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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.