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 21:12–17

As a “service” to the worshippers, the priests allowed people to sell doves for sacrifices and to operate money exchanges to “facilitate” offerings. But Jesus accused the money changers of being “robbers” and drove them out of the temple (court area). How might the priests justify their actions to allow these things to happen? How did Jesus’ accusation serve to purify their motives?

1. Jesus rarely used violence. Why did He in this very occasion? What can we learn about the heart of Jesus?

2. Jesus expresses His desire that “My house will be called a house of prayer”.
a. In what way(s) may the church truly be called such?

b. And how may you, yourself, participate in making the church a house of prayer?
3. Why were the chief priests and the scribes indignant over the healing of the sick and the children’s shouts?
a. Which might have made them more indignant?

b. How did the children learn to shout Hosanna at Jesus?

c. What can we learn from these children?
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21:12-17

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。

為要“提供服務” 給聖殿的敬拜，祭司們容許人在聖殿的外院範圍販賣鴿子作祭牲，又讓兌換銀錢的人來“方便”獻祭。耶穌責備他們是“賊”，並驅逐他們出聖殿。

(1) 祭司們可用什麼理由來支持他們作這些事呢？耶穌的責備又能怎樣潔淨他們的動機？

(2) 耶穌不是動粗的人，為何卻在這事件中作這不尋常之舉？

(3) 耶穌引用“我的殿必稱為禱告的殿”來表達他對聖殿的期望。教會當該如何成為名乎其實的禱告的殿？你該作什麼來使教會成為禱告的殿呢？

(4) 祭司長和文士為何因耶穌治病和小孩子的呼喊而惱怒？

a. 你以為那一樣更叫他們惱怒呢？

b. 小孩子如何懂得這樣讚美耶穌？

c. 我們可以從他們身上學什麼功課？

(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
House of Prayer

When I was a young boy, I was curious to see a young man in his late teens walk alone, by himself, in the late afternoon heat in proper shirts and pants, as if he were going to school. He would not tell me where he was going. So, one day I decided to follow him. After walking about 15 minutes, he arrived at a church, and after making a sign of the cross, he walked in and knelt on a kneeling pad and prayed. I did not see anyone there, but him alone.

It was, of course, a Catholic church. I was not born again then, and I seldom went to church. My contact at that point had been with Protestant churches only, not Catholic churches. So, it was quite an experience for me to find a church that is open all the time and welcomes anyone who wants to go in and pray!

All these years, that picture of my friend kneeling and praying in an empty church has stuck with me. In all honesty, whenever I read about Jesus’ word that “My house will be called a house of prayer”, I long that my church will be like the one my friend went to that late afternoon. I am afraid, in our zeal to reform, we have thrown out the baby together with the bath water. What I mean is, in the restoration of “sola scriptura” (Scripture only), we have thrown out the emphasis on prayer as well. It is such a pity.

Most Christians go to worship services to sing hymns and listen to sermons. The Holy Spirit often graciously speaks to us through songs, through Scripture reading and the sermon, only to find that whatever He has impressed upon us is lost, after “a moment of silent prayer” at the end of the service. It is never to be remembered again during the week.

I believe that this “moment of silent prayer” is the most critical moment of our worship. It is a crucial time for us to quiet ourselves, to reflect on what the Holy Spirit has spoken to us, and to carefully respond in a prayer of truthful response. Alas, for most churches, especially those with multiple services, we are forced to bow our heads and in seconds be ushered out of the sanctuary, and our souls are satisfied that we have worshipped―we have been to God’s house of prayer. It is time that we stop deceiving ourselves and short-changing our God!

靈修默想小篇
禱告的殿

讀初中時，我有一個年紀比我稍大的鄰居。他常常在放學後，穿著整齊的獨自步行出外。他是一個較沉默的人，沒有告訴我他往那裡去。終於有一天，我由於好奇，靜靜的在後面跟著他走。他步行了大約十五分鐘，來到一個教堂的門口，用手畫了一個十字後，就走進去。我從外面往內看，祇見全個教堂祇有他一個人跪在那裡禱告。

那是一間天主教教堂。那時，我尚未重生得救，很少到教會去；而我所接觸的，只是基督教教堂。所以，看到有一個整天開放，誰都可以走進去禱告的地方，給我留下很深的印象，直到今天。

每當在聖經讀到主耶穌提到“我的殿必稱為禱告的殿” 時，我禁不著就想到幾十年前的那個經歷。不禁思索：為什麼我們今天的教會會失去了這重點。恐怕，像西洋諺語所言：「我們把嬰孩跟洗澡水一起的從盆中倒了出來。」宗教改革重新把「惟獨聖經(Sola Scriptura)」這基要的重點在信徒中建立是必要的；但為何卻弄至絕大部份的教會失去了「禱告的殿」的實質呢！

不少基督徒每主日到教會敬拜、唱詩和聽道；聖靈也常藉著這些來向我們說話。可惜，這些感動在「散會前的默禱」不到30秒後就化為烏有。

我認為「散會前的默禱」是崇拜極重要和神聖的時刻，是我們能在安靜中，好好藉著禱告回應當天神向我們說的話。若沒有對神回應，整個崇拜是浪費的。可惜大部份教會的崇拜時間安排好像是鼓勵信徒匆匆低頭了事，特別是多堂崇拜的教會。如果我們以為這樣的崇拜能滿足主耶穌“我的殿必稱為禱告的殿” 的心願，我們是在自欺欺神。

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 21:18–22

1. The story of the fig tree is a little odd which makes it very interesting. Can you carefully jot down all that seemed odd or unusual to you? (Think of Jesus’ hunger, His foreknowledge, His curse — He never cursed anything before.)

2. Obviously, Jesus did it on purpose. What might be the purposes or lessons that He wanted the disciples to learn by cursing a fruitless tree?

3. Jesus was using the withering of the tree as an object lesson on faith as well and He extended it even to moving mountains. If you were to pray, what might take greater faith — the withering of a tree or the moving of a mountain?

4. How did the apostles apply faith in the Acts of the Apostles? Did they pray for the moving of mountains?

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21:18-22

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) 關於無花果樹的記載有點兒奇怪，但亦富趣味性。請你用心寫下認為有點奇怪或不尋常的地方（可能包括：耶穌餓了；祂的預知；祂對樹的咒詛。在這事之前祂從未咒詛過什麼的。）

(2) 明顯地，耶穌這樣做是有其目的的。你以為祂的目的是什麼？

(3) 耶穌用無花果樹的枯萎作信心的課題，甚至將它伸延到信心可以移山的教導。若是你在禱告，祈求一棵樹枯萎或祈求移動一座山，那一個祈求需要更大的信心？為什麼？

(4) 使徒行傳如何說明了使徒們憑信心作事呢？他們怎樣領受了耶穌這個應許？他們有否作移山的禱告？

(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
Nothing but Leaves!

I invite you to slowly reflect on the lyrics of this old hymn and examine yourself in light of Jesus cursing a tree in Matthew 21— the only account of Jesus cursing anything in the gospel:

Refrain
Gathering nothing but leaves,
Gathering nothing but leaves;
Spending life’s precious moments
Gathering nothing but leaves.

1
Nothing but leaves I’ve gathered,
Yes, nothing but worthless leaves,
When from the field of labor
Others bring golden sheaves;
Then in the day of judgment
Shall I be found with tares,
When God rewards the faithful
With crowns of shining stars.

2
Nothing but leaves I’ve gathered,
So sad, but, alas, ’tis true,
What I have done I never,
Nevermore can undo;
Past is the harvest season,
The summer has come and gone,
Reaping for future burning
The thorns and briars I’ve sown.

3
Nothing but leaves I’ve gathered,
Dear sinner, oh, hear the cry;
Swiftly your days are passing,
Soon you’ll be called to die;
What are the seeds you’re sowing?
What will you reap at last?
Sometime you’ll surely gather
Sheaves from the seeds you’ve cast.
William J. Henry, 1911

靈修默想小篇
祇有葉子

讓我們用這首古舊的詩歌來回應今天在馬太福音21章讀到耶穌饑餓時，在無花果樹上找不到果子的這一段經文。以下是我的繙譯：

Nothing but leaves I’ve gathered, 我所收的祇有葉子
Yes, nothing but worthless leaves, 是的，祇有沒有價值的葉子
When from the field of labor 當別人辛苦耕耘
Others bring golden sheaves; 帶來金黃的禾捆
Then in the day of judgment 在那審判的日子
Shall I be found with tares, 我所有全是稗子
When God rewards the faithful 但神賞賜忠心的僕人
With crowns of shining stars. 給予光亮晨星的冠冕。

Refrain: 副歌：
Gathering nothing but leaves, 收集的祇有葉子
Gathering nothing but leaves; 收集的祇有葉子
Spending life’s precious moments 生命寶貴的時刻浪費在
Gathering nothing but leaves. 收集的祇有葉子

Nothing but leaves I’ve gathered, 我所收的祇有葉子
So sad, but, alas, ’tis true, 何等可憐，可憐事實
What I have done I never, 我所作的永不能
Nevermore can undo; 永不能倒流
Past is the harvest season, 收割的季節已過
The summer has come and gone, 夏日已臨亦過
Reaping for future burning 我所收的荊棘蒺藜
The thorns and briars I’ve sown. 留存那日焚燒。

Nothing but leaves I’ve gathered, 我所收的祇有葉子
Dear sinner, oh, hear the cry; 親愛的罪人，請聽呼喚
Swiftly your days are passing, 你的年日迅速消逝
Soon you’ll be called to die; 不久你要面對死亡
What are the seeds you’re sowing? 你今天所撒的是什麼？
What will you reap at last? 至終所收的又是什麼？
Sometime you’ll surely gather 有一天你總要
Sheaves from the seeds you’ve cast. 收割你所栽種的。

William J. Henry, 1911

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 21:23–27

1. Jesus’ preaching and healing powers were well known to all of the people. Why didn’t the chief priests and the elders join the people in listening to Him preach?

2. Was it not strange that these religious leaders did not question if Jesus performed those miracles, but rather His authority in “doing these things”? What does it tell you about these leaders and their hearts?

3. Jesus has made it clear to them the basis of His authority by always calling God His Father. What then was their problem with Jesus?

4. Why did Jesus not address their question directly, but instead direct the issue to John’s baptism? What was their problem with John the Baptist then?

5. So, how did Jesus reveal to them what really was their problem?

6. Most of the times, Jesus would choose the opportunity to answer directly His opposition, but here He chose not to. What might be the reason?

7. What lesson can we learn when we complain that God does not answer our questions?

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21:23-27

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) 耶穌的醫治和傳講的大能都是眾所周知的。為何祭司長和文士不也趁機聆聽？

(2) 奇怪，他們不是質疑耶穌所行的神蹟的真確，乃是質疑祂權柄的來源。你可以看到他們內心的問題是什麼嗎？

(3) 其實，耶穌早已將答案告訴他們，因祂常稱神為父。故此，他們對耶穌的不接納的主因何在？

(4) 為何耶穌不直接回答，只以約翰的施洗來反問他們？他們對約翰不接納的原因又何在？

(5) 這反問是否有助他們看出自己真正的問題？

(6) 耶穌一般是有問必答的。為何這次對他們的質問卻不是如此？

(7) 如果我們已有一段時間沒有聽到神說話，或祂對我們心中的問題作回答，我們當怎樣省察自己？

(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
Lest we Repent!

Jesus was questioned by the religious leaders, saying, “by what authority are You doing those things?”. They referred to His healing of the blind and lame, and perhaps the driving out of traders in the temple court area in Matthew 21.  He, in essence, refused to answer their question.

I believe here is an important lesson for us to learn.

God is not obliged to answer our questions. As our Heavenly Father, He is certainly delighted to have His children come to Him often, to talk to Him, to share our latest with Him and to listen to Him. All loving fathers do.

But if we come before Him without the desire to obey Him, it is a waste of His time to answer our questions.

The chief priests and the elders of the people came to ask Jesus a question that they had no intention of obeying. Why would Jesus waste time answering them?

But Jesus was so gracious, as much as they did not deserve to be answered, He directed them to see what their real problem was. By contrasting their rejection of John the Baptist and the reception of the tax collectors and even prostitutes to John’s baptism of repentance, Jesus pointed out their real problem: “And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe Him.” (Matt. 21:32)

Since the tax collectors and prostitutes were hopeless sinners in their eyes, and yet the power of God was such that these would respond to John’s Baptism, then the chief priests and elders really had no excuse not to honor John the Baptist as a prophet from God. But they didn’t. As a result, it was totally futile for Jesus to prove to them who He is!

As Isaiah foretold, they were bent on not accepting the truth, because if they did so, they would have had no choice but to repent, which was the last thing they wanted to do. Thus, they would hear but never understand, they would see, but never perceive. (Matt. 13:14)

Next time, if we realize that we have not been touched by the Word of God for quite a while, it is time to examine ourselves and see if we have the same spirit as these religious leaders.

靈修默想小篇
恐怕要回轉

在校園的團契中，我的靈命長進得很快。回頭一看，我可以追溯到至少三個原因：第一，因為有一群同樣心意的弟兄姊妹。就如保羅所勸勉的，能「同那清心禱告主的人(一起)追求公義、信德、仁愛、和平。」(提後2:22) ；第二，有校園團契的導師不時來領查經，提供多方面的教導來陪訓我們；第三，很寶貴的是有機會與其他學院的弟兄姊妹一起退修和交通。我為著這些感謝神。

現在離開了校園超過四十年了，卻看見不少當年極熱心愛主的弟兄姊妹，不但離開了主，更聲言不信有神！這使我想起在校院團契中曾聽到一位長者說：「當一個曾熱心愛主的基督徒，轉過來說他不相信有神時，其實是他愛世界在先。」

最近有機會去探望一個家庭，為父的早年就在學院團契中信主，現在卻沒有到教會聚會多年了。他並且說，他懷疑以前所信的是否真實的。是的，當一個曾熱心愛主的人，離開了神，愛上了世界，豈能心中有平安呢？要除去心靈的控訴最有效的方法，莫過於乾脆說沒有神。若不是這樣說服自己，恐怕要回轉過來時，就不能再愛世界了。

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 21:28–32

In most parables of Jesus, He was contrasting the religious leaders against the repenting “sinners” whom they despised. This is one of those parables.

1. Why did Jesus use “sons” in this parable?

2. What was the problem with the first son?

3. Why did he rectify his error?

4. What was the problem with second son?

5. How were the religious leaders like the second son?

6. Here, Jesus clearly told us who the sinners so despised by the leaders were. Who were they?

7. Why and how did they (these despised sinners) rectify their erring way?

8. Were the religious leaders hopeless then, according to v. 31?

9. Why should the repentance of the tax collectors and prostitutes have an impact on these religious leaders according to v. 32?

10. What is the essential message of this parable and how may you apply it to your life?

經文默想
馬太福音21: 28-32

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。

耶穌常以比喻把那些宗教領袖和他們所鄙視的「罪人」作比較。這比喻就是其中一例子。

(1) 耶穌為何用「兒子」作為比喻的人物？

(2) 第一個(原文不一定是指那大的)兒子的問題出於什麼？他為何會轉意？

(3) 第二個兒子的問題出於什麼？

(4) 那些宗教領袖(和一般的猶太人)與他相似的地方是什麼？

(5) 耶穌在這裡直言他們所鄙視的「罪人」是些什麼人？

(6) 這些「罪人」與第一個兒子相似的地方是什麼？

(7) 他們為何並怎樣轉意？

(8) 這樣，那些宗教領袖是否就無藥可救呢？(參第31節)

(9) 按第32節所言，稅吏和娼妓的悔改應感動他們也悔改。為什麼？

(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
Tax Collectors and Prostitutes?

The Synoptic Gospel writers often make mention of “tax collectors and sinners” (see Matt. 9:10, 11; 11:19; Mk. 2:15, 16; Lk. 5:30, 7:34 and 15:1). We know who the tax collectors are - Jews who bought licenses from the Romans to collect taxes (often extra taxes) from the people. They were regarded as traitors and were despised by the people. But who are the sinners then?

In Matthew 21:31, Jesus gives us the answers when he says,
“I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you (the religious leaders).”
To tell you the truth, when I first realized that these sinners refer to the prostitutes, I was quite shocked, because that means unlike us, our Lord Jesus Christ did not avoid these prostitutes like a plague. He even ate with them as He taught them the Word of God. Our avoidance of prostitutes is understandable, in a way, so that we (men) may not be tempted. But it does not mean that we can discriminate against them when it comes to the sharing of the gospel.

I was privileged to accompany a young Christian man who was very passionate in reaching out to the marginalized. One night, way past midnight, he and I teamed up to walk along the streets of Vancouver, carrying with us a pot of hot chocolate and some cookies as well. Among the people we greeted and served was a prostitute. It was more than obvious that she had abused her body with drugs. She stopped and received our goodies, and she shared her pain with us. With words of kindness and encouragement from the Scripture (which she knew quite well), we prayed for her. I felt that we had treated her as Jesus would.

Before this encounter, I was also privileged to lead a team of brothers and sisters to visit a motel nearby that houses some of the marginalized in the area. It was run by a brother from a downtown church I used to pastor. At one point he had confronted me with these words, “If you allow prostitutes to come into the church to worship and sit by my family, we will leave the church.”

By the grace of God, he has come to embrace the heart of Jesus and dedicated himself to bring “tax collectors and sinners” into the Kingdom of God.

靈修默想小篇
稅吏和娼妓？

在福音書中，多次提到「稅吏和罪人」(太9:10, 11; 11:19; 可 2:15,16; 路5:30, 7:34, 15:1等)。我們知道稅吏是什麼人，就是猶太人中，有從羅馬政府買來收稅版權後，卻常向同胞多收稅款，被一般猶太人所鄙視的人。但「罪人」又是什麼人？為甚麼與稅吏常一起併提的呢？

耶穌就在馬太福音21:32告訴我們這些「罪人」是誰：「我實在告訴你們，稅吏和娼妓倒比你們先進神的國。」

當我首次明白這些「罪人」是指娼妓時，我真有的錯愕，因為耶穌是常與「稅吏和罪人」一起的，(路15:11) 無怪法利賽人對祂議論紛紛。耶穌沒有拒絕她們，反而常用神的話語教訓她們。

有一次，我有機會跟一個很熱心愛主的年青人，在午夜時分，帶著熱飲品和乾糧去關心溫哥華街上的流浪者。我們遇到一個娼妓，身體已被毒品摧殘。在接過飲品後，她與我們分享她的苦況。我們就以神的話勸勉她，與她一同禱告。我相信，主耶穌也會如此作。

在遇見這娼妓之前，我有機會帶一群弟兄姊妹去參觀一間平價酒店，現由一個弟兄買下來，在皇家警察協助下，趕出毒犯，重新修理整齊清潔，供貧苦但欲翻身的人居住。這弟兄多年前曾很衝動的對我說：「牧師，如果你們繼續讓街上的娼妓進來，坐在我的妻子和女兒旁邊，我們會離開教會。」

感謝主，這座位於毒犯、娼妓區的酒店，是這位弟兄和他的妻子和女兒親手重修的，為要引領「稅吏和罪人」進神的國。

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 21:33–46

1. “They knew He was talking about them” (v. 45). The vineyard obviously refers to the nation of Israel. What then is the relationship between Israel and God as depicted by this parable?

2. Who are the servants? What is being highlighted in the successive sending of the servants?

3. Can you think of one prophet that was mistreated by the people and how?

4. What is the reasoning behind the sending of the son? Is this expectation reasonable? Why?

5. What is the penalty suggested by the people? Is it reasonable? Why or why not?

6. What does the quote from Psalm 118:22-23 in v. 42 have to do with the parable? Reflect on these emphases: “the builders”, “the capstone”, “the Lord has done it” and “marvelous”.

7. Jesus is obviously the rejected stone.
a. What is meant by “He who falls on this stone”?

b. What is the result of such a fall?

c. What is meant by “he on whom it falls”?

d. What is the result of such a fall?
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21:33-46

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) 「他們看是指著他們說的」，這正好證明葡萄園是比喻以色列了。從第33節所詳述有關栽種者如何栽培葡萄園，我們可以領會神與以色列的關係多少？

(2) 僕人是比喻誰？這樣論到多次差派的結果表明些什麼？

(3) 論到先知被凌辱或殺害，你可想起舊約的那一位？他遭到什麼迫害？

(4) 園主差派自己的兒子有何原委？這想法合理嗎？

(5) 眾人提出園主應施行的審判合理嗎？為什麼？

(6) 耶穌引用詩篇118:22-23 來總結這喻言合適嗎？為什麼？

(7) 請用一點時間思想這幾個用詞：「匠人」、「房角石」、「是主所作」和「希奇」。

(8) 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
Hostility against Christians

Many of my Christians friends are leery about Christian athletes thanking God and praying in public. I heard many well-meaning Christians say, “God does not care about football!”.

I prefer taking a rather simple approach and ask, “Is God interested in my career as His child?”. The answer is obvious. God is interested in my total person, including my career. As for Teebow and Lin, football and basketball are their careers, and I am absolutely confident that God is interested in them and their careers.

We all know that if they really love the Lord, their public display of thanks to God is no different from my public display of thanks when I say a word of grace before my meal. If people take offence at it, it will not stop me from doing it.

And if they really love the Lord, their prayers are not so much for being able to win, but for being able to do their best and accept whatever the outcome is, gratefully and with submission. I am sure Teebow and Lin would tell you that. So, if their public display of their faith offends the secular world, it is not unexpected, but to hear other Christian athletes attack them just as non-Christians do, it is sad.

Both Teebow and Lin are providing great incentives for young Christians, not only to pursue their dreams, but to emulate their faith in Christ. So, let us pray for them, not necessarily for success in what they do, but for God’s protection that they will remain true to Christ, and not be tainted by success and glamour.

To be honest, both men rattle the elites in their respective sports —Teebow does so in a very unconventional fashion, and Lin is such an underdog. But this is in tune with the way God always works, raising the humble in the eyes of the world, so that the proud will be silenced.

靈修默想小篇
敵視基督徒

有不少基督徒反對基督徒球星在球場公開的感謝主或禱告。他們說：「神那會理會球賽呢！」 但他們卻同時認為神是關心他們自己的事業的。

神當然關心祂兒女的一切。不論是打美式足球的TeeBow或打籃球的Lin弟兄。球賽是他們的事業，為何神不理會呢！他們當眾的感謝神或禱告，與我和你當眾的作謝飯禱告又有何分別。世人不喜歡看見我們謝飯，是否我們就停止謝飯？

我們知道，真正認識主的運動員，不會單為勝利禱告，更為自己能盡全力而禱告，而把結果憑信服全交在神手裡。不信的世人批評像Teebow和Lin的球星是可以理解的，但連基督徒也如此的批評他們，就不應該了。

其實，今天的青年很需要敬虔的榜樣，故此我們需要為像Teebow及Lin弟兄的基督徒代禱，不是求神叫他們成功，乃是求神保護他們忠貞，能作祂的好見證。

談到以上兩位的球星，Teebow投球的方法並不正統；Lin也是先被人看不起的。但他們的崛起，卻是合乎神作事一般的方法：祂最愛從塵埃中提拔祂所揀選的，叫狂傲的人羞愧。

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 22:1–14

1. In what ways is this parable of the wedding banquet different from the previous parable of the vineyard?
a. What is the occasion being depicted?

b. What is the purpose?

c. Who is the inviter?

d. Who are the invitees?
2. In this parable, servants are being sent to those who had already been invited.
a. What are the responses being depicted?

b. In each case, how does it vividly depict the negative response to the gospel of the people today?

c. Jesus’ parable describes them as the “invitees”. In what sense were the Jews the “invitees’?
3. Why did the King say that those people, “did not deserve to come” in v. 8?

4. Who are those being invited next? What do “street corners” represent? (See Eph. 2:12)

5. Why are both the “good and bad” being invited?

6. Why would some end up coming without “wedding clothes”? What are the wedding clothes? (See Rev. 7:9-14.)

7. When confronted, why would the man be “speechless”?

8. What is the result of not being part of the wedding banquet?

9. What is the meaning of “For many are invited, but few are chosen”? In this parable,
a. Who are being invited?

b. Who end up enjoying the banquet?

c. Are they the ones being chosen? Or are they the ones who make their choice (to respond to the invitation and put on the wedding clothes)?

Who chooses whom?

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22:1-14

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。

(1) 這個娶親筵席的比喻與21章的葡萄園的比喻分別何在？

a. 場合？

b. 比喻的重點？

c. 誰是請客者？

d. 誰是租客、誰是已被召者？

(2) 在這比喻中，僕人被派到已獲邀者請他們來赴宴：

a. 他們分別有那些不同的反應？

b. 這不同的反應如何反映今天世人對福音的反應？

c. 這些被召的是指猶太人。對嗎？何以見得？

(3) 為何王後來卻說「所召的人不配」呢？

(4) 為何說後來補上的是「大路上」的人？他們代表誰？(參閱弗2:12)

(5) 為何「不論善惡都召」？

(6) 為何會有人不穿禮服卻能混進筵席？禮服是指什麼？(參閱啟7:9-14)

(7) 為何這樣的人「無言可答」？(誰提供禮服呢？)

(8) 不能或沒有赴筵的結果是什麼？

(9) 「被召(或請)的人多，(被)選上的人少」是什麼意思？

a. 被召或請進天國的人包括誰？(約3:16)

b. 但至終能享用筵席的是什麼人？

c. 為什麼說這些人是被選上的呢？不是他們自己選擇的嗎？

(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
Whose Choice is it?

In the parable of the wedding banquet in Matthew 22, we find that the original invitees (who are the Chosen People, the Jews) turned down the invitation.

Some paid no attention and went off to their field, and some left to manage their business. They had no time for God. This is perhaps the picture of the majority of the people in the secular world. They are so caught up with life’s pursuits that they think religion is a waste of time.

But the “rest” of the invitees were very different. They were not only very religious, but were religious to the point that they “seized...mistreated…and killed” the messenger. These are religious fanatics who will resort to violence to silence or eliminate those they do not agree with theologically. The religious leaders of Jesus’ time did exactly that to Jesus.

Then the parable goes on to talk about us who are gentiles, in the corners of the street, not part of the original invitees. But as Paul points out in Romans, we are grafted because the original branches (the Jews) are broken off because of their unbelief (Rom. 11:17ff). It is quite hilarious to read the tone of the parable in that it was almost like a casual affair that the servants went out to draft everyone who was willing to come, the “good and bad” alike. But it does point out that the gospel is for everyone who will  accept it.

Ultimately, those who will not come, and those who will come, both made a conscious choice. It is their choice, and as a result, those who end up not being part of the banquet were “speechless”. They had only themselves to blame.

But why would Jesus end the parable by saying, “For many are invited, but few are chosen”?

I believe Jesus points out to us the two equally true aspects concerning our faith.

On the one hand, salvation is offered to all people, because “God so loved the (whole) world.” (Jn. 3:16). So, many, in fact, all are invited.

On the other hand, everyone has to make a choice, either to reject it, or to receive it. Even if a decision is not made, it has been made, and it is the decision to not to accept the salvation offered by Jesus. But, our all-knowing God remains the one that chooses. Thus, Jesus says, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit — fruit that will last.” (Jn. 15:16)

I know it is a mystery, but our attention should not be on its mystery, but on the fact that we have been chosen for a purpose—not ours, but God’s.

靈修默想小篇
是誰作揀選？

在馬太福音22章娶親筵席的比喻中，那些原本被召的(意指神的選民—猶太人)卻拒絕赴宴。在他們當中，有毫不希罕的，祇顧自己的田或買賣的。這也是今天不少人對福音的態度之反照。他們沒有時間去信耶穌，也不理會神。他們全心賺錢，以為信耶穌是費時失事。但餘下原本被召的人，卻是極熱衷宗教的，狂熱到一個地步，把使者都殺了。當然，這全應驗在耶穌身上。那些祭司長和文士，把耶穌殺掉了。

比喻繼續提到我們這些外邦人，說我們是在街上被邀請的來補替原本被召的人。就像保羅論到我們說：「那(原本的) 枝子被折下來是特為叫我接上。」(羅11:19) 比喻中論到在大路上(即十字路口)找著人，不論好壞也可進筵席去，就似乎有點「兒戲」，但卻道出福音是每個人都可以接受的。

故此，不論是拒絕的，是接受的，連接受了邀請而不穿禮服的，我們都要作出選擇，都是我們刻意的選擇。故此，不得吃筵席的，都是「無言可答」，祇有承擔自己抉擇的後果。

耶穌在總結這比喻說：「因為被召的人多，(被) 選上的人少。」(原文是說被選上的)

其實，耶穌在此說出信主的兩個事實：一方面，救恩是為全世界的人預備的，所以聖經說：「神愛世人」。故此，被召的人多。另一方面，我們每一個人都一定要作出選擇去接受這個呼召；中立的，也就是拒絕的。同時，全知的神卻是那至終揀選的那位。因此主耶穌說：「不是你們揀選了我，是我揀選了你們，並且分派你們去結果子，叫你們的果子常存。」(約15:16)

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 22:15–22

1. These messengers from the religious leaders gave a rather detailed description of the character of Jesus. Examine yourself in light of Jesus’ character and reflect on how you may imitate Jesus.
a. Man of integrity

b. Not swayed by men

c. Paying no attention to who they are

d. Teaching the way of God in accordance with the truth.
2. Without reading Jesus’ reply, come up with your own reply to their question about “Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar?” (Remember like most Caesars who were ruthless and violent. Tiberius, who was the Caesar in Jesus’ time, was also slothful, self-indulgent, hypocritical and greatly despised by historians, not to mention being a foreign occupying ruler of the Jews.)

3. If the “image” on the coin confers authority to Caesar, what “image” confers God’s authority on earth?

4. Since what belongs to Caesar really belongs to God, how does Jesus’ reply speak to our relationship with the government of our land? (Refer to Dan. 2:21.)

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22:15-22

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) 雖然他們是來試探耶穌，但卻不其然地道出耶穌性格的可貴。請逐點反思，你應如何學像基督：

a. 誠實人

b. 不徇情面

c. 不看外貌

d. 誠誠實實傳神的道

(2) 請暫不理會耶穌的回答，單從你的角度去回答他們的問題：「納稅給該撒可以不可以」？(要知道，當時的該撒提比利斯，像一般的該撒，既兇狠，又殘暴；更是以懶惰、放縱、虛偽見稱，為史家所鄙視；同時也是猶太人的侵略者。)

(3) 若銀錢上的像和號給予該撒主權，神的像和號(形像)怎樣在世上顯明出來呢？(參閱雅3:9) 世人應怎樣回應祂的主權？

(4) 既然所有都屬於神，耶穌的回答怎樣教導我們面對世上政府的主權呢？(參閱羅13:1)

(5) 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
In the Image of God

Jesus wisely sidestepped the trap set by the Pharisees who allied with their enemies, the Herodians, in order to trap their common enemy, Jesus. (Matt. 22:15-22) In His famous declaration: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s”, He used the portrait on the Roman denarius to make His point. In essence, He was saying that the image on the coin confers authority to Caesar. The question I can’t help but ask is, “What image confers God’s authority on this earth then?”

The answer is obvious: Each one of us, because we all bear the image of our Creator. (Jas. 3:9)

This is an awesome thought, because if we bear the image of our Creator, every part of our being belongs to the Creator. We have to give God what is God’s.

As Christians, we like to think that if we tithe, we have fulfilled our obligation in honoring God as our God. But the truth of the matter is, our tithing is our acknowledgement that 100% of us, 100% of our income, 100% of our wealth, in fact, 100% of all we have, material belongings and otherwise, belong to God. It is in this sense that we are stewards of God. We are still not free to use anything left in our possession.

It reminds me of a servant of God whose Bible has these words printed on its cover: “For the use of so and so”. The Bible is hers, but she understands that nothing belongs to her; all is God’s. We bear His image; as a result, this image confers to Him absolute authority and possession over us, the image-bearer.

靈修默想小篇
神的形像

法利賽人原與希律黨為敵，但他們卻以耶穌為更大的敵人；為要陷害主，他們竟與希律黨人聯手，想藉著應否納稅給羅馬政府這問題來找陷害主的藉口。耶穌在回答時，就指著羅馬銀錢上該撒的像，說出這名句：「該撒的物當歸給該撒，神的物當歸給神。」(太22:21) 換句話說，錢幣上有該撒的像和號就表明他對錢幣的主權。那麼，按雅各書3:9，我們每一個人都有著神的形像，這豈不是神在我們每一個人身上有絕對的權柄的明證嗎？「神的物當歸給神」，世人的主權都全屬神，也就是無可推諉的了。

既是這樣，作為基督徒的，我們若以為把收入的十份之一獻上後，其餘的就是自己的了，這也是不對的。其實獻上的十分一是用以表明我們的100%是全屬神的舉動。獻上了10%，我們只是餘下的90%的管家。

這叫我想起一位神的使女。她在自己聖經的封面寫上：「是供某某(她的名字)之用」。她明白沒有一樣東西是真的屬於她的。對，我們既有神的形像，祂在我們每人身上就有絕對的主權了。

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