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 13:24–30; 36–43

We shall continue to reflect upon Jesus’ parables of the Kingdom of Heaven. We have read the parable of the mixed results, and today we shall reflect on the parable of the mixed existence. Please read the parable and its explanation together.

1. Does God have the ability to prevent the evil one from sowing weeds among the wheat? Why does God not prevent the evil one from so doing?

2. While God never sleeps (Ps. 121:3-4), who might be the ones sleeping?

3. Why would the servants want to pull the weeds out?

4. There are two reasons given for not pulling the weeds out right away. What are they?
a. According to v. 41, who are the weeds?

b. Which of the two reasons give you the patience to bear with them?

c. Might there be other reason(s) that cause you to be patient as well?
5. What does “pulling out” mean? Does it conflict with church discipline? (And what is the aim of church discipline?)

6. Read Joel 3:13 and Revelation 14:19 about the harvest time and read Matthew 8:12, 22:13, 24:51, 25:30 and Luke 13:28, as well. How do these passages speak to you concerning your attitude toward the “weeds”?

7. Reflect on v. 43 and also Daniel 12:3. They are meant to be a tremendous promise and encouragement to us. Are they to you? Why or why not?

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13:24-30; 36-43

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。

讓我們繼續思想耶穌所講的天國的比喻。我們已讀過不同收成的比喻，今天我們會看摻雜共存的比喻：

(1) 神豈不是有能力阻止那惡者撒稗子嗎？為何祂不這樣作？

(2) 當然神是從來不睡覺的。那麼是誰在睡覺呢？

(3) 僕人為何要立刻拔出稗子呢？

(4) 主人給不要拔出兩個理由：

a. 是那兩個？

b. 按第41節，誰是稗子？

c. 兩個理由的那一個會叫你肯忍受稗子？

d. 你可還有其他的原因，叫你願意忍受稗子呢？

(5) 把稗子「薅出來」是什麼意思？與教會施行紀律有衝突嗎？

(6) 關於末日的收割，參約珥書3:13及啟示錄14:19。請也翻閱馬太福音8:12; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30及路加福音13:28。這些經文叫你對稗子的結局有什麼提醒？

(7) 至於麥子的將來，請看這段的第43節和但以理書12:3。這些經文真的成為你的鼓舞，叫你雀躍嗎？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 Mormon’s Jesus

In the name of civility and in the guise of building bridges with Mormons, more and more Evangelical scholars and leaders are attempting to soften the traditional hardline apologetic attacks on Mormonism. One Christian scholar even paints Mormonism as being “obsessed” with Jesus Christ.

Irrespective of how the modern Mormon Church sugar-coats their beliefs and how kind-hearted Evangelicals seek to narrow the gap between Christianity and Mormonism, their view of Jesus is absolutely contrary to our biblical beliefs. The following quote from CARM (Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry) is sufficient to show the basic differences:
“In Mormonism, Jesus is a creation, the product of relations between god and his goddess wife who used to be people from another world (McConkie, Bruce, Mormon Doctrine, p. 192, 321, 516, 589).   Jesus is the literal spirit brother of the devil and of you and I (McConkie, p. 192, 589).  Also, in Mormon theology, God has a body of flesh and bones (Doctrine & Covenants 130:22) as does his wife and together they produce spirit offspring in heaven who inhabit human bodies on earth.”
You can go to the CARM’s website to get a helpful comparison chart between the Mormon’s Jesus and the Biblical Jesus.

Also, when Mormons say that they believe in salvation through Jesus Christ, you have to read their Articles of Faith to understand what they truly mean. One of the Articles says,
“We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.”
It is clear that they do not believe in salvation through faith in Jesus Christ alone, not to mention the Jesus Christ they believe in is a very different Savior than ours.

Yes, we love Mormons, just as we love any sinner in the world, and we need to pray for their salvation. But by deceiving ourselves to believe that they do believe in Jesus Christ, we are not doing them and ourselves any favor.

靈修默想小篇
摩門教的耶穌

不知是出於大方或是以要與摩門教教徒搭橋為藉口，不少福音派的學者改變了他們對摩門教錯誤教義的論調，甚至有稱讚摩門教是對耶穌滿有熱衷的(obsessed with Jesus Christ) ！

其實，不論今天的摩門教怎樣自圓其說，和一些福音派的學者極力把摩門教的教義與正統的基督教信仰拉近。其實，摩門教對主耶穌的教義是絕對與聖經的記載相違的。以下引自CARM(基督教護教和研究事工) 的一小段就足以看到：

「按摩門教的教義，耶穌是被造的，是由神與他的女神妻子所生的…..耶穌實際上是魔鬼的親兄弟……神亦有肉和骨的身體，與他妻子一樣；在天上生出靈體，在地上以人的身軀出現。 (參McConkie, Bruce, Mormon Doctrine, 191, 321, 516, 589, 192, 及Doctrine and Covenants 130:22)」

你可到CARM的網址上參閱比較摩門教與基督教的耶穌論的圖表，就更清楚了。

摩門教會強調他們也是教導以信耶穌得救的道理；但我們祇要看看他們的信條就曉得他們靠耶穌得救是什麼的一回事：

「我們相信藉基督的贖罪，全人類可以得救，因著遵守律法和福音的信條。」

我亦將原本信條的英文本轉載如下：

“We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.” (Article 3)

摩門教明顯的不是教導因信耶穌而稱義，何況他們所傳的耶穌並非與聖經相乎。

不錯，我們要愛摩門教教徒，就像我們要愛世上每一個罪人一樣。我們需要為他們真正信主、得救來禱告。但是，若果我們自欺，以為他們真的按聖經的教導信了耶穌，那樣，我們便是自欺、也欺哄了摩門教教徒。

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 13:31–35

These are two parables of growth. Compare them and see their similarities in trying to understand what aspects of growth about the Kingdom that Jesus desires us to learn:

1. The size of a mustard seed and yeast. Why did Jesus choose each to describe the Kingdom?

2. What ideas does being “small” convey? Name at least five. How does it speak to us, the church today?

3. The size of a tree and the flour dough. Why does Jesus choose each to describe the Kingdom?

4. What ideas does being “big” convey”? Name at least five. How does it speak to God’s Kingdom?

5. What words that denote "time" are being used in each of the parables? How do they speak to you about God’s Kingdom?

6. Having considered their similarities, are there any differences between them that also speak of the Kingdom that are meaningful to you?

7. Although Jesus was speaking mostly in parables, obviously He was meant to be understood. Although, He would only explain them further in private to the disciples, what impact might these parables have on the listening crowd

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13:31-35

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。

這一段是記載兩個有關天國倍增的比喻。我們試從兩者的相同之處去了解耶穌希望我們學習的是什麼：

(1) 為什麼耶穌揀選芥菜種和麵酵來比喻天國？

(2) “小” 是表達什麼？請試列出五方面。

(3) 為什麽耶穌揀選樹和麵團來比喻天國？

(4) “大” 是表達什麼？請試列出五方面。

(5) 請找出這兩個比喻中有關時間的用語？它們提醒我們有關天國的那一方面？

(6) 我們思想過兩個比喻相同之處。那麼，不同之處又是什麼？

(7) 雖然耶穌老是用比喻教訓人，祂總希望聽者能明白的。除門徒得再聽到詳細的解釋外，其他的群眾其實也可以從比喻得著什麼呢？

(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
A Mustard Seed

I love reading biographies of the Puritans, and I love reading stories of the missionaries. Among them, the story of David Brainerd has touched me over time.

A short ministry: David Brainerd only began devoting his ministry to reaching the Indians in New Jersey at age 27 and died at age 29 due to tuberculosis. God only used him in this respect for a very short, short time, and like a mustard seed, he died for his calling and yielded very little result at the time (only a few converts).

A tough ministry: He received his training at Yale, but because of his evangelistic zeal, he was expelled (but Yale eventually dedicated a hall in his name). In spite of the temptation to pastor churches, he was faithful to his calling and passion, and devoted his life to reaching the Indians, something very few were willing to do.

A prayer ministry: What marked him from other missionaries and Puritans was perhaps his prayer life. One should not miss the opportunity to read his diary published by Jonathan Edwards. In it, we can clearly see that he was a man of intense prayer. I am moved, every time I read some of his journals, and am reminded of his prayer life. Perhaps an excerpt from his journal will help:

“Nov. 3. I spent this day in secret fasting and prayer, from morning till night. Early in the morning, I had some assistance in prayer. Afterwards I read the story of Elijah the prophet. My soul was much moved, observing the faith, zeal, and power of that Holy man; and how he wrestled with God in prayer. I then cried with Elisha, ‘Where is the Lord God of Elijah?!’ I longed for more faith! My soul breathed after God, and pleaded with him, that a double portion of that spirit, which was given to Elijah, might rest on me, and I saw God is the same that he was in the days of Elijah. I was enabled to wrestle with God by prayer, in a more affectionate, humble, and importunate manner, than I have for many months past. Nothing seemed too hard for God to perform; nothing too great for me to hope for from him. I had for many months lost all hopes of doing any special service for God in the world; it appeared impossible, that one so vile should be thus employed for God. But at this time God was pleased to revive this hope. Afterwards I read the third chapter of Exodus, and on to the twentieth, and saw more of the glory and majesty of God discovered in those chapters, than ever I had seen before; frequently, in the meantime, falling on my knees, and crying to God for the faith of Moses, and for a manifestation of the Divine glory. My soul was ardent in prayer, and I was enabled to wrestle for myself, for my friends, and for the church. I felt more desire to see the power of God in the conversion of souls, than I have done for a long season. Blessed be God for this season of fasting and prayer. May his goodness always abide with me, and draw my soul to him.”
An impacting ministry: As short as his life was, his time in ministry was even shorter and apparently his ministry yielded very little fruit in his time; but known through published diaries, his life impacted innumerable Christians, pastors and missionaries. He has indeed become a tree on whose branches many birds came to perch on. (Matt. 13:32)

靈修默想小篇
芥菜種子

我愛讀清教徒的傳記，也愛讀宣教士的傳記。其中大衛布賽納(David Brainerd) 的事蹟是最感動我的故事之一。

短暫的生涯：他在廿七歲才有機會投身宣教。三年後，祇有廿九歲就因肺病死亡了。他在新澤西的印第安人中間的工作果效甚微，就像一粒芥菜種子，埋在土裡。

艱苦的生涯：他在耶魯大學進修，卻因過份熱心愛主而被趕出校。（多年後，耶魯大學史無前例的把其中一個禮堂命名為布賽納堂。) 雖然有機會從事牧會工作，他卻堅決的忠於宣教的使命，投身於極少人願意獻身的印第安人宣教事工。

禱告的生涯：最叫我感動的是他的禱告生命。如果有機會的話，切勿錯過閱讀Jonathan Edwards為他編印的日記。讀到他的禱告生活，和他對神的愛，你會像千萬的讀者一樣，深受感動的。容許我把他日記中一小段與你們分享：

「十一月三日：今天我不為人知的，從早到晚，禁食禱告。清早，我得到一點幫助而(能)禱告。之後，我讀到先知以利亞的故事。看到這聖人的信心、熱心和能力；他怎樣在禱告中與神角力，我的心甚為感動。我就與他一同向神呼求：以利亞的神在那裡！我渴望有更多的信心！我的靈呼向神、向祂懇求，願感動以利亞的靈，加倍的感動我。我看到神就好像在以利亞的日子一樣，沒有改變。因而，我也能在禱告中與神角力，比前數月更感親愛、更謙卑、更迫切。沒有什麼是神不能作的；沒有什麼是大到我不能求的。我已有多個月，失去能特別在世人服事神的希望；像我這大罪的人，這似乎是絕望的。但現在，神喜悅重燃這希望。跟著，我再讀出埃及記第三章至二十章，從中看到神的榮耀和偉大，是我從未見過的。我不斷的跪下，向神呼求能有像摩西的信心，求能一睹神的榮耀。我的靈專注禱告，為自己、為朋友、為教會與神角力；我很久沒有這樣更渴望看到神在我生命中改變的能力。為這天的禁食、禱告，神阿，我讚美祢。願祂的美善常與我同在，吸引我靈更親近祂。」

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 13:44–52

1. The parable of the treasure:
a. Why is the Kingdom likened to what is “hidden”?

b. Why is it likened to “treasure”? What is the Kingdom like to you?

c. How special is the man in the parable?

d. Putting yourself in the shoes of the man in the parable, would you sell “all” to buy the field? (Under what conditions might you do it?)

e. How does the parable relate the Kingdom of God to you?
2. The Pearl:
a. What is so special about this merchant?

b. If you were him, under what conditions would you sell “everything” to buy the pearl?

c. How does the parable relate the Kingdom of God to you?
3. In what ways are the above parables an accurate depiction of your conversion? In what ways are they not?

4. The mixed net: Compare this parable with the previous two parables of the mixed results (vv. 1-9) and of the mixed harvest (vv. 24-30).
a. What might be the difference in emphasis?

b. What might be similar in emphasis?
5. “Scribes” in v.52 now refers to the disciples who have been trained and have come to understand the Kingdom (Lenski, Matthew, 550):
a. What do they now have?

b. What does Jesus call both the new and the old?

c. Are you striving to be the expert or the owner of God’s words today?
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13:44-52

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) 藏寶的比喻：

a. 為何天國被喻為「埋藏」的呢？

b. 為何被喻為「寶貝」？於你是否真實？

c. 這比喻中的人有何特別之處？

d. 若你是他，會否變賣一切去換取它？

e. 這天國的比喻對你有多少真實之處？

(2) 珍珠的比喻：

a. 這比喻中的人有何特別之處？

b. 若你是他，會是什麼原故(或條件)使你變賣一切去換取它？

c. 這天國的比喻對你有多少真實之處？

(3) 以上兩個比喻是否你悔改信主的寫照？原因是什麼？

(4) 請把這兩個比喻與先前兩個天國的比喻(1-9節 ; 24-30節 )相比：

a. 兩者不同的重點是什麼？

b. 兩者相同的重點又是什麼？

(5) 13:52之「文士」是指門徒，因他們已「受教」明白天國的道理(見Lenski, Matthew, 550):

a. 他們現在擁有什麼東西？

b. 為何耶穌稱之為「新舊的東西」？

c. 今天你的努力是在乎作為神新、舊話語的「專家」，或是「擁有者」？

(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
I’d Rather Have Jesus

“I’d Rather Have Jesus” is a song written by Rhea F. Miller with the tune written by George Beverly Shea. This poem, written in 1922, was left on a piano in the Shea home by Bev Shea who wanted her son to find it and that it would change the course of his life.

The words, “I’d rather have Jesus”, moved George so much and spoke to him about his own aims and ambitions in life. He sat down at the piano and began singing them with a tune that seemed to fit the words. Shea’s mom heard him singing it and asked him to sing it at church the next day.

George’s life direction changed. He was offered a popular music career with NBC, but a few years later chose to become associated with evangelist Billy Graham and sang this hymn around the world. I invite you to meditate on these meaningful words and reflect on who Jesus is to you:
Refrain
Than to be the king of a vast domain
And be held in sin’s dread sway;
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today

1  
I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands;
I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand

2  
I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame;
I’d rather be true to His holy name

3
He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb;
He’s all that my hungering spirit needs;
I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead



靈修默想小篇
我寧願有耶穌

本詩的作者是密勒夫人（Rhea F. Miller, 1894-1966），作曲者是加拿大出生的謝伯偉（George Beverly Shea, 1909-）。謝伯偉的母親不住為兒子的生命方向禱告。有一天她靜悄悄地將密勒夫人的這首詩放在鋼琴上。當謝伯偉回家練琴時，看見那首詩便拿起來誦讀。他唸完後心受感動，就在琴上記寫曲調。那一天，是他人生的轉捩點。他決心從此將自己奉獻給神。他辭掉了世俗的廣播歌唱工作，成為一位福音使者。今天就讓我們細思這歌詞，思想：「我是否寧願有耶穌？」

1. 我寧願有耶穌，勝得金錢，我寧屬耶穌，勝得財富無邊； 我寧願有耶穌，勝得華宇，願主釘痕手，引導我前途。

2. 我寧願有耶穌，勝得稱頌，我寧忠於主，成全祂的事工； 我寧願有耶穌，勝得名聲，願向主聖名，永赤膽忠誠。

3. 恩主比百合花，更加美艷，遠比蜂房蜜，更加可口甘甜； 惟主能滿足，我飢渴心靈，我寧願有主，跟隨祂引領。

副歌：

勝過做君王，雖統治萬方，卻仍受罪惡捆綁； 我寧願有耶穌，勝得世界榮華，富貴，聲望。

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 13:53–58

1. What were the amazing things that the people were asking about Jesus? By their questions, what have they admitted about Jesus?

2. What were the other skeptical questions that they also asked about Jesus? Why would these questions appear to contradict their previous admissions about Jesus to the point that “they took offense at him”? What were they more concerned about?

3. Read Jesus’ remark in v. 57. Was His remark true? Would it be true today about a servant of God who is serving in his home church where he was brought up? What should a church be more concerned about when it comes to her teachers or leaders?

4. What effect did their offence (and lack of faith) have on Jesus’ ministry among them?

5. What might it say about the condition of our faith community today?

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13:53-58

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) 眾人表示對耶穌甚希奇的地方在那裡？這表明他們對主有什麼確認？

(2) 但這些確認立刻被其他因素所取代，以致他們「厭棄他」。其他因素是什麼？換句話來說，他們放眼的重點是什麼？

(3) 這引至耶穌在第57節的評語。祂的評語對嗎？為什麼？

(4) 他們的厭棄和不信對耶穌在他們中間要作的事工有何影響？

(5) 用在今天教會身上，我們面對一位在自己教會中成長的神的僕人，應看重的是什麼？如何避免犯同一的錯誤呢？

(6) 眾人的「不信」帶來什麼後果？

(7) 對今天的教會有何提醒？

(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
A Prophet without Honor

As much as most Bible-believing churches seek to base their decisions on biblical principles, there is at least one area that we simply will not adopt biblical principles, and we do so blatantly. I am referring to the calling of a pastor by a church.

We know full well that the character of God’s servant is of far more importance than his or her gifts, charisma and education, and yet most, if not all churches call their pastor based mainly on these external criteria. What is wrong with our churches? A lack of faith? A lack of courage? A lack of sensitivity and obedience to the Holy Spirit? Or, simply an unwillingness to get rid of our secular mindset?

I visited a church in New York that miraculously purchased an abandoned school building as their church. I said miraculously, because they submitted their bid to authorities purely based on faith and not on money which they did not have.

But the most miraculous deed they have done is how they called their senior pastor. As the old senior pastor retired, they went through the process of searching for his replacement, and as all good churches do, they did so with prayers. But their prayers were different, they prayed with an obedient spirit, and as the Holy Spirit moved them to appoint, not a Ph.D., not an experienced pastor, nor a pastor with great preaching skill, but their janitor who had demonstrated a character of love for both men and God, they obeyed.

To cut a long story short, I was told that half of the congregation left as a result, but the church prospered with solid growth and exemplary discipleship ministry even to the homeless.

I wish more churches would honestly live out their claim that they are a Bible-believing church.

靈修默想小篇
不受尊敬的先知

一般福音派的教會都自稱是按聖經的真理而行事的。但在我看來，卻有一方面，我們往往沒有選擇遵聖經的原則而行，而沒有感到不對的。我是指到聘牧這方面。

我們都知道神的僕人的品格至為重要，比他的才幹、學歷和吸引力更為重要。但教會在聘牧時卻往往側重了這些外在的條件。我真不曉得是我們缺乏信心、是缺乏勇氣、是缺乏對聖靈的感動和順服，還是不願意放下我們世俗的觀念？今天的教會實在出了什麼問題呢？

我有機會探望紐約一間教會。他們極神蹟性的，在沒有資源之下，卻能從政府購買了一整座學校的大樓。但更大的神蹟卻在他們聘請主任牧師的決定上。

在聖靈感動之下，他們竟然選擇順服聖靈的指引，不聘用有博士學位的、不聘用有名氣的、也不聘用有才華的，卻決定聘用教會作清潔、管堂的弟兄為主任牧師。因為他有美好的見證，熱心傳福音。

結果怎樣呢？據我所知，教會一半的人離開了；但同時，這教會卻建立了美好的名聲，成為其他教會在門徒訓練要學習的榜樣。那一次的探望，我就是從這教會身上學習如何向流浪者傳福音，並如何訓練他們的才能作傳福音的門徒。

我盼望更多神的教會能真正活出所自稱的 —「篤信聖經的教會。」

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 14:1–14

“Seldom in history can there have been such a series of matrimonial entanglements as existed in the Herod family. By (seducing and) marrying Herodias, his brother’s wife, Herod had broken the Jewish law (Lev. 18:16; 20:21) and had outraged the laws of decency and morality. ” (Barclay, 150)

Herod was in essence a governor, but Caesar had bestowed the title of a king to his father, Herod the Great who slaughtered the children of Bethlehem in Matthew 2.

1. Mark 6:14-16 gives us a bit more information about the differing opinions about who Jesus was. What can you tell about the reasoning and the causes behind each of these speculations?
-  He is Elijah (see Mal. 4:5)

-  He is like one of the prophets long ago (by then the Jews had not seen a prophet for over 300 years).

-  John the Baptist (Herod’s speculation)
2. John’s mission was to pave the way for the Messiah (Isa. 40:3ff), but his mission appeared to have been cut short by his confrontation of a gentile queen, the wicked Herodias. Was it worth it? What do you think?

3. Mark gave a slightly different picture of Herod in Mk. 6:20. If you combine Mark’s and Matthew’s accounts, what is your verdict about Herod — his commendable traits and his weaknesses? What was Jesus’ verdict (see Lk. 13:32 and also 23:8-12)? What lesson can one learn from the life of Herod? (This Herod was eventually sent into exile to Gaul by Caesar.)

4. What was Jesus’ reaction to the news of John’s death and why?

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14:1-14

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。

這章提到的希律王其實是巡撫。其父(殺伯利恆嬰孩的那位)因深得該撒的喜悅而被冠以王號。此希律勾引同父異母的兄弟之妻(希羅底) ，娶她為妻。

(1) 請參閱馬可福音6:14-16較詳細的記述：這一段以眾人猜測耶穌是誰為開始。你以為這不同的猜測的基礎和動機是什麼？

a. 以利亞：參閱瑪拉基書4:5

b. 先知中的一位：在他們中間已超過三百年未有先知的出現了

c. 施洗約翰：來自希律的內疚？

(2) 施洗約翰的使命是作彌賽亞的先鋒(見賽40章)。他因公開斥責希律而遭殺身之禍。你覺得希奇嗎？你以為值得嗎？

(3) 馬可詳盡的形容希律與約翰關係，你感到詫異嗎？按這些形容，你對希律的評價是什麼？

(4) 耶穌對他的評價又是什麼？(參路13:32及23:8-12)

(5) 你從希律身上可以學到什麼功課？(希律最後被該撒放逐到Gaul)

(6) 耶穌對約翰的死訊有什麼反應？

(7) 今天你得到的主要信息是什麼？你會怎樣用在你的生命中？

Meditative Reflection
A Time of Solitude

When Jesus heard of John’s execution, Matthew 14:13 says, “He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.” I am struck by the words being used: to withdraw, by boat, privately, a solitary place. Together they bring out the nuances of
a. An abrupt stop to the routine (to withdraw)

b. A resolve to be away from the crowd (by boat)

c. Leaving even the closest company behind (privately without His dear disciples), and

d. A time only between Him and the Father (a solitary place)
Although I have no idea how Jesus dealt with the death of John before the Father, it was certainly a time of sorrow, of apparent triumph of evil, the end of an important era (a close to John’s mission to prepare His way — he had served his purpose in the Kingdom), and a reminder of His own death. As was Jesus’ habit, He sensed the need to deal with it before the Father.

Of course, we need to emulate Jesus’ habit of spending time alone in prayer with the Father (Mk. 1:35; Lk. 5:16; 6:12 etc.) often. Especially when we are facing some major events in our life, we do need to bring them before the Lord, to make sense of the situation, to make sure we have the correct attitude and response, and to seek His will.

If Jesus needed to stop whatever He was doing, to make an effort to leave the crowd and His usual environment, to even desert His closest company, and to find a place where He could meet with the Father without distraction, how much do we need to do the same.

John Stott’s example of spending one day each month in solitude, in addition to his daily devotion time, of disappearing into the woods, in prayer and reflection is something we need to emulate; it is not just for the servants of God, but for all believers.

But it takes resolve, sacrifice and perhaps the  misunderstanding of our loved ones to make it happen. And of course, it takes action.

靈修默想小篇
獨自退修

當耶穌聽到施洗約翰的死訊時，馬太福音14:13告訴我們：「耶穌聽見了，就上船從那裡獨自退到野地裡。」我特別留意到馬太這幾個用詞：退到、獨自、上船、和野地。這些給我領會到：

1. 耶穌是突然的停止了祂原本要作的事；

2. 刻意坐船離開，要人找不到祂；

3. 是獨自一人的，連最接近祂的門徒也撇下；

4. 走到祇有祂與父神一起的野地。

我們當然不曉得耶穌與父神在這時刻的對話，但相信這是個憂傷的時刻、是罪惡好像得勝的時刻、更是救恩歷史重要時刻之一的結束—約翰完成了當跑的為主預備道路的路。或許，這叫主想到祂也要面對死亡的結局。不論是怎樣，主耶穌按祂的常例，立刻退到父親面前禱告。

當然，我們應該學習主常獨自到父神面前禱告的習慣(可1:35；路5:16；6:12等) 。在遇到非常的事情時，我們更應立刻的來到主前，作反思、較正心態、和求問。

如果主耶穌也需要放下原本當作的事，刻意的離開熟悉的環境和人群，退到沒有人能干擾的地方，以至能獨自的與父神會面，何況我們呢？

司徒德(John Stott)的榜樣是值得我們學效的。他每天在熟悉的環境和節奏中靈修之餘，更刻意的每一個月抽一整天，獨自到林中禱告。

這確是每一信徒當學習的榜樣。這是需要決心和犧牲，或甚至會遭人誤會的。當然，這更需要行動(action) ！

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 14:14–21

1. What do you think were the motives of the crowd, who had to walk quite a long way to see Jesus?

2. Jesus came to save us from sin. Why would He bother to heal the sick and, in this case, feed the people?

3. How then would you define “compassion” (v. 14)?

4.    Did the disciples recognize the hunger of the crowd? How did they intend to deal with it? Were they wrong? Why? Or why not? What would you have done?

5. Why did Jesus ask for the loaves and fish? Could He not have fed them just the same? What might be the lesson here?

6. Was the looking up to heaven and giving thanks simply a gesture? Why or why not? What might be the lesson here?

7. From the disciples’ perspective, what had it meant to them to have participated in the passing out of the food and the collection of the crumbs?

8. From the perspective of the people, what had it meant to them to have been taught, healed and fed miraculously? What should their response be? (See Jn. 6:14-15.)

9. 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14:14-21

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) 群眾多遠道而來，目的何在？

(2) 耶穌來是要拯救人的靈魂。祂為何費時醫病，甚至在此餵飽眾人的肚腹？

(3) 既是這樣，你可以給第14節之「憐憫」下一定義嗎？

(4) 門徒當然曉得群眾的饑餓。他們提議怎樣處理呢？他們作得對嗎？為什麼？如果是你，你會怎樣作？

(5) 耶穌為何叫他們拿餅和魚來？難道祂不能使「無變有」嗎？我們因此可學個什麼功課？

(6) 「望天、祝福」是否循例式的舉動？在此是否有更特別的意義？

(7) 對門徒而言，親手遞餅給群眾和收拾剩餘的有何重要意義？

(8) 對群眾而言，親眼目睹醫治、親耳聽到主的教訓，現在更親身經歷神蹟性的餵養，有何重要意義？他們當如何回應？

(9) 請參閱約翰福音6:14-15，看看他們又是怎樣回應。

(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
Sin of the Professionals

Mark tells the story of the feeding of the 5,000 in Mark 6 against a background of a very hectic time of the disciples. They were very tired, but very excited as well. They had just experienced preaching the gospel by themselves in pairs, and had seen results, perhaps, not only of conversion, but also of miraculous healings and driving out of demons through them (for the first time, perhaps too).

They came back and shared with Jesus (and one another) all these exciting news.  Jesus knew their need and proposed to withdraw to a quiet place and get some rest, away from the people, because “they did not even have a chance to eat”. (Mk. 6:31)

So, when I read that they asked Jesus to disperse the people (who had disrupted their retreat) and send them away to buy their own food, I did not blame them for a moment. I would have done the same. But to their surprise (or even dismay, perhaps), Jesus said to them, “You give them something to eat.” (Matt. 14:16, Mark 6:37)

Jesus demonstrated what true compassion is.

Compassion acts not when it is convenient to us: As much as they were more than tired and were having their time of rest and retreat, compassion does not take a break. A young pastor was having a very busy time in his office, and to his dismay, someone chose to walk into his office and asked to be counseled. As he frowned, he felt obliged to entertain this stranger. But in the middle of the conversation, the stranger said, “You are looking out of the window constantly; you are not listening to me.” Busyness has a way to harden our heart and drive compassion away.

Compassion has no limit: When you think of what the disciples had just done previous to this occasion, you will wonder if they healed the sick and drove out demons out of compassion. If they healed not of out compassion, what was their motive? It is a scary thought. But I do think that they did it out of compassion too, but they confined the act of compassion to a certain time and place. I call this the sin of the “professionals”.

靈修默想小篇
「專業」的罪

馬可告訴我們，那五餅二魚的神蹟是發生於門徒極其繁忙的一天。門徒當時既極度疲乏，但亦甚感興奮。他們剛剛嘗試傳道，又能醫病和趕鬼，應該是屬首次的。他們興高釆烈的向主回報。主提議大家退到一安靜處，因為他們「連吃飯也沒有功夫」。(可6:31)

故此，當我讀到門徒提議叫這些打擾他們休息的群眾散開，各自找吃時，我一點也不怪責他們，因為我自己也一定會如此。想不到耶穌竟然說：「你們給他們吃罷。」(可6:27)

在此耶穌給我們看到什麼是真正的「憐憫」！

憐憫不是在方便時才施予的。不錯，他們在困乏時，是主耶穌的意思，叫他們停下來歇息的，可是憐憫卻是沒有歇息的！一個年青的神的僕人，有一天在頂忙碌之時，有人卻來求見。在沒法推辭之下，他惟有勉強與那人交談。那人在向他傾訴心事時，突然停下來，對這牧者說：「你一直在東張西望，根本沒有留心聽我講話！」是的，忙碌往往使我們內心硬化。

憐憫也是沒有定時的。我們曉得門徒們豈不是剛剛醫病、趕鬼嗎？那麼，他們作這些難道不是出於憐憫嗎？我相信他們是出於憐憫的，但是他們卻把憐憫的施予劃定了時間和地點。我稱這心態為「專業」的罪！

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 14:22–36

1. Remember, the teaching and the feeding of the people happened and lasted past dinner time. Jesus had to be very tired. (Mark in fact indicated that they were already quite tired even before the crowd showed up). What did Jesus choose to do at the end of a very hectic day and why?

2. The 4th watch was about 3-6 o’clock in the morning, a time when they desperately needed to rest. Did the storm happen by chance? Where was Jesus when the storm was taking place? What can you learn about the storm(s) in your life in this respect?

3. Jesus could have ordered the storm to be calm from the shore, or He could have sneaked into the boat before calming the storm. Why did He choose to walk towards them on the lake?

4. When they turned from fear to joy, why did Peter ask to be able to walk on the water? How did he distinguish himself from the other disciples with this request?

5. What caused him to begin to sink, even with Jesus right in front of him?

6. Did you have any experience that might be similar to that of Peter? How does Jesus’ rebuke speak to you?

7. In connection with your thoughts on question 3 above, did Jesus achieve His purpose?

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14:22-36

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) 還記得耶穌醫治和餵飽眾人後，其時已晚，祂與門徒一定非常疲倦(馬可更告訴我們，群眾尚未出現，耶穌與門徒已是非常疲乏) 。就在忙碌的工作結束時，耶穌選擇怎樣結束這一天？

(2) 夜裡四更天即零晨三至六時，亦即是他們極需睡覺休息的時候。風浪突起，是偶然的嗎？耶穌當時在那裡？你可以對自己面對的風暴有什麼領會？

(3) 耶穌大可以在岸上平靜風浪；也可以突然出現在船上。為何祂選擇走在海上？

(4) 門徒知道是主，當然轉驚為喜。但彼得為何有要在水上走的念頭？這可以刻劃出他與其他門徒有什麼分別？

(5) 是什麼叫彼得下沉？耶穌豈不是就在他面前嗎？

(6) 你曾有類似彼得的經歷嗎？主耶穌的責備適用於你嗎？

(7) 按你對問題(3)的思想和答案，你以為耶穌達到了目的嗎？

(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
Jesus Cares!

I find the story of Peter walking on water both hilarious and touching. It was hilarious, because he sank right in front of Jesus, who was probably only a few feet away from him so that Jesus could reach out His hand and catch him.

But again, it was not so hilarious. Peter thought he was going to drown and die. It was a matter of life and death. I think it is easy for us to have a so-called “total trust” in the Lord when the matter is not so important to us. When we can afford not to have our prayer answered, we boldly declare that we have faith. In a way, it reminds us of Abraham. He did not question God’s promise of the gift of land, because he thought that he would never have a son, and that most likely Eliezer, his servant would be his heir. So he did not really care. (Gen. 15:3). But when God assured him that he would have his own son, he believed (Gen. 15:6). Now, whether or not God would really give him land became, all of a sudden, of great importance. And what did he do? He asked for a sign (Gen. 15:8). Now he cared.


So, perhaps, if we think we have faith, before we brag about it, let us search our hearts and think again.

Then there is Peter’s story and its touching moment as well when Jesus reached out (very humanly) to catch him. Why did I say humanly? Because Jesus could have commanded the water to hold Peter up, or He could have let Peter drown first, and raise him up again which would have been a greater miracle. But He reached out to grab him immediately, because he did not want Peter to suffer another second of unnecessary fear and anxiety. This was how much He cared about Peter. This is how much He cares about each one of us. Jesus does not want us to suffer an extra moment unnecessarily.

靈修默想小篇
主關心我

我覺得彼得履海的故事既可笑、又感人。可笑是因為彼得是在主耶穌咫尺之前下沉的。耶穌祇需伸手就抓到他。這令我想起自己初學游泳的尷尬情景。

其實想深一層，也不應取笑彼得。對他而言，身體一下沉，不但是水深快沒頂，更是在風浪之中，是生死關頭。我們面對沒有重大關鍵的事件時，就容易有信心；但面對事關重大的事情時，卻是不同。就好像亞伯拉罕，在他以為僕人以利以謝要承受他的一切時，他毫不懷疑神必賜產業的應許(創15:3)。但當神確實應許賜他兒子時，他一相信之後(創15:6)，先前賜地的應許突然變得極重要了。亞伯拉罕立即作什麼呢？他立刻問神：「我怎知道能必得這地為業呢？」你說，他是有信心，還是沒有呢？

故此，當我們要誇耀自己的信心時，最好停下來，想清楚。

彼得履海的故事亦有感人之處，就是主耶穌很人性地「趕緊伸手拉住他」。我說很人性地，是因為主可以發施號令，水就能乘載著彼得；主更可以叫彼得被溺，再叫他活過來，這豈不是更大的神蹟！祂卻趕緊伸手拉住他，因為主不願他多受一刻無謂的驚嚇！主就是這樣愛彼得。祂也是這樣愛我和你。主耶穌從來不願意祂的兒女多受一刻無謂的驚嚇！

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