We first look at the relationship between Jesus and David. In the flesh, Jesus is the descendant of David, and Jesus Christ is one of the Trinity of God, and is of course the Lord of David.  Second, we talk about the behavior of the Pharisees, who could say but did not do.  Third, we have seen that the widow’s donation of two very small coins was praised by Jesus, and explain why there is no legal requirement for tithing in the New Testament, but only voluntary giving.  At this point, we first see the Old Testament teaching of more than a tithe, because there are tithes plus sacrifices.  We give an example to illustrate that such an offering will definitely bring enough bread to God’s house. In fact, the Old Testament says from the time Moses built the tabernacle that only a willing offering will be accepted.  In the New Testament era, there are no more sacrifices, so do we still have the law of tithing?  No.  We explain this issue from three aspects.  First of all, we see that Jesus Himself in the New Testament obeyed the true meaning of keeping the Sabbath, but hated keeping the literal law the most. How could Jesus say that there should be a law of tithing?  Second, in the New Testament we should not eliminate the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, so that the law will be fulfilled naturally. God is faithful. Judging from the fact that what God tells us through the Bible is consistent, how can there be a literal law? No, definitely not. Third, from personal experience (testimony), God knows that some people are incapable of tithing and will not accept law-abiding tithes. In fact, God looks at people’s hearts and does not compare them with others. Outwardly, He knows that a person who loves the Lord will do his best to make God’s house as prosperous as possible!  We also talked about two other possible references to tithing in the New Testament.  The conclusion is that we must be alert at all times and use the Bible as our absolute standard for discernment to make sure that it is not Satan’s messengers pretending to be angels of light.  God is faithful, and nothing predicted by God in the Bible will fail to happen.

1. The relationship between Jesus and David

“Then He (Jesus) said to them, “How is it that they say the Christ is David’s son? For David himself says in the book of Psalms, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’ Therefore David calls Him ‘Lord,’ and how is He his son?””(Luke 20:41-44)

It seems very contradictory!  This is a quote from the Psalm, “A Psalm of David. The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.””(Psalm 110:1) Now we know that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Born, but physically a son of David, and Jesus is one of the Trinity and, of course, the Lord of David.  Indeed, how could they understand and answer at that time?  The same incident is recorded in Matthew 22:41-45, with the addition, “No one was able to answer Him a word, nor did anyone dare from that day on to ask Him another question.”(Matthew 22:46) Of course, no one dared to ask Him anything since they couldn’t answer His questions and was afraid of being questioned again.  The same incident is recorded in Mark 12:35-37 and mentioned in Acts 2:34-35.

2. Behavior of the Pharisees and Scribes

“And while all the people were listening, He said to the disciples, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.””(Luke 20:45-47)

Similar scriptures are mentioned in Mark 12:38-40, and also mentioned in Matthew 23:1-7, specifically “saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them.”(Matthew 23:2-3) In fact, many of the regulations are made by them and are not mentioned in the Bible. For example, Jesus said, “Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.” He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition. For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, is to be put to death’; but you say, ‘If a man says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is to say, given to God),’ you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother; thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.””(Mark 7:8-13)  We have previously talked about Jesus’ judgment of the Pharisees in considerable detail in “1061 The type of Jonah, the eye, and the woe to the Pharisees and teachers of the law – Jesus (16) “, so I won’t go into details. 

3. The widow’s two very small coins and tithe

“And He (Jesus ) looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. And He said, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; for they all out of their surplus put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on.””(Luke 21:1-4)

The same incident is recorded in Mark 12:41-44.  We have said before that if this widow often gave and invested all her livelihood every time, it would probably be difficult for her to survive. But no matter what, we can see that she is willing. No wonder the Lord Jesus praised her.   In the New Testament, regarding offering, the only thing Jesus praised was the willing offering of the poor widow. We can see from three aspects that there is no mention of tithing in the New Testament.

Let’s first look at the Old Testament’s teaching on tithes and sacrifices. This can be seen from the following verses, “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.”(Malachi 3:8) That adds up to more than one tenth.

We also see that such an offering is enough to provide bread for the house of God, as the scripture says, “As soon as the order (Hezekiah’s) decree spread, the sons of Israel provided in abundance the first fruits of grain, new wine, oil, honey and of all the produce of the field; and they brought in abundantly the tithe of all. The sons of Israel and Judah who lived in the cities of Judah also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of sacred gifts which were consecrated to the LORD their God, and placed them in heaps. In the third month they began to make the heaps, and finished them by the seventh month. When Hezekiah and the rulers came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD and His people Israel. Then Hezekiah questioned the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps. Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok said to him, “Since the contributions began to be brought into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat with plenty left over, for the LORD has blessed His people, and this great quantity is left over.””(2 Chronicles 31:5-10)

By the way, these verses mention ‘the order (Hezekiah’s) decree.’ We can see from the Bible that his son Manasseh did not do this. Therefore, such a thing must be initiated by the people willingly and actively, otherwise it will easy to get into the situation, ‘policies exist only when a person like Hezekiah is alive, his policies will die with his death.’ The same thing happened with Josiah later. After his death, the things he did disappeared.  The Bible makes it very clear that you are responsible for what you do. Salvation, just like this, cannot be passed on from parents to children. Everyone himself must choose what to believe.

In fact, from the very beginning of the Old Testament, it is said that only a willing offering will be accepted. When the tabernacle was built, “Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Tell the sons of Israel to raise a contribution for Me; from every man whose heart moves him you shall raise My contribution.”(Exodus 25:1-2) We also see how zealous the Israelites were at that time, because in the end, “And all the skillful men who were performing all the work of the sanctuary came, each from the work which he was performing, and they said to Moses, “The people are bringing much more than enough for the construction work which the LORD commanded us to perform.” So Moses issued a command, and a proclamation was circulated throughout the camp, saying, “Let no man or woman any longer perform work for the contributions of the sanctuary.” Thus the people were restrained from bringing any more. For the material they had was sufficient and more than enough for all the work, to perform it.”(Exodus 36:4-7)

In the New Testament era, there is no need to offer sacrifices because “…Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.”(1 John 2:1-2) It is consistent with what God tells us through the Bible. There will no longer be a law of tithing. People who love the Lord will naturally want to have bread for God’s house, and should be willing to give more than ten percent when able. I know that who had offered the most is from the home of a sister which was more than 40%. She was not bragging about it at that time. More than 20% is already very rare. If you want to show off, you don’t need to exceed 40%.  Because she just discovered something was wrong when she filed her tax return the year before, and she learned that the non-profit organization she contributed to could only file tax returns up to 40%. She told us that there was an upper limit, so I knew they exceeded 40%.  Later I found out on the Internet that the highest limit is for churches, which is 50%.

Some people say, if we look at the Gospel of Matthew, it will talk about tithing, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.”(Matthew 23:23) Yes, Jesus told the scribes and Pharisees in the Old Testament era to keep tithing, then what should we do in the New Testament era?

First of all, we see that Jesus did not say that in the New Testament era we should keep the law of tithing. What Jesus hated most was keeping the literal law. He himself was keeping the true meaning of the Sabbath, not the literal law. How can there be a law of tithing in the New Testament at the time specified in the text above for the New Testament era?

Second, we see that what God tells us through the Bible is consistent, that is, what we are talking about here is not the consistency of the Bible in words.  If you have to look at the text literally, you will find quite a few obvious contradictions, but from the perspective of the former, there is no problem.  So what should we do in the New Testament?  That is, “Do not quench the Spirit.”(1 Thessalonians 5:19). When we are sure that it is not an evil spirit pretending to be an angel of light, we are looking at it from God’s perspective, because the Holy Spirit is one of the Trinity. In this way, you will naturally obey the law, so it is said, “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 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 5:17-18) He did not keep the Sabbath of the literal law, but as our example, He kept the true meaning of the Sabbath.  As we have just discussed, a person who loves the Lord will naturally hope that God’s house will have enough bread, and will give more than tithe within his ability.  But this does not mean that giving less than ten percent is not acceptable, because just as the Lord said to Samuel: “…God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”(1 Samuel 16:7) God knows that some people are unable to give a tithe.  Moreover, we know that “Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.”(Proverbs 4:23)

Third, from personal experience, I have also seen that God will not accept tithing that abides by the law.  I can give a brief testimony about this.  I originally believed that everyone should tithe because I understood that was what I had been taught in the past!  About at least ten years ago, I was inspired to tithe, but our financial situation did not allow us to do so, so we decided to replace the big house with a smaller one, thinking that this way we could tithe. Got it!  Of course my wife didn’t agree at first, but eventually she agreed, which was really not easy for her.  So we hired an agent to look at the houses, and we looked at three houses in a row. We found that the house prices at that time were impossible to allow us to tithe. Although the house had become smaller, the tax on buying a new house had increased. The price is not that high enough for the big house. It was just a futile attempt to replace a big house with a small one, so we had to give up!  Although this agent was not a Christian, his sole purpose was not to make money by selling the house. Finally, he and his wife came to persuade us not to sell the house because it would be uneconomical. At that time, they did not know that we had decided not to sell the house.  Therefore, from a human perspective, he is very good and considers his customers. I really hope that they will believe in the Lord one day, because “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)

I myself never realized that we had financial needs. It was not until many years after my mother-in-law passed away that my wife told me that every time she went back to see her mother, and her mother gave her some money, which helped support the family!  She hadn’t told me before because she didn’t think I would accept it, so to me, “…your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.”(Matthew 6:32) I don’t know, but God knows. This time it was through my wife and mother-in-law that I experienced this scripture. You can also see that it is not easy to be my wife.

Let’s talk about the issues that may be raised by someone about the New Testament. Let’s first look at this verse, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.”(1 Corinthians 16:1-2) Let’s look at the teaching of the Pharisees we mentioned before, which was to give tithes. Was Jesus in the Old Testament era, “saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, …””? (Matthew 23:2-3) So Paul doesn’t need to say since everyone should know how to give. More than one tenth. Doesn’t this mean that everyone must give at least one tenth? We know that Paul was in the New Testament era at that time, and he made it very clear, “…I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.”(Galatians 1:12) He also went to Jerusalem and confirmed that he and the apostles were preaching the same gospel, so whether it is the apostles who have personally seen Jesus or Paul who came through revelation, they all preach the same thing. We also see that it takes more than three years at the fastest to have life like Paul in wilderness about three years or apostles followed Jesus about the same years. It does not happen immediately as soon as one believes. As we just said, Jesus Himself kept the true meaning of the Sabbath, not the literal law. Do you think Paul would give us the law of tithing?

Someone may ask, isn’t it, “…all the tithe of the land, of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’S; it is holy to the LORD.”(Leviticus 27:30) This sentence has never been taken back?  Are we not to give to the Lord what is His?  But Jehovah also made it clear, “…all the earth is Mine.”(Exodus 19:5) Shall we give everything to the Lord?  No.  In the New Testament, should each of us do the same thing as Jesus said when he called the young ruler?  At that time, “Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.””(Matthew 19:21) Could it be that should everyone sell everything?  No. If this was the law, we would come to the wrong conclusion that Abraham would not enter the kingdom of heaven. Because of God’s blessing, his wealth was large.  We see, “But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.”(Matthew 19:22) When we look at the context, we can see that this brings out “…it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.”(Matthew 19:23) But “…with God all things are possible.”(Matthew 19:26) This is a special case, which states how Jesus called the young man, loved him, gave him a chance, and did not interfere with his free will decision. It is not a general case, which says that everyone should do this.  In fact, just like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, God gave them a chance.

Speaking of special cases and general examples, we can also take the previous discussion of whether to be baptized as an example. We cannot use one of the criminals crucified with Jesus as an excuse not to be baptized. Yes, he went directly to paradise without being baptized.  It is a special case, and our situation is different from his.  Under normal circumstances, we are to follow Jesus’ example in being baptized.  Back to the topic, in the New Testament, there is no law that says everyone must tithe!

Finally, let me talk about a testimony that you may often hear, that is, one knows in advance how things will happen in prayer, and what happens in the future will be exactly the same as what one knew in advance, but sometimes things will happen differently, or even completely opposite!  People tend to think that supernatural things all come from God. In fact, this is not the case. It is clearly stated in the Book of Job. I can also bear witness in this regard when I have the appropriate opportunity in the future.  The conclusion is that we must always be alert and use the Bible as our absolute standard for judgment to make sure it is not “…Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”(2 Corinthians 11:14) Or “…his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, …”(2 Corinthians 11:15) Nothing predicted by God in the Bible will not happen.

As an example of using the Bible as the absolute standard for discernment, I can use an incident that happened as an example.  In a recent online Bible study, a sister happily said that she knew a person who had seen the face of Jehovah. I couldn’t help but ask whether this person was dead or alive. She happily said that this person was living.  I had to tell her, “…He (Jehovah) said, “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!””(Exodus 33:19-20) I don’t know what he saw exactly. To respond, she quoted a verse like this, “So then, you will know them by their fruits.”(Matthew 7:20) And said, the man became zealous after seeing the presence.  Even so, as we said before, “No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, …”(2 Corinthians 11:14-15) You see that Satan’s messengers are disguised as angels of light very often. But usually this will not last very long, but sometimes it is hard to determine until the coffin is closed.

(Verses refer to those in NASB unless otherwise specified.)

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

    我们在此时应该要提到，这些短文是基于在油管(YouTube )上的专题查经，在分享话语前，我们有个简短的诗歌敬拜，结束的时候也有个简短的结束祷告。通常我们选的诗歌和主题有关，譬如这次选的是「主居首位」，「祂藏我灵」，和「主活著」。如果我们能以主居首位，在有需要的时候，主是信实的神，自然会赐给我们智慧的话语。凶恶的园户的比喻中，提到了耶稣就是匠人所弃的石头，已作了房角的头块石头，信靠祂的人绝不致羞愧，祂会藏我们的灵魂在磐石洞穴里。且神是活人的神，在祂那里人都是活著，我们是奉一位复活主，主活著，今日活在我们心中。因为有些人比较喜欢看文章，而有些文觉得在油管上有声音比较亲切，因此我们决定基本上分享会以两种的形式出现。文章是后写的，因此发觉能表示得更清楚时、或偶而需要更正错误时，我们都会放在文章里。    

    首先我们看到了两个智慧的言语的例子，一是耶稣如何回答祂的权柄从何来的问题，二是为是否该纳税给凯撒的问题。祂很清楚这样智慧的回答是知道自己的时候还没到，我们也看到了祂这时也会做我们的榜样去遵守属世的法律。当祂的时间到了的时候，祂会直接的回答事实，并不珍惜自己的生命，最终钉上了十字架，完成了救恩，给了我们一个机会。第二，凶恶园户的比喻非常清楚，连文士和祭司长都很清楚这比喻是指著他们说的。他们就是那凶恶的园户，将耶稣钉上了十字架，而耶稣基督就是那块匠人所弃的，但作了房角石的石头，是教会的根基。最后我们听到了耶稣论人复活的事，知道了从死里复活的人也不娶也不嫁，而既是复活的人，就为神的儿子，且神乃是活人的神。

1. 智慧的言语范例       

    『有一天，耶稣在(耶路撒冷)殿里教训百姓，讲福音的时候，祭司长和文士并长老上前来，问他说：「你告诉我们，你仗著甚么权柄做这些事？给你这权柄的是谁呢？」耶稣回答说：「我也要问你们一句话，你们且告诉我，约翰的洗礼是从天上来的，是从人间来的呢？」他们彼此商议说：「我们若说『从天上来』，他必说：『你们为甚么不信他呢？』若说『从人间来』，百姓都要用石头打死我们，因为他们信约翰是先知。」于是回答说：「不知道是从哪里来的。」耶稣说：「我也不告诉你们，我仗著甚么权柄做这些事。」』(路加福音 20:1-8)     #####我们看到了耶稣并没有直接回答他们的问题，而是反问了他们。接著我们就看到了衪为什么用反问他们作为回答，这样的反问使他们左右为难，只好说我们不知道从那里来。照经文看来，他们既然不相信施洗约翰，只是因怕百姓，不敢讲，就撒谎了。       

    同样的一件事也记录在马太福音 21:23-27 和马可福音 11:27-33。我们看到了耶稣在这一次很有智慧的回答了祂被挑战的问题。其实耶稣老早就告诉文士和法利赛人自己是人子，可以在地上赦罪，而文士和法利赛人知道，除了神以外，谁能赦罪呢？(参路加福音 5:17-26) 只是他们不信。经文说，『圣灵显在各人身上，是叫人得益处。这人蒙圣灵赐他智慧的言语…』(哥林多前书 12:7-8) 『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) 这就是智慧的言语的一个范例。     

    其实这也不是唯一的一次，在这里有另外一次，『于是(文士和祭司长)窥探耶稣，打发奸细装作好人，要在他的话上得把柄，好将他交在巡抚的政权之下。奸细就问耶稣说：「夫子，我们晓得你所讲所传都是正道，也不取人的外貌，乃是诚诚实实传神的道。我们纳税给凯撒，可以不可以？」耶稣看出他们的诡诈，就对他们说：「拿一个银钱来给我看。这像和这号是谁的？」 他们说：「是凯撒的。」耶稣说：「这样，凯撒的物当归给凯撒，神的物当归给神。」他们当著百姓，在这话上得不著把柄，又希奇他的应对，就闭口无言了。』(路加福音 20:20-26）那时犹太人在罗马的统治下，除了死刑外，他们是可以审判的，所以才要找把柄把祂交在巡抚的政权之下，判祂死刑。而这一次祂显然又以智慧的话语问答他们，使他们找不著把柄。       

    祂知道自己的时候还没到的时候，也会做我们的榜样去遵守属世的法律。我们先看保罗怎么说？『在上有权柄的，人人当顺服他，因为没有权柄不是出于神的，凡掌权的都是神所命的。』(罗马书 13:1) 彼得也说，『你们为主的缘故，要顺服人的一切制度，或是在上的君王，或是君王所派罚恶赏善的臣宰。』(彼得前书 2:13-14) 但这不指一味的顺服，而是应该在这很清楚的原则之下，就像彼得和众使徒所说的：『…顺从神，不顺从人，是应当的！』(使徒行传 5:29) 主耶稣就是这样做我们的榜样。在祂遵守属世的法律上，我们可以在这些经文中看到，『到了迦百农，有收丁税的人来见彼得说：「你们的先生不纳丁税吗？」彼得说：「纳。」他进了屋子，耶稣先向他说：「西门，你的意思如何？世上的君王向谁征收关税、丁税？是向自己的儿子呢，是向外人呢？」彼得说：「是向外人。」 耶稣说：「既然如此，儿子就可以免税了。但恐怕触犯他们，你且往海边去钓鱼，把先钓上来的鱼拿起来，开了牠的口，必得一块钱，可以拿去给他们，作你我的税银。」』(马太福音 17:24-27) 这当然也是一个神迹，祂预先就知道这事会发生，但这是一个奇怪的方法，也不知道这事是不是如有些人说在训练彼得的耐心，因为彼得是渔夫，平常都是用鱼网的，而钓鱼是要很有耐心。通常不是一钓就有鱼上勾，如果很快就有鱼上勾，真会是有主的怜悯。       

    当祂的时间到了的时候，祂会直接回答事实，并不珍惜自己的生命，犹如经文所说，『… 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。然而，我告诉你们：后来你们要看见人子坐在那权能者的右边，驾著天上的云降临。」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 26:63-66) 这里我们也看到了耶稣的方式，祂先要别人说出到祂的身份，然后回答说「你说的是」。他们以前要找祂的把柄一直都找不到，现在时间到了，祂就直接给他们一个是事实的理由，并不珍惜自己的生命，只要，『…不要照我的意思，只要照你的意思。』(马太福音 26:39)       

    不只是在犹太人前如此，在巡抚彼拉多前亦然，就如经文所记，『耶稣站在巡抚面前，巡抚问他说：「你是犹太人的王吗？」 耶稣说：「你说的是。」』(马太福音 27:11) 最终，『于是彼拉多释放巴拉巴给他们，把耶稣鞭打了，交给人钉十字架。』(马太福音 27:26) 祂为完成救恩，钉上了十字架，舍弃了自己的生命，给了我们一个机会。

2. 凶恶园户的比喻并其解说       

    『耶稣就设比喻对百姓说：「有人栽了一个葡萄园，租给园户，就往外国去住了许久。到了时候，打发一个仆人到园户那里去，叫他们把园中当纳的果子交给他。园户竟打了他，叫他空手回去。又打发一个仆人去，他们也打了他，并且凌辱他，叫他空手回去。又打发第三个仆人去，他们也打伤了他，把他推出去了。「园主说：『我怎么办呢？我要打发我的爱子去，或者他们尊敬他。』「不料，园户看见他，就彼此商量说：『这是承受产业的，我们杀他吧，使产业归于我们！』于是把他推出葡萄园外杀了。 「这样，葡萄园的主人要怎样处治他们呢？他要来除灭这些园户，将葡萄园转给别人。」 听见的人说：「这是万不可的！」耶稣看著他们说：「经上记著：『匠人所弃的石头，已作了房角的头块石头。』 这是甚么意思呢？凡掉在那石头上的，必要跌碎；那石头掉在谁的身上，就要把谁砸得稀烂。」文士和祭司长看出这比喻是指著他们说的，当时就想要下手拿他，只是惧怕百姓。』(路加福音 20:9-19)    

    这是一个比喻不是实际发生的事情，我们读经时要把这两者分清楚。但这比喻非常清楚，连文士和祭司长都很清楚这比喻是指著他们说的。他们不是那凶恶的园户吗？他们不是最终将耶稣钉上了十字架吗？耶稣基督就是那块匠人所弃的石头，就像彼得所说，『主乃活石，固然是被人所弃的，却是被神所拣选、所宝贵的。你们来到主面前，也就像活石，被建造成为灵宫，作圣洁的祭司，借著耶稣基督奉献神所悦纳的灵祭。因为经上说：「看哪，我把所拣选、所宝贵的房角石安放在锡安，信靠他的人必不至于羞愧。」所以，他在你们信的人就为宝贵，在那不信的人有话说：「匠人所弃的石头，已作了房角的头块石头。」又说：「作了绊脚的石头，跌人的磐石。」 他们既不顺从，就在道理上绊跌。他们这样绊跌，也是预定的。』(彼得前书 2:4-8)    

    我们看到神的标准和人的是很不同的，同样的一块石头，在信的人就为宝贵，在不信的人，就成了跌人的磐石。我们除了自己为活石建造成灵宫外，也是圣洁的祭司，人人都有大使命 (参马太福音 28:18,20)，有责任宣讲福音，因为我们深深的知道，『…信道是从听道来的，听道是从基督的话来的。』(罗马书 10:17) 有些人可能会说，既然是预定的，那我们还需要传教吗？是的，我们仍需要，原因是我们不知道那预定的人是什么人？也许那预定的人信是因为你的传教呢！其实，能不能信就看听的人了，如果一个人觉得自己不需要救恩，是很难让这人得到救恩的。但我们必须甘心情愿的、尽我们的义务以身作则的去宣道，就像耶稣道成肉身的那段时间，祂讲了，也行了许多神迹，但很显然的，信的人并不是那么多，我们也不要因宣道时有些人不信而灰心。简言之就是，我们『…不再作外人和客旅，是与圣徒同国，是神家里的人了。并且被建造在使徒和先知的根基上，有基督耶稣自己为房角石，各房靠他联络得合式，渐渐成为主的圣殿。』(以弗所书 2:19-21) 清注意，成圣之路是渐渐的，看亚伯拉罕的经历就知道这点，真不要告诉人因信称义就可以了，那只是开始。

3. 耶稣论人复活的事    

    『撒都该人常说没有复活的事。有几个来问耶稣说：「夫子！摩西为我们写著说：『人若有妻无子就死了，他兄弟当娶他的妻，为哥哥生子立后。』有弟兄七人，第一个娶了妻，没有孩子死了；第二个、第三个也娶过她；那七个人都娶过她，没有留下孩子就死了。后来妇人也死了。这样，当复活的时候，她是哪一个的妻子呢？因为他们七个人都娶过她。」耶稣说：「这世界的人有娶有嫁，惟有算为配得那世界，与从死里复活的人，也不娶也不嫁，因为他们不能再死，和天使一样。既是复活的人，就为神的儿子。至于死人复活，摩西在荆棘篇上，称主是亚伯拉罕的神，以撒的神，雅各的神，就指示明白了。神原不是死人的神，乃是活人的神；因为在他那里，人都是活的。」有几个文士说：「夫子，你说得好！」以后他们不敢再问他甚么。』(路加福音 20:27-40)      

    撒都该人以为这样可以刁难耶稣，却没有想到是自己不了解，从死里复活的人也不娶也不嫁，而既是复活的人，就为神的儿子，且神乃是活人的神，难怪以后他们不敢再问他甚么。

(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』。) 

    我們在此時應該要提到，這些短文是基於在油管(YouTube )上的專題查經，在分享話語前，我們有個簡短的詩歌敬拜，結束的時候也有個簡短的結束禱告。通常我們選的詩歌和主題有關，譬如這次選的是「主居首位」，「祂藏我靈」，和「主活著」。如果我們能以主居首位，在有需要的時候，主是信實的神，自然會賜給我們智慧的話語。兇惡的園戶的比喻中，提到了耶穌就是匠人所棄的石頭，已作了房角的頭塊石頭，信靠祂的人絕不致羞愧，祂會藏我們的靈魂在磐石洞穴裡。且神是活人的神，在祂那裏人都是活著，我們是奉一位復活主，主活著，今日活在我們心中。因為有些人比較喜歡看文章，而有些文覺得在油管上有聲音比較親切，因此我們決定基本上分享會以兩種的形式出現。文章是後寫的，因此發覺能表示得更清楚時、或偶而需要更正錯誤時，我們都會放在文章裏。

    首先我們看到了兩個智慧的言語的例子，一是耶穌如何回答祂的權柄從何來的問題，二是為是否該納稅給凱撒的問題。祂很清楚這樣智慧的回答是知道自己的時候還沒到，我們也看到了祂這時也會做我們的榜樣去遵守屬世的法律。當祂的時間到了的時候，祂會直接的回答事實，並不珍惜自己的生命，最終釘上了十字架，完成了救恩，給了我們一個機會。第二，兇惡園戶的比喻非常清楚，連文士和祭司長都很清楚這比喻是指着他們說的。他們就是那兇惡的園戶，將耶穌釘上了十字架，而耶穌基督就是那塊匠人所棄的，但作了房角石的石頭，是教會的根基。最後我們聽到了耶穌論人復活的事，知道了從死裏復活的人也不娶也不嫁，而既是復活的人，就為神的兒子，且神乃是活人的神。

1. 智慧的言語範例

       『有一天，耶穌在(耶路撒冷)殿裏教訓百姓，講福音的時候，祭司長和文士並長老上前來，問他說：「你告訴我們，你仗着甚麼權柄做這些事？給你這權柄的是誰呢？」耶穌回答說：「我也要問你們一句話，你們且告訴我，約翰的洗禮是從天上來的，是從人間來的呢？」他們彼此商議說：「我們若說『從天上來』，他必說：『你們為甚麼不信他呢？』若說『從人間來』，百姓都要用石頭打死我們，因為他們信約翰是先知。」於是回答說：「不知道是從哪裏來的。」耶穌說：「我也不告訴你們，我仗着甚麼權柄做這些事。」』(路加福音 20:1-8)

    我們看到了耶穌並沒有直接回答他們的問題，而是反問了他們。接著我們就看到了衪為什麼用反問他們作為回答，這樣的反問使他們左右為難，衹好說我們不知道從那裏來。照經文看來，他們既然不相信施洗約翰，衹是因怕百姓，不敢講，就撒謊了。

       同樣的一件事也記錄在馬太福音 21:23-27 和馬可福音 11:27-33。我們看到了耶穌在這一次很有智慧的回答了祂被挑戰的問題。其實耶穌老早就告訴文士和法利賽人自己是人子，可以在地上赦罪，而文士和法利賽人知道，除了神以外，誰能赦罪呢？(參路加福音 5:17-26) 衹是他們不信。經文說，『聖靈顯在各人身上，是叫人得益處。這人蒙聖靈賜他智慧的言語…』(哥林多前書 12:7-8) 『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) 這就是智慧的言語的一個範例。

     其實這也不是唯一的一次，在這裏有另外一次，『於是(文士和祭司長)窺探耶穌，打發奸細裝作好人，要在他的話上得把柄，好將他交在巡撫的政權之下。奸細就問耶穌說：「夫子，我們曉得你所講所傳都是正道，也不取人的外貌，乃是誠誠實實傳神的道。我們納稅給凱撒，可以不可以？」耶穌看出他們的詭詐，就對他們說：「拿一個銀錢來給我看。這像和這號是誰的？」 他們說：「是凱撒的。」耶穌說：「這樣，凱撒的物當歸給凱撒，神的物當歸給神。」他們當着百姓，在這話上得不着把柄，又希奇他的應對，就閉口無言了。』(路加福音 20:20-26）那時猶太人在羅馬的統治下，除了死刑外，他們是可以審判的，所以才要找把柄把祂交在巡撫的政權之下，判祂死刑。而這一次祂顯然又以智慧的話語問答他們，使他們找不著把柄。

       祂知道自己的時候還沒到的時候，也會做我們的榜樣去遵守屬世的法律。我們先看保羅怎麼說？『在上有權柄的，人人當順服他，因為沒有權柄不是出於神的，凡掌權的都是神所命的。』(羅馬書 13:1) 彼得也說，『你們為主的緣故，要順服人的一切制度，或是在上的君王，或是君王所派罰惡賞善的臣宰。』(彼得前書 2:13-14) 但這不指一味的順服，而是應該在這很清楚的原則之下，就像彼得和衆使徒所說的：『…順從神，不順從人，是應當的！』(使徒行傳 5:29) 主耶穌就是這樣做我們的榜樣。在祂遵守屬世的法律上，我們可以在這些經文中看到，『到了迦百農，有收丁稅的人來見彼得說：「你們的先生不納丁稅嗎？」彼得說：「納。」他進了屋子，耶穌先向他說：「西門，你的意思如何？世上的君王向誰徵收關稅、丁稅？是向自己的兒子呢，是向外人呢？」彼得說：「是向外人。」 耶穌說：「既然如此，兒子就可以免稅了。但恐怕觸犯他們，你且往海邊去釣魚，把先釣上來的魚拿起來，開了牠的口，必得一塊錢，可以拿去給他們，作你我的稅銀。」』(馬太福音 17:24-27) 這當然也是一個神蹟，祂預先就知道這事會發生，但這是一個奇怪的方法，也不知道這事是不是如有些人說在訓練彼得的耐心，因為彼得是漁夫，平常都是用魚網的，而釣魚是要很有耐心。通常不是一釣就有魚上勾，如果很快就有魚上勾，真會是有主的憐憫。

       當祂的時間到了的時候，祂會直接回答事實，並不珍惜自己的生命，猶如經文所說，『… 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。然而，我告訴你們：後來你們要看見人子坐在那權能者的右邊，駕着天上的雲降臨。」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 26:63-66) 這裏我們也看到了耶穌的方式，祂先要別人說出到祂的身份，然後回答說「你說的是」。他們以前要找祂的把柄一直都找不到，現在時間到了，祂就直接給他們一個是事實的理由，並不珍惜自己的生命，只要，『…不要照我的意思，只要照你的意思。』(馬太福音 26:39)

       不只是在猶太人前如此，在巡撫彼拉多前亦然，就如經文所記，『耶穌站在巡撫面前，巡撫問他說：「你是猶太人的王嗎？」 耶穌說：「你說的是。」』(馬太福音 27:11) 最終，『於是彼拉多釋放巴拉巴給他們，把耶穌鞭打了，交給人釘十字架。』(馬太福音 27:26) 祂為完成救恩，釘上了十字架，捨棄了自己的生命，給了我們一個機會。

2. 兇惡園戶的比喻並其解說

       『耶穌就設比喻對百姓說：「有人栽了一個葡萄園，租給園戶，就往外國去住了許久。到了時候，打發一個僕人到園戶那裏去，叫他們把園中當納的果子交給他。園戶竟打了他，叫他空手回去。又打發一個僕人去，他們也打了他，並且凌辱他，叫他空手回去。又打發第三個僕人去，他們也打傷了他，把他推出去了。「園主說：『我怎麼辦呢？我要打發我的愛子去，或者他們尊敬他。』「不料，園戶看見他，就彼此商量說：『這是承受產業的，我們殺他吧，使產業歸於我們！』於是把他推出葡萄園外殺了。 「這樣，葡萄園的主人要怎樣處治他們呢？他要來除滅這些園戶，將葡萄園轉給別人。」 聽見的人說：「這是萬不可的！」耶穌看着他們說：「經上記着：『匠人所棄的石頭，已作了房角的頭塊石頭。』 這是甚麼意思呢？凡掉在那石頭上的，必要跌碎；那石頭掉在誰的身上，就要把誰砸得稀爛。」文士和祭司長看出這比喻是指着他們說的，當時就想要下手拿他，只是懼怕百姓。』(路加福音 20:9-19)

    這是一個比喻不是實際發生的事情，我們讀經時要把這兩者分清楚。但這比喻非常清楚，連文士和祭司長都很清楚這比喻是指着他們說的。他們不是那兇惡的園戶嗎？他們不是最終將耶穌釘上了十字架嗎？耶穌基督就是那塊匠人所棄的石頭，就像彼得所說，『主乃活石，固然是被人所棄的，卻是被神所揀選、所寶貴的。你們來到主面前，也就像活石，被建造成為靈宮，作聖潔的祭司，藉着耶穌基督奉獻神所悅納的靈祭。因為經上說：「看哪，我把所揀選、所寶貴的房角石安放在錫安，信靠他的人必不至於羞愧。」所以，他在你們信的人就為寶貴，在那不信的人有話說：「匠人所棄的石頭，已作了房角的頭塊石頭。」又說：「作了絆腳的石頭，跌人的磐石。」 他們既不順從，就在道理上絆跌。他們這樣絆跌，也是預定的。』(彼得前書 2:4-8) 

    我們看到神的標準和人的是很不同的，同樣的一塊石頭，在信的人就為寶貴，在不信的人，就成了跌人的磐石。我們除了自己為活石建造成靈宮外，也是聖潔的祭司，人人都有大使命 (參馬太福音 28:18,20)，有責任宣講福音，因為我們深深的知道，『…信道是從聽道來的，聽道是從基督的話來的。』(羅馬書 10:17) 有些人可能會說，既然是預定的，那我們還需要傳教嗎？是的，我們仍需要，原因是我們不知道那預定的人是什麼人？也許那預定的人信是因為你的傳教呢！其實，能不能信就看聽的人了，如果一個人覺得自己不需要救恩，是很難讓這人得到救恩的。但我們必須甘心情願的、盡我們的義務以身作則的去宣道，就像耶穌道成肉身的那段時間，祂講了，也行了許多神蹟，但很顯然的，信的人並不是那麼多，我們也不要因宣道時有些人不信而灰心。簡言之就是，我們『…不再作外人和客旅，是與聖徒同國，是神家裏的人了。並且被建造在使徒和先知的根基上，有基督耶穌自己為房角石，各房靠他聯絡得合式，漸漸成為主的聖殿。』(以弗所書 2:19-21) 清注意，成聖之路是漸漸的，看亞伯拉罕的經歷就知道這點，真不要告訴人因信稱義就可以了，那只是開始。

3. 耶穌論人復活的事

    『撒都該人常說沒有復活的事。有幾個來問耶穌說：「夫子！摩西為我們寫着說：『人若有妻無子就死了，他兄弟當娶他的妻，為哥哥生子立後。』有弟兄七人，第一個娶了妻，沒有孩子死了；第二個、第三個也娶過她；那七個人都娶過她，沒有留下孩子就死了。後來婦人也死了。這樣，當復活的時候，她是哪一個的妻子呢？因為他們七個人都娶過她。」耶穌說：「這世界的人有娶有嫁，惟有算為配得那世界，與從死裏復活的人，也不娶也不嫁，因為他們不能再死，和天使一樣。既是復活的人，就為神的兒子。至於死人復活，摩西在荊棘篇上，稱主是亞伯拉罕的神，以撒的神，雅各的神，就指示明白了。神原不是死人的神，乃是活人的神；因為在他那裏，人都是活的。」有幾個文士說：「夫子，你說得好！」以後他們不敢再問他甚麼。』(路加福音 20:27-40)

       撒都該人以為這樣可以刁難耶穌，卻沒有想到是自己不瞭解，從死裏復活的人也不娶也不嫁，而既是復活的人，就為神的兒子，且神乃是活人的神，難怪以後他們不敢再問他甚麼。

(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』。)

We should mention at this point that these short articles are based on the Topic Wise Bible studies on YouTube. Before sharing these words, we have a short song of worship, and there is also a short closing prayer at the end.  Usually, the hymns we choose are related to the theme. For example, this time we chose “Christ Preeminence”, “He Hideth My Soul”, and “He Lives”.  If we can put the Lord first, the Lord, who is a faithful God, will naturally give us words of wisdom when we are in need.  In the parable of the evil tenants, it is mentioned that Jesus is the stone that the builders rejected and has become the corner stone. Those who believe in Him will never be ashamed. He will hide our souls in the cave of the rock.  Moreover, God is the God of living people. With Him, everyone is alive. We serve a resurrected Lord. The Lord lives and lives in our hearts today.  Because some people prefer to read articles, and some people feel that it is more friendly to have voices on YouTube, so we decided that sharing will basically appear in two forms.  The article is written later, so when we find it can be expressed more clearly, or when we occasionally need to correct errors, we will put them in the article.

First, we saw two examples of wise words, one is how Jesus answered the question of where his authority comes from, and the other is the question of whether taxes should be paid to Caesar.  He knew very well that His time had not yet come, so He used the words of wisdom to reply to these questions. We also saw that He would set an example for us to obey the laws of the world at that time.  When His time comes, He will answer the truth directly, not cherishing His own life, and finally be nailed to the cross, completing salvation and giving us a chance.  Second, the parable of the evil tenants is so clear that even the scribes and chief priests knew that it was referring to them.  They were the evil tenants who nailed Jesus to the cross, and Jesus Christ was the stone that the builders rejected but became the cornerstone, the foundation of the church.  Finally, we heard Jesus talk about the resurrection of man, and we learned that those who are resurrected from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, but since they are resurrected, they are the sons of God, and God is the God of the living.

1. Examples of words of wisdom 

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“On one of the days while He was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders confronted Him, and they spoke, saying to Him, “Tell us by what authority You are doing these things, or who is the one who gave You this authority?” Jesus answered and said to them, “I will also ask you a question, and you tell Me: Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?” They reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” So they answered that they did not know where it came from. And Jesus said to them, “Nor will I tell you by what authority I do these things.””(Luke 20:1-8)

We see that Jesus did not answer their questions directly, but asked them in return.  Then we see why He responded with a rhetorical question that put them in a dilemma and they had to say we don’t know where it comes from.  According to the scriptures, since they did not believe John the Baptist, they just lied because they were afraid of the people.

The same incident is recorded in Matthew 21:23-27 and Mark 11:27-33.  We see that Jesus wisely answered the question when He was challenged on this occasion.  In fact, Jesus had long ago told the scribes and Pharisees that he was the Son of Man and could forgive sins on earth, since the scribes and Pharisees knew that except God, who could forgive sins?  (See Luke 5:17-26) But they didn’t believe it.  The scripture says, ” But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, …”( 1 Corinthians 12:7-8) “For He (Jesus) whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure.”(John 3:34) This is an example of words of wisdom.

In fact, this is not the only time, there is another time here, “So they (the scribes and chief priests) watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, in order that they might catch Him in some statement, so that they could deliver Him to the rule and the authority of the governor. They questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly, and You are not partial to any, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But He detected their trickery and said to them, “Show Me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were unable to catch Him in a saying in the presence of the people; and being amazed at His answer, they became silent.”(Luke 20:20-26)

At that time, the Jews were under the rule of Rome. Other than the death penalty, they could punish others with any penalties, so they wanted to find a reason to hand Him over to the governor’s authority and sentence Him to death.  And this time He obviously answered them with wise words, leaving them with no excuses.

Knowing that His time has not yet come, He will also be our example to obey the laws of the world.  Let’s first see what Paul says? “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.”(Romans 13:1) Peter also said, “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.”(1 Peter 2:13-14) But this does not mean blind obedience, but it should be under this very clear principle, just as Peter and the apostles said: “…We must obey God rather than men.”(Acts 5:29)

The Lord Jesus is our example of doing this.  In His observance of earthly laws, we can see in these verses, “When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the two-drachma tax came to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax?” He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?” When Peter said, “From strangers,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are exempt. However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for you and Me.””(Matthew 17:24-27)

This is of course a miracle. He knew in advance that this would happen, but this is a strange method and may be like what some people say. It is training Peter’s patience, because Peter is a fisherman and usually uses a fishing net, and fishing requires great patience.  Usually, fish don’t take the bait when you cast the fishing rod. If fish take the bait that soon, it will really be the Lord’s mercy.

When His time comes, He will answer the truth directly, not cherishing His own life, as the scripture says, “…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.” 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 26:63-66)

Here we also see Jesus’ way of asking others to reveal first who He is and then replying, “You have said it yourself.”  They had never been able to find a reason to kill Him before. Now that the time has come, He directly gave them a factual reason. He did not cherish his own life, as long as, “…yet not as I will, but as You will.”(Matthew 26:39)

This was true not only before the Jews, but also before the governor Pilate, as the scripture records, “Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor questioned Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.””(Matthew 27:11) Finally, “Then he (Pilate) released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.”(Matthew 27:26) In order to complete salvation, He was crucified on the cross, gave up His life, and gave us a chance.

2. The parable of the evil tenants and its explanation

“And He began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and rented it out to vine-growers, and went on a journey for a long time. At the harvest time he sent a slave to the vine-growers, so that they would give him some of the produce of the vineyard; but the vine-growers beat him and sent him away empty-handed. And he proceeded to send another slave; and they beat him also and treated him shamefully and sent him away empty-handed. And he proceeded to send a third; and this one also they wounded and cast out. The owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ But when the vine-growers saw him, they reasoned with one another, saying, ‘This is the heir; let us kill him so that the inheritance will be ours.’ So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What, then, will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and destroy these vine-growers and will give the vineyard to others.” When they heard it, they said, “May it never be!” But Jesus looked at them and said, “What then is this that is written: ‘The stone which the builders rejected, This became the chief corner stone’? Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust.” The scribes and the chief priests tried to lay hands on Him that very hour, and they feared the people; for they understood that He spoke this parable against them.”(Luke 20:9-19)

This is a parable and not an actual thing. We must clearly distinguish between the two when reading the Bible.  But the parable was so clear that even the scribes and chief priests knew that it was referring to them.  Aren’t they the evil tenants?  Didn’t they ultimately crucify Jesus?  Jesus Christ is the stone that was rejected by the builders. Just as Peter said, “And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For this is contained in Scripture: “Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.” This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, “The stone which the builders rejected, This became the very corner stone,” and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.”(1 Peter 2:4-8)

We see that God’s standards are very different from those of man. The same stone is precious to those who believe, but it becomes a rock of offense to those who do not believe.  In addition to building a spiritual house for ourselves as living stones, we are also holy priests. Everyone has the Great Commission (see Matthew 28:18,20) and has the responsibility to preach the gospel, because we know deeply that “…faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”(Romans 10:17) Some people may say, since it is predestined, do we still need to preach?  Yes, we still need it, and the reason is that we don’t know who the predestined one is?  Maybe the intended people believe because of your preaching! 

In fact, whether a person can believe it or not depends on the person who listens. If a person feels that he does not need salvation, it will be difficult for him to receive salvation.  But we must be willing to preach and fulfill our obligations and lead by example. Just like the time when Jesus became flesh, He spoke and performed many miracles, but obviously, not so many people believed. We shouldn’t be discouraged because some people don’t believe when you preach.  In short, we “…are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone.”(Ephesians 2:19-20) Please notice that the road to sanctification is gradual. You can know this by looking at Abraham’s experience. Don’t tell people that they can be justified by faith is enough. That’s just the beginning.

3. Jesus talks about the resurrection of man

​”Now there came to Him some of the Sadducees (who say that there is no resurrection), and they questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, having a wife, and he is childless, his brother should marry the wife and raise up children to his brother. Now there were seven brothers; and the first took a wife and died childless; and the second and the third married her; and in the same way all seven died, leaving no children. Finally the woman died also. In the resurrection therefore, which one’s wife will she be? For all seven had married her.” Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; for they cannot even die anymore, because they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the burning bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Now He is not the God of the dead but of the living; for all live to Him.” Some of the scribes answered and said, “Teacher, You have spoken well.” For they did not have courage to question Him any longer about anything.”(Luke 20:27-40)

The Sadducees thought that they could make things difficult for Jesus, but they did not realize that they did not understand that those who are resurrected from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, but since they are resurrected, they are the sons of God, and God is the God of the living. No wonder they don’t dare to ask him anything anymore.

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(Verses refer to those in NASB unless otherwise specified.)

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

    首先我们看到了耶稣预言了预备驴驹，及其得以成就。神知道我们真实的自己，但我们不见得真知道，做一个基督徒有时需要回顾，才能了解当时神怎么作工！神有绝对的主权，祂决定要不要事先告诉我们。从路加福音和马可福音说到只有驴驹，而马太福音则说到了驴和驴驹，我们可以看到神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的，不是字句上的！知道这，我们就会朝这个方向想。第二，门徒们以为祂做世间的王的时候来到了，但祂进了耶路撒冷后是转向圣殿，洁净圣殿。我们看到了预言，『你的王骑著驴驹来了。』 的成就，更能看到耶稣第一次来时的谦卑。第三，我们提到了以前在那里讨论过耶路撒冷的结局。最后，我们看到祂怎样洁净圣殿，生气而没有犯罪，祂是完全的人，和我们一样会受试探，只是祂没有犯罪。

1. 驴驹的准备       

    『耶稣说完了这话，就在前面走，上耶路撒冷去。将近伯法其和伯大尼，在一座山名叫橄榄山那里，就打发两个门徒，说：「你们往对面村子里去，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。若有人问为甚么解牠，你们就说：『主要用牠。』」打发的人去了，所遇见的正如耶稣所说的。他们解驴驹的时候，主人问他们说：「解驴驹做甚么？」他们说：「主要用牠。」他们牵到耶稣那里，把自己的衣服搭在上面，扶著耶稣骑上。』(路加福音 19:28-35)    

    我们看到了这关于驴驹的短期预言的成就，因『所遇见的正如耶稣所说的。』对观福音都说，这事发生的地点是在橄榄山，就不重复了。马太福音是说有驴和驴驹，我们看看经文怎么说，『…这事成就，是要应验先知的话，说：「要对锡安的居民说：『看哪，你的王来到你这里，是温柔的，又骑著驴，就是骑著驴驹子。』」门徒就照耶稣所吩咐的去行，牵了驴和驴驹来，把自己的衣服搭在上面，耶稣就骑上。』(马太福音 21:1-7)       

    马可福音也只提驴驹，『…他们去了，便看见一匹驴驹拴在门外街道上，就把牠解开。在那里站著的人，有几个说：「你们解驴驹做甚么？」门徒照著耶稣所说的回答，那些人就任凭他们牵去了。他们把驴驹牵到耶稣那里，把自己的衣服搭在上面，耶稣就骑上。』(马可福音 11:1-7)       

    不只是在对观福音记载这事，约翰福音也提到这事，是这样说的，『耶稣得了一个驴驹，就骑上，如经上所记的说：「锡安的民哪，不要惧怕！你的王骑著驴驹来了。」这些事门徒起先不明白，等到耶稣得了荣耀以后，才想起这话是指著他写的，并且众人果然向他这样行了。』(约翰福音 12:14-16) 所以门徒是事后才想起这话是指著祂写的，在我们的经验中，不是有许多事情也是事后才恍然大悟吗？做一个基督徒有时需要回顾，才能了解当时神怎么作工！不能把每件事情当成独立的事情。神知道我们真实的自己，但我们不见得真知道，如耶利米所说，『人心比万物都诡诈，坏到极处，谁能识透呢？』(耶利米书 17:9) 人有时会自己欺骗自己，会看不到自己的！    

    有一次在意念中问我有没有骄傲，我当时怎么都想不起来，就把一件赐给我的东西拿回去了，一直到十多年后在意念中指示我做的一件事情，我才恍然大悟，那时真是骄傲到自己看不到自己的骄傲！如果一个人说我从来没骄傲过，只是自己欺骗自己而已。对我们的老我而言，如果一个人没有得救或是得救后因犯罪而临时从基督里滑出来的人，都是『…立志为善由得我，只是行出来由不得我。』(罗马书 7:18) 『如今，那些在基督耶稣里的就不定罪了。因为赐生命圣灵的律在基督耶稣里释放了我，使我脱离罪和死的律了。』(罗马书 8:1-2) 我们要在耶稣基督里才有真自由，可以行出来由得我。       

    为什么要回顾时才知道？因为要我们面对我们真实的自己的最好方法，就是不事先让我们知道。亚伯拉罕献以撒不就是这样吗？当然也有事先就知道的，就如这例子所说，『…亚希雅因年纪老迈，眼目发直，不能看见。耶和华先晓谕亚希雅说：「耶罗波安的妻要来问你，因她儿子病了，你当如此如此告诉她。她进来的时候，必装作别的妇人。」她刚进门，亚希雅听见她脚步的响声，就说：「耶罗波安的妻，进来吧！你为何装作别的妇人呢？我奉差遣将凶事告诉你。」』(列王纪上 14:4-6) 神有绝对的主权，祂决定要不要事先告诉我们。所以即使以利沙有两倍感动以利亚的耶和华的灵 (参列王纪下 2:7-12)，如果耶和华没有告诉他，他仍然会不知道的。因为经文明说，『(书念的)妇人上了山，到神人(以利沙)那里，就抱住神人的脚。基哈西前来要推开她，神人说：「由她吧！因为她心里愁苦，耶和华向我隐瞒，没有指示我。」』(列王纪下 4:27)       

    有人可能会问，路加福音和马可福音是说只有驴驹，而马太福音说到了驴和驴驹，如果圣经的一致性是指在字句上非要一致不可的话，那么这里就有明显的不一致！基督徒相信整本圣经都是神所默示的，因此神借著圣经告诉我们的是一致的，不是字句上非要一致的！知道神借著圣经告诉我们的是一致的，我们就会朝这个方向想。在这里告诉我们，不是马太犯了错误，神就是这样默示他的，要不神可以很容易的以默示更正他的错误，因此要告诉我们神借著圣经告诉我们不是字句上一定要一致的，这里是指驴驹的事件发生时间和地点是一致的。而且更看到更主要的目的是如约翰福音所讲，『你的王骑著驴驹来了。』不只是看到经上老早以前说的预言的成就，更能看到耶稣第一次来时的谦卑，就如经文所说，『我心里柔和谦卑，…』(马太福音 11:29) 没有世间的王会骑著驴驹来的！都是骑高头大马。    

    圣经的一致性是指神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的，也可从同样一个概念，可以从不同的经文中看出来。譬如在我们以前提到过取代的概念这一点上，最开始是『耶和华神为亚当和他妻子用皮子做衣服，给他们穿。』(创世记 3:21) 有动物取代他们而死。亚伯拉罕献以撒，最终是『亚伯拉罕举目观看，不料，有一只公羊，两角扣在稠密的小树中，亚伯拉罕就取了那只公羊来，献为燔祭，代替他的儿子。』(创世记 22:13) 而今日是『神使那无罪的(耶稣)，替我们成为罪，好叫我们在他里面成为神的义。』(哥林多后书 5:21) 关于「神借著圣经告诉我们的是一致的，不是字句上非要一致的」的另外一个例子是耶稣受试探的时候，那里所说的是指耶稣受试探的事件在对观福音中所说的时间是一致的，祂受的试探不只是三件而已，我们在「2046 耶稣的家谱和受试探及争议 – 耶稣的形像 (1)」中，曾详细的讨论过，就不多说了。

2. 将近耶路撒冷正下橄榄山时       

    『走的时候，众人把衣服铺在路上。将近耶路撒冷，正下橄榄山的时候，众门徒因所见过的一切异能，都欢乐起来，大声赞美神，说：「奉主名来的王是应当称颂的！在天上有和平，在至高之处有荣光！」众人中有几个法利赛人对耶稣说：「夫子，责备你的门徒吧！」耶稣说：「我告诉你们：若是他们闭口不说，这些石头必要呼叫起来。」』(路加福音 19:36-40) 这是众门徒该开口的时候，不能不说！       

    马可福音是这么说，『他们把驴驹牵到耶稣那里，把自己的衣服搭在上面，耶稣就骑上。有许多人把衣服铺在路上，也有人把田间的树枝砍下来，铺在路上。前行后随的人都喊著说：「和散那！奉主名来的是应当称颂的！那将要来的我祖大卫之国是应当称颂的！高高在上和散那！」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 11:7-11) 那时的犹太人受罗马的统治，他们以为就祂来是要重新恢复地上大卫之国的荣耀，带领他们脱离罗马人的辖制，所以他们以为祂做世间的王的时候来到了，就在地上舖衣服和田间的树枝，也就是相当于现在的舖红地毯欢迎外国的元首的访问。但祂进了耶路撒冷后是转向圣殿，且洁净圣殿。      

    这件事情在马可福音 11:7-11 的记载，基本上是相同的。耶稣说得很清楚，『…先知在耶路撒冷之外丧命是不能的。』(路加福音 13:33) 我们留心一下，就会注意到祂是不会在耶路撒冷过夜的，这次是说祂往伯大尼去了。

3. 为耶路撒冷城哀哭       

    『耶稣快到耶路撒冷，看见城，就为它哀哭，说：「巴不得你在这日子知道关系你平安的事，无奈这事现在是隐藏的，叫你的眼看不出来。因为日子将到，你的仇敌必筑起土垒，周围环绕你，四面困住你，并要扫灭你和你里头的儿女，连一块石头也不留在石头上，因你不知道眷顾你的时候。」』(路加福音 19:41-44)     

    我们以前在「2067 窄门，耶路撒冷，医治水臌的人，和自高的  –耶稣(20)」中的「耶路撒冷的结局」，详细的谈到这个，就不多说了。

4. 洁净圣殿       

    『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。」耶稣天天在殿里教训人。祭司长和文士与百姓的尊长都想要杀他，但寻不出法子来，因为百姓都侧耳听他。』(路加福音 19:45-48) 耶稣说了一个事实，本来神的殿是作祷告用的，现在却成了贼窝！我们看到了那时仇敌就想杀祂。    

    这件事情，马可福音记载的较清楚，『第二天，他们从伯大尼出来，…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。」祭司长和文士听见这话，就想法子要除灭耶稣，却又怕他，因为众人都希奇他的教训。每天晚上，耶稣出城去。』(马可福音 11:12-19)     

    这里是明讲了，祂是不会在耶路撒冷城里过夜的。祂推倒了桌子等等，很难想像祂没有生气，因为祂是完全的人，就像圣经所说的，『并且因为他是人子，就赐给他行审判的权柄。』(约翰福音 5:27) 所以希伯来书会说，『…他也曾凡事受过试探，与我们一样，只是他没有犯罪。』(希伯来书 4:15) 可见『生气却不要犯罪，不可含怒到日落，』(以弗所书 4:26) 是可以在基督内做到的。尤其我们知道，『…明天自有明天的忧虑；一天的难处一天当就够了。』(马太福音 6:34) 为什么要含怒到明天呢？有一个错误的概念是说，有人是这么属灵，以致于完全不像人！       

    马太福音是这样说，『耶稣既进了耶路撒冷，合城都惊动了，说：「这是谁？」众人说：「这是加利利拿撒勒的先知耶稣。」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！」在殿里有瞎子、瘸子到耶稣跟前，他就治好了他们。祭司长和文士看见耶稣所行的奇事，又见小孩子在殿里喊著说：「和散那归于大卫的子孙！」就甚恼怒，对他说：「这些人所说的，你听见了吗？」 耶稣说：「是的。经上说：『你从婴孩和吃奶的口中完全了赞美的话。』 你们没有念过吗？」…』(马太福音 21:10-17)     

    那时的犹太人是瞧不起加利利的，我们从他回答尼哥底母就可看出来，『…你也是出于加利利吗？你且去查考，就可知道加利利没有出过先知。』(约翰福音 7:50-52) 因为那时耶稣治好了在殿里的瞎子和瘸子，小孩子因而喊叫说：「和散那归于大卫的子孙！」这不是真实的成就了这经文吗？『你因敌人的缘故，从婴孩和吃奶的口中建立了能力，使仇敌和报仇的闭口无言。』(诗篇 8:2) 从属灵的角度看，我们不就是那婴孩和吃奶的吗？因为我们从被造的时候就比天使微小一点 (参希伯来书 2:6-8)，而撒但是堕落的天使。但当我们甘心情愿的顺服时，神就建立了能力，使撒但闭口无言。

(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』。) 

       首先我們看到了耶穌預言了預備驢駒，及其得以成就。神知道我們真實的自己，但我們不見得真知道，做一個基督徒有時需要回顧，才能瞭解當時神怎麼作工！神有絕對的主權，祂決定要不要事先告訴我們。從路加福音和馬可福音說到只有驢駒，而馬太福音則說到了驢和驢駒，我們可以看到神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的，不是字句上的！知道這，我們就會朝這個方向想。第二，門徒們以為祂做世間的王的時候來到了，但祂進了耶路撒冷後是轉向聖殿，潔淨聖殿。我們看到了預言，『你的王騎着驢駒來了。』 的成就，更能看到耶穌第一次來時的謙卑。第三，我們提到了以前在那裏討論過耶路撒冷的結局。最後，我們看到祂怎樣潔淨聖殿，生氣而沒有犯罪，祂是完全的人，和我們一樣會受試探，只是祂沒有犯罪。

1. 驢駒的準備

       『耶穌說完了這話，就在前面走，上耶路撒冷去。將近伯法其和伯大尼，在一座山名叫橄欖山那裏，就打發兩個門徒，說：「你們往對面村子裏去，進去的時候，必看見一匹驢駒拴在那裏，是從來沒有人騎過的，可以解開牽來。若有人問為甚麼解牠，你們就說：『主要用牠。』」打發的人去了，所遇見的正如耶穌所說的。他們解驢駒的時候，主人問他們說：「解驢駒做甚麼？」他們說：「主要用牠。」他們牽到耶穌那裏，把自己的衣服搭在上面，扶着耶穌騎上。』(路加福音 19:28-35)

    我們看到了這關於驢駒的短期預言的成就，因『所遇見的正如耶穌所說的。』對觀福音都說，這事發生的地點是在橄欖山，就不重複了。馬太福音是說有驢和驢駒，我們看看經文怎麼說，『…這事成就，是要應驗先知的話，說：「要對錫安的居民說：『看哪，你的王來到你這裏，是溫柔的，又騎着驢，就是騎着驢駒子。』」門徒就照耶穌所吩咐的去行，牽了驢和驢駒來，把自己的衣服搭在上面，耶穌就騎上。』(馬太福音 21:1-7)

       馬可福音也只提驢駒，『…他們去了，便看見一匹驢駒拴在門外街道上，就把牠解開。在那裏站着的人，有幾個說：「你們解驢駒做甚麼？」門徒照着耶穌所說的回答，那些人就任憑他們牽去了。他們把驢駒牽到耶穌那裏，把自己的衣服搭在上面，耶穌就騎上。』(馬可福音 11:1-7)

       不只是在對觀福音記載這事，約翰福音也提到這事，是這樣說的，『耶穌得了一個驢駒，就騎上，如經上所記的說：「錫安的民哪，不要懼怕！你的王騎着驢駒來了。」這些事門徒起先不明白，等到耶穌得了榮耀以後，才想起這話是指着他寫的，並且眾人果然向他這樣行了。』(約翰福音 12:14-16) 所以門徒是事後才想起這話是指著祂寫的，在我們的經驗中，不是有許多事情也是事後才恍然大悟嗎？做一個基督徒有時需要回顧，才能瞭解當時神怎麼作工！不能把每件事情當成獨立的事情。神知道我們真實的自己，但我們不見得真知道，如耶利米所說，『人心比萬物都詭詐，壞到極處，誰能識透呢？』(耶利米書 17:9) 人有時會自己欺騙自己，會看不到自己的！

    有一次在意念中問我有沒有驕傲，我當時怎麼都想不起來，就把一件賜給我的東西拿回去了，一直到十多年後在意念中指示我做的一件事情，我才恍然大悟，那時真是驕傲到自己看不到自己的驕傲！如果一個人說我從來沒驕傲過，只是自己欺騙自己而已。對我們的老我而言，如果一個人沒有得救或是得救後因犯罪而臨時從基督裏滑出來的人，都是『…立志為善由得我，只是行出來由不得我。』(羅馬書 7:18) 『如今，那些在基督耶穌裏的就不定罪了。因為賜生命聖靈的律在基督耶穌裏釋放了我，使我脫離罪和死的律了。』(羅馬書 8:1-2) 我們要在耶穌基督裏才有真自由，可以行出來由得我。

       為什麼要回顧時才知道？因為要我們面對我們真實的自己的最好方法，就是不事先讓我們知道。亞伯拉罕獻以撒不就是這樣嗎？當然也有事先就知道的，就如這例子所說，『…亞希雅因年紀老邁，眼目發直，不能看見。耶和華先曉諭亞希雅說：「耶羅波安的妻要來問你，因她兒子病了，你當如此如此告訴她。她進來的時候，必裝作別的婦人。」她剛進門，亞希雅聽見她腳步的響聲，就說：「耶羅波安的妻，進來吧！你為何裝作別的婦人呢？我奉差遣將凶事告訴你。」』(列王紀上 14:4-6) 神有絕對的主權，祂決定要不要事先告訴我們。所以即使以利沙有兩倍感動以利亞的耶和華的靈 (參列王紀下 2:7-12)，如果耶和華沒有告訴他，他仍然會不知道的。因為經文明說，『(書念的)婦人上了山，到神人(以利沙)那裏，就抱住神人的腳。基哈西前來要推開她，神人說：「由她吧！因為她心裏愁苦，耶和華向我隱瞞，沒有指示我。」』(列王紀下 4:27) 

       有人可能會問，路加福音和馬可福音是說只有驢駒，而馬太福音說到了驢和驢駒，如果聖經的一致性是指在字句上非要一致不可的話，那麼這裏就有明顯的不一致！基督徒相信整本聖經都是神所默示的，因此神藉著聖經告訴我們的是一致的，不是字句上非要一致的！知道神藉著聖經告訴我們的是一致的，我們就會朝這個方向想。在這裏告訴我們，不是馬太犯了錯誤，神就是這樣默示他的，要不神可以很容易的以默示更正他的錯誤，因此要告訴我們神藉著聖經告訴我們不是字句上一定要一致的，這裏是指驢駒的事件發生時間和地點是一致的。而且更看到更主要的目的是如約翰福音所講，『你的王騎着驢駒來了。』不只是看到經上老早以前說的預言的成就，更能看到耶穌第一次來時的謙卑，就如經文所說，『我心裏柔和謙卑，…』(馬太福音 11:29) 沒有世間的王會騎著驢駒來的！都是騎高頭大馬。

    聖經的一致性是指神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的，也可從同樣一個概念，可以從不同的經文中看出來。譬如在我們以前提到過取代的概念這一點上，最開始是『耶和華神為亞當和他妻子用皮子做衣服，給他們穿。』(創世記 3:21) 有動物取代他們而死。亞伯拉罕獻以撒，最終是『亞伯拉罕舉目觀看，不料，有一隻公羊，兩角扣在稠密的小樹中，亞伯拉罕就取了那隻公羊來，獻為燔祭，代替他的兒子。』(創世記 22:13) 而今日是『神使那無罪的(耶穌)，替我們成為罪，好叫我們在他裏面成為神的義。』(哥林多後書 5:21) 關於「神藉著聖經告訴我們的是一致的，不是字句上非要一致的」的另外一個例子是耶穌受試探的時候，那裏所說的是指耶穌受試探的事件在對觀福音中所說的時間是一致的，祂受的試探不只是三件而已，我們在「2046 耶穌的家譜和受試探及爭議 – 耶穌的形像 (1)」中，曾詳細的討論過，就不多說了。

2. 將近耶路撒冷正下橄欖山時

       『走的時候，眾人把衣服鋪在路上。將近耶路撒冷，正下橄欖山的時候，眾門徒因所見過的一切異能，都歡樂起來，大聲讚美神，說：「奉主名來的王是應當稱頌的！在天上有和平，在至高之處有榮光！」眾人中有幾個法利賽人對耶穌說：「夫子，責備你的門徒吧！」耶穌說：「我告訴你們：若是他們閉口不說，這些石頭必要呼叫起來。」』(路加福音 19:36-40) 這是眾門徒該開口的時候，不能不說！

       馬可福音是這麼說，『他們把驢駒牽到耶穌那裏，把自己的衣服搭在上面，耶穌就騎上。有許多人把衣服鋪在路上，也有人把田間的樹枝砍下來，鋪在路上。前行後隨的人都喊着說：「和散那！奉主名來的是應當稱頌的！那將要來的我祖大衞之國是應當稱頌的！高高在上和散那！」耶穌進了耶路撒冷，入了聖殿，周圍看了各樣物件。天色已晚，就和十二個門徒出城，往伯大尼去了。』(馬可福音 11:7-11) 那時的猶太人受羅馬的統治，他們以為就祂來是要重新恢復地上大衞之國的榮耀，帶領他們脫離羅馬人的轄制，所以他們以為祂做世間的王的時候來到了，就在地上舖衣服和田間的樹枝，也就是相當於現在的舖紅地毯歡迎外國的元首的訪問。但祂進了耶路撒冷後是轉向聖殿，且潔淨聖殿。

       這件事情在馬可福音 11:7-11 的記載，基本上是相同的。耶穌說得很清楚，『…先知在耶路撒冷之外喪命是不能的。』(路加福音 13:33) 我們留心一下，就會注意到祂是不會在耶路撒冷過夜的，這次是說祂往伯大尼去了。

3. 為耶路撒冷城哀哭

       『耶穌快到耶路撒冷，看見城，就為它哀哭，說：「巴不得你在這日子知道關係你平安的事，無奈這事現在是隱藏的，叫你的眼看不出來。因為日子將到，你的仇敵必築起土壘，周圍環繞你，四面困住你，並要掃滅你和你裏頭的兒女，連一塊石頭也不留在石頭上，因你不知道眷顧你的時候。」』(路加福音 19:41-44)

     我們以前在「2067 窄門，耶路撒冷，醫治水臌的人，和自高的  -耶穌(20)」中的「耶路撒冷的結局」，詳細的談到這個，就不多說了。

4. 潔淨聖殿

       『耶穌進了殿，趕出裏頭做買賣的人，對他們說：「經上說：『我的殿必作禱告的殿』，你們倒使它成為賊窩了。」耶穌天天在殿裏教訓人。祭司長和文士與百姓的尊長都想要殺他，但尋不出法子來，因為百姓都側耳聽他。』(路加福音 19:45-48) 耶穌說了一個事實，本來神的殿是作禱告用的，現在卻成了賊窩！我們看到了那時仇敵就想殺祂。

    這件事情，馬可福音記載的較清楚，『第二天，他們從伯大尼出來，…他們來到耶路撒冷。耶穌進入聖殿，趕出殿裏做買賣的人，推倒兌換銀錢之人的桌子和賣鴿子之人的凳子，也不許人拿着器具從殿裏經過。便教訓他們說：「經上不是記着說『我的殿必稱為萬國禱告的殿』嗎？ 你們倒使它成為賊窩了。」祭司長和文士聽見這話，就想法子要除滅耶穌，卻又怕他，因為眾人都希奇他的教訓。每天晚上，耶穌出城去。』(馬可福音 11:12-19)

     這裏是明講了，祂是不會在耶路撒冷城裏過夜的。祂推倒了桌子等等，很難想像祂沒有生氣，因為祂是完全的人，就像聖經所說的，『並且因為他是人子，就賜給他行審判的權柄。』(約翰福音 5:27) 所以希伯來書會說，『…他也曾凡事受過試探，與我們一樣，只是他沒有犯罪。』(希伯來書 4:15) 可見『生氣卻不要犯罪，不可含怒到日落，』(以弗所書 4:26) 是可以在基督內做到的。尤其我們知道，『…明天自有明天的憂慮；一天的難處一天當就夠了。』(馬太福音 6:34) 為什麼要含怒到明天呢？有一個錯誤的概念是說，有人是這麼屬靈，以致於完全不像人！

       馬太福音是這樣說，『耶穌既進了耶路撒冷，合城都驚動了，說：「這是誰？」眾人說：「這是加利利拿撒勒的先知耶穌。」耶穌進了神的殿，趕出殿裏一切做買賣的人，推倒兌換銀錢之人的桌子和賣鴿子之人的凳子；對他們說：「經上記着說：『我的殿必稱為禱告的殿』，你們倒使它成為賊窩了！」在殿裏有瞎子、瘸子到耶穌跟前，他就治好了他們。祭司長和文士看見耶穌所行的奇事，又見小孩子在殿裏喊着說：「和散那歸於大衞的子孫！」就甚惱怒，對他說：「這些人所說的，你聽見了嗎？」 耶穌說：「是的。經上說：『你從嬰孩和吃奶的口中完全了讚美的話。』 你們沒有念過嗎？」…』(馬太福音 21:10-17)

     那時的猶太人是瞧不起加利利的，我們從他回答尼哥底母就可看出來，『…你也是出於加利利嗎？你且去查考，就可知道加利利沒有出過先知。』(約翰福音 7:50-52) 因為那時耶穌治好了在殿裏的瞎子和瘸子，小孩子因而喊叫說：「和散那歸於大衞的子孫！」這不是真實的成就了這經文嗎？『你因敵人的緣故，從嬰孩和吃奶的口中建立了能力，使仇敵和報仇的閉口無言。』(詩篇 8:2) 從屬靈的角度看，我們不就是那嬰孩和吃奶的嗎？因為我們從被造的時候就比天使微小一點 (參希伯來書 2:6-8)，而撒但是墮落的天使。但當我們甘心情願的順服時，神就建立了能力，使撒但閉口無言。

(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 saw Jesus prophesy about preparing the donkey’s colt and its fulfillment.  God knows our true selves, but we may not really know. As a Christian, sometimes we need to look back in order to understand how God was working at that time!  God is absolutely sovereign in deciding whether or not to tell us in advance.  From the fact that the Gospels of Luke and Mark speak of only a donkey’s colt, while the Gospel of Matthew speaks of a donkey and its colt, we can see that what God tells us through the Bible is consistent, not literal!  Knowing this, we will think in this direction.  Second, the disciples thought that His time as king on earth had come, but after He entered Jerusalem, He turned to the temple and cleansed it.  We see that the prophecy, “…behold, your King is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.”(John 12:15), was achieved. We can also see the humility of Jesus during His first coming.  Thirdly, we discuss that the ending of Jerusalem was discussed before it happened and where it was discussed.  Finally, we see how He cleansed the temple, being angry without sin. He was fully human, subject to temptations just like us, but without sin.

1.  Preparation of the donkey’s colt

“After He had said these things, He was going on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When He approached Bethphage and Bethany, near the mount that is called Olivet, He sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village ahead of you; there, as you enter, you will find a colt tied on which no one yet has ever sat; untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of it.’” So those who were sent went away and found it just as He had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They said, “The Lord has need of it.” They brought it to Jesus, and they threw their coats on the colt and put Jesus on it.”(Luke 19:28-35)

We see the fulfillment of this short-term prophecy about the donkey’s colt, for “So those who were sent went away and found it just as He had told them.” The Synoptic Gospels all say that the place where this happened was on the Mount of Olivet, so we won’t repeat it.  The Gospel of Matthew talks about a donkey and a donkey’s colt. Let’s see what the scripture says, “This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold your King is coming to you, Gentle, and mounted on a donkey,

Even on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’” The disciples went and did just as Jesus had instructed them, and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their coats on them; and He sat on the coats.”(Matthew 21:1-7)

Mark’s Gospel only mentions a donkey’s colt, “…They went away and found a colt tied at the door, outside in the street; and they untied it. Some of the bystanders were saying to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They spoke to them just as Jesus had told them, and they gave them permission. They brought the colt to Jesus and put their coats on it; and He sat on it.”(Mark 11:1-7)

This is not only recorded in the Synoptic Gospels, but also mentioned in the Gospel of John, which says, “On the next day the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.” Jesus, finding a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written, “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your King is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” These things His disciples did not understand at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things to Him.”(John 12:12-16) 

So the disciples only remembered after the fact that these words were written about Him. In our experience, aren’t there many things that we suddenly realize after the fact?  As a Christian, sometimes you need to look back in order to understand how God was working at that time!  Don’t treat everything as an independent thing.  God knows our true selves, but we may not really know it. As Jeremiah said, “The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?”(Jeremiah 17:9) People sometimes deceive themselves and fail to see themselves!

Once, I was asked in my mind whether I was proud. I couldn’t remember anything at the time, so something was taken back from what was given to me. Until more than ten years later, when I was told in my mind regarding what I did at that time, it suddenly dawned on me that I was so proud at that time that I couldn’t see my own pride!  If a person says that I have never been proud, he is just deceiving himself.  As far as our old self is concerned, if a person is not saved or if he sins after being saved and slips out of Christ, it is “…for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.”(Romans 7:18) “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”(Romans 8:1-2) Only in Jesus Christ can we have true freedom, and we can do whatever we want including not doing what we don’t want to do.

Why do we need to look back to find out?  Because the best way for us to face our true selves is to not let us know in advance.  Isn’t that the same as what Abraham offered Isaac?  Of course, there are also things that are known in advance, as in this example, “…Now Ahijah could not see, for his eyes were dim because of his age. Now the LORD had said to Ahijah, “Behold, the wife of Jeroboam is coming to inquire of you concerning her son, for he is sick. You shall say thus and thus to her, for it will be when she arrives that she will pretend to be another woman.” When Ahijah heard the sound of her feet coming in the doorway, he said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam, why do you pretend to be another woman? For I am sent to you with a harsh message.”(1 Kings 14:4-6) God has the absolute sovereignty to decide whether or not to tell us in advance.  So even if Elisha had twice the Spirit of the Lord that moved Elijah (see 2 Kings 2:7-12), he would still not know it if the Lord had not told him.  Because the scripture says, “When she (Shunammite) came to the man of God (Elisha) to the hill, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came near to push her away; but the man of God said, “Let her alone, for her soul is troubled within her; and the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me.””(2 Kings 4:27)

Someone may ask, the Gospels of Luke and Mark say there was only a donkey’s colt, while the Gospel of Matthew talked about a donkey and donkey’s colt. If the consistency of the Bible means that it must be consistent in words, then obviously there is an inconsistency here!  Christians believe that the entire Bible is inspired by God. Therefore, what God tells us through the Bible is consistent. It does not have to be consistent in words!  Knowing that what God tells us through the Bible is consistent, we will think in this direction.  What we are told here is that it is not that Matthew made a mistake and God inspired him in this way. Otherwise, God could easily correct his mistake through inspiration. Therefore, we must be told that what God tells us through the consistency of the Bible is not necessarily literal. Consistency, here means that the time and place where the events of the donkey colt occurred are consistent.  And we can see that the more important purpose is as the Gospel of John says, “…behold, your King is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.”(John 12:15) Not only can we see the fulfillment of the prophecies spoken in the Bible long ago, but we can also see the humility of Jesus when he first came, as the scripture says, “…I (Jesus) am gentle and humble in heart…”Matthew 11:29) No earthly king would come riding on a donkey’s colt!  They are all riding high horses.

The consistency of the Bible means that what God tells us through the Bible is consistent. It can also be seen from the same concept in different scriptures.  For example, when we mentioned the concept of substitution before, at the beginning it was “The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.”(Genesis 3:21) Animals died in their place.  Abraham sacrificed Isaac, and finally “Then Abraham raised his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up for a burnt offering in the place of his son.”(Genesis 22:13) And today it is “He (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”(2 Corinthians 5:21) Another example of “what God tells us through the Bible is consistent, not the letter must be consistent” is when Jesus was tempted, what was said there was referring to Jesus the events of temptation are consistent in the time mentioned in the Synoptic Gospels. He was tempted more than three times. In “1046 The genealogy and the temptations of Jesus, and the controversial issue – The image of Jesus (1)”, we have discussed it at length, so I won’t go into detail.

2. As Jesus approaching Jerusalem and descending from the Mount of Olives

“As He was going, they were spreading their coats on the road. As soon as He was approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen, shouting: “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord;

Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” But Jesus answered, “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!””(Luke 19:36-40) This is the time for the disciples to speak, and they must speak!

The Gospel of Mark says this, “They brought the colt to Jesus and put their coats on it; and He sat on it. And many spread their coats in the road, and others spread leafy branches which they had cut from the fields. Those who went in front and those who followed were shouting: “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David; Hosanna in the highest!” Jesus entered Jerusalem and came into the temple; and after looking around at everything, He left for Bethany with the twelve, since it was already late.”(Mark 11:7-11) 

The Jews at that time were under the rule of Rome. They thought that He came to restore the glory of David’s kingdom on earth and lead them out of Roman control. Therefore, they thought that it was the time when the king of the world would come, and with their clothes and field branches spread on the ground, which is equivalent to the current red carpet to welcome the visit of foreign heads of state.  But after He entered Jerusalem, He turned to the temple and cleansed it.

The record of this incident in Mark 11:7-11 is basically the same.  Jesus made it very clear, “…it cannot be that a prophet would perish outside of Jerusalem.”(Luke 13:33) If we pay attention, we will notice that He will not spend the night in Jerusalem. This time He is said to have gone to Bethany.

3. Weeping for the city of Jerusalem

“When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, and surround you and hem you in on every side, and they will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.””(Luke 19:41-44)

We have previously talked about this in detail at “2. The end of Jerusalem” in “1067 Narrow Gate, Jerusalem, Healing Dropsy, and Self Exalted – Jesus (20).” 

4. Cleanse the Temple

“Jesus entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling, saying to them, “It is written, ‘And My house shall be a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a robbers’ den.” And He was teaching daily in the temple; but the chief priests and the scribes and the leading men among the people were trying to destroy Him, and they could not find anything that they might do, for all the people were hanging on to every word He said.”(Luke 19:45-48) Jesus said the fact that the temple of God was originally used for prayer, but now it has become a den of thieves!  We saw that the enemy wanted to kill Him at that time.

This matter is recorded more clearly in the Gospel of Mark, “On the next day, when they had left Bethany, He became hungry. Seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if perhaps He would find anything on it; and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” And His disciples were listening. Then they came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to drive out those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves; and He would not permit anyone to carry merchandise through the temple. And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a robbers’ den.” The chief priests and the scribes heard this, and began seeking how to destroy Him; for they were afraid of Him, for the whole crowd was astonished at His teaching. When evening came, they would go out of the city.”(Mark 11:12-19)

It is made clear here that He will not spend the night in the city of Jerusalem.  He overthrew the tables, etc. It is difficult to imagine that He was not alive, for He was fully human, as the Bible says, “…because He is the Son of Man.”(John 5:27) So Hebrews says, “…One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”(Hebrews 4:15) It can be seen that “Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.”(Ephesians 4:26) This can be done in Christ.  Especially we know that “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”(Matthew 6:34) Why should we remain angry until tomorrow?  There is a misconception that someone is so spiritual that they are not human at all!

The Gospel of Matthew says this, “When He had entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee.” And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a robbers’ den.” And the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He had done, and the children who were shouting in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they became indignant and said to Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise for Yourself’?” And He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and spent the night there.”(Matthew 21:10-17)

The Jews at that time looked down upon Galilee. We can see from his answer to Nicodemus, “…You are not also from Galilee, are you? Search, and see that no prophet arises out of Galilee.”(John 7:50-52) For at that time Jesus healed the blind and lame in the temple, and the little children cried out, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” Isn’t this the true fulfillment of this verse? “From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established strength Because of Your adversaries, To make the enemy and the revengeful cease.”(Psalm 8:2)

From a spiritual perspective, aren’t we infants and nursing babes? Because we were created a little lower than the angels (see Hebrews 2:6-8), and Satan is a fallen angel.  But when we obey willingly, God establishes the power to silence Satan. 

(Verses refer to those in NASB unless otherwise specified.)

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

    我们首先看到了这瞎子的信心，也看了他信心的行为，也看见了为什么耶稣对犹太人和外邦人有所不同，允许治愈后的瞎子跟随祂。第二我们也看见了税吏长撒该的信心和他的信心行为，看到了他有多高兴耶稣赦免了他的罪，而有可能是濒临破产的相应行为。第三，从十个仆人的比喻中，我们看到了天国的一个原则，多给的多要，但不是不合理的多要，而且是凡有的，还要加给他；没有的，连他所有的也要夺过来。这比喻是在说耶稣再来的时候，对每个人的审判的一个准则，祂要再来时会有白色大宝座的审判，相信祂的人会照这个审判，而不相信祂的仇敌，会下到火湖里。

1. 医治耶利哥的瞎子       

    『耶稣将近耶利哥的时候，有一个瞎子坐在路旁讨饭。听见许多人经过，就问是甚么事。他们告诉他，是拿撒勒人耶稣经过。他就呼叫说：「大卫的子孙耶稣啊，可怜我吧！」在前头走的人就责备他，不许他做声，他却越发喊叫说：「大卫的子孙，可怜我吧！」耶稣站住，吩咐把他领过来，到了跟前，就问他说：「你要我为你做甚么？」 他说：「主啊，我要能看见！」耶稣说：「你可以看见！你的信救了你了。」瞎子立刻看见了，就跟随耶稣，一路归荣耀与神。众人看见这事，也赞美神。』(路加福音 18:35-43)       

    首先我们看到了这瞎子很有信心，他的信心在他的行为中表现出来，而且是自卑的因他呼叫可怜我吧！他有信心这点也可从耶稣说「你的信救了你」看出来。耶稣怜悯了他，医治他的瞎眼，而且是立刻就看见了！在福音书其他的地方可以看到耶稣会用不同的神迹医治瞎子的 (如参约翰福音 9:1-7)。他也跟随耶稣，并归荣耀于神。因是在耶利哥，这瞎子应该是犹太人，所以耶稣允许这治好的瞎子跟随祂。但对住在低加坡里的外邦人，我们以前分享过，『耶稣不许，却对他说：「你回家去，到你的亲属那里，将主为你所做的是何等大的事，是怎样怜悯你，都告诉他们。」那人就走了，在低加坡里传扬耶稣为他做了何等大的事，众人就都希奇。』(马可福音 5:19-20)  为什么耶稣为什么会有这样不同的处理方式的？因为『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) 所以我们看见了祂的确是这样做。

2. 耶利哥的税吏长撒该       

    『耶稣进了耶利哥，正经过的时候，有一个人名叫撒该，作税吏长，是个财主。他要看看耶稣是怎样的人，只因人多，他的身量又矮，所以不得看见，就跑到前头，爬上桑树，要看耶稣，因为耶稣必从那里经过。耶稣到了那里，抬头一看，对他说：「撒该，快下来！今天我必住在你家里。」他就急忙下来，欢欢喜喜地接待耶稣。众人看见，都私下议论说：「他竟到罪人家里去住宿。」撒该站著对主说：「主啊，我把所有的一半给穷人；我若讹诈了谁，就还他四倍。」耶稣说：「今天救恩到了这家，因为他也是亚伯拉罕的子孙。人子来，为要寻找、拯救失丧的人。」』(路加福音 19:1-10)       

    税吏是当时为犹太人所恨恶的，但我们看到了税吏长撒该的信心，看到他事后做的事就可证明这一点。他的信心的行动是爬上桑树，而耶稣抬头一看就看见了他，并在他家里去住宿。我们可以问的是，耶稣正好抬头一看，还是有其他的原因？在路得记中，我们看到神用巧合成就了祂的旨意，要注意，不是巧合就是神的旨意，不能够划等号。在这里，我相信从圣经的一致性看，耶稣只是顺服了神的旨意，因祂一生都是如此，如经文所说，『…父怎样吩咐我，我就怎样行。 …』约翰福音 14:31)  『我凭著自己不能做甚么，我怎么听见，就怎么审判。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。』(约翰福音 5:30)     

    你看撒该有多高兴耶稣赦免了他的罪，让救恩临到他，他的信心在他、有可能是濒邻破产、的行为中彰显出来，因为他说，『…我把所有的一半给穷人；我若讹诈了谁，就还他四倍。』(路加福音 19:8) 在这里我们也可看见了他原是讹诈别人的罪人，这明显的是超过了十一的奉献。在新约的时代，是要像寡妇的两个小钱一样的心甘情愿的奉献，而不是像法利赛因遵守律法而有的奉献，即使是因自己有需要而达不到十一的甘心情愿的奉献，也是蒙神所悦纳的，神不会收纳勉强的而只是守律法的十一奉献。    

    耶稣说得很清楚，『…今天救恩到了这家，因为他也是亚伯拉罕的子孙。人子来，为要寻找、拯救失丧的人。』 我们知道，『…人得为后嗣是本乎信，…，叫应许定然归给一切后裔，不但归给那属乎律法的，也归给那效法亚伯拉罕之信的。』(罗马书 4:16) 『…因为从以色列生的，不都是以色列人；也不因为是亚伯拉罕的后裔，就都作他的儿女；惟独「从以撒生的，才要称为你的后裔。」这就是说，肉身所生的儿女不是神的儿女；惟独那应许的儿女才算是后裔。』(罗马书 9:6-8) 『因为外面作犹太人的，不是真犹太人；外面肉身的割礼，也不是真割礼。惟有里面作的，才是真犹太人；真割礼也是心里的，在乎灵，不在乎仪文。这人的称赞不是从人来的，乃是从神来的。』(罗马书 2:28-29)

3. 十个仆人的比喻       

    『众人正在听见这些话的时候，耶稣因为将近耶路撒冷，又因他们以为神的国快要显出来，就另设一个比喻，说：「有一个贵胄往远方去，要得国回来，便叫了他的十个仆人来，交给他们十锭银子，说：『你们去做生意，直等我回来。』「他本国的人却恨他，打发使者随后去，说：『我们不愿意这个人作我们的王。』「他既得国回来，就吩咐叫那领银子的仆人来，要知道他们做生意赚了多少。「头一个上来，说：『主啊，你的一锭银子已经赚了十锭。』「主人说：『好！良善的仆人，你既在最小的事上有忠心，可以有权柄管十座城。』「第二个来，说：『主啊，你的一锭银子已经赚了五锭。』「主人说：『你也可以管五座城。』「又有一个来说：『主啊，看哪，你的一锭银子在这里，我把它包在手巾里存著。我原是怕你，因为你是严厉的人：没有放下的，还要去拿；没有种下的，还要去收。』「主人对他说：『你这恶仆，我要凭你的口定你的罪！你既知道我是严厉的人，没有放下的，还要去拿，没有种下的，还要去收，为甚么不把我的银子交给银行，等我来的时候，连本带利都可以要回来呢？』「就对旁边站著的人说：『夺过他这一锭来，给那有十锭的。』「他们说：『主啊，他已经有十锭了！』「主人说：『我告诉你们：凡有的，还要加给他；没有的，连他所有的也要夺过来。至于我那些仇敌，不要我作他们王的，把他们拉来，在我面前杀了吧！』」』(路加福音 19:11-27)       

    所以这是在将近耶路撒冷发生的事情，这是和在马太福音所讲的原则是一样的，『「天国又好比一个人要往外国去，就叫了仆人来，把他的家业交给他们，按著各人的才干，给他们银子，一个给了五千，一个给了二千，一个给了一千，就往外国去了。…那领五千银子的又带著那另外的五千来，说：『主啊，你交给我五千银子，请看，我又赚了五千。』「主人说：『好！你这又良善又忠心的仆人，你在不多的事上有忠心，我要把许多事派你管理；可以进来享受你主人的快乐。』…「那领一千的也来，说：『主啊，我知道你是忍心的人，没有种的地方要收割，没有散的地方要聚敛，我就害怕，去把你的一千银子埋藏在地里。请看，你的原银子在这里。』…「『夺过他这一千来，给那有一万的！因为凡有的，还要加给他，叫他有余；没有的，连他所有的也要夺过来。把这无用的仆人丢在外面黑暗里，在那里必要哀哭切齿了。』」』(马太福音 25:14-30) 这一次是按著各人的才干给银子，但可也是多给的多要，五千的人赚了五千，他是有了一万了。没有的，的确连他所有的一千也要夺过来，给了那已有一万的。       

    耶稣说得很清楚，这比喻是因『…他们以为神的国快要显出来…』(路加福音 19:11) 所以祂是在说祂再来的时候对每个人的审判的一个准则。首先我们看到的是天国的一个原则，多给的多要，但不是不合理的多要，而且是『…凡有的，还要加给他；没有的，连他所有的也要夺过来。』(路加福音 19:26) 凡没有的这点，在那拿了一碇银子的人身上是非常明显的，主人原不是只有严厉的一面，看他赏给那赚十锭的人十座城就知道。但他只看到那一面，即使如此，他也不把银子交给银行，这样至少能连本利都可以要回来，他真是又恶又懒的仆人啊！难怪主人要凭他的口定他的罪，真是会哀哭切齿的。在另一处经文中说，『我(耶稣)又告诉你们：从东从西，将有许多人来，在天国里与亚伯拉罕、以撒、雅各一同坐席；惟有本国的子民，竟被赶到外边黑暗里去，在那里必要哀哭切齿了。』(马太福音 8:11-12) 至于不认耶稣为主的仇敌，名字不会在生命册上，在启示录的白色大审判中，『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) 我们也不要做那哀哭切齿的人，我们要做因信称义，知道听道不如行道 (参雅各书 1:22-24)，而有信心的行为的人。

(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』。) 

       我們首先看到了這瞎子的信心，也看了他信心的行為，也看見了為什麼耶穌對猶太人和外邦人有所不同，允許治愈後的瞎子跟隨祂。第二我們也看見了稅吏長撒該的信心和他的信心行為，看到了他有多高興耶穌赦免了他的罪，而有可能是瀕臨破產的相應行為。第三，從十個僕人的比喻中，我們看到了天國的一個原則，多給的多要，但不是不合理的多要，而且是凡有的，還要加給他；沒有的，連他所有的也要奪過來。這比喻是在說耶穌再來的時候，對每個人的審判的一個準則，祂要再來時會有白色大寶座的審判，相信祂的人會照這個審判，而不相信祂的仇敵，會下到火湖裏。

1. 醫治耶利哥的瞎子

       『耶穌將近耶利哥的時候，有一個瞎子坐在路旁討飯。聽見許多人經過，就問是甚麼事。他們告訴他，是拿撒勒人耶穌經過。他就呼叫說：「大衞的子孫耶穌啊，可憐我吧！」在前頭走的人就責備他，不許他做聲，他卻越發喊叫說：「大衞的子孫，可憐我吧！」耶穌站住，吩咐把他領過來，到了跟前，就問他說：「你要我為你做甚麼？」 他說：「主啊，我要能看見！」耶穌說：「你可以看見！你的信救了你了。」瞎子立刻看見了，就跟隨耶穌，一路歸榮耀與神。眾人看見這事，也讚美神。』(路加福音 18:35-43)

       首先我們看到了這瞎子很有信心，他的信心在他的行為中表現出來，而且是自卑的因他呼叫可憐我吧！他有信心這點也可從耶穌說「你的信救了你」看出來。耶穌憐憫了他，醫治他的瞎眼，而且是立刻就看見了！在福音書其他的地方可以看到耶穌會用不同的神蹟醫治瞎子的 (如參約翰福音 9:1-7)。他也跟隨耶穌，並歸榮耀於神。因是在耶利哥，這瞎子應該是猶太人，所以耶穌允許這治好的瞎子跟隨祂。但對住在低加坡里的外邦人，我們以前分享過，『耶穌不許，卻對他說：「你回家去，到你的親屬那裏，將主為你所做的是何等大的事，是怎樣憐憫你，都告訴他們。」那人就走了，在低加坡里傳揚耶穌為他做了何等大的事，眾人就都希奇。』(馬可福音 5:19-20)  為什麼耶穌為什麼會有這樣不同的處理方式的？因為『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) 所以我們看見了祂的確是這樣做。

2. 耶利哥的稅吏長撒該

       『耶穌進了耶利哥，正經過的時候，有一個人名叫撒該，作稅吏長，是個財主。他要看看耶穌是怎樣的人，只因人多，他的身量又矮，所以不得看見，就跑到前頭，爬上桑樹，要看耶穌，因為耶穌必從那裏經過。耶穌到了那裏，抬頭一看，對他說：「撒該，快下來！今天我必住在你家裏。」他就急忙下來，歡歡喜喜地接待耶穌。眾人看見，都私下議論說：「他竟到罪人家裏去住宿。」撒該站着對主說：「主啊，我把所有的一半給窮人；我若訛詐了誰，就還他四倍。」耶穌說：「今天救恩到了這家，因為他也是亞伯拉罕的子孫。人子來，為要尋找、拯救失喪的人。」』(路加福音 19:1-10)

       稅吏是當時為猶太人所恨惡的，但我們看到了稅吏長撒該的信心，看到他事後做的事就可証明這一點。他的信心的行動是爬上桑樹，而耶穌抬頭一看就看見了他，並在他家裏去住宿。我們可以問的是，耶穌正好抬頭一看，還是有其他的原因？在路得記中，我們看到神用巧合成就了祂的旨意，要注意，不是巧合就是神的旨意，不能夠劃等號。在這裏，我相信從聖經的一致性看，耶穌只是順服了神的旨意，因祂一生都是如此，如經文所說，『…父怎樣吩咐我，我就怎樣行。 …』約翰福音 14:31)  『我憑着自己不能做甚麼，我怎麼聽見，就怎麼審判。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。』(約翰福音 5:30)

     你看撒該有多高興耶穌赦免了他的罪，讓救恩臨到他，他的信心在他、有可能是瀕鄰破產、的行為中彰顯出來，因為他說，『…我把所有的一半給窮人；我若訛詐了誰，就還他四倍。』(路加福音 19:8) 在這裏我們也可看見了他原是訛詐別人的罪人，這明顯的是超過了十一的奉獻。在新約的時代，是要像寡婦的兩個小錢一樣的心甘情願的奉獻，而不是像法利賽因遵守律法而有的奉獻，即使是因自己有需要而達不到十一的甘心情願的奉獻，也是蒙神所悅納的，神不會收納勉強的而只是守律法的十一奉獻。

    耶穌說得很清楚，『…今天救恩到了這家，因為他也是亞伯拉罕的子孫。人子來，為要尋找、拯救失喪的人。』 我們知道，『…人得為後嗣是本乎信，…，叫應許定然歸給一切後裔，不但歸給那屬乎律法的，也歸給那效法亞伯拉罕之信的。』(羅馬書 4:16) 『…因為從以色列生的，不都是以色列人；也不因為是亞伯拉罕的後裔，就都作他的兒女；惟獨「從以撒生的，才要稱為你的後裔。」這就是說，肉身所生的兒女不是神的兒女；惟獨那應許的兒女才算是後裔。』(羅馬書 9:6-8) 『因為外面作猶太人的，不是真猶太人；外面肉身的割禮，也不是真割禮。惟有裏面作的，才是真猶太人；真割禮也是心裏的，在乎靈，不在乎儀文。這人的稱讚不是從人來的，乃是從神來的。』(羅馬書 2:28-29)

3. 十個僕人的比喻

       『眾人正在聽見這些話的時候，耶穌因為將近耶路撒冷，又因他們以為神的國快要顯出來，就另設一個比喻，說：「有一個貴冑往遠方去，要得國回來，便叫了他的十個僕人來，交給他們十錠銀子，說：『你們去做生意，直等我回來。』「他本國的人卻恨他，打發使者隨後去，說：『我們不願意這個人作我們的王。』「他既得國回來，就吩咐叫那領銀子的僕人來，要知道他們做生意賺了多少。「頭一個上來，說：『主啊，你的一錠銀子已經賺了十錠。』「主人說：『好！良善的僕人，你既在最小的事上有忠心，可以有權柄管十座城。』「第二個來，說：『主啊，你的一錠銀子已經賺了五錠。』「主人說：『你也可以管五座城。』「又有一個來說：『主啊，看哪，你的一錠銀子在這裏，我把它包在手巾裏存着。我原是怕你，因為你是嚴厲的人：沒有放下的，還要去拿；沒有種下的，還要去收。』「主人對他說：『你這惡僕，我要憑你的口定你的罪！你既知道我是嚴厲的人，沒有放下的，還要去拿，沒有種下的，還要去收，為甚麼不把我的銀子交給銀行，等我來的時候，連本帶利都可以要回來呢？』「就對旁邊站着的人說：『奪過他這一錠來，給那有十錠的。』「他們說：『主啊，他已經有十錠了！』「主人說：『我告訴你們：凡有的，還要加給他；沒有的，連他所有的也要奪過來。至於我那些仇敵，不要我作他們王的，把他們拉來，在我面前殺了吧！』」』(路加福音 19:11-27)

       所以這是在將近耶路撒冷發生的事情，這是和在馬太福音所講的原則是一樣的，『「天國又好比一個人要往外國去，就叫了僕人來，把他的家業交給他們，按着各人的才幹，給他們銀子，一個給了五千，一個給了二千，一個給了一千，就往外國去了。…那領五千銀子的又帶着那另外的五千來，說：『主啊，你交給我五千銀子，請看，我又賺了五千。』「主人說：『好！你這又良善又忠心的僕人，你在不多的事上有忠心，我要把許多事派你管理；可以進來享受你主人的快樂。』…「那領一千的也來，說：『主啊，我知道你是忍心的人，沒有種的地方要收割，沒有散的地方要聚斂，我就害怕，去把你的一千銀子埋藏在地裏。請看，你的原銀子在這裏。』…「『奪過他這一千來，給那有一萬的！因為凡有的，還要加給他，叫他有餘；沒有的，連他所有的也要奪過來。把這無用的僕人丟在外面黑暗裏，在那裏必要哀哭切齒了。』」』(馬太福音 25:14-30) 這一次是按著各人的才幹給銀子，但可也是多給的多要，五千的人賺了五千，他是有了一萬了。沒有的，的確連他所有的一千也要奪過來，給了那已有一萬的。

       耶穌說得很清楚，這比喻是因『…他們以為神的國快要顯出來…』(路加福音 19:11) 所以祂是在說祂再來的時候對每個人的審判的一個準則。首先我們看到的是天國的一個原則，多給的多要，但不是不合理的多要，而且是『…凡有的，還要加給他；沒有的，連他所有的也要奪過來。』(路加福音 19:26) 凡沒有的這點，在那拿了一碇銀子的人身上是非常明顯的，主人原不是只有嚴厲的一面，看他賞給那賺十錠的人十座城就知道。但他只看到那一面，即使如此，他也不把銀子交給銀行，這樣至少能連本利都可以要回來，他真是又惡又懶的僕人啊！難怪主人要憑他的口定他的罪，真是會哀哭切齒的。在另一處經文中說，『我(耶穌)又告訴你們：從東從西，將有許多人來，在天國裏與亞伯拉罕、以撒、雅各一同坐席；惟有本國的子民，竟被趕到外邊黑暗裏去，在那裏必要哀哭切齒了。』(馬太福音 8:11-12) 至於不認耶穌為主的仇敵，名字不會在生命册上，在啓示錄的白色大審判中，『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) 我們也不要做那哀哭切齒的人，我們要做因信稱義，知道聽道不如行道 (參雅各書 1:22-24)，而有信心的行為的人。

(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』。)

We first saw the blind man’s faith and his actions of faith. We also saw why Jesus treated Jews and Gentiles differently and allowed the healed blind man to follow Him.  Secondly, we also saw the faith of Zaccheus the chief tax collector and his behavior due to faith. We saw how happy he was when Jesus forgave his sins, but with an action that was possible to put him on the verge of bankruptcy.  Third, from the parable of the ten slaves, we see a principle of the kingdom of heaven: to the one who gives much, much will be required, but not unreasonably much, and to everyone who has, more will be given; to those who do not have, even to him all will be taken away.  This parable is a criterion for judgment of everyone when Jesus returns. When He returns, there will be judgment from the great white throne. Those who believe in Him will be judged including this criterion. Those who do not believe in Him will be put in the lake of fire.

1. Healing the blind man in Jericho

“As Jesus was approaching Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging. Now hearing a crowd going by, he began to inquire what this was. They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. And he called out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who led the way were sternly telling him to be quiet; but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him; and when he came near, He questioned him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And he said, “Lord, I want to regain my sight!” And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him, glorifying God; and when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God.”(Luke 18:35-43)

First of all, we saw that the blind man had a good amount of faith. His faith was manifested in his behavior, and he was humble because he called out, saying, “…have mercy on me!” His faith can also be seen from the fact that Jesus said, “Your faith has saved you.”  Jesus had mercy on him, healed his blindness, and he could see immediately!  In other places in the Gospels, we can see that Jesus would use different miracles to heal the blind man (for example, see John 9:1-7).  He also followed Jesus and gave glory to God.  Because it was in Jericho, the blind man should be a Jew, so Jesus allowed the healed blind man to follow Him.  But for the Gentiles living in the Decapolis, we have shared before, “And He (Jesus) did not let him, but He said to him, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.”(Mark 5:19-20) Why did Jesus deal with it in such a different way?  Because Jesus said, “…I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (Matthew 15:24) So we see that He did indeed do this.

2. Zaccheus, the chief tax collector of Jericho

 “He entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man called by the name of Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector and he was rich. Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and was unable because of the crowd, for he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass through that way. When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” And he hurried and came down and received Him gladly. When they saw it, they all began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.””(Luke 19:1-10)

Tax collectors were hated by the Jews at that time, but we have seen the faith of Zaccheus, the chief tax collector, and what he did afterwards can prove this.  His action out of faith was shown by his climbing a sycamore tree. Jesus looked up and saw him and went to stay in his house.  What we can ask is: did Jesus just look up, or were there some other reasons?  In the book of Ruth, we see that God used coincidence to accomplish His will. It should be noted that whether it is coincidence or God’s will, we cannot equate it.  God often use coincidences to accomplish His goal, but not all coincidences come from God. Here, I believe that judging from the consistency of the Bible, Jesus simply obeyed the will of God because He was like this throughout his life. As the scripture says, “…I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. …”(John 14:31) “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.”(John 5:30)

You see how happy Zacchaeus was that Jesus forgave his sins and allowed salvation to come to him. His faith was demonstrated in his actions, which probably put him on the verge of bankruptcy, because he said, “half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.”(Luke 19:8) What he did obviously exceeds the tithe. Here we can also see that he was a sinner who defrauded others in the past. In the era of the New Testament, it is necessary to give willingly, like the widow’s two small coins, not like the Pharisees who only obeyed the Law. If giving willingly, even if they could not reach tithe because of their own needs, such contribution is also received well by God. God will not accept a tithe that is forced but only in compliance with the Law.

Jesus made it very clear, “…Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:9-10) We know, by faith are men made heirs, “…so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.”(Romans 4:16) “…For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: “through Isaac your descendants will be named.””(Romans 9:6-7) “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.”(Romans 2:28-29)

3. The parable of the ten slaves

“While they were listening to these things, Jesus went on to tell a parable, because He was near Jerusalem, and they supposed that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately. So He said, “A nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself, and then return. And he called ten of his slaves, and gave them ten minas and said to them, ‘Do business with this until I come back.’ But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ When he returned, after receiving the kingdom, he ordered that these slaves, to whom he had given the money, be called to him so that he might know what business they had done. The first appeared, saying, ‘Master, your mina has made ten minas more.’ And he said to him, ‘Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, you are to be in authority over ten cities.’ The second came, saying, ‘Your mina, master, has made five minas.’ And he said to him also, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ Another came, saying, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I kept put away in a handkerchief; for I was afraid of you, because you are an exacting man; you take up what you did not lay down and reap what you did not sow.’ He said to him, ‘By your own words I will judge you, you worthless slave. Did you know that I am an exacting man, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow? Then why did you not put my money in the bank, and having come, I would have collected it with interest?’ Then he said to the bystanders, ‘Take the mina away from him and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ And they said to him, ‘Master, he has ten minas already.’ I tell you that to everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. But these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them in my presence.””(Luke 19:11-27)

This is the same principle as what is said in the Gospel of Matthew, “For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. …Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. “The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ …“And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ …Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’ “For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”(Matthew 25:14-30) This time, each person was given money according to his ability. However, we can see the more was given to the one, the more would that one be asked for. 

In the Gospel of Luke, it says clearly that this is what happened near Jerusalem. Everyone was given the same one mina. The slave who had 10 minas is rewarded with the authority over ten cities. For the one with the one mina, even the one mina will be taken away, and given to him who already has ten. The concept of “the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away” is demonstrated clearly by the slave who had only one mina. The master was not just an exacting person. This can be seen by how he rewarded the person who had ten minas. But that slave only saw that side. Even so, he would not hand over the money to the bank, so that he could at least get his principal and interest back. He was really a wicked, lazy slave. No wonder his master wanted to condemn him with his mouth. By this way, he was really weeping and gnashing of teeth.  In another scripture it says, “Again I (Jesus) say to you: Many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; but the people of this nation will be Go out into darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”(Matthew 8:11-12)

Jesus made it very clear that this parable was given because “…they supposed that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately.”(Luke 19:11) So He was talking about a criterion for the judgment of everyone when He comes again.  First of all, what we see is a principle of the kingdom of heaven. To the one who has given much, much will be required, but not to ask for much unreasonably. It is like the verse, “I tell you that to everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.”(Luke 19:26) As for the enemies who deny Jesus as Lord, their names will not be in the book of life. In the great white judgment of Revelation, “…if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”(Revelation 20:15) We do not want to be those who weep and gnash the teeth. We want to be justified by faith, knowing that hearing is not as good as doing the word (see James 1:22-24), and have deeds of faith.

(Verses refer to those in NASB unless otherwise specified.)

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

    我们首先看到新约说到祷告的态度，不要自高，要真正的谦卑。第二，我们要回转像小孩子似的完全仰赖父母，完全的信靠天父，才能进天国。第三，我们看到少年官想要做什么去赢得永生的错误观念，知道要积财宝在天上不是很容易的，但如果我们仰望主，在神凡事都能。我们也看到了对一个撇下所有的跟从主的人，不仅有属灵的福份，也因神的祝福有在世间的得著。最后我们分享了马可福音及在对观福音中，耶稣预言了三次要受难与复活，更预言了一次会复活的讯息。因有网上的资讯和易用的软体，只要肯花一些时间，这样的知识相对于知道受难和复活的意义，是相当容易得到的。不要忘记读经的目的是要得生命，能有这样的知识是附带的。

1. 祷告的态度       

    『耶稣向那些仗著自己是义人，藐视别人的，设一个比喻，说：「有两个人上殿里去祷告：一个是法利赛人，一个是税吏。法利赛人站著，自言自语地祷告说：『神啊，我感谢你，我不像别人勒索、不义、奸淫，也不像这个税吏。我一个礼拜禁食两次，凡我所得的都捐上十分之一。』「那税吏远远地站著，连举目望天也不敢，只捶著胸说：『神啊，开恩可怜我这个罪人！』「我告诉你们：这人回家去比那人倒算为义了。因为凡自高的，必降为卑；自卑的，必升为高。」』(路加福音 18:9-14)       

    这经文明讲这是一个比喻而不是真正发生的事情，读经我们可以很容易做到的一件事情是不要在比喻和发生的事情划等号。这些经文很清楚说到祷告的态度，法利赛人律法守得相当好，自以为义，但这绝不是主要的。在这里也是强调了一个属灵的原则: 『凡自高的，必降为卑；自卑的，必升为高。』那税吏不是有自卑的态度吗？所以会说，『这人回家去比那人倒算为义了。』新约提到了要自卑相当多次，如果我们真知道神是无限人是有限，我们怎么能够不自卑呢？一个真正谦卑的人会如保罗所看到的事实，『若有人以为自己知道甚么，按他所当知道的，他仍是不知道。』(哥林多前书 8:2) 我们基本上会不如保罗的，他清楚的知道，『那美好的仗我已经打过了，当跑的路我已经跑尽了，所信的道我已经守住了。从此以后，有公义的冠冕为我存留，…』(提摩太后书 4:7-8) 即使保罗也说，『…在罪人中我是(现在式)个罪魁。』(提摩太前书 1:15) 注意到用的是现在式，我们应该会迟早也有这样的经历。知道别人总是在某些点有比自己强的地方，跟那人相比，在这点上怎么能骄傲得起来呢？即然我们不知是那点，真正知道这样，我们怎么会不在人前谦卑呢？

2. 要如何像小孩子       

    『有人抱著自己的婴孩来见耶稣，要他摸他们。门徒看见就责备那些人。耶稣却叫他们来，说：「让小孩子到我这里来，不要禁止他们，因为在神国的正是这样的人。我实在告诉你们：凡要承受神国的，若不像小孩子，断不能进去。」』(路加福音 18:15-17)     #####婴孩和小孩子是不同的，婴孩什么都不懂，且自然地完全依靠喂养他的人，其实即使是婴孩，也常是到一个年齢不肯被别人抱。小孩子更是如此，他们已知道父母为谁，我们看到许多小孩子不会要其他的人，可见他们是有选择的。所以我们看到是因为有人抱著婴儿来见耶稣，而引起了祂的要像小孩子的回答。在马太福音也有类似的经文，『那时，有人带著小孩子来见耶稣，要耶稣给他们按手祷告，门徒就责备那些人。耶稣说：「让小孩子到我这里来，不要禁止他们，因为在天国的，正是这样的人。」耶稣给他们按手，就离开那地方去了。』(马太福音 19:13-15) 所以祂说的小孩子应该是还不大，是完全要依赖父母的年龄，这就像我们要完全依赖天父一样，所以会说在天国的正是这样的人，也是耶稣在地上时所做的，如经文所说，『…父怎样吩咐我，我就怎样行。 …』(约翰福音 14:31)

3. 看少年官的故事知要积财宝在天       

    『有一个官问耶稣说：「良善的夫子，我该做甚么事才可以承受永生？」耶稣对他说：「你为甚么称我是良善的？除了神一位之外，再没有良善的。诫命你是晓得的：『不可奸淫，不可杀人，不可偷盗，不可作假见证，当孝敬父母。』」那人说：「这一切我从小都遵守了。」耶稣听见了，就说：「你还缺少一件：要变卖你一切所有的，分给穷人，就必有财宝在天上；你还要来跟从我。」他听见这话，就甚忧愁，因为他很富足。耶稣看见他，就说：「有钱财的人进神的国是何等地难哪！骆驼穿过针的眼，比财主进神的国还容易呢！」听见的人说：「这样，谁能得救呢？」耶稣说：「在人所不能的事，在神却能。」』(路加福音 18:18-27)     

    那时还没有复活，只有诫命，而那少年官回答是耶稣那时说的一切他都遵守了，难怪   在马可福音 10:17-22 记载了同一件事情时且说，『…耶稣看著他，就爱他，…』(马可福音 10:21) 我们知道那是少年官，因为在马太福音 19:16-26 也记载了同一件事情，并说他是少年人。我们也看到了那少年官以为用人的力量、可以做一些事情而进入天国。我们已分享过耶稣处理这件事情的方式，祂告诉了少年官该做什么，并因他所做的而爱他，但不干涉他因自由意志而做的决定。在这里我们也看到了主耶稣是因才施教，要这少年官变卖一切分给穷人、并要亲自跟随祂。这并不是说每一个人都要变卖一切才能积财宝在天，这是主对这少年官呼召时要求，我相信主已事前知道他的答案，但仍给了他一个机会。    

    关于要变卖一切这一点上，我听有人说，一个人因丈夫去世而想把一切遗产捐出去，但神启示她说，祂并没有要求她这样做，最后是她用这笔钱支持了很多宣教机构，这样她为神做的事比捐出遗产更多。所以财富不见得是坏事，要看一个人怎么使用！但要知道，『贪财是万恶之根！有人贪恋钱财，就被引诱离了真道，用许多愁苦把自己刺透了。』(提摩太前书 6:10)      #####这里说到了骆驼穿过针的眼之事，有人认为这不是指骆驼能穿过我们日常所用针的眼的神迹，而做了一个合理的解释，就是古代犹太人的城门，会在正常的门上再开一个小门叫「针眼门」。人若带骆驼进城时只有针眼开就会很不容易，必须将骆驼身上的货物卸下，然后叫牠屈著身子匍匐，必须再加上人力的推拉，才能通过。所以不是说人富有就不能进天国，如果是这样，亚伯拉罕就不能进天国，因他受到了神的祝福而很富有。所以这里只是说，耶稣因他而告诉了我们一个事实，富人难进天国，昔日如此，今日亦然。所强调的是只要从祂的眼中存在的事，在神凡事都能。我们也知道，祂虽不干涉我们的自由意志，但可以创造我们所面临的环境。对于可改变我们的环境这一点，从出埃及记中神所降给法老的十灾里，我们可以很清楚的看到。顺便一提的是，如果我们从神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的看，神既然不干涉亚当和夏娃当初自由意志的选择，少年官也是如此，所以神也不会干涉法老的选择，使他的心刚硬，而是任凭他的心刚硬，原文的确有任凭这个意思。这点也可从神会开我们属灵的眼睛事上看到，我们深深知道，神的确能作我们不能做的事。       

    我们再看看彼得接著问了一个相当自然的问题，『彼得说：「看哪！我们已经撇下自己所有的跟从你了。」耶稣说：「我实在告诉你们：人为神的国撇下房屋，或是妻子、弟兄、父母、儿女，没有在今世不得百倍，在来世不得永生的。」』(路加福音 18:28-30)       

    同一件事情在马太福音是这样说的，『彼得就对他说：「看哪，我们已经撇下所有的跟从你，将来我们要得甚么呢？」耶稣说：「我实在告诉你们：你们这跟从我的人，到复兴的时候，人子坐在他荣耀的宝座上，你们也要坐在十二个宝座上，审判以色列十二个支派。凡为我的名撇下房屋或是弟兄、姐妹、父亲、母亲、儿女、田地的，必要得著百倍，并且承受永生。然而，有许多在前的，将要在后；在后的，将要在前。」』(马太福音 19:27-30)       

    我们看到马太福音清楚的说到有属灵的福份，当然我们知道卖主的犹大不会坐在宝座上，就如圣经所说，『…彼得就在弟兄中间站起来，说：「弟兄们，圣灵借大卫的口，在圣经上预言领人捉拿耶稣的犹大，这话是必须应验的。他本来列在我们数中，并且在使徒的职任上得了一分。…因为诗篇上写著说：『愿他的住处变为荒场，无人在内居住。』 又说：『愿别人得他的职分。』』(使徒行传 1:15-20) 在耶稣复活后，是在大光中选择了保罗为使徒，保罗也是预先知道他会因跟随耶稣而受苦，他仍然选择跟随耶稣，就像他所说的，『…没有违背那从天上来的异象。』(使徒行传 26:19) 也就像『西门彼得回答说：「主啊，你有永生之道，我们还归从谁呢？」』(约翰福音 6:68)    

    这经文也说会有因神的祝福而有的世间的福份，如亚伯拉罕的富有是因神的祝福。只是我们要知道神有绝对的主权，祂是看人内心的，不是看人的外表。当然不是每一个在后的都会变成在前的，但千万不要一不小心、就成为那在前的却变成在后的。 #####4. 第三次预言受难与复活      

    『耶稣带著十二个门徒，对他们说：「看哪，我们上耶路撒冷去，先知所写的一切事都要成就在人子身上。他将要被交给外邦人。他们要戏弄他，凌辱他，吐唾沫在他脸上；并要鞭打他，杀害他；第三日他要复活。」这些事门徒一样也不懂得，意思乃是隐藏的，他们不晓得所说的是甚么。』(路加福音 18:31-34)       

    这是第三次耶稣预言祂的受难和复活。首先我们注意到虽是耶稣明讲，死人复活是在那时超过他们所想的事情，这就是圣经所说的，『神能照著运行在我们心里的大力，充充足足地成就一切，超过我们所求所想的。』(以弗所书 3:20) 上次我们举了一个当时是超过所想的例子，就是『…神…将大地悬在虚空，』(约伯记 26:7)，而现在已可用科技证明，在太空船中可看到这事。我们如果看到圣经所说的好像和现在所知的不同，千万不要把圣经的话打折扣，要相信圣经是神所默示的。       

    在马可福音中，记载了这三次受难和复活的预言。第一次是在『耶稣和门徒出去，往凯撒利亚腓立比的村庄去。…从此，他教训他们说：「人子必须受许多的苦，被长老、祭司长和文士弃绝，并且被杀，过三天复活。」』(马可福音 8:27-31) 这也记载在马太福音 16:13-21。然后耶稣在变化山上有摩西和以利亚向祂显现(参马可福音 9:1-8, 并马太福音 17:1-9)，『他们在荣光里显现，谈论耶稣去世的事，就是他在耶路撒冷将要成的事。』(路加福音 9:31)，确定了祂会受难与复活的预言。『下山的时候，耶稣嘱咐他们说：「人子还没有从死里复活，你们不要将所看见的告诉人。」门徒将这话存记在心，彼此议论从死里复活是甚么意思。』(马可福音 9:9-10) 又一次看到复活是超过他们当时所想的事情。        

    第二次只是短短的记载，『他们离开那地方，经过加利利，耶稣不愿意人知道。于是教训门徒，说：「人子将要被交在人手里，他们要杀害他；被杀以后，过三天他要复活。」门徒却不明白这话，又不敢问他。』(马可福音 9:30-32) 马太福音 17:22-23 也提到这次。       

    第三次是『他们行路上耶路撒冷去。耶稣在前头走，门徒就希奇，跟从的人也害怕。耶稣又叫过十二个门徒来，把自己将要遭遇的事告诉他们说：「看哪，我们上耶路撒冷去，人子将要被交给祭司长和文士，他们要定他死罪，交给外邦人。他们要戏弄他，吐唾沫在他脸上，鞭打他，杀害他。过了三天，他要复活。」』(马可福音 10:32-34)     

    这是和最开始路加福音 18:31-34 说的同一件事，在马太福音 20:17-19 也有类似的记载，所以很清楚的知道这三本福音书为什么称做对观福音，因有些事情它们用来查核同一件事情的记载是对的。跟从祂的人会害怕，因为他们知道犹太人想杀掉耶稣而祂仍上耶路撒冷，其实耶稣不是不知道预言会成就，但祂仍在客西马尼园仍这样的祷告，『…我父啊，倘若可行，求你叫这杯离开我；然而，不要照我的意思，只要照你的意思。』(马太福音 26:39)     

    其实耶稣在去客西马尼园前又预言了一次祂的复活，如经文所说，『他们唱了诗，就出来，往橄榄山去。耶稣对他们说：「你们都要跌倒了，因为经上记著说：『我要击打牧人，羊就分散了。』但我复活以后，要在你们以先往加利利去。」』(马可福音 14:26-28) 他们的确也是在耶稣复活后见到了祂，因『耶稣对她们(妇女)说：「不要害怕！你们去告诉我的弟兄，叫他们往加利利去，在那里必见我。」』(马太福音 28:10)       

    不仅仅是要受难，更是要复活，受难和复活是不可分的，因为『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) 没有受难，我们怎能有祂的血洗净我们的心，除去我们的死行，…』(参希伯来书 9:14) 使我们可以在信的时候，在基督内被神迁到祂爱子的国度呢？没有复活，我们还有什么盼望呢？『若基督没有复活，我们所传的便是枉然，你们所信的也是枉然！…我们若靠基督只在今生有指望，就算比众人更可怜。』(哥林多前书 15:14-19) 千万不要自找苦吃，神允许我们的苦难是因为了我们生命的成长，这样的苦难已经够多了，神不会数算我们自找苦吃的苦难的。       

    最后我们要强调一点是，好像我们这次相当透彻的分享了耶稣的受难和复活，好像是很有学问的样子，大概也很容易被人接受是如此。事实上网路的资讯很多，软体也很方便，关于发生的事情这一点上，只要肯花一些时间就很容易的知道，重要的是要了解受难和复活的意义，不要忘记耶稣说得很清楚，『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) 查经的目的是要得生命。

(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』。) 

        我們首先看到新約說到禱告的態度，不要自高，要真正的謙卑。第二，我們要回轉像小孩子似的完全仰賴父母，完全的信靠天父，才能進天國。第三，我們看到少年官想要做什麼去贏得永生的錯誤觀念，知道要積財寶在天上不是很容易的，但如果我們仰望主，在神凡事都能。我們也看到了對一個撇下所有的跟從主的人，不僅有屬靈的福份，也因神的祝福有在世間的得著。最後我們分享了馬可福音及在對觀福音中，耶穌預言了三次要受難與復活，更預言了一次會復活的訊息。因有網上的資訊和易用的軟體，只要肯花一些時間，這樣的知識相對於知道受難和復活的意義，是相當容易得到的。不要忘記讀經的目的是要得生命，能有這樣的知識是附帶的。

1. 禱告的態度

       『耶穌向那些仗着自己是義人，藐視別人的，設一個比喻，說：「有兩個人上殿裏去禱告：一個是法利賽人，一個是稅吏。法利賽人站着，自言自語地禱告說：『神啊，我感謝你，我不像別人勒索、不義、姦淫，也不像這個稅吏。我一個禮拜禁食兩次，凡我所得的都捐上十分之一。』「那稅吏遠遠地站着，連舉目望天也不敢，只捶着胸說：『神啊，開恩可憐我這個罪人！』「我告訴你們：這人回家去比那人倒算為義了。因為凡自高的，必降為卑；自卑的，必升為高。」』(路加福音 18:9-14)

       這經文明講這是一個比喻而不是真正發生的事情，讀經我們可以很容易做到的一件事情是不要在比喻和發生的事情劃等號。這些經文很清楚說到禱告的態度，法利賽人律法守得相當好，自以為義，但這絕不是主要的。在這裏也是强調了一個屬靈的原則: 『凡自高的，必降為卑；自卑的，必升為高。』那稅吏不是有自卑的態度嗎？所以會說，『這人回家去比那人倒算為義了。』新約提到了要自卑相當多次，如果我們真知道神是無限人是有限，我們怎麼能夠不自卑呢？一個真正謙卑的人會如保羅所看到的事實，『若有人以為自己知道甚麼，按他所當知道的，他仍是不知道。』(哥林多前書 8:2) 我們基本上會不如保羅的，他清楚的知道，『那美好的仗我已經打過了，當跑的路我已經跑盡了，所信的道我已經守住了。從此以後，有公義的冠冕為我存留，…』(提摩太後書 4:7-8) 即使保羅也說，『…在罪人中我是(現在式)個罪魁。』(提摩太前書 1:15) 注意到用的是現在式，我們應該會遲早也有這樣的經歷。知道別人總是在某些點有比自己强的地方，跟那人相比，在這點上怎麼能驕傲得起來呢？即然我們不知是那點,真正知道這樣，我們怎麼會不在人前謙卑呢？

2. 要如何像小孩子

       『有人抱着自己的嬰孩來見耶穌，要他摸他們。門徒看見就責備那些人。耶穌卻叫他們來，說：「讓小孩子到我這裏來，不要禁止他們，因為在神國的正是這樣的人。我實在告訴你們：凡要承受神國的，若不像小孩子，斷不能進去。」』(路加福音 18:15-17)

    嬰孩和小孩子是不同的，嬰孩什麼都不懂，且自然地完全依靠餵養他的人，其實即使是嬰孩，也常是到一個年齢不肯被別人抱。小孩子更是如此，他們已知道父母為誰，我們看到許多小孩子不會要其他的人，可見他們是有選擇的。所以我們看到是因為有人抱著嬰兒來見耶穌，而引起了祂的要像小孩子的回答。在馬太福音也有類似的經文，『那時，有人帶着小孩子來見耶穌，要耶穌給他們按手禱告，門徒就責備那些人。耶穌說：「讓小孩子到我這裏來，不要禁止他們，因為在天國的，正是這樣的人。」耶穌給他們按手，就離開那地方去了。』(馬太福音 19:13-15) 所以祂說的小孩子應該是還不大，是完全要依賴父母的年齡，這就像我們要完全依賴天父一樣，所以會說在天國的正是這樣的人，也是耶穌在地上時所做的，如經文所說，『…父怎樣吩咐我，我就怎樣行。 …』(約翰福音 14:31)

3. 看少年官的故事知要積財寶在天

       『有一個官問耶穌說：「良善的夫子，我該做甚麼事才可以承受永生？」耶穌對他說：「你為甚麼稱我是良善的？除了神一位之外，再沒有良善的。誡命你是曉得的：『不可姦淫，不可殺人，不可偷盜，不可作假見證，當孝敬父母。』」那人說：「這一切我從小都遵守了。」耶穌聽見了，就說：「你還缺少一件：要變賣你一切所有的，分給窮人，就必有財寶在天上；你還要來跟從我。」他聽見這話，就甚憂愁，因為他很富足。耶穌看見他，就說：「有錢財的人進神的國是何等地難哪！駱駝穿過針的眼，比財主進神的國還容易呢！」聽見的人說：「這樣，誰能得救呢？」耶穌說：「在人所不能的事，在神卻能。」』(路加福音 18:18-27)

     那時還沒有復活，只有誡命，而那少年官回答是耶穌那時說的一切他都遵守了，難怪   在馬可福音 10:17-22 記載了同一件事情時且說，『…耶穌看着他，就愛他，…』(馬可福音 10:21) 我們知道那是少年官，因為在馬太福音 19:16-26 也記載了同一件事情，並說他是少年人。我們也看到了那少年官以為用人的力量、可以做一些事情而進入天國。我們已分享過耶穌處理這件事情的方式，祂告訴了少年官該做什麼，並因他所做的而愛他，但不干涉他因自由意志而做的決定。在這裏我們也看到了主耶穌是因才施教，要這少年官變賣一切分給窮人、並要親自跟隨祂。這並不是說每一個人都要變賣一切才能積財寶在天，這是主對這少年官呼召時要求，我相信主已事前知道他的答案，但仍給了他一個機會。

    關於要變賣一切這一點上，我聽有人說，一個人因丈夫去世而想把一切遺產捐出去，但神啓示她說，祂並沒有要求她這樣做，最後是她用這筆錢支持了很多宣教機構，這樣她為神做的事比捐出遺產更多。所以財富不見得是壞事，要看一個人怎麼使用！但要知道，『貪財是萬惡之根！有人貪戀錢財，就被引誘離了真道，用許多愁苦把自己刺透了。』(提摩太前書 6:10)

     這裏說到了駱駝穿過針的眼之事，有人認為這不是指駱駝能穿過我們日常所用針的眼的神蹟，而做了一個合理的解釋，就是古代猶太人的城門，會在正常的門上再開一個小門叫「針眼門」。人若帶駱駝進城時只有針眼開就會很不容易，必須將駱駝身上的貨物卸下，然後叫牠屈著身子匍匐，必須再加上人力的推拉，才能通過。所以不是說人富有就不能進天國，如果是這樣，亞伯拉罕就不能進天國，因他受到了神的祝福而很富有。所以這裏只是說，耶穌因他而告訴了我們一個事實，富人難進天國，昔日如此，今日亦然。所強調的是只要從祂的眼中存在的事，在神凡事都能。我們也知道，祂雖不干涉我們的自由意志，但可以創造我們所面臨的環境。對於可改變我們的環境這一點，從出埃及記中神所降給法老的十災裏，我們可以很清楚的看到。順便一提的是，如果我們從神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的看，神既然不干涉亞當和夏娃當初自由意志的選擇，少年官也是如此，所以神也不會干涉法老的選擇，使他的心剛硬，而是任憑他的心剛硬，原文的確有任憑這個意思。這點也可從神會開我們屬靈的眼睛事上看到，我們深深知道，神的確能作我們不能做的事。

       我們再看看彼得接著問了一個相當自然的問題，『彼得說：「看哪！我們已經撇下自己所有的跟從你了。」耶穌說：「我實在告訴你們：人為神的國撇下房屋，或是妻子、弟兄、父母、兒女，沒有在今世不得百倍，在來世不得永生的。」』(路加福音 18:28-30) 

       同一件事情在馬太福音是這樣說的，『彼得就對他說：「看哪，我們已經撇下所有的跟從你，將來我們要得甚麼呢？」耶穌說：「我實在告訴你們：你們這跟從我的人，到復興的時候，人子坐在他榮耀的寶座上，你們也要坐在十二個寶座上，審判以色列十二個支派。凡為我的名撇下房屋或是弟兄、姐妹、父親、母親、兒女、田地的，必要得着百倍，並且承受永生。然而，有許多在前的，將要在後；在後的，將要在前。」』(馬太福音 19:27-30)

       我們看到馬太福音清楚的說到有屬靈的福份，當然我們知道賣主的猶大不會坐在寶座上，就如聖經所說，『…彼得就在弟兄中間站起來，說：「弟兄們，聖靈藉大衞的口，在聖經上預言領人捉拿耶穌的猶大，這話是必須應驗的。他本來列在我們數中，並且在使徒的職任上得了一分。…因為詩篇上寫着說：『願他的住處變為荒場，無人在內居住。』 又說：『願別人得他的職分。』』(使徒行傳 1:15-20) 在耶穌復活後，是在大光中選擇了保羅為使徒，保羅也是預先知道他會因跟隨耶穌而受苦，他仍然選擇跟隨耶穌，就像他所說的，『…沒有違背那從天上來的異象。』(使徒行傳 26:19) 也就像『西門彼得回答說：「主啊，你有永生之道，我們還歸從誰呢？」』(約翰福音 6:68)

    這經文也說會有因神的祝福而有的世間的福份，如亞伯拉罕的富有是因神的祝福。只是我們要知道神有絕對的主權，祂是看人內心的，不是看人的外表。當然不是每一個在後的都會變成在前的，但千萬不要一不小心、就成為那在前的卻變成在後的。

4. 第三次預言受難與復活

       『耶穌帶着十二個門徒，對他們說：「看哪，我們上耶路撒冷去，先知所寫的一切事都要成就在人子身上。他將要被交給外邦人。他們要戲弄他，凌辱他，吐唾沫在他臉上；並要鞭打他，殺害他；第三日他要復活。」這些事門徒一樣也不懂得，意思乃是隱藏的，他們不曉得所說的是甚麼。』(路加福音 18:31-34)

       這是第三次耶穌預言祂的受難和復活。首先我們注意到雖是耶穌明講，死人復活是在那時超過他們所想的事情，這就是聖經所說的，『神能照着運行在我們心裏的大力，充充足足地成就一切，超過我們所求所想的。』(以弗所書 3:20) 上次我們舉了一個當時是超過所想的例子，就是『…神…將大地懸在虛空，』(約伯記 26:7)，而現在已可用科技証明，在太空船中可看到這事。我們如果看到聖經所說的好像和現在所知的不同，千萬不要把聖經的話打折扣，要相信聖經是神所默示的。

       在馬可福音中，記載了這三次受難和復活的預言。第一次是在『耶穌和門徒出去，往凱撒利亞腓立比的村莊去。…從此，他教訓他們說：「人子必須受許多的苦，被長老、祭司長和文士棄絕，並且被殺，過三天復活。」』(馬可福音 8:27-31) 這也記載在馬太福音 16:13-21。然後耶穌在變化山上有摩西和以利亞向祂顯現(參馬可福音 9:1-8, 並馬太福音 17:1-9)，『他們在榮光裏顯現，談論耶穌去世的事，就是他在耶路撒冷將要成的事。』(路加福音 9:31)，確定了祂會受難與復活的預言。『下山的時候，耶穌囑咐他們說：「人子還沒有從死裏復活，你們不要將所看見的告訴人。」門徒將這話存記在心，彼此議論從死裏復活是甚麼意思。』(馬可福音 9:9-10) 又一次看到復活是超過他們當時所想的事情。

        第二次只是短短的記載，『他們離開那地方，經過加利利，耶穌不願意人知道。於是教訓門徒，說：「人子將要被交在人手裏，他們要殺害他；被殺以後，過三天他要復活。」門徒卻不明白這話，又不敢問他。』(馬可福音 9:30-32) 馬太福音 17:22-23 也提到這次。

       第三次是『他們行路上耶路撒冷去。耶穌在前頭走，門徒就希奇，跟從的人也害怕。耶穌又叫過十二個門徒來，把自己將要遭遇的事告訴他們說：「看哪，我們上耶路撒冷去，人子將要被交給祭司長和文士，他們要定他死罪，交給外邦人。他們要戲弄他，吐唾沫在他臉上，鞭打他，殺害他。過了三天，他要復活。」』(馬可福音 10:32-34)

     這是和最開始路加福音 18:31-34 說的同一件事，在馬太福音 20:17-19 也有類似的記載，所以很清楚的知道這三本福音書為什麼稱做對觀福音，因有些事情它們用來查核同一件事情的記載是對的。跟從祂的人會害怕，因為他們知道猶太人想殺掉耶穌而祂仍上耶路撒冷，其實耶穌不是不知道預言會成就，但祂仍在客西馬尼園仍這樣的禱告，『…我父啊，倘若可行，求你叫這杯離開我；然而，不要照我的意思，只要照你的意思。』(馬太福音 26:39)

     其實耶穌在去客西馬尼園前又預言了一次祂的復活，如經文所說，『他們唱了詩，就出來，往橄欖山去。耶穌對他們說：「你們都要跌倒了，因為經上記着說：『我要擊打牧人，羊就分散了。』但我復活以後，要在你們以先往加利利去。」』(馬可福音 14:26-28) 他們的確也是在耶穌復活後見到了祂，因『耶穌對她們(婦女)說：「不要害怕！你們去告訴我的弟兄，叫他們往加利利去，在那裏必見我。」』(馬太福音 28:10)

       不僅僅是要受難，更是要復活，受難和復活是不可分的，因為『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) 沒有受難，我們怎能有祂的血洗淨我們的心，除去我們的死行，…』(參希伯來書 9:14) 使我們可以在信的時候，在基督內被神遷到祂愛子的國度呢？沒有復活，我們還有什麼盼望呢？『若基督沒有復活，我們所傳的便是枉然，你們所信的也是枉然！…我們若靠基督只在今生有指望，就算比眾人更可憐。』(哥林多前書 15:14-19) 千萬不要自找苦吃，神允許我們的苦難是因為了我們生命的成長，這樣的苦難已經夠多了，神不會數算我們自找苦吃的苦難的。

       最後我們要強調一點是，好像我們這次相當透徹的分享了耶穌的受難和復活，好像是很有學問的樣子，大概也很容易被人接受是如此。事實上網路的資訊很多，軟體也很方便，關於發生的事情這一點上，只要肯花一些時間就很容易的知道，重要的是要瞭解受難和復活的意義，不要忘記耶穌說得很清楚，『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) 查經的目的是要得生命。

(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』。)

We first see that the verses in the New Testament talks about the attitude of prayer, not to be arrogant, but to be truly humble.  Second, we have to turn back like children who trust their parents completely, and thus we have to trust the Heavenly Father completely like children so that we can enter the kingdom of heaven.  Third, we see that the young ruler has a misconception of winning eternal life by doing something according to Law. From him, we also know that it is not easy to lay up treasure in heaven, but if we look to the Lord, all things are possible with God.  We have also seen that for a person who leaves everything to follow the Lord, not only will he have spiritual blessings, but he will also have gains in the world because of God’s blessing.  Finally, we shared the Gospel of Mark and in the Synoptic Gospel, Jesus predicted three times of crucifixion and resurrection. In the Gospel of Mark, there is one more time about predicting the resurrection only.  Because of plenty of information on the Internet and easy-to-use software available, such knowledge is relatively easy to obtain as long as you are willing to spend some time, when compared to knowing the meaning of the crucifixion and resurrection.  Don’t forget that the purpose of reading the Bible is to have life, and having such knowledge is to come with it.

1. The attitude of prayer

“And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.””(Luke 18:9-14)

The scriptures say that this is a metaphor rather than what actually happened. One thing we can easily do when reading the scriptures is not to equate the metaphor with what happened.  These verses are very clear about the attitude of prayer, the Pharisees kept the Law fairly well and were self-righteous, but that is by no means the main thing.  A spiritual principle is also emphasized here: “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Didn’t the tax collector have an attitude of being humble?  So it says, “This man went to his house justified rather than the other.” The New Testament mentions the need to humble ourselves quite a few times. If we really know that God is infinite and man is finite, how can we not humble ourselves?  A truly humble person will see the fact as Paul saw, “If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know.”(1 Corinthians 8:2) We are basically inferior to Paul. He clearly knew, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, …”(2 Timothy 4:7-8) Even Paul said,”…Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am (present tense) foremost of all.”(1 Timothy 1:15) Note that the present tense is used, and we should all have this experience sooner or later.  Knowing that others are always better than yourself in certain points, how can you be proud of these points compared with that person?  Since we don’t really know which points, how can we not be humble before others?

2. How to be like a child

“And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them. But Jesus called for them, saying, “Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.””(Luke 18:15-17)

Babies are different from small children. Babies don’t understand anything and naturally depend entirely on the person who feeds them. In fact, even babies often refuse to be held by others when they reach an older age.  This is especially true for children, who already know who their parents are. We see that many children will not want other people, which shows that they have a choice.  We see that it was because some people came to Jesus with babies, which caused Him to answer with the statement that one should be like children. 

There is also a similar verse in the Gospel of Matthew, “Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” After laying His hands on them, He departed from there.”(Matthew 19:13-15) So the children he mentioned should be in their young age and completely dependent on their parents. Such dependency completely on the Heavenly Father is also what Jesus did when he was on earth, as the scriptures say, “…I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. …”(John 14:31)

3. Read the story of the young ruler and know you must accumulate treasure in heaven 

“A ruler questioned Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments, ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” When Jesus heard this, He said to him, “One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when he had heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. And Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” They who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” But He said, “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.””(Luke 18:18-27)

At that time Jesus had not resurrected, only had the Law, and the young ruler replied that he kept everything Jesus said at that time. No wonder when the same thing was recorded in Mark 10:17-22, it also says, ” Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him …”(Mark 10:21) We know that the ruler was young, because the same thing is recorded in Matthew 19:16-26, and it says he was a young man.  We also saw that the young ruler thought he could do something with his human strength and entered the kingdom of heaven.  We have shared how Jesus handled this by telling the young ruler what to do and loving him for what he did, but not interfering with his free will decisions.  Here we also see that the Lord Jesus taught according to one’s ability. In this case, He asked the young ruler to sell everything and distribute it to the poor, and to follow Him himself.  This is not to say that everyone has to sell everything in order to store up treasures in heaven. This is what the Lord asked the young ruler when he called him. I believe the Lord knew his answer beforehand, but he still gave him a chance.

Regarding the point of selling everything, I heard someone say that a person wanted to donate all her inheritance because her husband died, but God revealed to her that He did not ask her to do so. In the end, she used the money to support many mission agencies, so she did more for God by this way than donating her inheritance.  So wealth is not necessarily a bad thing, it depends on how a person uses it!  But we have to know, “…the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”(1 Timothy 6:10)

It is mentioned here that a camel goes through the eye of a needle. Some people think that this does not refer to the miracle that a camel can pass through the eye of a needle that we use every day. Instead, they make a reasonable explanation, that is, the gates of the ancient Jewish city would have a large regular door, and there is another small door on the door called “needle’s eye door”.  If a person brings a camel into the city, it will be very difficult if only the needle’s eye door is opened. The camel must be unloaded and then make it to bend down and crawl. It must be pushed and pulled by human power to pass.  So it does not mean that people who are rich cannot enter the kingdom of heaven at all. If so, Abraham would not be able to enter the kingdom of heaven, because he was blessed by God and was very rich.  So here is just saying that Jesus told us a fact because of him, that is, it is difficult for rich people to enter the kingdom of heaven. It was the same in the past, and it is the same nowadays. 

The emphasis is that all things are possible with God as long as those things exist.  We also know that He does not interfere with our free will, but can create the circumstances we face.  As for the fact that He can change our environments, we can clearly see it from the ten plagues that God sent to Pharaoh in the book of Exodus.  By the way, we know that God tells through the Bible must be consistent. Therefore, since God did not interfere with Adam and Eve’s choice of free will, so did the young ruler, so God would not interfere with Pharaoh’s choice. So, it the Pharaoh whose heart was hardened by himself, and God just allowed his heart to be hardened but not made it hardened. The original text does have such a meaning.  Changing our environments can also be seen from the fact that God can open our spiritual eyes. We deeply know that God can indeed do things that we cannot do. 

Let’s look at Peter who asked a very natural question afterwards, “Peter said, “Behold, we have left our own homes and followed You.” And He said to them, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times as much at this time and in the age to come, eternal life.””(Luke 18:28-30)

The same thing is said in the Gospel of Matthew, “Then Peter said to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?” And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.”(Matthew 19:27-30)

We see that Matthew clearly speaks of spiritual blessings, and of course we know that Judas the betrayer will not sit on the throne, as the Bible says, “At this time Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren (a gathering of about one hundred and twenty persons was there together), and said, “Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was counted among us and received his share in this ministry.”… “For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his homestead be made desolate, And let no one dwell in it’; and, ‘Let another man take his office.’”(Acts 1:15-20)

After the resurrection of Jesus, it was in the great light that Paul was chosen as an apostle. Paul also knew in advance that he would suffer for following Jesus. But he still chose to follow Jesus. As he said, “…I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision.”(Acts 26:19) Also like “Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.”(John 6:68)

This scripture also says that there will be worldly blessings due to God’s blessing, such as Abraham’s wealth is due to God’s blessing.  It’s just that we need to know that God has absolute sovereignty. He looks at people’s hearts, not their appearances.  Of course, not everyone who is last will become the first, but you must not accidentally become the one who is the first but become the last.

4. The third prophecy of crucifixion and resurrection

“Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished. For He will be handed over to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and mistreated and spit upon, and after they have scourged Him, they will kill Him; and the third day He will rise again.” But the disciples understood none of these things, and the meaning of this statement was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend the things that were said.”(Luke 18:31-34)

This is the third time Jesus foretold his crucifixion and resurrection.  First of all, we notice that although Jesus clearly said that, His resurrection was beyond their imagination at that time, this is what the Bible says, “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.”(Ephesians 3:20) Last time we gave an example that was more than we thought at the time, that is, “He …hangs the earth on nothing.”(Job 26:7) The technology nowadays can prove this by seeing it in spaceships.  If we see that what the Bible says seems to be different from what we know now, we must not discount the words of the Bible, and we must believe that the Bible is inspired by God.

In the Gospel of Mark, these three prophecies of crucifixion and resurrection are recorded.  The first time was in “Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He questioned His disciples, saying to them, “Who do people say that I am?” …And He continued by questioning them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.” …”(Mark 8:27-31) This is also recorded in Matthew 16:13-21. Then Jesus had Moses and Elijah appear to Him on the Mount of Transfiguration (cf. Mark 9:1-8, and Matthew 17:1-9), “who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.”(Luke 9:31) It confirmed the prophecy of His suffering and resurrection. “As they were coming down from the mountain, He gave them orders not to relate to anyone what they had seen, until the Son of Man rose from the dead. They seized upon that statement, discussing with one another what rising from the dead meant.”(Mark 9:9-10) We see again that the resurrection was more than they thought at that time.

The second time is just a short record, “From there they went out and began to go through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know about it. For He was teaching His disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise three days later.” But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him.”(Mark 9:30-32) Matthew 17:22-23 also mentions this event.

The third time it happened is when “They were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were fearful. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him, saying, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and will hand Him over to the Gentiles. They will mock Him and spit on Him, and scourge Him and kill Him, and three days later He will rise again.””(Mark 10:32-34) 

This is the same thing as said in Luke 18:31-34 at the beginning, and there is a similar record in Matthew 20:17-19, so it is clear why these three Gospels are called Synoptic Gospels, because they can be used to check the records of the same thing to see if they are consistent.  His followers would be afraid, because they knew that the Jews wanted to kill Jesus and He still went to Jerusalem. In fact, Jesus did know that the prophecy would be fulfilled, but He still prayed like this in the Garden of Gethsemane, “…“My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.””(Matthew 26:39)

In fact, Jesus predicted one more time for His resurrection before going to the Garden of Gethsemane. As the scriptures say, “After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, because it is written, ‘I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.’ But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.””(Mark 14:26-28) They indeed saw Jesus after his resurrection in Galilee, because “…Jesus said to them (the women), “Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.””(Matthew 28:10)

Not only to suffer, but also to be resurrected. Suffering and resurrection are inseparable, because “He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.”(Romans 4:25) Without suffering, how could we have His blood to cleanse our hearts and remove our dead works…” (See Hebrews 9:14) This makes us in Christ be transferred by God to the kingdom of His beloved Son, the moment when we believe. Without the resurrection, what hope do we have? “and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.  …If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.”(1 Corinthians 15:14-19) Don’t ask for hardship yourself. God allows us to suffer because of the growth of our life. This kind of suffering is enough. God will not count us for asking for such a self-induced bitter suffering.

Finally, we want to emphasize that it seems that we have shared the events associated with the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus quite thoroughly. It seems to be very learned, and it is probably easy to be accepted so by others.  In fact, there is a lot of information on the Internet, and the software is also very convenient. As for what happened, it is easier to get the events regarding what happened, as long as you are willing to spend some time. However, it is more important to understand the meaning of crucifixion and resurrection. Don’t forget that Jesus said it very clearly, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me (Jesus); and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.”(John 5:39-40) The purpose of studying the Bible is to have life.

(Verses refer to those in NASB unless otherwise specified.)

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

First of all, we see that the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven refer to the same thing, and the kingdom of God is in the heart.  We will not know the time of the Lord’s return, just like what happened to the people in the time of Noah and Lot.  Second, the Bible clearly teaches how to preserve spiritual life.  Although the Book of Revelation does not talk about the rapture of the church, we mentioned scriptures that have this concept in the Bible. We know that not everyone who goes to church will be raptured, but only those who believe.  We know that for Christians, one salvation means eternal salvation. On this point, we illustrate why God is fair and see that God tells us through the Bible that it is consistent.  Finally, we saw Jesus give an example of praying at all times. Prayer is not about repeating words, but about going into the inner room in faith.

1. The Kingdom of God Comes

“Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.””(Luke 17:20-21)

The kingdom of God is the kingdom of heaven. There are many places where we can draw this conclusion. The easiest way is to compare these two scriptures. “Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.””(Mark 1:14-15) “Now when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, He withdrew into Galilee; …From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.””(Matthew 4:12-17)

The Bible has never clearly stated the time of the Lord’s return, so all prophecies about the time of the Lord’s return will be wrong. Just like this scripture says, “And He said to the disciples, “The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. They will say to you, ‘Look there! Look here!’ Do not go away, and do not run after them. For just like the lightning, when it flashes out of one part of the sky, shines to the other part of the sky, so will the Son of Man be in His day. But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.”(Luke 17:22-25) He went to the cross eventually to fulfill the prophecy that He would be rejected by this generation.

His return is like what happened to both Noah and Lot, “And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: they were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. It was the same as happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building; but on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. On that day, the one who is on the housetop and whose goods are in the house must not go down to take them out; and likewise the one who is in the field must not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife.”(Luke 17:26-32)

In the case of Lot, it was also said that Lot’s wife turned into a pillar of salt when she looked back.  It’s like what Jesus said, “But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.””(Luke 9:62)

2. How to preserve spiritual life

“Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other will be left. There will be two women grinding at the same place; one will be taken and the other will be left. [Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other will be left.”] And answering they said to Him, “Where, Lord?” And He said to them, “Where the body is, there also the vultures will be gathered.””(Luke 17:33-37)

The disciples asked, where is this happening?  Jesus just answered a fact. You can know what happened by looking at the result of the matter. What is preserved is the spiritual life, and what is lost is the natural life, as the scriptures say, “for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”(Romans 8:13) Another one also said that the way to preserve life is clear: “And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”(Mark 8:34-37)

There are similar words in the Gospel of Matthew: “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left. “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.”(Matthew 24:37-42)

Here we are talking about being on the alert. In this matter, we can see that God tells us through the Bible that it is consistent, because “The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.”(1 Peter 4:7) It is clearly stated here that when the Lord returns, not every living person will be raptured, only Christians.  The book of Revelation does not mention the rapture of the church, so no one knows when it will be raptured.  The idea of ​​the rapture of the church is chiefly derived from these verses, “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) If the rapture did not refer to all believers, Paul would not have used these words to comfort all people.

For Christians, it is once saved and eternally saved. As the scriptures say, “If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”(1 Corinthians 3:14-15) Some people think this is unfair, but God is very fair, “…From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.”(Luke 12:48)

Because God tells us through the Bible that is consistent, how should we look at this matter?  When we look at the new heaven and new earth, the holy city, New Jerusalem, comes down from heaven from God.  (See Revelation 21:1-2) At that time, there are people who cannot enter the city as the scriptures say, “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.”(Revelation 22:14-15) Some people say that my conscience can tell me that the people outside the city must be non-Christians, but the verse regarding the people outside the city gate did not say that there are unbelievers, like when describing the second death, which proclaims that there are unbelievers (cf. Revelation 21:8).  These people may not have noticed that conscience is also stained by sin. For example, we cannot say that David had no conscience during the Bathsheba incident. We must rely on God’s words, not such conscience.

Let us give an example to say that we have to rely on God’s words. The New Testament says, “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.”(Ephesians 3:20) If someone gives a current example to explain this scripture, it must be wrong. Why?  This is because that example is something that can be imagined and sought after.  So what is it that is far beyond all that we ask or think? In the time of Copernicus, he observed that the earth revolves around the sun. Not many scientists and people at that time would believe this, and the Bible said, “He (God) stretches out the north over empty space And hangs the earth on nothing.”(Job 26:7) At that time, how could people believe that the earth was hanged on nothing? So this matter was beyond what one could ask or imagine at that time. Now the current science knows that this fact can be proved by spaceships. Thus, it isn’t far beyond all that we ask or think about today. It is not the Bible that has a problem but man that has a problem. God is infinite and man is finite. ““For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.”(Isaiah 55:8-9) We believe today that there exists something far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, because the Bible says so.

Back to this article, at that time “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) So those who have never believed are already in the lake of fire.  Don’t underestimate the power of Satan, a man who once believed will become a liar by falling, etc. Thus, Peter would say, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”(1 Peter 5:8) “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”(Ephesians 6:13) We have shared before that, except for the sword of the Holy Spirit, the full armor of God are defensive items, so we must first stand firm.

Those who once believed and were saved but could not enter the city are much better off than going down to the lake of fire, but they will weep and gnash their teeth outside the city, as the scriptures say, “I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.””(Matthew 8:11-12) God is faithful, merciful and gracious. Since He told us that once we are saved, we will be saved forever, and there will be no ambiguity.  In this matter, God is very fair by separating Christians in the city from the outside ones, and what God tells us through the Bible is indeed consistent.

3. Pray at all times

 “Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man. There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’ For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said; now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?””(Luke 18:1-8)

The life to live today is, “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) Even if a person can only lie in bed due to a stroke, what one thing cannot be done?  This passage does not say that prayers should use many repetitions. The Bible clearly says, “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.”(Matthew 6:7) “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”(Matthew 6:6) It goes on in Luke 18:8 to say, “…when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”(Luke 18:8) To pray at all the times is to be in faith to pray.

(Verses refer to those in NASB unless otherwise specified.)

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