Let’s first look at Jesus as the bread of life. Not only that, He is also the way and the truth. He is the only door to the Father. He follows the Father’s will through the guidance of the Holy Spirit throughout His life. When people see Him, they see the Father. Those who believe in Him will flow rivers of living water from their bellies.  He knows very clearly the people given to Him by the Father, but we will not be so clear on the road to sanctification. What given us is the Great Mission, and we must fulfill our vocation no matter what. The Great Commission must not only preach about the words, but also be practiced by ourselves to set examples.  Second, we need to look at this verse, “My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink.”(John 6:55) At the last supper, He clearly said, “…This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.”(Luke 22:20) When He was nailed to the cross to complete salvation, His body was broken for us, and His precious blood was shed, establishing a new covenant. Drinking His blood are those who accept the new covenant. Who eats His flesh is the one who is willingly to know the words He has left for us in the Bible as well as possible.  Finally, let’s discuss Simon Peter’s answer, “…Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.”(John 6:68) Jesus clearly stated that spiritual life can lead to eternal life.  He knew clearly that Judas Iscariot was going to betray Him, and in order to obey God’s will and He was willingly sacrificing His own life. Thus, He still chose Judas as one of the Twelve Apostles at that time.  What we need is the true faith. Isn’t that what Simon Peter said?

1. Jesus is the bread of life

“Then they said to Him, “Lord, always give us this bread.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.””(John 6:34-40).

Jesus is the bread of life, and He “…said to him (Thomas), “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”(John 14:6) We can learn from experiences and come to the same conclusion, He is the only way which is justified by faith before we can see the truth and thus receive life. The proces is repeated in our way to sanctification, so Paul would say, “…the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; …”(Romans 1:17) He is indeed the only door, as the scripture says, “So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”(John 10:7-10)

He made it very clear that He has “…come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”(John 6:38) “Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”(Philippians 2:8) He not only died for us, but was resurrected. “Now if we have died with Christ, we believe until eternity that we shall also live with Him.”(Romans 6:8) He was completely human during the time of His incarnation, and He also like us wanted to “Do not quench the Spirit.”(1 Thessalonians 5:19) Now He is indwelling in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. But the big difference between people and Him during that time is that “…He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure.”(John 3:34) God’s gift of the Holy Spirit to us is by no means unlimited.  But the Bible has such a promise that as long as we ask with persistence (see Luke 11:8), we can receive a one-time filling of the Holy Spirit, “For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened.”(Luke 11:10) And He said after that, “…how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”(Luke 11:13) So this promise refers to a one-time filling of the Holy Spirit, not that anything will come true.  As shared before, this promise does not mention a time, God has the absolute sovereignty to decide when this will happen.

Throughout His life, He followed the will of the Father through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As it is written, “…I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. …”(John 14:31) No wonder His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane said, “…yet not My will, but Yours be done.”(Luke 22:42) Jesus said, “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”(John 14:7) It says very clearly, “He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me.”(John 12:45) Because “I and the Father are one.”(John 10:30) “But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe.”(John 6:36)

“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”(John 7:38) This refers to being filled and overflowing with the Holy Spirit.  He said very clearly, “This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.”(John 6:39) Doesn’t the Bible make it very clear that He did this?  At the time of His arrest, “Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He; so if you seek Me, let these go their way,” to fulfill the word which He spoke, “Of those whom You have given Me I lost not one.””(John 18:8-9) Indeed, He was the only one who was arrested at that time.  He knows very well, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.”(John 6:37)

He knew precisely those who the Father had given to Him. For example, He knew in advance that Peter would deny the Lord three times. He also said in advance, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”(Luke 22:31-32) After Peter realized that he indeed denied the Lord three times, “…he went out and wept bitterly.”(Luke 22:62) When he repented, he knew this statement was true, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”(1 John 1:9). The experience of Judas Iscariot was totally different. “Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See to that yourself!” And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself.”(Matthew 27:3-5) Although Judas repented, he hanged himself!  A true Christian would not do this.

It’s just that we are not so clear regarding those who the Father had given to us when we are on the road to sanctification. What is given to us is the Great Commission, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; …”(Matthew 28:19-20) This is the as the translation of the Union Version. Later we will see from what God tells us through the Bible is consistent. Then we’ll know exactly What the Bible does say!  The point we want to emphasize here is that although we are willing to perform this vocation, we do not have to force ourselves to preach when others are obviously unwilling. Think about how many miracles Jesus performed and preached when He became flesh. However, not so many people believed in Him. Has He ever forced people to believe in Him? No, of course.

On the contrary, after the miracle of the five loaves and two fishes, “So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone.”(John 6:15) Then Jesus taught some words about life “…in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum.”(John 6:59) “Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this said, “This is a difficult statement; who can listen to it?””(John 6:60) “From that time on, many of his disciples turned away and no longer walked with him.  Jesus said to the twelve disciples, “As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. So Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to go away also, do you?” Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.””(John 6:66-69) We know that Peter did not answer this on behalf of everyone. For example, what he said did not reflect the situation of Judas Iscariot, “…because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it.”(John 12:6)

You see, isn’t Jesus looking for people who are willing to obey Him?  Aren’t we meant to be conformed to the image of Jesus? “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren.”(Romans 8:29) Please note that the translation in Chinese Union Version uses the word imitation. Although imitation in Chinese includes the imitation from the inside, it can be only the imitation from the outside. And Christian wants to have the change of life from within, so it cannot be translated as imitation here. It can be misleading.

The Great Commission is not just about talking about it, it is also about living it yourself and setting an example.  According to what God tells us through the Bible is consistent, the Great Commission is for people to obey Jesus and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, which is what Peter said, “…“Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”(Acts 2:38) To the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (see the other translation in the Union Version notes on Matthew 28:19).  Some people think that this is not the main point, especially because it is inconsistent with what many churches teach. What is important is that someone can believe in the Lord in their heart rather than rituals.  The Bible clearly says, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.”(Romans 12:18) But it would be better if you could develop habits that are consistent with what the Bible says!​

We must know that God has absolute sovereignty. After we are baptized, we must obey the will of the Triune God. When we believe, “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”(Colossians 1:13-14) Therefore, we must put the old self to death in Christ and not slip out of Christ because of sin.  Even so, we must know, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”(1 John 1:9) If you sin because of weakness, it is enough if you can repent at any time when you sin. Do not “turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”(Jude 1:4)

2. My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink

“Therefore the Jews were grumbling about Him, because He said, “I am the bread that came down out of heaven.” They were saying, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does He now say, ‘I have come down out of heaven’?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Do not grumble among yourselves. No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught of God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me. Not that anyone has seen the Father, except the One who is from God; He has seen the Father. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.” Then the Jews began to argue with one another, saying, “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down out of heaven; not as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live forever.” These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum.”(John 6:41-59)

​The beginning sentences are just another to say, “…A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.”(Matthew 13:57) We have shared before that this is because the local people thought they knew Jesus very well.  And then He said here in another way, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, …”(John 6:37) Certainly, they were taught by Jesus one of the Triune God.

He said, “Not that anyone has seen the Father, …”(John 6:46) Except for Jesus before he became flesh.  In the Old Testament era, it is true that no one has seen the face of the Father, just as the Lord said to Moses, “…You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!”(Exodus 33:20) There is something different in the New Testament, because “I and the Father are one.”(John 10:30) Therefore, “He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me.”(John 12:45)

We saw that manna gave the Israelites earthly life in the wilderness, but they did not realize at that time that this was the true bread (see John 6:32-33), which is what is said here, “I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died.”(John 6:48-49) Indeed, everyone’s earthly life will end. When Jesus said, “I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.”(John 6:51) Those who can live forever obviously refer to spiritual life.

At the Last Supper, Jesus “…had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.”(Luke 22:19-20) When He nailed to the cross to complete our salvation, His body was broken and His precious blood was shed, establishing a new covenant. Then Jesus said, “For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also will live because of Me.”(John 6:55-57) “My blood is true drink” refers to those who accept the new covenant, and those who will live are those who eat His flesh. What “My flesh is true food” means?

We know that Jesus “…emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.”(Philippians 2:7) We also know that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.”(John 1:1-2) The Gospel of John describes Jesus as the Word at the beginning, so these are the Word incarnate.  In the flesh, His body was broken for us, and what He left for us is His words describing His way. When we eat His flesh, don’t we just want to eat in His words?  And His words are only clearly written in the Bible. How can Christians not know the Bible as well as possible?  Therefore, you have to read the Bible many times. When reading the Bible once, you can only understand what you read correctly at that time. This indicates that you have to read the Bible multiple times. Because you will often read it wrong, and if you make mistakes, you will have to spend more time correcting them, so you would rather not understand a certain paragraph by skipping it at that time instead of forcefully interpret the Bible. The next time you read it or in the future, you may understand that paragraph under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  We have said that the purpose of reading the Bible is to have life as Jesus said (see John 5:39-40), and life can only come from God (see 1 Corinthians 3:6-7). Thus nowadays there is only the Holy Spirit in the Trinity Who can give us life. So how can we not read the Bible under the leadership of the Holy Spirit!

3. Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. 

​”Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this said, “This is a difficult statement; who can listen to it?” But Jesus, conscious that His disciples grumbled at this, said to them, “Does this cause you to stumble? What then if you see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. And He was saying, “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.” As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore.”(John 6:60-66)

Jesus said something here, and made it clear that He was referring to spiritual life, because “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”(John 6:63) Many of His current disciples did not understand this, so “As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore.”(John 6:66) If you only believe temporarily when you see miracles, and you stop believing if you don’t continue to see miracles. It was true in the past and it is the same today. You must truly believe and understand His way, which is what He has in the Bible. Therefore, when Christians can read, they must read the Bible and understand the words of the Bible as much as possible.

“So Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to go away also, do you?” Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.” Jesus answered them, “Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?” Now He meant Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray Him.”(John 6:67-71)

When we look​ at the Last Supper, “… He became troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you will betray Me.” The disciples began looking at one another, at a loss to know of which one He was speaking. There was reclining on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. …Jesus then answered, “That is the one for whom I shall dip the morsel and give it to him.” So when He had dipped the morsel, He took and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. After the morsel, Satan then entered into him. Therefore Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.””(John 13:21-27) He said it clearly, but “Now no one of those reclining at the table knew for what purpose He had said this to him. For some were supposing, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus was saying to him, “Buy the things we have need of for the feast”; or else, that he should give something to the poor.”(John 13:28-29) So even though He spoke clearly, no one could understand what He was saying at that time!  Isn’t this similar to what He said about resurrection from the dead?  It was not until He truly rose from the dead that the disciples truly understood what He was talking about.

This passage also explains the reason why, “It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God. And when day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles.”(Luke 6:12-13) This is because He knew at that time that Judas Iscariot was going to betray Him, and He prayed all night long to make sure it was God’s will.  In order to obey God’s will, even though He sacrificed His physical life, He still chose at that time Judas as one of the twelve apostles!  We also see here that although Simon Peter’s answer was good, it did not represent everyone. Didn’t Jesus clearly say that this did not include Judas Iscariot?  The Lord Jesus knew that Judas was not a true believer, “…because he (Judas) was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it.”(John 12:6) Jesus gave him plenty of opportunities, even washing his feet at the last supper (see John 13:3-17), but he still did not repent as seen in this verse, “So after receiving the morsel he went out immediately; and it was night.”(John 13:30) We need true faith!  Isn’t that what Simon Peter answered? “…Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.”(John 6:68) True faith is not easy to achieve.  On the road to sanctification, we will fall many times. After falling, we must get up and fight again. We must not think that we will lose every battle, but do the opposite. To emphasize, Christians must get up to fight every time even when they lose.

​(Verses refer to those in NASB95 unless otherwise specified.)

(You can get all articles in “https://a-christian-voice.com/” under “On spiritual understanding about life.”)

    首先我们仔细的看了五饼二鱼的神迹，五饼二鱼的神迹显然是一个主要的神迹，在四本福音书都有，我们必须四本福音书一起看才可能还原当时的情景，也就是说我们必须选四本福音书所描述的联集，我们讨论其提到的事。第二，我们谈到了耶稣平静风和海的神迹，就是彼得在海上行走的事。除路加福音没有记载外，其他三本福音书都有，我们简短的谈到它们所记载的。看到了我们要定睛在主耶稣身上，治死老我，不看环境，不要做小信的人！最后我们看到的是要为那存到永生的灵粮而劳力，知道得生命的重要，所以对一个基督徒而言，得到生命实在是比看到神迹重要的多，不要本末倒置！

1. 五饼二鱼的神迹        

    『这事以后，耶稣渡过加利利海，就是提比哩亚海。有许多人因为看见他在病人身上所行的神迹，就跟随他。耶稣上了山，和门徒一同坐在那里。那时犹太人的逾越节近了。』(约翰福音 6:1-4) 从这里，我们约略知道五饼二鱼的神迹发生的地点和时间。顺便再提一次，神迹的原文和英文都是做记号(sign)的意思，和合本翻译为神迹。        

    五饼二鱼的神迹显然是一个主要的神迹，在四本福音书都有，我们必须四本福音书一起看才可能还原当时的情景，我们现在就以约翰福音为主而参考其他本的福音书，也就是要取四本福音书描述的联集。     

    首先我们来看门徒本来的意思，『天将晚的时候，门徒进前来说：「这是野地，时候已经过了，请叫众人散开，他们好往村子里去，自己买吃的。」』(马太福音 14:15) 而『耶稣说：「不用他们去，你们给他们吃吧！」』(马太福音 14:16) 耶稣一生都顺服神的带领，祂道成肉身时是完全的人，不能见神，『…因为人见我(耶和华)的面不能存活。』(出埃及记 33:20) 所以这带领是透过圣灵的，『神所差来的，就说神的话，因为神赐圣灵给他，是没有限量的。』(约翰福音 3:34) 所以这带领是透过圣灵的，祂知道要行五饼二鱼的神迹。     

    于是发生了约翰福音 6:5-10 所述的事情，就是『耶稣举目看见许多人来，就对腓力说：「我们从哪里买饼叫这些人吃呢？」他说这话是要试验腓力，他自己原知道要怎样行。腓力回答说：「就是二十两银子的饼，叫他们各人吃一点，也是不够的。」有一个门徒，就是西门彼得的兄弟安得烈，对耶稣说：「在这里有一个孩童，带著五个大麦饼、两条鱼，只是分给这许多人，还算甚么呢？」耶稣说：「你们叫众人坐下。」原来那地方的草多，众人就坐下，数目约有五千。』(约翰福音 6:5-10)      

    我们看到如果要花钱去买食物大概至少要花二十两银子。我们也看到众人能够坐下是因为那里草多，马可福音更清楚的说，『耶稣吩咐他们(门徒)，叫众人一帮一帮地坐在青草地上。众人就一排一排地坐下，有一百一排的，有五十一排的。』(马可福音 6:39-40) 圣经没有明讲这么多人中是不是除孩子的五饼二鱼外，还有没有别人带食物，所以不必乱猜这点。至少那时门徒看到的只有孩子的五饼二鱼，这孩子也愿意奉献他所有，然后就发生了以下所述的事情，就是『耶稣说：「拿过来给我。」』(马太福音 14:18) 接著就是『耶稣拿起饼来，祝谢了，就分给那坐著的人，分鱼也是这样，都随著他们所要的。他们吃饱了，耶稣对门徒说：「把剩下的零碎收拾起来，免得有糟蹋的。」他们便将那五个大麦饼的零碎，就是众人吃了剩下的，收拾起来，装满了十二个篮子。』(约翰福音 6:11-13) 『吃的人，除了妇女孩子，约有五千。』(马太福音 14:21) 圣经没有明讲到底喂饱的是多少人，即然神借圣经没有使我们知道，尊重神，就不要乱猜了。也请注意，那十二个篮子中只有饼没有鱼，因为分饼是象征著祂的身体为我们擘开。        

    最后是，『众人看见耶稣所行的神迹，就说：「这真是那要到世间来的先知。」耶稣既知道众人要来强逼他作王，就独自又退到山上去了。』(约翰福音 6:14-15) 我们来看另两段经文就知道耶稣为什么会这样做，『当耶稣在耶路撒冷过逾越节的时候，有许多人看见他所行的神迹，就信了他的名。耶稣却不将自己交托他们，因为他知道万人；也用不著谁见证人怎样，因他知道人心里所存的。』(约翰福音 2:23-25) 当人只因看见神迹而暂时相信，没有神迹时就不会相信了，耶稣知道人心里所存的，怎会将自己交托他们呢！     

    在五饼二鱼的神迹后，『众人见耶稣和门徒都不在那里，就上了船，往迦百农去找耶稣。既在海那边找著了，就对他说：「拉比，是几时到这里来的？」耶稣回答说：「我实实在在地告诉你们：你们找我，并不是因见了神迹，乃是因吃饼得饱。不要为那必坏的食物劳力，要为那存到永生的食物劳力，就是人子要赐给你们的，因为人子是父神所印证的。」』(约翰福音 6:24-27)  而『我(耶稣)就是生命的粮。』(约翰福音 6:48) 所以我们要做1的是要得著耶稣，有祂的生命。     

    耶稣也知道行神迹奇事的重要，因『耶稣就对他(大臣)说：「若不看见神迹奇事，你们总是不信。」』(约翰福音 4:48) 祂在道成肉身时行了多少神迹，大臣是『…他自己和全家就都信了。』(约翰福音 4:53) 但相信祂的人没有多少！所以看到神迹并不是代表得著生命，重要的是要信祂得生命，不要本末倒置。     

    在五饼二鱼的神迹中，『耶稣拿起饼来，祝谢了，就分给那坐著的人，分鱼也是这样，…』(约翰福音 6:11) 这不是为著祝谢饼和鱼，而是代表擘开自己的身体，供应他们灵粮，很显然他们并没有体会耶稣的心意！找祂只是吃饼得饱。其实这是和耶稣亲自设立的擘饼礼相同，在擘饼礼中，『耶稣接过杯来，祝谢了，说：「你们拿这个，大家分著喝。…又拿起饼来，祝谢了，就擘开，递给他们，说：「这是我的身体，为你们舍的，你们也应当如此行，为的是记念我。」饭后也照样拿起杯来，说：「这杯是用我血所立的新约，是为你们流出来的。」』(路加福音 22:17-20) 以前我们在『3104 谢饭的迷思 – 圣经没有说要谢饭』中详细的讨论这点，请到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的网站后，按『对属灵生命的了解』，找到这篇文章。

    这不是无中生有的神迹，这只有在创造世界时发生过，因这还是要有五饼二鱼做开始，然而这么少的食物却喂饱了这么人，且『…都随著他们所要的。』(约翰福音 6:11) 当然这是神迹，神的供应从不会不够。就像当『基列寄居的提斯比人以利亚对亚哈说：「我指著所事奉永生耶和华以色列的神起誓，这几年我若不祷告，必不降露，不下雨。」』(列王纪上 17:1) 那时就有『耶和华的话临到他说：「你起身往西顿的撒勒法去，住在那里，我已吩咐那里的一个寡妇供养你。」』(列王纪上 17:8-9) 『以利亚对她说：「不要惧怕，可以照你所说的去做吧！只要先为我做一个小饼，拿来给我，然后为你和你的儿子做饼。因为耶和华以色列的神如此说：『坛内的面必不减少，瓶里的油必不缺短，直到耶和华使雨降在地上的日子。』」妇人就照以利亚的话去行。她和她家中的人并以利亚，吃了许多日子。坛内的面果不减少，瓶里的油也不缺短，正如耶和华借以利亚所说的话。』(列王纪上 17:13-16) 在旧约的这例子中说明了神的供给恰恰好。在新约这一个神迹中，甚至是还有余，『…就是众人吃了剩下的，收拾起来，装满了十二个篮子。』(约翰福音 6:13)

2. 耶稣平静风和海的神迹       

    『到了晚上，他的门徒下海边去，上了船，要过海往迦百农去。天已经黑了，耶稣还没有来到他们那里。忽然狂风大作，海就翻腾起来。门徒摇橹约行了十里多路，看见耶稣在海面上走，渐渐近了船，他们就害怕。耶稣对他们说：「是我，不要怕！」门徒就喜欢接他上船，船立时到了他们所要去的地方。』(约翰福音 6:16-21)     

    我们看到原先应是足够风平浪静的，要不然门徒不会上船过海的，出乎他们的意料，天气是突然变得不好的。同样的事情也记载在马太福音 14:22-33 和马可福音 6:45-52，马太福音记载的更详细。行了五饼二鱼的神迹后，『耶稣随即催门徒上船，先渡到那边去，等他叫众人散开。散了众人以后，他就独自上山去祷告。到了晚上，只有他一人在那里。那时，船在海中，因风不顺，被浪摇撼。夜里四更天，耶稣在海面上走，往门徒那里去。门徒看见他在海面上走，就惊慌了，说：「是个鬼怪！」便害怕，喊叫起来。耶稣连忙对他们说：「你们放心，是我，不要怕！」彼得说：「主，如果是你，请叫我从水面上走到你那里去。」耶稣说：「你来吧！」 彼得就从船上下去，在水面上走，要到耶稣那里去；只因见风甚大，就害怕，将要沉下去，便喊著说：「主啊，救我！」耶稣赶紧伸手拉住他，说：「你这小信的人哪，为甚么疑惑呢？」他们上了船，风就住了。在船上的人都拜他，说：「你真是神的儿子了。」』(马太福音 14:21-33)        

    马可福音也说，『但门徒看见他在海面上走，以为是鬼怪，就喊叫起来。』(马可福音 6:49)  虽然门徒认识耶稣，但在这种天气的夜里四更天是看不清楚的，的确以为祂是鬼怪，所幸他们还能听得到耶稣的声音。马可福音且说，『这是因为他们不明白那分饼的事，心里还是愚顽。』(马可福音 6:52) 最终他们知道祂是神的儿子而拜祂，因风浪停止了。        

    如果彼得定睛在耶稣身上，一点问题都没有，可以在海面上行走。从人的角度看，彼得的信心是够大了，因这信心让他能在海面上行走，可是从耶稣(神)的角度看，他只是小信的人，这样的标准和人的标准是何等的不同啊！当他为环境所左右时，就站不住了，这也是我们常常要避免的光景，要定睛在主耶稣身上，治死老我，不看环境，不要做小信的人！

3. 要为那存到永生的食物劳力       

    『第二日，站在海那边的众人，知道那里没有别的船，只有一只小船；又知道耶稣没有同他的门徒上船，乃是门徒自己去的。然而，有几只小船从提比哩亚来，靠近主祝谢后分饼给人吃的地方。众人见耶稣和门徒都不在那里，就上了船，往迦百农去找耶稣。既在海那边找著了，就对他说：「拉比，是几时到这里来的？」耶稣回答说：「我实实在在地告诉你们：你们找我，并不是因见了神迹，乃是因吃饼得饱。不要为那必坏的食物劳力，要为那存到永生的食物劳力，就是人子要赐给你们的，因为人子是父神所印证的。」众人问他说：「我们当行甚么，才算做神的工呢？」耶稣回答说：「信神所差来的，这就是做神的工。」他们又说：「你行甚么神迹，叫我们看见就信你？你到底做甚么事呢？我们的祖宗在旷野吃过吗哪，如经上写著说：『他从天上赐下粮来给他们吃。』」耶稣说：「我实实在在地告诉你们：那从天上来的粮，不是摩西赐给你们的，乃是我父将天上来的真粮赐给你们。因为神的粮，就是那从天上降下来赐生命给世界的。」』(约翰福音 6:22-33)     

    这里记载的很清楚，从众人的角度看，他们没有办法想像耶稣在行五饼二鱼的神迹后，是如何能到那边的，但知道门徒在那边，因此众人去找祂和他们。我们已在前面分享过，众人只是为了世上的食物去找到祂，却不是为了可存到永远的灵粮而劳力！灵粮是指耶稣基督自己，因『耶稣说：「我就是生命的粮，到我这里来的，必定不饿；信我的，永远不渴。』(约翰福音 6:35)     

    我们看到耶稣受试探时，『那试探人(魔鬼)的进前来，对他说：「你若是神的儿子，可以吩咐这些石头变成食物。」』(马太福音 4:3) 祂的确是神的儿子，不需要证明什么给撒但看，祂很清楚的『…回答说：「经上记著说：『人活著，不是单靠食物，乃是靠神口里所出的一切话。』」』(马太福音 4:4) 这是引用了申命记的话，『他(耶和华)苦炼你，任你饥饿，将你和你列祖所不认识的吗哪赐给你吃，使你知道人活著不是单靠食物，乃是靠耶和华口里所出的一切话。』(申命记 8:3) 从这经文，我们看到基督徒活在世上，是需要灵粮和世上的食物，缺一不可。       

    祂说到了自己是人子，『…因为他是人子，就赐给他行审判的权柄。』(约翰福音 5:27) 祂『…说：「信神所差来的，这就是做神的工。」』(约翰福音 6:29) 祂是的确在说祂自己，因经文很清楚的说到祂是被父神差遣来的。例如，『因为神差他的儿子降世，不是要定世人的罪，乃是要叫世人因他得救。』(约翰福音 3:17) 和『耶稣说：「我奉差遣，不过是到以色列家迷失的羊那里去。」』(马太福音 15:24)     

    祂不是刚行过五饼二鱼的神迹吗？怎么他们又『…说：「你行甚么神迹，叫我们看见就信你？你到底做甚么事呢？』(约翰福音 6:30) 难怪保罗会说，『犹太人是要神迹，希腊人是求智慧。』(哥林多前书 1:22)

    在旷野中来自天上的吗哪，不是以色列人靠著维持肉体的生命吗？但他们没有注意到这也是灵粮。经文不是说得很清楚吗？『…那从天上来的粮，不是摩西赐给你们的，乃是我父将天上来的真粮赐给你们。因为神的粮，就是那从天上降下来赐生命给世界的。』(约翰福音 6:32-33) 祂明说，『…我就是道路、真理、生命，若不借著我，没有人能到父那里去。』(约翰福音 14:6) 我们分享过，读经的目的是要得生命，就如耶稣自己说的，『你们查考圣经，因你们以为内中有永生；给我作见证的就是这经。然而你们不肯到我这里来得生命。』(约翰福音 5:39-40)     

    生命只能从神来，保罗说得很清楚，『我栽种了，亚波罗浇灌了，惟有神叫他生长。可见栽种的算不得甚么，浇灌的也算不得甚么，只在那叫他生长的神。』(哥林多前书 3:6-7) 我们知道，『他(神)愿意万人得救，明白真道。因为只有一位神，在神和人中间，只有一位中保，乃是降世为人的基督耶稣。』(提摩太前书 2:4-5)     

    我们再看看耶稣也是如此，我们知道老底嘉的教会把耶稣关在门外，祂仍然说，『看哪，我站在门外叩门，若有听见我声音就开门的，我要进到他那里去，我与他，他与我一同坐席。』(启示录 3:20) 祂是多么的希望众人能悔改啊！现在耶稣也是以圣灵的方式内住在信徒的心中，现在能做这生长之事的只有三位一体的神中的圣灵，所以读经一定要被圣灵带领得生命。

    专题查经一直在强调这一点，照以上引用的经文，知道这是圣经的应许，只要我们甘心情愿的相信，神的绝对主权，会使每一个人都可以这样做的。所以对一个基督徒而言，得到生命实在是比看到神迹重要的多，不要本末倒置！

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到这网站后要按『对属灵生命的了解』。)  

       首先我們仔細的看了五餅二魚的神蹟，五餅二魚的神蹟顯然是一個主要的神蹟，在四本福音書都有，我們必須四本福音書一起看才可能還原當時的情景，也就是說我們必須選四本福音書所描述的聯集，我們討論其提到的事。第二，我們談到了耶穌平靜風和海的神蹟，就是彼得在海上行走的事。除路加福音沒有記載外，其他三本福音書都有，我們簡短的談到它們所記載的。看到了我們要定睛在主耶穌身上，治死老我，不看環境，不要做小信的人！最後我們看到的是要為那存到永生的靈糧而勞力，知道得生命的重要，所以對一個基督徒而言，得到生命實在是比看到神蹟重要的多，不要本末倒置！

1. 五餅二魚的神蹟

        『這事以後，耶穌渡過加利利海，就是提比哩亞海。有許多人因為看見他在病人身上所行的神蹟，就跟隨他。耶穌上了山，和門徒一同坐在那裏。那時猶太人的逾越節近了。』(約翰福音 6:1-4) 從這裏，我們約略知道五餅二魚的神蹟發生的地點和時間。順便再提一次，神蹟的原文和英文都是做記號(sign)的意思，和合本翻譯為神蹟。

        五餅二魚的神蹟顯然是一個主要的神蹟，在四本福音書都有，我們必須四本福音書一起看才可能還原當時的情景，我們現在就以約翰福音為主而參考其他本的福音書，也就是要取四本福音書描述的聯集。

     首先我們來看門徒本來的意思，『天將晚的時候，門徒進前來說：「這是野地，時候已經過了，請叫眾人散開，他們好往村子裏去，自己買吃的。」』(馬太福音 14:15) 而『耶穌說：「不用他們去，你們給他們吃吧！」』(馬太福音 14:16) 耶穌一生都順服神的帶領，祂道成肉身時是完全的人，不能見神，『…因為人見我(耶和華)的面不能存活。』(出埃及記 33:20) 所以這帶領是透過聖靈的，『神所差來的，就說神的話，因為神賜聖靈給他，是沒有限量的。』(約翰福音 3:34) 所以這帶領是透過聖靈的，祂知道要行五餅二魚的神蹟。

     於是發生了約翰福音 6:5-10 所述的事情，就是『耶穌舉目看見許多人來，就對腓力說：「我們從哪裏買餅叫這些人吃呢？」他說這話是要試驗腓力，他自己原知道要怎樣行。腓力回答說：「就是二十兩銀子的餅，叫他們各人吃一點，也是不夠的。」有一個門徒，就是西門彼得的兄弟安得烈，對耶穌說：「在這裏有一個孩童，帶着五個大麥餅、兩條魚，只是分給這許多人，還算甚麼呢？」耶穌說：「你們叫眾人坐下。」原來那地方的草多，眾人就坐下，數目約有五千。』(約翰福音 6:5-10)

      我們看到如果要花錢去買食物大概至少要花二十兩銀子。我們也看到眾人能夠坐下是因為那裏草多，馬可福音更清楚的說，『耶穌吩咐他們(門徒)，叫眾人一幫一幫地坐在青草地上。眾人就一排一排地坐下，有一百一排的，有五十一排的。』(馬可福音 6:39-40) 聖經沒有明講這麼多人中是不是除孩子的五餅二魚外，還有沒有別人帶食物，所以不必亂猜這點。至少那時門徒看到的只有孩子的五餅二魚，這孩子也願意奉獻他所有，然後就發生了以下所述的事情，就是『耶穌說：「拿過來給我。」』(馬太福音 14:18) 接著就是『耶穌拿起餅來，祝謝了，就分給那坐着的人，分魚也是這樣，都隨着他們所要的。他們吃飽了，耶穌對門徒說：「把剩下的零碎收拾起來，免得有糟蹋的。」他們便將那五個大麥餅的零碎，就是眾人吃了剩下的，收拾起來，裝滿了十二個籃子。』(約翰福音 6:11-13) 『吃的人，除了婦女孩子，約有五千。』(馬太福音 14:21) 聖經沒有明講到底餵飽的是多少人，即然神藉聖經沒有使我們知道，尊重神，就不要亂猜了。也請注意，那十二個籃子中只有餅沒有魚，因為分餅是象徵著祂的身體為我們擘開。

        最後是，『眾人看見耶穌所行的神蹟，就說：「這真是那要到世間來的先知。」耶穌既知道眾人要來強逼他作王，就獨自又退到山上去了。』(約翰福音 6:14-15) 我們來看另兩段經文就知道耶穌為什麼會這樣做，『當耶穌在耶路撒冷過逾越節的時候，有許多人看見他所行的神蹟，就信了他的名。耶穌卻不將自己交託他們，因為他知道萬人；也用不着誰見證人怎樣，因他知道人心裏所存的。』(約翰福音 2:23-25) 當人只因看見神蹟而暫時相信，沒有神蹟時就不會相信了，耶穌知道人心裏所存的，怎會將自己交託他們呢！

     在五餅二魚的神蹟後，『眾人見耶穌和門徒都不在那裏，就上了船，往迦百農去找耶穌。既在海那邊找着了，就對他說：「拉比，是幾時到這裏來的？」耶穌回答說：「我實實在在地告訴你們：你們找我，並不是因見了神蹟，乃是因吃餅得飽。不要為那必壞的食物勞力，要為那存到永生的食物勞力，就是人子要賜給你們的，因為人子是父神所印證的。」』(約翰福音 6:24-27)  而『我(耶穌)就是生命的糧。』(約翰福音 6:48) 所以我們要做1的是要得著耶穌，有祂的生命。

     耶穌也知道行神蹟奇事的重要，因『耶穌就對他(大臣)說：「若不看見神蹟奇事，你們總是不信。」』(約翰福音 4:48) 祂在道成肉身時行了多少神蹟，大臣是『…他自己和全家就都信了。』(約翰福音 4:53) 但相信祂的人沒有多少！所以看到神蹟並不是代表得著生命，重要的是要信祂得生命，不要本末倒置。

     在五餅二魚的神蹟中，『耶穌拿起餅來，祝謝了，就分給那坐着的人，分魚也是這樣，…』(約翰福音 6:11) 這不是為著祝謝餅和魚，而是代表擘開自己的身體，供應他們靈糧，很顯然他們並沒有體會耶穌的心意！找祂只是吃餅得飽。其實這是和耶穌親自設立的擘餅禮相同，在擘餅禮中，『耶穌接過杯來，祝謝了，說：「你們拿這個，大家分着喝。…又拿起餅來，祝謝了，就擘開，遞給他們，說：「這是我的身體，為你們捨的，你們也應當如此行，為的是記念我。」飯後也照樣拿起杯來，說：「這杯是用我血所立的新約，是為你們流出來的。」』(路加福音 22:17-20) 以前我們在『2104 謝飯的迷思 – 聖經沒有說要謝飯』中詳細的討論這點，請到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的網站後，按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』，找到這篇文章。

        這不是無中生有的神蹟，這只有在創造世界時發生過，因這還是要有五餅二魚做開始，然而這麼少的食物卻餵飽了這麼人，且『…都隨着他們所要的。』(約翰福音 6:11) 當然這是神蹟，神的供應從不會不夠。就像當『基列寄居的提斯比人以利亞對亞哈說：「我指着所事奉永生耶和華以色列的神起誓，這幾年我若不禱告，必不降露，不下雨。」』

(列王紀上 17:1) 那時就有『耶和華的話臨到他說：「你起身往西頓的撒勒法去，住在那裏，我已吩咐那裏的一個寡婦供養你。」』(列王紀上 17:8-9) 『以利亞對她說：「不要懼怕，可以照你所說的去做吧！只要先為我做一個小餅，拿來給我，然後為你和你的兒子做餅。因為耶和華以色列的神如此說：『罎內的麪必不減少，瓶裏的油必不缺短，直到耶和華使雨降在地上的日子。』」婦人就照以利亞的話去行。她和她家中的人並以利亞，吃了許多日子。罎內的麪果不減少，瓶裏的油也不缺短，正如耶和華藉以利亞所說的話。』(列王紀上 17:13-16) 在舊約的這例子中說明了神的供給恰恰好。在新約這一個神蹟中，甚至是還有餘，『…就是眾人吃了剩下的，收拾起來，裝滿了十二個籃子。』(約翰福音 6:13)

2. 耶穌平靜風和海的神蹟

       『到了晚上，他的門徒下海邊去，上了船，要過海往迦百農去。天已經黑了，耶穌還沒有來到他們那裏。忽然狂風大作，海就翻騰起來。門徒搖櫓約行了十里多路，看見耶穌在海面上走，漸漸近了船，他們就害怕。耶穌對他們說：「是我，不要怕！」門徒就喜歡接他上船，船立時到了他們所要去的地方。』(約翰福音 6:16-21)

     我們看到原先應是足夠風平浪靜的，要不然門徒不會上船過海的，出乎他們的意料，天氣是突然變得不好的。同樣的事情也記載在馬太福音 14:22-33 和馬可福音 6:45-52，馬太福音記載的更詳細。行了五餅二魚的神蹟後，『耶穌隨即催門徒上船，先渡到那邊去，等他叫眾人散開。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。那時，船在海中，因風不順，被浪搖撼。夜裏四更天，耶穌在海面上走，往門徒那裏去。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。耶穌連忙對他們說：「你們放心，是我，不要怕！」彼得說：「主，如果是你，請叫我從水面上走到你那裏去。」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；只因見風甚大，就害怕，將要沉下去，便喊着說：「主啊，救我！」耶穌趕緊伸手拉住他，說：「你這小信的人哪，為甚麼疑惑呢？」他們上了船，風就住了。在船上的人都拜他，說：「你真是神的兒子了。」』(馬太福音 14:21-33) 

        馬可福音也說，『但門徒看見他在海面上走，以為是鬼怪，就喊叫起來。』(馬可福音 6:49)  雖然門徒認識耶穌，但在這種天氣的夜裏四更天是看不清楚的，的確以為祂是鬼怪，所幸他們還能聽得到耶穌的聲音。馬可福音且說，『這是因為他們不明白那分餅的事，心裏還是愚頑。』(馬可福音 6:52) 最終他們知道祂是神的兒子而拜祂，因風浪停止了。

        如果彼得定睛在耶穌身上，一點問題都沒有，可以在海面上行走。從人的角度看，彼得的信心是夠大了，因這信心讓他能在海面上行走，可是從耶穌(神)的角度看，他只是小信的人，這樣的標準和人的標準是何等的不同啊！當他為環境所左右時，就站不住了，這也是我們常常要避免的光景，要定睛在主耶穌身上，治死老我，不看環境，不要做小信的人！

3. 要為那存到永生的食物勞力

       『第二日，站在海那邊的眾人，知道那裏沒有別的船，只有一隻小船；又知道耶穌沒有同他的門徒上船，乃是門徒自己去的。然而，有幾隻小船從提比哩亞來，靠近主祝謝後分餅給人吃的地方。眾人見耶穌和門徒都不在那裏，就上了船，往迦百農去找耶穌。既在海那邊找着了，就對他說：「拉比，是幾時到這裏來的？」耶穌回答說：「我實實在在地告訴你們：你們找我，並不是因見了神蹟，乃是因吃餅得飽。不要為那必壞的食物勞力，要為那存到永生的食物勞力，就是人子要賜給你們的，因為人子是父神所印證的。」眾人問他說：「我們當行甚麼，才算做神的工呢？」耶穌回答說：「信神所差來的，這就是做神的工。」他們又說：「你行甚麼神蹟，叫我們看見就信你？你到底做甚麼事呢？我們的祖宗在曠野吃過嗎哪，如經上寫着說：『他從天上賜下糧來給他們吃。』」耶穌說：「我實實在在地告訴你們：那從天上來的糧，不是摩西賜給你們的，乃是我父將天上來的真糧賜給你們。因為神的糧，就是那從天上降下來賜生命給世界的。」』(約翰福音 6:22-33)

     這裏記載的很清楚，從眾人的角度看，他們沒有辦法想像耶穌在行五餅二魚的神蹟後，是如何能到那邊的，但知道門徒在那邊，因此眾人去找祂和他們。我們已在前面分享過，眾人只是為了世上的食物去找到祂，卻不是為了可存到永遠的靈糧而勞力！靈糧是指耶穌基督自己，因『耶穌說：「我就是生命的糧，到我這裏來的，必定不餓；信我的，永遠不渴。』(約翰福音 6:35) 

     我們看到耶穌受試探時，『那試探人(魔鬼)的進前來，對他說：「你若是神的兒子，可以吩咐這些石頭變成食物。」』(馬太福音 4:3) 祂的確是神的兒子，不需要証明什麼給撒但看，祂很清楚的『…回答說：「經上記着說：『人活着，不是單靠食物，乃是靠神口裏所出的一切話。』」』(馬太福音 4:4) 這是引用了申命記的話，『他(耶和華)苦煉你，任你飢餓，將你和你列祖所不認識的嗎哪賜給你吃，使你知道人活着不是單靠食物，乃是靠耶和華口裏所出的一切話。』(申命記 8:3) 從這經文，我們看到基督徒活在世上，是需要靈糧和世上的食物，缺一不可。

       祂說到了自己是人子，『…因為他是人子，就賜給他行審判的權柄。』(約翰福音 5:27) 祂『…說：「信神所差來的，這就是做神的工。」』(約翰福音 6:29) 祂是的確在說祂自己，因經文很清楚的說到祂是被父神差遣來的。例如，『因為神差他的兒子降世，不是要定世人的罪，乃是要叫世人因他得救。』(約翰福音 3:17) 和『耶穌說：「我奉差遣，不過是到以色列家迷失的羊那裏去。」』(馬太福音 15:24)

     祂不是剛行過五餅二魚的神蹟嗎？怎麼他們又『…說：「你行甚麼神蹟，叫我們看見就信你？你到底做甚麼事呢？』(約翰福音 6:30) 難怪保羅會說，『猶太人是要神蹟，希臘人是求智慧。』(哥林多前書 1:22)

        在曠野中來自天上的嗎哪，不是以色列人靠著維持肉體的生命嗎？但他們沒有注意到這也是靈糧。經文不是說得很清楚嗎？『…那從天上來的糧，不是摩西賜給你們的，乃是我父將天上來的真糧賜給你們。因為神的糧，就是那從天上降下來賜生命給世界的。』(約翰福音 6:32-33) 祂明說，『…我就是道路、真理、生命，若不藉着我，沒有人能到父那裏去。』(約翰福音 14:6) 我們分享過，讀經的目的是要得生命，就如耶穌自己說的，『你們查考聖經，因你們以為內中有永生；給我作見證的就是這經。然而你們不肯到我這裏來得生命。』(約翰福音 5:39-40) 

     生命只能從神來，保羅說得很清楚，『我栽種了，亞波羅澆灌了，惟有神叫他生長。可見栽種的算不得甚麼，澆灌的也算不得甚麼，只在那叫他生長的神。』(哥林多前書 3:6-7) 我們知道，『他(神)願意萬人得救，明白真道。因為只有一位神，在神和人中間，只有一位中保，乃是降世為人的基督耶穌。』(提摩太前書 2:4-5)

     我們再看看耶穌也是如此，我們知道老底嘉的教會把耶穌關在門外，祂仍然說，『看哪，我站在門外叩門，若有聽見我聲音就開門的，我要進到他那裏去，我與他，他與我一同坐席。』(啓示錄 3:20) 祂是多麼的希望眾人能悔改啊！現在耶穌也是以聖靈的方式內住在信徒的心中，現在能做這生長之事的只有三位一體的神中的聖靈，所以讀經一定要被聖靈帶領得生命。

     專題查經一直在強調這一點，照以上引用的經文，知道這是聖經的應許，只要我們甘心情願的相信，神的絕對主權，會使每一個人都可以這樣做的。所以對一個基督徒而言，得到生命實在是比看到神蹟重要的多，不要本末倒置！

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到這網站後要按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』。)

First of all, we looked carefully at the miracle of the five loaves and two fish. The miracle of the five loaves and two fish is obviously a major miracle. It is found in the four Gospels. We must read the four Gospels together to restore the scene at that time. That is to say, we must choose the union of what the four Gospels describe, and we discuss the things mentioned in them.  Second, we talked about Jesus’ miracle of calming the wind on the sea, which was regarding Peter walking on the sea.  Except for Gospel Luke, which does not record it, the other three Gospels have it, and we briefly touch upon what they record.  We also see that we must fix our eyes on the Lord Jesus, put our old self to death, ignore the environment, and don’t be a person of little faith!  In the end, what we see is that we must work hard for the spiritual food that lasts to eternal life, and know the importance of having life. Therefore, for a Christian, having life is really much more important than seeing miracles. Don’t put the cart before the horse!

 ​

1. The miracle of five loaves and two fish

​”After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias). A large crowd followed Him, because they saw the signs which He was performing on those who were sick. Then Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat down with His disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near.”(John 6:1-4)

From here, we roughly know the place and time when the miracle of the five loaves and two fish occurred.  By the way, I would like to mention again that the original text and English of miracle both mean to make a sign, and the Union Version translates it as a miracle.

The miracle of the five loaves and two fishes is obviously a major miracle. It is found in all four Gospels. We must read the four Gospels together to restore the scene at that time. Now we will focus on the Gospel of John and refer to the other Gospels when needed. In other words, we take a union of descriptions from the four Gospels.

First, let’s look at the original intensions of the disciples: “When it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, “This place is desolate and the hour is already late; so send the crowds away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.””(Matthew 14:15) “But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!””(Matthew 14:16) Jesus obeyed God’s leadership all His life, and He was a complete man when He became flesh. People cannot see God, “…for no man can see Me (Jehovah) and live!”(Exodus 33:20) So this leadership is through the Holy Spirit, “For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure.”(John 3:34) So this guidance is through the Holy Spirit, and He knew that He had to perform the miracle of five loaves and two fish.

So what happened is described in John 6:5-10 as follows, “Therefore Jesus, lifting up His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?” This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do. Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little.” One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.(John 6:5-10)

We saw that if they had to spend money to buy food, it would cost at least two hundred denarii.  We also see that the people were able to sit down because there was a lot of grass there. Mark’s Gospel says more clearly, “And He commanded them all to sit down by groups on the green grass. They sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties.”(Mark 6:39-40) The Bible does not clearly say whether among so many people, apart from the five loaves and two fish from the child, there was anyone else who brought food, so there is no need to speculate on this point.  At least at that time, all the disciples saw were the child’s five loaves and two fish, and the child was willing to give all he had. Then the following thing happened, that is, “And He said, “Bring them here to Me.””(Matthew 14:18) Next, “Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated; likewise also of the fish as much as they wanted. When they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments so that nothing will be lost.” So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.”(John 6:11-13) “There were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children.”(Matthew 14:21) The Bible does not clearly say how many people were fed. Since God has not let us know through the Bible, respect God, so we should not make random guesses.  Please also note that the twelve baskets contained only loaves and no fish, because the breaking of the loaves symbolizes the breaking of His body for us.

Finally, “Therefore when the people saw the sign which He had performed, they said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.” So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone.”(John 6:14-15) Let’s look at the other two passages and we will know why Jesus did this.

“Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, observing His signs which He was doing. But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man.”(John 2:23-25) When people only believe temporarily because they see miracles, and they will not believe when there were without miracles. Jesus knows what is in people’s hearts, so how could he entrust Himself to them!

After the miracle of the five loaves and two fish, “So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they themselves got into the small boats, and came to Capernaum seeking Jesus. When they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You get here?” Jesus answered them and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.””(John 6:24-27) And “I (Jesus) am the bread of life.”(John 6:48) So what we have to do is to gain Jesus and have His life. ​

Jesus also knew the importance of performing signs and wonders, because “…Jesus said to him (the royal official), “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.””(John 4:48) When He was incarnate, He performed many miracles. However, not too many people believed Him! Among the believers, the royal official is among them, since the Bible says, “…he himself believed and his whole household.”(John 4:53) So seeing a miracle does not mean you will have life. The important thing is to believe in Him and have life. Don’t put the cart before the horse.

In the miracle of the five loaves and two fish, “Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated; likewise also of the fish …”(John 6:11) This is not for blessing the loaves and fish, but it was to represent breaking His body to provide them with spiritual food. Obviously they did not understand Jesus’ thoughts!  Finding Him is due to eating bread and being satisfied.  In fact, this event is the same as the breaking of bread ceremony instituted by Jesus Himself. During the breaking of bread ceremony, “And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; …And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.””(Luke 22:17-20) Previously we were in “1104 The Myth of Giving Thanks for Food – The Bible Doesn’t Say So” discussed this point in detail. Please go to the website “https://a-christian-voice.com/” and click “Understanding of Spiritual Life” to find this article.

This is not a miracle out of nothing, which only happened when the world was created, because it still had to start with five loaves and two fish. However, such a small amount of food fed so many people, and “…as much as they wanted.”(John 6:11) This of course is a miracle, God’s provision is always enough. It is just like the case when “Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the LORD, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, surely there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.””(1 Kings 17:1) “Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and stay there; behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.””(1 Kings 17:8-9) “Then Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go, do as you have said, but make me a little bread cake from it first and bring it out to me, and afterward you may make one for yourself and for your son. For thus says the LORD God of Israel, ‘The bowl of flour shall not be exhausted, nor shall the jar of oil be empty, until the day that the LORD sends rain on the face of the earth.’” So she went and did according to the word of Elijah, and she and he and her household ate for many days. The bowl of flour was not exhausted nor did the jar of oil become empty, according to the word of the LORD which He spoke through Elijah.”(1 Kings 17:13-16) This example in the Old Testament illustrates that God’s provision is just right.  In this miracle in the New Testament, there is even a surplus, “So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.”(John 6:13)

2. Jesus’ miracle of calming the wind in sea

“Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, and after getting into a boat, they started to cross the sea to Capernaum. It had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea began to be stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. Then, when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and they were frightened. But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” So they were willing to receive Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.”(John 6:16-21)

We see that it should have been calm enough, otherwise the disciples would not have boarded the boat and crossed the sea. To their surprise, the weather suddenly turned bad.  The same thing is also recorded in Matthew 14:22-33 and Mark 6:45-52, but Matthew records it in more detail.  After performing the miracle of five loaves and two fish, “There were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children. Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!””(Matthew 14:21-33)

The Gospel of Mark also says, “But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out.”(Mark 6:49) Although the disciples knew Jesus, they couldn’t see clearly at night in such weather and thought He was a ghost. Fortunately, they could still hear Jesus’ voice.  Mark’s Gospel further says, “for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened.”(Mark 6:52) Finally they knew that He was the Son of God and worshiped Him, because the storm stopped after He boarded. ​

If Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, there would be no problem at all and he could walk on the sea.  From a human perspective, Peter’s faith was big enough, because this faith allowed him to walk on the sea. However, from the perspective of Jesus (God), he was just a person of little faith. Such standards and human standards are quite a difference!  When he is swayed by the environment, he cannot stand on the sea anymore. This is also a situation we often need to avoid. We must focus on the Lord Jesus, put our old self to death, ignore the environment, and do not be a person of little faith!

3. Work for food that lasts to eternal life

“The next day the crowd that stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other small boat there, except one, and that Jesus had not entered with His disciples into the boat, but that His disciples had gone away alone. There came other small boats from Tiberias near to the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks. So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they themselves got into the small boats, and came to Capernaum seeking Jesus. When they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You get here?” Jesus answered them and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.” Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” So they said to Him, “What then do You do for a sign, so that we may see, and believe You? What work do You perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread out of heaven to eat.’” Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world.””(John 6:22-33)

The record here is very clear. From the perspective of the crowd, they could not imagine how Jesus could get there after performing the miracle of five loaves and two fish. However, they knew that the disciples were there, so everyone went to find Him and them.  We have shared before that people only work to find Him for earthly food, but not for spiritual food that can last forever!  Spiritual food refers to Jesus Christ Himself, because “Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.”(John 6:35)

We see that when Jesus was tempted, “And the tempter (devil) came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.””(Matthew 4:3) He is indeed the Son of God. He didn’t need to prove anything to Satan. He clearly answered, “…It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”(Matthew 4:4) This is a quote from Deuteronomy, “He (the Lord) humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD.”(Deuteronomy 8:3) From this scripture, we see that Christians need both spiritual food and worldly food when living in the world. None of them is dispensable.

He spoke of Himself as the Son of Man, “and He (God) gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man.”(John 5:27) Jesus said, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”(John 6:29) He was indeed speaking of Himself, because the scripture is clearly stated that He was sent by God the Father.  For example, “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”(John 3:17) and “But He answered and said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.””(Matthew 15:24)

Didn’t He just perform the miracle of five loaves and two fish?  Why did they say to Him, “…What then do You do for a sign, so that we may see, and believe You? What work do You perform?”(John 6:30) No wonder Paul said, “For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom.”(1 Corinthians 1:22)

In the wilderness, wasn’t the manna from heaven that the Israelites relied on to maintain their physical life?  But they fail to notice that this is also spiritual food.  Doesn’t the scripture make it very clear? “…it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world.””(John 6:32-33) He clearly said, “…I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”(John 14:6) We have shared that the purpose of reading the Bible is to have life, just as Jesus Himself said, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.”(John 5:39-40)

Life can only come from God, Paul said very clearly, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.”(1 Corinthians 3:6-7) We know, “who (God) desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”(1 Timothy 2:4-5)

Let’s look at that it’s the same with Jesus. Why? We know that the church in Laodicea shut Jesus out, but He still said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.”(Revelation 3:20) How He hopes that everyone will repent!  Now Jesus also lives in the hearts of believers in the form of the Holy Spirit. Now the only one can do this growth thing is the Holy Spirit, Who is one of the Trinity. Therefore, when reading the Bible, you must be led by the Holy Spirit to gain life.

Topicwise Bible studies have always emphasized this point. According to the scriptures quoted above, we know that this is the promise by the Bible. As long as we are willing to believe, God’s absolute sovereignty will enable everyone to do this.  Therefore, for a Christian, having life is really much more important than seeing miracles. Don’t put the cart before the horse!

​(Verses refer to those in NASB95 unless otherwise specified.)

(You can get all articles in “https://a-christian-voice.com/” under “On spiritual understanding about life.”)

    我们首先来看耶稣实实在在地告诉我们什么重要的事情，我们讨论了这些事情，因其重要性，就请你们自己看看这段的细节，不在这里叙述大纲了。第二，我们详细的讨论了读经和逻辑的关系。我们看到基督徒必须活在信心中，相信新约和旧约两者都是神所默示的。因为圣经是神所默示的，我们相信，(1) 神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的，和  (2) 不把圣经的话打折扣。而基督徒一定要在 (1) 和 (2) 的前提下，使用 (3) 逻辑。第三，我们看到耶稣提到真理的见证是从天而来。在其中我们首先指出，那里可以找得到以前讨论过的、许多华人教会都没注意到的一个原文字 G2919 (审判, judge)，接著我们看到在旧约的确是要至少两个人作见证的，我们看到和耶稣同作见证的是父，我们也看到新约和旧约有一项不同，虽然在两者中，我们都不能看见父，但在新约中，人看见了耶稣，就是看见了父。最后我们来看人的心是何等的刚硬啊！在其中，我们从汇编的原文中详细的讨论了一个会引人错误的和合本的翻译，我们也详细的讨论了这字心窍的意义，而现在只有圣灵能开我们的心窍，实在是不要消灭圣灵的感动。

1. 耶稣实实在在地告诉我们什么？        

    『耶稣对他们(犹太人)说：「我实实在在地告诉你们：子，凭著自己不能做甚么，惟有看见父所做的，子才能做；父所做的事，子也照样做。父爱子，将自己所做的一切事指给他看，还要将比这更大的事指给他看，叫你们希奇。父怎样叫死人起来，使他们活著，子也照样随自己的意思使人活著。父不审判甚么人，乃将审判的事全交与子，叫人都尊敬子如同尊敬父一样。不尊敬子的，就是不尊敬差子来的父。「我实实在在地告诉你们：那听我话、又信差我来者的，就有永生，不至于定罪，是已经出死入生了。我实实在在地告诉你们：时候将到，现在就是了，死人要听见神儿子的声音，听见的人就要活了。因为父怎样在自己有生命，就赐给他儿子也照样在自己有生命，并且因为他是人子，就赐给他行审判的权柄。「你们不要把这事看作希奇。时候要到，凡在坟墓里的，都要听见他的声音，就出来。行善的，复活得生；作恶的，复活定罪。」』(约翰福音 5:19-29)        

    我们以前谈过，在这里我们要再次强调，这字眼「实实在在地」出现的时候，我们要特别的注意所说的话。我们首先看到耶稣能做的事是什么，就是父所做的。我们看到了父是怎样的爱子，那这更大的事是指什么呢？根据神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的来看，我现在并不能十分确定是指什么，就以后再说吧！        

    再下面一段我们看到三位一体的神的一位、耶稣有绝对的主权，因这里是说「随自己的意思」，『并且因为他是人子，就赐给他行审判的权柄。』(约翰福音 5:27) 所以照神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的来看，「…白色的大宝座与坐在上面的…」(参启示录 20:11)，那坐在上面的是主耶稣 ，因那坐在上面的是行审判的。目的很单纯，『叫人都尊敬子如同尊敬父一样。…』(约翰福音 5:23)     

    在这里我们要再强调一次，基督徒必须活在信心中，相信新约和旧约两者都是神所默示的。因为圣经是神所默示，我们相信，(1) 神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的。所以圣经的无误不是指字句上，如果是字句上的，就会有明显的矛盾，我们以前在『2111 圣经无误论的真谛』中详细的讨论过这问题，请到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的网站后，按『对属灵生命的了解』。也因为圣经是神所默示的，我们就要行出，(2) 不把圣经的话打折扣。        

    又是说「实实在在地」，『…信差我来者的，就有永生，…』(约翰福音 5:24) 这段不就是在说，『信他的人，不被定罪；不信的人，罪已经定了，因为他不信神独生子的名。』(约翰福音 3:18) 又再一次看到「实实在在地」，『…时候将到，现在就是了，…』(约翰福音 5:25) 这不指新约的时代即将在耶稣死而复活后降临吗？我们不都是出生时就是不信的死人吗？因为我们是亚当的后裔，出生时就被罪玷污的。神是一直都在寻找人，给人机会，但人可以不要，直到我们能有一个能听的耳，在一般的情况下信而受浸得救，就像经文所说，『你若口里认耶稣为主，心里信神叫他从死里复活，就必得救。因为人心里相信，就可以称义；口里承认，就可以得救。』(罗马书 10:9-10)  这是得救的意思，你可以看看汇编中所有得救在新约中这字的经文，就可明了这字的意思，不要过度的解读！

    特例是指一位和耶稣同钉十字架的强盗，『耶稣对他说：「我实在告诉你：今日你要同我在乐园里了。」』(路加福音 23:43) 他跟本都没机会受水洗，不是每一个基督徒都是和他一样的，圣经没有明说每一个基督徒都会去乐园等待，这只有神知道，我们能确定的是，『我又看见死了的人，无论大小，都站在宝座前。…』(启示录 20:12) 这死了的人里面一定包括了一些基督徒。如果每一个基督徒都已知在乐园等，只要看乐园中有那些人就可以，不再需要生命册，而圣经是明说，『…案卷展开了，并且另有一卷展开，就是生命册。…』(启示录 20:12) 而神不是做虚工的神，如『雨雪从天而降，并不返回，却滋润地土，使地上发芽结实，使撒种的有种，使要吃的有粮。我口所出的话也必如此，决不徒然返回，却要成就我所喜悦的，在我发它去成就的事上必然亨通。』(以赛亚书 55:10-11)        

    读经的目的是要得生命，就像耶稣自己说的，『你们查考圣经，因你们以为内中有永生；给我作见证的就是这经。然而你们不肯到我这里来得生命。』(约翰福音 5:39-40) 所以不是要追求神迹，而是信主得到生命的改变，模成耶稣的形像，就像经文所说，『因为他预先所知道的人，就预先定下效法(模成, be conformed to)他儿子的模样(形像, image)，使他儿子在许多弟兄中作长子。』(罗马书 8:29) 所以基督徒是以信开始，要走上成圣之路，一般成圣之路要走一生之久。其实这也有例外的，如果参照使徒行传 7:54-60，就知道司提反在被石头打死前说的话和耶稣在十字架上的一句话相似，而耶稣也站著迎接他，所以他在那时以前已经被模成了耶稣的形像。所以有些圣经隐藏的意思是可用逻辑推导出来的，就像圣经没有用三位一体的神这个辞，但绝对能从逻辑中看到这概念。这里也说明了为什么赐给耶稣行审判的权柄，因为他是人子。

    最后一段有关于，『行善的，复活得生；作恶的，复活定罪。』(约翰福音 5:29) 这不就是启示录所说的，『我又看见死了的人，无论大小，都站在宝座前。案卷展开了，并且另有一卷展开，就是生命册。死了的人都凭著这些案卷所记载的，照他们所行的受审判。于是海交出其中的死人，死亡和阴间也交出其中的死人。他们都照各人所行的受审判。』(启示录 20:12-13) 『若有人名字没记在生命册上，他就被扔在火湖里。』(启示录 20:15) 在生命册上的基督徒也是要因信心的行为受审判，这信心的行为就是雅各书所说的，『身体没有灵(G4151)(魂)是死的，信心没有行为也是死的。』(雅各书 2:26) 我 们又看到，神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的。

2. 读经与逻辑的关系     

    我们看一下逻辑，逻辑是由公理和逻辑机理两部份所构成的，所以不同的领域会从不同的公理开始，但逻辑机理是相同的，否则做研究的人就不可能发表论文，所以这里的公理是在讲数学或科学上许多人看到的一般原则。其实在生活上也类似，譬如说，对一个正常的人来说，杀人是不好的，对是否要杀人的选择来说，他的逻辑机理会告诉他选择善的一面，不杀人。但对食人族来说，公理是、杀其他族的人是善的，他的逻辑机理和正常人相同，要选择善的一面，于是去杀别族的人。从这个简单的例子，我们也可以看到逻辑机理是相同的，但每个人对一件事的个人公理是不同的。     

    当圣灵直接启示我们、或借著别人启示我们时，我们的个人公理就会因之而改变。例如，以利沙的仆人原先看不到火车火马，这是他原先的个人公理，他现在的个人公理是、原先他的个人公理加上满山有火车火马。           

    这例子在列王纪下 6:8-17，其中说到亚兰王与以色列人争战，派车马军兵围困了以利沙所在的城，仆人看不到火车火马，但『以利沙祷告说：「耶和华啊，求你开这少年人(仆人)的眼目，使他能看见。」耶和华开他的眼目，他就看见满山有火车火马围绕以利沙。』(列王纪下 6:17) 耶和华使仆人能看见火车火马，所以在这件事上，仆人的逻辑机理没有改变，但他的个人公理加上，从「看不见」改变成「看见」了，知道满山有火车火马。简言之，主耶和华就是如这件事情所发生的类似，用改变我们的个人公理方式来引导我们。圣经不是说，『你的言语一解开，就发出亮光，使愚人通达。』(诗篇 119:130) 当看见亮光后，我们对这件事的个人公理基本上就会改变了。    

    所以为避免误会， 我应该说，一个人的决定是基于「他的个人公理」加上「大家都相同的逻辑机理」，而后者是由神来，和神相同，但神的公理和我们大不相同。譬如衪的公理是有绝对的主权，随时可行神迹，而人的个人公理，最多祇是在神允许下、能够成为行神迹的管道而已。     

    在这里我们要再强调一次，基督徒必须活在信心中，相信新旧约两者都是神所默示的。因为圣经是神所默示，所以我们相信 (1) 神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的，和行出来 (2) 不把圣经的话打折扣。对一个基督徒而言，我们在信心中有了 (1) 和 (2)，而当有了 (1) 和 (2) 作为我们的个人公理，我们才可以在某一件事上、使用逻辑机理而能达到正确的结论。对一个不信主的非基督徒而言，没有 (1) 和 (2)，只用逻辑机理就会得到不可知论的结论，认为神是否存在是不可知的。所以基督徒一定要在 (1) 和 (2) 的前提下，使用 (3) 逻辑。

3. 耶稣提到真理的见证是从天而来       

    『「我凭著自己不能做甚么，我怎么听见，就怎么审判(G2919, judge)。我的审判也是公平的，因为我不求自己的意思，只求那差我来者的意思。我若为自己作见证，我的见证就不真；另有一位给我作见证，我也知道他给我作的见证是真的。「你们曾差人到约翰那里，他为真理作过见证。其实我所受的见证不是从人来的，然而我说这些话，为要叫你们得救。约翰是点著的明灯，你们情愿暂时喜欢他的光。「但我有比约翰更大的见证，因为父交给我要我成就的事，就是我所做的事，这便见证我是父所差来的。差我来的父也为我作过见证。你们从来没有听见他的声音，也没有看见他的形像。你们并没有他的道存在心里，因为他所差来的，你们不信。你们查考圣经，因你们以为内中有永生；给我作见证的就是这经。然而你们不肯到我这里来得生命。」』(约翰福音 5:30-40)        

    我们以前特别的讨论过 G2919 (判断, judge)这个字，因这是许多华人教会没注意到的，这是在『2114 两次洁净圣殿、重生、和神爱世人 – 约翰福音 (3)』中的『3. 神爱世人、得救和定罪、及光』讨论的，对这篇文章有兴趣的人，可到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的网站后，按『对属灵生命的了解』。        

    在旧约的确是要至少两个人作见证的，就像经文所述，『人无论犯甚么罪，作甚么恶，不可凭一个人的口作见证，总要凭两三个人的口作见证才可定案。』(申命记 19:15) 所以经文明讲，耶稣那时候为什么不是独自作见证的，因为父和祂是两个，新旧约都是一位神，作事的原则是完全相同的。在旧约时，『他使摩西知道他的法则，叫以色列人晓得他的作为。』(诗篇 103:7) 所以在新约读经时，要尽可能的读出祂的法则。新约中也说，『你们是以外貌判断人，我却不判断人。就是判断人，我的判断也是真的，因为不是我独自在这里，还有差我来的父与我同在。你们的律法上也记著说：『两个人的见证是真的。』我是为自己作见证，还有差我来的父也是为我作见证。』(约翰福音 8:15-18)        

    在新约时代，保罗也和旧约一样的这么说，『这是我第三次要到你们那里去。凭两三个人的口作见证，句句都要定准。』(哥林多后书 13:1) 且说，『控告长老的呈子，非有两三个见证就不要收。』(提摩太前书 5:19) 希伯来书不是讲得很清楚吗？『人干犯摩西的律法，凭两三个见证人尚且不得怜恤而死。』(希伯来书 10:28)        

    这里说到人会喜欢施洗约翰的原因，他只是耶稣的先锋，他只是施悔改的洗礼(参马可福音 1:2-4, 使徒行传 13:2; 19:4) 耶稣明说祂的真理见证从那里来，而祂要做的事是很多，我们可从这经文略窥一二，『这人(尼哥低母)夜里来见耶稣，说：「拉比，我们知道你是由神那里来作师傅的，因为你所行的神迹，若没有神同在，无人能行。」』((约翰福音 3:2) 但对我们最重要的是这一件事，就是死而复活，完成了救恩的计划，使我们得救。『耶稣被交给人，是为我们的过犯；复活，是为叫我们称义。』(罗马书 4:25) 所以耶稣不只是为我们钉上十字架受死，更是要复活使我们得生。        

    耶和华对摩西『说：「你不能看见我的面，因为人见我的面不能存活。」』(出埃及记 33:20) 在旧约时他们是不可能听见祂的声音，看见祂的形像的，即使在新约时也是如此。新约的不同点是在当『腓力对他说：「求主将父显给我们看，我们就知足了。」耶稣对他说：「腓力，我与你们同在这样长久，你还不认识我吗？人看见了我，就是看见了父，你怎么说『将父显给我们看』呢？』(约翰福音 14:8-9) 因为『我与父原为一。』(约翰福音 10:30) 耶稣现在是以圣灵的方式，内住在我们心里，所以祂在大使中说的，『…我就常与你们同在，直到世界的末了。』(马太福音 28:20) 在今生就这样成就了。在永生更是，『我未见(新耶路撒冷)城内有殿，因主神全能者和羔羊为城的殿。』(启示录 21:22)        

    这里也很清楚的说明，道不在他们(犹太人)心中的原因，是因为『…你们心里没有神的爱。』(约翰福音 5:42)   关于最后得生命的那一段，我们已在前面已分享过，就不多说了。

4. 人的心是何等的刚硬啊！       

    『「我不受从人来的荣耀，但我知道，你们心里没有神的爱。我奉我父的名来，你们并不接待我；若有别人奉自己的名来，你们倒要接待他。你们互相受荣耀，却不求从独一之神来的荣耀，怎能信我呢？「不要想我在父面前要告你们，有一位告你们的，就是你们所仰赖的摩西。你们如果信摩西，也必信我，因为他书上有指著我写的话。你们若不信他的书，怎能信我的话呢？」』(约翰福音 5:41-47)           

    人基本上是『…互相受荣耀，却不求从独一之神来的荣耀，…』(约翰福音 5:44) 『人凭著自己说，是求自己的荣耀；惟有求那差他来者(神)的荣耀，这人是真的，在他(耶稣)心里没有不义。』(约翰福音 7:18) 我们看到人的的刚硬是因为心里没有神的爱，难怪耶和华在旧约时『说：「你去告诉这百姓说：『你们听是要听见，却不明白；看是要看见，却不晓得。』要使这百姓心(H3820)蒙脂油，耳朵发沉，眼睛昏迷；恐怕(lest, G3379)眼睛看见，耳朵听见，心里明白，回转过来，便得医治。」』(以赛亚书 6:9-10) 和合本的翻译又是说要使，又是说恐怕，好像神是故意如此！如果我们看原文，就知道不是说恐怕，新约更很清楚的指出，不是神故意使这百姓心蒙脂油等等，他们的心本就是刚硬的。        

    我们来看这原文字 H3820 出现了593次，在以赛亚书出现了30次，我们就只看这30次，看到以下的两节经文就是它在以赛亚书中典型的用法。『「耶和华啊，求你记念我在你面前怎样存完全的心(H3820)，按诚实行事，又做你眼中所看为善的。」希西家就痛哭了。』(以赛亚书 38:3) 和『你素来倚仗自己的恶行说：『无人看见我。』你的智慧聪明使你偏邪，并且你心(H4820)里说：『惟有我，除我以外再没有别的。』』(以赛亚书 47:10) 这原文字 H4820 完全没有要使的意义，不知和合本为什么这样翻译？这样的翻译会造成误会。看诗篇就说得很清楚，『无奈我的民不听我的声音，以色列全不理我。我便任凭他们心里刚硬，随自己的计谋而行。』(诗篇 81:11-12)        

    在新约更很清楚的指出，不是神故意使这百姓心蒙脂油等等，他们的心本就是刚硬。『所以我(耶稣)用比喻对他们讲，是因他们看也看不见，听也听不见，也不明白。在他们身上，正应了以赛亚的预言，说：『你们听是要听见，却不明白；看是要看见，却不晓得。因为这百姓油蒙了心，耳朵发沉，眼睛闭著；恐怕(lest, G3379)眼睛看见，耳朵听见，心里明白，回转过来，我就医治他们。』(马太福音 13:13-15)        

    最后说到要告他们的是摩西，因为他们因不相信而没有读懂他书上指著耶稣所说的话。在耶稣从死里复活后，『耶稣对他们(以马忤斯的两门徒)说：「无知的人哪，先知所说的一切话，你们的心信得太迟钝了。基督这样受害，又进入他的荣耀，岂不是应当的吗？」于是从摩西和众先知起，凡经上所指著自己的话都给他们讲解明白了。』(路加福音 24:25-27) 最后是『他们就立时起身，回耶路撒冷去，正遇见十一个使徒和他们的同人聚集在一处。』(路加福音 24:33) 我们看到正这个字在原文没有，虽然原文没有，但的确是正好。

    『于是耶稣开他们(所有在场的人)的心窍(G3563, 希腊文 nous)，使他们能明白圣经。』(路加福音 24:45) 在我们刚才引用的路加福音 24:25-27，是明说是耶稣讲解明白了，并没有说他们了解了，但现在他们绝对了解，因为他们在被开心窍的人当中。这原文字 G3563 出现了 24 次，因在路加福音只出现这么一次，我们必须看其他的 23 次，来看它的意义， 从下面三节典型的经文中我们就可以看见。『不要效法这个世界，只要心意(G3563)更新而变化，叫你们察验何为神的善良、纯全、可喜悦的旨意。』(罗马书 12:2) 和『这却怎么样呢？我要用灵祷告，也要用悟性(G3563)祷告；我要用灵歌唱，也要用悟性(G3563)歌唱。』(哥林多前书 14:15) 所以保罗会说，『 所以那说方言的，就当求著能翻出来。我若用方言祷告，是我的灵祷告，但我的悟性(G3563)没有果效。』(哥林多前书 14:13-14) 第三节经文是，『智慧的心(G3563)在此可以思想。那七头就是女人所坐的七座山。』(启示录 17:9) 现在只有圣灵能开我们的心窍，『不要消灭圣灵的感动。』(帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:19)

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到这网站后要按『对属灵生命的了解』。)  

    我們首先來看耶穌實實在在地告訴我們什麼重要的事情，我們討論了這些事情，因其重要性，就請你們自己看看這段的細節，不在這裏敘述大綱了。第二，我們詳細的討論了讀經和邏輯的關係。我們看到基督徒必須活在信心中，相信新約和舊約兩者都是神所默示的。因為聖經是神所默示的，我們相信，(1) 神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的，和  (2) 不把聖經的話打折扣。而基督徒一定要在 (1) 和 (2) 的前提下，使用 (3) 邏輯。第三，我們看到耶穌提到真理的見証是從天而來。在其中我們首先指出，那裏可以找得到以前討論過的、許多華人教會都沒注意到的一個原文字 G2919 (審判, judge)，接著我們看到在舊約的確是要至少兩個人作見証的，我們看到和耶穌同作見証的是父，我們也看到新約和舊約有一項不同，雖然在兩者中，我們都不能看見父，但在新約中，人看見了耶穌，就是看見了父。最後我們來看人的心是何等的剛硬啊！在其中，我們從彙編的原文中詳細的討論了一個會引人錯誤的和合本的翻譯，我們也詳細的討論了這字心竅的意義，而現在只有聖靈能開我們的心竅，實在是不要消滅聖靈的感動。

1. 耶穌實實在在地告訴我們什麼？

        『耶穌對他們(猶太人)說：「我實實在在地告訴你們：子，憑着自己不能做甚麼，惟有看見父所做的，子才能做；父所做的事，子也照樣做。父愛子，將自己所做的一切事指給他看，還要將比這更大的事指給他看，叫你們希奇。父怎樣叫死人起來，使他們活着，子也照樣隨自己的意思使人活着。父不審判甚麼人，乃將審判的事全交與子，叫人都尊敬子如同尊敬父一樣。不尊敬子的，就是不尊敬差子來的父。「我實實在在地告訴你們：那聽我話、又信差我來者的，就有永生，不至於定罪，是已經出死入生了。我實實在在地告訴你們：時候將到，現在就是了，死人要聽見神兒子的聲音，聽見的人就要活了。因為父怎樣在自己有生命，就賜給他兒子也照樣在自己有生命，並且因為他是人子，就賜給他行審判的權柄。「你們不要把這事看作希奇。時候要到，凡在墳墓裏的，都要聽見他的聲音，就出來。行善的，復活得生；作惡的，復活定罪。」』(約翰福音 5:19-29)

        我們以前談過，在這裏我們要再次強調，這字眼「實實在在地」出現的時候，我們要特別的注意所說的話。我們首先看到耶穌能做的事是什麼，就是父所做的。我們看到了父是怎樣的愛子，那這更大的事是指什麼呢？根據神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的來看，我現在並不能十分確定是指什麼，就以後再說吧！

        再下面一段我們看到三位一體的神的一位、耶穌有絕對的主權，因這裏是說「隨自己的意思」，『並且因為他是人子，就賜給他行審判的權柄。』(約翰福音 5:27) 所以照神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的來看，「…白色的大寶座與坐在上面的…」(參啓示錄 20:11)，那坐在上面的是主耶穌 ，因那坐在上面的是行審判的。目的很單純，『叫人都尊敬子如同尊敬父一樣。…』(約翰福音 5:23)

     在這裏我們要再強調一次，基督徒必須活在信心中，相信新約和舊約兩者都是神所默示的。因為聖經是神所默示，我們相信，(1) 神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的。所以聖經的無誤不是指字句上，如果是字句上的，就會有明顯的矛盾，我們以前在『2111 聖經無誤論的真諦』中詳細的討論過這問題，請到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的網站後，按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』。也因為聖經是神所默示的，我們就要行出，(2) 不把聖經的話打折扣。

        又是說「實實在在地」，『…信差我來者的，就有永生，…』(約翰福音 5:24) 這段不就是在說，『信他的人，不被定罪；不信的人，罪已經定了，因為他不信神獨生子的名。』(約翰福音 3:18) 又再一次看到「實實在在地」，『…時候將到，現在就是了，…』(約翰福音 5:25) 這不指新約的時代即將在耶穌死而復活後降臨嗎？我們不都是出生時就是不信的死人嗎？因為我們是亞當的後裔，出生時就被罪玷汚的。神是一直都在尋找人，給人機會，但人可以不要，直到我們能有一個能聽的耳，在一般的情況下信而受浸得救，就像經文所說，『你若口裏認耶穌為主，心裏信神叫他從死裏復活，就必得救。因為人心裏相信，就可以稱義；口裏承認，就可以得救。』(羅馬書 10:9-10)  這是得救的意思，你可以看看彙編中所有得救在新約中這字的經文，就可明瞭這字的意思，不要過度的解讀！

    特例是指一位和耶穌同釘十字架的強盜，『耶穌對他說：「我實在告訴你：今日你要同我在樂園裏了。」』(路加福音 23:43) 他跟本都沒機會受水洗，不是每一個基督徒都是和他一樣的，聖經沒有明說每一個基督徒都會去樂園等待，這只有神知道，我們能確定的是，『我又看見死了的人，無論大小，都站在寶座前。…』(啓示錄 20:12) 這死了的人裏面一定包括了一些基督徒。如果每一個基督徒都已知在樂園等，只要看樂園中有那些人就可以，不再需要生命册，而聖經是明說，『…案卷展開了，並且另有一卷展開，就是生命冊。…』(啓示錄 20:12) 而神不是做虛工的神，如『雨雪從天而降，並不返回，卻滋潤地土，使地上發芽結實，使撒種的有種，使要吃的有糧。我口所出的話也必如此，決不徒然返回，卻要成就我所喜悅的，在我發它去成就的事上必然亨通。』(以賽亞書 55:10-11)

        讀經的目的是要得生命，就像耶穌自己說的，『你們查考聖經，因你們以為內中有永生；給我作見證的就是這經。然而你們不肯到我這裏來得生命。』(約翰福音 5:39-40) 所以不是要追求神蹟，而是信主得到生命的改變，模成耶穌的形像，就像經文所說，『因為他預先所知道的人，就預先定下效法(模成, be conformed to)他兒子的模樣(形像, image)，使他兒子在許多弟兄中作長子。』(羅馬書 8:29) 所以基督徒是以信開始，要走上成聖之路，一般成聖之路要走一生之久。其實這也有例外的，如果參照使徒行傳 7:54-60，就知道司提反在被石頭打死前說的話和耶穌在十字架上的一句話相似，而耶穌也站著迎接他，所以他在那時以前已經被模成了耶穌的形像。所以有些聖經隱藏的意思是可用邏輯推導出來的，就像聖經沒有用三位一體的神這個辭，但絕對能從邏輯中看到這概念。這裏也說明了為什麼賜給耶穌行審判的權柄，因為他是人子。

        最後一段有關於，『行善的，復活得生；作惡的，復活定罪。』(約翰福音 5:29) 這不就是啓示錄所說的，『我又看見死了的人，無論大小，都站在寶座前。案卷展開了，並且另有一卷展開，就是生命冊。死了的人都憑着這些案卷所記載的，照他們所行的受審判。於是海交出其中的死人，死亡和陰間也交出其中的死人。他們都照各人所行的受審判。』(啓示錄 20:12-13) 『若有人名字沒記在生命冊上，他就被扔在火湖裏。』(啓示錄 20:15) 在生命册上的基督徒也是要因信心的行為受審判，這信心的行為就是雅各書所說的，『身體沒有靈(G4151)(魂)是死的，信心沒有行為也是死的。』(雅各書 2:26) 我 們又看到，神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的。

2. 讀經與邏輯的關係

     我們看一下邏輯，邏輯是由公理和邏輯機理兩部份所構成的，所以不同的領域會從不同的公理開始，但邏輯機理是相同的，否則做研究的人就不可能發表論文，所以這裏的公理是在講數學或科學上許多人看到的一般原則。其實在生活上也類似，譬如說，對一個正常的人來說，殺人是不好的，對是否要殺人的選擇來說，他的邏輯機理會告訴他選擇善的一面，不殺人。但對食人族來說，公理是、殺其他族的人是善的，他的邏輯機理和正常人相同，要選擇善的一面，於是去殺別族的人。從這個簡單的例子，我們也可以看到邏輯機理是相同的，但每個人對一件事的個人公理是不同的。

     當聖靈直接啓示我們、或藉著別人啓示我們時，我們的個人公理就會因之而改變。例如，以利沙的僕人原先看不到火車火馬，這是他原先的個人公理，他現在的個人公理是、原先他的個人公理加上滿山有火車火馬。   

     這例子在列王紀下 6:8-17，其中說到亞蘭王與以色列人爭戰，派車馬軍兵圍困了以利沙所在的城，僕人看不到火車火馬，但『以利沙禱告說：「耶和華啊，求你開這少年人(僕人)的眼目，使他能看見。」耶和華開他的眼目，他就看見滿山有火車火馬圍繞以利沙。』(列王紀下 6:17) 耶和華使僕人能看見火車火馬，所以在這件事上，僕人的邏輯機理沒有改變，但他的個人公理加上，從「看不見」改變成「看見」了，知道滿山有火車火馬。簡言之，主耶和華就是如這件事情所發生的類似，用改變我們的個人公理方式來引導我們。聖經不是說，『你的言語一解開，就發出亮光，使愚人通達。』(詩篇 119:130) 當看見亮光後，我們對這件事的個人公理基本上就會改變了。

    所以為避免誤會， 我應該說，一個人的決定是基於「他的個人公理」加上「大家都相同的邏輯機理」，而後者是由神來，和神相同，但神的公理和我們大不相同。譬如衪的公理是有絕對的主權，隨時可行神蹟，而人的個人公理，最多祇是在神允許下、能夠成為行神蹟的管道而已。 

     在這裏我們要再強調一次，基督徒必須活在信心中，相信新舊約兩者都是神所默示的。因為聖經是神所默示，所以我們相信 (1) 神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的，和行出來 (2) 不把聖經的話打折扣。對一個基督徒而言，我們在信心中有了 (1) 和 (2)，而當有了 (1) 和 (2) 作為我們的個人公理，我們才可以在某一件事上、使用邏輯機理而能達到正確的結論。對一個不信主的非基督徒而言，沒有 (1) 和 (2)，只用邏輯機理就會得到不可知論的結論，認為神是否存在是不可知的。所以基督徒一定要在 (1) 和 (2) 的前提下，使用 (3) 邏輯。

3. 耶穌提到真理的見証是從天而來

       『「我憑着自己不能做甚麼，我怎麼聽見，就怎麼審判(G2919, judge)。我的審判也是公平的，因為我不求自己的意思，只求那差我來者的意思。我若為自己作見證，我的見證就不真；另有一位給我作見證，我也知道他給我作的見證是真的。「你們曾差人到約翰那裏，他為真理作過見證。其實我所受的見證不是從人來的，然而我說這些話，為要叫你們得救。約翰是點着的明燈，你們情願暫時喜歡他的光。「但我有比約翰更大的見證，因為父交給我要我成就的事，就是我所做的事，這便見證我是父所差來的。差我來的父也為我作過見證。你們從來沒有聽見他的聲音，也沒有看見他的形像。你們並沒有他的道存在心裏，因為他所差來的，你們不信。你們查考聖經，因你們以為內中有永生；給我作見證的就是這經。然而你們不肯到我這裏來得生命。」』(約翰福音 5:30-40)

        我們以前特別的討論過 G2919 (判斷, judge)這個字，因這是許多華人教會沒注意到的，這是在『2114 兩次潔淨聖殿、重生、和神愛世人 – 約翰福音 (3)』中的『3. 神愛世人、得救和定罪、及光』討論的，對這篇文章有興趣的人，可到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的網站後，按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』。

        在舊約的確是要至少兩個人作見証的，就像經文所述，『人無論犯甚麼罪，作甚麼惡，不可憑一個人的口作見證，總要憑兩三個人的口作見證才可定案。』(申命記 19:15) 所以經文明講，耶穌那時候為什麼不是獨自作見証的，因為父和祂是兩個，新舊約都是一位神，作事的原則是完全相同的。在舊約時，『他使摩西知道他的法則，叫以色列人曉得他的作為。』(詩篇 103:7) 所以在新約讀經時，要儘可能的讀出祂的法則。新約中也說，『你們是以外貌判斷人，我卻不判斷人。就是判斷人，我的判斷也是真的，因為不是我獨自在這裏，還有差我來的父與我同在。你們的律法上也記着說：『兩個人的見證是真的。』我是為自己作見證，還有差我來的父也是為我作見證。』(約翰福音 8:15-18)

        在新約時代，保羅也和舊約一樣的這麼說，『這是我第三次要到你們那裏去。憑兩三個人的口作見證，句句都要定準。』(哥林多後書 13:1) 且說，『控告長老的呈子，非有兩三個見證就不要收。』(提摩太前書 5:19) 希伯來書不是講得很清楚嗎？『人干犯摩西的律法，憑兩三個見證人尚且不得憐恤而死。』(希伯來書 10:28)

        這裏說到人會喜歡施洗約翰的原因，他只是耶穌的先鋒，他只是施悔改的洗禮(參馬可福音 1:2-4, 使徒行傳 13:2; 19:4) 耶穌明說祂的真理見証從那裏來，而祂要做的事是很多，我們可從這經文略窺一二，『這人(尼哥低母)夜裏來見耶穌，說：「拉比，我們知道你是由神那裏來作師傅的，因為你所行的神蹟，若沒有神同在，無人能行。」』((約翰福音 3:2) 但對我們最重要的是這一件事，就是死而復活，完成了救恩的計劃，使我們得救。『耶穌被交給人，是為我們的過犯；復活，是為叫我們稱義。』(羅馬書 4:25) 所以耶穌不只是為我們釘上十字架受死，更是要復活使我們得生。

        耶和華對摩西『說：「你不能看見我的面，因為人見我的面不能存活。」』(出埃及記 33:20) 在舊約時他們是不可能聽見祂的聲音，看見祂的形像的，即使在新約時也是如此。新約的不同點是在當『腓力對他說：「求主將父顯給我們看，我們就知足了。」耶穌對他說：「腓力，我與你們同在這樣長久，你還不認識我嗎？人看見了我，就是看見了父，你怎麼說『將父顯給我們看』呢？』(約翰福音 14:8-9) 因為『我與父原為一。』(約翰福音 10:30) 耶穌現在是以聖靈的方式，內住在我們心裏，所以祂在大使中說的，『…我就常與你們同在，直到世界的末了。』(馬太福音 28:20) 在今生就這樣成就了。在永生更是，『我未見(新耶路撒冷)城內有殿，因主神全能者和羔羊為城的殿。』(啓示錄 21:22)

        這裏也很清楚的說明，道不在他們(猶太人)心中的原因，是因為『…你們心裏沒有神的愛。』(約翰福音 5:42)   關於最後得生命的那一段，我們已在前面已分享過，就不多說了。

4. 人的心是何等的剛硬啊！

       『「我不受從人來的榮耀，但我知道，你們心裏沒有神的愛。我奉我父的名來，你們並不接待我；若有別人奉自己的名來，你們倒要接待他。你們互相受榮耀，卻不求從獨一之神來的榮耀，怎能信我呢？「不要想我在父面前要告你們，有一位告你們的，就是你們所仰賴的摩西。你們如果信摩西，也必信我，因為他書上有指着我寫的話。你們若不信他的書，怎能信我的話呢？」』(約翰福音 5:41-47)

        人基本上是『…互相受榮耀，卻不求從獨一之神來的榮耀，…』(約翰福音 5:44) 『人憑着自己說，是求自己的榮耀；惟有求那差他來者(神)的榮耀，這人是真的，在他(耶穌)心裏沒有不義。』(約翰福音 7:18) 我們看到人的的剛硬是因為心裏沒有神的愛，難怪耶和華在舊約時『說：「你去告訴這百姓說：『你們聽是要聽見，卻不明白；看是要看見，卻不曉得。』要使這百姓心(H3820)蒙脂油，耳朵發沉，眼睛昏迷；恐怕(lest, G3379)眼睛看見，耳朵聽見，心裏明白，回轉過來，便得醫治。」』(以賽亞書 6:9-10) 和合本的翻譯又是說要使，又是說恐怕，好像神是故意如此！如果我們看原文，就知道不是說恐怕，新約更很清楚的指出，不是神故意使這百姓心蒙脂油等等，他們的心本就是剛硬的。

        我們來看這原文字 H3820 出現了593次，在以賽亞書出現了30次，我們就只看這30次，看到以下的兩節經文就是它在以賽亞書中典型的用法。『「耶和華啊，求你記念我在你面前怎樣存完全的心(H3820)，按誠實行事，又做你眼中所看為善的。」希西家就痛哭了。』(以賽亞書 38:3) 和『你素來倚仗自己的惡行說：『無人看見我。』你的智慧聰明使你偏邪，並且你心(H4820)裏說：『惟有我，除我以外再沒有別的。』』(以賽亞書 47:10) 這原文字 H4820 完全沒有要使的意義，不知和合本為什麼這樣翻譯？這樣的翻譯會造成誤會。看詩篇就說得很清楚，『無奈我的民不聽我的聲音，以色列全不理我。我便任憑他們心裏剛硬，隨自己的計謀而行。』(詩篇 81:11-12) 

        在新約更很清楚的指出，不是神故意使這百姓心蒙脂油等等，他們的心本就是剛硬。『所以我(耶穌)用比喻對他們講，是因他們看也看不見，聽也聽不見，也不明白。在他們身上，正應了以賽亞的預言，說：『你們聽是要聽見，卻不明白；看是要看見，卻不曉得。因為這百姓油蒙了心，耳朵發沉，眼睛閉着；恐怕(lest, G3379)眼睛看見，耳朵聽見，心裏明白，回轉過來，我就醫治他們。』(馬太福音 13:13-15)

        最後說到要告他們的是摩西，因為他們因不相信而沒有讀懂他書上指著耶穌所說的話。在耶穌從死裏復活後，『耶穌對他們(以馬忤斯的兩門徒)說：「無知的人哪，先知所說的一切話，你們的心信得太遲鈍了。基督這樣受害，又進入他的榮耀，豈不是應當的嗎？」於是從摩西和眾先知起，凡經上所指着自己的話都給他們講解明白了。』(路加福音 24:25-27) 最後是『他們就立時起身，回耶路撒冷去，正遇見十一個使徒和他們的同人聚集在一處。』(路加福音 24:33) 我們看到正這個字在原文沒有，雖然原文沒有，但的確是正好。

    『於是耶穌開他們(所有在場的人)的心竅(G3563, 希臘文 nous)，使他們能明白聖經。』(路加福音 24:45) 在我們剛才引用的路加福音 24:25-27，是明說是耶穌講解明白了，並沒有說他們瞭解了，但現在他們絕對瞭解，因為他們在被開心竅的人當中。這原文字 G3563 出現了 24 次，因在路加福音只出現這麼一次，我們必須看其他的 23 次，來看它的意義， 從下面三節典型的經文中我們就可以看見。『不要效法這個世界，只要心意(G3563)更新而變化，叫你們察驗何為神的善良、純全、可喜悅的旨意。』(羅馬書 12:2) 和『這卻怎麼樣呢？我要用靈禱告，也要用悟性(G3563)禱告；我要用靈歌唱，也要用悟性(G3563)歌唱。』(哥林多前書 14:15) 所以保羅會說，『 所以那說方言的，就當求着能翻出來。我若用方言禱告，是我的靈禱告，但我的悟性(G3563)沒有果效。』(哥林多前書 14:13-14) 第三節經文是，『智慧的心(G3563)在此可以思想。那七頭就是女人所坐的七座山。』(啓示錄 17:9) 現在只有聖靈能開我們的心竅，『不要消滅聖靈的感動。』(帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:19)

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到這網站後要按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』。)

Let’s first look at what important things Jesus truly truly told us. We have discussed these things. Because of their importance, please look at the details of this paragraph for yourself. I will not describe the outline here. Second, we discussed the relationship between Bible reading and logic in detail.  We see that Christians must live by faith and believe that both the Old and New Testaments are inspired by God.  Because the Bible is inspired by God, we believe that (1) what God tells us through the Bible is consistent, and (2) we do not discount the words of the Bible.  Christians must use (3) logic under the premise of (1) and (2).  Third, we see that Jesus mentioned that the testimony of truth comes from heaven.  In it, we first pointed out that there can be found an original word G2919 (judge) that many Chinese churches have not noticed before. Then we saw that in the Old Testament, at least two people are indeed required to bear witness. We see that the one who witnesses with Jesus is the Father. We also see one difference between the New Testament and the Old Testament. Although in both, we cannot see the Father, in the New Testament, when people see Jesus, they see Father.  Finally, let’s look at how hard people’s hearts are!  In it, we discussed in detail a misleading translation of the Union Version from the original text. We also discussed in detail the meaning of the word “mind.” Now only the Holy Spirit can open our mind. “Do not quench the Spirit.”(1 Thessalonians 5:19)

1. What does Jesus truly truly tell us?

“Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself; and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.”(John 5:19 – 29)

We have talked before, and here we want to emphasize again that when the word “truly truly” appears, we must pay special attention to what said.  We first see what Jesus can do that the Father does.  We have seen how the Father loves the Son, but what does this greater works mean?  According to what God tells us through the Bible is consistent, I am not quite sure what it means now, so I will talk about it later!

In the next paragraph we see that one person of the Trinity, Jesus, has absolute sovereignty, so it is said here “…to whom He wishes.”(John 5:21), “and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man.”(John 5:27) Therefore, according to what God tells us through the Bible is consistent, “.. a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, …”(Revelation 20:11), that one who sat upon Ii must be the Lord Jesus, because He who sits on it is the one who judges.  The purpose is simple, 

 “​​so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. …”(John 5:23)

Here we would like to emphasize once again that Christians must live in faith and believe that both the Old and New Testaments are inspired by God.  Because the Bible is inspired by God, we believe that (1) what God tells us through the Bible is consistent.  Therefore, the inerrancy of the Bible does not refer to the words. If it is the words, there will be obvious contradictions. We have discussed this issue in detail in “1111 The True Meaning of Biblical Inerrancy.” Please go to “https://a- “christian-voice.com/” website, and click “Understanding of Spiritual Life.”  And because the Bible is inspired by God, we must act on it and (2) not discount any words of the Bible.

It also says, “Truly, truly, …believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, …”(John 5:24) Doesn’t this passage just mean, “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”(John 3:18) And once again we see “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, …”(John 5:25) Doesn’t this refer to the coming of  New Testament era soon after Jesus’ death and resurrection?  Aren’t we all born dead in unbelief?  This is because we are descendants of Adam, we are tainted by sin at birth.  God is always looking for people and giving them opportunities, but people reject Him until they can have an ear that can hear. Under normal circumstances, one can believe and be baptized and be saved. Just as the scripture says, “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”(Romans 10:9-10) This is the meaning of salvation. You can look at all the verses in the New Testament where the word salvation is used to understand the meaning of this word. Don’t over-interpret it!

A special case refers to a thief who was crucified with Jesus. “And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.””(Luke 23:43) Not every Christian is in the same situation as he was, who had no opportunity to be baptized in water. The Bible does not clearly say that every Christian will go to paradise to wait. Only God knows this. What we can be sure of is, “And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, …”(Revelation 20:12) These dead must include some Christians.  If every Christian already knew that he would be in Paradise, we would just have to look at who was in Paradise, and there would be no need for the Book of Life. The Bible clearly says, “…books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; …”(Revelation 20:12) And God is not a God who does empty work, for example, ““For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”(Isaiah 55:10-11)

The purpose of reading the Bible is to have life, as Jesus Himself said, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.”(John 5:39-40) So it is not to pursue miracles, but to believe in the Lord and get a change in life and be conformed to the image of Jesus, as the scripture says, “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren.”(Romans 8:29) Therefore, Christians start with faith and embark on the road to sanctification. Generally, the road to sanctification takes a lifetime.  In fact, there are exceptions to this. If you refer to Acts 7:54-60, you will know that what Stephen said before being stoned to death was similar to what Jesus said on the cross, and Jesus also stood to greet him, so he before that time had been conformed into the image of Jesus.  Therefore, some hidden meanings in the Bible can be deduced by logic. For example, the Bible does not use the term Trinity God, but this concept can definitely be seen from logic.  This scripture also explains why Jesus was given the authority to judge because He is the Son of Man.

The last paragraph is about “…those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.”(John 5:29) Isn’t this what the Book of  Revelation says, “And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds.”(Revelation 20:12-13) “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”(Revelation 20:15) Christians in the book of life will also be judged for their acts of faith. This act of faith is what James says, “For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.”(James 2:26) Here, we can also see that what God tells us through the Bible is consistent.

 ​

2. The relationship between Bible reading and logic

Let’s take a look at logic. Logic is composed of axioms and logical mechanisms, so different fields will start with different axioms, but the logical mechanisms are the same for all. Otherwise, researchers will not be able to publish papers, so here an axiom is a general principle that many people see in mathematics or science.  In fact, it is similar in life. For example, for a normal person, killing is not good. When it comes to the choice of whether to kill, his logical mechanism will tell him to choose the good side and not kill.  But for cannibals, the axiom is that killing people of other tribes is good. Their logical mechanism is the same as that of normal people. They must choose the good side, so they kill people of other tribes.  From this simple example, we can also see that the logical mechanism is the same, but each person’s personal axiom for one thing is different.

When the Holy Spirit reveals us directly or through others, our personal axiom will change.  For example, Elisha’s servant could not see chariots of fire and horses. This was his original personal axiom. His current personal axiom is his original personal axiom plus the mountains were filled with chariots of fire and horses. ​ ​

This example is found in 2 Kings 6:8-17, which says that the king of Syria was fighting against the Israelites and sent chariots and horses to surround the city where Elisha was. The servants could not see the chariots or horses of fire, but “Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”(2 Kings 6:17) The Lord enables his servant to see chariots of fire and horses, so in this matter, the servant’s logical mechanism has not changed, but his personal axiom has changed from “unseen” to “seen” the chariots and horses of fire all over the mountain.  In short, the Lord Jehovah guides us in ways that change our personal axiom, just as what happened to the servant.  Doesn’t the Bible say, “The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.”(Psalm 119:130) When we see the light, our personal views on the matter will basically change.

So to avoid misunderstanding, I should say that a person’s decision is based on “his personal axioms” plus “the same logical mechanism that everyone has”, and the latter comes from God and is the same as God, but God’s axioms are different from ours.  For example, His axioms have absolute sovereignty and can perform miracles at any time, while man’s personal axioms say that we can only become a channel for performing miracles with God’s permission. ​

Here we would like to emphasize again that Christians must live in faith and believe that both the Old and New Testaments are inspired by God.  Because the Bible is inspired by God, we believe that (1) what God tells us through the Bible is consistent, and acts out (2) does not discount the words of the Bible.  For a Christian, we have (1) and (2) in our faith, and when we have (1) and (2) as our personal axioms, we can use logic on a certain matter through the logical mechanism to reach the correct conclusion.  For a non-Christian who does not believe in the Lord, without (1) and (2), just using the logical mechanism will lead to the agnosticism that whether God exists is unknowable.  Therefore, Christians must use (3) logic under the premise of (1) and (2).

3. Jesus mentioned that the testimony of truth comes from heaven

““I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. “If I alone testify about Myself, My testimony is not true. There is another who testifies of Me, and I know that the testimony which He gives about Me is true. You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth. But the testimony which I receive is not from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was the lamp that was burning and was shining and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But the testimony which I have is greater than the testimony of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish⁠—the very works that I do⁠—testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me. And the Father who sent Me, He has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time nor seen His form. You do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent. You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.”(John 5:30-40)

We have discussed the word G2919 (judge) in particular before, because many Chinese churches have not noticed this. This is in “3. God loves the world, salvation and condemnation, and light” of the article “1114 Twice cleansing of the temple, rebirth, and God’s love for the world – Book of John (3).” Those who are interested in this article can go to the website of “https://a-christian-voice.com/” and click “Understanding of Spiritual Life.”

In the Old Testament, at least two people are indeed required to bear witness. As the scripture says, ““A single witness shall not rise up against a man on account of any iniquity or any sin which he has committed; on the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed.”(Deuteronomy 19:15) Therefore, the scriptures explain why Jesus did not bear witness alone at that time. This is because the Father and Him are two persons. Both the Old and New Testaments are one God, and the principles of doing things are exactly the same.  In the Old Testament, “He made known His ways to Moses,

His acts to the sons of Israel.”(Psalm 103:7) Therefore, when reading the New Testament, you must read His ways as much as possible.  The New Testament also says, “You judge according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone. But even if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone in it, but I and the Father who sent Me. Even in your law it has been written that the testimony of two men is true. I am He who testifies about Myself, and the Father who sent Me testifies about Me.”(John 8:15-18)

In the New Testament era, Paul also said the same thing as in the Old Testament, “This is the third time I am coming to you. Every fact is to be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”(2 Corinthians 13:1) Furthermore, “Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.”(1 Timothy 5:19) Doesn’t the book of Hebrews make it very clear? “Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.”(Hebrews 10:28)

Here we talk about the reason why people like John the Baptist. He is just the forerunner of Jesus. He only gives the baptism of repentance (see Mark 1:2-4, Acts 13:2; 19:4). Jesus clearly stated that His testimony of the truth comes from heaven, and there are many things He has to do. We can get a glimpse of it from this scripture, “this man (Nicodemus) came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.””(John 3:2) But the most important thing for us is this. Death and resurrection completed the plan of salvation so that we could be saved. “He (Jesus) who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.”(Romans 4:25) So was crucified and died for us, and He was resurrected so that we might live.

The Lord Jehovah said to Moses, “…You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!”(Exodus 33:20) In the Old Testament, it was impossible for them to hear His voice or see His face. Like, even in the New Testament.  The difference in the New Testament is that when “Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”(John 14:8-9) Because “I and the Father are one.”(John 10:30) Jesus now lives in our hearts in the form of the Holy Spirit, so He said in the great mission, “…I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”(Matthew 28: 20) It is so in this life, and even more so in eternity, “I saw no temple in it (New Jerusalem), for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.”(Revelation 21:22).

It is also clearly stated here that the reason why the Word is not in their (Jewish) hearts is because “…you do not have the love of God in yourselves.”(John 5:42) We have already shared the end part about having life, so we won’t say more.

4. How hard is the human heart!

“I do not receive glory from men; but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves. I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him. How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God? Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; the one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you have set your hope. For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?””(John 5:41-47)

Basically, people “…receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God?”(John 5:44) “He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him (Jesus), He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”(John 7:18) We see that people’s hardness is because they do not have the love of God in their hearts. No wonder the Lord said in the Old Testament: “He said, “Go, and tell this people (H3820):  ‘Keep on listening, but do not(H3820) perceive; Keep on looking, but do not understand.’ “Render the hearts of this people insensitive, Their ears dull, And their eyes dim, Otherwise (lest, G3379) they might see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, Understand with their hearts, And return and be healed.””(Isaiah 6:9-10) The translation of the Union Version says both to make them, as if God did this on purpose!  If we look at the original text, we will know that it is not referring to making them. The New Testament points out more clearly that God did not deliberately cause the hearts of these people to be filled with fat, etc. Their hearts were already hardened.

In the New Testament, it is more clearly pointed out that God did not deliberately cause the hearts of this people to be fat, etc., their hearts were already hardened.

“Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, ‘You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; You will keep on seeing, but will not perceive;

For the heart of this people has become dull, With their ears they scarcely hear, And they have closed their eyes, Otherwise (G3379) they would see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, And understand with their heart and return, And I would heal them.’”(Matthew 13:13-15) ​

It was Moses who as finally said would accuse them because they did not understand what he said about Jesus in his book because they did not believe.  After Jesus rose from the dead, “And He said to them (the two disciples on the way to Emmaus), “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.”(Luke 24:25-27) Finally, “And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them.”(Luke 24:33) 

 ​

“Then He opened their (all those present) minds (G3563, Greek nous) so that they could understand the Scriptures.”(Luke 24:45) In the Luke 24:25-27 we just quoted, it is clearly stated that Jesus explained it clearly, but it did not say that they understood it, but now they definitely understand it, because they were enlightened together with the people.  

This original text G3563 appears 24 times. Since it only appears once in the Gospel of Luke, we must look at the other 23 times to see its meaning. We can see it from the following three typical verses. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (G3563), so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”(Romans 12:2) and “What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind (G3563) also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind (G3563) also.”(1 Corinthians 14:15) So Paul would say, “Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind (G3563) is unfruitful.”(1 Corinthians 14:13-14) The third verse is, “Here is the mind (G3563) which has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits.”(Revelation 17:9) Now only the Holy Spirit can open our minds. “Do not quench the Spirit.”(1 Thessalonians 5:19)

​(Verses refer to those in NASB95 unless otherwise specified.)

(You can get all articles in “https://a-christian-voice.com/” under “On spiritual understanding about life.”)

    首先，我们看到先知在本地是没有人尊敬的原因。第二，我们看到了耶稣是可以用话语遥远的治愈快要死的人，耶稣知道神迹奇事的重要，但重要的是祂的道，信祂，而不是看神迹，不要本末倒置！第三，我们借著耶稣治愈了那因犯罪而躺著三十八年的病人的神迹，我们也照神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的来看，如何分辩古卷的记载及翻译是否正确。最后，我们看到耶稣是守了安息日真正的真谛，而不是律法上安息日的时间。虽然祂给了我们示范，我们该守的是律法的真谛而不是条文，但当时的犹太人并不了解，反而将祂钉上十字架，却反而成就了救恩。

1. 先知在本地是没有人尊敬的       

    『过了那两天，耶稣离了那地方，往加利利去。因为耶稣自己作过见证说：「先知在本地是没有人尊敬的。」到了加利利，加利利人既然看见他在耶路撒冷过节所行的一切事，就接待他，因为他们也是上去过节。』(约翰福音 4:43-45)        

    请注意，祂离开撒马利亚后，并不是回到自己的家乡，而是到加利利去，因先知在本地是没有人尊敬的，类似的经文在马太福音 13:57，马可福音 6:4，和路加福音 4:24 都提过，所以这件事在四福音书都提到，也代表了其重要性。其原因是从人的角度看，家乡的人以为对耶稣太熟习了，他们怎么会相信耶稣能信异能呢？(参马太福音 13:53-57) 经文说得很清楚，『到了安息日，他在会堂里教训人。 众人听见，就甚希奇，说：「这人从哪里有这些事呢？所赐给他的是甚么智慧？他手所做的是何等的异能呢？这不是那木匠吗？不是马利亚的儿子雅各、约西、犹大、西门的长兄吗？他妹妹们不也是在我们这里吗？」他们就厌弃他。』(马可福音 6:2-3) 那时就是连他的弟兄也不信(参约翰福音 7:5)，『他也诧异他们不信，就往周围乡村教训人去了。』(马可福音 6:6) 难怪祂没有回自己的家乡！     

    要顺便一提的是，虽然圣经没有明说，所有的弟兄姊妹在祂死而复活后都相信祂，但至少圣经明说了，『至于别的使徒，除了主的兄弟雅各，我(保罗)都没有看见。』(加拉太书 1:19) 雅各不只是相信而已，并成为了使徒。        

    在耶稣宣教后，这是祂第一次上耶路撒冷，是因逾越节而上去的，这次『…有许多人看见他所行的神迹(sign, G4592)，就信了他的名。』(约翰福音 2:23) 加利利人也在其中，他们就因此而接待祂。

2. 耶稣以话语遥远的治愈快要死的人       

    『耶稣又到了加利利的迦拿，就是他从前变水为酒的地方。有一个大臣，他的儿子在迦百农患病。他听见耶稣从犹太到了加利利，就来见他，求他下去医治他的儿子，因为他儿子快要死了。耶稣就对他说：「若不看见神迹奇事，你们总是不信。」那大臣说：「先生，求你趁著我的孩子还没有死就下去。」耶稣对他说：「回去吧！你的儿子活了。」 那人信耶稣所说的话，就回去了。正下去的时候，他的仆人迎见他，说他的儿子活了。他就问甚么时候见好的。他们说：「昨日未时热就退了。」他便知道这正是耶稣对他说「你儿子活了」的时候，他自己和全家就都信了。这是耶稣在加利利行的第二件神迹，是他从犹太回去以后行的。』(约翰福音 4:46-54)        

    这件神迹记载的很清楚，也看到耶稣可以用祂所说的话，就遥远的治好那快要死了的儿子。从人的角度看，一定要在一口气还在的时候要找到耶稣，其实耶稣是可以让死人复活的。在这经文中，我们看到，『马大对耶稣说：「主啊，你若早在这里，我兄弟必不死！就是现在，我也知道，你无论向神求甚么，神也必赐给你。」』(约翰福音 11:21-22) 当『耶稣说：「你兄弟必然复活。」』(约翰福音 11:23) 时，她的回答是，『马大说：「我知道在末日复活的时候，他必复活。」』(约翰福音 11:24) 她没有想到就是当天，耶稣以话语成就了祂的旨意。(参约翰福音 11:25-45)        

    耶稣知道神迹奇事的重要，因『耶稣就对他说：「若不看见神迹奇事，你们总是不信。」』(约翰福音 4:48) 我们看到，『当耶稣在耶路撒冷过逾越节的时候，有许多人看见他所行的神迹，就信了他的名。耶稣却不将自己交托他们，因为他知道万人；也用不著谁见证人怎样，因他知道人心里所存的。』(约翰福音 2:23-25) 因祂知道，神迹本是用来为救恩効力的，『…这救恩起先是主亲自讲的，后来是听见的人给我们证实了。神又按自己的旨意，用神迹奇事和百般的异能，并圣灵的恩赐，同他们作见证。』(希伯来书 2:3-4) 祂也深知，『因为假基督、假先知将要起来，显大神迹、大奇事。倘若能行，连选民也就迷惑了。』(马太福音 24:24) 人常常为超自然的事情所迷惑，所以一定要分辩。重要的是祂的道，信祂，而不是看神迹，我们看到在祂道成肉身的那段时间中，『他虽然在他们面前行了许多神迹，他们还是不信他。』(约翰福音 12:37)        

    我们也看到，『… 使徒…行了许多奇事、神迹。』(使徒行传 2:43) 保罗说得很清楚，『除了基督借我做的那些事，我甚么都不敢提，只提他借我言语作为，用神迹奇事的能力，并圣灵的能力，使外邦人顺服。』(罗马书 15:18) 他又说，『我在你们中间，用百般的忍耐，借著神迹、奇事、异能，显出使徒的凭据来。』(哥林多后书 12:12)  我们要注意，神迹奇事有其重要性，只是要分辩，要以道为主，神迹奇事只是为证实祂的道，不要本末倒置！     

    最后我们来看看那大臣的信心，首先是他的儿子在迦百农，他是事前就相信耶稣能医治他的儿子，所以他跑了不短的路到迦拿来见耶稣。当他见到耶稣后又相信祂的话，且用信心的行为「下去」来表示！更因仆人带来的讯息证实了耶稣用话语遥治了他的儿子。当经历了这样的神迹，你想一个正常人会不信吗？难怪他自己和全家就都信了。

3. 耶稣治愈了躺著三十八年的病人       

    『这事以后，到了犹太人的一个节期，耶稣就上耶路撒冷去。在耶路撒冷，靠近羊门有一个池子，希伯来话叫作毕士大，旁边有五个廊子。里面躺著瞎眼的、瘸腿的、血气枯干的许多病人。有古卷加：等候水动；因为有天使按时(G2540)下池子搅动那水，水动之后，谁先下去，无论害甚么病就痊愈了。）在那里有一个人，病了三十八年。耶稣看见他躺著，知道他病了许久(G5540)，就问他说：「你要痊愈吗？」病人回答说：「先生，水动的时候，没有人把我放在池子里；我正去的时候，就有别人比我先下去。」耶稣对他说：「起来，拿你的褥子走吧！」那人立刻痊愈，就拿起褥子来走了。』(约翰福音 5:1-9)        

    这神迹非常消楚的记载了、这个因耶稣话语而得医治的躺著的病人。很显然的，水是会动的，他看到别人得到痊愈自己却来不及，只好等在那里，这一等就等了三十八年，是自己犯罪而得的惩罚了三十八年，因『后来耶稣在殿里遇见他，对他说：「你已经痊愈了，不要再犯罪，恐怕你遭遇的更加利害。」』(约翰福音 5:14) 我们可看见罪的可怕！虽然圣经没有明说是犯了什么罪，但有三十八的惩罚，不会是小罪，因神是有怜悯有恩典的。请注意，他是立刻痊愈的。     

    耶稣明知他想痊愈，却仍然问他，是主怜悯了他，也显出了祂有权柄赦罪，就像这些经文所说，『或说『你的罪赦了』，或说『你起来行走』，哪一样容易呢？但要叫你们知道，人子在地上有赦罪的权柄。」就对瘫子说：「起来，拿你的褥子回家去吧！」那人就起来，回家去了。』(马太福音 9:5-7) 我们知道这两者都不容易，我们都不能做，祂显出了祂的主权，两者都做了！        

    在新约的时代，我们只要悔改，就会在属灵上没有惩罚，因『我们若认自己的罪，神是信实的，是公义的，必要赦免我们的罪，洗净我们一切的不义。』(约翰一书 1:9) 在属世上，我们还是要付出代价，这就如和耶稣同钉十字架的强盗，『耶稣对他说：「我实在告诉你：今日你要同我在乐园里了。」』(路加福音 23:43) 这显然是指属灵的事。在属世上，他仍然被钉在十字架上而死，遵守罗马的法律，如同耶稣被钉十架而死一样。        

    最后我们来判断一下，古卷的记载是否有问题？我们说过水是会动的，这显然不是指风吹而水动，撒但和牠的差役不会去搅动水，因此搅动水的是天使，这是对的。在这经文中用了两个原文字， G5550 和 G2540，在汇编中比较了这两个字，前者是指不定的一段时间，所以这里是说许久，后者是指固定的时间或是特别的场合，是可以翻译成按时或是指毕士大的那个场合。如果是固定了时间，那些人只要在固定时间来就可以了，如果是指毕士大那个场合，水动就会随时发生！照神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的来看，应该他们不会事先知道，有不少这样的例子，譬如说，这就犹如撒母耳膏大卫时一样。        

    让我们来看膏大卫的这件事情，耶和华对撒母耳说，『你要请耶西来吃祭肉，我就指示你所当行的事。我所指给你的人，你要膏他。』(撒母耳记上 16:3) 你看这里，撒母耳是先相信祂，并有信心的行为来表示他的信心，然后耶和华才指示他。     

    最后是，『耶西叫他七个儿子都从撒母耳面前经过，撒母耳说：「这都不是耶和华所拣选的。」撒母耳对耶西说：「你的儿子都在这里吗？」 他回答说：「还有个小的，现在放羊。」 撒母耳对耶西说：「你打发人去叫他来；他若不来，我们必不坐席。」耶西就打发人去叫了他来。他面色光红，双目清秀，容貌俊美。 耶和华说：「这就是他，你起来膏他。」』(撒母耳记上 16:10-12) 你看，撒母耳连要膏谁事先都不知道，他在信心中往前，知道耶和华最后一分钟会指示他。     

    在现实生活中，圣灵的工作也常是最后一分钟才做，我们非得在信心中往前不可。我经历过不少这样的事情，以这次的专题查经为例，一直到今天早上我才完全准备好，你如果问我为什么不提早预备，我试过，但没有话，尤有甚著，有一次我在一星期前就准备，反而把两次的话一小部份搞在一起了，从此以后就看情况，通常要到星期五才有话语出来，有时比较早，因现实上有其他的事，必须要提早准备，到目前为止，神从来不误事。这就是我以前强调的，一定要让圣灵带领才有可能不强解圣经，要不就和我以前一样，看不懂，所以我不只是为大家准备也是为了自己，因圣灵的带领看懂一些以前不懂的地方，就如我以前跟本没注意到这两个原文字，G5550 和 G2540 和其不同。就是今天，我也不能完全读出来，也会有读进去的时候，一发觉到自己的错误，就要更正，如过去有些专题查经的更正一样。     

    每个人都可被圣灵带领的，想想启示录中的老底嘉教会把耶稣关在门外，祂仍说，『看哪，我站在门外叩门，若有听见我声音就开门的，我要进到他那里去，我与他，他与我一同坐席。』(启示录 3:20) 三位一体的神中的圣灵，巴不得每个人都真正的心甘情愿开心门。

4. 耶稣守安息日的真谛       

    『那天是安息日，所以犹太人对那医好的人说：「今天是安息日，你拿褥子是不可的！」他却回答说：「那使我痊愈的对我说：『拿你的褥子走吧』」他们问他说：「对你说『拿褥子走』的是甚么人？」那医好的人不知道是谁，因为那里的人多，耶稣已经躲开了。后来耶稣在殿里遇见他，对他说：「你已经痊愈了，不要再犯罪，恐怕你遭遇的更加利害。」那人就去告诉犹太人，使他痊愈的是耶稣。』所以犹太人逼迫耶稣，因为他在安息日做了这事。耶稣就对他们说：「我父做事直到如今，我也做事。」所以犹太人越发想要杀他，因他不但犯了安息日，并且称神为他的父，将自己和神当作平等。』(约翰福音 5:10-18)        

    我们看到耶稣是守了安息日的真谛，而不是律法上安息日的时间。我们以前在『2050 马太的呼召， 禁食，和安息日  –  耶稣的形像 (5)』中的『4. 人子是安息日的主』讨论过这点，就不多说了，你可到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的网站后，按『对属灵生命的了解』，找到这篇文章。在这经文中，『我实在告诉你们：就是到天地都废去了，律法的一点一画也不能废去，都要成全。』(马太福音 5:18) 从神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的来看，很清楚的知道，这是指要受律法的真谛，而不是指表面上的字句。          

    请注意，耶稣是躲开了，显然不是要借这神迹扬名，圣经上还有些这样的例子，大家可以自己去看看。在这里，虽然耶稣给我们作了示范，我们该守的是律法的真谛而不是条文，但当时的犹太人并不了解，这里很清楚的说到犹太人反起了杀心，这里也说到犹太人越法想到杀祂的原因，基本上这原因也是祂最后被钉十字架的原因。     

    当祂因卖主的犹大被捕、而受大祭司该亚法审判时，我们看到『大祭司就撕开衣服，说：「他说了僭妄的话！我们何必再用见证人呢？这僭妄的话，现在你们都听见了。你们的意见如何？」 他们回答说：「他是该死的。」』(马太福音 26:65-66) 『到了早晨，众祭司长和民间的长老，大家商议要治死耶稣，就把他捆绑，解去交给巡抚彼拉多。』(马太福音 27:1-2) 送交彼拉多是因为当时的犹太人没有杀人的权柄。        

    彼拉多在罗马的律法中也找不出祂有什么该死的原因，这可从经文看出，『彼拉多传齐了祭司长和官府并百姓，就对他们说：「你们解这人到我这里，说他是诱惑百姓的。看哪，我也曾将你们告他的事，在你们面前审问他，并没有查出他甚么罪来；就是希律也是如此，所以把他送回来。可见他没有做甚么该死的事。故此，我要责打他，把他释放了。」』(路加福音 23:13-16) 这经文会谈到希律，因彼拉多『既晓得耶稣属希律所管，就把他送到希律那里去。那时希律正在耶路撒冷。』(路加福音 23:7) 看相应的经文就知道希律为什么把祂送回来。     

    在众人的压力下，『彼拉多见说也无济于事，反要生乱，就拿水在众人面前洗手，说：「流这义人的血，罪不在我，你们承当吧！」众人都回答说：「他的血归到我们和我们的子孙身上。」于是彼拉多释放(强盗)巴拉巴给他们，把耶稣鞭打了，交给人钉十字架。』(马太福音 27:24-26) 彼拉多是洗手了，但洗不掉他明知故犯的罪！却因耶稣的钉十字架成就了救恩，『…乃用自己的血，只一次进入圣所，成了永远赎罪的事。』(希伯来书 9:12) 在一个人成圣的路上，不会不犯罪的，我们依靠的就是耶稣的宝血，可以悔改。我们不要做一个明知故犯的人，而要做一个需要悔改时，就能随时悔改的人。

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到这网站后要按『对属灵生命的了解』。)  

    首先，我們看到先知在本地是沒有人尊敬的原因。第二，我們看到了耶穌是可以用話語遥遠的治愈快要死的人，耶穌知道神蹟奇事的重要，但重要的是祂的道，信祂，而不是看神蹟，不要本末倒置！第三，我們藉著耶穌治愈了那因犯罪而躺著三十八年的病人的神蹟，我們也照神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的來看，如何分辨古卷的記載及翻譯是否正確。最後，我們看到耶穌是守了安息日真正的真諦，而不是律法上安息日的時間。雖然祂給了我們示範，我們該守的是律法的真諦而不是條文，但當時的猶太人並不瞭解，反而將祂釘上十字架，卻反而成就了救恩。

1. 先知在本地是沒有人尊敬的

       『過了那兩天，耶穌離了那地方，往加利利去。因為耶穌自己作過見證說：「先知在本地是沒有人尊敬的。」到了加利利，加利利人既然看見他在耶路撒冷過節所行的一切事，就接待他，因為他們也是上去過節。』(約翰福音 4:43-45)

        請注意，祂離開撒馬利亞後，並不是回到自己的家鄉，而是到加利利去，因先知在本地是沒有人尊敬的，類似的經文在馬太福音 13:57，馬可福音 6:4，和路加福音 4:24 都提過，所以這件事在四福音書都提到，也代表了其重要性。其原因是從人的角度看，家鄉的人以為對耶穌太熟習了，他們怎麼會相信耶穌能信異能呢？(參馬太福音 13:53-57) 經文說得很清楚，『到了安息日，他在會堂裏教訓人。 眾人聽見，就甚希奇，說：「這人從哪裏有這些事呢？所賜給他的是甚麼智慧？他手所做的是何等的異能呢？這不是那木匠嗎？不是馬利亞的兒子雅各、約西、猶大、西門的長兄嗎？他妹妹們不也是在我們這裏嗎？」他們就厭棄他。』(馬可福音 6:2-3) 那時就是連他的弟兄也不信(參約翰福音 7:5)，『他也詫異他們不信，就往周圍鄉村教訓人去了。』(馬可福音 6:6) 難怪祂沒有回自己的家鄉！

     要順便一提的是，雖然聖經沒有明說，所有的弟兄姊妹在祂死而復活後都相信祂，但至少聖經明說了，『至於別的使徒，除了主的兄弟雅各，我(保羅)都沒有看見。』(加拉太書 1:19) 雅各不只是相信而已，並成為了使徒。

        在耶穌宣教後，這是祂第一次上耶路撒冷，是因逾越節而上去的，這次『…有許多人看見他所行的神蹟(sign, G4592)，就信了他的名。』(約翰福音 2:23) 加利利人也在其中，他們就因此而接待祂。

2. 耶穌以話語遥遠的治愈快要死的人

       『耶穌又到了加利利的迦拿，就是他從前變水為酒的地方。有一個大臣，他的兒子在迦百農患病。他聽見耶穌從猶太到了加利利，就來見他，求他下去醫治他的兒子，因為他兒子快要死了。耶穌就對他說：「若不看見神蹟奇事，你們總是不信。」那大臣說：「先生，求你趁着我的孩子還沒有死就下去。」耶穌對他說：「回去吧！你的兒子活了。」 那人信耶穌所說的話，就回去了。正下去的時候，他的僕人迎見他，說他的兒子活了。他就問甚麼時候見好的。他們說：「昨日未時熱就退了。」他便知道這正是耶穌對他說「你兒子活了」的時候，他自己和全家就都信了。這是耶穌在加利利行的第二件神蹟，是他從猶太回去以後行的。』(約翰福音 4:46-54)

        這件神蹟記載的很清楚，也看到耶穌可以用祂所說的話，就遥遠的治好那快要死了的兒子。從人的角度看，一定要在一口氣還在的時候要找到耶穌，其實耶穌是可以讓死人復活的。在這經文中，我們看到，『馬大對耶穌說：「主啊，你若早在這裏，我兄弟必不死！就是現在，我也知道，你無論向神求甚麼，神也必賜給你。」』(約翰福音 11:21-22) 當『耶穌說：「你兄弟必然復活。」』(約翰福音 11:23) 時，她的回答是，『馬大說：「我知道在末日復活的時候，他必復活。」』(約翰福音 11:24) 她沒有想到就是當天，耶穌以話語成就了祂的旨意。(參約翰福音 11:25-45)

        耶穌知道神蹟奇事的重要，因『耶穌就對他說：「若不看見神蹟奇事，你們總是不信。」』(約翰福音 4:48) 我們看到，『當耶穌在耶路撒冷過逾越節的時候，有許多人看見他所行的神蹟，就信了他的名。耶穌卻不將自己交託他們，因為他知道萬人；也用不着誰見證人怎樣，因他知道人心裏所存的。』(約翰福音 2:23-25) 因祂知道，神蹟本是用來為救恩効力的，『…這救恩起先是主親自講的，後來是聽見的人給我們證實了。神又按自己的旨意，用神蹟奇事和百般的異能，並聖靈的恩賜，同他們作見證。』(希伯來書 2:3-4) 祂也深知，『因為假基督、假先知將要起來，顯大神蹟、大奇事。倘若能行，連選民也就迷惑了。』(馬太福音 24:24) 人常常為超自然的事情所迷惑，所以一定要分辨。重要的是祂的道，信祂，而不是看神蹟，我們看到在祂道成肉身的那段時間中，『他雖然在他們面前行了許多神蹟，他們還是不信他。』(約翰福音 12:37) 

        我們也看到，『… 使徒…行了許多奇事、神蹟。』(使徒行傳 2:43) 保羅說得很清楚，『除了基督藉我做的那些事，我甚麼都不敢提，只提他藉我言語作為，用神蹟奇事的能力，並聖靈的能力，使外邦人順服。』(羅馬書 15:18) 他又說，『我在你們中間，用百般的忍耐，藉着神蹟、奇事、異能，顯出使徒的憑據來。』(哥林多後書 12:12)  我們要注意，神蹟奇事有其重要性，只是要分辨，要以道為主，神蹟奇事只是為証實祂的道，不要本末倒置！

     最後我們來看看那大臣的信心，首先是他的兒子在迦百農，他是事前就相信耶穌能醫治他的兒子，所以他跑了不短的路到迦拿來見耶穌。當他見到耶穌後又相信祂的話，且用信心的行為「下去」來表示！更因僕人帶來的訊息証實了耶穌用話語遥治了他的兒子。當經歷了這樣的神蹟，你想一個正常人會不信嗎？難怪他自己和全家就都信了。

3. 耶穌治愈了躺著三十八年的病人

       『這事以後，到了猶太人的一個節期，耶穌就上耶路撒冷去。在耶路撒冷，靠近羊門有一個池子，希伯來話叫作畢士大，旁邊有五個廊子。裏面躺着瞎眼的、瘸腿的、血氣枯乾的許多病人。有古卷加：等候水動；因為有天使按時(G2540)下池子攪動那水，水動之後，誰先下去，無論害甚麼病就痊癒了。）在那裏有一個人，病了三十八年。耶穌看見他躺着，知道他病了許久(G5540)，就問他說：「你要痊愈嗎？」病人回答說：「先生，水動的時候，沒有人把我放在池子裏；我正去的時候，就有別人比我先下去。」耶穌對他說：「起來，拿你的褥子走吧！」那人立刻痊愈，就拿起褥子來走了。』(約翰福音 5:1-9)

        這神蹟非常消楚的記載了、這個因耶穌話語而得醫治的躺著的病人。很顯然的，水是會動的，他看到別人得到痊愈自己卻來不及，只好等在那裏，這一等就等了三十八年，是自己犯罪而得的懲罰了三十八年，因『後來耶穌在殿裏遇見他，對他說：「你已經痊愈了，不要再犯罪，恐怕你遭遇的更加利害。」』(約翰福音 5:14) 我們可看見罪的可怕！雖然聖經沒有明說是犯了什麼罪，但有三十八的懲罰，不會是小罪，因神是有憐憫有恩典的。請注意，他是立刻痊愈的。

     耶穌明知他想痊愈，卻仍然問他，是主憐憫了他，也顯出了祂有權柄赦罪，就像這些經文所說，『或說『你的罪赦了』，或說『你起來行走』，哪一樣容易呢？但要叫你們知道，人子在地上有赦罪的權柄。」就對癱子說：「起來，拿你的褥子回家去吧！」那人就起來，回家去了。』(馬太福音 9:5-7) 我們知道這兩者都不容易，我們都不能做，祂顯出了祂的主權，兩者都做了！

        在新約的時代，我們只要悔改，就會在屬靈上沒有懲罰，因『我們若認自己的罪，神是信實的，是公義的，必要赦免我們的罪，洗淨我們一切的不義。』(約翰一書 1:9) 在屬世上，我們還是要付出代價，這就如和耶穌同釘十字架的強盜，『耶穌對他說：「我實在告訴你：今日你要同我在樂園裏了。」』(路加福音 23:43) 這顯然是指屬靈的事。在屬世上，他仍然被釘在十字架上而死，遵守羅馬的法律，如同耶穌被釘十架而死一樣。

        最後我們來判斷一下，古卷的記載是否有問題？我們說過水是會動的，這顯然不是指風吹而水動，撒但和牠的差役不會去攪動水，因此攪動水的是天使，這是對的。在這經文中用了兩個原文字， G5550 和 G2540，在彙編中比較了這兩個字，前者是指不定的一段時間，所以這裏是說許久，後者是指固定的時間或是特別的場合，是可以翻譯成按時或是指畢士大的那個場合。如果是固定了時間，那些人只要在固定時間來就可以了，如果是指畢士大那個場合，水動就會隨時發生！照神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的來看，應該他們不會事先知道，有不少這樣的例子，譬如說，這就猶如撒母耳膏大衞時一樣。

        讓我們來看膏大衞的這件事情，耶和華對撒母耳說，『你要請耶西來吃祭肉，我就指示你所當行的事。我所指給你的人，你要膏他。』(撒母耳記上 16:3) 你看這裏，撒母耳是先相信祂，並有信心的行為來表示他的信心，然後耶和華才指示他。

     最後是，『耶西叫他七個兒子都從撒母耳面前經過，撒母耳說：「這都不是耶和華所揀選的。」撒母耳對耶西說：「你的兒子都在這裏嗎？」 他回答說：「還有個小的，現在放羊。」 撒母耳對耶西說：「你打發人去叫他來；他若不來，我們必不坐席。」耶西就打發人去叫了他來。他面色光紅，雙目清秀，容貌俊美。 耶和華說：「這就是他，你起來膏他。」』(撒母耳記上 16:10-12) 你看，撒母耳連要膏誰事先都不知道，他在信心中往前，知道耶和華最後一分鐘會指示他。

     在現實生活中，聖靈的工作也常是最後一分鐘才做，我們非得在信心中往前不可。我經歷過不少這樣的事情，以這次的專題查經為例，一直到今天早上我才完全準備好，你如果問我為什麼不提早預備，我試過，但沒有話，尤有甚著，有一次我在一星期前就準備，反而把兩次的話一小部份搞在一起了，從此以後就看情況，通常要到星期五才有話語出來，有時比較早，因現實上有其他的事，必須要提早準備，到目前為止，神從來不誤事。這就是我以前強調的，一定要讓聖靈帶領才有可能不強解聖經，要不就和我以前一樣，看不懂，所以我不只是為大家準備也是為了自己，因聖靈的帶領看懂一些以前不懂的地方，就如我以前跟本沒注意到這兩個原文字，G5550 和 G2540 和其不同。就是今天，我也不能完全讀出來，也會有讀進去的時候，一發覺到自己的錯誤，就要更正，如過去有些專題查經的更正一樣。

     每個人都可被聖靈帶領的，想想啓示錄中的老底嘉教會把耶穌關在門外，祂仍說，『看哪，我站在門外叩門，若有聽見我聲音就開門的，我要進到他那裏去，我與他，他與我一同坐席。』(啓示錄 3:20) 三位一體的神中的聖靈，巴不得每個人都真正的心甘情願開心門。

4. 耶穌守安息日的真諦

       『那天是安息日，所以猶太人對那醫好的人說：「今天是安息日，你拿褥子是不可的！」他卻回答說：「那使我痊愈的對我說：『拿你的褥子走吧』」他們問他說：「對你說『拿褥子走』的是甚麼人？」那醫好的人不知道是誰，因為那裏的人多，耶穌已經躲開了。後來耶穌在殿裏遇見他，對他說：「你已經痊愈了，不要再犯罪，恐怕你遭遇的更加利害。」那人就去告訴猶太人，使他痊愈的是耶穌。』所以猶太人逼迫耶穌，因為他在安息日做了這事。耶穌就對他們說：「我父做事直到如今，我也做事。」所以猶太人越發想要殺他，因他不但犯了安息日，並且稱神為他的父，將自己和神當作平等。』(約翰福音 5:10-18)

        我們看到耶穌是守了安息日的真諦，而不是律法上安息日的時間。我們以前在『2050 馬太的呼召， 禁食，和安息日  –  耶穌的形像 (5)』中的『4. 人子是安息日的主』討論過這點，就不多說了，你可到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的網站後，按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』，找到這篇文章。在這經文中，『我實在告訴你們：就是到天地都廢去了，律法的一點一畫也不能廢去，都要成全。』(馬太福音 5:18) 從神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的來看，很清楚的知道，這是指要受律法的真諦，而不是指表面上的字句。

     請注意，耶穌是躲開了，顯然不是要藉這神蹟揚名，聖經上還有些這樣的例子，大家可以自己去看看。在這裏，雖然耶穌給我們作了示範，我們該守的是律法的真諦而不是條文，但當時的猶太人並不瞭解，這裏很清楚的說到猶太人反起了殺心，這裏也說到猶太人越法想到殺祂的原因，基本上這原因也是祂最後被釘十字架的原因。

     當祂因賣主的猶大被捕、而受大祭司該亞法審判時，我們看到『大祭司就撕開衣服，說：「他說了僭妄的話！我們何必再用見證人呢？這僭妄的話，現在你們都聽見了。你們的意見如何？」 他們回答說：「他是該死的。」』(馬太福音 26:65-66) 『到了早晨，眾祭司長和民間的長老，大家商議要治死耶穌，就把他捆綁，解去交給巡撫彼拉多。』(馬太福音 27:1-2) 送交彼拉多是因為當時的猶太人沒有殺人的權柄。

        彼拉多在羅馬的律法中也找不出祂有什麼該死的原因，這可從經文看出，『彼拉多傳齊了祭司長和官府並百姓，就對他們說：「你們解這人到我這裏，說他是誘惑百姓的。看哪，我也曾將你們告他的事，在你們面前審問他，並沒有查出他甚麼罪來；就是希律也是如此，所以把他送回來。可見他沒有做甚麼該死的事。故此，我要責打他，把他釋放了。」』(路加福音 23:13-16) 這經文會談到希律，因彼拉多『既曉得耶穌屬希律所管，就把他送到希律那裏去。那時希律正在耶路撒冷。』(路加福音 23:7) 看相應的經文就知道希律為什麼把祂送回來。

     在眾人的壓力下，『彼拉多見說也無濟於事，反要生亂，就拿水在眾人面前洗手，說：「流這義人的血，罪不在我，你們承當吧！」眾人都回答說：「他的血歸到我們和我們的子孫身上。」於是彼拉多釋放(強盜)巴拉巴給他們，把耶穌鞭打了，交給人釘十字架。』(馬太福音 27:24-26) 彼拉多是洗手了，但洗不掉他明知故犯的罪！卻因耶穌的釘十字架成就了救恩，『…乃用自己的血，只一次進入聖所，成了永遠贖罪的事。』(希伯來書 9:12) 在一個人成聖的路上，不會不犯罪的，我們依靠的就是耶穌的寶血，可以悔改。我們不要做一個明知故犯的人，而要做一個需要悔改時，就能隨時悔改的人。

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到這網站後要按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』。)

First, we see the reason why no one respects a prophet locally.  Second, we have seen that Jesus can heal people who are dying from afar with words. Jesus knows the importance of signs and wonders, but the important thing is His Word, believing in Him, not looking at miracles, and thus don’t put the cart before the horse!  Third, through the miracle of Jesus healing the sick man who had been lying for thirty-eight years due to his sin, we also from what God tells us through the Bible is consistent to examine whether the records and translations in the ancient scrolls are correct.   Finally, we see that Jesus kept the true meaning of the Sabbath, not the legal Sabbath time.  Although He gave us an example that what we should abide by is the true meaning of the Law rather than the letter, the Jews at that time did not understand it and instead nailed Him to the cross, which actually achieved salvation.

1. No one respects a prophet locally

 “After the two days He went forth from there into Galilee. For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. So when He came to Galilee, the Galileans received Him, having seen all the things that He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves also went to the feast.”(John 4:43-45)

Please note that after He left Samaria, He did not return to His hometown, but to Galilee, because a prophet was not respected there. Similar verses are in Matthew 13:57, Mark 6:4, and Luke 4:24, so this matter is mentioned in the four Gospels, which also represents its importance.  The reason is that from a human perspective, people in His hometown thought they were too familiar with Jesus. How could they believe that Jesus could perform miracles?  (See Matthew 13:53-57) The scripture says very clearly, “When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue; and the many listeners were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things, and what is this wisdom given to Him, and such miracles as these performed by His hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?” And they took offense at Him.”(Mark 6:2-3) At that time, even his brothers did not believe (see John 7:5). “And He wondered at their unbelief. And He was going around the villages teaching.”(Mark 6:6) No wonder He didn’t go back to His hometown!

By the way, although the Bible does not clearly say that all His brothers and sisters believed in Him after His death and resurrection, at least the Bible clearly says, “But I (Paul) did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.”(Galatians 1:19) James not only believed but became an apostle.

After Jesus preached, this was the first time He went to Jerusalem. He went up for the Passover. “Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, observing His signs (G4592) which He was doing.”(John 2:23) The Galileans were among them, and they received Him for this reason.

2. Jesus healed a person people who were dying remotely with His words

“Therefore He came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a royal official whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and was imploring Him to come down and heal his son; for he was at the point of death. So Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.” The royal official said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your son lives.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started off. As he was now going down, his slaves met him, saying that his son was living. So he inquired of them the hour when he began to get better. Then they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives”; and he himself believed and his whole household. This is again a second sign that Jesus performed when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.”(John 4:46-54)

This miracle (sign) is recorded very clearly, and it also shows that Jesus could use the words He spoke to heal his dying son from afar.  From a human perspective, you must find Jesus while one is still alive. In fact, Jesus can resurrect the dead.  In this passage, we see, “Martha then said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.””(John 11:21-22) When “Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.””‘(John 11:23), her response was, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.”(John 11:24) She did not expect that on that day, Jesus would accomplish what He said with His words.  (See John 11:25-45)

Jesus knew the importance of signs and wonders, because “So Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.””(John 4:48) We see, “Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, observing His signs which He was doing. But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man.”(John 2:23-25) Because He knew that miracles were used to work for salvation, “…After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.”(Hebrews 2:3-4) He also knew very well, “For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.”(Matthew 24:24) People are often confused by supernatural things, so they must be discerned.  What is important is His Word, believing in Him, rather than looking at miracles. We see that during the time when He was incarnate, “But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him.”(John 12:37)

We also see,”…many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.”(Acts 2:43) Paul made it very clear, “For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed.”(Romans 15:18) He also said, “I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody. The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.”(2 Corinthians 12:11-12) So, Paul performed miracles too. We must pay attention to the fact that signs and wonders have their own importance. We just need to distinguish supernatural things and let the Word be the main thing. Miracles and wonders are only to confirm His Word. Don’t put the cart before the horse!

Finally, let’s take a look at faith of the royal official. First, his son was in Capernaum. He believed in advance that Jesus could heal his son, so he ran a long way to Cana to see Jesus.  When he saw Jesus, he believed His words again and expressed it with an act of faith: “Going down!”  What’s more, the message brought by the servant confirmed that Jesus used words to heal his son remotely.  After experiencing such a miracle, do you think a normal person would not believe it?  No wonder he and his whole family believed it.

 ​

3. Jesus healed a sick man who had been lying there for thirty-eight years

“After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, [waiting for the moving of the waters; for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons (G2540) into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.] A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time (G5550) in that condition, He said to him, “Do you wish to get well?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.” Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk. Now it was the Sabbath on that day.”(John 5:1-9)

This miracle is a very clear which recorded that the lying sick man was healed by the words of Jesus.  Obviously, water can move. He saw others being healed but he was too late, so he had to wait there. He waited for thirty-eight years, which was the punishment for his sin since “Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you.””(John 5:14) We can see the horror of sin!  Although the Bible does not clearly state what kind of sin he had committed, there are thirty-eight punishments, and it will not be a small sin, because God is merciful and gracious.  Notice, he was healed immediately.

Jesus knew that he wanted to be healed, but he still asked him that. It showed that the Lord had mercy on him and that He had the authority to forgive sins. It is just like the case that these verses say, “Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”⁠—then He said to the paralytic, “Get up, pick up your bed and go home.” And he got up and went home.”(Matthew 9:5-7) We know that neither is easy and neither of us can do it. He demonstrated His sovereignty by doing both!

In the age of the New Testament, as long as we repent, we will not be punished spiritually, because “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”(1 John 1:9) In this world, we still have to pay a price, just like the thief who was crucified with Jesus. “And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.””(Luke 23:43) This obviously refers to spiritual things.  In the earthly world, he was still crucified and died, obeying Roman law, just as Jesus was crucified and died. ​

Finally, let’s judge whether there is anything wrong with the records in the ancient scrolls stated in the brackets?  We have said that water can move. This obviously does not mean that the wind moves the water. Satan and his servants will not stir the water. Therefore, it is the angels who stir the water. This is correct.  Two original words are used in this scripture, G5550 and G2540. These two words were compared in the Strong’s Concordance. The former refers to an indefinite period of time, so here it means a long time, and the latter refers to a fixed time or a special time. It can be translated as ‘at certain seasons’ or refers to ‘the occasion of Bethesda.’  If the time is fixed, those people only need to come at the fixed time. If it refers to the Bethesda’s occasion, the water movement will happen at any time!  Judging from what God tells us through the Bible is consistent, they should not know it in advance. There are many such examples. For example, this is like when Samuel anointed David.

Let’s look at the event of the anointing of David. The Lord said to Samuel, “You shall invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for Me the one whom I designate to you.””(1 Samuel 16:3) You see here, Samuel believed in Him first and had acts of faith to show his faith, and then Jehovah showed him.

Finally, “Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen these.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are these all the children?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is tending the sheep.” Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.” So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is he.””(1 Samuel 16:10-12) You see, Samuel didn’t even know in advance who he was going to anoint. He went forward in faith, knowing that the LORD would instruct him in the last minute.

In real life, the work of the Holy Spirit is often done at the last minute. We must move forward in faith.  I have experienced many such things. Take this topic-wise Bible study as an example. I was not fully prepared until this morning. If you ask me why I didn’t prepare in advance, I tried, but nothing happened. At one time I prepared a week in advance, but put together a small part of the two week speeches. From then on, it depends on the situation, usually it takes until Friday for the words to come out, sometimes earlier, because in reality there are other things to do sometimes and thus I must be prepared in advance. So far, God has never missed anything.  This is what I have emphasized before. Only by letting the Holy Spirit lead can we not forcefully interpret the Bible. Otherwise, you will be just like me before, unable to understand the Bible. So I prepare it not only for everyone else but also for myself, because of the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I can understand some things what I didn’t understand before. For example, I didn’t notice the two original words G5550 and G2540 before, whose difference were discussed earlier.  Even today, I can’t read it out from the Bible  completely. There will be times when I read it in. Once I find my mistakes, I have to correct them, just like the corrections I made in some topic-wise Bible studies in the past.

Everyone can be led by the Holy Spirit. Think about the church in Laodicea in the Book of Revelation. Jesus was shut out of the door, but He still said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.”(Revelation 3:20) The Holy Spirit in the Trinity likes to see that everyone is truly willing to open their doors in hearts.

4. The true meaning of Jesus’ Sabbath keeping

“So the Jews were saying to the man who was cured, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not permissible for you to carry your pallet.” But he answered them, “He who made me well was the one who said to me, ‘Pick up your pallet and walk.’” They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Pick up your pallet and walk’?” But the man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away while there was a crowd in that place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you.” The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. For this reason the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because He was doing these things on the Sabbath. But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.” For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.”(John 5:10-18)

We see that Jesus kept the true meaning of the Sabbath, not the time of the Sabbath in the Law.  We have discussed this point before in “4. The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath

” of “1050 The call of Matthew, fasting, and Sabbath -The image of Jesus (5),“ so I won’t say more. After going to the website “https://a-christian-voice.com/“, please click “Understanding of Spiritual Life” to find this article. In the verse, it says, ” ​​For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”(Matthew 5:18) From what the Bible tells us is consistent, it refers the true meaning of the Law, not the letters.

Please note that Jesus obviously did not want to use this miracle to become famous for He had slipped away. There are some such examples in the Bible, which you can take a look for yourself.  Here, although Jesus gave us an example, what we should keep is the true meaning of the law rather than the letter, but the Jews at that time did not understand it. It is clearly mentioned here that the Jews were rebellious and murderous, and it is also mentioned here the reason why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him. And it was basically the reason why He was ultimately crucified.

When He was arrested after Judas’ betrayal and was tried by the high priest Caiaphas, we see that “Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy; what do you think?” They answered, “He deserves death!””(Matthew 26:65-66) “Now when morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus to put Him to death; and they bound Him, and led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate the governor.”(Matthew 27:1-2) It was sent to Pilate because the Jews at that time did not have the authority to kill.

Pilate could not find any reason for his death in Roman’s law. This can be seen from the scripture, “Pilate summoned the chief priests and the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought this man to me as one who incites the people to rebellion, and behold, having examined Him before you, I have found no guilt in this man regarding the charges which you make against Him. No, nor has Herod, for he sent Him back to us; and behold, nothing deserving death has been done by Him. Therefore I will punish Him and release Him.””(Luke 23:13-16) This passage will talk about Herod, because when Pilate “…learned that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself also was in Jerusalem at that time.”(Luke 23:7) If you look at the corresponding scriptures, you will know why Herod sent Him back.

Under the pressure of the crowd, “When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this Man’s blood; see to that yourselves.” And all the people said, “His blood shall be on us and on our children!” Then he released Barabbas (a criminal ) for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.”(Matthew 27:24-26) Pilate washed his hands, but he could not wash away the sins he knowingly committed!  But salvation was accomplished through the crucifixion of Jesus, “…through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.”(Hebrews 9:12) On the road to sanctification, one will fail to sin. We rely on the precious blood of Jesus to repent.  We should not be people who knowingly commit sins, but people who can repent at any time when we need to repent.

​(Verses refer to those in NASB95 unless otherwise specified.)

(You can get all articles in “https://a-christian-voice.com/” under “On spiritual understanding about life.”)

     首先我们来看施洗约翰没下监时的见证和观点，他非常的清楚的知道耶稣是从天上来的，知道祂必兴旺，我必衰微。第二，我们讨论耶稣必须和撒马利亚妇人谈话，是圣灵带领的，在这件事上，我们看见神常用巧合来引导人，但不是所有的巧合都是神的引导。第三，我们看看耶稣要给她的活水是什么，经文清楚的说那活水就是圣灵。最后讨论真正拜父的要用心灵和真理拜祂，而不能如和合本的翻译说要用心灵和诚实拜祂，我们用出埃及记中，以色列人诚实的以为金牛犊就是耶和华做例子，详细的讨论这相应的原文字实在是不能像和合本一样的翻译为诚实，这样错误的翻译真会害死很多人，不要停留在错误的诚实中，要分辩，要悔改！不过这样的错误会有一个好处，就是意识到其和圣经不合，会仔细的读相关的经文，找出错误在那里。在这段的最后，我们利用这段经文来详细讨论一个基督徒常说的，我对圣经的看见和你的看见不一样，到底意谓著什么，错误在那里？

1. 施洗约翰没下监时的见证和观点         

    『这事以后，耶稣和门徒到了犹太地，在那里居住施洗。约翰在靠近撒冷的哀嫩也施洗，因为那里水多，众人都去受洗。那时约翰还没有下在监里。约翰的门徒和一个犹太人辩论洁净的礼，就来见约翰说：「拉比，从前同你在约旦河外、你所见证的那位，现在施洗，众人都往他那里去了。」约翰说：「若不是从天上赐的，人就不能得甚么。我曾说『我不是基督，是奉差遣在他前面的』，你们自己可以给我作见证。娶新妇的就是新郎，新郎的朋友站著听见新郎的声音就甚喜乐，故此我这喜乐满足了。他必兴旺，我必衰微。」「从天上来的，是在万有之上；从地上来的，是属乎地，他所说的也是属乎地。从天上来的是在万有之上。他将所见所闻的见证出来，只是没有人领受他的见证。那领受他见证的，就印上印，证明神是真的。神所差来的，就说神的话，因为神赐圣灵给他，是没有限量的。父爱子，已将万有交在他手里。信子的人有永生，不信子的人得不著永生，神的震怒常在他身上。」』(约翰福音 3:22-36)         

    首先我们看到了施洗约翰施洗的地方，他的门徒以为耶稣也亲自施洗，『（其实不是耶稣亲自施洗，乃是他的门徒施洗。）』(约翰福音 4:2) 施洗约翰知道他只是基督耶稣的先锋，他知道自己只是新郎的朋友，有著好得不能再好的态度，『他必兴旺，我必衰微。』(约翰福音 3:30) 其实我们现在治死老我也是一样，祂必兴旺，我必衰微，也只有这样，我们才可以模成耶稣的形像(参罗马书 8:29)。         

    施洗约翰非常确定耶稣是天上来的，因『约翰又作见证说：「我曾看见圣灵仿佛鸽子从天降下，住在他(耶稣)的身上。我先前不认识他，只是那差我来用水施洗的，对我说：『你看见圣灵降下来，住在谁的身上，谁就是用圣灵施洗的。』我看见了，就证明这是神的儿子。」』(约翰福音 1:32-34) 他知道从天而来的是在万有之上，且预知耶稣虽见证了在天上的所见所闻，但基本上没有人相信祂。你看，祂道成肉身时，在地上行了多少神迹，有多少人真正相信祂，且最终被钉上了十字架，所以这是预知。而『那领受他见证的，就印上印(sealed, G4972, 两次, 在希腊文中是这样的去加强语气)，证明神是真的。』(约翰福音 3:33) 我们也看到耶稣道成肉身那段时间，『…神赐圣灵给他，是没有限量的。』(约翰福音 3:34) 而耶稣也是，『…父怎样吩咐我，我就怎样行。…』(约翰福音 14:31) 真是『父爱子，已将万有交在他手里。』(约翰福音 3:35)      #####最后提到的约翰福音 3:36 是和约翰福音 3:18 讲的是一致的。我们也看到，耶稣道成肉身那段时间，神是透过圣灵来引导祂的，这点非常清楚，因那段日子祂是完全的人，而耶和华对摩西『…说：「你不能看见我的面，因为人见我的面不能存活。」』(出埃及记 33:20) 所以祂那段时间也不能见神的面，要不，祂就不是完全的人了。耶稣说，『我与父原为一。』(约翰福音 10:30) 这只是在说一个事实，因祂本是三位一体的神中的一位，这是与生具来的，就像一个王子过乞丐的生活，就说他不是王子是不对的，所以耶稣在道成肉身的那段时间，仍是完全的神。

2. 必须和撒马利亚妇人谈话       

     『主知道法利赛人听见他收门徒施洗比约翰还多，（其实不是耶稣亲自施洗，乃是他的门徒施洗。）他就离了犹太，又往加利利去。必须经过撒马利亚，于是到了撒马利亚的一座城，名叫叙加，靠近雅各给他儿子约瑟的那块地。在那里有雅各井。耶稣因走路困乏，就坐在井旁。那时约有午正。有一个撒马利亚的妇人来打水，耶稣对她说：「请你给我水喝。」那时门徒进城买食物去了。』(约翰福音 4:1-8)         

    我们首先从人的角度看，从犹大到加利利去至少有两条路，一是经过撒玛利亚的直路较短，一是先渡过约但河再北上的绕道而行，当然是较久，因『…犹太人和撒马利亚人没有来往。』(约翰福音 4:9) 所以犹太人通常愿意绕道而行，多花一些时间，不是「必须」经过撒玛利亚，可是这里是说「必须」，为什么是必须的？我们知道耶稣的一生都顺服神的带领，就像祂自己说的，『…父怎样吩咐我，我就怎样行。…』(约翰福音 14:31) 而『神所差来的(道成肉身的耶稣)，就说神的话，因为神赐圣灵给他，是没有限量的。』(约翰福音 3:34) 我们在这里看到了神是借著圣灵、三位一体的神中的一位、带领道成肉身的耶稣，所以是圣灵很清楚的让祂看到，祂那时「必须」经过撒玛利亚，要和撒玛利亚妇人谈那一席话。        

    对一些人说，好像事情的发生在巧合里面，耶稣正好遇见午正来打水的那个撒马利亚的妇人，但我们如果看路得记就知道，神常用巧合来引导人，这点我们就不多讲，请你们自己回去看路得记。请注意，不是说所有的巧合都是神的引导，要分辩，不能划等号。        

    我们看到，『那时门徒进城买食物去了。』(约翰福音 4:8) 所以关于耶稣对她后面讲的那一段关于活水的话题，门徒当时是不在场的。当门徒买到食物回来的『这其间，门徒对耶稣说：「拉比，请吃。」耶稣说：「我有食物吃，是你们不知道的。」门徒就彼此对问说：「莫非有人拿甚么给他吃吗？」耶稣说：「我的食物就是遵行差我来者的旨意，做成他的工。』(约翰福音 4:31-34) 这里我们不是又看到祂必须经过撒玛利亚才能做成神的工吗？

    我们最后来看看她为什么会在午正热的时候来打水，那时是应该留在家中纳凉的时候，这是为什么只会有她一人，她选择了那个时段是可以有机会成功的避开众人的，我们来看看为什么。『耶稣说：「你去叫你丈夫也到这里来。」妇人说：「我没有丈夫。」 耶稣说：「你说没有丈夫，是不错的。你已经有五个丈夫，你现在有的，并不是你的丈夫，你这话是真的。」』(约翰福音 4:16-18) 这样的人当时是不会被大多数人所接受的，难怪她会尽可能选择能避开人的时段去打水！

3. 活水是指什么？        

    『撒马利亚的妇人对他说：「你既是犹太人，怎么向我一个撒马利亚妇人要水喝呢？」原来犹太人和撒马利亚人没有来往。耶稣回答说：「你若知道神的恩赐和对你说『给我水喝』的是谁，你必早求他，他也必早给了你活水。」妇人说：「先生，没有打水的器具，井又深，你从哪里得活水呢？我们的祖宗雅各将这井留给我们，他自己和儿子并牲畜也都喝这井里的水，难道你比他还大吗？」耶稣回答说：「凡喝这水的，还要再渴；人若喝我所赐的水，就永远不渴。我所赐的水要在他里头成为泉源，直涌到永生。」妇人说：「先生，请把这水赐给我，叫我不渴，也不用来这么远打水。」耶稣说：「你去叫你丈夫也到这里来。」妇人说：「我没有丈夫。」 耶稣说：「你说没有丈夫，是不错的。你已经有五个丈夫，你现在有的，并不是你的丈夫，你这话是真的。」妇人说：「先生，我看出你是先知。我们的祖宗在这山上礼拜，你们倒说，应当礼拜的地方是在耶路撒冷。」』(约翰福音 4:9-20)         

    我们一开始就看到，耶稣预备好要赐活水给她，必须经过撒马利亚做成神的工。我们也看到了她的回答，从人的角度看是绝对正确的，然后耶稣回答她说祂讲的是永远不渴的活水，且『…我所赐的水要在他里头成为泉源，直涌到永生。』(约翰福音 4:14) 这是讲属灵的事情。我们看她从人的角度一听有这么好的东西，当然想要，于是就说，『…也不用来这么远打水。』(约翰福音 4:15) 我们看到她是住得相当的远，当有太阳时，选择了午正打水，是会有相当长的时间瀑露在太阳底下的，相当的不容易。因他们是第一次见面，所以当耶稣将她『素来所行的一切事都给我说出来了…』(约翰福音 4:29)的时候，她知道祂是一位先知，就用一个现有的事实去问耶稣，我们就会在下面一段来看耶稣的回答。

    在看耶稣的回答前，我们就从经文看来看那活水究竟是什么呢？『(住棚节)节期的末日，就是最大之日，耶稣站著高声说：「人若渴了，可以到我这里来喝！信我的人，就如经上所说：『从他腹中要流出活水的江河来。』」耶稣这话是指著信他之人要受圣灵说的。那时还没有赐下圣灵来，因为耶稣尚未得著荣耀。』(约翰福音 7:37-39)     

    我们看到祂是站著高声说，很显然的祂是要别人听到祂的话。的确那时圣灵还没有赐下来， 到耶稣死而复活后的五旬节，圣灵才赐了！下来，就像这些经文所说，『五旬节到了，门徒都聚集在一处。忽然，从天上有响声下来，好像一阵大风吹过，充满了他们所坐的屋子；又有舌头如火焰显现出来，分开落在他们各人头上。他们就都被圣灵充满，按著圣灵所赐的口才说起别国的话来。』(使徒行传 2:1-4) 所以那活水是指赐下的圣灵。

4. 真正拜父的要用心灵和真理拜祂

    『耶稣说：「妇人，你当信我。时候将到，你们拜父也不在这山上，也不在耶路撒冷。你们所拜的，你们不知道；我们所拜的，我们知道，因为救恩是从犹太人出来的。时候将到，如今就是了。那真正拜父的，要用心灵和诚实(truth, G225)拜他，因为父要这样的人拜他。神是(个)灵，所以拜他的，必须用心灵和诚实拜他。」妇人说：「我知道弥赛亚（就是那称为基督的）要来，他来了，必将一切的事都告诉我们。」耶稣说：「这和你说话的就是他。」』(约翰福音 4:21-26)      

    在我们详细讨论原文的这个字 G225，为什么不能翻译做诚实前，我们看到了祂直接承认自己是弥赛亚，并不像祂传道的晚期时，都要别人先说祂是基督。譬如，耶稣在被大祭司审问的时候，『耶稣却不言语。 大祭司对他说：「我指著永生神叫你起誓告诉我们，你是神的儿子基督不是？」耶稣对他说：「你说的是。…』(马太福音 26:63-64)     

    从这些经文，我们看到她的确相信了祂，『…那妇人作见证说：「他将我素来所行的一切事都给我说出来了。」于是撒马利亚人来见耶稣，求他在他们那里住下，他便在那里住了两天。因耶稣的话，信的人就更多了，便对妇人说：「现在我们信，不是因为你的话，是我们亲自听见了知道这真是救世主。」』(约翰福音 4:39-42)      #####很显然的，至少有人信了她的话，于是他们求祂住下要听更多的。我们看见，人有自由意志，虽是信的人就更多了，还是有不信的人。我们也看到「亲自」是非常的重要，不要做二手的基督徒，只听别人或圣经说，要亲自去体会。我们看到那妇人自己一得救，就去告诉别人，成功的宣道，不是在等待著。        

    请注意，原文是说神是灵，并没有个字。我们就来看耶稣的回答，祂说，『…我们所拜的，我们知道，因为救恩是从犹太人出来的。』(约翰福音 4:22) 这和保罗说的是一致的，『我不以福音为耻，这福音本是神的大能，要救一切相信的，先是犹太人，后是希腊人。』(罗马书 1:16) 在旧约中，我们可以很清楚的看到只有以色列人是神的选民。譬如，摩西在这点上说明得很清楚，『哪一大国的人有神与他们相近，像耶和华我们的神在我们求告他的时候与我们相近呢？又哪一大国有这样公义的律例典章，像我今日在你们面前所陈明的这一切律法呢？』(申命记 4:7-8)       

    祂又说，『时候将到，如今就是了。那真正拜父的，要用心灵和诚实(真理, truth, G225)拜他，因为父要这样的人拜他。』(约翰福音 4:23) 我们来看 G225 这个字，汇编说，它总共出现了 110 次，在约翰福音就出现了 25次，我们看那 25 次，就可以看到它的意义是和这典型的经文相同，就是，『道成了肉身，住在我们中间，充充满满地有恩典，有真理(truth, G225)。我们也见过他的荣光，正是父独生子的荣光。』(约翰福音 1:14) 所以我实在不能了解和合本在这里 G225 这字翻译做诚实，而不是原文说的「真理」。

    有人可能会说这字 G225 可以有两个意思啊！我们来看一个旧约中诚实的例子，就会更清楚这实在是不可能。如果我们参照出埃及记 32:1-8，就知道那时做了一个金牛犊，且他们『…献燔祭和平安祭，就坐下吃喝，起来玩耍。』(出埃及记 32:6)  他们说，『…以色列啊，这是领你出埃及地的神！』(出埃及记 32:4) 他们是诚实的相信这金牛犊就是耶和华。但『耶和华吩咐摩西说：「(从山上)下去吧！因为你的百姓，就是你从埃及地领出来的，已经败坏了。他们快快偏离了我所吩咐的道，为自己铸了一只牛犊，向它下拜献祭说：『以色列啊，这就是领你出埃及地的神！』」』(出埃及记 32:7-8) 你想神是要这样不在真理中的诚实人拜祂吗？所以这字 G225 实在是不能翻译成诚实，这样错误的翻译真会害死很多人，不要停留在错误的诚实中，要分辩，要悔改！不过这样的错误会有一个好处，就是意识到其和圣经不合，会仔细的读相关的经文，找出错误在那里。       

    我们最后讨论一个我以前知道是对的，但不知如何回答的问题，就是基督徒常在现实中说，我们的看法不一样，而保罗明说，『你们就要意念相同，爱心相同，有一样的心思，有一样的意念，使我的喜乐可以满足。』(腓立比书 2:2) 这不是看起来保罗的话和现实有矛盾吗？到底该如何解释这现象呢？

    我们说过，神是无限，而人是有限，我们不可能完全了解圣经，因三位一体的神可以随时开我们的眼睛，看到我们以前不知道的事情，如以利沙的仆人眼睛被开一样，『以利沙祷告说：「耶和华啊，求你开这少年人的眼目，使他能看见。」耶和华开他的眼目，他就看见满山有火车火马围绕以利沙。』(列王纪下 6:17) 现在我们就借著约翰福音 4:21-26 来说明这现象。     

    首先，我们假设神在其中给我们所有的讯息可以用一个长方块来表示，我们可以用其中的一个黑圆块代表在成圣的路上，神给我们看见其中的一些讯息。问题是对同一件事情，我们又加上了一些自己的意见，这是用在长方块外和黑圆块联结的椭圆来表示，但是每个人有自己不同的意见，也就会有不同颜色的椭圆。虽然黑圆块是一样的，但最后联结的形状就不一样了，这是为什么基督徒常说我们的看法不同！我们可看见是要「读出来」圣经的真义，而不是读进去自己的想法，去强解圣经。

图一: 我们的看法不一样的示意图

    即使没有读进去自己的想法，因不同人走在成圣之路的进度会不一样，就用长方块中不同颜色的椭圆来表示，因他们在同一个长方块中，是相容的，不会不同的！当然，如果我们一定要定义说这也是不同的，那就没办法了！至少要分辩出两种的不同。如果两人之中至少有一个有能听的耳，就可能因别人的话得到启示。

图二: 成圣之路的进度不同的示意图

    我还要提一下，我们怎么能确定我们的椭圆一定在方块中呢？因为我们在每一个题目上，就像约翰福音4:21-26 一样，都是用在基于圣经话语的圣经概念、来读出来圣经对这题目有的概念，这怎么不会在圣经要给的讯息中呢！ 

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到这网站后要按『对属灵生命的了解』。)  

     首先我們來看施洗約翰沒下監時的見証和觀點，他非常的清楚的知道耶穌是從天上來的，知道祂必興旺，我必衰微。第二，我們討論耶穌必須和撒馬利亞婦人談話，是聖靈帶領的，在這件事上，我們看見神常用巧合來引導人，但不是所有的巧合都是神的引導。第三，我們看看耶穌要給她的活水是什麼，經文清楚的說那活水就是聖靈。最後討論真正拜父的要用心靈和真理拜祂，而不能如和合本的翻譯說要用心靈和誠實拜祂，我們用出埃及記中，以色列人誠實的以為金牛犢就是耶和華做例子，詳細的討論這相應的原文字實在是不能像和合本一樣的翻譯為誠實，這樣錯誤的翻譯真會害死很多人，不要停留在錯誤的誠實中，要分辨，要悔改！不過這樣的錯誤會有一個好處，就是意識到其和聖經不合，會仔細的讀相關的經文，找出錯誤在那裏。在這段的最後，我們利用這段經文來詳細討論一個基督徒常說的，我對聖經的看見和你的看見不一樣，到底意謂著什麼，錯誤在那裏？

1. 施洗約翰沒下監時的見証和觀點

         『這事以後，耶穌和門徒到了猶太地，在那裏居住施洗。約翰在靠近撒冷的哀嫩也施洗，因為那裏水多，眾人都去受洗。那時約翰還沒有下在監裏。約翰的門徒和一個猶太人辯論潔淨的禮，就來見約翰說：「拉比，從前同你在約旦河外、你所見證的那位，現在施洗，眾人都往他那裏去了。」約翰說：「若不是從天上賜的，人就不能得甚麼。我曾說『我不是基督，是奉差遣在他前面的』，你們自己可以給我作見證。娶新婦的就是新郎，新郎的朋友站着聽見新郎的聲音就甚喜樂，故此我這喜樂滿足了。他必興旺，我必衰微。」「從天上來的，是在萬有之上；從地上來的，是屬乎地，他所說的也是屬乎地。從天上來的是在萬有之上。他將所見所聞的見證出來，只是沒有人領受他的見證。那領受他見證的，就印上印，證明神是真的。神所差來的，就說神的話，因為神賜聖靈給他，是沒有限量的。父愛子，已將萬有交在他手裏。信子的人有永生，不信子的人得不着永生，神的震怒常在他身上。」』(約翰福音 3:22-36)

         首先我們看到了施洗約翰施洗的地方，他的門徒以為耶穌也親自施洗，『（其實不是耶穌親自施洗，乃是他的門徒施洗。）』(約翰福音 4:2) 施洗約翰知道他只是基督耶穌的先鋒，他知道自己只是新郎的朋友，有著好得不能再好的態度，『他必興旺，我必衰微。』(約翰福音 3:30) 其實我們現在治死老我也是一樣，祂必興旺，我必衰微，也只有這樣，我們才可以模成耶穌的形像(參羅馬書 8:29)。

         施洗約翰非常確定耶穌是天上來的，因『約翰又作見證說：「我曾看見聖靈彷彿鴿子從天降下，住在他(耶穌)的身上。我先前不認識他，只是那差我來用水施洗的，對我說：『你看見聖靈降下來，住在誰的身上，誰就是用聖靈施洗的。』我看見了，就證明這是神的兒子。」』(約翰福音 1:32-34) 他知道從天而來的是在萬有之上，且預知耶穌雖見証了在天上的所見所聞，但基本上沒有人相信祂。你看，祂道成肉身時，在地上行了多少神蹟，有多少人真正相信祂，且最終被釘上了十字架，所以這是預知。而『那領受他見證的，就印上印(sealed, G4972, 兩次, 在希臘文中是這樣的去加強語氣)，證明神是真的。』(約翰福音 3:33) 我們也看到耶穌道成肉身那段時間，『…神賜聖靈給他，是沒有限量的。』(約翰福音 3:34) 而耶穌也是，『…父怎樣吩咐我，我就怎樣行。…』(約翰福音 14:31) 真是『父愛子，已將萬有交在他手裏。』(約翰福音 3:35)

     最後提到的約翰福音 3:36 是和約翰福音 3:18 講的是一致的。我們也看到，耶穌道成肉身那段時間，神是透過聖靈來引導祂的，這點非常清楚，因那段日子祂是完全的人，而耶和華對摩西『…說：「你不能看見我的面，因為人見我的面不能存活。」』(出埃及記 33:20) 所以祂那段時間也不能見神的面，要不，祂就不是完全的人了。耶穌說，『我與父原為一。』(約翰福音 10:30) 這只是在說一個事實，因祂本是三位一體的神中的一位，這是與生具來的，就像一個王子過乞丐的生活，就說他不是王子是不對的，所以耶穌在道成肉身的那段時間，仍是完全的神。

2. 必須和撒馬利亞婦人談話

        『主知道法利賽人聽見他收門徒施洗比約翰還多，（其實不是耶穌親自施洗，乃是他的門徒施洗。）他就離了猶太，又往加利利去。必須經過撒馬利亞，於是到了撒馬利亞的一座城，名叫敍加，靠近雅各給他兒子約瑟的那塊地。在那裏有雅各井。耶穌因走路困乏，就坐在井旁。那時約有午正。有一個撒馬利亞的婦人來打水，耶穌對她說：「請你給我水喝。」那時門徒進城買食物去了。』(約翰福音 4:1-8)

         我們首先從人的角度看，從猶大到加利利去至少有兩條路，一是經過撒瑪利亞的直路較短，一是先渡過約但河再北上的繞道而行，當然是較久，因『…猶太人和撒馬利亞人沒有來往。』(約翰福音 4:9) 所以猶太人通常願意繞道而行，多花一些時間，不是「必須」經過撒瑪利亞，可是這裏是說「必須」，為什麼是必須的？我們知道耶穌的一生都順服神的帶領，就像祂自己說的，『…父怎樣吩咐我，我就怎樣行。…』(約翰福音 14:31) 而『神所差來的(道成肉身的耶穌)，就說神的話，因為神賜聖靈給他，是沒有限量的。』(約翰福音 3:34) 我們在這裏看到了神是藉著聖靈、三位一體的神中的一位、帶領道成肉身的耶穌，所以是聖靈很清楚的讓祂看到，祂那時「必須」經過撒瑪利亞，要和撒瑪利亞婦人談那一席話。

        對一些人說，好像事情的發生在巧合裏面，耶穌正好遇見午正來打水的那個撒馬利亞的婦人，但我們如果看路得記就知道，神常用巧合來引導人，這點我們就不多講，請你們自己回去看路得記。請注意，不是說所有的巧合都是神的引導，要分辨，不能劃等號。

        我們看到，『那時門徒進城買食物去了。』(約翰福音 4:8) 所以關於耶穌對她後面講的那一段關於活水的話題，門徒當時是不在場的。當門徒買到食物回來的『這其間，門徒對耶穌說：「拉比，請吃。」耶穌說：「我有食物吃，是你們不知道的。」門徒就彼此對問說：「莫非有人拿甚麼給他吃嗎？」耶穌說：「我的食物就是遵行差我來者的旨意，做成他的工。』(約翰福音 4:31-34) 這裏我們不是又看到祂必須經過撒瑪利亞才能做成神的工嗎？

        我們最後來看看她為什麼會在午正熱的時候來打水，那時是應該留在家中納涼的時候，這是為什麼只會有她一人，她選擇了那個時段是可以有機會成功的避開眾人的，我們來看看為什麼。『耶穌說：「你去叫你丈夫也到這裏來。」婦人說：「我沒有丈夫。」 耶穌說：「你說沒有丈夫，是不錯的。你已經有五個丈夫，你現在有的，並不是你的丈夫，你這話是真的。」』(約翰福音 4:16-18) 這樣的人當時是不會被大多數人所接受的，難怪她會儘可能選擇能避開人的時段去打水！

3. 活水是指什麼？

        『撒馬利亞的婦人對他說：「你既是猶太人，怎麼向我一個撒馬利亞婦人要水喝呢？」原來猶太人和撒馬利亞人沒有來往。耶穌回答說：「你若知道神的恩賜和對你說『給我水喝』的是誰，你必早求他，他也必早給了你活水。」婦人說：「先生，沒有打水的器具，井又深，你從哪裏得活水呢？我們的祖宗雅各將這井留給我們，他自己和兒子並牲畜也都喝這井裏的水，難道你比他還大嗎？」耶穌回答說：「凡喝這水的，還要再渴；人若喝我所賜的水，就永遠不渴。我所賜的水要在他裏頭成為泉源，直湧到永生。」婦人說：「先生，請把這水賜給我，叫我不渴，也不用來這麼遠打水。」耶穌說：「你去叫你丈夫也到這裏來。」婦人說：「我沒有丈夫。」 耶穌說：「你說沒有丈夫，是不錯的。你已經有五個丈夫，你現在有的，並不是你的丈夫，你這話是真的。」婦人說：「先生，我看出你是先知。我們的祖宗在這山上禮拜，你們倒說，應當禮拜的地方是在耶路撒冷。」』(約翰福音 4:9-20)

         我們一開始就看到，耶穌預備好要賜活水給她，必須經過撒馬利亞做成神的工。我們也看到了她的回答，從人的角度看是絕對正確的，然後耶穌回答她說祂講的是永遠不渴的活水，且『…我所賜的水要在他裏頭成為泉源，直湧到永生。』(約翰福音 4:14) 這是講屬靈的事情。我們看她從人的角度一聽有這麼好的東西，當然想要，於是就說，『…也不用來這麼遠打水。』(約翰福音 4:15) 我們看到她是住得相當的遠，當有太陽時，選擇了午正打水，是會有相當長的時間瀑露在太陽底下的，相當的不容易。因他們是第一次見面，所以當耶穌將她『素來所行的一切事都給我說出來了…』(約翰福音 4:29)的時候，她知道祂是一位先知，就用一個現有的事實去問耶穌，我們就會在下面一段來看耶穌的回答。

     在看耶穌的回答前，我們就從經文看來看那活水究竟是什麼呢？『(住棚節)節期的末日，就是最大之日，耶穌站着高聲說：「人若渴了，可以到我這裏來喝！信我的人，就如經上所說：『從他腹中要流出活水的江河來。』」耶穌這話是指着信他之人要受聖靈說的。那時還沒有賜下聖靈來，因為耶穌尚未得着榮耀。』(約翰福音 7:37-39) 

     我們看到祂是站著高聲說，很顯然的祂是要別人聽到祂的話。的確那時聖靈還沒有賜下來， 到耶穌死而復活後的五旬節，聖靈才賜了！下來，就像這些經文所說，『五旬節到了，門徒都聚集在一處。忽然，從天上有響聲下來，好像一陣大風吹過，充滿了他們所坐的屋子；又有舌頭如火焰顯現出來，分開落在他們各人頭上。他們就都被聖靈充滿，按着聖靈所賜的口才說起別國的話來。』(使徒行傳 2:1-4) 所以那活水是指賜下的聖靈。

4. 真正拜父的要用心靈和真理拜祂

       『耶穌說：「婦人，你當信我。時候將到，你們拜父也不在這山上，也不在耶路撒冷。你們所拜的，你們不知道；我們所拜的，我們知道，因為救恩是從猶太人出來的。時候將到，如今就是了。那真正拜父的，要用心靈和誠實(truth, G225)拜他，因為父要這樣的人拜他。神是(個)靈，所以拜他的，必須用心靈和誠實拜他。」婦人說：「我知道彌賽亞（就是那稱為基督的）要來，他來了，必將一切的事都告訴我們。」耶穌說：「這和你說話的就是他。」』(約翰福音 4:21-26)

      在我們詳細討論原文的這個字 G225，為什麼不能翻譯做誠實前，我們看到了祂直接承認自己是彌賽亞，並不像祂傳道的晚期時，都要別人先說祂是基督。譬如，耶穌在被大祭司審問的時候，『耶穌卻不言語。 大祭司對他說：「我指着永生神叫你起誓告訴我們，你是神的兒子基督不是？」耶穌對他說：「你說的是。…』(馬太福音 26:63-64)

     從這些經文，我們看到她的確相信了祂，『…那婦人作見證說：「他將我素來所行的一切事都給我說出來了。」於是撒馬利亞人來見耶穌，求他在他們那裏住下，他便在那裏住了兩天。因耶穌的話，信的人就更多了，便對婦人說：「現在我們信，不是因為你的話，是我們親自聽見了知道這真是救世主。」』(約翰福音 4:39-42) 

     很顯然的，至少有人信了她的話，於是他們求祂住下要聽更多的。我們看見，人有自由意志，雖是信的人就更多了，還是有不信的人。我們也看到「親自」是非常的重要，不要做二手的基督徒，只聽別人或聖經說，要親自去體會。我們看到那婦人自己一得救，就去告訴別人，成功的宣道，不是在等待著。

        請注意，原文是說神是靈，並沒有個字。我們就來看耶穌的回答，祂說，『…我們所拜的，我們知道，因為救恩是從猶太人出來的。』(約翰福音 4:22) 這和保羅說的是一致的，『我不以福音為恥，這福音本是神的大能，要救一切相信的，先是猶太人，後是希臘人。』(羅馬書 1:16) 在舊約中，我們可以很清楚的看到只有以色列人是神的選民。譬如，摩西在這點上說明得很清楚，『哪一大國的人有神與他們相近，像耶和華我們的神在我們求告他的時候與我們相近呢？又哪一大國有這樣公義的律例典章，像我今日在你們面前所陳明的這一切律法呢？』(申命記 4:7-8)

       祂又說，『時候將到，如今就是了。那真正拜父的，要用心靈和誠實(真理, truth, G225)拜他，因為父要這樣的人拜他。』(約翰福音 4:23) 我們來看 G225 這個字，彙編說，它總共出現了 110 次，在約翰福音就出現了 25次，我們看那 25 次，就可以看到它的意義是和這典型的經文相同，就是，『道成了肉身，住在我們中間，充充滿滿地有恩典，有真理(truth, G225)。我們也見過他的榮光，正是父獨生子的榮光。』(約翰福音 1:14) 所以我實在不能瞭解和合本在這裏 G225 這字翻譯做誠實，而不是原文說的「真理」。

     有人可能會說這字 G225 可以有兩個意思啊！我們來看一個舊約中誠實的例子，就會更清楚這實在是不可能。如果我們參照出埃及記 32:1-8，就知道那時做了一個金牛犢，且他們『…獻燔祭和平安祭，就坐下吃喝，起來玩耍。』(出埃及記 32:6)  他們說，『…以色列啊，這是領你出埃及地的神！』(出埃及記 32:4) 他們是誠實的相信這金牛犢就是耶和華。但『耶和華吩咐摩西說：「(從山上)下去吧！因為你的百姓，就是你從埃及地領出來的，已經敗壞了。他們快快偏離了我所吩咐的道，為自己鑄了一隻牛犢，向它下拜獻祭說：『以色列啊，這就是領你出埃及地的神！』」』(出埃及記 32:7-8) 你想神是要這樣不在真理中的誠實人拜祂嗎？所以這字 G225 實在是不能翻譯成誠實，這樣錯誤的翻譯真會害死很多人，不要停留在錯誤的誠實中，要分辨，要悔改！不過這樣的錯誤會有一個好處，就是意識到其和聖經不合，會仔細的讀相關的經文，找出錯誤在那裏。

       我們最後討論一個我以前知道是對的，但不知如何回答的問題，就是基督徒常在現實中說，我們的看法不一樣，而保羅明說，『你們就要意念相同，愛心相同，有一樣的心思，有一樣的意念，使我的喜樂可以滿足。』(腓立比書 2:2) 這不是看起來保羅的話和現實有矛盾嗎？到底該如何解釋這現象呢？

       我們說過，神是無限，而人是有限，我們不可能完全瞭解聖經，因三位一體的神可以隨時開我們的眼睛，看到我們以前不知道的事情，如以利沙的僕人眼睛被開一樣，『以利沙禱告說：「耶和華啊，求你開這少年人的眼目，使他能看見。」耶和華開他的眼目，他就看見滿山有火車火馬圍繞以利沙。』(列王紀下 6:17) 現在我們就藉著約翰福音 4:21-26 來說明這現象。

     首先，我們假設神在其中給我們所有的訊息可以用一個長方塊來表示，我們可以用其中的一個黑圓塊代表在成聖的路上，神給我們看見其中的一些訊息。問題是對同一件事情，我們又加上了一些自己的意見，這是用在長方塊外和黑圓塊聯結的椭圓來表示，但是每個人有自己不同的意見，也就會有不同顏色的橢圓。雖然黑圓塊是一樣的，但最後聯結的形狀就不一樣了，這是為什麼基督徒常說我們的看法不同！我們可看見是要「讀出來」聖經的真義，而不是讀進去自己的想法，去強解聖經。

圖一: 我們的看法不一樣的示意圖

    即使沒有讀進去自己的想法，因不同人走在成聖之路的進度會不一樣，就用長方塊中不同顏色的橢圓來表示，因他們在同一個長方塊中，是相容的，不會不同的！當然，如果我們一定要定義說這也是不同的，那就沒辦法了！至少要分辨出兩種的不同。如果兩人之中至少有一個有能聽的耳，就可能因別人的話得到啓示。

圖二: 成聖之路的進度不同的示意圖

    我還要提一下，我們怎麼能確定我們的橢圓一定在方塊中呢？因為我們在每一個題目上，就像約翰福音4:21-26 一樣，都是用在基於聖經話語的聖經概念、來讀出來聖經對這題目有的概念，這怎麼不會在聖經要給的訊息中呢！

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到這網站後要按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』。)

First, let’s look at the testimony and opinions of John the Baptist when he was not in prison. He knew very clearly that Jesus came from heaven, and that “He must increase, but I must decrease.”  Second, we discussed that Jesus had to talk to the Samaritan woman and was led by the Holy Spirit. In this matter, we saw that God often uses coincidences to guide people, but not all coincidences are God’s guidance.  Third, let’s see what kind of living water Jesus was going to give her. The scripture clearly says that the living water is the Holy Spirit.  Finally, we discussed that those who truly worship the Father must worship Him in spirit and truth, rather than worshiping Him in spirit and truth as the Chinese Union Version translation says. We use the example in Exodus where the Israelites honestly believed that the golden calf was Jehovah. We also discuss details regarding the corresponding original text and conclude very clearly that its corresponding word in original text really cannot be translated as honesty like in the Union Version. Such a wrong translation will really kill many people. Don’t stay in the wrong honesty, be discerning, and repent!  However, one advantage of such an error is that you will realize that it is inconsistent with the Bible, and you will read the relevant scriptures carefully to find out where the error is.  At the end of this paragraph, we use the quoted verses in this section to discuss in detail what a Christian often says, “My view of the Bible is different from yours.” What does it mean, and where is the error?

1. John the Baptist’s testimony and opinions when he was not in prison

“After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He was spending time with them and baptizing. John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people were coming and were being baptized⁠— for John had not yet been thrown into prison. Therefore there arose a discussion on the part of John’s disciples with a Jew about purification. And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, He is baptizing and all are coming to Him.” John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven. You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent ahead of Him.’ He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full. He must increase, but I must decrease. “He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. What He has seen and heard, of that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true. For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.””(John 3:22-36)

First of all, we saw the place where John the Baptist baptized. His disciples thought that Jesus also baptized Himself, “(although Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were)”(John 4:2) John the Baptist knew that he was just the forerunner of Christ Jesus. He knew that he was just a friend of the bridegroom, with the very best attitude, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”(John 3:30) In fact, it is the same for us now in order to put the old self to death. He must increase and we must decrease. Only in this way can we be conformed to the image of Jesus (see Romans 8:29).

John the Baptist was very sure that Jesus came from heaven, because “John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.””(John 1: 32-34) He knew that what came from heaven was above all things, and he foresaw that basically no one believed in Him although He witnessed what He saw and heard in heaven.  You see, when He became flesh, He performed many miracles on earth, how many people truly believed in Him, and were eventually crucified, so this was foreknowledge.  And “He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this (sealed, G4972, twice, in Greek to emphasize the tone), that God is true.”(John 3:33) We also see that during the time when Jesus became flesh, “…God …gives the Spirit without measure.”(John 3:34) And Jesus also said, “…I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. …”(John 14:31) It is true that “The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand.”

The last mentioned John 3:36 is consistent with John 3:18.  We also see that during the time when Jesus became flesh, God guided Him through the Holy Spirit. This is very clear, because He was a perfect man during those days, and the Lord said to Moses: “…You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!”(Exodus 33:20) Therefore, He could not see the face of God during that period, otherwise He would not be a perfect man.  Jesus said, “I and the Father are one.” This is just a fact.

 Because He is one of the Trinity, He is born as God. Just like a prince living the life of a beggar, it is wrong to say that he is not a prince. So during the time when Jesus was incarnated, Jesus was still fully God.

2. Must talk to the Samaritan woman

“Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were), He left Judea and went away again into Galilee. And He had to pass through Samaria. So He came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph; and Jacob’s well was there. So Jesus, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.”(John 4:1-8)

Let us first look at it from a human perspective. There are at least two ways to go from Judah to Galilee. One is the short straight road through Samaria, and the other is the detour that first crosses the Jordan River and then goes north. At that time, “…Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.”(John 4:9) Therefore, Jews were usually willing to take a detour and spend more time. It was not necessary to go through Samaria, but it is said that it was necessary. Why is it necessary?  We know that Jesus obeyed God’s leading throughout his life, as He Himself said, “…I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. …”(John 14:31) And “For He (Jesus in the flesh) whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure.”(John 3:34) We see here that God led the incarnate Jesus through the Holy Spirit, one of the Trinity, so it was the Holy Spirit who clearly made Him see that He “must” at that time pass through Samaria, and He had to talk to the Samaritan woman.

Some people say that things seemed to happen by coincidence. Jesus happened to meet the Samaritan woman who came to draw water at noon. But if we read the Book of Ruth, we will know that God often uses coincidences to guide people. On this point we won’t go into details. Please go back and read the Book of Ruth yourself.  Please note that this does not mean that all coincidences are God’s guidance. They must be distinguished and cannot be equated.

During the time “…His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food,” (John 4:8) Jesus and the woman talked about the topic of living water. Thus the disciples were not present at the time when the topic was talked.  When the disciples came back from buying food, they “…were urging Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” But He said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” So the disciples were saying to one another, “No one brought Him anything to eat, did he?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.”(John 4:31-34) Here we see again that He ‘must’ go through Samaria in order to accomplish the work of God.

Finally, let’s take a look at why she came to fetch water in the heat about noon. That should be the time when she should stay at home to cool off. She chose that time period so she could have a chance to escape the others successfully. This is why she was the only one there. Let us see why from verses, “He said to her, “Go, call your husband and come here.” The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have correctly said, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly.””

(John 4:16-18) Such a person would not be accepted by most people at that time. No wonder she would choose to avoid people as much as possible to fetch water!

3. What does living water mean?

“Therefore the Samaritan woman said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” She said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep; where then do You get that living water? You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself and his sons and his cattle?” Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty nor come all the way here to draw.” He said to her, “Go, call your husband and come here.” The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have correctly said, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly.” The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.””(John 4:9-20)

We saw from the beginning that Jesus was ready to give her living water and had to go through Samaria to complete God’s work.  We also saw her answer, which was absolutely correct from a human perspective, and then Jesus answered her that He was talking about living water that you will never thirst for, and “the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”(John 4:14) This is about spiritual things.  We saw that from a human perspective, when she heard that there was such a good thing, of course she wanted it, so she ” said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty nor come all the way here to draw.””(John 4:15) We see that she lives quite far away. When the sun is shining when she chooses to fetch water about noon, she will be exposed to the sun for a long time, which is quite difficult.  Because it was their first meeting, when Jesus told her about “all the things that I have done; …”(John 4:29), she knew that He was a prophet, so she asked Him about an existing controversy. We’ll look at Jesus’ answer in the next paragraph.

Before looking at Jesus’ answer, let’s look at what the living water is from the scriptures. “Now on the last day (of the Feast of Booths), the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”(John 7:37-39)

We see Him standing and speaking loudly. It is obvious that He wants others to hear His words.  It is true that the Holy Spirit had not been given at that time. It was not until Pentecost after Jesus died and was resurrected that the Holy Spirit was given!  Come down, as these verses say, “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.”(Acts 2:1-4) So the living water refers to the given Holy Spirit.

4. True worshipers must worship the Father in spirit and truth

“Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.””(John 4:21-26)

First, we see that Jesus directly admitted that He was the Messiah, unlike in the later stages of His ministry, when He asked others to first say that He was the Christ.  For example, when Jesus was being questioned by the high priest, “But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.””(Matthew 26:63- 64)

From these verses, we see that she did believe Him, “From that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all the things that I have done.” So when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they were asking Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. Many more believed because of His word; and they were saying to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.””(John 4:39-42)

Apparently, at least some believed her, and they begged Him to stay and hear more.  We see that people have free will, and although there are more people who believe, there are still people who do not believe.  We also see that “personally know” is very important. Don’t be a second-hand Christian who only listens to others or what the Bible says. You must experience it yourself.  We see that as soon as the woman was saved, she didn’t wait and immediately went to tell others, which led to a successful preaching.

Let’s now look at Jesus’ answer. He said, “…we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.”(John 4:22) This is consistent with what Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”(Romans 1:16) In the Old Testament, we can clearly see that only the Israelites are God’s chosen people.  For example, Moses made it very clear on this point, “For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as is the LORD our God whenever we call on Him? Or what great nation is there that has statutes and judgments as righteous as this whole law which I am setting before you today?”(Deuteronomy 4:7-8)

He also said, “But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth (G225); for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.”(John 4:23) Let’s look at the word G225. According to the Strong’s Concordance, it appears 110 times in total, and it appears 25 times in the Book of John. If we look at those 25 times, we can see that its meaning is the same as in the typical scripture, that is, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth (G225).”(John 1:14) So I really can’t understand that the word G225 here in the Chinese Union Version is translated as honesty, rather than “truth” as in the original text. ​

Some people may say that the word G225 can have two meanings!  If we look at an example of honesty from the Old Testament, it will become clearer that this is really impossible.  If we look at Exodus 32:1-8, we see that a golden calf was made at that time, and they “…offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.”(Exodus 32:6) They said, “…This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.”(Exodus 32:4) They honestly believed that the golden calf was Jehovah.  But “Then the LORD spoke to Moses, “Go down (from the mountain) at once, for your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. They have quickly turned aside from the way which I commanded them. They have made for themselves a molten calf, and have worshiped it and have sacrificed to it and said, ‘This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!’””(Exodus 32:7-8) Do you think God wants such honest people to worship Him who are not in the truth? Therefore, this word G225 really cannot be translated as honesty. Such wrong translation will really kill many people. Don’t stay in the wrong honesty, be discerning, and repent!  However, one advantage of such an error is that you will realize that it is inconsistent with the Bible, and you will read the relevant scriptures carefully to find out where the error is.

We’ll conclude this section by discussing a question that I knew to be true but didn’t know how to answer before. Christians often say in reality that we don’t think the same way, but Paul clearly said, “make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.”(Philippians 2:2) Doesn’t it seem like there is a contradiction between Paul’s words and reality?  How to explain this phenomenon?

We have said that God is infinite and man is limited. It is impossible for us to fully understand the Bible, because the Triune God can open our eyes at any time and see things we did not know before, just like the eyes of Elisha’s servant were opened, “Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”(2 Kings 6:17) Now we will use John 4:21-26 to illustrate this phenomenon.

First, we assume that all the messages God gives us in these verses can be represented by a rectangular block, and we can use the black solid circle in Fig. 1 to represent some of the messages God shows us on the road to sanctification.  The problem is that we have added some of our own opinions on the same thing, which is represented by an ellipse connected to the black circle outside the rectangular square, but everyone has their own different opinions, and thus they are represented by also different colors. Although the black circle are the same, the shape of the final connection is different for different people. This is why Christians often say that our views are different!  We can see that we need to “read out” the true meaning of the Bible represented by black corcle, rather than reading in our own thoughts to forcefully interpret the Bible, which are represented by different color ellipsis.

Fig. 1: Schematic diagram of our different views

Even if you have not read in your own thoughts, because different people will have different progress on the road to sanctification, they are represented by ovals of different colors in the rectangle. Because they are in the same rectangle, they are compatible although they are in different position. Of course, if we must define that these are also different views, so be it! At least you have to distinguish the difference between these two kinds.  If at least one of the two inside the rectangular has ears which can hear, it is possible for him to receive revelation from the words of the other.

Fig. 2: Schematic diagram showing the different stages of the path to sanctification​

I would also like to mention the last question here, how can we be sure that our ellipse must be inside the rectangular?  Because on every topic, just like John 4:21-26, we use biblical concepts based on biblical words to read out the concepts the Bible has on this topic. How come this is not what the Bible wants to give in its message!

​(Verses refer to those in NASB95 unless otherwise specified.)

(You can get all articles in “https://a-christian-voice.com/” under “On spiritual understanding about life.”)

    首先我们谈谈为什么洁净圣殿有两次及其内容，也看到了对能读经的人来说，读经是非少不可。从犹太人的反应，我们也看到了信心是要从心里发出。第二，我们谈到了耶稣与尼哥低母关于重生的对话，看到了重生的人就是因信称义的人，一次因信而得救的人是救恩计划中的第一步。讨论了为一次得救就永远得救，如果不强解圣经，就不会觉得这样做会不公平，也讨论了救恩计划中的得救意谓什么，和要仰望主耶稣才能得永生。最后我们讨论了神爱世人、得救和定罪、及(真)光。圣经明讲神爱世人，信祂儿子名的人不被定罪，而不信的人罪已经定了！但我们不能用这句话论断人，而认为现在不信的人就是罪已经定了的人，因为我们不知道神究竟如何工作，今日不信的人也许明天就信了，只有盖棺论定时还一直不信，那时罪就是已经定了！因为注意到判断和论断在原文中都用的是同一个字，中文的如此翻译会造成混乱！所以我们详细的讨论了这点。在这一段中，我们也简略在最后提到了(真)光。

1. 耶稣两次洁净圣殿       

    『犹太人的逾越节近了，耶稣就上耶路撒冷去。看见殿里有卖牛、羊、鸽子的，并有兑换银钱的人坐在那里。耶稣就拿绳子做成鞭子，把牛羊都赶出殿去，倒出兑换银钱之人的银钱，推翻他们的桌子。又对卖鸽子的说：「把这些东西拿去！不要将我父的殿当作买卖的地方。」他的门徒就想起经上记著说：「我为你的殿，心里焦急，如同火烧。」因此犹太人问他说：「你既做这些事，还显甚么神迹给我们看呢？」耶稣回答说：「你们拆毁这殿，我三日内要再建立起来。」犹太人便说：「这殿是四十六年才造成的，你三日内就再建立起来吗？」但耶稣这话，是以他的身体为殿。所以到他从死里复活以后，门徒就想起他说过这话，便信了圣经和耶稣所说的。当耶稣在耶路撒冷过逾越节的时候，有许多人看见他所行的神迹，就信了他的名。耶稣却不将自己交托他们，因为他知道万人；也用不著谁见证人怎样，因他知道人心里所存的。』(约翰福音 2:13-25)        

    这是耶稣的第一次洁净圣殿，第二次洁净圣殿是在预备最后的晚餐后，这经文将时间是在预备最后的晚餐后讲得很清楚，『耶稣和门徒将近耶路撒冷，到了伯法其和伯大尼，在橄榄山那里。耶稣就打发两个门徒，对他们说：「你们往对面村子里去，一进去的时候，必看见一匹驴驹拴在那里，是从来没有人骑过的，可以解 开，牵来。』(马可福音 11:1-2) 然后是『耶稣进了耶路撒冷，入了圣殿，周围看了各样物件。天色已晚，就和十二个门徒出城，往伯大尼去了。』(马可福音 11:11)  直到『第二天，他们从伯大尼出来，…』(马可福音 11:12)  于是『他们来到耶路撒冷。耶稣进入圣殿，赶出殿里做买卖的人，推倒兑换银钱之人的桌子和卖鸽子之人的凳子，也不许人拿著器具从殿里经过。便教训他们说：「经上不是记著说『我的殿必称为万国祷告的殿』吗？ 你们倒使它成为贼窝了。」』(马可福音 11:15-17) 这时祂才第二次洁净圣殿，等下我们会谈到第一次。

    同样的一件事，在马太福音的记载是相同的，『耶稣进了神的殿，赶出殿里一切做买卖的人，推倒兑换银钱之人的桌子和卖鸽子之人的凳子；对他们说：「经上记著说：『我的殿必称为祷告的殿』，你们倒使它成为贼窝了！」』(马太福音 21:12-13) 这是非常重要的一件事，在路加福音也同样的记载，『耶稣进了殿，赶出里头做买卖的人，对他们说：「经上说：『我的殿必作祷告的殿』，你们倒使它成为贼窝了。」』(路加福音 19:45-46) 耶稣很清楚的说神的殿为祷告的殿，祂非清理圣殿不可，因为现在成了贼窝了。        

    我们看到在约翰福音的这些经文是指耶稣的第一次洁净圣殿，在祂第二次洁净圣殿之前，在迦拿婚筵后的逾越节，时间上和第二次洁净圣殿差相当多。有人把这次混为一团，所以我们要说明清楚。至于祂为什么需要第二次，很显然的是犹太人第一次没有悔改，在祂第一次清理圣殿后又故态复发。请注意，在第一次时，门徒想起了经上的话，这里就看到当时祂提到的门徒是知道旧约圣经的，如果门徒不知道，怎么可以想起呢？所以基督徒是要知道圣经的话，才可以遵守的。        

    犹太人对清理圣殿的事不是因而大怒，而是要祂显神迹(记号, sign, G4592)给他们看，于是就引起了耶稣是以祂的身体作为殿的那些话，『所以到他从死里复活以后，门徒就想起他说过这话，便信了圣经和耶稣所说的。』(约翰福音 2:22) 我们又一次看见「想起」的重要，了解要知道圣经中发生的事是非常的重要，对于能读经的人来说，焉可不读经！对一个因文盲而不能读经的人，也可以从别人的话中去了解圣经。所以不要强解圣路，引人走到歪路，这是要向神负责的。        

    有些人可能一时见了神迹就会相信神的大能，没有神迹就反悔了，当日如此，今日亦然，所以『耶稣却不将自己交托他们，因为他知道万人；也用不著谁见证人怎样，因他知道人心里所存的。』(约翰福音 2:24-25) 我们不要做这种人，要从心里发出信心。

2 . 耶稣与尼哥低母关于重生的对话       

    『有一个法利赛人，名叫尼哥德慕，是犹太人的官。这人夜里来见耶稣，说：「拉比，我们知道你是由神那里来作师傅的，因为你所行的神迹，若没有神同在，无人能行。」耶稣回答说：「我实实在在地告诉你：人若不重生，就不能见神的国。」尼哥德慕说：「人已经老了，如何能重生呢？岂能再进母腹生出来吗？」耶稣说：「我实实在在地告诉你：人若不是从水和圣灵生的，就不能进神的国。从肉身生的，就是肉身；从灵生的，就是灵。我说『你们必须重生』，你不要以为希奇。风随著意思吹，你听见风的响声，却不晓得从哪里来，往哪里去；凡从圣灵生的，也是如此。」尼哥德慕问他说：「怎能有这事呢？」耶稣回答说：「你是以色列人的先生，还不明白这事吗？我实实在在地告诉你：我们所说的，是我们知道的；我们所见证的，是我们见过的；你们却不领受我们的见证。我对你们说地上的事，你们尚且不信；若说天上的事，如何能信呢？除了从天降下仍旧在天的人子，没有人升过天。摩西在旷野怎样举蛇，人子也必照样被举起来，叫一切信他的都得永生。」』(约翰福音 3:1-15)        

    尼哥低母在这里的翻译是尼哥德慕， 从这里我们可以看到当时犹大的情况，他是官，不敢白天见耶稣，只能夜晚来，我们可以从他相信耶稣、是由神那里来作师傅的看到这点。耶稣就告诉他，人要得救就必须走上信心之路的第一步，因信称义。于是尼可底母当时就问了一个、那时的正常人都会问的属世界的问题，就是人岂能再进母腹生出来。耶稣就解释给他听人如何能进神的国，要从水和圣灵生，所以受水洗对一般人是有必要的，而受圣灵的洗是非要不可，这和耶稣同钉十字架的强盗的特例不同，他没有机会受水洗，但受了相当是圣灵的洗(参本路加福音 23:39-43)  一般人是不会没有机会受水洗的，当然不能每一个人都可以如耶稣般的受浸水礼，有些人的身体状况只能受点水礼，难道这些人就不能得救吗？绝对不是。重要的是宣告自己是属基督耶稣的，就像经文所说，『这水所表明的洗礼，现在借著耶稣基督复活，也拯救你们；这洗礼本不在乎除掉肉体的污秽，只求在神面前有无亏的良心。』(彼得前书 3:21)        

    这里也带出了圣灵如风的概念，我们的确不知圣灵如何工作，祂是三位一体的神中的一位，有绝对的主权。人们常会问重生到底是指什么？是在救恩计划中得救的第一步。圣经很清楚的说明要迈出的第一步是什么，就是罗马书所说的，『因为人心里相信，就可以称义；口里承认，就可以得救(G4991)。』(罗马书 10:10) 这里的字 G4991 是指在救恩计划中因耶稣而得救，就像经文所说，『因为神不是预定我们受刑，乃是预定我们借著我们主耶稣基督得救(G4991)。』(帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:9) 这里是用的同一个字。当时的环境是会因口里承认而丧失生命的，比现在一般的环境更艰难，但原则是一样的。在现在的一般情况，至少会是被视为异类，而在特例中，也有冒著生命危险的，甚至会丧失生命。        

    圣经的说法很清楚，不管人怎么说，神不会骗人，一次得救就永远得救，因『人的工程若被烧了，他就要受亏损，自己却要得救；虽然得救(G4982)，乃像从火里经过的一样。』(哥林多前书 3:15) 请注意这里用的字是 G4982，这个字的意思可以从下列经文中看出来。『保罗对百夫长和兵丁说：「这些人若不等在船上，你们必不能得救(G4982)。」(使徒行传 27:31) 『因为，凡要救(G4982)自己生命的，必丧掉生命；凡为我和福音丧掉生命的，必救了(G4982)生命。』(马可福音 8:35) 『我现在心里忧愁，我说甚么才好呢？父啊，救(G4982)我脱离这时候，但我原是为这时候来的。』(约翰福音 12:27) 我们可以看到 G4982 是指一般说的救、或是指在救恩计划中的得救。       

    在哥林多前书中是不可能在讲一般的救，很清楚在说救恩计划中的得救，是指一次得救就永远得救，而有人试著从人的角度看而认为不公平，其实是没有看懂圣经！启示录明说，当新耶路撒冷城从天降下时，有人不能进城，『…只有名字写在羔羊生命册上的才得进去。』(启示录 21:27) 这不是说每一个在生命册上的人都可进城，只有『那些洗净自己衣服的有福了！可得权柄能到生命树那里，也能从门进城。城外有那些犬类、行邪术的、淫乱的、杀人的、拜偶像的，并一切喜好说谎言编造虚谎的。』(启示录 22:14-15) 城外的是那些堕落的、但一次得救就永远得救的基督徒，虽然在城外比下硫磺火湖的非基督徒好多了，但他们也只能在城外哀哭切齿了！        

    我们再看这个字 G4991 (salvation) 救恩的计划中的得救，共出现 43 次，这字 G4992 和 G4991 相同，只出现 5 次。如果我们看所有的经文，就很清楚的知道是指救恩计划中的得救。例如，『我不以福音为耻，这福音本是神的大能，要救(G4991)一切相信的，先是犹太人，后是希腊人。』(罗马书 1:16) 又，『耶稣说：「今天救恩(G4991)到了这家，因为他也是亚伯拉罕的子孙。』(路加福音 19:9) 而且『凡有血气的，都要见神的救恩(G4992)！』(路加福音 3:6)        

    最后，『耶稣回答说：「你是以色列人的先生，(还)而不明白这事吗？』(约翰福音 3:10) 原文不是用的还字。当然他那时不会明了耶稣讲的，因他是后来才做祂的门徒，我们可以从耶稣死后由他所做的事看到这点，『又有尼哥德慕，就是先前夜里去见耶稣的，带著没药和沉香约有一百斤前来。他们就照犹太人殡葬的规矩，把耶稣的身体用细麻布加上香料裹好了。』(约翰福音 19:39-40)        

    请注意，原文没有「仍旧在天」这些字，只说耶稣是在天堂，所以是说祂是从天降下的，而不是说祂道成肉身时分身仍在天堂，这样的分身就不是完全的人了，但耶稣在那段时间中，仍有著与生俱来的神子身份，所以也是完全的神。至于在旧约中摩西举蛇这件事，『…凡被蛇咬的，一望这铜蛇，就活了。』(民数记 21:9) 这是需要仰望就可以的信心的，耶稣被钉上了十字架，不就如那铜蛇相似吗，我们要借著信心仰望祂而得到永生。我们信的时候，神就『…救了我们脱离黑暗的权势，把我们迁到他爱子的国里；我们在爱子里得蒙救赎，罪过得以赦免。』(歌罗西书 1:13-14) 只是对一个走成圣之路的人最开始是绝对不可能做到一直在基督里的，常常会从在基督里滑出来。譬如说因犯罪而又不肯悔改的基督徒，1怎么会有有可能在基督里呢？所以我们是要永远停留在基督里才行。

• 神爱世人、得救和定罪、及光       

    『「神爱世人，甚至将他的独生子赐给他们，叫一切信他的，不至灭亡，反得永生。因为神差他的儿子降世，不是要定世人的罪，乃是要叫世人因他得救。信他的人，不被定罪；不信的人，罪已经定了，因为他不信神独生子的名。」「光来到世间，世人因自己的行为是恶的，不爱光倒爱黑暗，定他们的罪就是在此。凡作恶的便恨光，并不来就光，恐怕他的行为受责备；但行真理的必来就光，要显明他所行的是靠神而行。」』(约翰福音 3:16-21)        

    我们知道神爱世人，信祂儿子名的人不被定罪，而不信的人罪已经定了！不知道为什么有人觉得每个人都有新灵，不信的人不是罪已经定了吗？我们的旧灵早就被罪玷污已死了，我们可以从创世纪的前几章看到这点。不信的人罪是已经定了，这话没有错，只是任何时候信了，主的宝血就能洁净他，使罪得赦免。     

    我们都是亚当的后裔，从出生时候就是被罪玷污的，这就像塞特一样，『亚当活到一百三十岁，生了一个儿子，形像样式和自己相似，就给他起名叫塞特。』(创世记 5:3) 那时的亚当已被罪玷污，所以塞特出生时就是被罪玷污的，没有一个人出生时就信主的，所以所有的人还没信主前，我们都是已经被定罪的。但我们不能用这句话论断人，而认为现在不信的人就是罪已经定了的人，非下地狱不可了，因为我们不知道神究竟如何工作，今日不信的人也许明天就信了，只有盖棺论定时还一直不信，那时才能确定那是罪已经定了的人！我见过一个人在临死前一阵子才想通受洗了，据他太太说，她受洗后就变得很平安的一直到过世，所以我们真不知道神会如何工作。       

    所以『你们不要论断(judge, G2919)人，就不被论断(judge, G2919)；你们不要定人的罪，就不被定罪；…』(路加福音 6:37)  我们来看看论断这字，因此来看另一经文，『你这人哪，你论断(G2919)行这样事的人，自己所行的却和别人一样！你以为能逃脱神的审判吗？』(罗马书 2:3) 我们再来看耶稣说的经文，『你们是以外貌判断(judge, G2919)人，我却不判断(G2919, 动词)人。就是判断(G2919)人，我的判断(judgement, G2920, 名词)也是真的，因为不是我独自在这里，还有差我来的父与我同在。』(约翰福音 8:15-16) 请注意，这里原文都是用同一个字 G2919，只是中文有时翻成判断，有时翻成论断，会使人混乱，造成误会。这里很清楚的说为什么说耶稣的判断是真的，因为父神在祂道成肉身期间是与祂同在的，祂的判断就是父神的判断。     

    我们再看这一节经文，『惟独长大成人的，才能吃干粮，他们的心窍习练得通达，就能分辩(discern, G1253)好歹了。』(希伯来书 5:14) 这个字 G1253 只出现三次，另外两次为『信心软弱的，你们要接纳，但不要辩论(G1253)所疑惑的事。』(罗马书 14:1) 和『又叫一人能行异能，又叫一人能作先知，又叫一人能辩别(G1253)诸灵，又叫一人能说方言，又叫一人能翻方言。』(哥林多前书 12:10)  要能分辩(G1253)怎么可能不在判断里面呢？ 一个长大成人的人是圣灵充满的人，真正判断的是圣灵，怎么会不是真的呢？只是不要自己判断(论断)人，这是会 有可能错的判断，而常常会引起争端。

    最后是谈到了(真)光，经文说，『生命在他(耶稣)里头，这生命就是人的光。光照在黑暗里，黑暗却不接受光。』(约翰福音 1:4-5) 在这里的经文很清楚的说明不爱(真)光倒爱黑暗的原因，我们以前分享过，在这里就不多讨论了。

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到这网站后要按『对属灵生命的了解』。)