一個罪人悔改歸主--這一切豈不都是神大能的彰顯！

這些都在顯示神的永能和神性。

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