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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.