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第廿八章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

16 十一個門徒往加利利去，到了耶穌約定的山上。17 他們見了耶穌就拜他，然而還有人疑惑。18 耶穌進前來，對他們說：「天上地下所有的權柄都賜給我了。19 所以，你們要去，使萬民作我的門徒，奉父、子、聖靈的名給他們施洗（或譯：給他們施洗，歸於父、子、聖靈的名）。20 凡我所吩咐你們的，都教訓他們遵守，我就常與你們同在，直到世界的末了。」

 

默想：

1. 十一個門徒照吩咐前往加利利，耶穌也在那裡向他們顯現。祂不但向門徒有託附和授權（18節下至20節上），並應許與他們同在（「以馬內利」參1:23），讓他們經歷神的能力、同在和智慧，直到這世代終結。
2. 耶穌為什麼要與門徒同在直到世界的末了？耶穌今天用怎樣的方式與我同在？
3. 選擇耶穌同在的一個方式，在未來的星期中，特別留意「以馬內利」耶穌怎樣與我同在。

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”本上面。

 

Chapter 28

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

¹⁶Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

 

Meditation:

1. The eleven did go to Galilee, and Jesus appeared as promised. He authorized His disciples to make disciples of all nations, and promised to be with them (Immanuel) as the divine power, presence, and Wisdom of God until the close of the age.
2. Why did Jesus tell the disciples that He would be with them to the end of the age? In what way is Jesus Christ with me today?
3. Consider choosing one of the ways and attempting to be especially sensitive to Jesus’ presence (Immanuel) with me this week.

第廿七章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

45 從午正到申初，遍地都黑暗了。46 約在申初，耶穌大聲喊著說：「以利！以利！拉馬撒巴各大尼？」就是說：「我的　神！我的　神！為甚麼離棄我？」47 站在那裏的人，有的聽見就說：「這個人呼叫以利亞呢！」48 內中有一個人趕緊跑去，拿海絨蘸滿了醋，綁在葦子上，送給他喝。49 其餘的人說：「且等著，看以利亞來救他不來。」50 耶穌又大聲喊叫，氣就斷了。51 忽然，殿裏的幔子從上到下裂為兩半，地也震動，磐石也崩裂，52 墳墓也開了，已睡聖徒的身體多有起來的。53 到耶穌復活以後，他們從墳墓裏出來，進了聖城，向許多人顯現。54 百夫長和一同看守耶穌的人看見地震並所經歷的事，就極其害怕，說：「這真是　神的兒子了！」

默想：

1. 基督教信仰的中心,竟是我們的神極致的受辱，並忍受最深的痛苦。祂自己的同胞要求處死祂，祂的朋友離棄祂，連最親密的父都轉面不顧祂。
2. 花些時間用心與腦來深思，為什麼全能者要選擇這樣的道路。多讀幾遍耶穌的話來貼近祂的經歷。
3. 我心中此時漲溢的是什麼？死亡？驚奇？難過？漠不關心？把從心中浮上來的，一一告訴耶穌。輕輕地把自己拉回耶穌的犧牲與受死上，再讀一遍經文。讓自己深深地沉浸在整個事件中，繼續體會自己的反應，再繼續與主交談。
4. 天找個安靜的地方去散步，或靜坐片刻，設好預定時間的鬧錶來作提醒，讓自己忘記時間，放鬆地默想基督為我做的犧牲，並等待祂要我從祂那接受的。

 

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”本上面。

 

Chapter 27

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

⁴⁵From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. ⁴⁶About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” ⁴⁷When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” ⁴⁸Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. ⁴⁹The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” ⁵⁰And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. ⁵¹At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. ⁵²The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. ⁵³They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people. ⁵⁴When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

Meditation:

1. The central event of the Christian faith is the immense humiliation of our God. And His anguish is deeper than we can imagine. His own people demanded his death, his friends deserted him. And now even his loving Father has turned away.
2. Spend time wrestling with why the Almighty would choose such a path. Reread Jesus’ own words a few times to get closer to his experience.
3. What wells up inside me as I spend time with Jesus’ death? Death? Wonder? Grief? Distractedness? Tell Jesus about what surfaces. Then gently pull my thoughts back to His sacrifice and death, reading the passage again if needed. Allow myself to sink into the event deeply, again being aware of my reaction and talking to Jesus about it.
4. Find a new place to be silent. For example, walk in a quiet place or sit in an empty church sanctuary. Bring a wristwatch and set the alarm so I can forget the time until it reminds me. Meditate on Jesus’ sacrifice for me, and then wait for what He would have me receive from Him.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little while 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.

 

第廿六章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

36 耶穌同門徒來到一個地方，名叫客西馬尼，就對他們說：「你們坐在這裏，等我到那邊去禱告。」37 於是帶著彼得和西庇太的兩個兒子同去，就憂愁起來，極其難過，38 便對他們說：「我心裏甚是憂傷，幾乎要死；你們在這裏等候，和我一同警醒。」39 他就稍往前走，俯伏在地，禱告說：「我父啊，倘若可行，求你叫這杯離開我。然而，不要照我的意思，只要照你的意思。」40 來到門徒那裏，見他們睡著了，就對彼得說：「怎麼樣？你們不能同我警醒片時嗎？41 總要警醒禱告，免得入了迷惑。你們心靈固然願意，肉體卻軟弱了。」42 第二次又去禱告說：「我父啊，這杯若不能離開我，必要我喝，就願你的意旨成全。」43 又來，見他們睡著了，因為他們的眼睛困倦。44 耶穌又離開他們去了。第三次禱告，說的話還是與先前一樣。45 於是來到門徒那裏，對他們說：「現在你們仍然睡覺安歇吧（吧：或譯嗎？）！時候到了，人子被賣在罪人手裏了。46 起來！我們走吧。看哪，賣我的人近了。」

 

默想：

1. 這裡記載了三次耶穌的禱告，非常清晰的描述了耶穌身心靈的掙扎，由問神可否叫這杯（藉著十字架表明神的審判）離開祂，到「若不能」，「願你的旨意成全」；並且都用「我父」這最親密的稱呼。而且這時候，祂的門徒們沒有一個能夠做到祂的要求——和祂一同警醒禱告。
2. 默想基督的受苦。低吟這首「泰澤」詩歌「陪著我」

在這等我，同我在這裡，警醒禱告，警醒禱告。http://www.thevigils.co.uk/vigils/chants.html (#2)

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”本上面。

 

Chapter 26

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

³⁶Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” ³⁷He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. ³⁸Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” ³⁹Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” ⁴⁰Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. ⁴¹“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” ⁴²He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” ⁴³When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. ⁴⁴So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. ⁴⁵Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. ⁴⁶Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

 

Meditation:

1. Here recorded three times of Jesus’ prayer. It clearly portrayed Jesus wrestling with God’s will and then finally accepting it. It started with Jesus asking if it is possible for the cup (referring to the expression of God’s judgment in and by the cross) to be removed from him. The next two times He says, “If this cannot … your will be done”(v42). In all cases, Jesus addresses God in the most intimate terms as “my Father”(vv39,42). The disciples, including even Peter, were unable to watch and pray with him.
2. Meditate on Christ’s suffering. Quietly sing this Taize song:

Stay with me, remain here with me
watch and pray, watch and pray. http://www.thevigils.co.uk/vigils/chants.html (#2)

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little while 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.

 

第廿五章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

14 「天國又好比一個人要往外國去，就叫了僕人來，把他的家業交給他們，15 按著各人的才幹給他們銀子：一個給了五千，一個給了二千，一個給了一千，就往外國去了。16 那領五千的隨即拿去做買賣，另外賺了五千。17 那領二千的也照樣另賺了二千。18 但那領一千的去掘開地，把主人的銀子埋藏了。19 過了許久，那些僕人的主人來了，和他們算帳。20 那領五千銀子的又帶著那另外的五千來，說：『主啊，你交給我五千銀子。請看，我又賺了五千。』21 主人說：『好，你這又良善又忠心的僕人，你在不多的事上有忠心，我要把許多事派你管理；可以進來享受你主人的快樂。』22 那領二千的也來，說：『主啊，你交給我二千銀子。請看，我又賺了二千。』23 主人說：『好，你這又良善又忠心的僕人，你在不多的事上有忠心，我要把許多事派你管理；可以進來享受你主人的快樂。』24 那領一千的也來，說：『主啊，我知道你是忍心的人，沒有種的地方要收割，沒有散的地方要聚斂，25 我就害怕，去把你的一千銀子埋藏在地裏。請看，你的原銀子在這裏。』26 主人回答說：『你這又惡又懶的僕人，你既知道我沒有種的地方要收割，沒有散的地方要聚斂，27 就當把我的銀子放給兌換銀錢的人，到我來的時候，可以連本帶利收回。28 奪過他這一千來，給那有一萬的。29 因為凡有的，還要加給他，叫他有餘；沒有的，連他所有的也要奪過來。30 把這無用的僕人丟在外面黑暗裏；在那裏必要哀哭切齒了。』」

 

默想：

1. 神給每個信徒都有不同的恩賜，可能是財富、才幹、時間、或機會。神要我們盡用每樣恩賜來服事神。
2. 主人稱讚頭兩個僕人，因他們盡了他們的努力，主人看他們的努力比成果更重要。但還有一個僕人，用最少的功夫，來確保自己不需勞力，又可保護自己。耶穌指出這個僕人並不關心主人的利益，也不願意服事主人。
3. 我的雙手承載著很多神給的恩賜，祂期待我有智慧地並完全地為祂使用。我有沒有好好地運用這些恩賜？當主再來時，我拿什麼呈獻給主？想一想，今天，這個星期，有什麼實際的事情，使我能運用到我的恩賜？並求神幫助我，為祂好好地做。

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”本上面。

 

Chapter 25

 

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

¹⁴“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. ¹⁵To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. ¹⁶The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. ¹⁷So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. ¹⁸But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. ¹⁹“After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. ²⁰The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ ²¹“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ ²²“The man with the two talents also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.’ ²³“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ ²⁴“Then the man who had received the one talent came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. ²⁵So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ ²⁶“His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? ²⁷Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. ²⁸” ‘Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. ²⁹For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. ³⁰And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Meditation:

1. God gives gifts to all his disciples, wealth, skills, time or opportunities. God wants us to use them completely. This is how we can serve him.
2. The master praised two of the slaves for they had done their best. Not the other slave. This slave was doing the safest thing, and the least work, to protect himself from hard work and punishment if he lose it.
3. God also expects me to use my gifts wisely and completely for Him. How am I doing? Think of one way I can use my gift today and this week. Ask God to help me do it well for His sake.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little while 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.

 

 

第廿四章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

3 耶穌在橄欖山上坐著，門徒暗暗地來說：「請告訴我們，甚麼時候有這些事？你降臨和世界的末了有甚麼預兆呢？」4 耶穌回答說：「你們要謹慎，免得有人迷惑你們。5 因為將來有好些人冒我的名來，說：『我是基督』，並且要迷惑許多人。6 你們也要聽見打仗和打仗的風聲，總不要驚慌；因為這些事是必須有的，只是末期還沒有到。7 民要攻打民，國要攻打國；多處必有饑荒、地震。8 這都是災難（災難：原文是生產之難）的起頭。9 那時，人要把你們陷在患難裏，也要殺害你們；你們又要為我的名被萬民恨惡。10 那時，必有許多人跌倒，也要彼此陷害，彼此恨惡；11 且有好些假先知起來，迷惑多人。12 只因不法的事增多，許多人的愛心才漸漸冷淡了。13 惟有忍耐到底的，必然得救。14 這天國的福音要傳遍天下，對萬民作見證，然後末期才來到。」

 

 

默想：

1. 耶穌基督將要再臨這個世界，想到這個應許會使我快樂嗎？或對我是件有威脅性的事？拿張紙，將我在耶穌再來那天會失去的東西列出來，再將我在那天將得到的列出來。為什麼有些基督徒對耶穌的再臨，會覺得很難相信？
2. 假想一下，如果我們知道耶穌在一個月後將要回來，我們的教會將會有怎樣的不同？我自己呢？
3. 讓這個問題盤旋在我心中，靜坐一會兒，等候神指示我應當如何準備迎接耶穌的再來。

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”本上面。

 

Chapter 24

 

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

³As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

⁴Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. ⁵For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. ⁶You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. ⁷Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. ⁸All these are the beginning of birth pains.

⁹“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. ¹⁰At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, ¹¹and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. ¹²Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, ¹³but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. ¹⁴And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

 

Meditation:

1. Think about the fact that Jesus Christ will return to this earth. Does this promise make me happy? Or is it like a danger to me? Make a list of what I might lose on that great day. Then make a list of what I will gain. Why is it hard for some Christians to believe that Jesus will return?
2. Imagine that Jesus will return in a month’s time. What would be different in my church? What would I
3. Let this question linger in my heart for a while. Wait for God to show me how I may get ready for Jesus’ coming.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little while 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.

 

第廿三章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

1那時，耶穌對眾人和門徒講論，2 說：「文士和法利賽人坐在摩西的位上，3 凡他們所吩咐你們的，你們都要謹守遵行。但不要效法他們的行為；因為他們能說，不能行。4 他們把難擔的重擔捆起來，擱在人的肩上，但自己一個指頭也不肯動。5 他們一切所做的事都是要叫人看見，所以將佩戴的經文做寬了，衣裳的繸子做長了，6 喜愛筵席上的首座，會堂裏的高位，7 又喜愛人在街市上問他安，稱呼他拉比（拉比就是夫子）。8 但你們不要受拉比的稱呼，因為只有一位是你們的夫子；你們都是弟兄。9 也不要稱呼地上的人為父，因為只有一位是你們的父，就是在天上的父。10 也不要受師尊的稱呼，因為只有一位是你們的師尊，就是基督。11 你們中間誰為大，誰就要作你們的用人。12 凡自高的，必降為卑；自卑的，必升為高。

 

默想：

1. 耶穌吩咐門徒不要接受拉比、父或教師的稱號，因為世上只有一位最終極、最具權威的教師——不是摩西或所羅門，而是基督（10節）。因此，跟從耶穌的人，要一生做學生。凡高舉自己的必降為卑，謙卑的人必升為高（12節）。耶穌反復多次責備「假冒為善」，其意思就是「做戲」的行為。文士和法利賽人外表與實質不一致、說話與行為不配合，引致耶穌嚴厲的批評（13-33節）。
2. 文士和法利賽人相當於現代的教授。他們研讀聖經非常仔細入微，又背誦大量篇幅的經文。即使如此，亦未能使他們完全遵從所研讀的教訓。我要怎樣避免成為假冒為善，說一套，做一套的人呢？

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”本上面。

 

Chapter 23

 

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

¹Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: ²“The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. ³So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. ⁴They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. ⁵“Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries^[a] wide and the tassels on their garments long; ⁶they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; ⁷they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them ‘Rabbi.’ ⁸“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. ⁹And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. ¹⁰Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ.^{[b] 11}The greatest among you will be your servant. ¹²For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Meditation:

1. Jesus’ disciples are commanded not to accept the title rabbi, father, or teacher, for there is only one final and authoritative teacher – not Moses or Solomon, but the Christ (v10). Thus, Jesus’ followers must always remain learners. Those who exalt themselves will be humbled and vice versa (v12). Jesus repeated condemns play-acting, which is what the word we translate “hypocrite” actually means. The dichotomy between appearance and reality, between word and deed, draws Jesus’ criticism (vv13-33).
2. The scribes and Pharisees were the professors of their time. They studied Scripture in minute detail and memorized huge chunks of it. Yet all of their study and memorization didn’t keep them from doing things contrary to what they were studying. How can I keep from being hypocrite: teaching one thing and doing another?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little while 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.

 

Family Time:

第廿二章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

34 法利賽人聽見耶穌堵住了撒都該人的口，他們就聚集。35 內中有一個人是律法師，要試探耶穌，就問他說：36 「夫子，律法上的誡命，哪一條是最大的呢？」37 耶穌對他說：「你要盡心、盡性、盡意愛主─你的　神。38 這是誡命中的第一，且是最大的。239 其次也相倣，就是要愛人如己。40 這兩條誡命是律法和先知一切道理的總綱。」

 

默想：

1. 整個律法全繫於兩個核心的命令，就是愛神和愛人；所有的律法和先知所說的，都是要培養我們對神和對鄰舍的愛。人要盡心愛神，這是最大的誡命；但沒有神幫助，人不可能做到。因此希坡的奧古斯丁說「主啊，求你把你所吩咐的賜給我，然後吩咐我遵行你的旨意。」
2. 現今我的愛心需要在那方面來成長？對神？對家人？對有需要/窮困的？對自己？我當怎樣著手學習？將上列奧古斯丁的禱告，作為我的心聲，並真誠的向神禱告。

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”本上面。

 

Chapter 22

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

³⁴Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. ³⁵One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: ³⁶“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” ³⁷Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ³⁸This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’⁴⁰All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Meditation:

1. The entire law hinges on its central commands to love God and neighbor. All the law and the prophets spoke was intended to nurture love for God and love for one’s neighbor. God is to be loved wholeheartedly, which is the greatest commandment. But this is impossible without the aid of God; hence the words of Augustine of Hippo, “Give what you command, Lord, and then command whatever you will”.
2. In what way do I want to grow in love right now: Toward God? Toward those in my family? Toward the needy? Toward myself? How would I do it? Use the above prayer of Augustine of Hippo as a prayer and ask God to help me to grow in love in the specific way shown by the Holy Spirit.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little while 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.

 

 

第廿一章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

12 耶穌進了神的殿，趕出殿裏一切做買賣的人，推倒兌換銀錢之人的桌子，和賣鴿子之人的凳子，13 對他們說：「經上記著說：我的殿必稱為禱告的殿，你們倒使它成為賊窩了。」14 在殿裏有瞎子、瘸子到耶穌跟前，他就治好了他們。15 祭司長和文士看見耶穌所行的奇事，又見小孩子在殿裏喊著說：「和散那歸於大衛的子孫！」就甚惱怒，16 對他說：「這些人所說的，你聽見了嗎？」耶穌說：「是的。經上說『你從嬰孩和吃奶的口中完全了讚美』的話，你們沒有念過嗎？」17 於是離開他們，出城到伯大尼去，在那裏住宿。

 

默想：

1. 這些商人和兌換錢幣的人，向遠道而來的朝聖者牟取暴利；使神的殿變成奸商謀利的跳蚤市場，妨礙人們前來敬拜神，難怪耶穌勃然大怒。如果耶穌今天來到我的教會，祂會有何反應？
2. 如果耶穌今天來拜訪我的教會，祂會在那些地方「推倒……桌子」？如果耶穌今天來拜訪我，又會怎樣？（豈不知你們的身子就是聖靈的殿嗎﹖這聖靈是從神而來，住在你們裡頭的；並且你們不是自己的人。林前6:19）

 

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”本上面。

 

Chapter 21

 

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

¹²Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. ¹³“It is written,” he said to them, ” ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a ‘den of robbers.'” ¹⁴The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. ¹⁵But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant. ¹⁶“Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, ” ‘From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise’?” ¹⁷And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.

 

Meditation:

1. These merchants and money exchangers were extorting the pilgrims and making a big profit on the trade. They have turned the temple into a high profit lucrative business enterprise. No wonder Jesus was furious and drove them out.
2. If Jesus were to visit my church today, where might He begin “turning over tables”? What about my life if Jesus comes to visit my heart? (I Cor 6:19)

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little while 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.

 

 

第廿章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

1「因為天國好像家主清早去雇人進他的葡萄園做工，2 和工人講定一天一錢銀子，就打發他們進葡萄園去。3 約在巳初出去，看見市上還有閒站的人，4 就對他們說：『你們也進葡萄園去，所當給的，我必給你們。』他們也進去了。5 約在午正和申初又出去，也是這樣行。6 約在酉初出去，看見還有人站在那裏，就問他們說：『你們為甚麼整天在這裏閒站呢？』7 他們說：『因為沒有人雇我們。』他說：『你們也進葡萄園去。』8 到了晚上，園主對管事的說：『叫工人都來，給他們工錢，從後來的起，到先來的為止。』9 約在酉初雇的人來了，各人得了一錢銀子。10 及至那先雇的來了，他們以為必要多得；誰知也是各得一錢。11 他們得了，就埋怨家主說：12 『我們整天勞苦受熱，那後來的只做了一小時，你竟叫他們和我們一樣嗎？』13 家主回答其中的一人說：『朋友，我不虧負你，你與我講定的不是一錢銀子嗎？14 拿你的走吧！我給那後來的和給你一樣，這是我願意的。15 我的東西難道不可隨我的意思用嗎？因為我作好人，你就紅了眼嗎？』16 這樣，那在後的，將要在前；在前的，將要在後了。（有古卷加：因為被召的人多，選上的人少。）」

默想：

1. 這個比喻困擾了很多人，這個園主是很明顯的不公平。耶穌是要說明有些人將他們與神的關係看為「工人得工價」的關係，這些人認為神必會因他們的忙碌、勞苦、功績，而賞賜他們。
2. 但是，神以恩典，而非我們的工作，來與我們建立關係。我們屬靈的生命也不會因忙碌事奉而得成長。
3. 我是否太過忙於為神工作，而忘了單單地愛神？我是否忘了停頓下來，聆聽別人的心聲，回應他們的需要？我是否靈裡已經枯乾，但仍不停地花費精力，沒有果效的作事？神在對我說什麼？

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”本上面。

 

Chapter 20

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

¹“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. ²He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. ³“About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. ⁴He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ ⁵So they went. “He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing. ⁶About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ ⁷” ‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ ⁸“When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ ⁹“The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. ¹⁰So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. ¹¹When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. ¹²‘These men who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’ ¹³“But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? ¹⁴Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. ¹⁵Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ ¹⁶“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

 

Meditation:

1. This story troubles many. It’s obvious that the owner of the vineyard wasn’t fair. Jesus is saying that some people want to put relationship with God on a work-for-hire basis. And these folks often assume they’ll be rewarded for being so busy.
2. Relationship with God is based on His generosity (v15), His grace, not our works. We don’t advance spiritually by being busy.
3. Am I becoming so caught up in doing things for God that I forget to simply love Him? Do I forget to stop, listen to people, and try to respond to their needs? Am I actually drying up spiritually but still spending my energies in an unproductive way? What is God telling me?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little while 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.

 

 

第十九章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

16 有一個人來見耶穌，說：「夫子（有古卷：良善的夫子），我該做甚麼善事才能得永生？」17 耶穌對他說：「你為甚麼以善事問我呢？只有一位是善的（有古卷：你為甚麼稱我是良善的？除了　神以外，沒有一個良善的）。你若要進入永生，就當遵守誡命。」18 他說：「甚麼誡命？」耶穌說：「就是不可殺人；不可姦淫；不可偷盜；不可作假見證；19 當孝敬父母；又當愛人如己。」20 那少年人說：「這一切我都遵守了，還缺少甚麼呢？」21 耶穌說：「你若願意作完全人，可去變賣你所有的，分給窮人，就必有財寶在天上；你還要來跟從我。」22 那少年人聽見這話，就憂憂愁愁地走了，因為他的產業很多。

 

默想：

1. 耶穌單刀直入的指出少年人對永生的誤解，有哪些誤解是我也有的？
2. 這段故事中，耶穌再次將我們一向持有的價值觀顛倒過來：財富不一定代表祝福，相反還可能阻礙人成為主真正的門徒。
3. 我愛主超過其他一切嗎？還有什麼我看為寶貴的事物，攔阻我成為主的真門徒？

 

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”本上面。

 

Chapter 19

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

¹⁶Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” ¹⁷“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.” ¹⁸“Which ones?” the man inquired. Jesus replied, ” ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, ¹⁹honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.'” ²⁰“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” ²¹Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” ²²When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

 

Meditation:

1. Jesus very bluntly pointed to the young man his misunderstanding of the eternal life. What is it? Do I share similar misunderstanding?
2. In this passage, Jesus once again turned upside down the traditional view of wealth being a sign of blessing. Wealth, in fact, can be a hindrance to proper discipleship as in this case.
3. Do I love God above all else? Is there anything hindering me to become a true disciple of Jesus Christ?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little while 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.

 

第十八章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

21 那時，彼得進前來，對耶穌說：「主啊，我弟兄得罪我，我當饒恕他幾次呢？到七次可以嗎？」22 耶穌說：「我對你說，不是到七次，乃是到七十個七次。23 天國好像一個王要和他僕人算帳。24 才算的時候，有人帶了一個欠一千萬銀子的來。25 因為他沒有甚麼償還之物，主人吩咐把他和他妻子兒女，並一切所有的都賣了償還。26 那僕人就俯伏拜他，說：『主啊，寬容我，將來我都要還清。』27 那僕人的主人就動了慈心，把他釋放了，並且免了他的債。28 「那僕人出來，遇見他的一個同伴欠他十兩銀子，便揪著他，掐住他的喉嚨，說：『你把所欠的還我！』29 他的同伴就俯伏央求他，說：『寬容我吧，將來我必還清。』30 他不肯，竟去把他下在監裏，等他還了所欠的債。31 眾同伴看見他所做的事就甚憂愁，去把這事都告訴了主人。32 於是主人叫了他來，對他說：『你這惡奴才！你央求我，我就把你所欠的都免了，33 你不應當憐恤你的同伴，像我憐恤你嗎？』34 主人就大怒，把他交給掌刑的，等他還清了所欠的債。35 你們各人若不從心裏饒恕你的弟兄，我天父也要這樣待你們了。」

 

默想：

1. 耶穌以一個比喻來回答彼得提出有關饒恕的問題，並且給了饒恕最強有力的原因。這比喻說到一個僕人，欠了主人無以償還的巨額債款，主人動了慈心，免了他的債。但這僕人後來見到另一位欠他極少數額的債款，卻將他扔到監裡，直到他償還為止。主人非常生氣，因為這個被赦免這麼多債務的僕人，竟然不肯憐恤欠他這麼少數額的夥伴。
2. 這對我們有很大的提醒，當弟兄姐妹重復多次傷害我們後，我們的心就變得僵硬；但神我們的主宰，卻早已饒恕了我們全然無法償還的罪債。
3. 有誰是我到現在仍然很不容易饒恕的人？思想以下我從神所得的饒恕，想像我是比喻中第一個欠了巨額的僕人，求神賜下饒恕他人的恩典給我，來徹底地饒恕此人。

 

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”本上面。

 

Chapter 18

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

²¹Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” ²²Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. ²³“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. ²⁵Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. ²⁶“The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ ²⁷The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. ²⁸“But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. ²⁹“His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ ³⁰“But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. ³¹When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. ³²“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. ³³Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ ³⁴In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. ³⁵“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”

Meditation:

1. Jesus gave us the most compelling reason of all to forgive one another in the parable. A servant owed a king a huge debt and couldn’t pay back. The king forgave the debt and let him go. Then the servant met another servant who owned him a small sum, but he threw that man into prison until the debt was paid. This angered the king as it was hardly appropriate for one who had been forgiven so much to make such an issue of a debt which was so little.
2. What a reminder when we find our hearts hardening toward a brother or sister after a few repeated hurts. God, the great King, has forgiven us an absolutely unpayable debt, our sins.
3. Who is the one I find it hard to forgive? Meditate on the forgiveness I have received from the Lord. Imagine myself as the first servant. Ask for grace to forgive the other person.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little while 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.

第十七章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

1過了六天，耶穌帶著彼得、雅各，和雅各的兄弟約翰，暗暗地上了高山，2 就在他們面前變了形像，臉面明亮如日頭，衣裳潔白如光。3 忽然，有摩西、以利亞向他們顯現，同耶穌說話。4 彼得對耶穌說：「主啊，我們在這裏真好！你若願意，我就在這裏搭三座棚，一座為你，一座為摩西，一座為以利亞。」5 說話之間，忽然有一朵光明的雲彩遮蓋他們，且有聲音從雲彩裏出來，說：「這是我的愛子，我所喜悅的。你們要聽他！」6 門徒聽見﹐就俯伏在地，極其害怕。7 耶穌進前來，摸他們，說：「起來，不要害怕！」8 他們舉目不見一人，只見耶穌在那裏。9 下山的時候，耶穌吩咐他們說：「人子還沒有從死裏復活，你們不要將所看見的告訴人。」10 門徒問耶穌說：「文士為甚麼說以利亞必須先來？」11 耶穌回答說：「以利亞固然先來，並要復興萬事；12 只是我告訴你們，以利亞已經來了，人卻不認識他，竟任意待他。人子也將要這樣受他們的害。」13 門徒這才明白耶穌所說的是指著施洗的約翰。

 

默想：

1. 彼得、雅各，和約翰三個人在高山上親眼目睹了一件非常特殊的事件，以致他們仆倒在變了相的耶穌面前。當他們抬頭時，「他們舉目不見一人，只見耶穌在那裏」。何等奇妙的山頂經驗，耶穌熟悉的臉面明亮如日頭，衣裳潔白如光，在光明的雲彩遮蓋他們時，他們聽見有聲音宣佈，耶穌是神的愛子，他們窺見了耶穌的榮耀。所以他們就全然地沉浸在敬拜的當中。
2. 回想自己信主的歷程中，我在什麼情況下承認「耶穌是超越一切，我應當聽從祂」？神怎樣向我宣佈：「這是我的愛子，我所喜悅的」？我有怎樣的回應？

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”本上面。

 

Chapter 17

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

¹After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. ²There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. ³Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. ⁴Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” ⁵While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” ⁶When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. ⁷But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” ⁸When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. ⁹As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” ¹⁰The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” ¹¹Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. ¹²But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” ¹³Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.

Meditation:

1. Peter, James and John witnessed a special event on the mountaintop. They fell down before the transformed Jesus and when they looked up “they saw no one except Jesus”. What a mountaintop experience that was. In the rays that blazed from His familiar form, in the bright cloud that enveloped them, and in the voice announcing Jesus as God’s Son, Christ’s essential glory was glimpsed. They were deeply, completely, totally immersed in worship.
2. How did I ever come to realize that Jesus was the one above all others that I should listen to? How has God said to me, “This is my child, whom I love, with whom I am well pleased”? What was my response?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little while 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.

 

第十六章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

21 從此，耶穌才指示門徒，他必須上耶路撒冷去，受長老、祭司長、文士許多的苦，並且被殺，第三日復活。22 彼得就拉著他，勸他說：「主啊，萬不可如此！這事必不臨到你身上。」23 耶穌轉過來，對彼得說：「撒但，退我後邊去吧！你是絆我腳的；因為你不體貼　神的意思，只體貼人的意思。」24 於是耶穌對門徒說：「若有人要跟從我，就當捨己，背起他的十字架來跟從我。25 因為，凡要救自己生命（生命：或譯靈魂；下同）的，必喪掉生命；凡為我喪掉生命的，必得著生命。26 人若賺得全世界，賠上自己的生命，有甚麼益處呢？人還能拿甚麼換生命呢？27 人子要在他父的榮耀裏，同著眾使者降臨；那時候，他要照各人的行為報應各人。28 我實在告訴你們，站在這裏的，有人在沒嘗死味以前必看見人子降臨在他的國裏。」

 

默想：

1. 彼得不希望耶穌面對十架的死亡，因此他要求耶穌去避開。但耶穌嚴厲地斥責彼得，因他不是從神的眼光來看事情。每個主的門徒都當學習以神的眼光來看自己的生命，並「背…十字架來跟從」。這並不是說，我們都要被釘十架，我們的十架並不代表是受苦或死亡，乃是代表神對我們每個人的計劃與目的，這是需要我們去尋找並實踐。
2. 我們常以為遵行神的旨意，就表示會「喪掉生命」。其實，只有在每天生活中遵行神的旨意，我們才能「得到生命」，並且是更豐盛的生命。
3. 從耶穌「得與失」的教導中，我對自己目前的生活優次，有什麼提醒，察覺到神對我的生命的看法如何？

 

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”本上面。

 

Chapter 16

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

²¹From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. ²²Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” ²³Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” ²⁴Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ²⁵For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. ²⁶What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? ²⁷For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. ²⁸I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

 

Meditation:

1. Peter didn’t like the idea of Christ facing death by crucifixion. So he urged Jesus to avoid it! Jesus angrily pushed him away for he lacked the perspective of God. Every disciple must learn to look at his or her life from God’s perspective and “take up his cross and follow”. Not that we will literally be crucified, our cross doesn’t represent suffering or death. Instead, the cross represents the plan and purpose of God for each of us that we need to find and do, just like Jesus did.
2. It often seems to us that if we do the will of God, we will “lose our life”. However, the truth is that we will only “gain” our life and become what we most desire to be when we do the will of God each day.
3. What perspective do I gain on my current priorities from Jesus’ “gain and lose” teaching (vv25-26)?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little while 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.

 

Family Time:

 

第十五章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

10 耶穌就叫了眾人來，對他們說：「你們要聽，也要明白。11 入口的不能污穢人，出口的乃能污穢人。」12 當時，門徒進前來對他說：「法利賽人聽見這話，不服（原文是跌倒），你知道嗎？」13 耶穌回答說：「凡栽種的物，若不是我天父栽種的，必要拔出來。14 任憑他們吧！他們是瞎眼領路的；若是瞎子領瞎子，兩個人都要掉在坑裏。」15 彼得對耶穌說：「請將這比喻講給我們聽。」16 耶穌說：「你們到如今還不明白嗎？17 豈不知凡入口的，是運到肚子裏，又落在茅廁裏嗎？18 惟獨出口的，是從心裏發出來的，這才污穢人。19 因為從心裏發出來的，有惡念、凶殺、姦淫、苟合、偷盜、妄證、謗讟。20 這都是污穢人的；至於不洗手吃飯，那卻不污穢人。」

 

默想：

1. 耶穌好像經常用很尖銳的話語來惹怒法利賽人，但是，他們卻是全國中，最敬虔的宗教領袖。和耶穌一起來評擊法利賽人是很過癮的，認為「我很慶幸我不像他們」也很容易，但事實上，我是否與法利賽人很相似？
2. 我是否也像法利賽人，非常專注外表整潔體面的裝扮，卻忽略了從心裡出來的言語和思想的清潔？
3. 仔細逐個的讀耶穌在19節所列的各種罪，求至高聖潔神的光，照亮我的內心，讓我看見自己裡面的污穢、黑暗；求神赦免，並將內心洗滌乾凈。

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”本上面。

 

Chapter 15

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

¹⁰Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. ¹¹What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean.’ ” ¹²Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?” ¹³He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. ¹⁴Leave them; they are blind guides.^[e] If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” ¹⁵Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.” ¹⁶“Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. ¹⁷“Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? ¹⁸But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ ¹⁹For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. ²⁰These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean.’ ”

 

Meditation:

1. Jesus seems to spend a lot of time provoking the Pharisees by speaking harshly to them. Yet, these are supposed to be the most devout leaders in the entire nation. Joining Jesus in bashing the Pharisees is tempting. Thinking I’m glad I’m not like them is easy. But we often resemble the Pharisees more than we’d like to admit.
2. Am I like the Pharisees, caring much about how I look on the outside, but neglect the purity on the inside?
3. Read through the sins listed in v19. Ask the light of the holy God Most High to shine in my heart for me to see the filth and darkness. Ask for forgiveness and cleansing of my heart.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little while 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.

Family Time:

 

第十四章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

22 耶穌隨即催門徒上船，先渡到那邊去，等他叫眾人散開。23 散了眾人以後，他就獨自上山去禱告。到了晚上，只有他一人在那裏。24 那時船在海中，因風不順，被浪搖撼。25 夜裏四更天，耶穌在海面上走，往門徒那裏去。26 門徒看見他在海面上走，就驚慌了，說：「是個鬼怪！」便害怕，喊叫起來。27 耶穌連忙對他們說：「你們放心，是我，不要怕！」28 彼得說：「主，如果是你，請叫我從水面上走到你那裏去。」29 耶穌說：「你來吧。」彼得就從船上下去，在水面上走，要到耶穌那裏去；30 只因見風甚大，就害怕，將要沉下去，便喊著說：「主啊，救我！」31 耶穌趕緊伸手拉住他，說：「你這小信的人哪，為甚麼疑惑呢？」32 他們上了船，風就住了。33 在船上的人都拜他，說：「你真是 神的兒子了。」

 

默想：

1. 耶穌為什麼這麼快地打發門徒走？為什麼耶穌需要獨自禱告？
2. 走向耶穌，直至狂風巨浪把他嚇倒。這是個憑信心開步走的故事，而非描述在恐懼中前行。
3. 若我當時在場，我會留在船上，還是踏出去？我的生命與彼得嘗試在水上行走，有什麼類似之處？
4. 耶穌把安靜獨處視為一件特別重要的事情，嘗試用一天的時間，到靜修中心安靜退修，或找個地方遠離日常生活的煩囂。隨身帶備著筆記本，記下所聽見，或從神所領受的感想。

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”本上面。

 

Chapter 14

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

²²Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. ²³After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, ²⁴but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. ²⁵During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. ²⁶When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. ²⁷But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” ²⁸“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” ²⁹“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” ³¹Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” ³²And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

 

Meditation:

1. Why did Jesus dismiss the disciples so abruptly? Why did Jesus want to pray alone?
2. Only Peter attempted to step out in faith and walk toward Jesus, until the elements of wind and wave frighten him. Therefore, it is a story of walking by faith, rather than in fear.
3. Would I be more likely to stay in the boat or step out of it? Why? What do I see in my life that parallels Peter’s attempt to walk on water?
4. Jesus takes His solitude seriously. Consider taking a one-day silent retreat at a center or just find a place isolated from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Keep a notebook handy and write down what I hear and the impressions I receive from God. What did I learn?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little while 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.

第十三章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

1當那一天，耶穌從房子裏出來，坐在海邊。2 有許多人到他那裏聚集，他只得上船坐下，眾人都站在岸上。3 他用比喻對他們講許多道理，說：「有一個撒種的出去撒種；4 撒的時候，有落在路旁的，飛鳥來吃盡了；5 有落在土淺石頭地上的，土既不深，發苗最快，6 日頭出來一曬，因為沒有根，就枯乾了；7 有落在荊棘裏的，荊棘長起來，把它擠住了；8 又有落在好土裏的，就結實，有一百倍的，有六十倍的，有三十倍的。9 有耳可聽的，就應當聽！」

18 「所以，你們當聽這撒種的比喻。19 凡聽見天國道理不明白的，那惡者就來，把所撒在他心裏的奪了去；這就是撒在路旁的了。20 撒在石頭地上的，就是人聽了道，當下歡喜領受，21 只因心裏沒有根，不過是暫時的，及至為道遭了患難，或是受了逼迫，立刻就跌倒了。22 撒在荊棘裏的，就是人聽了道，後來有世上的思慮、錢財的迷惑把道擠住了，不能結實。23 撒在好地上的，就是人聽道明白了，後來結實，有一百倍的，有六十倍的，有三十倍的。」

默想：

1.       這個比喻清楚說明，人接受福音，要視乎土壤的好壞，也就是領受者的心的情況。在這個比喻中，種子和撒種的都是一樣，但是土壤卻不同。許多人不接受耶穌的信息，但那少數接受的人，就結出豐碩的果子來。

2.       比喻的講解（18-23節）明確指出，有多種因素妨礙人去聽福音，包括撒但、錢財的誘惑、困境、迫害和憂慮等。我是屬哪一類型的土壤呢？神的道要怎樣才會在我的生命裡扎根呢？

 

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”本上面。

 

Chapter 13

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

¹That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. ²Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. ³Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. ⁴As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. ⁵Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. ⁶But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. ⁷Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. ⁸Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. ⁹He who has ears, let him hear.”

¹⁸“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: ¹⁹When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. ²⁰The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. ²¹But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. ²²The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. ²³But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

Meditation:

1.        This parable makes clear that reception of the gospel depends on the soil, that is, the condition of the recipient. In this parable, the seed and the sower are the same in each case, but the soil varies. There are many who do not respond favourably to Jesus’ message, but the few who did produced remarkable fruit.

2.        The explanation (vv18-23) makes clear that there are a variety of factors hindering hearing – Satan, the lure of wealth, trouble, persecution, worries. Which soil do I belong to? How will God’s word take root in my life?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little while 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.

 

第十二章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

15 耶穌知道了，就離開那裏，有許多人跟著他。他把其中有病的人都治好了；16 又囑咐他們，不要給他傳名。17 這是要應驗先知以賽亞的話，說：

18 看哪！我的僕人，我所揀選、所親愛、心裏所喜悅的，

我要將我的靈賜給他；他必將公理傳給外邦。

19   他不爭競，不喧嚷；街上也沒有人聽見他的聲音。

20  壓傷的蘆葦，他不折斷；將殘的燈火，他不吹滅；

等他施行公理，叫公理得勝。

21 外邦人都要仰望他的名。

 

默想：

1. 耶穌的傳道生涯並非一帆風順，相反地，祂遭到很多的反對。耶穌面對這些帶敵意的人，就離開那裡，並囑咐那些被醫好的，不要為祂作宣傳，為什麼？
2. 馬太引用以賽亞書「僕人之歌」其中的一部分（以賽亞書41:1-9），來說明主耶穌——世人的救贖主，有怎樣的特徵；祂「不爭競，不喧嚷」，祂是這麼溫和，連「壓傷的蘆葦，他不折斷；將殘的燈火，他不吹滅」。
3. 繼續注目我的彌賽亞/救主，藉思想祂的特性，更深地認識祂。讚美感謝神的謙卑與溫柔，並祂在我身上所作的奇妙工作。

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”本上面。

 

Chapter 12

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here.  Then focus on the following section:

¹⁵Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed him, and he healed all their sick, ¹⁶warning them not to tell who he was. ¹⁷This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
¹⁸“Here is my servant whom I have chosen,
the one I love, in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
¹⁹He will not quarrel or cry out;
no one will hear his voice in the streets.
²⁰A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,
till he leads justice to victory.
²¹In his name the nations will put their hope.”

Meditation:

1. Jesus didn’t have a smooth ministry.  In fact, he met a lot of oppositions.  Jesus responded to the hostility by simply asking those healed “not to tell who he was” and leaving the area.  Why?
2. Matthew explained by quoting a passage from one of Isaiah’s “servant songs” (Is 41:1-9).   Messiah “will not quarrel or cry out”.  He will be so gentle that He will not even snap a worthless reed flute, or discard a soot-filled candle wick.
3. Continue to look at my Messiah/Saviour and get to know Him deeper by reflecting on the characteristics listed in the passage.  Praise and thank Him for His humility and gentleness and also the wonderful work He’s done in my life.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little while 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.

Family Time:

第十一章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

1耶穌吩咐完了十二個門徒，就離開那裏，往各城去傳道、教訓人。2約翰在監裏聽見基督所做的事，就打發兩個門徒去，3問他說：「那將要來的是你嗎？還是我們等候別人呢？」4耶穌回答說：「你們去，把所聽見、所看見的事告訴約翰。5就是瞎子看見，瘸子行走，長大痲瘋的潔淨，聾子聽見，死人復活，窮人有福音傳給他們。6凡不因我跌倒的就有福了！」

 

默想：

1. 我是否也像約翰一樣，雖然信主已經一段時間，但仍然會對自己的信仰產生懷疑，恐怕所信的不是真的？主耶穌的回答能否解決我的困境？
2. 在我自己身上或是周圍的人生命中，我曾否看見過主耶穌的作為？寫下至少三件神的作為，現在就為此感謝神。
3. 「回憶神的工作」，「一顆感恩的心」，與「身處困境艱難」，這三者有什麼互相的關聯與作用？

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”本上面。

 

Chapter 11

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here.  Then focus on the following section:

¹After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. ²When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples ³to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”  ⁴Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: ⁵The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. ⁶Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”

Meditation:

1. Have I been like John doubt Jesus after a period of unresolved difficulties and problems?  How would Jesus’ reply to John answer my doubts?
2. Have I seen the work of Jesus in my life and lives of those around me? Write down at least three things.  Then, utter a thanksgiving payer to God.
3. What do “Remembering God’s work, a Grateful heart, and a Difficult Situation” have in common in bringing us to God?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little while 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.

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

32凡在人面前認我的、我在我天上的父面前、也必認他。 33凡在人面前不認我的、我在我天上的父面前、也必不認他。 34你們不要想我來、是叫地上太平．我來、並不是叫地上太平、乃是叫地上動刀兵。 35因為我來、是叫人與父親生疏、女兒與母親生疏、媳婦與婆婆生疏． 36人的仇敵、就是自己家裏的人。 37愛父母過於愛我的、不配作我的門徒、愛兒女過於愛我的、不配作我的門徒。 38不背著他的十字架跟從我的、也不配作我的門徒。 39得著生命的、將要失喪生命．為我失喪生命的、將要得著生命。

 

默想：

1. 作主門徒的記號包括：在人前認主（32節），對主忠心勝過家庭的關係（34-35節），背起十字架跟從主，學效耶穌順服神以致於死在十架上（38節），為愛主捨棄一切（37節）。

2. 似乎門徒的生命全是「捨棄」而無「得著」，但是當主的門徒出外事奉時，別人藉著他們而蒙福，這使他們得了喜樂。就像使徒保羅所說：「你們是我們的希望，我們的喜樂。在我們的主耶穌再來的時候，我們所要誇耀的冠冕不正是你們嗎？」（帖前19）

3. 「背起十字架跟從主」對我來說有什麼意義？我如何因成為基督的門徒而在祂的受苦上有分？我有否經歷到保羅所說的喜樂？

 

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”本上面。

 

Chapter 10

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

³²“Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. ³³But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. ³⁴“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. ³⁵ For I have come to turn ” ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law – ³⁶a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ ³⁷“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; ³⁸and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. ³⁹Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

 

Meditation

1. The marks of Jesus’ disciples according to this passage include: acknowledging Jesus before men (v32), placing loyalty to Christ above even the bonds of family (vv34-35), taking up his cross and following Jesus by subjecting one’s will to God even as Jesus chose to subject Himself to the cross (v38), surrendering all for the sake of his Lord (v37).

2. It seems that the disciple’s life is all “give up” and no “gain”. However, as Jesus’ disciple go out to minister, they will have the joy of knowing that it was through him or her that others were thus blessed. The Apostle Paul put it this way: “For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when He comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.”(I Thes. 19)

3. What does “take his cross and follow Jesus” mean to me? How am I sharing Christ’ suffering in discipleship? Have I experience the joy Paul talked about?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little while 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.

9耶穌從那裏往前走、看見一個人名叫馬太、坐在稅關上、就對他說、你跟從我來．他就起來、跟從了耶穌。 10耶穌在屋裏坐席的時候、有好些稅吏和罪人來、與耶穌和他的門徒一同坐席。 11法利賽人看見、就對耶穌的門徒說、你們的先生為甚麼和稅吏並罪人一同吃飯呢。12耶穌聽見、就說、康健的人用不著醫生、有病的人才用得著。 13經上說、「我喜愛憐恤、不喜愛祭祀。」這句話的意思、你們且去揣摩．我來、本不是召義人、乃是召罪人。

默想：
耶穌呼召馬太，表明祂向社會的邊緣人物——受人歧視、排擠、壓迫的群體招手，法利賽人對宗教禮儀與道德的拘泥，使他們無法了解何以耶穌會和這樣卑賤的人一同飲宴。我比較能認同馬太或是法利賽人？為什麼？
今天我有否看見主耶穌向我招手，邀請我跟從祂？我的回應是什麼呢？ 我是否歡喜與主一同吃喝，歡樂，慶祝，休息……？
耶穌引用《何6：6》「我喜愛憐恤、不喜愛祭祀。」，是否因憐恤和愛是我們內在的實際改變，而祭祀卻是不論內心的實況如何，都可以做到的外在表現？

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”本上面。

 

Chapter 9

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

⁹As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

¹⁰While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples. ¹¹When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?”

¹²On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ¹³But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

 

Meditation

1. The calling of Matthew exhibited Jesus’ calling of outcasts and despised sinners. The Pharisees, with their concern for both ritual and moral purity, could not understand why Jesus would have meals with the bad people. Whom can I identify more easily, Matthew or the Pharisees? Why?

2. Do I see Jesus’ calling of me, inviting me to follow Him? What’s my response? Do I enjoy eating, drinking, celebrating, resting, having fun with Jesus?

3. Why did Jesus quote “I desire mercy, not sacrifice”(Ho 6:6)? Could it be because love and mercy reveal that we have a transformed heart, while sacrifice is an outward act that can be done regardless of the condition of our heart?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little while 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.