Category: 260灵修

第十八章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

21 那時，彼得進前來，對耶穌說：「主啊，我弟兄得罪我，我當饒恕他幾次呢？到七次可以嗎？」22 耶穌說：「我對你說，不是到七次，乃是到七十個七次。23 天國好像一個王要和他僕人算帳。24 才算的時候，有人帶了一個欠一千萬銀子的來。25 因為他沒有甚麼償還之物，主人吩咐把他和他妻子兒女，並一切所有的都賣了償還。26 那僕人就俯伏拜他，說：『主啊，寬容我，將來我都要還清。』27 那僕人的主人就動了慈心，把他釋放了，並且免了他的債。28 「那僕人出來，遇見他的一個同伴欠他十兩銀子，便揪著他，掐住他的喉嚨，說：『你把所欠的還我！』29 他的同伴就俯伏央求他，說：『寬容我吧，將來我必還清。』30 他不肯，竟去把他下在監裏，等他還了所欠的債。31 眾同伴看見他所做的事就甚憂愁，去把這事都告訴了主人。32 於是主人叫了他來，對他說：『你這惡奴才！你央求我，我就把你所欠的都免了，33 你不應當憐恤你的同伴，像我憐恤你嗎？』34 主人就大怒，把他交給掌刑的，等他還清了所欠的債。35 你們各人若不從心裏饒恕你的弟兄，我天父也要這樣待你們了。」

 

默想：

1. 耶穌以一個比喻來回答彼得提出有關饒恕的問題，並且給了饒恕最強有力的原因。這比喻說到一個僕人，欠了主人無以償還的巨額債款，主人動了慈心，免了他的債。但這僕人後來見到另一位欠他極少數額的債款，卻將他扔到監裡，直到他償還為止。主人非常生氣，因為這個被赦免這麼多債務的僕人，竟然不肯憐恤欠他這麼少數額的夥伴。
2. 這對我們有很大的提醒，當弟兄姐妹重復多次傷害我們後，我們的心就變得僵硬；但神我們的主宰，卻早已饒恕了我們全然無法償還的罪債。
3. 有誰是我到現在仍然很不容易饒恕的人？思想以下我從神所得的饒恕，想像我是比喻中第一個欠了巨額的僕人，求神賜下饒恕他人的恩典給我，來徹底地饒恕此人。

 

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 18

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

²¹Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” ²²Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. ²³“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. ²⁵Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. ²⁶“The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ ²⁷The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. ²⁸“But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. ²⁹“His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ ³⁰“But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. ³¹When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. ³²“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. ³³Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ ³⁴In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. ³⁵“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”

Meditation:

1. Jesus gave us the most compelling reason of all to forgive one another in the parable. A servant owed a king a huge debt and couldn’t pay back. The king forgave the debt and let him go. Then the servant met another servant who owned him a small sum, but he threw that man into prison until the debt was paid. This angered the king as it was hardly appropriate for one who had been forgiven so much to make such an issue of a debt which was so little.
2. What a reminder when we find our hearts hardening toward a brother or sister after a few repeated hurts. God, the great King, has forgiven us an absolutely unpayable debt, our sins.
3. Who is the one I find it hard to forgive? Meditate on the forgiveness I have received from the Lord. Imagine myself as the first servant. Ask for grace to forgive the other person.

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.

第十七章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

1過了六天，耶穌帶著彼得、雅各，和雅各的兄弟約翰，暗暗地上了高山，2 就在他們面前變了形像，臉面明亮如日頭，衣裳潔白如光。3 忽然，有摩西、以利亞向他們顯現，同耶穌說話。4 彼得對耶穌說：「主啊，我們在這裏真好！你若願意，我就在這裏搭三座棚，一座為你，一座為摩西，一座為以利亞。」5 說話之間，忽然有一朵光明的雲彩遮蓋他們，且有聲音從雲彩裏出來，說：「這是我的愛子，我所喜悅的。你們要聽他！」6 門徒聽見﹐就俯伏在地，極其害怕。7 耶穌進前來，摸他們，說：「起來，不要害怕！」8 他們舉目不見一人，只見耶穌在那裏。9 下山的時候，耶穌吩咐他們說：「人子還沒有從死裏復活，你們不要將所看見的告訴人。」10 門徒問耶穌說：「文士為甚麼說以利亞必須先來？」11 耶穌回答說：「以利亞固然先來，並要復興萬事；12 只是我告訴你們，以利亞已經來了，人卻不認識他，竟任意待他。人子也將要這樣受他們的害。」13 門徒這才明白耶穌所說的是指著施洗的約翰。

 

默想：

1. 彼得、雅各，和約翰三個人在高山上親眼目睹了一件非常特殊的事件，以致他們仆倒在變了相的耶穌面前。當他們抬頭時，「他們舉目不見一人，只見耶穌在那裏」。何等奇妙的山頂經驗，耶穌熟悉的臉面明亮如日頭，衣裳潔白如光，在光明的雲彩遮蓋他們時，他們聽見有聲音宣佈，耶穌是神的愛子，他們窺見了耶穌的榮耀。所以他們就全然地沉浸在敬拜的當中。
2. 回想自己信主的歷程中，我在什麼情況下承認「耶穌是超越一切，我應當聽從祂」？神怎樣向我宣佈：「這是我的愛子，我所喜悅的」？我有怎樣的回應？

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”本上面。

 

Chapter 17

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

¹After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. ²There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. ³Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. ⁴Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” ⁵While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” ⁶When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. ⁷But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” ⁸When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. ⁹As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” ¹⁰The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” ¹¹Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. ¹²But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” ¹³Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.

Meditation:

1. Peter, James and John witnessed a special event on the mountaintop. They fell down before the transformed Jesus and when they looked up “they saw no one except Jesus”. What a mountaintop experience that was. In the rays that blazed from His familiar form, in the bright cloud that enveloped them, and in the voice announcing Jesus as God’s Son, Christ’s essential glory was glimpsed. They were deeply, completely, totally immersed in worship.
2. How did I ever come to realize that Jesus was the one above all others that I should listen to? How has God said to me, “This is my child, whom I love, with whom I am well pleased”? What was my response?

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.

 

第十六章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

21 從此，耶穌才指示門徒，他必須上耶路撒冷去，受長老、祭司長、文士許多的苦，並且被殺，第三日復活。22 彼得就拉著他，勸他說：「主啊，萬不可如此！這事必不臨到你身上。」23 耶穌轉過來，對彼得說：「撒但，退我後邊去吧！你是絆我腳的；因為你不體貼　神的意思，只體貼人的意思。」24 於是耶穌對門徒說：「若有人要跟從我，就當捨己，背起他的十字架來跟從我。25 因為，凡要救自己生命（生命：或譯靈魂；下同）的，必喪掉生命；凡為我喪掉生命的，必得著生命。26 人若賺得全世界，賠上自己的生命，有甚麼益處呢？人還能拿甚麼換生命呢？27 人子要在他父的榮耀裏，同著眾使者降臨；那時候，他要照各人的行為報應各人。28 我實在告訴你們，站在這裏的，有人在沒嘗死味以前必看見人子降臨在他的國裏。」

 

默想：

1. 彼得不希望耶穌面對十架的死亡，因此他要求耶穌去避開。但耶穌嚴厲地斥責彼得，因他不是從神的眼光來看事情。每個主的門徒都當學習以神的眼光來看自己的生命，並「背…十字架來跟從」。這並不是說，我們都要被釘十架，我們的十架並不代表是受苦或死亡，乃是代表神對我們每個人的計劃與目的，這是需要我們去尋找並實踐。
2. 我們常以為遵行神的旨意，就表示會「喪掉生命」。其實，只有在每天生活中遵行神的旨意，我們才能「得到生命」，並且是更豐盛的生命。
3. 從耶穌「得與失」的教導中，我對自己目前的生活優次，有什麼提醒，察覺到神對我的生命的看法如何？

 

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 16

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

²¹From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. ²²Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” ²³Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” ²⁴Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ²⁵For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. ²⁶What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? ²⁷For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. ²⁸I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

 

Meditation:

1. Peter didn’t like the idea of Christ facing death by crucifixion. So he urged Jesus to avoid it! Jesus angrily pushed him away for he lacked the perspective of God. Every disciple must learn to look at his or her life from God’s perspective and “take up his cross and follow”. Not that we will literally be crucified, our cross doesn’t represent suffering or death. Instead, the cross represents the plan and purpose of God for each of us that we need to find and do, just like Jesus did.
2. It often seems to us that if we do the will of God, we will “lose our life”. However, the truth is that we will only “gain” our life and become what we most desire to be when we do the will of God each day.
3. What perspective do I gain on my current priorities from Jesus’ “gain and lose” teaching (vv25-26)?

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:

 

第十五章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

10 耶穌就叫了眾人來，對他們說：「你們要聽，也要明白。11 入口的不能污穢人，出口的乃能污穢人。」12 當時，門徒進前來對他說：「法利賽人聽見這話，不服（原文是跌倒），你知道嗎？」13 耶穌回答說：「凡栽種的物，若不是我天父栽種的，必要拔出來。14 任憑他們吧！他們是瞎眼領路的；若是瞎子領瞎子，兩個人都要掉在坑裏。」15 彼得對耶穌說：「請將這比喻講給我們聽。」16 耶穌說：「你們到如今還不明白嗎？17 豈不知凡入口的，是運到肚子裏，又落在茅廁裏嗎？18 惟獨出口的，是從心裏發出來的，這才污穢人。19 因為從心裏發出來的，有惡念、凶殺、姦淫、苟合、偷盜、妄證、謗讟。20 這都是污穢人的；至於不洗手吃飯，那卻不污穢人。」

 

默想：

1. 耶穌好像經常用很尖銳的話語來惹怒法利賽人，但是，他們卻是全國中，最敬虔的宗教領袖。和耶穌一起來評擊法利賽人是很過癮的，認為「我很慶幸我不像他們」也很容易，但事實上，我是否與法利賽人很相似？
2. 我是否也像法利賽人，非常專注外表整潔體面的裝扮，卻忽略了從心裡出來的言語和思想的清潔？
3. 仔細逐個的讀耶穌在19節所列的各種罪，求至高聖潔神的光，照亮我的內心，讓我看見自己裡面的污穢、黑暗；求神赦免，並將內心洗滌乾凈。

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 15

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

¹⁰Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. ¹¹What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean.’ ” ¹²Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?” ¹³He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. ¹⁴Leave them; they are blind guides.^[e] If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” ¹⁵Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.” ¹⁶“Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. ¹⁷“Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? ¹⁸But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ ¹⁹For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. ²⁰These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean.’ ”

 

Meditation:

1. Jesus seems to spend a lot of time provoking the Pharisees by speaking harshly to them. Yet, these are supposed to be the most devout leaders in the entire nation. Joining Jesus in bashing the Pharisees is tempting. Thinking I’m glad I’m not like them is easy. But we often resemble the Pharisees more than we’d like to admit.
2. Am I like the Pharisees, caring much about how I look on the outside, but neglect the purity on the inside?
3. Read through the sins listed in v19. Ask the light of the holy God Most High to shine in my heart for me to see the filth and darkness. Ask for forgiveness and cleansing of my heart.

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:

 

第十四章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

22 耶穌隨即催門徒上船，先渡到那邊去，等他叫眾人散開。23 散了眾人以後，他就獨自上山去禱告。到了晚上，只有他一人在那裏。24 那時船在海中，因風不順，被浪搖撼。25 夜裏四更天，耶穌在海面上走，往門徒那裏去。26 門徒看見他在海面上走，就驚慌了，說：「是個鬼怪！」便害怕，喊叫起來。27 耶穌連忙對他們說：「你們放心，是我，不要怕！」28 彼得說：「主，如果是你，請叫我從水面上走到你那裏去。」29 耶穌說：「你來吧。」彼得就從船上下去，在水面上走，要到耶穌那裏去；30 只因見風甚大，就害怕，將要沉下去，便喊著說：「主啊，救我！」31 耶穌趕緊伸手拉住他，說：「你這小信的人哪，為甚麼疑惑呢？」32 他們上了船，風就住了。33 在船上的人都拜他，說：「你真是 神的兒子了。」

 

默想：

1. 耶穌為什麼這麼快地打發門徒走？為什麼耶穌需要獨自禱告？
2. 走向耶穌，直至狂風巨浪把他嚇倒。這是個憑信心開步走的故事，而非描述在恐懼中前行。
3. 若我當時在場，我會留在船上，還是踏出去？我的生命與彼得嘗試在水上行走，有什麼類似之處？
4. 耶穌把安靜獨處視為一件特別重要的事情，嘗試用一天的時間，到靜修中心安靜退修，或找個地方遠離日常生活的煩囂。隨身帶備著筆記本，記下所聽見，或從神所領受的感想。

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 14

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

²²Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. ²³After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, ²⁴but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. ²⁵During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. ²⁶When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. ²⁷But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” ²⁸“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” ²⁹“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” ³¹Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” ³²And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

 

Meditation:

1. Why did Jesus dismiss the disciples so abruptly? Why did Jesus want to pray alone?
2. Only Peter attempted to step out in faith and walk toward Jesus, until the elements of wind and wave frighten him. Therefore, it is a story of walking by faith, rather than in fear.
3. Would I be more likely to stay in the boat or step out of it? Why? What do I see in my life that parallels Peter’s attempt to walk on water?
4. Jesus takes His solitude seriously. Consider taking a one-day silent retreat at a center or just find a place isolated from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Keep a notebook handy and write down what I hear and the impressions I receive from God. What did I learn?

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.

第十三章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

1當那一天，耶穌從房子裏出來，坐在海邊。2 有許多人到他那裏聚集，他只得上船坐下，眾人都站在岸上。3 他用比喻對他們講許多道理，說：「有一個撒種的出去撒種；4 撒的時候，有落在路旁的，飛鳥來吃盡了；5 有落在土淺石頭地上的，土既不深，發苗最快，6 日頭出來一曬，因為沒有根，就枯乾了；7 有落在荊棘裏的，荊棘長起來，把它擠住了；8 又有落在好土裏的，就結實，有一百倍的，有六十倍的，有三十倍的。9 有耳可聽的，就應當聽！」

18 「所以，你們當聽這撒種的比喻。19 凡聽見天國道理不明白的，那惡者就來，把所撒在他心裏的奪了去；這就是撒在路旁的了。20 撒在石頭地上的，就是人聽了道，當下歡喜領受，21 只因心裏沒有根，不過是暫時的，及至為道遭了患難，或是受了逼迫，立刻就跌倒了。22 撒在荊棘裏的，就是人聽了道，後來有世上的思慮、錢財的迷惑把道擠住了，不能結實。23 撒在好地上的，就是人聽道明白了，後來結實，有一百倍的，有六十倍的，有三十倍的。」

默想：

1.       這個比喻清楚說明，人接受福音，要視乎土壤的好壞，也就是領受者的心的情況。在這個比喻中，種子和撒種的都是一樣，但是土壤卻不同。許多人不接受耶穌的信息，但那少數接受的人，就結出豐碩的果子來。

2.       比喻的講解（18-23節）明確指出，有多種因素妨礙人去聽福音，包括撒但、錢財的誘惑、困境、迫害和憂慮等。我是屬哪一類型的土壤呢？神的道要怎樣才會在我的生命裡扎根呢？

 

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 13

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

¹That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. ²Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. ³Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. ⁴As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. ⁵Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. ⁶But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. ⁷Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. ⁸Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. ⁹He who has ears, let him hear.”

¹⁸“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: ¹⁹When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. ²⁰The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. ²¹But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. ²²The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. ²³But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

Meditation:

1.        This parable makes clear that reception of the gospel depends on the soil, that is, the condition of the recipient. In this parable, the seed and the sower are the same in each case, but the soil varies. There are many who do not respond favourably to Jesus’ message, but the few who did produced remarkable fruit.

2.        The explanation (vv18-23) makes clear that there are a variety of factors hindering hearing – Satan, the lure of wealth, trouble, persecution, worries. Which soil do I belong to? How will God’s word take root in my life?

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.

 

第十二章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

15 耶穌知道了，就離開那裏，有許多人跟著他。他把其中有病的人都治好了；16 又囑咐他們，不要給他傳名。17 這是要應驗先知以賽亞的話，說：

18 看哪！我的僕人，我所揀選、所親愛、心裏所喜悅的，

我要將我的靈賜給他；他必將公理傳給外邦。

19   他不爭競，不喧嚷；街上也沒有人聽見他的聲音。

20  壓傷的蘆葦，他不折斷；將殘的燈火，他不吹滅；

等他施行公理，叫公理得勝。

21 外邦人都要仰望他的名。

 

默想：

1. 耶穌的傳道生涯並非一帆風順，相反地，祂遭到很多的反對。耶穌面對這些帶敵意的人，就離開那裡，並囑咐那些被醫好的，不要為祂作宣傳，為什麼？
2. 馬太引用以賽亞書「僕人之歌」其中的一部分（以賽亞書41:1-9），來說明主耶穌——世人的救贖主，有怎樣的特徵；祂「不爭競，不喧嚷」，祂是這麼溫和，連「壓傷的蘆葦，他不折斷；將殘的燈火，他不吹滅」。
3. 繼續注目我的彌賽亞/救主，藉思想祂的特性，更深地認識祂。讚美感謝神的謙卑與溫柔，並祂在我身上所作的奇妙工作。

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 12

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here.  Then focus on the following section:

¹⁵Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed him, and he healed all their sick, ¹⁶warning them not to tell who he was. ¹⁷This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
¹⁸“Here is my servant whom I have chosen,
the one I love, in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
¹⁹He will not quarrel or cry out;
no one will hear his voice in the streets.
²⁰A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,
till he leads justice to victory.
²¹In his name the nations will put their hope.”

Meditation:

1. Jesus didn’t have a smooth ministry.  In fact, he met a lot of oppositions.  Jesus responded to the hostility by simply asking those healed “not to tell who he was” and leaving the area.  Why?
2. Matthew explained by quoting a passage from one of Isaiah’s “servant songs” (Is 41:1-9).   Messiah “will not quarrel or cry out”.  He will be so gentle that He will not even snap a worthless reed flute, or discard a soot-filled candle wick.
3. Continue to look at my Messiah/Saviour and get to know Him deeper by reflecting on the characteristics listed in the passage.  Praise and thank Him for His humility and gentleness and also the wonderful work He’s done in my life.

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:

第十一章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

1耶穌吩咐完了十二個門徒，就離開那裏，往各城去傳道、教訓人。2約翰在監裏聽見基督所做的事，就打發兩個門徒去，3問他說：「那將要來的是你嗎？還是我們等候別人呢？」4耶穌回答說：「你們去，把所聽見、所看見的事告訴約翰。5就是瞎子看見，瘸子行走，長大痲瘋的潔淨，聾子聽見，死人復活，窮人有福音傳給他們。6凡不因我跌倒的就有福了！」

 

默想：

1. 我是否也像約翰一樣，雖然信主已經一段時間，但仍然會對自己的信仰產生懷疑，恐怕所信的不是真的？主耶穌的回答能否解決我的困境？
2. 在我自己身上或是周圍的人生命中，我曾否看見過主耶穌的作為？寫下至少三件神的作為，現在就為此感謝神。
3. 「回憶神的工作」，「一顆感恩的心」，與「身處困境艱難」，這三者有什麼互相的關聯與作用？

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 11

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here.  Then focus on the following section:

¹After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. ²When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples ³to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”  ⁴Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: ⁵The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. ⁶Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”

Meditation:

1. Have I been like John doubt Jesus after a period of unresolved difficulties and problems?  How would Jesus’ reply to John answer my doubts?
2. Have I seen the work of Jesus in my life and lives of those around me? Write down at least three things.  Then, utter a thanksgiving payer to God.
3. What do “Remembering God’s work, a Grateful heart, and a Difficult Situation” have in common in bringing us to God?

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.

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

32凡在人面前認我的、我在我天上的父面前、也必認他。 33凡在人面前不認我的、我在我天上的父面前、也必不認他。 34你們不要想我來、是叫地上太平．我來、並不是叫地上太平、乃是叫地上動刀兵。 35因為我來、是叫人與父親生疏、女兒與母親生疏、媳婦與婆婆生疏． 36人的仇敵、就是自己家裏的人。 37愛父母過於愛我的、不配作我的門徒、愛兒女過於愛我的、不配作我的門徒。 38不背著他的十字架跟從我的、也不配作我的門徒。 39得著生命的、將要失喪生命．為我失喪生命的、將要得著生命。

 

默想：

1. 作主門徒的記號包括：在人前認主（32節），對主忠心勝過家庭的關係（34-35節），背起十字架跟從主，學效耶穌順服神以致於死在十架上（38節），為愛主捨棄一切（37節）。

2. 似乎門徒的生命全是「捨棄」而無「得著」，但是當主的門徒出外事奉時，別人藉著他們而蒙福，這使他們得了喜樂。就像使徒保羅所說：「你們是我們的希望，我們的喜樂。在我們的主耶穌再來的時候，我們所要誇耀的冠冕不正是你們嗎？」（帖前19）

3. 「背起十字架跟從主」對我來說有什麼意義？我如何因成為基督的門徒而在祂的受苦上有分？我有否經歷到保羅所說的喜樂？

 

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 10

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

³²“Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. ³³But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. ³⁴“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. ³⁵ For I have come to turn ” ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law – ³⁶a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ ³⁷“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; ³⁸and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. ³⁹Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

 

Meditation

1. The marks of Jesus’ disciples according to this passage include: acknowledging Jesus before men (v32), placing loyalty to Christ above even the bonds of family (vv34-35), taking up his cross and following Jesus by subjecting one’s will to God even as Jesus chose to subject Himself to the cross (v38), surrendering all for the sake of his Lord (v37).

2. It seems that the disciple’s life is all “give up” and no “gain”. However, as Jesus’ disciple go out to minister, they will have the joy of knowing that it was through him or her that others were thus blessed. The Apostle Paul put it this way: “For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when He comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.”(I Thes. 19)

3. What does “take his cross and follow Jesus” mean to me? How am I sharing Christ’ suffering in discipleship? Have I experience the joy Paul talked about?

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.

9耶穌從那裏往前走、看見一個人名叫馬太、坐在稅關上、就對他說、你跟從我來．他就起來、跟從了耶穌。 10耶穌在屋裏坐席的時候、有好些稅吏和罪人來、與耶穌和他的門徒一同坐席。 11法利賽人看見、就對耶穌的門徒說、你們的先生為甚麼和稅吏並罪人一同吃飯呢。12耶穌聽見、就說、康健的人用不著醫生、有病的人才用得著。 13經上說、「我喜愛憐恤、不喜愛祭祀。」這句話的意思、你們且去揣摩．我來、本不是召義人、乃是召罪人。

默想：
耶穌呼召馬太，表明祂向社會的邊緣人物——受人歧視、排擠、壓迫的群體招手，法利賽人對宗教禮儀與道德的拘泥，使他們無法了解何以耶穌會和這樣卑賤的人一同飲宴。我比較能認同馬太或是法利賽人？為什麼？
今天我有否看見主耶穌向我招手，邀請我跟從祂？我的回應是什麼呢？ 我是否歡喜與主一同吃喝，歡樂，慶祝，休息……？
耶穌引用《何6：6》「我喜愛憐恤、不喜愛祭祀。」，是否因憐恤和愛是我們內在的實際改變，而祭祀卻是不論內心的實況如何，都可以做到的外在表現？

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 9

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

⁹As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

¹⁰While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples. ¹¹When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?”

¹²On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ¹³But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

 

Meditation

1. The calling of Matthew exhibited Jesus’ calling of outcasts and despised sinners. The Pharisees, with their concern for both ritual and moral purity, could not understand why Jesus would have meals with the bad people. Whom can I identify more easily, Matthew or the Pharisees? Why?

2. Do I see Jesus’ calling of me, inviting me to follow Him? What’s my response? Do I enjoy eating, drinking, celebrating, resting, having fun with Jesus?

3. Why did Jesus quote “I desire mercy, not sacrifice”(Ho 6:6)? Could it be because love and mercy reveal that we have a transformed heart, while sacrifice is an outward act that can be done regardless of the condition of our heart?

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.