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第二章

10 但神卻藉著聖靈把這些向我們顯明了，因為聖靈測透萬事，連神深奧的事也測透了。 11 除了在人裡面的靈，誰能知道人的事呢？同樣，除了神的靈，也沒有人知道神的事。 12 我們所領受的，不是這世界的靈，而是從神來的靈，使我們能知道神開恩賜給我們的事。 13 我們也講這些事，不是用人的智慧所教的言語，而是用聖靈所教的言語，向屬靈的人解釋屬靈的事。 14 然而屬血氣的人不接受神的靈的事，因為他以為是愚笨的；而且他也不能夠明白，因為這些事，要有屬靈的眼光才能領悟。 15 屬靈的人能看透萬事，卻沒有人能看透他， 16 如經上所記：“誰曾知道主的心意，能夠指教他呢？”但我們已經得著基督的心意了。

 

默想

1. 在我的身邊是否有些非基督徒，他們不認識神，拒絕神的信息？不管他們是何等聰明，都難以明白基督的救恩，反而認為我跟隨基督這個決定，是很不明智的做法。
2. 我怎樣面對這些家人或親友？將心中的想法與感受告訴神。

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在“靈程筆記”簿上面。

 

CHAPTER 2

¹⁰ these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. ¹¹ For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. ¹² What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. ¹³ This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. ¹⁴ The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. ¹⁵ The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, ¹⁶ for,

“Who has known the mind of the Lord
so as to instruct him?”

But we have the mind of Christ.

 

MEDITATION

1. Are there some non-Christians around me who don’t know God and refuse God’s message?  No matter how smart they are, it’s difficult for them to understand the meaning of Christ’s salvation.  They may often think my decision to follow Christ is foolish.
2. How do I face these people, especially my family and relatives?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.

第一章

20 智慧人在哪裡？經學家在哪裡？今世的辯士在哪裡？神不是使屬世的智慧變成了愚笨嗎？ 21 因為在神的智慧裡，世人憑自己的智慧，既然不能認識神，神就樂意藉著所傳的愚笨的道理，去拯救那些信的人。22 猶太人要求神蹟，希臘人尋找智慧，23 我們卻傳揚釘十字架的基督；在猶太人看來是絆腳石，在外族人看來是愚笨的，24 但對那些蒙召的人，不論是猶太人或希臘人，基督是神的能力，神的智慧。 25 因為神的愚笨總比人智慧，神的軟弱總比人剛強。 26 弟兄們，你們想想，你們這些蒙召的，按人來看有智慧的不多，有權勢的不多，出身尊貴的也不多。 27 但是神卻揀選了世上愚笨的，使那些有智慧的羞愧。他也揀選了世上軟弱的，使那些剛強的羞愧。 28 他也揀選了世上卑賤的和被人輕視的，以及算不得甚麼的，為了要廢棄那些自以為是的， 29使所有的人在神面前都不能自誇。 30 你們因著神得以在基督耶穌裡，他使基督成了我們的智慧；就是公義、聖潔和救贖， 31 正如經上所說的：“誇口的應當靠著主誇口。”

 

默想

1. 當我想到有權、有勢的成功人士時，那是怎樣形像的人？這樣的想法對我跟隨主的心態有衝突嗎？我會將世上的智慧和神的智慧混淆起來嗎？
2. 我是否曾經體驗過，神使用軟弱的、低微的、被輕視的人，來完成祂的救恩計劃？

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在“靈程筆記”簿上面。

 

CHAPTER 1

 ²⁰Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. ²²Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, ²³but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, ²⁴but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

²⁶Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. ²⁷But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, ²⁹so that no one may boast before him. ³⁰It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. ³¹Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

 

MEDITATION

1. What pictures come to mind when thinking about powerful, successful people?  How do these ideas sometimes conflict with following Christ?  How have I confused the world’s wisdom with God’s wisdom?
2. Have I witnessed a situation where God used the weak, lowly, and despised to fulfil his plan of salvation?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.

第二十四章

13 正當那日，門徒中有兩個人往一個村子去；這村子名叫以馬忤斯，離耶路撒冷約有二十五里。 14 他們彼此談論所遇見的這一切事。 15 正談論相問的時候，耶穌親自就近他們，和他們同行； 16 只是他們的眼睛迷糊了，不認識他。 17 耶穌對他們說：「你們走路彼此談論的是甚麼事呢？」他們就站住，臉上帶著愁容。 18 二人中有一個名叫革流巴的回答說：「你在耶路撒冷作客，還不知道這幾天在那裏所出的事嗎？」 19 耶穌說：「甚麼事呢？」他們說：「就是拿撒勒人耶穌的事。…………

25 耶穌對他們說：「無知的人哪，先知所說的一切話，你們的心信得太遲鈍了。 26 基督這樣受害，又進入他的榮耀，豈不是應當的嗎？」 27 於是從摩西和眾先知起，凡經上所指著自己的話都給他們講解明白了。 28 將近他們所去的村子，耶穌好像還要往前行， 29 他們卻強留他，說：「時候晚了，日頭已經平西了，請你同我們住下吧！」耶穌就進去，要同他們住下。 30 到了坐席的時候，耶穌拿起餅來，祝謝了，擘開，遞給他們。 31 他們的眼睛明亮了，這才認出他來。忽然耶穌不見了。 32 他們彼此說：「在路上，他和我們說話，給我們講解聖經的時候，我們的心豈不是火熱的嗎？」

默想：                 

1. 多少次我們懷著破碎的心蹣跚而行，由於意想不到的事情發生，令我們因期望幻滅而痛苦失望。這樣的心情，即使我們所期望的真的出現，也認不出，因我們的心傷痛，我們的盼望破滅。這兩個門徒在耶穌擘開餅祝謝時看見了，破碎的心再度火熱起來。
2. 我們也可能在意想不到的情況下得著所期望的祝福；但神很少在我們期望的時間、地點和方式下出現。他以隱藏的身份來，在風暴最猛，恐懼最深，全然失去盼望時，他就來到；這就是神。沒有各各他（痛苦死亡），就沒有復活；沒有客西馬尼（掙扎黑暗），就沒有自由釋放。
3. 把心中的痛苦，破碎的心靈，破滅的盼望，全都向主說。然後靜候神微小的回答，以及他在我生命中的工作。

 

Luke 24

¹³Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. ¹⁴They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. ¹⁵As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; ¹⁶but they were kept from recognizing him.  ¹⁷He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”  They stood still, their faces downcast. ¹⁸One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?”  ¹⁹“What things?” he asked.  “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. ²⁰The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; ²¹but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. ²²In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning ²³but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. ²⁴Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”  ²⁵He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” ²⁷And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.  ²⁸As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. ²⁹But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.  ³⁰When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. ³¹Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. ³²They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

 

Meditation:

1. How many times have we lurched with broken spirits because the unexpected seized the place of the expected and that with a wrenching disappointment?  In such moods even if what was expected comes to us, we cannot see it.  It is unrecognizable to our pain and our splintered hopes and wishes.  The two disciples saw it when Jesus broke the bread and blessed it.  Their hearts began to burn.
2. So we too can be surprised and blessed by the God who is expected, but rarely appears where and when and how we imagine.  It is God’s way to come cloaked.  It is his way to come when the storm is peaking or fear deepest or when hope is almost gone or, if we are honest, utterly gone.  It has always been his way.  No resurrection without Golgotha.  No freedom without Gethsemane.
3. Tell it all to Jesus, all the heartaches, broken spirit, dashed expectations.  Then, wait quietly for God’s whispering and His hidden cloaked work.

Family Time

Play a game of “Blind man’s buff” in a safe space for 5 min.  Gather everyone in.  Discuss what being blind means.  Ask, “is it also possible even though we can see but sometimes we don’t see the things in front of us?”    That’s what happened to these two disciples.  How did they see finally?  What did they see?  How did they feel then?  What did they do afterward?

第二十三章

26 帶耶穌去的時候，。。。。32 又有兩個犯人，和耶穌一同帶來處死。 33 到了一個地方，名叫「髑髏地」，就在那裏把耶穌釘在十字架上，又釘了兩個犯人：一個在左邊，一個在右邊。 34 當下耶穌說：「父啊！赦免他們；因為他們所做的，他們不曉得。」兵丁就拈鬮分他的衣服。 35 百姓站在那裏觀看。官府也嗤笑他，說：「他救了別人；他若是基督，　神所揀選的，可以救自己吧！」 36 兵丁也戲弄他，上前拿醋送給他喝， 37 說：「你若是猶太人的王，可以救自己吧！」 38 在耶穌以上有一個牌子（有古卷加：用希臘、羅馬、希伯來的文字）寫著：「這是猶太人的王。」 39 那同釘的兩個犯人有一個譏笑他，說：「你不是基督嗎？可以救自己和我們吧！」 40 那一個就應聲責備他，說：「你既是一樣受刑的，還不怕　神嗎？ 41 我們是應該的，因我們所受的與我們所做的相稱，但這個人沒有做過一件不好的事。」 42 就說：「耶穌啊，你得國降臨的時候，求你記念我！」 43 耶穌對他說：「我實在告訴你，今日你要同我在樂園裏了。」

默想：

1. 耶穌在十字架上，承受無比的痛苦；跟隨基督的道路就是十字架的道路，必須準備受苦和捨命，正如耶穌一樣。我害怕嗎？我仍會走下去嗎？
2. 耶穌臨死時的禱告，求神赦免那些把他置於死地的人──猶太領袖們、羅馬的政客和軍人、圍觀的人。其實，我對主的態度有時也和那些人一樣，頂撞、背逆、忽略、甚至厭棄；因此，我也同樣地參與在將耶穌致於死地的群眾中，而耶穌的禱告也包括了赦免我這個罪人。
3. 繼續默想這個意念，向神獻上感恩的禱告。

 

Luke 23

²⁶As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. ²⁷A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. ²⁸Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. ²⁹For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ ³⁰Then ” ‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” ‘ ³¹For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”  ³²Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. ³³When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. ³⁴Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.  ³⁵The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.”  ³⁶The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar ³⁷and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”  ³⁸There was a written notice above him, which read:|sc THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.  ³⁹One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”  ⁴⁰But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? ⁴¹We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”  ⁴²Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  ⁴³Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Meditation:

1. Jesus bore much suffering on the cross.  The road to follow Christ is one of the cross.  We must be prepared to suffer and even to die just as Jesus did.  Am I afraid?  Will I continue to go on this road?
2. Just before his death, Jesus prayed and asked God to forgive those who crucified Him.  Come to think of it, isn’t my attitude toward Jesus similar to those people that day, rebellious, neglecting, even rejecting Him?  Indeed, I was among the crowd putting Jesus to death.  So, Jesus’ prayer has included forgiveness for me, the sinner.
3. Continue to meditate on this thought.  Afterward, offer a prayer of thanksgiving to God.

Family Time

While on the cross, Jesus made several statements.  Here Jesus asked forgiveness for those crucifying him.  Discuss what it means to forgive.  Is it possible to forgive and forget?  Which is more difficult: to ask for forgiveness or to forgive?  Compare the way God forgives us with the way we forgive others.

 

第二十二章

14 時候到了，耶穌坐席，使徒也和他同坐。 15 耶穌對他們說：「我很願意在受害以先和你們吃這逾越節的筵席。 16 我告訴你們，我不再吃這筵席，直到成就在　神的國裏。」 17 耶穌接過杯來，祝謝了，說：「你們拿這個，大家分著喝。 18 我告訴你們，從今以後，我不再喝這葡萄汁，直等　神的國來到。」 19 又拿起餅來，祝謝了，就擘開，遞給他們，說：「這是我的身體，為你們捨的，你們也應當如此行，為的是記念我。」 20 飯後也照樣拿起杯來，說：「這杯是用我血所立的新約，是為你們流出來的。 21 看哪，那賣我之人的手與我一同在桌子上。 22 人子固然要照所預定的去世，但賣人子的人有禍了！」 23 他們就彼此對問，是哪一個要做這事。

默想：

1. 最後的晚餐中，耶穌的動作包括「拿起、祝謝、擘開、遞給」，人從主那裡領受餅和杯，這就是他的恩典。聖餐是一個紀念，通過聖餐的餅和杯代表耶穌的身體和血，我們再一次回到十字架的腳下。在聖餐禮拜中，我們再次藉著信心，與基督聯合，與他同死並同復活，經歷救恩成就的奇妙時刻。
2. 聖餐對我有什麼意義？每次領聖餐時，我都在想些什麼？
3. 禱告：主啊，赦免我的罪，我常忽略你說的話，沒有遵從你的吩咐。當我舉杯、擘餅的時候，經常對你的受死無動於衷。主啊，感謝你奇妙的大愛；你為我所出了極重的代價，使我獲得自由。我感謝你！

 

Luke 22

¹⁴When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. ¹⁵And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. ¹⁶For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”  ¹⁷After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. ¹⁸For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”  ¹⁹And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”  ²⁰In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. ²¹But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. ²²The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him.” ²³They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.

Meditation:

1. The actions of the Lord’s Supper – taking, giving thanks, breaking, and giving – are actions that those who eat the meal receive from the Lord as gifts of grace.  Communion is a memorial, a remembrance.  It’s an experience as we return, through the bread and cup that represent the body and blood of Jesus, to the foot of the cross.  In the communion service we are united with Christ through faith to share His death and His resurrection and to experience the awesome moment when our salvation was accomplished.
2. What does sharing in Communion mean to me?  What do I think about during communion?
3. Prayer:  Oh, Lord, forgive me for I have often neglected your word and didn’t obey your commands.  When I participate in the communion, I was unmoved by your death.  Thank you, Jesus, for your wonderful love.  You paid a terrific price for my freedom.

 

Family Time

The Lord’s Supper is a central moment in Christian worship.  Ask the family to tell what taking the Lord’s Supper means personally.  Explain the meaning of “bread” and “cup”.  Sing hymns about Jesus death and resurrection.  Plan a time when the family can celebrate the supper together.  Testify to one another about the meaning of this worship service.

第二十一章

25 「日、月、星辰要顯出異兆，地上的邦國也有困苦；因海中波浪的響聲，就慌慌不定。 26 天勢都要震動，人想起那將要臨到世界的事，就都嚇得魂不附體。 27 那時，他們要看見人子有能力，有大榮耀駕雲降臨。 28 一有這些事，你們就當挺身昂首，因為你們得贖的日子近了。」
29-30 耶穌又設比喻對他們說：「你們看無花果樹和各樣的樹；它發芽的時候，你們一看見，自然曉得夏天近了。 31 這樣，你們看見這些事漸漸地成就，也該曉得　神的國近了。 32 我實在告訴你們，這世代還沒有過去，這些事都要成就。 33 天地要廢去，我的話卻不能廢去。」
34 「你們要謹慎，恐怕因貪食、醉酒，並今生的思慮累住你們的心，那日子就如同網羅忽然臨到你們； 35 因為那日子要這樣臨到全地上一切居住的人。 36 你們要時時警醒，常常祈求，使你們能逃避這一切要來的事，得以站立在人子面前。」 37 耶穌每日在殿裏教訓人，每夜出城在一座山，名叫橄欖山住宿。 38 眾百姓清早上聖殿，到耶穌那裏，要聽他講道。

默想：

1. 耶穌列出了即將來臨的逼迫以及自然災害，他要門徒們不要害怕，因為當這些事情發生時，他們就知道彌賽亞回來的時間近了，到那時，他將以公義與和平統治全地。
2. 耶穌又警告門徒，要時常警醒等候他回來；雖然耶穌說這些話以後已經過了差不多二千年，但這些真理仍然不變；耶穌必要回來，信徒應當警醒準備迎接他，忠心完成神的托負，不要沉迷於吃喝玩樂，也不要被生活的憂慮所壓傷。
3. 面對近年來層出不窮的天災人禍，經濟危機，政治混亂，我是否滿有信心地期盼基督的回來？或是因這世界不斷快速發生的驚人變化而害怕驚恐？我是否真的相信耶穌基督就快回來？我的日常生活，飲食娛樂，生活形態等，表現出我對“耶穌再來”的信心有多少？若是真心相信，我應當有哪些改變及調整？

Luke 21

²⁵“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. ²⁶Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. ²⁷At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. ²⁸When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”  ²⁹He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. ³⁰When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. ³¹Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.  ³²“I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. ³³Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.  ³⁴“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. ³⁵For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

Meditation:

1. Jesus recites a list of persecutions and disasters that are to come.  Then he said,”stand up and lift up your heads (ie.  don’t be frightened)” because this means that Messiah is coming back soon.  He will rule the earth with righteousness and peace.
2. Jesus told his disciples to be alert to wait for His coming back.  Though it’s been 2,000 years, it’s still true, He is coming soon.  We need to be prepared to welcome Him, to accomplish His commands faithfully and not get lost in drinking, eating and entertainment.  Nor should we be crushed under the heavy weight of worries for our lives.
3. What do the numerous disasters in recent years have to do with Jesus’ words in this passage?  Am I waiting for Christ’s return with hope and anticipation?  Or am I afraid of what’s happening in the world?  If I truly believe that Christ is coming back soon, what does this fact change my daily life?  God, please help me to be alert in preparation for your return.

 

Family Time

Name some of the big happenings in the world this year, (tsunami, earthquake, war, famine, etc.)  What does Jesus tell his disciples what would happen Jesus comes back again?  He wants his disciples to be alert and to prepare for his coming.  What do you think of Jesus’ coming?  What should you do to prepare for Jesus’ coming again?  Is there anything you want to do so that you may be prepared for Jesus?  (Parents, be sensitive to your children’s reaction.  In needed, talk to them individually and lead them in salvation prayer if appropriate.)

 

第二十章

19 文士和祭司長看出這比喻是指著他們說的，當時就想要下手拿他，只是懼怕百姓。 20 於是窺探耶穌，打發奸細裝作好人，要在他的話上得把柄，好將他交在巡撫的政權之下。 21 奸細就問耶穌說：「夫子，我們曉得你所講所傳都是正道，也不取人的外貌，乃是誠誠實實傳　神的道。 22 我們納稅給凱撒，可以不可以？」 23 耶穌看出他們的詭詐，就對他們說： 24 「拿一個銀錢來給我看。這像和這號是誰的？」他們說：「是凱撒的。」 25 耶穌說：「這樣，凱撒的物當歸給凱撒，　神的物當歸給　神。」 26 他們當著百姓，在這話上得不著把柄，又希奇他的應對，就閉口無言了。

默想：

1. 耶穌在此說明雖然國家的要求和神的要求並不一樣，我們是可以同時滿足兩者要求的；但這並不是說服從其中一方，就等於服從另一方。因為耶穌時代的信徒在這事件之後不久，就要面對“若是他順從神，他就不能再順從羅馬帝國的君王”。初期教會也與當時宗教領袖對抗：“順從神不順從人是應當的”（徒5：29）。
2. 在對國家的納稅要求上，和對神的教會奉獻，及其他慈善捐獻上，我是怎樣順從或是不順從神的命令？
3. 在將我自己奉獻給神的事上，比照稅率的計算，我是15%，30%， 50% 或是100%的捐獻自己給神？

Luke 20

¹⁹The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people. ²⁰Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. ²¹So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. ²²Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”  ²³He saw through their duplicity and said to them, ²⁴“Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?”  ²⁵“Caesar’s,” they replied.   He said to them, “Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”  ²⁶They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.

Meditation:

1. Jesus explained here that the demands of the state and the demands of God are not the same.  He suggests it is possible to meet both at the same time, but he never suggests that obeying one is exactly the same as obeying the other.  In fact, very soon, obedience to God would mean disobedience to the Roman emperor.  The early church has defied the Jewish authorities, “We must obey God rather than any human authority” (Acts 5:29).
2. On the demand of the state of personal income tax, and the demand of tithing and offering for God’s church, how obedient am I?
3. In giving myself to God, am I in the 15%, 30%, 50% or 100% “tax bracket”?

 

Family Time

Jesus was constantly being challenged by the teachers of the law and the chief priests.  Their question on paying taxes to Caesar was another attempt to trap Jesus so they could discredit him in front of the people.  Discuss as a family the meaning of Jesus’ answer.  How do people make fun of you?  What can be done about it in the spirit of Jesus?

 

第十九章

45 耶穌進了殿，趕出裏頭做買賣的人， 46 對他們說：「經上說：我的殿必作禱告的殿，你們倒使它成為賊窩了。」 47 耶穌天天在殿裏教訓人。祭司長和文士與百姓的尊長都想要殺他， 48 但尋不出法子來，因為百姓都側耳聽他。

默想：

1. 我們的教會是許多有意義的事情之中心，但禱告是否教會中最重要關注的事，或僅僅是額外的點綴，聚會的“序曲”？在我們教會裡聚會的信徒，他們是以禱告為信仰生活的核心嗎？新約中信徒就是神的殿，我們就是禱告之殿。但有多少時候我們真正地成為禱告的殿呢？我心裡是否仍在盤算買賣交易、未完成的工作、家中不能解決的糾紛？耶穌非常看重神的殿應當是禱告的地方，若是沒有與父神親密的相交，做任何其他的事都不會有果效，失喪的不能被尋回，被罪捆綁的不會得釋放。
2. 我是否與耶穌一樣，認為在我肉身這個殿中，禱告真是重要不可缺少？我是否認為禱告是這麼關鍵性，若不禱告，一切的事都會有問題？
3. 我每天都遵照萬民堂的每週的祈禱週誌，為所列事項忠心禱告嗎？若還沒有，這個星期開始，將主日崇拜的秩序單帶回家，每天按著所列事情，為教會，各項事工，信徒需要，以及遠近的宣教士等禱告，使我我成為真實的禱告殿。

Luke 19

⁴⁵Then he entered the temple area and began driving out those who were selling. ⁴⁶“It is written,” he said to them, ” ‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.'”  ⁴⁷Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. ⁴⁸Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.

MEDITATION

1. Our churches are centers for many good things, but is prayer an overriding concern or simply a nice extra?  Is it the heart and soul of the body of believers who meet here?  It is the people who are the temple of God in the New Testament; it is us who are the house of prayer.  But how much of a house of prayer are we?  Are we full of buying and selling?  Are we a place where spiritual greed, theft, and religious sleight of hand are firmly lodged?  Jesus thought it very important.  Perhaps he felt without that communion with God the Father nothing else would ever make any difference, the lost would never be found, those enslaved would never be freed.
2. Do I share that same passion for prayer in my body, the temple of God?  Do I believe it is so critical, so essential that everything else is at risk without it?
3. Do I pray faithfully according to the PGC prayer calendar?  If not, then starting from this week, always remember to bring the Sunday Worship Bulletin home.  Use the Weekly Prayer Guide to pray for our church, the different ministries, people’s needs, missionaries, and other matters.  May I become a true “house of prayer”.

 

Family Time

V38 is a hymn of praise to God originally found in Psalm 118:26.  Let each family member choose a favorite hymn of praise and explain why it is his or her favorite hymn.  Sing one verse of each hymn.  Close your family worship with sentence prayers that thank God for who he is.

 

第十八章

9 耶穌向那些仗著自己是義人，藐視別人的，設一個比喻， 10 說：「有兩個人上殿裏去禱告：一個是法利賽人，一個是稅吏。 11 法利賽人站著，自言自語地禱告說：『　神啊，我感謝你，我不像別人勒索、不義、姦淫，也不像這個稅吏。』 12 我一個禮拜禁食兩次，凡我所得的都捐上十分之一。』 13 那稅吏遠遠地站著，連舉目望天也不敢，只捶著胸說：『　神啊，開恩可憐我這個罪人！』 14 我告訴你們，這人回家去比那人倒算為義了；因為，凡自高的，必降為卑；自卑的，必升為高。」

默想：

1. 那法利賽人到聖殿去不是為了要向神禱告，而是要向周圍的人表揚自己的善行與美德；而稅吏去，是為認罪，並求憐憫。我的禱告，比較像哪個人的禱告？
2. 真正的悔改不是來自我們自己，而是神的賜予，給一切向他祈求的人。我們不斷地以稅吏的禱告（13節）向神呼求，懇求神賜下悔改的恩典，這是流著眼淚的禱告；會帶領我們得到神所賜的赦免、潔凈、與醫治。
3. 稅吏的禱告，就是本書第2頁底“五個簡短禱告”的第二個（主耶穌，求你可憐我），在過去的操練中，有什麼體驗？
4. 在今日結束禱告時，以及一日中的任何時間，都可以重覆用這短禱向神懇求悔改的恩典。

Luke 18

⁹To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: ¹⁰“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. ¹²I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’  ¹³“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’  ¹⁴“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

MEDITATION

1. This Pharisee went to the temple not to pray to God but to show off his own good conduct.  On the other hand, the tax collector went to confess and to ask for mercy.  Which person’s prayer is more like my prayer?
2. Repentance does not happen on our own.  It is a gift from God and He delights to give to all who ask.  We pray this sinner’s prayer constantly to ask for the grace of repentance.  This is the prayer of tears.  It will lead us to receive God’s gift of forgiveness, cleansing and healing.
3. The sinner’s prayer “Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner.”  This is the second short prayer of the five that we’ve been practicing (p2).  In my regular practicing of this prayer, what have I experienced?
4. To conclude the QT today, pray this short prayer repeatedly.  Practice to pray this prayer often for a spirit of repentance in my heart.

 

Family Time

Compare the attitude of the Pharisee with the attitude of the tax collector?  Why did God accept the “bad” tax collector rather than the “good” Pharisee?  How would people in your church classify your family?  How would Jesus classify you?

 

第十七章

1耶穌又對門徒說：絆倒人的事是免不了的；但那絆倒人的有禍了。 2 就是把磨石拴在這人的頸項上，丟在海裡，還強如他把這小子裡的一個絆倒了。 3 你們要謹慎！若是你的弟兄得罪你，就勸戒他；他若懊悔，就饒恕他。 4 倘若他一天七次得罪你，又七次回轉，說：我懊悔了，你總要饒恕他。 5 使徒對主說：求主加增我們的信心。 6 主說：你們若有信心像一粒芥菜種，就是對這棵桑樹說：你要拔起根來，栽在海裡，它也必聽從你們。

7 你們誰有僕人耕地或是放羊，從田裡回來，就對他說：你快來坐下吃飯呢？ 8 豈不對他說：你給我預備晚飯，束上帶子伺候我，等我吃喝完了，你才可以，吃喝嗎？ 9 僕人照所吩咐的去做，主人還謝謝他嗎？ 10 這樣，你們做完了一切所吩咐的，只當說：我們是無用的僕人，所做的本是我們應分做的。

默想：

1. 耶穌告訴門徒們，應當彼此扶持，來按照神的旨意生活。當我們中間有人違背神的旨意而犯罪時，我們應當勸戒他；他若悔改，我們就要饒恕。因此，每個信徒都應當有責任來關心其他人與神的關係。在教會這個群體中，每個人都能獲得饒恕與彼此的支持，使我們能過聖潔的生活。
2. 耶穌命令他的門徒，要正視犯罪的人，當他悔改時，就當接受並饒恕。能否遵從神的命令，並非信心的問題，而是順服的問題。
3. 我有多少次按兵不動，心中卻冀望著能有更多的信心，才去做我明知神要我做的事情？有多少次，我因自己的不足而祈求神加添信心？又有多少次我心中渴想更多的信心，只不過是我不願意順從神的掩護？
4. 安靜一下，容許聖靈在我心中繼續說話。如果聖靈在我內心作責備，就向神認罪，並求神的赦免。並求神的憐憫，賜我願意順服神的心。

 

 

Luke 17

¹ Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. ² It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. ³ So watch yourselves.    “If your brother or sistersins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. ⁴ Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”  ⁵ The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”  ⁶ He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.

⁷“Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? ⁸Would he not rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? ⁹Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? ¹⁰So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’ ”

Meditation:

1. Here Jesus shows us how we can help each other accept and live by values the Pharisees had rejected.  We are to rebuke one another when one of us sins, but be quick to forgive when he or she repents.   Each of us is to accept responsibility to care about one another’s walk with God.  In the community of faith each is to find forgiveness and support to live a godly life.
2. Jesus commanded his disciples to confront, to accept “I repent”, and to forgive.  Responding to a command isn’t a matter of faith, it is a matter of obedience.
3. How many times have I held back, wishing I had more faith so I could do something I knew God wanted me to do?  How many times have I pleaded for more faith in my inadequacy?  And how many times has the longing for more faith simply masked the fact that I have been unwilling to obey?
4. Allow the questions to speak to my heart.  Continue this quiet time with God.  If the Holy Spirit is rebuking me right now, confess it and ask for God’s forgiveness.  Pray for mercy to obey God willingly.

 

Family Time

V6, A mustard seed is very small but produces big results when planted.  What can you think of that is small but could produce great results?  What is a little faith?  Jesus told his disciples to use the little faith they had.  How do you think Jesus would want you to do more with the faith you have?

 

第十六章

19 有一個財主穿著紫色袍和細麻布衣服，天天奢華宴樂。 20 又有一個討飯的，名叫拉撒路，渾身生瘡，被人放在財主門口， 21 要得財主桌子上掉下來的零碎充飢；並且狗來餂他的瘡。 22 後來那討飯的死了，被天使帶去放在亞伯拉罕的懷裡。財主也死了，並且埋葬了。 23 他在陰間受痛苦，舉目遠遠的望見亞伯拉罕，又望見拉撒路在他懷裡， 24 就喊著說：我祖亞伯拉罕哪，可憐我吧！打發拉撒路來，用指頭尖蘸點水，涼涼我的舌頭；因為我在這火焰裡，極其痛苦。 25 亞伯拉罕說：兒啊，你該回想你生前享過福，拉撒路也受過苦；如今他在這裡得安慰，你倒受痛苦。 26 不但這樣，並且在你我之間，有深淵限定，以致人要從這邊過到你們那邊是不能的；要從那邊過到我們這邊也是不能的。 27 財主說：我祖啊！既是這樣，求你打發拉撒路到我父家去； 28 因為我還有五個弟兄，他可以對他們作見證，免得他們也來到這痛苦的地方。 29 亞伯拉罕說：他們有摩西和先知的話可以聽從。 30 他說：我祖亞伯拉罕哪，不是的，若有一個從死裡復活的，到他們那裡去的，他們必要悔改。 31 亞伯拉罕說：若不聽從摩西和先知的話，就是有一個從死裡復活的，他們也是不聽勸。

默想：

1. 請用1到10的等級指標SCALE，（1代表財主在陰間，10代表拉撒路與亞伯拉罕及神同在），我現在的光景應在這指標的什麼地方？這個故事的內容裡，並沒有中間地帶，若不是在財主所在的地方，就是在拉撒路的地方。我對這個有什麼看法？我的感受或看法如何顯示我對地獄的認識及相信？
2. 財主與他的兄弟的問題，並非對神的知識不足，因為他們有摩西和先知的教導。主要原因是他們不肯相信，他們不願對神的話作回應，“不聽從摩西和先知的話”，因此就不肯信服。我內心是否也有這樣的趨勢？
3. 默想第31節，反覆地讀幾遍。自問，我是否也像這節所說的，“就是有一個從死裡復活的”，我仍然是不願意相信？我聆聽神的話嗎？我相信嗎？我願意順從神的旨意嗎？
4. 這段故事是否激發我更加緊迫地關心自己未信的家人與朋友？將他們的名字寫下來，並持續逐一地為他們願意聽聞福音，接受耶穌來禱告。

Luke 16

¹⁹ “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. ²⁰ At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores ²¹ and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.    ²² “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. ²³ In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. ²⁴ So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’   ²⁵ “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. ²⁶ And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’    ²⁷ “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, ²⁸ for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’    ²⁹ “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’    ³⁰ “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’    ³¹ “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

Meditation:

1. On a scale of one (the rich man and his brothers, being in Hades, or on the way there) to ten (Lazarus, with Abraham, and God), where do I stand?  Why do I place myself there?  In the context of this story, there is no “in between”.  There is only either where the rich man is, or where Lazarus is.  How does this make you feel? How does this reflect your understanding/belief of Hell?
2. The problem of the rich man and his brothers is not lack of knowledge of God’s word for they have Moses and the Prophets’ teachings.  Part of their problem lies in unbelief.  They would not respond to the Word of God, “to Moses and the Prophets”.  They simply would not be convinced.  Do I have that tendency in myself?
3. Meditate on v31, read it over a couple of times.    What about me?  Do I listen to God’s word?  Am I convinced of it?  Do I show my faith by my obedience?
4. Does this story inspire me to be concerned of my unbelieving family members and friends?  Write their names down and pray for them one by one that they would be willing to hear the gospel and accept Jesus as their Lord and saviour.

 

Family Time

Parents, this is another good opportunity to guide your child to consider eternal life and salvation.  Read through the story slowly.  Allow children to ask questions.  Then help them to make the decision to accept Jesus or to reassure them of their salvation in Christ.

第十五章

1眾稅吏和罪人都挨近耶穌，要聽他講道。 2 法利賽人和文士私下議論說：「這個人接待罪人，又同他們吃飯。3 耶穌就用比喻說： 4 「你們中間誰有一百隻羊失去一隻，不把這九十九隻撇在曠野、去找那失去的羊，直到找著呢？ 5 找著了，就歡歡喜喜地扛在肩上，回到家裏， 6 就請朋友鄰舍來，對他們」說：『我失去的羊已經找著了，你們和我一同歡喜吧！』 7 我告訴你們，一個罪人悔改，在天上也要這樣為他歡喜，較比為九十九個不用悔改的義人歡喜更大。」

默想：

1. 耶穌藉著這個故事描述了父神的形像，就像牧羊人尋找迷失的羊，天父也在尋找他的迷羊，「人子來，為要尋找拯救失喪的人。」
2. 我對神有怎樣的形像？我怎樣看那些我所接觸的「罪人」？我的態度是像耶穌那樣，為要尋找失喪的人呢？還是像宗教領袖，一副輕蔑不屑的態度？
3. 禱告：親愛的天父，謝謝你藉著迷羊的故事，讓我重溫父神尋找亡羊的形像。求你將這樣的生命賜給我，幫助我將你最真實的形像，傳達給我所接觸的人——傳達你的愛而不是漠視，你的恩慈而不是定罪，你的仁慈而不是批判。我特別要為______________ （一位還不認識主的）禱告。。。。

Luke 15

¹Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear him. ²But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”  ³Then Jesus told them this parable: ⁴“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? ⁵And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders ⁶and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ ⁷I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

MEDITATION

1. Jesus portrayed a picture of God who is like the shepherd searching for his lost sheep so God searches for His lost ones, “for the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost”.
2. What is my picture of God?  How do I view the “sinners” around me?  Is my attitude that of seeking the lost, the way Jesus did, or standing aloof and casting a disparaging glance, the way the religious leaders did?
3. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the picture of you searching for the lost sheep.  Help me to relate your true picture to those I come in contact with: your love, not indifference, your grace, not judgement, your kindness, not criticism.  I pray especially for ……………………. (someone who does not know the Lord).

Family Time

Have you ever done things that the Bible calls sin?  How did you feel when you see them?  Was there anything you wanted to do then?  What was it?  Was your attitude similar or different from the shepherd who went to look for his lost sheep?  What does Jesus want us to feel and do for these people?  Discuss some ways that your family can do to show you’re following Jesus’ teaching.  Write them on the Family Journal.

 

第十四章

7 耶穌注意到有些客人替自己挑選筵席上的首位，就用比喻對大家說： 8 「你被請去參加婚宴的時候，不要坐在首座上，恐怕有比你更受尊重的客人也在被邀請之列。 9 那個邀請你們的主人要上來對你說：『請讓座給這一位吧！』那時候，你會覺得很難為情，不得不退到末座。 10 你被請的時候，就去坐在末座，讓主人來對你說：『朋友，請上座。』這樣，你在賓客面前就有光彩。 11 因為上帝要把自高的人降為卑微，又高舉自甘卑微的人。」 12 耶穌又對宴請他的主人說：「你招待午飯或晚餐的時候，不要邀請你的朋友、弟兄、親戚，或是富有的鄰居，恐怕他們要回請你，還了你的人情。 13 你要請客，就請那些貧窮的、殘疾的、跛腳的、失明的； 14 這樣，你就有福了，因為那些人無力報答你。在義人復活的時候，上帝要親自報答你。」

默想：

1. 這個宴會中，耶穌眼看著賓客爭先恐後的搶首席座位，以示自己身份的高貴。但耶穌指出這樣的爭奪，其實是很愚昧的，因為有可能會被請下座，到時就很羞愧了。他又告訴做主人的，不要以勢利眼光去請客，神的國是開放給每一個人的，特別是那些永遠不能回報的人，因為神要在永恒裡親自報答。
2. 風俗、地位等問題，是否會在不同的情況下，妨礙我在家庭、教會、工作場合、及社區中，真實地愛其他人？
3. 耶穌的教訓，“你要請客，就請那些貧窮的、殘疾的、跛腳的、失明的”，對今天的我來說，應當怎樣遵守？請哪些人？會以怎樣的形式進行？
4. 與耶穌交談這個意見，並與一些好朋友商討，作出一個實際的計劃，並付諸實行。

 

 

Luke 14

⁷When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: ⁸“When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. ⁹If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this man your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. ¹⁰But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. ¹¹For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”  ¹²Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. ¹³But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, ¹⁴and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Meditation:

1. At a banquet, Jesus commented on the behaviour of the guests, who competed with each other for “places of honour”.  The scrambling for position Jesus observed reflected the heart attitude of the Pharisee’s guests.  As Jesus pointed out, it was also foolish, as it exposed a person to the danger of embarrassment if asked to go down lower.  Jesus also had advice for His host.  Don’t use the dinners for social advantage, or to seek a favour.  God’s kingdom is open to everyone, especially those that can never return the favour.   God will repay us in eternity.
2. How do things like customs and status get in the way of my loving others in family, church, workplace, or community?
3. What does it mean today for me to throw a party for “the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind”?  Who would I invite?  What would it be like?
4. Talk with Jesus about this idea and share the insights with a few close friends.  Make plans to do it.

 

Family Time

Parents guide the discuss Questions 3 & 4 above with children.  Identify some appropriate ways to “throw a party”, or a kind act to someone in need.  Decide Follow up on the activity on Ch 10.

 

第十三章

10 安息日，耶穌在會堂裏教訓人。 11 有一個女人被鬼附著，病了十八年，腰彎得一點直不起來。 12 耶穌看見，便叫過她來，對她說：「女人，你脫離這病了！」 13 於是用兩隻手按著她；她立刻直起腰來，就歸榮耀與　神。 14 管會堂的因為耶穌在安息日治病，就氣忿忿地對眾人說：「有六日應當做工；那六日之內可以來求醫，在安息日卻不可。」 15 主說：「假冒為善的人哪，難道你們各人在安息日不解開槽上的牛、驢，牽去飲嗎？ 16 況且這女人本是亞伯拉罕的後裔，被撒但捆綁了這十八年，不當在安息日解開她的綁嗎？」 17 耶穌說這話，他的敵人都慚愧了；眾人因他所行一切榮耀的事，就都歡喜了。

默想：

1. 會堂的主管“氣忿忿地”指出耶穌違反安息日的規矩，但卻看不出耶穌是出於他的憐憫心，來醫治這個婦人的；這顯出會堂主管對恩典的認識實在太少，且不認識自己的需要。得醫治的婦女因神的恩典，開口稱讚神；但會堂主管卻因耶穌的善行而發怒指責。耶穌不客氣地指出他的偽善——因為，他們會在安息日搶救、照顧牲畜，卻不願意為一個從撒但捆綁下得釋放的人而歡喜快樂。
2. 法利賽人以他們的熱誠與忠心來謹守宗教信仰的規條，至終卻忽略了“要愛人如己”的責任。我是否也可能利用一些規條的字面意義，而將不關心人的表現合理化？（例如，謹守準時參加崇拜，不願繞路去接人；堅持已行奉獻，拒絕幫助有需要的人？）
3. 我是否也以堅守規矩，作為不行善事的藉口？留心神在我心中的微聲細語。

 

Luke 13

¹⁰On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, ¹¹and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. ¹²When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” ¹³Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.  ¹⁴Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue ruler said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.”  ¹⁵The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? ¹⁶Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?”  ¹⁷When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.

Meditation:

1. The synagogue ruler was indignant because Jesus broke the rule of Sabbath.  Yet he could not see through the law and understand that it is out of compassion that Jesus healed the woman.  This shows how little understood grace was and how little desired.  The woman who experienced grace praised God.  But the synagogue ruler rebuked Jesus for helping her.  Jesus pointed out their hypocrisy that they would easily release an animal in order to care for them, but wouldn’t rejoice for a person released from Satan’s bondage.
2. In their fervour to keep all of their rules and regulations, the Pharisees ended up neglecting to love others.  I can also take the rules literally in order to rationalize my lack of concern for others (ie. insisting on tithing but refusing to help the needy; insisting on attending worship on time but refusing to pick up someone out of the way).
3. Do I make excuses for neglecting to do good?  Pay close attention to God’s whispering in my heart.

Family Time

Vv10-17, What did Jesus do on the Sabbath?  What was the attitude of the synagogue ruler?  What did Jesus’ answer?  Discuss the difference in Jesus’ attitude toward the woman and the ruler’s attitude.  Ask, “What does this teach us about helping people?” “How do people respond to Jesus, why?”

第十二章

13 眾人中有一個人對耶穌說：夫子！請你吩咐我的兄長和我分開家業。 14 耶穌說：你這個人！誰立我作你們斷事的官，給你們分家業呢？ 15 於是對眾人說：你們要謹慎自守，免去一切的貪心，因為人的生命不在乎家道豐富。 16 就用比喻對他們說：有一個財主田產豐盛； 17 自己心裡思想說：我的出產沒有地方收藏，怎麼辦呢？ 18 又說：我要這麼辦：要把我的倉房拆了，另蓋更大的，在那裡好收藏我一切的糧食和財物， 19 然後要對我的靈魂說：靈魂哪，你有許多財物積存，可作多年的費用，只管安安逸逸吃喝快樂吧！ 20 　神卻對他說：無知的人哪，今夜必要你的靈魂；你所預備的要歸誰呢？ 21 凡為自己積財，在神面前卻不富足的，也是這樣。

默想：

1. 這個財主的故事，對我們是個挑戰；為什麼積攢財寶在地上？為什麼聚斂遠超過我們所需要的財富？耶穌說“無知的人哪，……你所預備的要歸誰呢？”
2. 我們生活中經常所作的選擇決定，都一定受到我們本身價值的影響；耶穌要我們記得，我們所做的決定不單影響今世的生活，還會有永恆的影響。
3. 目前我正面對的是什麼抉擇？我是基於什麼價值觀來作這個決定？耶穌會稱我是個“無知的人”？或是“忠心良善的僕人”？神要我如何以不同的態度，來看待我的錢財與所擁有的東西?

 

 

 

Luke 12

¹³Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”  ¹⁴Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” ¹⁵Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” ¹⁶And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. ¹⁷He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’  ¹⁸“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. ¹⁹And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ‘  ²⁰“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’  ²¹“This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”

Meditation:

1. The story of the rich farmer remains a pointed challenge to us.  Why pile up wealth here on earth?  Why work to gather more than you will ever need?  However, this rich farmer rejected the word of God and based his life on the pursuit of earthly treasure.  Christ said, “You fool! ……Who will get what you have prepared?”
2. We all make value decisions that shape our lives.  Jesus asks us to remember that those decisions shape our life here and in eternity.
3. What decisions am I facing?  What value do I base my decisions on?  Will Jesus call me a fool?  Or a good and faithful servant?   How is God calling me to treat my money and possessions differently?

 

Family Time

Prepare a prayer list by asking each family member if there is any request or any person for whom they want to pray.  Ask someone to lead the prayer.  Be sure that all of the requests are covered.  Another way to do it would be to ask different persons to pray for specific requests.

 

 

第十一章

37 說話的時候，有一個法利賽人請耶穌同他吃飯，耶穌就進去坐席。 38 這法利賽人看見耶穌飯前不洗手便詫異。 39 主對他說：如今你們法利賽人洗淨杯盤的外面，你們裡面卻滿了勒索和邪惡。 40 無知的人哪，造外面的，不也造裡面嗎？ 41 只要把裡面的施捨給人，凡物於你們就都潔淨了。 42 你們法利賽人有禍了！因為你們將薄荷、芸香並各樣菜蔬獻上十分之一，那公義和愛　神的事反倒不行了。這原是你們當行的；那也是不可不行的。 43 你們法利賽人有禍了！因為你們喜愛會堂裡的首位，又喜愛人在街市上問你們的安。 44 你們有禍了！因為你們如同不顯露的墳墓，走在上面的人並不知道。 45 律法師中有一個回答耶穌說：夫子！你這樣說也把我們糟蹋了。 46 耶穌說：你們律法師也有禍了！因為你們把難擔的擔子放在人身上，自己一個指頭卻不肯動。 47 你們有禍了！因為你們修造先知的墳墓，那先知正是你們的祖宗所殺的。 48 可見你們祖宗所作的事，你們又證明又喜歡；因為他們殺了先知，你們修造先知的墳墓。 49 所以，　神用智慧（用智慧：或作的智者）曾說：我要差遣先知和使徒到他們那裡去，有的他們要殺害，有的他們要逼迫， 50 使創世以來所流眾先知血的罪都要問在這世代的人身上， 51 就是從亞伯的血起，直到被殺在壇和殿中間撒迦利亞的血為止。我實在告訴你們，這都要問在這世代的人身上。 52 你們律法師有禍了！因為你們把知識的鑰匙奪了去，自己不進去，正要進去的人你們也阻擋他們。

默想：

1. 當耶穌在一個法利賽人家吃飯時，他指出他們的罪。當我讀這段經文時，我是理直氣壯地批評法利賽人？還是自我反省，主前認罪？
• 我是否竭力在人前表現得聖潔，或是竭力追求聖潔？（39-41節）
• 我的優次安排是否與神的一致？（42節）
• 我重視別人的讚賞，或是神的讚賞？（43-44節）
• 我強求別人達到我所設定的基督徒生活標準？或是我對他們多方鼓勵與幫助？（46節）
• 我抗拒傳道人帶給我神的話語？或是我的心是敞開受教的？（47-51節）
• 我以嚴謹遵守條例的態度與方式，曲解神的福音嗎？（52節）
2. 按照聖靈的光照，向神認罪、反省。

 

Luke 11

³⁹ Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. ⁴⁰ You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? ⁴¹ But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.   ⁴² “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.   ⁴³ “Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and respectful greetings in the marketplaces.   ⁴⁴ “Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which people walk over without knowing it.” ⁴⁵ One of the experts in the law answered him, “Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also.” ⁴⁶ Jesus replied, “And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.   ⁴⁷ “Woe to you, because you build tombs for the prophets, and it was your ancestors who killed them. ⁴⁸ So you testify that you approve of what your ancestors did; they killed the prophets, and you build their tombs. ⁴⁹ Because of this, God in his wisdom said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and others they will persecute.’ ⁵⁰ Therefore this generation will be held responsible for the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the beginning of the world, ⁵¹ from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be held responsible for it all.   ⁵² “Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.”

Meditation:

1. When eating at the home of a Pharisee, Jesus identified six common sins of the “religious” of his day that kept them from seeing the light.  The Pharisees and experts in the law were furious and attacked Jesus.  Reading these verses should not cause us to criticize the Pharisee then.  Rather, they should draw us to examine ourselves.
2. With a humble heart, go through the following questions and ask: “God, do I……?”

Do I spend more time trying to look holy, or seeking to be holy? (vv39-41)

Do my priorities reflect God’s? (v42)

Do I treasure the approval of others, or the approval of God? (vv43-44)

Do I make living a Christian life harder for people by my expectations, or do I encourage and help them? (v46)

Do I resist God’s word brought by his ministers, or am I open and teachable? (vv47-51)

Do I distort the gospel by a legalistic attitude and approach to Christian faith? (v52)

Family Time

The disciples of Jesus had been impressed with the prayers of John the Baptist and of Jesus.  They asked Jesus to teach them to pray as John had taught his disciples.  Jesus gave them this prayer.  Look at the parts of the prayer.  Join hands and pray this prayer together.

第十章

25 有一個律法師起來試探耶穌，說：夫子！我該作甚麼才可以承受永生？ 26 耶穌對他說：律法上寫的是甚麼？你念的是怎樣呢？ 27 他回答說：「你要盡心、盡性、盡力、盡意愛主─你的　神；又要愛鄰舍如同自己。」 28 耶穌說：「你回答的是；你這樣行，就必得永生。」 29 那人要顯明自己有理，就對耶穌說：誰是我的鄰舍呢？ 30 耶穌回答說：有一個人從耶路撒冷下耶利哥去，落在強盜手中。他們剝去他的衣裳，把他打個半死，就丟下他走了。 31 偶然有一個祭司從這條路下來，看見他就從那邊過去了。 32 又有一個利未人來到這地方，看見他，也照樣從那邊過去了。 33 惟有一個撒馬利亞人行路來到那裡，看見他就動了慈心， 34 上前用油和酒倒在他的傷處，包裹好了，扶他騎上自己的牲口，帶到店裡去照應他。 35 第二天拿出二錢銀子來，交給店主，說：你且照應他；此外所費用的，我回來必還你。 36 你想，這三個人那一個是落在強盜手中的鄰舍呢？ 37 他說：是憐憫他的。耶穌說：你去照樣行吧。

默想：

1. 如果我出現在這個故事當中，我最可能的反應是像哪一個人，祭司、利未人、或是撒瑪利亞人？為什麼？
2. 在我生命中，誰曾經是我的好撒馬利亞人？那是什麼情況？那人怎樣幫助我？這件事對我有什麼影響？
3. 聆聽耶穌今天對我的呼召：“你去照樣行吧”（37節）。思想在我所認識的人中，是否有什麼人有需要，我可以向他做個“好撒馬利亞人”的？把他的名字及他的需要寫下，為他禱告；並找出可以提供的實際幫助，決定什麼時候，以及用什麼方式去作；並且切實去完成。

 

 

Luke 10

²⁵On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”  ²⁶“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”  ²⁷He answered: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”  ²⁸“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”  ²⁹But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”  ³⁰In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. ³¹A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. ³²So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. ³³But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. ³⁴He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. ³⁵The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’  ³⁶“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”  ³⁷The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”  Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Meditation:

1. With who do I most identify with in this story?  Why?
2. Who have been Good Samaritans in my life?  What was the situation?  How did that person help me?  What impact this has on me?
3. Listen to Jesus’ calling to me, “Go and do likewise.”  To whom do I need to be a Good Samaritan this week?  Write down his/her name and needs.  Pray for this person.  Plan a practical way to offer needed help.  Decide on the date and write down specific things I will do for him/her.  Make plan to accomplish it.

 

Family Time

Vv25-37 is the famous parable of the good Samaritan.  Then read Jesus’ question (v36), the expert’s answer (v37), and Jesus’ command (v37).  Help your family determine who a neighbour is and how a neighbour acts toward others.  In this context ask family members to list persons who qualify as neighbours.  Plan to help one neighbour this week.

 

 

第九章

57 他們走路的時候，有一人對耶穌說：你無論往那裡去，我要跟從你。 58 耶穌說：狐狸有洞，天空的飛鳥有窩，只是人子沒有枕頭的地方。 59 又對一個人說：跟從我來！那人說：主，容我先回去埋葬我的父親。 60 耶穌說：任憑死人埋葬他們的死人，你只管去傳揚　神國的道。 61 又有一人說：主，我要跟從你，但容我先去辭別我家裡的人。 62 耶穌說：手扶著犁向後看的，不配進　神的國。

默想：

1. 耶穌與三位想要跟隨他的人的談話；耶穌要求跟隨他的人要完全盡忠，沒有半點虛假與條件的；不挑三揀四地跟從。他們接受冠冕也接受十字架、接受憐憫也接受審判；放棄所有的自我保障，將焦點集中在耶穌身上。
2. 耶穌對第一個人的回答是：“在跟從我之前，請先計算好代價”；根據猶太人的習俗，第二個人說話的意思很可能是“等我父親死後，我再來跟從你”，耶穌要他把握時機，回應聖靈當時在他內心的感動；第三個人講的話，很可能就是要回家去，把家裡的事處理妥當後，時間許可再來跟隨耶穌。扶犁耕田的農夫，必須定睛向前看才不致耕出歪斜的犁溝；耶穌用以指出想成為神國一份子的人，必須對神全心全意，不讓世事調轉他的眼目。
3. 如果耶穌對我說，“你今天來跟從我！”，我會用什麼藉口，來拖延耶穌的呼召？是什麼使我戀戀不捨而不能專心跟隨主？我願意讓耶穌幫助我除去心中的不捨、不願嗎？

 

Luke 9

⁵⁷As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”  ⁵⁸Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”  ⁵⁹He said to another man, “Follow me.”  But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”  ⁶⁰Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”  ⁶¹ Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.”  ⁶²Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

Meditation:

1. Jesus is talking to three potential followers of him.  He expects his followers to be totally faithful without any conditions or restrictions.  He wants them to accept the cross as well as the crown, judgement as well as mercy.  We need to calculate the price and be willing to relinquish all that we consider our security to follow Jesus.  Focus on Jesus and we will not be distracted in living out a life of truth and grace.
2. Jesus’ response to the first person is: ”Count your cost before following me.” According to the Jewish customs, the second person probably meant that “I’ll wait until my father dies before I come to follow you.”  Jesus advised him to grasp the opportunity to respond to the moving of the Holy Spirit at the time.  The third person probably wanted to settle his family affairs and if time allows, then he’ll come to follow Jesus.  The farmer has to look straight ahead in order to plow straight furrows for planting seeds.  Jesus says that if we want to become a member of God’s kingdom, we need to focus our attention on God, and not allow the world to distract our focus elsewhere.
3. If Jesus says to me, “Come and follow me, today!”, what excuses would I use to delay Jesus’ calling?  Does Jesus delight in my hesitation in following Him?  What are the things that are holding me back?  Am I willing to allow Jesus to take away these things from me?

 

Family Time

Vv14-17, God is especially interested in those who are hungry.  Jesus showed us that when he fed the 5,000.  Discuss how your family can help feed the hungry of the world.  Do not forget the foreign missionaries who could help you feed the hungry.  Decide how you will put your plan into action.  Ask God’s help to complete your plan.

第八章

42 ……耶穌去的時候，眾人擁擠他。43 有一個女人，患了十二年的血漏，在醫生手裡花盡了他一切養生的，並沒有一人能醫好他。 44 他來到耶穌背後，摸他的衣裳繸子，血漏立刻就止住了。 45 耶穌說：摸我的是誰？眾人都不承認。彼得和同行的人都說：夫子，眾人擁擁擠擠緊靠著你。（有古卷在此有：你還問摸我的是誰嗎？） 46 耶穌說：總有人摸我，因我覺得有能力從我身上出去。 47 那女人知道不能隱藏，就戰戰兢兢的來俯伏在耶穌腳前，把摸他的緣故和怎樣立刻得好了，當著眾人都說出來。 48 耶穌對她說：女兒，你的信救了你；平平安安的去吧！

默想：

1. 我們很多時候以為，處在危機中，例如：癌症，破產，長期精神衰弱，無法避免的憂傷，或是失去信心；我們以為，這是必須坦然無懼地來到神的面前，才可能希望神答應我們的祈求。但是這個女人是恐懼戰兢地接近耶穌，她並不知道會有什麼結果，她心中只有一個微薄的願望：“只是摸一下耶穌的衣角” 。
2. 有時，我們所能做的就是像這個女人，暗暗地從後面，以我們僅存的力氣（意志），來觸摸耶穌的衣繸，希望他不會發怒或置之不理，並且希望在我們幾乎絕望的當中，能出現一絲生機。
3. 我是否曾經害怕神，而不敢將自己的問題帶到神面前？這個故事如何幫助我面對危急的情況？
4. 告訴神我現在所面對的困難。將我心中所有的恐懼、不安、缺乏信心，或是渴望、希望、感恩，都一起帶到神面前，與他交談，聆聽他對我說話，接受神的安慰與醫治。

 

 

Luke 8

42 ……   As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. 43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. 44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.   45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked.  When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”  46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”  47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. 48 Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”

Meditation:

1. Often we are taught that when we are in desperate need of something from God – in a crisis caused by, cancer, bankruptcy, chronic depression, inescapable grief, or loss of faith – we must come boldly and without fear into God’s presence if we expect him to answer our prayer.  Yet this woman came in fear and trembling, having no idea what might happen, but thinking, “If I can just touch the edge of his cloak, who knows?”
2. Sometimes all we can do is struggle toward God from behind and stretch with what little we have left in us to touch the edge of him, hoping he will not be angry with us or ignore us, hoping something will happen that we are almost beyond believing can happen.  We discover, to our astonishment, that nothing more than this is required, and we live.
3. Have I ever been too frightened to come to God with a problem?  Why?  How would this story help me as I face desperate situations?
4. Talk to God about the problem I am facing.  Bring all my fear, uncertainty, lack of faith, or eagerness, hope and thanksgiving to God.  Talk to him and wait for him to speak.

 

Family Time

vv38-39, One of the hardest places to be a Christian is at home.  The people who see us everyday cannot be fooled.  They know how we really live.  It makes giving a witness harder.  Ask each family member to tell what God has done for him or her in recent days.  Thank God for his blessings.

 

第七章

36 有一個法利賽人請耶穌和他吃飯；耶穌就到法利賽人家裡去坐席。 37 那城裡有一個女人，是個罪人，知道耶穌在法利賽人家裡坐席，就拿著盛香膏的玉瓶， 38 站在耶穌背後，挨著他的腳哭，眼淚溼了耶穌的腳，就用自己的頭髮擦乾，又用嘴連連親他的腳，把香膏抹上。 39 請耶穌的法利賽人看見這事，心裡說：這人若是先知，必知道摸他的是誰，是個怎樣的女人，乃是個罪人。

44 於是轉過來向著那女人，便對西門說：你看見這女人嗎？我進了你的家，你沒有給我水洗腳；但這女人用眼淚溼了我的腳，用頭髮擦乾。 45 你沒有與我親嘴；但這女人從我進來的時候就不住的用嘴親我的腳。 46 你沒有用油抹我的頭；但這女人用香膏抹我的腳。 47 所以我告訴你，他許多的罪都赦免了，因為他的愛多；但那赦免少的，他的愛就少。 48 於是對那女人說：你的罪赦免了。 49 同席的人心裡說：這是甚麼人，竟赦免人的罪呢？ 50 耶穌對那女人說：你的信救了你；平平安安的回去吧！

默想：

1. 這個女人以淚水洗耶穌的腳，用頭髮來擦乾，又不住地親耶穌的腳，並抹上香膏。作主人的法利賽人，卻認為耶穌容許一個犯罪的女人來觸摸，已經沾染了污穢。
2. 但耶穌問他：“你看見這女人嗎” ？耶穌問西門是否真的看見她，不是看見一個罪人，而是一個蒙神赦免、罪擔獲釋、感恩至極、喜極而泣的人；一個盡她所能向主表達愛，一個因為信心而得拯救，自此可以“平平安安的回去”之神的孩子。
3. 耶穌也在問我同樣的問題：“你看見……嗎？”我是否真正看見走在街上、地鐵上、商場裡、超市內，……的人？我是否如耶穌一樣的看見他們？若是，會有什麼分別？以耶穌的眼光看人，會怎樣改變我對人的態度？
4. 告訴耶穌我對人 “屬靈眼睛的弱視”，請求聖靈來觸摸我，改變我的眼光，學習以主耶穌慈愛憐憫的眼光，來看每一個我所接觸的人。

 

Luke 7

³⁶Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. ³⁷When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, ³⁸and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.  ³⁹When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”

⁴⁴Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. ⁴⁵You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. ⁴⁶You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. ⁴⁷Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”  ⁴⁸Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”  ⁴⁹The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”  ⁵⁰Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Meditation:

1. This woman washes Jesus’ feet with her tears and wipes them with her hair.  She kisses them and pours perfume over them.  The host, a Pharisee –  a religious leader, considers that Jesus has “contaminated” himself by touching or being touched by someone considered morally, spiritually or physically filthy.
2. But Jesus asked Simon “Do you see this woman?”  Jesus asked Simon if he truly sees her – not a sinner, but a person, someone forgiven by God, a human who is weeping with gratitude and relief, a child who is loving as much as she can, a child of God who is saved by her faith and who is free to go in peace.
3. Jesus is asking me the same question, “Do you see ……?”  Do I truly see people on the street, on the subway, in the mall, in the supermarket, beggars, ……?  Do I see people as how Jesus sees them?  How would that make a difference?  How would seeing people as Jesus sees them change my attitude toward them?
4. Talk to Jesus about my “poor spiritual eyesight”, my reluctance, my stereotyping.  Wait for the Holy Spirit to touch me and change my perspectives.

 

Family

This woman was a person with many sins.  She had met Jesus and had been filled with love.  The woman responded to Jesus with faith.  Jesus responded to her with forgiveness and salvation.  Use a concordance to look up other Scripture that speaks of faith.  Sing, “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow.”

 

第六章

27 只是我告訴你們這聽道的人，你們的仇敵，要愛他！恨你們的，要待他好！ 28 咒詛你們的，要為他祝福！凌辱你們的，要為他禱告！ 29 有人打你這邊的臉，連那邊的臉也由他打。有人奪你的外衣，連裡衣也由他拿去。 30 凡求你的，就給他。有人奪你的東西去，不用再要回來。 31 你們願意人怎樣待你們，你們也要怎樣待人。 32 你們若單愛那愛你們的人，有甚麼可酬謝的呢？就是罪人也愛那愛他們的人。 33 你們若善待那善待你們的人，有甚麼可酬謝的呢？就是罪人也是這樣行。 34 你們若借給人，指望從他收回，有甚麼可酬謝的呢？就是罪人也借給罪人，要如數收回。 35 你們倒要愛仇敵，也要善待他們，並要借給人不指望償還，你們的賞賜就必大了，你們也必作至高者的兒子；因為他恩待那忘恩的和作惡的。 36 你們要慈悲，像你們的父慈悲一樣。

默想：

1. 耶穌教訓門徒要愛仇敵，這與我們的想法相反。我們會認為：如果去愛仇敵，他們豈不會得寸進尺，更加迫害我們？其實耶穌強調：愛仇敵、祝福他們，為他們禱告等等，就是要我們停止冤冤相報的惡性循環。
2. 畢竟，神自己以他無比的愛破除了這個報復的模式，將他的愛子差遣來到世間，為我們的罪受苦而死。當我們回應神的愛，接受基督的救贖時，我們對神的態度整個改變過來，由拒絕頂撞轉而愛神，願意討他的歡悅。這就是耶穌要我們學習，以愛來勝過仇敵。當然，這絕不容易，跟隨基督本來不是輕而易舉之事，但卻能帶來自由。
3. 回想以往曾經傷害過我的一個人，重新讀這段經文，並求耶穌讓我靠他來原諒這個人，破除心中憎恨或是報復的心態。

Luke 6

27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

 

Meditation:

1. Jesus’ call to love enemies often frightens us, and so we tend to ignore it.  If we love our enemies, won’t they take advantage of us and won’t we be more vulnerable to attacks?  What Jesus is emphasizing by asking us to love, bless and pray for our enemies and turn our other cheek, is for us to break the cycle of hostility and animosity.
2. After all, God broke the pattern by one bold act of love, sending his son to suffer and die for our sins.  As we respond to that love, accepting the salvation Christ brings, our whole attitude toward God has changed, and we now love and want to please Him.  No, it is not an easy thing to do, but following Christ has never been an easy thing to do.  Yet, it does make us free.
3. Name a person who has wronged me.  Read this passage.  Ask Jesus to give me his forgiveness for that person and take away the hatred and revengeful attitude in my heart.

 

Family

v31 is often called the “Golden Rule.”  Can you explain why?  Notice that it is a positive statement rather than a negative one.  Discuss how it can be of value in our lives today.  Choose one of the valuable lessons to do this week.  Record it in your Family Journal.

 

第五章

耶穌站在革尼撒勒湖邊，眾人擁擠他，要聽　神的道。 2 他見有兩隻船灣在湖邊；打魚的人卻離開船洗網去了。 3 有一隻船是西門的，耶穌就上去，請他把船撐開，稍微離岸，就坐下，從船上教訓眾人。 4 講完了，對西門說：「把船開到水深之處，下網打魚。」 5 西門說：「夫子，我們整夜勞力，並沒有打著甚麼。但依從你的話，我就下網。」 6 他們下了網，就圈住許多魚，網險些裂開， 7 便招呼那隻船上的同伴來幫助。他們就來，把魚裝滿了兩隻船，甚至船要沉下去。 8 西門‧彼得看見，就俯伏在耶穌膝前，說：「主啊，離開我，我是個罪人！」 9 他和一切同在的人都驚訝這一網所打的魚。 10 他的夥伴西庇太的兒子雅各、約翰，也是這樣。耶穌對西門說：「不要怕！從今以後，你要得人了。」 11 他們把兩隻船攏了岸，就撇下所有的，跟從了耶穌。
默想：

1. 漁夫們經過一夜的打撈，毫無所獲，深感疲倦挫敗，不願再試。這和我們的人生多麼相像，我們也常會遇到失敗沮喪，因而想要放棄、退縮，與人保持距離。
2. 主耶穌對信徒的呼召，并非一定是要我們去做什麼嶄新的事情，多數是要我們回到日常生活的圈子、平日所作的事當中。但是這次是與耶穌一起去，和他一起作。神就是這樣來掌管我們的人生——我們的工作、家庭、休閑 等一切。同樣的船，同樣的工作，同樣的方式，但現在有耶穌在其中——這就起了極大的差別。
3. 耶穌在我人生的船上嗎？是誰在為我的航程掌舵？目前我是否正經歷或大或小的風浪，或是“整夜勞力並沒有打著什麼”的挫敗？安靜默想，讓聖靈向我的心說話，隨心中聖靈的感動，向主作回應的禱告。

Luke 5

¹One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, ²he saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. ³He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.  ⁴When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”  ⁵Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”  ⁶When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. ⁷So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.  ⁸When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” ⁹For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, ¹⁰and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.    Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” ¹¹So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

 

Meditation:

1. After a whole night’s labour, the fishermen didn’t want to try again, depression and fatigue were written all over them.  How similar this is to our own lives.  We have all experienced failure which often left us feeling guilty, shameful and self-distrust.   Then, we wanted to quit, withdraw and to be away from people.
2. Jesus does not get us to do something entirely new but sends us back to what we’ve been doing all along, but this time with Jesus.  God wants to be in command of our lives – our work lives, our family lives, our leisured lives.  Same boat.  Same Commands.  Same nets.  But now Jesus is with us[JS1]  – and that makes all the difference.
3. Is Jesus on my LIFE boat?  Who’s in command of my journey?  What am I experiencing right now?  Just be quiet before God and allow the Holy Spirit speak to my heart.  Respond and speak to God as you are so moved by the Holy Spirit.

 

Family

What did the fishermen say when Jesus asked them to go to the deep water to fish?  Why?  What happened afterward?  What’s the difference between the fishermen’s first fishing trip at night and the second trip after Jesus told them to?  Sing this song: “With Christ in my vessel.”

 

第四章

16 耶穌來到拿撒勒，就是他長大的地方。在安息日，照他平常的規矩進了會堂，站起來要念聖經。 17 有人把先知以賽亞的書交給他，他就打開，找到一處寫著說： 18 主的靈在我身上，因為他用膏膏我，叫我傳福音給貧窮的人；差遣我報告：被擄的得釋放，瞎眼的得看見，叫那受壓制的得自由， 19 報告　神悅納人的禧年。 20 於是把書捲起來，交還執事，就坐下。會堂裏的人都定睛看他。 21 耶穌對他們說：「今天這經應驗在你們耳中了。」 22 眾人都稱讚他，並希奇他口中所出的恩言；又說：「這不是約瑟的兒子嗎？」

默想：

1. 耶穌在18-19節中，引用舊約說出他來到世界的使命。下面這五項中，哪一項對我有最切身的關係？為什麼？

貧窮（被踐踏，貧困的）：得到盼望與尊嚴

被擄（身體、心理、政治的俘虜）：捆綁中得釋放

瞎眼（肉身的殘障預表屬靈的黑暗）：得看見神，得到新生命

受壓（政治或經濟上處於劣勢）：從壓制中得自由

欠債（每50年所有債務完全取消）：所有債務得清除

1. 思想：慢慢地讀這五個項目，有哪一項是我接受耶穌之後，在生活中最有體會的，對我最有切身關係的？回想我原來的光景，思想耶穌為我帶來的救恩，以及我現在的情況。讓自己沉浸幾分鐘在這個回憶、思想中。
2. 由衷地向神獻上感恩的禱告。

 

Luke 4

¹⁶He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. ¹⁷The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:  ¹⁸“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,  because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.   He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind,  to release the oppressed,   ¹⁹to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”   ²⁰Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, ²¹and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”   ²²All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.

Meditation:

1. Jesus applied five Old Testament promises to his mission on earth.  Which of these five forms of rejection can be connected with the gospel in my life today?

Poverty (downtrodden, underprivileged): to receive hope and dignity

Imprisonment (physically, psychologically or politically captive):  to receive freedom from bondage

Blindness (physical disability often meaning spiritual darkness): to receive new sight to recognize God’s perspective and new life

Oppression (political and economic disadvantage): to receive release and new freedom from forces holding you down

Debt (every 50 years all debts were cancelled): to receive the Jubilee Year’s release from debt of every sort.

1. Read the above list slowly.  Immerse myself in the recollection of my situations before and after receiving Christ.  Meditate on Jesus’ salvation for me.
2. Give God thanks for all the things He’s done in me.

 

 

Family

Jesus became well known as he taught and healed people throughout the area.  Discuss what Jesus said about his purposes on earth.  Ask, “What does Jesus’ healing the sick tell us about his care for people?”  How can we help people and be like Jesus?

第三章

7 約翰對那出來要受他洗的眾人說：「毒蛇的種類！誰指示你們逃避將來的忿怒呢？ 8 你們要結出果子來，與悔改的心相稱。不要自己心裏說：『有亞伯拉罕為我們的祖宗。』我告訴你們，　神能從這些石頭中，給亞伯拉罕興起子孫來。 9 現在斧子已經放在樹根上，凡不結好果子的樹就砍下來，丟在火裏。」 10 眾人問他說：「這樣，我們當做甚麼呢？」 11 約翰回答說：「有兩件衣裳的，就分給那沒有的；有食物的，也當這樣行。」 12 又有稅吏來要受洗，問他說：「夫子，我們當做甚麼呢？」 13 約翰說：「除了例定的數目，不要多取。」 14 又有兵丁問他說：「我們當做甚麼呢？」約翰說：「不要以強暴待人，也不要訛詐人，自己有錢糧就當知足。」15百姓指望基督來的時候，人都心裡猜疑，或者約翰是基督。

默想：

1. 約翰傳道的信息毫不留情面、且單刀直入。他宣講神的忿怒、將來的審判，呼籲他們悔改使罪得赦、接受洗禮。這些信息不容易令人接受的，但是人們不斷地來聽他講道，甚至猜疑約翰是否就是要來的基督（15節）。
2. 施洗約翰的信息，對當時聽道的人，單刀直入地將他們的面具、假裝給除掉，他們才開始面對真實自我的醜陋與污穢；而神的話更是帶來得救的盼望。惟有當我們肯面對自己的罪過，我們才會尋求饒恕，並在耶穌基督裡尋得新生命。
3. 在我的生活中，我是否習慣經常“轉換方向”（悔改）？最近聖靈是否有向我指出，在那方面的錯誤方向，需要調頭回轉？
4. 用一點時間來默想，向神認罪，祈求赦免。並求聖靈保守我，“不要讓我們遭受承擔不起的考驗；要救我們脫離那邪惡者的手。”（太6：13，現中譯本）

 

Luke 3

⁷John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?  ⁸Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.  And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. ⁹The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”  ¹⁰“What should we do then?” the crowd asked.  ¹¹John answered, “The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.”  ¹²Tax collectors also came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”  ¹³“Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. ¹⁴Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”  He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.” ¹⁵The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah.

1. John was not a smooth, comfortable preacher.  He was blunt and confrontational.  He preached the message of coming wrath of God and “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins”.  This wasn’t an easy message to take, but people kept coming to hear him and even wondering if John might be the Christ (v15).
2. Perhaps when we hear messages such as John’s, our masks and pretenses are stripped away, and we are forced not only to face our need – but are given hope in God’s word.  And only when we face guilt do we seek forgiveness, and find the new life in our Saviour Jesus.
3. Am I in the habit of “direction change” (repentance) in my daily life?  What has the Holy Spirit been speaking to me lately on certain wrong “directions”?
4. Take a moment to think about it.  Then pray for God’s forgiveness.  Pray also for the Holy Spirit to “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”(Matt 6:13)

Family

John baptized the people who repented of their sins.  This was how John said they could prepare for the coming of the Messiah.  Discuss why we are baptized today to show our belief in Jesus.  Ask parents and members of the family who have been baptised to share their decision and their experiences of baptism.  Then give thanks for God’s salvation, for God’s forgiveness of your sins and for baptism to show your belief in Jesus.