Category: 260灵修

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.

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.

 

 

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.

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.

 

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.”