Category: 260灵修

第十六章

7 然而，我將真情告訴你們，我去是與你們有益的；我若不去，保惠師就不到你們這裏來；我若去，就差他來。 8 他既來了，就要叫世人為罪、為義、為審判，自己責備自己。 9 為罪，是因他們不信我； 10 為義，是因我往父那裏去，你們就不再見我； 11 為審判，是因這世界的王受了審判。 12 「我還有好些事要告訴你們，但你們現在擔當不了（或譯：不能領會）。 13 只等真理的聖靈來了，他要引導你們明白（原文是進入）一切的真理；因為他不是憑自己說的，乃是把他所聽見的都說出來，並要把將來的事告訴你們。 14 他要榮耀我，因為他要將受於我的告訴你們。 15 凡父所有的，都是我的；所以我說，他要將受於我的告訴你們。」

默想：

1. 聖靈在世上有三樣事工：為罪：因為罪的本質是不信（9節），而信徒對耶穌有堅定的信心，這與世界對祂的抗拒對立，正是證實世界的罪。為義：義的終極標準就是父神透過耶穌表現出來；現在耶穌已回到天父身邊（10節），證實祂的真確性。雖然人現在看不見耶穌，祂的性情卻表現在信徒學效耶穌的生命中；因此，日常生活中我們不斷顯示罪人和神之間的差距。為審判：十字架與復活的真實性，就是在信徒靠著耶穌的復活大能（羅8：11）而活出的嶄新生命；這就毫無疑問地證明撒但已被擊敗。因此，牠所統治的世界，只不過是個虛晃的空架。
2. 我們無法作任何事來定世界的罪；但是，當我們的生命注入聖靈的能力，並表現出天國的恩典時；我們便能勇敢地向世界宣告神的審判。
3. 感謝聖靈的引領，幫助我每天活出學效基督的生活來。

 

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「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

 

Chapter 16

⁷But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. ⁸When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt^[a] in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: ⁹in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; ¹⁰in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; ¹¹and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.  ¹²“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. ¹³But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. ¹⁴He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. ¹⁵All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

Meditation

1. The Holy Spirit has three ministries to the world.  In regard to sin: the essence of sin is unbelief (v9).  Our trust in Jesus contrasts the world’s rejection of Him, this confirms its guilt.  In regard to righteousness: the ultimate standard of righteousness is God Himself, expressed in Jesus, whose claims have been vindicated by His return to the Father’s side(v 10).  Though men see Jesus no longer, His character is displayed in believers’ Christlike lives.  We continually exhibit the gap that exists between sinners and the Lord.  In regard to judgment: The Cross and Resurrection – the reality of which are seen in the believer who lives his life in Jesus’ resurrection power (Rm 8:11), proves unequivocally that Satan is a defeated foe.  Thus the world system he dominates is an empty sham.
2. There is nothing we can do to convict the world we live in.  It is our lives, infused by the Spirit’s power and displaying heaven’s grace, that boldly proclaim the judgment of our God.
3. Thank the Holy Spirit for His guidance in helping me to live out the Christlike life daily.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第十五章

1「我是真葡萄樹，我父是栽培的人。 2 凡屬我不結果子的枝子，他就剪去；凡結果子的，他就修理乾淨，使枝子結果子更多。 3 現在你們因我講給你們的道，已經乾淨了。 4 你們要常在我裏面，我也常在你們裏面。枝子若不常在葡萄樹上，自己就不能結果子；你們若不常在我裏面，也是這樣。 5 我是葡萄樹，你們是枝子。常在我裏面的，我也常在他裏面，這人就多結果子；因為離了我，你們就不能做甚麼。 6 人若不常在我裏面，就像枝子丟在外面枯乾，人拾起來，扔在火裏燒了。 7 你們若常在我裏面，我的話也常在你們裏面，凡你們所願意的，祈求，就給你們成就。 8 你們多結果子，我父就因此得榮耀，你們也就是我的門徒了。 9 我愛你們，正如父愛我一樣；你們要常在我的愛裏。

默想：

1. 耶穌的門徒是枝子，祂是葡萄樹，只要我們在主的愛中，我們就能結果子。枝子從連接的樹上吸取所需要的營養汁液。同樣的，我們從耶穌那裡汲取屬靈的生命力，使我們能開花結果。因此耶穌清楚地說：「離了我，你們就不能做甚麼」。
2. 枝子要能結果，園主需要經常修剪枝葉。我們的園主——天父，小心翼翼、殷勤地在園中工作，照料祂的葡萄園，為的是要幫助我們結出更多更好的果實來。神在我們生命中的修剪，是為我們的好處，並不是要威脅我們。
3. 活在主的裡面，並感謝祂必須作的修剪，使我能夠結果更多。

 

禱告與筆錄：

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

 

 

Chapter 15

¹“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ²He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. ³You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ⁴Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.  ⁵“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. ⁷If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. ⁸This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.  ⁹“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.

Meditation

1. Jesus’ disciples are branches, He is the Vine.  As we remain in His love, we produce fruit.  A branch draws its nutrients from the vine.  In the same way we draw the spiritual vitality from Jesus in order for us to produce fruit.  Thus Jesus says clearly, “Apart from me you can do nothing.”
2. For the branches to bear more fruits, the gardener needs to prune his vine regularly.  The great Gardener, our heavenly Father, works with extreme care to prune His vines.  We’re assured that God, the gardener, actively tending His vineyard, is fully committed to bring us to maximum fruitfulness.  God’s pruning work benefits us, it doesn’t threaten us.
3. Remain in the Lord and thank Him for the necessary pruning in order for me to be fruitful.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第十四章

15 「你們若愛我，就必遵守我的命令。 16 我要求父，父就另外賜給你們一位保惠師（或譯：訓慰師；下同），叫他永遠與你們同在， 17 就是真理的聖靈，乃世人不能接受的；因為不見他，也不認識他。你們卻認識他，因他常與你們同在，也要在你們裏面。

默想：

1. 這段經文是有關聖靈，以禱告的心祈求聖靈引領我來讀；使今天的讀經成為我的禱告。
2. 聖靈是三位一體神當中最被忽略的，我們常將祂看作是三一神的附帶者。但耶穌應許要留給祂的門徒（以及我們，祂的跟隨者）這位重要的朋友。究竟聖靈會住在我的心裡，並且會帶領我過每一天的生活，就像經上所說，聖靈常「與你們同在」（16），「也要在你們裏面」（17）這是什麼意思？這會令我很得安慰嗎？還是不安？沮喪？難明？驚訝？我如何更多地意識到，這位良友今天確實內住我心？
3. 今天當我開車、走路、工作、讀書、與別人交往時，請求我的良友指引我，無論是我的意念、所說的話語、所作的決定。

 

 

禱告與筆錄：

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

 

 

Chapter 14

¹⁵“If you love me, you will obey what I command. ¹⁶And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— ¹⁷the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

Meditation:

1. This passage is about the Holy Spirit, ask Him to guide in a prayerful reading of it.  Make the reading a prayer in itself.
2. The Holy Spirit is the most neglected personhood of God.  Yet Jesus promises to leave His disciples (and us as his followers) with this important Friend.  What does it mean to have the Holy Spirit in me and guiding me throughout my day, as this passage says: “But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you”?  Is it comforting? Discomforting? Frustrating?  Hard to understand?  Awesome?  How can I grow today in awareness that the Friend lives in me?
3. As I drive, walk, work, study, and interact with others today, call on my Friend for his guidance with the thoughts I think, the words I speak, and the decisions I make.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

 

第十三章

1逾越節以前，耶穌知道自己離世歸父的時候到了。他既然愛世間屬自己的人，就愛他們到底。 2 吃晚飯的時候，魔鬼已將賣耶穌的意思放在西門的兒子加略人猶大心裏。 3 耶穌知道父已將萬有交在他手裏，且知道自己是從　神出來的，又要歸到　神那裏去， 4 就離席站起來，脫了衣服，拿一條手巾束腰， 5 隨後把水倒在盆裏，就洗門徒的腳，並用自己所束的手巾擦乾。

12 耶穌洗完了他們的腳，就穿上衣服，又坐下，對他們說：「我向你們所做的，你們明白嗎？ 13 你們稱呼我夫子，稱呼我主，你們說的不錯，我本來是。 14 我是你們的主，你們的夫子，尚且洗你們的腳，你們也當彼此洗腳。 15 我給你們作了榜樣，叫你們照著我向你們所做的去做。 16 我實實在在地告訴你們，僕人不能大於主人，差人也不能大於差他的人。 17 你們既知道這事，若是去行就有福了。

默想：

1. 耶穌在最後晚餐中，教導門徒謙卑和洗禮這兩個深奧的道理。留意耶穌何等深厚的愛，但門徒的回應是多麼幼稚，基督甘為僕人的心是多麼偉大。
2. 什麼是服事？「滿有愛心和體貼，積極謀求他人的好處，並跟隨神在我們這個世界所定下的目標。我們這樣服事，便能成長，超越自我，經歷老我的日益消亡。」（生命陶造版聖經）
3. 反省：在我的服事中，謙卑是我的「商標」嗎？與主對話，聽主對我的回應。

 

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「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

 

Chapter 13

¹It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. ²The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. ³Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; ⁴so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. ⁵After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

¹²When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. ¹³“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. ¹⁴Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ¹⁶I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Meditation

1. Jesus’ Last Supper begins with profound lessons in humility and baptism.  Notice the incredible extent of Jesus’ love, the ignorance of human responses, and the immensity of Christ’s servanthood.
2. Think over the definition of Service – Loving, thoughtful, active promotion of the good of others and the causes of God in our world, through which we experience the many little deaths of going beyond ourselves. (Spiritual Formation Bible)
3. Reflect:  Is humility the trademark for my service?  Talk to God and wait for His response.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第十二章

20 那時，上來過節禮拜的人中，有幾個希臘人。 21 他們來見加利利伯賽大的腓力，求他說：「先生，我們願意見耶穌。」 22 腓力去告訴安得烈，安得烈同腓力去告訴耶穌。 23 耶穌說：「人子得榮耀的時候到了。 24 我實實在在地告訴你們，一粒麥子不落在地裏死了，仍舊是一粒，若是死了，就結出許多子粒來。 25 愛惜自己生命的，就失喪生命；在這世上恨惡自己生命的，就要保守生命到永生。 26 若有人服事我，就當跟從我；我在哪裏，服事我的人也要在那裏；若有人服事我，我父必尊重他。」

默想:

1. 耶穌說到一粒麥子的死與結子粒是什麼意思？靜候耶穌來，指出我生命中（或是某個關係、某個決定、等）是我緊握住，不願讓耶穌來改變、帶來成長的地方。這樣的堅持，對我的生命會造成怎樣的破壞或窒息？
2. 默想羅馬書12：2「將注意集中在神身上，你會徹底地從裡到外改換一新。」（譯自the Message）若我真將注意集中在神身上，且因此就放手，我的困境會變成怎樣？
3. 坐下來，雙手緊握拳頭，然後放鬆雙手，打開手掌向上。與神對話，談論一個打開手的生命會是怎樣的？求神告訴我和祂在一起是什麼意思（26）。
4. 再想一想我那雙手緊握的生命；祈求耶穌的幫助，讓我今天可以將緊握的雙手輕輕地放鬆一點，明天再放一點，……。

 

禱告與筆錄：

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

 

 

Chapter 12

²⁰Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. ²¹They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” ²²Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.  ²³Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. ²⁴I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. ²⁵The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. ²⁶Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

Meditation:

1. What does Jesus mean when he talks about a grain of wheat dying and reproducing itself?  Then wait for Jesus to show an area of my life – a relationship, a decision to be made, and so on – in which I am holding on to the status quo, and not allowing him to bring growth or change.  In what way might this be destructive or suffocating?
2. Ponder Romans 12:2 “Fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out.”(the Message).  What would this area of my life look like if I am to “fix my attention on God, ” and in so doing, let go?
3. Hold hands in tight fists.  Then relax them, open them, and turn palms upward.  Talk with Jesus about what a life of open hands would look like.  Ask him to show me what it means to be where he is(26).
4. Think again about the tightly held part of my life.  Talk with Jesus, ask Him to help me to let go just a little bit today, and tomorrow, …

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第十一章

28 馬大說了這話，就回去暗暗地叫她妹子馬利亞，說：「夫子來了，叫你。」 29 馬利亞聽見了，就急忙起來，到耶穌那裏去。 30 那時，耶穌還沒有進村子，仍在馬大迎接他的地方。 31 那些同馬利亞在家裏安慰她的猶太人，見她急忙起來出去，就跟著她，以為她要往墳墓那裏去哭。 32 馬利亞到了耶穌那裏，看見他，就俯伏在他腳前，說：「主啊，你若早在這裏，我兄弟必不死。」 33 耶穌看見她哭，並看見與她同來的猶太人也哭，就心裏悲歎，又甚憂愁， 34 便說：「你們把他安放在哪裏？」他們回答說：「請主來看。」 35 耶穌哭了。 36 猶太人就說：「你看他愛這人是何等懇切。」

默想：

1. 讀這段經文，有什麼特別吸引我的地方？是兩位姐姐深切愛弟弟的情懷？是她們的悲痛？是主耶穌的哭？
2. 馬利亞對耶穌說：「主啊，你若早在這裏，……」，我是否也有同樣的想法？這個想法的背後，我對主有什麼埋怨？指責？是什麼事情？
3. 回想這段日子，有沒有感到孤單和獨立挑起擔子的時候，嘗試捕捉神揹我經過的足跡，為此向神感恩。並以輕唱或默念的方式，用「足印」的部分歌詞作為我的禱告。

他當天親身的應許，他必會與我伴結前行；
一生中的每段道路，都必會帶領我經過；
路漸盡回望我的一生，雖有他一起的腳蹤；
但絕望並困境之中，全是孤單足印。
每次我心中多悲傷，他怎卻遠去剩我獨行；
每次我感到是寂寞，他怎卻遠去剩我孤單；
默默地在我身邊的主，跟我低聲輕輕說出；
『在絕望路裏的一雙，原是我的足印。』
回望我過去多少的失意，但你每次每次也在旁；
是你抹我淚痕，是你揹我經過
明白到有你居於心深處，我不再是獨行；
前路有你共行，留下雙雙足印。

 

禱告與筆錄：

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

 

 

Chapter 11

²⁸And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” ²⁹When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. ³⁰Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. ³¹When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.  ³²When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”  ³³When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. ³⁴“Where have you laid him?” he asked.  “Come and see, Lord,” they replied.  ³⁵Jesus wept.  ³⁶Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

Meditation:

1. What stands out and draws my attention in this passage? The deep love of the two sisters for their brother?  Their grief?  Jesus’ weeping?
2. Mary said to Jesus: “Lord, if you had been here…”. Have I also had similar thought?  What was my complaint or accusation of the Lord?
3. Have I felt lonely and burdened lately?  Try to visualize the image when God carried me through.  Thank God for this.  Read the words as my prayer: Footprints in the Sand – The Poem

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonging to him, and the other to the LORD.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it:
“LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you, you’d walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.”
The LORD replied: “My son, my precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第十章

1「我實實在在地告訴你們，人進羊圈，不從門進去，倒從別處爬進去，那人就是賊，就是強盜。 2 從門進去的，才是羊的牧人。 3 看門的就給他開門；羊也聽他的聲音。他按著名叫自己的羊，把羊領出來。 4 既放出自己的羊來，就在前頭走，羊也跟著他，因為認得他的聲音。 5 羊不跟著生人；因為不認得他的聲音，必要逃跑。」

14 我是好牧人；我認識我的羊，我的羊也認識我， 15 正如父認識我，我也認識父一樣；並且我為羊捨命。 16 我另外有羊，不是這圈裏的；我必須領他們來，他們也要聽我的聲音，並且要合成一群，歸一個牧人了。 17 我父愛我；因我將命捨去，好再取回來。 18 沒有人奪我的命去，是我自己捨的。我有權柄捨了，也有權柄取回來。這是我從我父所受的命令。」

默想：

1. 出聲讀出這段耶穌所說的話，好像祂在向我個人解釋一樣，注意話語中多次重復的字「認識」。耶穌認識祂的羊，他們也認識耶穌；天父認識耶穌，耶穌也認識天父。
2. 好牧人耶穌為羊作下列的各樣事情，那樣是我今天最需要耶穌為我作的？
   

   ◊ 按名字呼喚祂自己的羊
   ◊ 領他們出來
   ◊ 認識自己的羊
   ◊ 把羊擺在自己前面，若需要，為羊捨命
   ◊ 引領另外的羊

3. 羊認識耶穌的聲音並跟隨且認識祂。我今天應如何回應耶穌？
4. 禱告：告訴耶穌我對祂的需要，特別是關於認識祂聲音。祈求祂的幫助。

 

禱告與筆錄：

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

 

 

Chapter 10

¹“I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. ²The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. ³The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. ⁵But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”

¹⁴“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— ¹⁵just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. ¹⁷The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. ¹⁸No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

Meditation

1. Read these words of Jesus aloud slowly as if he were explaining this to me personally.  Notice that the repeated word “know”.  Jesus knows his sheep; they know Jesus.  The Father knows Jesus; Jesus knows the Father.
2. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, does the following for the sheep.  Which of these do I most need for Jesus to do for me today?
   

   ◊ call his own sheep by name
   ◊ lead them out
   ◊ know his own sheep
   ◊ put the sheep before himself, sacrificing himself, if necessary
   ◊ gather and bring other sheep

3. The sheep recognize Jesus’ voice and respond by following him and knowing him.  How do I need to respond to Jesus today?
4. Pray: Talk to Jesus about what I need.  Especially talk about my capacity to recognize his voice.  Ask for his help.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第九章

13 他們把從前瞎眼的人帶到法利賽人那裏。 14 耶穌和泥開他眼睛的日子是安息日。 15 法利賽人也問他是怎麼得看見的。瞎子對他們說：「他把泥抹在我的眼睛上，我去一洗，就看見了。」 16 法利賽人中有的說：「這個人不是從　神來的，因為他不守安息日。」又有人說：「一個罪人怎能行這樣的神蹟呢？」他們就起了紛爭。 17 他們又對瞎子說：「他既然開了你的眼睛，你說他是怎樣的人呢？」他說：「是個先知。」 18 猶太人不信他從前是瞎眼，後來能看見的，等到叫了他的父母來， 19 問他們說：「這是你們的兒子嗎？你們說他生來是瞎眼的，如今怎麼能看見了呢？」 20 他父母回答說：「他是我們的兒子，生來就瞎眼，這是我們知道的。 21 至於他如今怎麼能看見，我們卻不知道；是誰開了他的眼睛，我們也不知道。他已經成了人，你們問他吧，他自己必能說。」 22 他父母說這話，是怕猶太人；因為猶太人已經商議定了，若有認耶穌是基督的，要把他趕出會堂。 23 因此他父母說：「他已經成了人，你們問他吧。」 24 所以法利賽人第二次叫了那從前瞎眼的人來，對他說：「你該將榮耀歸給　神，我們知道這人是個罪人。」 25 他說：「他是個罪人不是，我不知道；有一件事我知道，從前我是眼瞎的，如今能看見了。」

默想：

1. 法利賽人可以任意地批評毀謗耶穌，但他們必須面對一件事實，就是祂使一個瞎子重見光明。今天太多人任意給耶穌評論，但若他們誠實的話，他們必須面對一個事實，就是成千上百萬的人，見證耶穌在他們生命中改變的工作。約翰牛頓，曾經從事最卑劣的販奴勾當，在經歷了神的改造後，寫下這首詩歌：
   

   奇異恩典 何等甘甜 我罪已得赦免  前我失喪 今被尋回 瞎眼今得看見
   如此恩典 使我敬畏 使我心得安慰  初信之時 既蒙恩惠 真是何等寶貴

2. 輕唱這首詩歌，回想我未信主前的光景，以及我的生命如何經歷了主的拯救，主的陶造，主的改變。用心唱這首詩歌，作為感謝神在我生命「施工中」的陶造工程。

 

禱告與筆錄：

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

 

 

Chapter 9

¹³They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. ¹⁴Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. ¹⁵Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.”  ¹⁶Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.”
But others asked, “How can a sinner do such miraculous signs?” So they were divided.  ¹⁷Finally they turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.”
The man replied, “He is a prophet.”  ¹⁸The Jews still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents. ¹⁹“Is this your son?” they asked. “Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?”  ²⁰“We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind. ²¹But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.” ²²His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for already the Jews had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the synagogue. ²³That was why his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”  ²⁴A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.”  ²⁵He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”

Meditation

1. The Pharisees could say whatever they wanted about Jesus.  But they had to face the fact that He gave sight to a man born blind.  Today, people can pass any judgment on Jesus.  But if they are honest they have to agree that millions testify to Jesus’ transforming work in their lives.  John Newton, once a slave trader, experienced a transformation expressed and wrote this hymn:
   

   “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.
   I once was lost but now am found, was blind, but now, I see.
   T’was Grace that taught my heart to fear.  And Grace, my fears relieved.
   How precious did that Grace appear, the hour I first believed.

2. Sing softly this hymn and reflect on my life before and after encountering God’s grace.  Use this hymn as my thanksgiving to God for His wonderful transforming “work in progress” in me.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

第八章

1於是各人都回家去了；耶穌卻往橄欖山去， 2 清早又回到殿裏。眾百姓都到他那裏去，他就坐下，教訓他們。 3 文士和法利賽人帶著一個行淫時被拿的婦人來，叫她站在當中， 4 就對耶穌說：「夫子，這婦人是正行淫之時被拿的。 5 摩西在律法上吩咐我們把這樣的婦人用石頭打死。你說該把她怎麼樣呢？」 6 他們說這話，乃試探耶穌，要得著告他的把柄。耶穌卻彎著腰，用指頭在地上畫字。 7 他們還是不住地問他，耶穌就直起腰來，對他們說：「你們中間誰是沒有罪的，誰就可以先拿石頭打她。」 8 於是又彎著腰，用指頭在地上畫字。 9 他們聽見這話，就從老到少，一個一個地都出去了，只剩下耶穌一人，還有那婦人仍然站在當中。 10 耶穌就直起腰來，對她說：「婦人，那些人在哪裏呢？沒有人定你的罪嗎？」 11 她說：「主啊，沒有。」耶穌說：「我也不定你的罪。去吧，從此不要再犯罪了！」

默想：

1. 想像我那天也在事發的群眾中，看見那位被捉的婦人羞愧窘迫的神情，聽見宗教領袖鄙視斥責的怒吼，感受沙塵拂面而過，耶穌蹲下來寫字。
2. 誠實地來到神面前，請求聖靈幫助我面對我最近經常沉溺於其中的罪。現在想像我也來到像那個女人的場面，犯罪時被捉，被暴露。想像耶穌與我有同樣的對話：「沒有人定你的罪嗎？」「主啊，沒有。」祂看著我的眼，  「我也不定你的罪。去吧，從此不要再犯罪了！」 我有什麼感受？有什麼想法？

 

禱告與筆錄：

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

 

 

CHAPTER 8

¹But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. ²At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. ³The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group ⁴and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. ⁵In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” ⁶They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.    But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. ⁷When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” ⁸Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.  ⁹At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. ¹⁰Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”  ¹¹“No one, sir,” she said.  “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

Meditation:

1. Imagine myself in the crowd that day.  Picture the embarrassed and ashamed expression on the woman’s face.  Hear the condescending voices of the religious leaders.  Feel the dirt blowing against me as Jesus bends down and writes something in it.
2. Come honestly before God and ask the Spirit to reveal to me the sins I’ve engaged in recently.  Then imagine myself in the same situation as this woman.  I’m caught in this sin, exposed.  Imagine me and Jesus having the same conversation: “Does no one condemn you?”  “No one, Master.”  He looks me in the eye.  “Neither do I.  Go on your way.  From now on don’t sin.”  What am I feeling?  Thinking?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第七章

45 差役回到祭司長和法利賽人那裏。他們對差役說：「你們為甚麼沒有帶他來呢？」 46 差役回答說：「從來沒有像他這樣說話的！」 47 法利賽人說：「你們也受了迷惑嗎？ 48 官長或是法利賽人豈有信他的呢？ 49 但這些不明白律法的百姓是被咒詛的！」 50 內中有尼哥底母，就是從前去見耶穌的，對他們說： 51 「不先聽本人的口供，不知道他所做的事，難道我們的律法還定他的罪嗎？」 52 他們回答說：「你也是出於加利利嗎？你且去查考，就可知道加利利沒有出過先知。」

 

默想：

1. 差役因耶穌的話留下深刻印象（46），竟沒有捉拿他；那個夜訪耶穌的法利賽人尼哥底母（參3章），顯然已暗地裡成為信徒，即使很多法利賽人憎恨耶穌，並想殺害祂，但尼哥底母仍不顧自己的聲譽地位，冒險為耶穌說話，抨擊法利賽人不守自己的規條，暴露了他們虛偽的動機。
2. 當我聽到周圍的人（或是親友或是不認識的人）批評毀謗耶穌時，我會有怎樣的反應？
3. 安靜坐在主面前，揣摩當年耶穌的遭遇，被人惡意攻擊、甚至經常有遭殺身之禍的危險臨頭，心頭湧上怎樣的感受？告訴耶穌，與祂對話，聆聽祂的回應。

 

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「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

 

Chapter 7

⁴⁵Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, “Why didn’t you bring him in?”  ⁴⁶“No one ever spoke the way this man does,” the guards declared.  ⁴⁷“You mean he has deceived you also?” the Pharisees retorted. ⁴⁸“Has any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? ⁴⁹No! ut this mob that knows nothing of the law—there is a curse on them.”  ⁵⁰Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, ⁵¹“Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?”  ⁵²They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.”

Meditation:

1. The temple guards impressed with Jesus’ teaching didn’t arrest Jesus.  Nicodemus, the Pharisee that visited Jesus at night (ch 3) had apparently became a believer, despite the overwhelming hatred of Jesus from his fellowmen.  He risked his reputation and defended for Jesus.  He attacked them for breaking their own rules and exposed their hypocritical motive.
2. How do I respond when I hear people around me (relatives or strangers) criticizing or blaspheming Jesus?
3. Sit quietly before the Lord.  Try to imagine what Jesus encountered, vicious attack and murder threat.  What feelings are stirred up in me?  Talk to Jesus and listen to His response.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.