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 12:1–8

When you read Deuteronomy 23:24-25 and Exodus 31:12-17, do you get a sense that the disciples violated the Sabbath or not? Why?

1. In Jesus’ reply, did He defend the action of the disciples based on the following grounds?
a. Their action did not violate the law of Sabbath

b. The Law of Sabbath no longer was needed
2. The Old Testament Law may be categorized into the following:
a. Ceremonial law that governs the worship and the religious conduct of the people of Israel

b. Civil law that governs the social conduct of the people of Israel in order to maintain law and order, and

c. Ethical conduct that reflects the attributes of God
In general, it is thought that
- Jesus came to fulfill all ceremonial laws

- And as society changes, civil law also changes (such as the monetary penalties necessarily change over time)

- But ethical and moral law never changes
What is the purpose of the law of Sabbath, and if you accept the above categorization, what then would the law of Sabbath fall under?

3. Jesus’ reply comprised several examples with different emphases:
a. Jesus appeared to contradict what the priest said in 1 Samuel 21:4-6: What was Jesus’ point of emphasis?

b. Priests could do what was not permitted on Sabbath. What was His point of emphasis?

c. He is the Lord of Sabbath and is greater that the temple itself: What was His point of emphasis?
4. Jesus again quoted from Hosea 6:6. Can you recall when He quoted this verse not long ago? What was the context of His earlier quote? How similar was its application in both cases?

5. What then is Jesus teaching us about our attitude towards the Law and how should it affect our Christian life today, especially in the church?

6. 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12:1-8

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) 請翻閱申命記23:24-25和出埃及記31:12-17。你認為門徒是否真的干犯了安息日呢?為什麼?

(2) 耶穌為門徒答辯的理由是說

a. 門徒根本沒有干犯安息日?

b. 還是安息日的條例不再適用呢?

(3) 「聖經手冊」把舊約律法分析為三大類:

a. 禮儀(有關敬拜和宗教禮儀和禮節) —已被主耶穌的救贖大功所滿足(參閱來10)

b. 民事(有關社會的秩序) —如任何國家的民事法例,按需要而增減(如罰款因貨幣的改變也有所更改)

c. 道德(反映神的屬性) 不能改變,因為神的屬性絕不改變。

按這分類,安息日的條例屬於那一類?安息日的條例的精義是什麼?

(4) 耶穌舉了數個不同重點的例子:

a. 撒母耳記上21:4-6的重點是什麼?

b. 祭司在殿中的事奉包括不少禮儀上的工作,「在安息日更是加倍」(Barclay) 。這例子的重點是什麼?

c. 祂與殿和安息日的關係。這重點是什麼?

(5) 主耶穌在此再引用何西阿書6:6。你還記得祂在不久之前已引用過這話嗎?兩處的引用有何相關之處?

(6) 耶穌在此教導我們應該如何看待舊約的律法呢?對今天信徒的教會生活有何影響?

(7) 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
Help Those Who Help Themselves

Leading up to the heated debates in 2012 among the Republican nominees who were to compete with President Obama, social issues received a lesser focus than the economy. Still the two are so intertwined that one politician was caught misquoting the Bible by saying that “God helps those who help themselves.”

To the surprise of many, including Christians, this is not only not in the Bible, but this is actually contrary to the teaching of the Bible. I still remember that the Home for the Blind near my home town in Tokwawan, Kowloon, bore exactly this slogan in its building.

This saying is usually attributed to Ben Franklin, and is quoted in Poor Richard’s Almanac in 1757. In actuality, it originated from Algernon Sydney in 1698 in an article titled Discourses Concerning Government. Whatever the original source of this saying is, the Bible teaches the opposite. God helps the helpless!
Isaiah 25:4 declares, “For You have been a defense for the helpless, a defense for the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat...”

Romans 5:6 tells us, “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.”
In terms of salvation, we are all utterly helpless. We are all infected by sin (Romans 3:23), and condemned as a result of that sin (Rom. 6:23). Nothing we can do on our own can remedy this situation (Isa. 64:6). Thankfully, God is the helper of the helpless. While we were still sinners, Jesus died for us (Rom. 5:8). Jesus paid the penalty that we were incapable of paying (2 Co. 5:21). God provided the “help” that we need precisely because we could not help ourselves.

This is not an excuse for us not helping ourselves, but if we are true to emulating Christ, our help towards others should not be based on whether those who receive our mercy help themselves or not. That is the difference between God’s mercy and human mercy.

(Source: Some of the information came from www.gotquestions.org)

靈修默想小篇
使其自助

2012年美國競選激烈的辯護中,似乎經濟比社會問題更被重視,但二者的關連卻常是難以分割的。有一政客就再一次錯用了「神() 幫助那些自助的」這句口號,誤以為是聖經的話。

對極多的人而言,包括基督徒在內,他們不但不曉得這並非聖經所言,其實更與聖經的教導相違。我仍記得年少時常路過九龍土瓜灣盲人中心門外,看見其標題:幫助盲者、使其自助。這個用意是好的。

一般人以為那是1757Ben FranklinPoor Richard’s almanac中所記載的話;其實是出自1698年一篇由Algernon Sydney所寫有關政府的文章。不論其出處何在,這句話是與聖經的教導有衝突的。

以賽亞書25:4說:「你就作貧窮人的保障,作困乏人急難中的保障,作躲暴風之處,作避炎熱的陰涼。

羅馬書5:6說:「因我們還軟弱的時候,基督就按所定的日期為罪人死。

就救恩而言,我們是絕對無助的。我們都中了罪的毒害(3:23) ,因罪而被定死罪(6:23) 。我們不能作什麼來改變這事實(64:6) 。但感謝神,祂幫助那不能自助的:在我們還作罪人的時候,耶穌就為我們死(5:8) 。主耶穌為我們付上我們不能付的贖價(林後5:21) 。神正因我們不能自助,而幫助我們。

這不是說我們就有不自助的藉口。乃是說:如果我們真的願意學像基督,我們對人的憐憫與幫助,就不能基於那受憐的是否願意自助了。這正是神與世人的憐憫的分別了。

(部份資料取自www.gotquestions.org)

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 12:9–21

1. What was the penalty for breaking Sabbath Law (see Exod. 31:14) and why was it so severe?

2. Who else could have healed the man with a shriveled hand? What kind of a question, then, was it in v. 10?

3. How did Jesus’ reply echo His earlier answer in v. 7?

4. With all the explanations, why did the Pharisees still react the way they did in v. 14?

5. How appropriate was Matthew in quoting Isaiah 42:1-4 in view of this incident? How did Jesus demonstrate the following:
a. He will not quarrel. Is there any reason that He should?

b. He will not cry out and no one will hear His voice in the streets. What kind of a picture was painted of Jesus?

c. A bruised reed He will not break. What is a reed for? What is a bruised reed? Why would one want to break it?

d. A smoldering wick He will not snuff out. What does a smoldering wick represent? What would one do to a smoldering wick normally? What kind of a picture was painted of Jesus?
6. 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12:9-21

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) 舊約律法如何處罰干犯安息日的人?(參閱出31:14) 為何如此嚴厲?

(2) 細味第10節是一個怎樣的問題?(除耶穌以外,誰能醫治這人枯乾的手呢!)

(3) 耶穌的回答怎樣再次解釋先前在第7節所說的話?

(4) 耶穌既然苦口婆心的解釋,為何法利賽人仍有第14節的反應呢?

(5) 馬太在此引用以賽亞的話如何合宜?耶穌如何彰顯祂的:

a. 不爭競:祂需要爭競嗎?

b. 不喧嘩或揚聲:這裡形容的耶穌是怎樣的人?

c. 壓傷的蘆葦:為何以蘆葦為例?為何人要折斷它?

d. 將殘的燈火:為何以此為例?人通常如何處理將殘的燈火?這裡所形容的耶穌是一位怎樣的神?

(6) 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
Incredible Justice

The famous quote from Isaiah 42 about the bruised reed and the smoldering wick is indeed a powerful one that depicts the astounding mercy of God. But we often overlook that these words were being said within the context of God’s justice (42:1 — He will bring justice to the nations; 42:3 — In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; 42:4 — till He establishes justice on earth.)

What is justice? When we think of fairness, impartiality, being right or correct, we also think of giving reward or penalty as deserved. If this is what we have in mind, we are in tune with the Webster Dictionary which goes on to say that it is by “the use of authority and power to uphold what is right, just and lawful.” As a result, the symbol of administering justice is often depicted by a goddess, often blind-folded, holding a set of scales and a sword.

But Webster understands justice beyond this; it refers to justice also as, “the quality of being righteous.” That is closer to the biblical understanding of justice.

God is not simply concerned about righting the wrong and administering punishment in proportion to the wrong committed. Ultimately, God is concerned about establishing a people that will be righteous. This is the mission of Jesus, the Messiah.

But He has come not to establish justice by giving us the punishment we deserve, because if we get what we deserve, we would all go to hell. Therefore, Isaiah declares,
A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out.
But we often overlook the fact that the bruised reed or the smoldering wick is not so much a victim of injustice, but the very doer of injustice. When Jesus extends His invitation to us to find rest in Him (Matt. 11:28), He is calling sinners to repentance. Thus, in using the analogies of a bruised reed and a smoldering wick, Isaiah is pointing to the mission of the Messiah establishing justice as one of restoration.

Why would one care about a bruised reed? It will die of itself, just like the world; it will bring complete destruction on itself one day. Why would you not snuff out a smoldering wick? It has come to the end of its useful life, and the smoke it exudes is so irritating!

But God sees us not as a reed, of no value, or a wick, simply a tool! No, we are souls as Jesus makes clear in Matthew 11:29, precious souls in His sight. As a result, as He sees that we are sure to die as bruised reed, and we are sure to end as smoldering wick, He has come to take on our bruises, so that we may be healed, and to be snuffed out Himself on the cross that we may be brought back to life, to light!

This is how He has established justice on earth, by making us right before God by taking on the punishment we deserve. Now true justice, the quality of being righteous (as Webster defines it), has been made possible.

靈修默想小篇
不可思議的公理

以賽亞書42章有關壓傷的蘆葦的話是極感人的,把神的憐憫形容得再貼切不過。但我們常忽略了這句話的上文下理,是與神要在列國中施行公理(justice) 有關的。(參閱42:1, 24)

什麼是公理(justice) 呢?當我們想到這方面,自然就想到公平、無私、正直或正確,甚至是合宜的賞罰。這與韋氏大字典的解釋相近。韋氏說:「是用權柄和勢力去持定正確的、公平的和合法的。」故此,一般的施法地方都以那位蒙上眼睛,一手拿天平,另一手拿劍的女神為徵記。

韋氏對公理有更深一層的理解。他的字典更是這樣寫:「公理是為義的本質」。這句話就極合乎聖經的定義了。

神不是單單看重事情的對與錯、賞罰是否與所行相稱而已。至終,神所看重的是我們是否有「義的本質」。這就是彌賽亞的使命:使人得稱義。

所以祂來,不是要叫我們得到該受的刑罰,因為我們當受的是永死的刑罰。故此,以賽亞宣告說:「壓傷的蘆葦,他不折斷;將殘的燈火,他不吹滅。」但這壓傷的蘆葦、將殘的燈火並不是指不公平的被害者;恰恰相反,是指那不行公義的。當耶穌呼喚勞苦擔重擔的人到祂那裡時,祂是在呼喚罪人悔改。故此,以賽亞這番話是表明彌賽亞施行的公理是在乎 “restoration/重建

誰會理會壓傷的蘆葦呢?就像這個世界,不用他力,有一日都會自我毀滅。為何不吹熄那將殘的燈火呢?它不但已到其用處的盡頭,更在冒出令人厭煩的煙。

但神不是看我們如沒有價值的蘆葦;也不是看我們為工具的燈盞而已。耶穌在馬太福音清楚的告訴我們,祂看我們為寶貴的靈魂。祂既看見我們這些不義的人如必死的蘆葦、必滅的燈火,祂就背上我們的壓傷,叫我們得醫治,更代替我們被滅在十字架上,叫我們得生命,重獲光亮。

祂就是這樣在地上建立公理,在神面前代我們受了刑罰,叫我們有「義的本質」。

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 12:22–37

1. After the healing of a man’s shriveled hand, now performed an undeniable spiritual healing — that of driving a demon out as He healed the man’s blindness and muteness. What was the reaction of the crowd? (What did they understand by “the Son of David”?)

2. What would your reaction be if you were there? If you were a skeptic, what might be the possible explanations of such a miracle?

3. On your list of possibilities, does it include what the Pharisees said here?

4. Why did they attribute Jesus’ power as from demons? Did they have any basis to do so?

5. If you were Jesus, what would you do?
a. Rebuke them severely?

b. Perform another miracle to prove yourself?

c. Perform a miracle of punishment?

d. Patiently reason with them, hoping they might repent?
What did Jesus do?

6. In vv. 25-26, what reason did Jesus give to correct them?

7. Now we know that those within Satan’s empire are united. How does Satan’s empire compare with the church of Jesus Christ in this respect?

8. Now, do you know one of the main reasons why the church of today is so weak and without power? What should you do, as a member of the church?

9. Jesus followed with several warnings, as a result:
a. What was the warning in v. 30? Can anyone have a neutral stand toward Jesus? Why?

b. What was the warning in vv. 31-32? Why did He distinguish between the Holy Spirit and the Son of Man?

c. What was the warning in vv. 36-37? Why is the consequence so severe even for “careless” words?
10. 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12:22-37

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) 剛施行肉身上的醫治後,現在主耶穌再施行靈界的神蹟--趕出污鬼。群眾的反應為何特別的熱烈?他們對「大衛的子孫」有何認識?

(2) 如果你是群眾之一,你可以對這神蹟作什麼不同的解釋?

(3) 你的解釋是否也包括法利賽人的解釋?為什麼?

(4) 為何他們認為耶穌是靠鬼王趕鬼?

(5) 如果你是耶穌,你會怎樣回應?

a. 嚴責他們?

b. 再行一神蹟來證實?

c. 甚至行一個審判性的神蹟?

d. 再忍耐地勸戒他們?

耶穌的回應屬那一類?

(6) 耶穌在第25-26節用什麼理由來糾正他們?

(7) 換句話說,撒但的國是團結的。相比之下,神的教會又如何呢?

(8) 你現在曉得為何地上的教會如此輭弱、無能力嗎?作為教會的肢體,你有當作的工嗎?

(9) 耶穌繼而發出幾個警告:

a. 30節是個怎樣的警告?人對耶穌基督可以採取中立的態度嗎?為什麼?

b. 31-32節又是個什麼警告?為何把聖靈與人子有所區別?

c. 36-37節又是個什麼警告?為何說閒話的後果如此嚴重?

(10) 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
Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit

This sin mentioned in Matthew 12:31-32, Mark 3:28-29 and Luke 12:10, has caused much unnecessary fear for over-sensitive Christians whose supposed “unforgivable sin” bears no resemblance to the deliberate accusation used by the Pharisees. I have a Christian friend who has suffered from an obsessive compulsive disorder and for decades, he suffered from such fear because he could not control his mind in thinking of “pig” as he thought of God. He was certain that he had committed this unforgivable sin, until his sickness was eventually cured after many, many years.

He was not alone, unfortunately because traditional interpretations have created much confusion. The early Christians distinguished blasphemy as of three kinds: The blasphemy of those who under persecution denied and cursed Christ, the blasphemy of heretics and other profane Christians, and the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Some early Christian interpretation distinguished it into two kinds: The blasphemy against the Son of Man as that of the unbeliever, but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit as that of Christians, “hence the idea that sin after baptism is unforgivable”. (R.T. France)

In order to quell such fear, some Bible teachers simply interpret the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit as the unceasing and continual rejection of the Spirit’s conviction to repent. While their intention was admirable, it goes against both the meaning of the word and the context.

By definition, blasphemy is a speech and the context in all three gospel narratives is clearly about what is being said against the Holy Spirit, a direct insult in words.

And Jesus clearly made a distinction between blasphemy against Him as the Son of Man, and the Holy Spirit. This, though, does not mean that He was making Himself any less or inferior to the Holy Spirit. Rather, He was referring to the failure to recognize Him as who He is, which has led to slandering words spoken against Him; such sin, if repented, can be forgiven. But deliberate slander against the Holy Spirit, fully recognizing who He is, then such a sin is not forgivable.

So, even the Pharisees who spoke against Jesus, if they eventually repented and believed in Jesus, they would have been forgiven, because their blasphemy against Jesus was based on the “incognito” character of Jesus; and we know that there were Pharisees who did turn to Christ eventually. (Acts 15:5)

Even Peter who denied Jesus verbally (Matt. 26:69-75) was forgiven.

Personally, I doubt if any true believer will deliberately and willingly blaspheme the Holy Spirit and I agree with R.T. France that, “Ultimately only God can know when an individual’s (verbal) opposition to his work has reached this stage of irreversible rejection”.

However, it also reminds me that as much as I am very leery about the charismatic movement, I should caution myself not to judge some of the supernatural manifestations as to their origin, lest I make the same mistake of the Pharisees.

靈修默想小篇
褻瀆聖靈

馬太福音12: 31-32,馬可福音3:28-29和路加福音12:10所提到的「不得赦免」的罪使不少過於敏感的基督徒活在恐懼之中。我認識一位弟兄,患有強迫性障害症時,一想起神就想起豬來,就認定自己是犯了這「不得赦免」的罪。直到幾十年後,這精神病得醫治後,才脫離這陰影。

有不少人因傳統對這些經文的解釋所做成的混亂,也成了受害人。早期的信徒就把褻瀆的罪分成三種:在受逼迫時,被逼否認甚至詛咒基督;異端邪說;和對聖靈的褻瀆這三類。另一些早期信徒則將其簡化為兩類:不信者對「人子」的褻瀆,和信徒對聖靈的褻瀆,引至「受洗後犯罪總不得赦免」之說。(R.T. France)

為免信徒過份敏感,有不少聖經的教師就以一個一直不肯認罪悔改為褻瀆聖靈的解釋。可惜,他們的動機雖然是好的,他們的解釋卻忽略了上文下理,和字義。

按字義,褻瀆一定是指言語的;而三段福音書的記載明顯是指直接出口對聖靈的褻瀆。耶穌更是清楚的把對「人子」和對「聖靈」的褻瀆作出區別。祂絕非是把自己降於聖靈之下,乃是明白法利賽人認不出祂真正的身份,出於「無知」(3:17) ,所說出褻瀆之言,若是願意悔改是可以被赦免的。但若是明知、刻意對聖靈的褻瀆就不得赦免了。所以就算是法利賽人,他們雖然毀謗並設計害死耶穌,但其中真有悔改信耶穌的 (15:5) 。就是彼得三次不認主(26: 69-75),也得赦免。

我相信凡真心信主的不會甘願、刻意的褻瀆聖靈的,R.T. Frances說得對:「至終,祇有神纔知道誰對祂的工作(說話)的毀謗是到了不得赦罪的地步。」

不過順帶一提的是,雖然我絕不讚同「靈恩運動」,但我們要小心,不要隨意的毀謗他們一些超自然的現像,免得我們犯了這些法利賽人的錯誤。

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 12:38–45

1. You can scan through the previous chapters that we have covered so far and see what kinds of miracle the Pharisees and the scribes had already witnessed. Why then did they ask to see a miraculous sign? What kind of a sign might they have in mind (something that was different from what they had already seen)?

2. Have you seen or experienced miracles in your life? Why would you call them miracles?

3. How did Jesus rebuke them for their request? Why would such a request point to a “wicked and adulterous generation”?

4. Then, Jesus foretold his own miracle of death and resurrection. How similar was it to that of Jonah?

5. Jesus compared His hearers to the people of Nineveh and the Queen of Sheba. What reasons did Jesus give that His generation should be judged and condemned? What about ours?

6. Jesus ended His condemnation of the generation, likening them to a demon-possessed person. How did the generation resemble this man in the following ways?
a. It was swept clean of evil spirit.

b. It was unoccupied.

c. It was eventually occupied by even more evil spirits.
7. Is our generation any different? Why or why not?

8. Is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

經文默想
馬太福音12:38-45

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) 請翻閱前數章,看看法利賽和文士已目睹什麼神蹟。他們為何還要多看一個?這一個與以前的對他們可有什麼分別?

(2) 你經歷或目睹過神蹟嗎?如果有,為何你稱之為神蹟呢?

(3) 耶穌怎樣責備他們的請求?為何這樣的請求會顯出他們是一個「邪惡淫亂」的世代呢?

(4) 耶穌為什麼以約拿在魚腹中來比喻自己?

(5) 耶穌以那世代與尼尼微人和南方女王相比,用意何在?為何因此可定那世代的罪?我們現今的世代又如何?

(6) 為何更以污鬼附身為例作個相比?

a. 那世代如何因耶穌的出現得乾淨?

b. 為何裡面卻是空閒的?

c. 終被八惡鬼所附!

(7) 我們的世代是否不同,還是一樣呢?為什麼?

(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
The Haunted House

William Barclay calls the parable of the seven demons, in Matthew 12:43-45, the parable of the “haunted house,” but his interpretation, I am afraid, fails to capture the severity of the warning by Jesus. Barclay concludes that it speaks of the evil of idleness and thus, “the Church will most easily keep her converts when she gives them Christian work to do. Our aim is not the mere negative absence of evil action; it is the positive presence of work for Christ.”

But Jesus was not speaking about the Church, but the wicked generation of His time where the devil fled in His presence (Lk. 10:18). By rejecting Him, and upon His departure, the prince of this world would take over (Jn. 14:30) and the world’s condition would be even worse than before.

Jesus’ message is one of “no fence sitting” which is being repeated through His ministry. Even in this same chapter, His message in v. 30 was, “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.”

As a result, anyone who does not receive Christ as their Lord and Savior rejects Him. One who does not make Christ their Lord and King, makes Satan their lord and king.

We like to think that we can be master of our own life. But the cold hard fact is we are either “slaves to sin which leads to death or to obedience (to Christ) which leads to righteousness.” (Rom. 6:16)

You do not have to be a haunted house.

靈修默想小篇
幽靈屋(Haunted House)

William Barclay稱馬太福音12:43-45為「幽靈屋」的比喻。但他對這喻言的解釋和應用卻令我難以認同。他認為耶穌是在針對我們的閒懶,故此,他說:「教會要留得住信徒是頂容易的,只要給他們工作的機會;我們的目標不在乎消極的除惡,乃在乎積極的為基督工作。」

可惜,主耶穌在此不是論到教會,乃是那邪惡的世代:因耶穌的工作,撒但要逃遁 (10:18) ;但因世人對祂的拒絕,也因祂的離去,叫這「世界的王」重回人心(14:30),使這世界比前更糟。

其實,主耶穌在這裡指出,人不能對祂採取中立的態度,這也是祂一貫的信息。就在同一章的聖經中,祂早已說過:「不與我相合的,就是敵我的。」(12:30)

故此,不接受祂作救主的就是拒絕祂的。不以祂為生命的主和王的,就是以撒但為主、為王了。我們常以為自己在主宰自己的生命,其實,豈不知我們「順從誰,就作誰的奴僕麼?或作罪的奴僕,以至於死;或作順命的奴僕,以至成義。」(6:16)

千萬不要作一間「幽靈屋」給撒但居住。

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 12:46–50

1. What was Jesus doing when His family arrived?

2. Why did they not come in and listen, and instead want to speak to Jesus?

3. What might be the purpose of their visit?

4. Was Jesus’ reply a little rude? Why or why not?

5. But saying, “Here...my mother” in particular, while pointing to the disciples, was He was not being too impolite to His mother?

6. What was the important point that He was trying to make?

7. What do these words of Jesus mean to you today?

8. Catholics, in general, would use v. 50 to refute Luther’s and Calvin’s claims that salvation is by faith, and say that righteousness is based on work. What is your answer?
a. You may wish to look up John 6:28 for Jesus’ own interpretation of what “work” is; and

b. The Book of Romans and Galatians have much to say in this respect (e.g. Rom. 3:28, 4:1-2, 5:1, and 10:10; Gal. 2:6, 3:1 and 3:24).
9. How do you understand v. 50 then?

10. 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12:46-50

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) 當家人到訪時,耶穌正在作什麼?

(2) 為何家人要在外邊等候,不進來聽道?

(3) 他們到訪的目的可能是什麼?

(4) 耶穌的回答是否有點不近人情?

(5) 對別人說:「看哪!我的母親……」豈不是更無禮?為何祂要如此?

(6) 祂要指出的是什麼重要真理?

(7) 祂這些話對你今天有何意義?

(8) 天主教徒會用第50節之言說馬丁路德和加爾文的因信稱義的道理是錯的,並指出耶穌常傳“work righteousness/行為稱義,你可以怎樣回答?

a. 你可參考約翰福音6:28有關耶穌對 “work/的解釋;

b. 亦參考羅馬書3:28, 4:1-2; 5:1; 10:10及加拉太書2:6; 3:1; 3:24

(9) 你怎樣了解第50節呢?

(10) 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
Blood is Thicker than Water

Whether I was in a remote city of British Columbia or Great Britain, in the airport of San Francisco or Hong Kong, or on a tour, once I made known my faith in Christ to fellow believers, there was an instant narrowing of our distance. This is something the world cannot understand.

I still remember the joy of that Christian family from Florida who met my wife and me for the first time on our tour in Italy, how in a few short days we became like old friends, and how they would ask all kinds of biblical questions on a daily basis.

But I remember most those young university graduates who had dedicated themselves in reaching the Muslims in Banda Ache, Indonesia. They confided in me their passion, the danger they faced, and their struggles with their families, completely trusting me, someone whom they met for the first time, but who was a brother in Christ.

Indeed, they are my brothers and sisters, because they are Jesus’ brothers and sisters. We belong to the same family through the purchase of the blood of Jesus Christ. Blood is thicker than water.

靈修默想小篇
血濃於水

不論我是在卑斯省的小鎮或是英國的鄉村;不論是在美國或香港的機場;或是參加國外的旅遊團;當遇到主內的兄姊,雖是第一次認識的,我們的距離立刻縮短,倍感親切。

我尚記得有一次在歐遊中,遇到一家從佛羅里達州來的白人家庭,一知道彼此是愛主的信徒,立刻好似多年的好友,一起交通,甚至彼此代禱。這種親密和喜樂,是同團的朋友(包括兩個新派的牧師) 所不能了解的。

但最令我印象深的,是在回教激進的城市,大亞齊,遇到的幾位年青基督徒。他們因帶職的在那地事奉,面對了不少的危險、挑戰。加上家人的反對,他們的心情可想而知。一遇見我這主內的弟兄,毫無避諱的傾訴,那種的信任實在叫我感動。

是的,他們都是我的弟兄姊妹,因為他們都是耶穌的弟兄姊妹。我們同屬一個家,是主耶穌的寶血所生的。因此,血濃於水。

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 13:1–9, 17–23

1. Does “That same day” mean anything to you?
The fame of Jesus and the size of the crowd grew at the same time, but it appears that Jesus was speaking mainly in parables to them and Matthew selects a few to be retold here. The first one is about the fates of the seeds being sown. Vv. 1-9 tells the parable and vv. 17-23 provides the explanation. It is important to note that in understanding a parable, one has to focus on its central teaching, and not on minor details, unless they are made plain by Jesus himself.
2. In what ways does the use of the sower and sowing seed vividly fit the sharing of the gospel?

3. Can you relate the four outcomes of the seed to people or incidents that you have come across (or are in your own life)?
a. Seeds fell along the path: They are taken away by Satan.
  1. How did Satan do this in a hearer’s heart?
  2. What can the sower do?
  3. What can the “seed” do?
b. Seeds fell on rocky places: They dried up by trouble or persecution.
  1. Since trouble or persecution happens “because of the word”, should you encourage the hearer to keep his or her faith secret to avoid it?
  2. What can the sower do?
  3. What can the “seed” do?
c. Seeds fell among the thorns.
  1. What are the choking factors? What else can choke the growth of one’s faith?
  2. What can you the sower do?
  3. What can the “seed” do?
d. Seeds fell on good soil: There is acceptance and multiplication.
  1. How can the soil be good?
  2. Is there anything the sower can do to make sure the soil of the hearer is good?
4. 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13:1-9;17-23

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) 「當那一天/The same day」有沒有特別的意思?

耶穌的名聲和聚集到他那裡的群眾大增,而耶穌似乎主要用比喻教訓眾人;馬太在此把其中一些記錄下來。第一個便是撒種的比喻。第1-9 節是比喻的本身,第17-23 節是解釋。在解釋比喻時,我們要集中在比喻的中心意義,切勿妄解細節,除非耶穌自己清楚告訴我們。

(2) 除聽眾對所聽的道有四個不同的反應外,種子的本身如何把傳福音的事工貼切的表明出來?

(3) 在你傳福音撒道種時,有否經歷這四個不同的反應?

a. 落在路旁的被撒但奪去:

i. 撒但是怎樣奪去道種的?

ii. 作為撒種的你可怎樣行?

b. 落在石上枯乾的:

i. 既因為道而遭患難,你是否就應勸他暗作門徒?

ii. 作為撒種的你可怎樣行?

c. 落在荊棘裏的:

i. 耶穌說荊棘代表什麼?

ii. 作為撒種的你可怎樣行?

d. 落在好地土上:

i. 什麼是好土?

ii. 作為撒種的你可以把人的心土作的準備嗎?

(4) 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
In His Time

As we seek to share the gospel with our friends and relatives, especially those whom we love dearly, we are sometimes frustrated with their lack of interest in spiritual things, and secretly, we wonder if they will ever come to Christ.

As we read Jesus’ parable of the sower, we are far too familiar with those seeds on the wayside, and on shallow rocks. We too are familiar with those who appear to respond favorably to the gospel, only to fall away because of their busyness, their reluctance to give up their ways of life or the objection from their family.

I too remember the long journey it took to see my parents come to Christ. While I thought my mum was a very good person and she went to church at times, I was afraid she did not really know salvation. So, as I truly came to Christ in my late teen-years, I worried about her salvation, and one day, I gathered up my courage to share with her the need to accept Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior. It did not go too well, as she basically did not respond to whatever I said (which probably was because I did not do a good job in explaining). But I did not stop praying for her, and I knew that my other born-again siblings would also pray for her.

It would be at least almost 20 years later, when she joined us in Vancouver that she began attending church regularly, and I could see her appetite for things spiritual grow exponentially that she could even recite Psalms 22-24 by memory before a large gathering in the church.

While my mum’s conversion was not too surprising, that of my father was. His relationship with most of us had not been good, and with his macho and smile-less image, none of us would have the courage to share the gospel with him, except to pray for him. I did too, for many years, and God answered our prayers. The pastor of one of my brothers happened to grow up in a small village where my father was stationed for work (I think during the wartime). Thus he could strike up a kinship with my father that no one else could, and eventually he led him to Christ, and my father passed away not too long afterwards. I will never forget the time, when the pastor led our family in prayers at my father’s funeral, before we headed out to the main hall. As I stood there with my eyes closed, I knew it was the light from the ceiling lights, but the light glowed in such a way as if it were from heaven, and my heart felt strangely warm with the inner assurance that, as much as it was hard to believe, my father was received into heaven.

I always wonder how we, as sharers of the gospel, can make the soil of the hearers good. Well, we cannot, only God can; but I believe that through our unceasing intercession, God will cause circumstances to happen to our loved ones to soften their hearts that the seed of the gospel will eventually bear fruits, no matter how long a journey it may be. He does make all things beautiful in His time.


靈修默想小篇
時間各有不同

我們都關心到自己親人的救恩,有時會為到他們對福音冷淡的反應著急,心中暗暗的在懷疑,他們究竟會否信主。

所以,當讀到耶穌所講的撒種比喻時,我們特別對丟在路旁,或落在淺土石頭地的,最了解。對那些曾對福音有興趣,但及後卻因事忙、不願放棄現今的生活、或遭家人反對而冷卻的,也很熟悉。

我亦經歷過想帶父母信主的漫長道路。我母親雖然是一等好人,是賢妻良母,也間中到教會聚會。但當我在中學畢業後清楚信主之後,我就擔心她沒有正式悔改接受主。終於有一天,我鼓起勇氣與她分享要悔改,接受主的需要。可惜她毫無反應(我相信與我講解得不清楚有關吧!) 我惟有繼續為她禱告,知道其他的兄弟也會為她禱告的。

不過要再經過十多二十年,到母親來加拿大與我們團聚時,她才經常到教會聚會;不但如此,她對屬靈的事很有追求,不但每天讀經禱告,更在年老時,能一口氣的當眾背誦詩篇22-24篇。

母親的信主或許是時候的問題而已,但「兇惡」的父親也能信主嗎?誰敢與他分享福音?誰敢說他要悔改?但我們的禱告神是聽的。終於在他去世之前的年日,有一位牧者剛好是在我父親(戰前) 所守的鄉鎮長大的,所以父親很接受他,也就跟他認罪悔改了。我其實有點半信半疑的。就在他的安息禮拜時,牧師在領禱,我舉頭看見一道光在照耀。對,這可能祇是樓頂的燈光。但神藉這一道光給我極奇妙、平安的印證,叫我知道,父親確是在祂的懷中。

神確是按祂的時候,叫萬事成為美好的。

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 13:10–16

1. In the New Testament, “secret” or “mystery” refers to God’s plan of salvation hidden in the past, but now made plain by the coming of Jesus. Why then did Jesus use parables in many of His public teachings?

2. Jesus was contrasting the disciples with the crowd (the Jews), and in Mark 4:11, Jesus used the words, “on the outside” to refer to the latter.
a. What did He mean by “outside” (outside of what)?

b. As those being inside, what did the disciples have that they would be given more of (more of what)?

c. What did the Jewish crowd have that would be taken away?
3. What had the crowd heard that they never understood? What had the crowd seen that they never perceived?

4. Whose fault was it, according to v. 15?

5. Even so, if they had decided to turn, what would have happened according to v. 15?

6. Tom Rees once made a remark that “the same sun that hardens the clay melts the wax”. How may his remark help you understand the quote from Isaiah 6:9-10 in v. 15?

7. Why did Jesus call the disciples blessed? What about us today, are we blessed less or more? Why?

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13:10-16

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) 奧秘在新約聖經中一般是指神救恩的計劃在耶穌出現時才顯明出來。既是這樣,耶穌怎樣解釋祂祇用比喻來教導眾人?

(2) 耶穌在此將門徒與猶太群眾作比較,在馬可福音更說群眾是「外人」

a. 為什麼說他們是外人?(在什麼之外呢?)

b. 門徒既是在「內」的,他們「有」什麼,以至還要加給他們?(所加的是什麼?)

c. 這猶太群眾原「有」的是什麼,卻要被奪去呢?

(3) 群眾聽而不明,看而不曉得的是什麼?

(4) 按第15節所言,是誰之過?

(5) 雖然如此,如果他們真的回轉,就會怎樣呢?

(6) Tom Rees曾說:把黏土硬化,和把臘熔化都是同一個太陽。這句話怎樣幫助你了解第15節所引用以賽亞書6:9-10的話?

(7) 為何耶穌說門徒是有福的呢?今天,我們是比他們更有福嗎?為什麼?

(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
Oh, the Bitter Shame and Sorrow

Today, I invite you to meditate on the lyrics of this old hymn which has touched the lives of many, including mine.

Comments on this hymn include:

“It takes about three minutes to sing this song through, but I wonder how long it takes to get from verse one to verse four in my experience. What will it take for Him to be all in all?”

“Only an Evangelical preacher can write a hymn like this.”
1
Oh, the bitter shame and sorrow,

That a time could ever be,
When I let the Savior’s pity
Plead in vain, and proudly answered,
All of self, and none of Thee,
All of self and none of Thee.

2
Let He found me; I beheld Him

Bleeding on the cursed tree;
Heard Him pray, Forgive them, Father,
And my wistful heart said faintly,
Some of self, and some of Thee,
Some of self, and some of Thee.

3
Day by day His tender mercy,

Healing, helping, full and free,
Sweet and strong, and ah! so patient,
Brought me lower while I whispered,
Less of self, and more of Thee,
Less of self, and more of Thee.

4
Higher than the highest heavens,

Deeper than the deepest sea,
Lord, Thy love at last hath conquered;
Grant me now my heart’s petition,
None of self, and all of Thee,
None of self, and all of Thee.

By Theodore Monod, 1836-1921

靈修默想小篇
我懊悔已往太卑鄙

請用點時間細思這首在過去的世紀曾感動不少基督徒的詩歌;像其中有人感慨的說:「這詩歌祇需3分鐘就唱完,但要由第一節進到第四節卻是一生之久。」

1. 我懊悔已往太卑鄙抵擋主高抬自已 
我內心常向主懷疑拒絕主恩愛情義 
還驕傲的對主說專愛己卻不愛你 
我還驕傲的對主說專愛己卻不愛你 
2. 主慈悲實在太希奇始終不將我丟棄 
使我見祂流血身體聽祂為敵人禱祈 
於是我就對主說雖愛己但也愛你 
於是我低聲對主說雖愛己但也愛你 
3. 主又領我進入真理將我愚心漸開啟 
使我在祂慈愛懷裏時刻享受祂自己 
我謙卑的對主說少愛己更多愛你 
我就謙卑的對主說少愛己更多愛你 
4. 主恩愛廣大無可比至終克服我自己 
我願全心向祂歸依隨時表彰祂美麗 
靠恩我願對主說不愛己專一愛你 
靠恩我誠心對主說不愛己專一愛你 

Theodore Monod, 1836-1921