Note:
Jesus is explaining in detail His relationship with the Father. In reading this section, we need to bear in mind one important thing and that is although Jesus speaks of the Father and Himself as two “persons”, the separation of the Son from the Father and vice versa is an impossibility. As John 1:18 clarifies, the Son gives expression to the Father, but they are essentially one (Jn. 10:30).
(1) In an effort to tell the Jews who He is, Jesus points out that “My Father is always at work”.
a. What does He tell them about His relationship with God?
b. What is God doing these days?
c. What is the Son doing then?
d. Why then is His work not a violation of the Sabbath? (See Matt. 12:8.)
(2) In what way are Jesus and the Father one according to v. 19?
(3) In comparison with what they have seen (i.e. the healing of the invalid), what are the two “greater things” that the Son will do? (vv. 21-22)
(4) At the appearance of Jesus, how are eternal life and eternal condemnation determined? And why? (vv. 23-24)
(5) Since v. 29 pertains to how a person comes to have eternal life, what does v. 29 mean?
(6) Why does the Father give Jesus the authority to judge “because He is the Son of Man”? (v. 27)
(7) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
本週我們繼續研讀約翰福音。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。
主耶穌在這裡論到祂與父神的關係。在研讀時，我們要記得，雖然主耶穌是以「兩個位格」來論到父神和祂自己，但祂與父神不但是同等，更是不能分隔(1:18) ，原是一體的(10:30) 。
(1) 論到祂與父的關係時，主耶穌說：「我父做事直到如今，我也做事」(5:17) ：
a. 這句怎樣顯出祂與父神的關係呢？
b. 父神如今作的是什麼事？
c. 「子」也在作什麼事？
d. 為何「子」在安息日作工是沒有觸犯安息之例？(參太12:8)
(2) 按5:19所言，耶穌與父是怎樣「原為一的」？
(3) 5:21-22指出那兩樣「更大的事」是要給他們看的？
(4) 耶穌基督既然已降世，永生與定罪從此是怎樣定斷的？(5:23-24)
(5) 既是這樣，我們應怎樣解釋5:29的話？
(6) 為何父神“因祂是人子，就賜給祂行審判的權柄” ？(5:27)
(7) 今天你得到的主要提醒是什麼？你會怎樣應用在你的生命中？
“My Father is always at His work to this very day and I, too, am working.” (Jn. 5:17)
It is true that “By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing, so on the seventh day He rested from all His work” (Gen. 2:2). However, the seven days refer clearly to the making of the earth into a habitable place with lights, air, water, land and the living things therein, with the crowning creation of men and women on the sixth day. And thus, “God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it He rested from all the working of creating that He had done” (Gen. 2:3).
While God
had rested from His initial work of creation, our Lord Jesus Christ
reminds us that Father God has not rested from working which can clearly be
seen in the Old Testament:
- the visiting of the Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden
- the continued interaction with Adam’s offspring after the “fall” of Adam
- instituting, preparing, implementing His great plan of salvation through the race of Israel
- revealing Himself and His precepts in many different ways
- not to mention the continued maintenance of the universe that He has created
In other words, God is not a remote, uninterested, absentee-God. He is a personal God who continues to care for His creation, especially men and women whom He has created in His own image.
Therefore, one of the reasons for establishing the Sabbath is to serve as a constant reminder, in fact a weekly reminder, to all mankind of who their Creator is. By observing the Sabbath, the people of Israel are affirming to themselves and to the rest of the world that there is no other God but Yahweh who has created the heavens and the earth. And it carries added significance to a world that sneers at the idea that there is a Creator God today!
It is true that with our faith in the Lord of Sabbath, our Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 12:8), we have entered into the rest of God through Him (Heb. 4:3). Our weekly worship still serves, among other purposes, the same old purpose of the Sabbath, and that is to declare to the world who their Creator is and to invite them to enter into the same rest that we have in Jesus Christ.
「耶穌就對他們說：我父做事直到如今，我也做事。」(約5:17)
創世記確是這樣的記載：「到第七日，神造物的工已經完畢，就在第七日歇了他一切的工，安息了」(創2:2) 。且清楚說明神如何在六日創造萬物，更使天地成為生物可生存、居住之所—包括創造光，空氣、海洋、旱地、和其中的生物，並以人的被造成為創世的高潮。然後，神就「賜福給第七日，定為聖日；因為在這日，神歇了他一切創造的工，就安息了」(創2:3)。
雖然神是從這起初創造天地之工安息了，主耶穌在此卻指出，父神並非就從此什麼工也不作。其實舊約聖經清楚的記載，神繼續在人世間工作—祂到伊甸園中與亞當、夏娃交往。在人犯罪後，祂繼續為拯救人類的計劃作安排、促進、和成全；特別是藉著揀選以色列人，向他們顯現、引導、頒布律例，並且繼續維持祂所創造的宇宙的運作。換句話說，神不是一位高高在上，不理人間死活、缺席的神。祂更是一位有「位格」的神，繼續關心、看顧祂所創造的，特別是照祂形像造的人類。
故此，安息日的設立的其中一個意義，是藉著遵守每個安息日來提醒全入類，他們是誰創造的！每當以色列人遵守安息日時，他們是向自己重新的肯定，也向外邦人宣告，惟有耶和華神是創造天地的惟一真神！其實，這安息日對歷世的無神論者都發出了警告。
當然，今天我們相信耶穌基督為救主，祂也就是「安息日的主」(太12:8) ；我們藉著祂已進入了神真正的安息(來4:3) 。這樣，我們每主日的崇拜仍帶著舊約安息日的信息，就是向全世界宣告，創造他們的是誰；並邀請他們來進入耶穌基督裡的安息。
Jesus continued to rebuke the Jews for their hatred towards Him based on His perceived breach of Sabbath law and making Himself equal with God:
(1) Jesus said the Jews really had no excuse for not believing in Him, because there was at least a four-fold testimony about Him. Can you discern what they were?
a. Vv. 33-35: How did the Jews respond to this testimony and why?
b. V. 36: Why is this testimony weightier than the last one?
c. Vv. 37-38: How did the Father testify concerning the Son?
d. Vv. 39-40 (also vv. 45-47): How “weighty” is this testimony?
(2) Have these four witnesses strengthened your faith in Christ?
(3) The Jews “diligently studied the Scriptures” and yet they would not believe in Jesus. What were the reasons?
(4) How does this remind you of your own attitude in studying the Scriptures today?
(5) Part of the sin of the Jews laid in their “accepting praise from one another” (v. 44). Examine yourself whether this is also your sin.
(6) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
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。
猶太人因耶穌稱神為父而憎恨與反對祂；耶穌繼續與他們分辯：
(1) 耶穌指出猶太人不能不信祂，因為祂不是「自己作見證」，乃是有「四重見證」的。你能認出這四方面嗎？
a. 5:33-35: 誰已為主耶穌作見證？猶太人怎樣回應這人的見證？
b. 5:36：第二個見證是什麼？為何比第一個更大？
c. 5:37-38：第三個見證人是誰？祂怎樣為耶穌作見證？
d. 5:39-40：第四個見證有份量嗎？(亦參5:45-47)
(2) 這「四重的見證」對你的信心有幫助嗎？為什麼？
(3) 為何猶太人既「查考」聖經，卻不相信主耶穌？
(4) 這樣，我們對「查考」聖經當有什麼態度？
(5) 耶穌又指出猶太人的錯誤是出於「互相受榮耀」(5:44) ：這是什麼罪？你是否也有此傾向？
(6) 今天你得到的主要提醒是什麼？你會怎樣應用在你的生命中？
“You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life.” (Jn. 5:39)
It is quite surprising to read what Jesus said of the Jews who persecuted him: “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life.” (Jn. 5:39). One wonders why those who would devote themselves to pursue eternal life through the study of Scriptures “diligently” would miss the mark. Did Jesus not promise, “Seek and ye shall find”? (Matt. 7:7)
This is such a solemn reminder to all of us who appear to have a hunger for the word of God and devote much time to the “diligent” study of the Scriptures and the listening to sermons that are biblical. Diligence in itself is not enough, we need the right attitude.
Jesus goes on in this passage to point out what their problems are:
- “You do not believe the one He sent” (v. 38): In other words, they diligently study the Scriptures without the intention to believe and obey. They pick and choose what to believe and what to obey; worse yet, they study likely for the sake of gaining head-knowledge which is the most dangerous approach to the Word of God.
- “You do not have the love of God” (v. 42): Indeed, the attitude of approaching the Word that pleases God is for the cultivating of our love relationship with Him. Have you and I grown in our love for God during our pursuit of His Word? If not, like the Jews, we have missed the mark.
- “How can you believe if you accept praise from one another” (v. 44): This is perhaps the flaw of even the most God-loving believer. Even with the proper attitude of loving God, the study of the Scriptures necessarily increases our knowledge of things spiritual. And as people naturally see the change in our lives, they would come and consult us and hold us in high esteem. “Fire tests silver, and heat tests gold. But people are tested by the praise they receive” (Prov. 27:21). Once pride creeps into our lives, it hinders not only our ability to truly know the Word of God, but also in our ability to love Him.
「你們查考聖經，因你們以為內中有永生。」(約5:39)
不曉得當你讀到耶穌對那些迫害祂的人說：「你們查考聖經，因你們以為內中有永生」，感到意外否？英譯本(NIV)譯出這話的精髓，說他們是“殷勤的查考” 聖經。真是奇怪，如此殷勤查考聖經的人，竟然找不到永生。主耶穌豈不曾說過：「尋找便尋見」嗎？(太7:7)
故此，這段聖經是對我們每一個心中有飢渴去研讀聖經的人一個重要的提醒：殷勤查考是尚不足夠的，我們還需要有正確的態度去研讀：
主耶穌在此指出這些人的錯誤，包括：
- 5:38「你們並沒有祂的道存在心裡；因為祂所差來的，你們不信」：意思是說，他們殷勤查考，卻完全沒有願意相信和遵行的心。或說得準確一點：他們是揀擇性的去相信與遵守。這也表明了他們的查考多是知識的追尋—這是讀經最危險的態度；
- 5:42「你們心裡沒有神的愛」：沒有神的愛，也就沒有愛神了。其實查考聖經最重要的是藉此去親近神，與神建立愛的關係。在這段日子我們作經常性的靈修，不曉得在愛神的關係上有沒有長進呢？如果沒有，我們與這些猶太人無異！
- 5:44「你們互相受榮耀，卻不求從獨一之神來的榮耀，怎能信我呢？」：這可能是連真正愛主的人也會犯上的罪。就是我們有已較正的愛神的態度來讀經、靈修，也因而真的在靈命和屬靈的知識上有增長。也因如此，身旁的信徒自然多向我們請教，對我們產生敬意。箴言說得對：「鼎為煉銀，爐為煉金，人的稱讚也試煉人」(箴27:21) 。當驕傲滲進了心中，我們很快便失去了真正明白神話語的能力，更失去了愛神的心。
(1) How did the Galileans differ from the Jews of Jerusalem in their reception of Jesus?
(2) Look up Mark 6:32-44 for the reason why Jesus wanted to feed the crowd?
(3) John said Jesus was testing Philip with His question. What did Jesus hope to hear from Philip?
(4) What was Philip’s reply? What might be the underlying thoughts behind his answer?
(5) How did Andrew’s response differ from Philip’s, especially in terms of his attitude toward the “problem” they were facing?
(6) What was the result of his action? Is there a lesson to learn for us?
(7) We know from the other gospel accounts that the disciples were involved in the handling of the food distribution:
a. What would this miracle mean to the disciples?
b. What might be the significance of having leftovers?
c. What might be the significance of having filled 12 baskets with the leftovers?
(8) How differently (from the Jews in Jerusalem) did this crowd respond to the miraculous sign of Jesus?
(9) In what ways were they not different from the Jews in Jerusalem?
(10) Why did Jesus choose to go away from a crowd that believed in Him?
(11) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
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) 加利利人和耶路撒冷的猶太人在對待耶穌的態度上有什麼分別？
(2) 在餵飽五千人的事件上，請參閱馬可福音6:32-44較詳細的報導，看看個中的原因。
(3) 約翰告訴我們，主耶穌之所以問腓力，「是要試驗」他：耶穌希望他怎樣作答呢？
(4) 腓力的回答是什麼？這回答顯出他心底的思念是什麼？
(5) 安得烈的回應與腓力的回答，基本上有什麼分別？
(6) 安得烈的回應帶來了什麼結果？從他的回應，我們可以學到什麼功課？
(7) 從符類福音的記載，我們知道在這奇蹟性的食物分派事上，門徒是有份參與的：
a. 這神蹟該使門徒有什麼體會與領受？
b. 竟能有餘剩，這有什麼重要性？
c. 零碎裝滿十二個籃子又可有什麼重要性？
(8) 這些加利利人對這神蹟的反應顯然與耶路撒冷的猶太人對耶穌所行的有所不同，是什麼？
(9) 但在那些方面，他們與耶路撒冷的猶太人並沒有分別呢？
(10) 他們既相信耶穌，為何祂卻逃避、退到山上？
(11) 今天你得到的主要提醒是什麼？你會怎樣應用在你的生命中？
“Jesus looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him. So he said to Philip, ‘Where can we buy bread for these people to eat?’ ” (Jn. 6:5)
Poor Philip, he was singled out by Jesus to answer an impossible question, “Where can we buy bread for these people to eat?”
They were likely on the north side of the Sea of Galilee and on a mountainside that would likely be a fair distance from town. Even if they could go into a nearby town to buy food, without any means of transportation, how could they even carry enough food to feed five thousand people? Furthermore, as Philip put it, “Suppose we were able to buy enough bread for each person to have just a bite. That would take more than half a year’s pay” (6:7). Obviously it does not necessarily mean that they did not have the money, but rather that it would cost a lot of money and Philip did not think it was their responsibility to feed every one— the people should have known better about bringing enough food for their journey.
John did not choose to tell us Jesus’ intention for testing Philip, likely because Mark has already made it plain in his gospel account: “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So He began teaching them many things” (Mk. 6:34). Philip’s answer was a very practical, pragmatic and sensible one. But his underlying thoughts failed to identify with the heart of Jesus. He saw their ministry to the crowd as merely teaching the Word, and since the teaching was done, it was time to disperse them, and time for their own rest.
While Philip appeared to have failed the test, Andrew came close to the heart of Jesus. At least, he took the trouble to check around to see if he could do something about the “problem”. To his disappointment, most if not all the people, did not come prepared; only a little boy had five small loaves of barley bread and two small fish. As ridiculous as his response to Jesus was,
- His acted out of his own initiative, doing something without being asked; this shows that he did not see the people as a “problem”, but as hungry people whom he wished to feed.
- Though he could not provide the solution, he brought to Jesus’ attention all he could come up with!
And his action resulted in one of most famous miracles of Jesus, the focus of which is often overlooked. It is not only a miracle of being able to feed five thousand mouths with only five loaves of barley bread and two small fish, it is a miracle that shows the compassion of Jesus. He sees every one of us not just as souls needing His salvation—as essential as it is—He sees us as human beings with body, soul and spirit! “Ministry” to Jesus is never just a task; it is always about people, as undeserving as this crowd was who only cared about their stomach! (Jn. 6:26)
「耶穌舉目看見許多人來，就對腓力說：我們從那裡買餅叫這些人吃呢？」(約6:5)
可憐的腓力，偏偏被耶穌揀中了來試驗他：「我們從那裡買餅叫這些人吃呢？」
相信他們當時是在加利利湖北面的一個山上，離最近的城鎮有一段路途。其實門徒就是真的徒步去買餅，如何運送足夠五千人吃用的糧食也成問題！腓力更指出：「就是二十兩銀子的餅，叫他們各人吃一點也是不夠的」(6:7) 。 二十兩銀子，就等如那時一個人半年的收入了。這不是說，耶穌和門徒沒有這麼多的錢；腓立的意思相信是：這不是他們的責任，甚至認為這些人早該作好準備，自備糧食。
約翰沒有向我們交代耶穌究竟想試驗腓力什麼，或許是因為馬可福音已有所交代：「耶穌出來，見有許多的人，就憐憫他們，因為他們如同羊沒有牧人一般，於是開口教訓他們許多道理」(可6:34) 。看來，腓力的回答是非常實際、現實和理智的，不過卻沒有體會主耶穌的心腸。腓力看這事工的重點是教導他們道理：既然教導完畢，當然是嗚金收兵，叫他們回去便是了。
腓力在這試驗中失敗了；安得烈卻是比較了解主的心腸。至少，他花時間去問各人，試圖找出解決這「問題」的方法。雖然得來的結果叫他失望：似乎只有一個孩童帶了五個餅二條魚。他就這樣的回報耶穌，看來是帶著一點點的愚昧。但是我們看到：
- 他不是被主所問，而是主動的去想辦法。換句話說，他不以那些聽道的人為「麻煩/problem」，乃是真的關心他們的饑餓；
- 他找到的資源雖然極有限，實不足解決問題，但他仍把那有限的資源帶到主耶穌的跟前。
他這看來愚昧的行為，卻帶來了這普世知名的神蹟。這神蹟固然顯出耶穌基督的大能，但更顯出主耶穌憐憫人的心腸。主不是單單看人為需要救恩的靈魂—這個當然是最首要、重要的—祂同時是關懷我們整個人的身、心、靈的。對主耶穌而言，事奉非工作而已，乃是以人為重—包括這些不配、只顧肚腹的人！
It is helpful that we also read the parallel passage in Mark 6:45-52 which gives more details and insights in this event.
(1) We know the impact the last miracle had on the people. What might the disciples learn about Who Jesus is and what He can do?
(2) Can you think of any possible reasons why Jesus did not join them right away? (see vv. 22-24)
(3) Did Jesus know in advance that the disciples would face the strong wind?
(4) Why did Jesus choose to join them now by walking on water, and not by simply appearing on the other side of the lake?
(5) What might the disciples learn from this miracle that they might not have from the last one?
(6) Had their hearts not been hardened, how should they have responded to the storm and the sudden appearance of Jesus on the water?
(7) What has this miracle demonstrated to you? How can you apply it to your life?
(8) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
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。
請參閱馬可福音6:45-52較詳細的記載：
(1) 我們讀到加利利人對五餅二魚神蹟的反應，至於門徒，他們應對耶穌是誰和祂的大能有什麼體會？
(2) 此事之後，你認為耶穌不跟門徒一起渡海的原因是什麼？(見6:22-24)
(3) 耶穌是否早知門徒會遇大風浪？
(4) 為何耶穌不在彼岸出現等待他們，而選擇在海上行到他們那裡？
(5) 門徒從這次的神蹟，領會到什麼是與五餅二魚神蹟不同的呢？
(6) 門徒本該怎樣對這次的風浪和耶穌履海作出回應？
(7) 這次的神蹟使你對耶穌有什麼認識？
(8) 今日你得到的主要提醒是什麼？你會怎樣應用在你的生命中？
“But He said to them, ‘It is I; don’t be afraid.’”(Jn. 6:20)
While we are reading chapter after chapter in the Gospel of John that Jesus kept performing one miracle after another, we are amazed and therefore are a little puzzled as to why Mark could still describe the disciples’ hearts as hardened (Mk. 6:52). In particular, Mark remarks that the disciples “had not understood the loaves”.
However, if we examine our hearts, we too have experienced God’s answers to our prayers time after time and often the timing and the manner of them could only be described as miraculous. Yet, when we face a new challenge in faith, we are just as afraid and terrified as before. It seems we have to start from scratch and re-learn putting our trust in God.
Part of the problem of the disciples was not unlike that of the Israelites in the wilderness: Too many miracles had taken away the “awe” factor. So when they had to face a prolonged time of trial or crisis, they turned the need to exercise their faith into fear and even complaint.
What the disciples should have understood from the miracle of the loaves was not so much Jesus' ability to perform miracles, but rather who He is — He is none other than the Creator God. This appears to be what they have now learned from this latest miracle, for they “worshiped Him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God’” (Matt. 14:33).
The next time we come across our trial of faith, let’s learn to focus not so much on instant miraculous deliverances, but on who Jesus is — the Creator God who says to us, “It is I”, because in every storm of life, He is still there with us.
「耶穌對他們說：是我，不要怕！」(約6:20)
約翰福音不斷的記載主耶穌所行各樣的神蹟奇事，這些都是門徒親眼目睹的。奇怪的是，馬可卻說他們「心裡還是愚頑」，連耶穌分餅的神蹟，「他們不明白」(可6:52) 。
不過，如果我們稍自內心省察，我們也得承認：雖然我們屢屢經歷了神答應我們的禱告，有時甚至是神蹟性的為我們彰顯祂的大能，但當我們遇到新的挑戰、新的難處時，我們立時照樣的驚惶失措，需要從頭學習信靠神。
門徒信心的愚頑，其實與在曠野的以色列人有點相似。就是所見的神蹟奇事太多了，以至失去了對神的大能的「驚奇感」，以為神蹟是必然的。故此，每當遇到神沒有立時為我們解決難處時，我們不曉得運用信心，只得警惶、甚至埋怨。
其實，門徒經歷到分餅的神蹟，不是單領會到耶穌是能行神蹟的，更應該領會到祂是誰—祂是創造天地的神。看來，這個領會要等到耶穌履海、並平靜風浪時，他們才得到，以至立時「拜他，說：祢真是神的兒子了」(太14:33)
故此，當我們再遇到信心試驗時，讓我們學習不要看重立時性的神蹟奇事，乃要緊記耶穌是誰—祂是那位對我們說： “是我，不要怕” 的創造天地的神，因為在人生每一個風浪中，祂仍與我們同在！
(1) Why did the crowd pursue Jesus so relentlessly? (6:15, 26)
(2) We understand that the crowd that followed Jesus was in general quite poor. Was Jesus being too harsh on them?
(3) What other perishable things do people pursue or work for other than food?
(4) Why are people not interested in “food that endures to eternal life”?
(5) What is the
significance of v. 27 when it comes to:
a. Our sharing of the gospel with others?
b. Our own focus of life?
(6) It is Jesus who led the crowd to think in terms of “work” (v. 27).
a. Why then does He equate “faith” with “work”?
b. What is the important message He conveys?
(7) These people had already seen and personally tasted of the miracle of bread and fish.
a. How could they still ask for a “miraculous sign”?
b. From what they said in v. 31 (referring to manna from heaven), what kind of a miracle were they hoping to see that qualified as a “miraculous sign”?
c. Why was manna not the “true bread of heaven”?
(8) What is “the true bread of heaven”? (v. 32) How does “it” differ from manna? (v. 33)
(9) It is obvious that the people still did not get it (v. 34). According to Jesus,
a. Who will be the ones who will believe in Him? (v. 37)
b. How does v.39 speak to the “eternal security” of all believers?
c. What will happen to all who die believing in Jesus Christ? (v. 40)
(10) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
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。
(2) 群眾為何千辛萬苦來找耶穌？(6:15, 26)
(3) 我們知道這群眾一般是較貧窮的，為何主耶穌這樣苛責他們？
(4) 今天世人在追求吃的以外，還在追尋什麼沒有永恆價值、會過去的東西？
(5) 為何他們似乎對「存到永生的食物」不感興趣？
(6) 6:27這句話，對我們在傳福音時當有什麼提醒？對我們自己生命的焦點又應有什麼提醒？
(7) 是主耶穌先提到「勞力」的：
a. 為何祂把「神的工」與「信」相提並論？
b. 這信息的總意是什麼？
(8) 群眾既已目睹、親嘗餅與魚的神蹟：
a. 為何還要看神蹟？
b. 他們提到曠野的嗎哪，表明他們要再看到什麼，才算是「天上來的神蹟」？
(9) 耶穌指出什麼才是「天上來的糧」(6:35) ？與瑪哪有什麼分別？
(10) 從群眾在6:34的回應，他們明顯尚不明日耶穌的話：
a. 始終惟有那些人才會相信祂？(6:37)
b. 6:39的話怎樣保證我們相信的人得救恩？
c. 信的人要得的是什麼救恩？(6:40)
(11) 今日你得到的主要提醒是什麼？你會怎樣應用在你的生命中？
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.” (KJV) (Jn. 6:26)
The crowd that relentlessly pursued Jesus for the wrong motive is hardly unique. Even today, churches are full of professing Christians who pursue Christ for the wrong reasons. Allow me to share with you the insight of John Calvin in this respect:
“On the contrary, they expect nothing greater from Him than to live happily and at ease in this world. This is to rob Christ of His chief power; for the reason why He was given by the Father and (He) revealed Himself to men is, that He may form them anew after the image of God by giving them His Holy Spirit, and that He may conduct them to eternal life by clothing them with His righteousness.
“It is of great importance, therefore, what we keep in view in the miracles of Christ; for he who does not aspire to the kingdom of God, but rests satisfied with the conveniences of the present life, seeks nothing else than to fill his belly. In like manner, there are many persons in the present day who would gladly embrace the gospel, if it were free from the bitterness of the cross, and if it brought nothing but carnal pleasures. Nay, we see many who make a Christian profession, that they may live in greater gaiety and with less restraint. Some through the expectation of gain, others through fear, and others for the sake of those whom they wish to please, profess to be the disciples of Christ. In seeking Christ, therefore, the chief point is, to despise the world and seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, (Matt. 6:33.) Besides, as men very generally impose on themselves, and persuade themselves that they are seeking Christ in the best manner, while they debase the whole of His power, for this reason Christ, in His usual manner, doubles the word verily, as if by the oath He intended to bring to light the vice which lurks under our hypocrisy.” (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol. XVII, 240)
Food for thought!
「耶穌回答說：我實實在在的告訴你們，你們找我，並不是因見了神蹟，乃是因吃餅得飽。」(約6:26)
這千辛萬苦也要找著耶穌的群眾，他們錯誤的動機並非他們獨有的。今天在教會中有不少自稱信主的人，也是帶著錯誤的動機來作基督徒的。容許我與你分享加爾文在這方面的提醒：
“相反地，這些人所期望的無非是在世上活得快樂、安舒。這樣一來，他們剝奪了基督首要的大能：這正是祂被父神所差，向人顯現的原因；就是藉著賜聖靈給他們，使他們重新被造成神的形像，更給他們穿上祂的公義而進入永生。
所以我們怎樣看基督所行的神蹟是重要的。那等人不盼望神的國度，只安於今生的無慮，只為肚腹而活。照樣，今天許多人欣然接受福音，只要不用經歷十字架的痛苦，又能帶來肉體的歡樂就夠了。所以我們看到許多人自稱為基督徒，要活得有更大的歡樂，更少的不便。也有人自稱是基督的門徒，希望得利、或出於懼怕、或為討別人的喜悅。然而，人要尋著基督，重點在乎厭棄這世界，而「先求神的國和祂的義」(太6:33) 。還有，人往往自己欺騙自己，以為已盡己能尋找基督，並不自覺基督的大能已被他們衰減至零。因此，祂照常鄭重的說：「我實實在在的告訴你們」，意思是要把我們偽善所隱藏的惡，顯露出來。” (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol. XVII, 240.)
(1) Why did the people not believe that Jesus is the Bread from heaven? (vv. 41-42)
(2) In what way was their doubt justified?
(3) In what way was their doubt not justified? (See Jn. 5:33-47, the 4-fold testimony.)
(4) On what basis did Jesus ask them to stop grumbling?
(5) What was their problem according to Jesus? (v. 45)
(6) In reiterating that He is the Bread of Life that has come down from heaven (vv. 46-51), what else did Jesus ask them to do to “believe” in Him?
(7) Would you have understood what Jesus meant at the time?
(8) What does He really mean in v. 51?
(9) V. 52 suggests that some did believe in Him: It is easy to understand why some of them did not believe. The harder question is “Why would some of them believe?” What do you think?
(10) Jesus went on to explain to them that His flesh and His blood could really be consumed and those who eat and drink of Him will have eternal life and will be raised at the last day. As hard to understand as it was, if they were sincere in searching for the truth, what question should they ask? What question(s) would you have asked?
(11) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
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) 為何群眾不相信耶穌是「從天上降下來的糧」？(6:41-42)
(2) 他們的不信，在理性上有何根據？
(3) 他們的不信忽略了什麼？(參5:33-47)
(4) 主耶穌叫他們不再議論的原委是什麼？
(5) 主耶穌在6:45指出他們的問題出在什麼地方？
(6) 在6:46-51這段話中，主耶穌除再重申祂是生命的糧外，更要求他們作什麼？
(7) 如果你是群眾之一，你會明白耶穌這番話嗎？
(8) 耶穌在6:51所說的，其真義是什麼？
(9) 6:52顯示他們中間是有不相信的(這是可以理解的) ，但也有相信的：你認為為何會有相信祂的呢？
(10) 耶穌說：「我的肉真是可吃的，我的血真是可喝的」(6:55) 。雖然這話當時確是難明，但若他們是真心的尋求，當有什麼態度？當問什麼問題？
(11) 今日你得到的主要提醒是什麼？你會怎樣應用在你的生命中？
“Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life.” (Jn. 6:47-48)
I have to admit if I were in the crowd listening to the word of Jesus, I would be totally bewildered, because I would have taken His “Bread of Life” as a metaphor only. Yet, Jesus insisted that His flesh is real food and His blood is real drink (v. 55). Indeed, I would be totally confused. That is why I do not blame those who had doubts and started to grumble. The more interesting question is why some of them believed; this is what v. 52 suggests and this is an important lesson that we should learn. It is this: If we do not understand the meaning of the Word of God, that does not negate its truthfulness a bit. The problem lies with us and not the truthfulness of the Scriptures.
Of course, after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, what Jesus said here all makes perfect sense, and with the words He spoke in instituting the Lord’s Supper, it becomes crystal clear that His bodily death on the cross atoned for our sin and death; His blood so shed cleanses us of all our inequities. By believing in Him, His resurrected life now comes into our life which is eternal life. What’s more, His resurrection guarantees our being raised from the dead on the last day!
However, this had to be a total mystery to the hearers on that day inside the synagogue in Capernaum. Yet, some chose to believe, but not without cause. They believed in what Jesus said earlier in 5:33-47—the four-fold testimony that has born witness to Jesus Christ, namely the testimony of John the Baptist (5:33-35), the many miracles that Jesus has already performed (5:36), the testimony of the Father not only in empowering Him, but in descending upon Him with His Spirt at Jesus’ baptism (5:37), and “the Scriptures that testify about” Him (5:39).
These testimonies were enough for them to believe in Him though they may not understand the meaning of some of His words; that does not negate His truthfulness one bit.
「我實實在在的告訴你們，信的人有永生。我就是生命的糧。」(約6:47-48)
我得承認，如果我是在當日聽主耶穌論到祂是生命的糧的群眾中，我一定會感到困惑，因為我會以為「生命的糧」只是個喻意。但跟著聽到耶穌卻肯定的說：「我的肉真是可吃的，我的血真是可喝的」(6:55) ，我不感到困惑才怪。所以，我不敢怪責群眾的懷疑與議論；反而希奇為何其中有人接受主耶穌的話，並相信祂。這些相信的人給我們一個重要的提醒，就是若然我們不明白聖經所說的，這並不反映聖經是不真實的，而是顯出我們所知的有限。
當然，在耶穌受死而復活之後，加上祂在設立聖餐時所說的，我們就清楚明白祂說這樣的話了。祂誠然在肉身上擔負了我們的罪而死在十字架上，成全了贖價。祂在十字架上流出的寶血更洗淨了我們的罪，使凡信祂的人，藉著祂的復活得永生。不但如此，凡在基督裡死了的人都要在末日復活。
這道理對當時在迦百農會堂裡聽道的人，確是一個奧秘；然而有人接受與相信，這並非無因的。這些人早已因耶穌所講論的「四重見證」(5:33-47) —就是施洗約翰所作的見證(5: 33-35) 、耶穌所行眾多的神蹟(5:36) 、父神所作的見證，特別在祂的受洗時聖靈的降臨和從天上所發的聲音(5:37)，加上聖經所作的見證(5:40) —他們已篤信不疑了。
這些有力的見證，已足夠叫他們相信耶穌和祂一切的說話。故此，就是有不立時明白的地方，這些絕不反映祂話語是不真實的，而是顯出他們所知的有限。
(1) Some of the disciples were grumbling too.
a. Since they were “disciples”, shouldn’t their attitude be different from the people?
b. As hard as Jesus’ teaching was, how should they approach it?
(2) As much as the teaching was hard, why would they be “offended”? In what ways might they be offended?
(3) What did Jesus say was their problem? (v. 62)
(4) If the Spirit gives life and the flesh counts for nothing (v. 63), how then should this principle be applied to the real eating of His flesh and the real drinking of His blood?
(5) What ultimately determines whether someone will believe in Christ or not? (v. 65)
(6) Vv. 66-67 are some of the saddest verses in the Bible.
a. What could Jesus have done to prevent it?
b. Why didn’t He?
(7) What is your answer to v. 67?
(8) What is the reason for your answer?
(9) Is it the same as Peter’s? Why or why not?
(10) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
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) 連主耶穌的門徒也在議論(grumbled)：
a. 既是門徒，他們對主耶穌的態度不是該與群眾有別嗎？
b. 雖是難明，為何說是「難聽」呢？
(2) 就是難聽，為何會生「厭棄」？他們出了什麼問題？
(3) 主耶穌在6:62暗示他們在什麼地方上出了問題？
(4) 既然「叫人活著的乃是靈，肉體是無益的」(6:63)：這原則當怎樣應用在：「我的肉真是可吃的，我的血真是可喝的」(6:55) 這句話上？
(5) 一個人信主與否，至終是在乎什麼？(6:65)
(6) 6:66-67是聖經中最令人感到傷感的話之一：
a. 耶穌可作什麼來扭轉這情況？
b. 為何祂卻只問而不動？
(7) 你對6:67的回答是什麼？
(8) 你的答案的原委是什麼？
(9) 與彼得的原委相同嗎？為什麼？
(10) 今日你得到的主要提醒是什麼？你會怎樣應用在你的生命中？
“You do not want to leave too, do you?” (Jn. 6:67)
John 6:66-67 contains one of the saddest words in the Bible as many of Jesus’ disciples made a conscious decision to turn away and no longer followed Him. Jesus then turned to the “Twelve”, His closest followers, and asked, “You do not want to leave too, do you”? These words carried a deep sense of grief and disappointment.
Leon
Morris is right in implying that this had to happen, true disciples were sifted
from the false:
“Many attached themselves to Him, some of them wholeheartedly, some very loosely. But then came a time when their allegiance was tested…it was the part they could understand rather than the part they could not that bothered them.” (NICNT, John, 338).
William Barclay points out that the Greek word for “hard” means not “hard to understand, but hard to accept”:
“The disciples knew quite well that Jesus had been claiming to be the very life of God come down from heaven, and that no one could live this life or face eternity without submitting to Him.
“Here we come upon a truth that re-emerges in every age. Time and again it is not the intellectual difficulty which keeps men from becoming Christians; it is the height of Christ’s moral demand. At the heart of all religion there must be mystery, for the simple reason that at that heart there is God. In the nature of things man cannot ever fully understand God. Any honest thinker will accept that there must be mystery.
“The real difficulty of Christianity is two-fold. It demands an act of surrender to Christ, an acceptance of Him as the final authority; and it demands a moral standard of the highest level. The disciples were well aware that Jesus had claimed to be the very life and mind of God come down to earth; their difficulty was to accept that as true, with all its implications. To this day many a man refuses Christ, not because He puzzles the intellect, but because He challenges his life.”
(The Daily Study Bible Series, John Vol. 1, 226-7)
「耶穌就對那十二個門徒說：你們也要去嗎？」(約6:67)
約翰福音6:66-67可以算是聖經中叫人最傷感的話語之一。許多主耶穌的門徒作出刻意的決定：退出不再跟從祂。就在這時刻，主耶穌轉向最親近祂的十二個門徒，說：「你們也要去嗎？」這句話含著無限的憂傷。
解經家Leon Morris說得對，在那情境，主耶穌必須發出這問題，就是要將真門徒與假門徒分辨出來：“很多人附從祂；有些是全心全意的；有些是把持不定的。但時候將到，他們的真誠要受到考驗……困惑他們的不是他們不明白的，乃是他們能明白的。” (NICNT, John, 338)
William Barclay也指出，6:60的「難」字，原文不是指難於明白，乃是難於接受：
“門徒深知耶穌自稱是從天上來的神的生命。故此，除非向祂歸降，否則沒人能有這生命、或面對永恆。
在此我們面對的是每個世代都要面對的真理。攔阻人作基督徒的往往不是理性的問題，而是基督極高的道德標準要求。每個宗教的核心總有奧秘，因為其核心就是神。因事物的本性，人是不能完全明白神的。每一個誠實的思想家都承認有奧秘的存在。
基督教真正的困難有兩方面：它要求對基督的降服—接受祂為最終的權威；也要求最高的道德標準。門徒深知耶穌自稱是從天降世的神的生命和意旨；他們的困難在於是否認定耶穌的自稱為真理，並接受這真理所附帶的一切。就是到今天，許多人拒絕基督，不是因祂困擾他們的理性，乃是因祂挑戰他們的生命。” (The Daily Study Bible Series, John Vol. 1, 226-7)