260靈修 Oct. 17 2011: 路加福音第十三章Luke 13

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?”

260靈修 Oct. 14, 2011: 路加福音第十二章Luke 12

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.

 

260靈修 Oct. 13, 2011: 路加福音第十一章Luke 11

 

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.


260靈修 Oct. 12, 2011: 路加福音第十章Luke 10

第十章

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

默想:

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

 

 

Luke 10

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

Meditation:

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

 

Family Time

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

 

 

260靈修 Oct. 11, 2011: 路加福音第九章Luke 9

第九章

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

默想:

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

 

Luke 9

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

Meditation:

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

 

Family Time

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

260靈修 Oct. 10, 2011: 路加福音第八章Luke 8

第八章

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

默想:

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

 

 

Luke 8

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

Meditation:

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

 

Family Time

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

 

260靈修 Oct. 7, 2011: 路加福音第七章Luke 7

第七章

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

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

默想:

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

 

Luke 7

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

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

Meditation:

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

 

Family

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


 

260靈修 Oct. 6, 2011: 路加福音第六章Luke 6

第六章

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

默想:

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

Luke 6

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

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

 

Meditation:

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

 

Family

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

 

260靈修 Oct. 5, 2011: 路加福音第五章Luke 5

第五章

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

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

Luke 5

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

 

Meditation:

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

 

Family

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

 


 [JS1]Jesus doesn’t actually get ON the boat, he just gives them instructions on what to do

260靈修 Oct. 4, 2011: 路加福音第四章Luke 4

第四章

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

默想:

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

貧窮(被踐踏,貧困的):得到盼望與尊嚴

被擄(身體、心理、政治的俘虜):捆綁中得釋放

瞎眼(肉身的殘障預表屬靈的黑暗):得看見神,得到新生命

受壓(政治或經濟上處於劣勢):從壓制中得自由

欠債(每50年所有債務完全取消):所有債務得清除

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

 

Luke 4

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

Meditation:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

Family

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