我們先看浪子的比喻，首先看小兒子，他在父親生前就要求分財產，帶著他那一份出走揮霍，遭受苦難而最終悔改回到父親身旁。看父親的反應就知道父親已隨時準備好為小兒子的悔改而歡欣。這不是天父和我們的關係嗎？世人都犯了罪，虧缺了神的榮耀，我們不會比那小兒子好，但天父隨時準備好我們的悔改，信而受洗，同時忍痛看我們受苦難，讓我們面對自己的決定。第二，我們再看大兒子，他看見小兒子的遭遇而不平，只因自己守律法而沒有違背父親的命令而自誇，卻忘記父親的慈心，論斷自己的弟兄。最後我們看看那不義的管家的教訓，所求於管家的是要有忠心，顯然這人不配做管家，可見主人不同意他做的，但誇講他的確在地上的事聰明，我們應該注目在天上的事，善用那不義的錢財，小事上忠心的結果，是別人才敢把真實的錢財託付給你。

1. 浪子的比喻

       『耶穌又說：「一個人有兩個兒子。小兒子對父親說：『父親，請你把我應得的家業分給我。』他父親就把產業分給他們。「過了不多幾日，小兒子就把他一切所有的都收拾起來，往遠方去了。在那裏任意放蕩，浪費資財。既耗盡了一切所有的，又遇着那地方大遭饑荒，就窮苦起來。於是去投靠那地方的一個人，那人打發他到田裏去放豬。他恨不得拿豬所吃的豆莢充飢，也沒有人給他。「他醒悟過來，就說：『我父親有多少的雇工，口糧有餘，我倒在這裏餓死嗎？我要起來，到我父親那裏去，向他說：父親！我得罪了天，又得罪了你。從今以後，我不配稱為你的兒子，把我當作一個雇工吧！』於是起來，往他父親那裏去。 「相離還遠，他父親看見，就動了慈心，跑去抱着他的頸項，連連與他親嘴。兒子說：『父親！我得罪了天，又得罪了你。從今以後，我不配稱為你的兒子。』「父親卻吩咐僕人說：『把那上好的袍子快拿出來給他穿，把戒指戴在他指頭上，把鞋穿在他腳上，把那肥牛犢牽來宰了，我們可以吃喝快樂。因為我這個兒子是死而復活、失而又得的。』他們就快樂起來。』(路加福音 15:11-24)

       這是耶穌說的，依照聖經的一致性，祂是在說救恩的事情。我們先看這浪子小兒子，他分了家產後帶走了一切而浪費資財，且因此窮苦，受了許多的苦，最後悔改回到父親身邊。這不是指我們嗎？『因為世人都犯了罪，虧缺了神的榮耀。』(羅馬書 3:23) 所以我們不要以為自己比那浪子好多了！沒有神的恩典，耶穌的救恩，被罪沾污的我們只有一死，付罪的工價。這在經文說得很清楚，『因為罪的工價乃是死，惟有神的恩賜，在我們的主基督耶穌裏，乃是永生。』(羅馬書 6:23) 而『天國近了，你們應當悔改！』(馬太福音 3:2) 所以悔改是非常重要重要的。我所知道的復興，都是以悔改開始。

    『如今卻蒙神的恩典，因基督耶穌的救贖，就白白地稱義。』(羅馬書 3:24) 是白白的稱義，我們看父親對他悔改的反應就知道這點，相離還遠，父親就迫不及待的跑去歡迎他。這裏是說父親常常等待他，如果看不到這點，那麼這上好的袍子是為他準備的，要不怎能合身？那時的戒指的大小是固定的，怎能戴在他手上？鞋又怎能合腳？這父親為這失去的小兒子仍然準備了這一切，期望有這麼一天。父親的快樂是因為這個小兒子是死而復活、失而又得的。我們信主不是這樣嗎？『你們在天上的父也是這樣，不願意這小子裏失喪一個。』(馬太福音 18:14) 『他願意萬人得救，明白真道。』(提摩太前書 2:4) 不願一人沈淪。而且『…一個罪人悔改，在天上也要這樣為他歡喜，…』(路加福音 15:7) 

       我們再來看看這父親，父親沒有死時小兒子就要求分財產，真是完全不尊重這父親，因此可能有人會質疑這父親是不是太溺愛這小兒子了？如果是說地上的父親，可能真是如此，因為他可以不答應的，但他答應了！如果這父親是代表天父，情況就會完全不一樣，祂知道祂的兒女會受苦難，但忍痛著要兒女們面對真實的自己。人常常會加強符合自己心意而認為是好的事情，而忘了一些真正的好的事情，如果不背起自己的十字架，遭過苦難，常常會如浪子般以為符合自己的心意的才是好的，而忘了因自己心意而引起的潛在的危機。天父的確是隨時準備好去等待著祂的兒女們悔改轉向祂，不是每一個罪人都會悔改的，但會因一個罪人的悔改而大為歡喜！

2. 浪子的哥哥

       『那時，大兒子正在田裏。他回來，離家不遠，聽見作樂跳舞的聲音，便叫過一個僕人來，問是甚麼事。僕人說：『你兄弟來了。你父親因為得他無災無病的回來，把肥牛犢宰了。』「大兒子卻生氣，不肯進去。他父親就出來勸他。他對父親說：『我服事你這多年，從來沒有違背過你的命令，你並沒有給我一隻山羊羔，叫我和朋友一同快樂。但你這個兒子和娼妓吞盡了你的產業，他一來了，你倒為他宰了肥牛犢！』「父親對他說：『兒啊！你常和我同在，我一切所有的都是你的；只是你這個兄弟是死而復活、失而又得的，所以我們理當歡喜快樂。』』(路加福音 15:25-32)

       這大兒子的情況也是非常不好，很不服，他生氣而不肯進去，顯然是說他守了律法而沒有違背過父親的命令，而忘了父親是慈愛的，因小兒子死而復活、失而又得而歡喜快樂。他顯然是不能由心發出他所行的，不能和父親一同歡喜快樂，而『…一生的果效，是由心發出。』(箴言 4:23) 按著律法，他父親一切所有都是他的，但『沒有一個人靠着律法在神面前稱義，這是明顯的，因為經上說：「義人必因信得生。」律法原不本乎信，只說：「行這些事的，就必因此活着。」』(加拉太書 3:11-12) 『因為凡遵守全律法的，只在一條上跌倒，他就是犯了眾條。』(雅各書 2:10) 『這樣，律法是我們訓蒙的師傅，引我們到基督那裏，使我們因信稱義。』(加拉太書 3:24) 大兒子是論斷了小兒子，小兒子的確是不好，但這小兒子不僅僅是後「悔」他所做，並真正的「改」了，回到父親的身邊，他對父親而言是死而復得的。 我們實在不要論斷別人，『你是誰，竟論斷別人的僕人呢？他或站住，或跌倒，自有他的主人在；而且他也必要站住，因為主能使他站住。』(羅馬書 14:4)

    我們再從父親角度看，從這些經文中他是有心要兒子們承受產業的。先看大兒子，『父親對他說：『兒啊！你常和我同在，我一切所有的都是你的。』』路加福音 15:31) 所以這是明講了！再看那死而復活、失而又得的小兒子，有人說父親為他準備了代表權威的戒指等，很顯然的，父親認他為接受產業的兒子了，這不是和我們一樣嗎？我們信而受洗成為神的養子，繼承了那『因為神本性一切的豐盛，都有形有體地居住在基督裏』的產業。(歌羅西書 2:9)

3 不義的管家的教訓

       『耶穌又對門徒說：「有一個財主的管家，別人向他主人告他浪費主人的財物。主人叫他來，對他說：『我聽見你這事怎麼樣呢？把你所經管的交代明白，因你不能再作我的管家。』「那管家心裏說：『主人辭我，不用我再作管家，我將來做甚麼？鋤地呢？無力；討飯呢？怕羞。我知道怎麼行，好叫人在我不作管家之後，接我到他們家裏去。』「於是把欠他主人債的，一個一個地叫了來，問頭一個說：『你欠我主人多少？』「他說：『一百簍油。』 「管家說：『拿你的賬，快坐下，寫五十。』「又問一個說：『你欠多少？』 「他說：『一百石麥子。』 「管家說：『拿你的賬，寫八十。』「主人就誇獎這不義的管家做事聰明，因為今世之子，在世事之上，較比光明之子更加聰明。我又告訴你們：要藉着那不義的錢財結交朋友，到了錢財無用的時候，他們可以接你們到永存的帳幕裏去。「人在最小的事上忠心，在大事上也忠心；在最小的事上不義，在大事上也不義。倘若你們在不義的錢財上不忠心，誰還把那真實的錢財託付你們呢？倘若你們在別人的東西上不忠心，誰還把你們自己的東西給你們呢？」』(路加福音 16:1-12)

     那管家顯然做了人家告他的事，因這麼在世上的事聰明的人，並沒有辯白，最後因他做了不義的事而被辭退，這是非常合理的，因『所求於管家的，是要他有忠心。』(哥林多前書 4:2) 看這管家被辭退後離開前做的事，也可以看到他真正的一不做二不休，反正不是自己的財物，就浪費了主人的財物。主人誇獎這不義的管家做事聰明，的確在世事之上，他是比較比光明之子更加聰明，主人並沒說他是對的，只是說他聰明，講了一個事實而已。

    其後帶出了要適當的使用錢財，因為生不帶來，死不帶去，要考慮那可永存的。你必須在小事上忠心，在別人的東西上忠心，有人看見你這樣做，才敢把自己的東西託付給你！我們本就是神的養子，要承受產業的，難怪會說，『倘若你們在別人的東西上不忠心，誰還把你們自己的東西給你們呢？」』(路加福音 16:12) 在新約時代，『人應當以我們為基督的執事，為神奧秘事的管家。』(哥林多前書 4:1) 所以 『各人要照所得的恩賜彼此服事，作神百般恩賜的好管家。』(彼得前書 4:10)

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Let us first look at the parable of the prodigal son. First, let us look at the younger son. Before his father was alive, he asked for a share of the property, took his share and went away to squander, suffered hardships, and finally repented and returned to his father.  Just look at the father’s reaction and you will know that the father is ready to rejoice at the younger son’s conversion.  Isn’t this the relationship between Heavenly Father and us?  Everyone in the world has sinned and fell short of the glory of God. We will not be better than the younger son, but the Father is always ready for us to repent, believe and be baptized, and at the same time see us suffering and let us face our own decisions .  Second, let’s look at the elder son. He felt unfair when he saw what happened to the younger son. From the verses, we can only see that he boasted because he obeyed the law and did not disobey his father’s orders. But he forgot his father’s compassion and judged his brothers.  Finally, let’s look at the lesson of the unjust steward. What is required of the steward is loyalty. Obviously, this person is not worthy of being a steward. It can be seen that the master disagrees with what he did, but he said that he was indeed wise in doing things on earth. We should focus on the things in heaven, and make good use of the money on earth. The result of being faithful in small things is that others dare to entrust you with real money.

1. The Parable of the Prodigal Son

“And He said, “A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his wealth between them. And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him. But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”’ So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.”(Luke 15:11-24)

This is what Jesus so said, and according to the consistency in the Bible, He was speaking about salvation.  Let us first look at the younger son who is the prodigal son. After dividing the family property, he took away everything and wasted money, and because of this, he was poor and suffered a lot, and finally repented and we went back to his father.  Doesn’t this refer to us? In  Romans 3:23, it is said clearly, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” So let us not think that we are much better than the prodigal son!  Without the grace of God, the salvation of Jesus, we who are stained by sin can only be worthy to die and pay the wages of sin.  This is clearly stated in the scriptures, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”(Romans 6:23) As said, ““Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”(Matthew 3:2) So repentance is very important.  All revivals I know begin with repentance.

It is said in Romans 3:24, “being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.” It is a free justification. We can see this from the father’s reaction to his repentance. Even if he was far away, the father couldn’t wait to run to welcome him.  This means that the father always waits for him. If you don’t see this, then this fine robe is for him, otherwise how could it fit?  The size of the ring at that time was fixed, how could it be worn on his hand?  How can shoes fit?  The father still prepared all this for the lost little son, and hoped for such a day.  The joy of the father is that the younger son is dead and resurrected, lost and found.  Isn’t that how we believe in the Lord? “So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish.”(Matthew 18:14) He “…desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”(1 Timothy 2:4) Not wanting any to perish.  And “…there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents …”(Luke 15:7)

Let’s take a look at this father again. Before the father died, the youngest son asked for a share of the property. It really disrespects the father at all, so some people may question whether the father spoils the younger son too much?  If it is about the father on earth, it may be true, because he could not agree, but he agreed!  The situation would be completely different if the father represented the Heavenly Father. He knew that His children would suffer, but endured the pain for them to face their true selves.  People often strengthen what is in line with their own wishes and think it is good, and forget some really good things. If they do not take up their own cross and suffer, they will often think that what is in line with their own mind is good like a prodigal son. , and forget the potential crisis caused by one’s own mind.  Heavenly Father is indeed ready to wait for His children to repent and turn to Him. Not every sinner will repent, but one sinner will repent and He’ll rejoice!

2. The Brother of the Prodigal Son

“Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’”(Luke 15:25-32) 

The condition of the elder son was very bad. He was very disobedient in this event, since he was angry and refused to go in, apparently saying that he kept the law and never disobeyed his father’s command. But he really forgot that the father who is with love is also gracious and mercy. He rejoiced due to resurrection of the thought death son. For him, the younger is lost and regained. The elder son cannot issue from his heart what he does, who cannot rejoice with his father, and we know “…from it flow the springs of life.”(Proverbs 4:23) According to the law, everything his father owned was his, but “Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “The righteous man shall live by faith.” However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “He who practices them shall live by them.””(Galatians 3:11-12) “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.”(James 2:10) “Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.”(Galatians 3:24) The elder son judged the younger son, and the younger son was indeed bad, but the younger son not only “regretted” what he had done, but actually “reformed” and returned to the his father’s side, he was resurrected for his father.  Let us not judge others. We know “Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.”(Romans 14:4)

Let us look at it from the perspective of the father again. From these scriptures, he intends for his sons to inherit the inheritance.  Look at the elder son first, “And he (the father) said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours.”(Luke 15:31) So this is clear!  Looking at the younger son who was lost and found again, some people say that his father prepared a ring representing authority for him. Obviously, his father recognized him as the son who could receive the inheritance. Isn’t this the same as us?  We believed and were baptized to be adopted sons of God, inheriting the inheritance that “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form.”(Colossians 2:9)

3. Lessons from the Unrighteous Steward

“Now He was also saying to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager (steward), and this manager was reported to him as squandering his possessions. And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an accounting of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig; I am ashamed to beg. I know what I shall do, so that when I am removed from the management people will welcome me into their homes.’ And he summoned each one of his master’s debtors, and he began saying to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ And he said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ And he said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ And his master praised the unrighteous manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the sons of this age are more shrewd in relation to their own kind than the sons of light. And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by means of the wealth of unrighteousness, so that when it fails, they will receive you into the eternal dwellings. “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you? And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?”(Luke 16:1-12)

The steward obviously did what he was accused of, because such a wise man in the world did not defend himself, and in the end he was dismissed because he did something unrighteous. This is very reasonable, because “In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.”(1 Corinthians 4:2) Looking at what the steward did after he was dismissed and before he left, we can also see that he was really incessant. Anyway, it was not his own property, so he wasted the owner’s property.  The master praised the unrighteous steward for his cleverness. Indeed, he was more clever than the Son of Light. The master did not say that he was right, but only said that he was smart. So the master just tells a fact.  Later, it brought out the need to use money properly, because if you don’t bring it with you when you are born, you don’t take it with you when dead. You must consider what can last forever.  You must be faithful in small things, faithful in other people’s things, or no one will dare to entrust you things. The verse says, “And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?”(Luke 16:12) We are adopted sons of God and supposed to inherent our own things. If we aren’t faithful, there is no reason to give our inheritance. In the New Testament era, “Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.”(1 Corinthians 4:1) Therefore, “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”(1 Peter 4:10)

(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.”)

    首先我们看看摆设筵席是在比喻什么，趁著我们还有机会进天国的时候，要做正确的抉择，因信称义只是基督徒生命的开始，要走上成圣的路，在教会中要准备好去赴羔羊的婚筵。第二我们谈到了如何做门徒，要知道自己能付出的，准备好背十字架，要相信主的安排是为著我们的好处。最后我们看到天国在主动的寻找那失落的，看到了悔改是第一步，而神会因罪人的悔改如何的欢喜。虽是主是主动的寻找，我们仍然必须在大使命中，以身作则和神同工。信而受洗时，神已经把我们迁到他爱子的国里。所以我们已经在基督里，在成圣的路上，我们要不犯罪，留在基督里。即使不免犯罪，我们也知道，『我们若认自己的罪，神是信实的，是公义的，必要赦免我们的罪，洗净我们一切的不义。』(约翰一书 1:9)

1. 摆设筵席       

    『耶稣又对请他的人说：「你摆设午饭或晚饭，不要请你的朋友、弟兄、亲属和富足的邻舍，恐怕他们也请你，你就得了报答。你摆设筵席，倒要请那贫穷的、残废的、瘸腿的、瞎眼的，你就有福了！因为他们没有甚么可报答你。到义人复活的时候，你要得著报答。」同席的有一人听见这话，就对耶稣说：「在神国里吃饭的有福了！」』(路加福音 14:12-15)       

    这人了解得没错，耶稣的确用比喻在说天国的筵席，我们等会看耶稣的回应就知道这一点了。在人间的请客，的确通常都是有来有往，这一段话不是说不要请认识的，因为这样讲实在是不合情理，而是说要投资在天国，不要只想到求人间的回报，就像施舍一样，『所以，你施舍的时候，不可在你前面吹号，像那假冒为善的人在会堂里和街道上所行的，故意要得人的荣耀。我实在告诉你们：他们已经得了他们的赏赐。你施舍的时候，不要叫左手知道右手所做的；要叫你施舍的事行在暗中，你父在暗中察看，必然报答你。』(马太福音 6:2-4)      

    耶稣继续的用筵席的比喻，『耶稣对他说：「有一人摆设大筵席，请了许多客。到了坐席的时候，打发仆人去对所请的人说：『请来吧！样样都齐备了。』「众人一口同音地推辞。头一个说：『我买了一块地，必须去看看。请你准我辞了。』「又有一个说：『我买了五对牛，要去试一试。请你准我辞了。』「又有一个说：『我才娶了妻，所以不能去。』「那仆人回来，把这事都告诉了主人。家主就动怒，对仆人说：『快出去，到城里大街小巷，领那贫穷的、残废的、瞎眼的、瘸腿的来。』「仆人说：『主啊，你所吩咐的已经办了，还有空座。』「主人对仆人说：『你出去到路上和篱笆那里，勉强人进来，坐满我的屋子。我告诉你们：先前所请的人没有一个得尝我的筵席。』」』(路加福音 14:16-24)      

     圣经常用筵席说到天国，譬如这里很清楚的这样说，『耶稣又用比喻对他们说：「天国好比一个王为他儿子摆设娶亲的筵席，就打发仆人去，请那些被召的人来赴席；他们却不肯来。「王又打发别的仆人，说：『你们告诉那被召的人，我的筵席已经预备好了，牛和肥畜已经宰了，各样都齐备，请你们来赴席。』「那些人不理就走了：一个到自己田里去，一个做买卖去，其余的拿住仆人，凌辱他们，把他们杀了。王就大怒，发兵除灭那些凶手，烧毁他们的城。「于是对仆人说：『喜筵已经齐备，只是所召的人不配。所以你们要往岔路口上去，凡遇见的，都召来赴席。』那些仆人就出去到大路上，凡遇见的，不论善恶都召聚了来，筵席上就坐满了客。』(马太福音 22:1-10)       

    这章节和前面的经文基本上在说一件事，我们看见因以前所预备请的宾客只顾做自己的事，最后反而与筵席没有份，也看见了能被邀请的资格是相当的低。如果以这些经文来和新约做类比，就是说救恩原是为每一个人所预备的，只要信就能称义。更可以看见，原来被邀请的就是以色列人，而『…以色列人所求的，他们没有得著，惟有蒙拣选的人得著了，其余的就成了顽梗不化的。』(罗马书 11:7) 如保罗般的少数犹太人就得著了。也因为如此，『…反倒因他们的过失，救恩便临到外邦人，…』(罗马书 11:11) 所以救恩的计划是有一个次序，从选民犹太人到外邦人，也就如『保罗和巴拿巴放胆说：「…因为主曾这样吩咐我们说：『我已经立你作外邦人的光，叫你施行救恩，直到地极。』」』(使徒行传 13:46-47) 对救恩来说，得救的门槛是定得相当的低，只要能信就可以了，经文说得很清楚，『因为人心里相信，就可以称义；口里承认，就可以得救。』(罗马书 10:10)     

    但我们又看到马太福音接著说，『王进来观看宾客，见那里有一个没有穿礼服的，就对他说：『朋友，你到这里来，怎么不穿礼服呢？』那人无言可答。「于是王对使唤的人说：『捆起他的手脚来，把他丢在外边的黑暗里，在那里必要哀哭切齿了。』「因为被召的人多，选上的人少。」』(马太福音 22:11-14) 那时候的筵席是要穿礼服的，很显然的，那些人是路上来的，不太可能穿著礼服在路上，因那人无言可答，所以那人是可以穿礼服，唯一的可能是王为他们预备了筵席的礼服，只是那人不当的没穿而已。所以信而称义只是做一个基督徒的开始，要过一个每个人都可过的「分别成圣」的生活，在新约中说得很清楚，『因为经上记著说：「你们要圣洁，因为我是圣洁的。」』(彼得前书 1:16) 虽然圣洁不能一蹴可及，但我们要进窄门，走上成圣的道路，不要变成那选上人少的人。请注意，经文中并没有说只有一个人没穿礼服，以新约做类比，那礼服就是指信而称义而每个人都有内住的圣灵，我们要适当的穿上礼服，圣灵会在我们成圣的路上引导我们。       

    在圣经最后的启示录中，我们也看到了终极的羔羊娶妻的婚筵，『拿著七个金碗、盛满末后七灾的七位天使中，有一位来对我说：「你到这里来，我要将新妇(教会)，就是羔羊(主耶稣基督)的妻，指给你看。」我被圣灵感动，天使就带我到一座高大的山，将那由神那里从天而降的圣城耶路撒冷指示我。』(启示录 21:9-10) 我们要强调的是，那新耶路撒冷就是神眼中那唯一的教会，就是因奉祂的名聚会的一群人，和那群人的物理位置是没关系的，『因为无论在哪里，有两三个人奉我的名聚会，那里就有我在他们中间。』(马太福音 18:20) 保罗对这点知道得很清楚，『所以，你们因信基督耶稣，都是神的儿子。你们受洗归入基督的，都是披戴基督了。』(加拉太书 3:26-27) 我们知道耶稣是父的独生子，那我们都是神的儿子，是指合法的养子了！『因为他预先所知道的人，就预先定下效法(模成, be conformed to)他儿子的模样(形像, image)，使他儿子在许多弟兄中作长子。 』(罗马书 8:29)

2. 如何做门徒       

    『有极多的人和耶稣同行。他转过来对他们说：「人到我这里来，若不爱我胜过爱自己的父母、妻子、儿女、弟兄、姐妹，和自己的性命，就不能作我的门徒。凡不背著自己十字架跟从我的，也不能作我的门徒。「你们哪一个要盖一座楼，不先坐下算计花费，能盖成不能呢？恐怕安了地基，不能成功，看见的人都笑话他，说：『这个人开了工，却不能完工。』或是一个王出去和别的王打仗，岂不先坐下酌量，能用一万兵去敌那领二万兵来攻打他的吗？若是不能，就趁敌人还远的时候，派使者去求和息的条款。这样，你们无论甚么人，若不撇下一切所有的，就不能作我的门徒。「盐本是好的，盐若失了味，可用甚么叫它再咸呢？或用在田里，或堆在粪里，都不合式，只好丢在外面。「有耳可听的，就应当听！」』(路加福音 14:25-35)      

    这里并没说不要爱自己的父母等等，而是说爱主要胜过爱这一切。做门徒是不容易的，要知道自己能够付出的，但有的时候，即使我们愿意和息别人也不见得会愿意，而估计不一定会完全正确。十字架不是指自讨苦吃，而通常是和苦难有关的，生命的成长经常伴随著神安排或允许的苦难(如约伯般)，基本上没有人愿意主动的背十字架，但这经文明说做门徒要准备好背十字架。这经文不是说信主前就要估量自己可以完全背负自己的十字架，如果是这样，不信主就算了，而是要有一个心志，就是当主要时，要准备好撇下一切所有的，如同当时的雅各和约翰般，『(耶稣)从那里往前走，又看见弟兄二人，就是西庇太的儿子雅各和他兄弟约翰，同他们的父亲西庇太在船上补网，耶稣就招呼他们。他们立刻舍了船，别了父亲，跟从了耶稣。』(马太福音 4:21-22) 这实在是很不容易的，我知道自己是很难做到这点。     

    要相信主的安排是为著我们的好处，因『我们晓得万事都互相效力，叫爱神的人得益处，…』(罗马书 8:28) 至于谈到盐会失了味因而丢在外面，大概只有直接使用的石盐会如此，失了味的石盐是不可能再咸的。最后说到，我们实在是要有一个能听的耳，不只是在这里说，在启示录提到的七个教会都说，『圣灵向众教会所说的话，凡有耳的，就应当听！』(如在启示录 3:22)

3. 天国在主动的寻找失羊和失钱     

    『众税吏和罪人都挨近耶稣，要听他讲道。法利赛人和文士私下议论说：「这个人接待罪人，又同他们吃饭。」』(路加福音 15:1-2) 的确，法利赛人和文士论断别人是罪人，却没想到每一个人包括自己都需要救恩，『因为世人都犯了罪，亏缺了神的荣耀。』(罗马书 3:23)    

    圣经所说的罪是指不顺服神，证明这点，我们首先从经文看， 『这就如罪是从一人(亚当)入了世界，…』，这是因为亚当的不顺服，所以不顺服意味著罪。反过来要说，罪意味著不顺服神，我们可以看其逻辑上相等的叙述，就是顺服神意味著没有罪。神有绝对的主权，顺服神绝对不是犯罪，所以结论就是罪等于不顺服神。『亚当活到一百三十岁，生了一个儿子，形像样式和自己相似…』(创世记 5:3) 是带著罪的。我们都是亚当的子孙，这就像遗传类似，我们也是从出生就带著罪的，我们是罪人因我们带著罪，不是因我们犯了罪行而成为罪人，不要本末倒置。说到罪行，我们知道小孩子不必教就会说谎，怎么会不是性本恶而世人都犯了罪呢？    

    这里有两个比喻，第一个是：『耶稣就用比喻说：「你们中间谁有一百只羊失去一只，不把这九十九只撇在旷野，去找那失去的羊，直到找著呢？找著了，就欢欢喜喜地扛在肩上，回到家里，就请朋友邻舍来，对他们说：『我失去的羊已经找著了，你们和我一同欢喜吧！』我告诉你们：一个罪人悔改，在天上也要这样为他欢喜，较比为九十九个不用悔改的义人欢喜更大。」』(路加福音 15:3-7) 请注意，这人是主动的去寻找，犹如不论我们知不知道，一个人会成为真正的基督徒，是圣灵主动寻找的工作，我们也听过这样的见证。       

    接著就谈到第二个失钱的比喻，『或是一个妇人有十块钱，若失落一块，岂不点上灯，打扫屋子，细细地找，直到找著吗？找著了，就请朋友邻舍来，对他们说：『我失落的那块钱已经找著了，你们和我一同欢喜吧！』我告诉你们：一个罪人悔改，在神的使者面前也是这样为他欢喜。』(路加福音 15:8-10)       

    这两个比喻是在讲同一件事情，就是天国是主动在寻找失丧的人，希望罪人悔改，也看到了因罪人悔改神的欢喜。虽是主是主动的寻找，我们仍然必须在大使命中和神同工 (参马太福音 28:18-20)，要以身作则，使别人看见我们的好行为，甘心情愿的要做基督徒，我们也因此能在大使命中，使万民作主的门徒了。    

    悔改是非常的重要，是第一步，就像『彼得说：「你们各人要悔改，奉耶稣基督的名受洗，叫你们的罪得赦，就必领受所赐的圣灵。」』（使徒行传 2:38) 所以真正的悔改一定会有随著而来的行动的。耶稣也说得很清楚，『…天国近了，你们应当悔改！(马太福音 4:17) 信而受洗时，神已经『…救了我们脱离黑暗的权势，把我们迁到他爱子的国里；我们在爱子里得蒙救赎，罪过得以赦免。』(歌罗西书 1:13-14) 所以我们已经在基督里，在成圣的路上，我们要不犯罪，留在基督里。即使不免犯罪，我们也知道，『我们若认自己的罪，神是信实的，是公义的，必要赦免我们的罪，洗净我们一切的不义。』(约翰一书 1:9)

(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』。) 

       首先我們看看擺設筵席是在比喻什麼，趁著我們還有機會進天國的時候，要做正確的抉擇，因信稱義只是基督徒生命的開始，要走上成聖的路，在教會中要準備好去赴羔羊的婚筵。第二我們談到了如何做門徒，要知道自己能付出的，準備好背十字架，要相信主的安排是為著我們的好處。最後我們看到天國在主動的尋找那失落的，看到了悔改是第一步，而神會因罪人的悔改如何的歡喜。雖是主是主動的尋找，我們仍然必須在大使命中，以身作則和神同工。信而受洗時，神已經把我們遷到他愛子的國裏。所以我們已經在基督裏，在成聖的路上，我們要不犯罪，留在基督裡。即使不免犯罪，我們也知道，『我們若認自己的罪，神是信實的，是公義的，必要赦免我們的罪，洗淨我們一切的不義。』(約翰一書 1:9)

1. 擺設筵席

       『耶穌又對請他的人說：「你擺設午飯或晚飯，不要請你的朋友、弟兄、親屬和富足的鄰舍，恐怕他們也請你，你就得了報答。你擺設筵席，倒要請那貧窮的、殘廢的、瘸腿的、瞎眼的，你就有福了！因為他們沒有甚麼可報答你。到義人復活的時候，你要得着報答。」同席的有一人聽見這話，就對耶穌說：「在神國裏吃飯的有福了！」』(路加福音 14:12-15)

       這人瞭解得沒錯，耶穌的確用比喻在說天國的筵席，我們等會看耶穌的回應就知道這一點了。在人間的請客，的確通常都是有來有往，這一段話不是說不要請認識的，因為這樣講實在是不合情理，而是說要投資在天國，不要只想到求人間的回報，就像施捨一樣，『所以，你施捨的時候，不可在你前面吹號，像那假冒為善的人在會堂裏和街道上所行的，故意要得人的榮耀。我實在告訴你們：他們已經得了他們的賞賜。你施捨的時候，不要叫左手知道右手所做的；要叫你施捨的事行在暗中，你父在暗中察看，必然報答你。』(馬太福音 6:2-4)

      耶穌繼續的用筵席的比喻，『耶穌對他說：「有一人擺設大筵席，請了許多客。到了坐席的時候，打發僕人去對所請的人說：『請來吧！樣樣都齊備了。』「眾人一口同音地推辭。頭一個說：『我買了一塊地，必須去看看。請你准我辭了。』「又有一個說：『我買了五對牛，要去試一試。請你准我辭了。』「又有一個說：『我才娶了妻，所以不能去。』「那僕人回來，把這事都告訴了主人。家主就動怒，對僕人說：『快出去，到城裏大街小巷，領那貧窮的、殘廢的、瞎眼的、瘸腿的來。』「僕人說：『主啊，你所吩咐的已經辦了，還有空座。』「主人對僕人說：『你出去到路上和籬笆那裏，勉強人進來，坐滿我的屋子。我告訴你們：先前所請的人沒有一個得嘗我的筵席。』」』(路加福音 14:16-24)

       聖經常用筵席說到天國，譬如這裡很清楚的這樣說，『耶穌又用比喻對他們說：「天國好比一個王為他兒子擺設娶親的筵席，就打發僕人去，請那些被召的人來赴席；他們卻不肯來。「王又打發別的僕人，說：『你們告訴那被召的人，我的筵席已經預備好了，牛和肥畜已經宰了，各樣都齊備，請你們來赴席。』「那些人不理就走了：一個到自己田裏去，一個做買賣去，其餘的拿住僕人，凌辱他們，把他們殺了。王就大怒，發兵除滅那些兇手，燒燬他們的城。「於是對僕人說：『喜筵已經齊備，只是所召的人不配。所以你們要往岔路口上去，凡遇見的，都召來赴席。』那些僕人就出去到大路上，凡遇見的，不論善惡都召聚了來，筵席上就坐滿了客。』(馬太福音 22:1-10)

       這章節和前面的經文基本上在說一件事，我們看見因以前所預備請的賓客只顧做自己的事，最後反而與筵席沒有份，也看見了能被邀請的資格是相當的低。如果以這些經文來和新約做類比，就是說救恩原是為每一個人所預備的，只要信就能稱義。更可以看見，原來被邀請的就是以色列人，而『…以色列人所求的，他們沒有得着，惟有蒙揀選的人得着了，其餘的就成了頑梗不化的。』(羅馬書 11:7) 如保羅般的少數猶太人就得著了。也因為如此，『…反倒因他們的過失，救恩便臨到外邦人，…』(羅馬書 11:11) 所以救恩的計劃是有一個次序，從選民猶太人到外邦人，也就如『保羅和巴拿巴放膽說：「…因為主曾這樣吩咐我們說：『我已經立你作外邦人的光，叫你施行救恩，直到地極。』」』(使徒行傳 13:46-47) 對救恩來說，得救的門檻是定得相當的低，只要能信就可以了，經文說得很清楚，『因為人心裏相信，就可以稱義；口裏承認，就可以得救。』(羅馬書 10:10) 

     但我們又看到馬太福音接著說，『王進來觀看賓客，見那裏有一個沒有穿禮服的，就對他說：『朋友，你到這裏來，怎麼不穿禮服呢？』那人無言可答。「於是王對使喚的人說：『捆起他的手腳來，把他丟在外邊的黑暗裏，在那裏必要哀哭切齒了。』「因為被召的人多，選上的人少。」』(馬太福音 22:11-14) 那時候的筵席是要穿禮服的，很顯然的，那些人是路上來的，不太可能穿著禮服在路上，因那人無言可答，所以那人是可以穿禮服，唯一的可能是王為他們預備了筵席的禮服，只是那人不當的沒穿而已。所以信而稱義只是做一個基督徒的開始，要過一個每個人都可過的「分別成聖」的生活，在新約中說得很清楚，『因為經上記着說：「你們要聖潔，因為我是聖潔的。」』(彼得前書 1:16) 雖然聖潔不能一蹴可及，但我們要進窄門，走上成聖的道路，不要變成那選上人少的人。請注意，經文中並沒有說只有一個人沒穿禮服，以新約做類比，那禮服就是指信而稱義而每個人都有內住的聖靈，我們要適當的穿上禮服，聖靈會在我們成聖的路上引導我們。

       在聖經最後的啓示錄中，我們也看到了終極的羔羊娶妻的婚筵，『拿着七個金碗、盛滿末後七災的七位天使中，有一位來對我說：「你到這裏來，我要將新婦(教會)，就是羔羊(主耶穌基督)的妻，指給你看。」我被聖靈感動，天使就帶我到一座高大的山，將那由神那裏從天而降的聖城耶路撒冷指示我。』(啓示錄 21:9-10) 我們要強調的是，那新耶路撒冷就是神眼中那唯一的教會，就是因奉祂的名聚會的一群人，和那群人的物理位置是沒關係的，『因為無論在哪裏，有兩三個人奉我的名聚會，那裏就有我在他們中間。』(馬太福音 18:20) 保羅對這點知道得很清楚，『所以，你們因信基督耶穌，都是神的兒子。你們受洗歸入基督的，都是披戴基督了。』(加拉太書 3:26-27) 我們知道耶穌是父的獨生子，那我們都是神的兒子，是指合法的養子了！『因為他預先所知道的人，就預先定下效法(模成, be conformed to)他兒子的模樣(形像, image)，使他兒子在許多弟兄中作長子。 』(羅馬書 8:29)

2. 如何做門徒

       『有極多的人和耶穌同行。他轉過來對他們說：「人到我這裏來，若不愛我勝過愛自己的父母、妻子、兒女、弟兄、姐妹，和自己的性命，就不能作我的門徒。凡不背着自己十字架跟從我的，也不能作我的門徒。「你們哪一個要蓋一座樓，不先坐下算計花費，能蓋成不能呢？恐怕安了地基，不能成功，看見的人都笑話他，說：『這個人開了工，卻不能完工。』或是一個王出去和別的王打仗，豈不先坐下酌量，能用一萬兵去敵那領二萬兵來攻打他的嗎？若是不能，就趁敵人還遠的時候，派使者去求和息的條款。這樣，你們無論甚麼人，若不撇下一切所有的，就不能作我的門徒。「鹽本是好的，鹽若失了味，可用甚麼叫它再鹹呢？或用在田裏，或堆在糞裏，都不合式，只好丟在外面。「有耳可聽的，就應當聽！」』(路加福音 14:25-35)

      這裡並沒說不要愛自己的父母等等，而是說愛主要勝過愛這一切。做門徒是不容易的，要知道自己能夠付出的，但有的時候，即使我們願意和息別人也不見得會願意，而估計不一定會完全正確。十字架不是指自討苦吃，而通常是和苦難有關的，生命的成長經常伴隨著神安排或允許的苦難(如約伯般)，基本上沒有人願意主動的背十字架，但這經文明說做門徒要準備好背十字架。這經文不是說信主前就要估量自己可以完全背負自己的十字架，如果是這樣，不信主就算了，而是要有一個心志，就是當主要時，要準備好撇下一切所有的，如同當時的雅各和約翰般，『(耶穌)從那裏往前走，又看見弟兄二人，就是西庇太的兒子雅各和他兄弟約翰，同他們的父親西庇太在船上補網，耶穌就招呼他們。他們立刻捨了船，別了父親，跟從了耶穌。』(馬太福音 4:21-22) 這實在是很不容易的，我知道自己是很難做到這點。

     要相信主的安排是為著我們的好處，因『我們曉得萬事都互相效力，叫愛神的人得益處，…』(羅馬書 8:28) 至於談到鹽會失了味因而丟在外面，大概只有直接使用的石鹽會如此，失了味的石鹽是不可能再鹹的。最後說到，我們實在是要有一個能聽的耳，不只是在這裡說，在啓示錄提到的七個教會都說，『聖靈向眾教會所說的話，凡有耳的，就應當聽！』(如在啓示錄 3:22)

3. 天國在主動的尋找失羊和失錢

       『眾稅吏和罪人都挨近耶穌，要聽他講道。法利賽人和文士私下議論說：「這個人接待罪人，又同他們吃飯。」』(路加福音 15:1-2) 的確，法利賽人和文士論斷別人是罪人，卻沒想到每一個人包括自己都需要救恩，『因為世人都犯了罪，虧缺了神的榮耀。』(羅馬書 3:23) 

    聖經所說的罪是指不順服神，証明這點，我們首先從經文看， 『這就如罪是從一人(亞當)入了世界，…』，這是因為亞當的不順服，所以不順服意味著罪。反過來要說，罪意味著不順服神，我們可以看其邏輯上相等的敘述，就是順服神意味著沒有罪。神有絕對的主權，順服神絕對不是犯罪，所以結論就是罪等於不順服神。『亞當活到一百三十歲，生了一個兒子，形像樣式和自己相似…』(創世記 5:3) 是帶著罪的。我們都是亞當的子孫，這就像遺傳類似，我們也是從出生就帶著罪的，我們是罪人因我們帶著罪，不是因我們犯了罪行而成為罪人，不要本末倒置。說到罪行，我們知道小孩子不必教就會說謊，怎麼會不是性本惡而世人都犯了罪呢？

    這裏有兩個比喻，第一個是：『耶穌就用比喻說：「你們中間誰有一百隻羊失去一隻，不把這九十九隻撇在曠野，去找那失去的羊，直到找着呢？找着了，就歡歡喜喜地扛在肩上，回到家裏，就請朋友鄰舍來，對他們說：『我失去的羊已經找着了，你們和我一同歡喜吧！』我告訴你們：一個罪人悔改，在天上也要這樣為他歡喜，較比為九十九個不用悔改的義人歡喜更大。」』(路加福音 15:3-7) 請注意，這人是主動的去尋找，猶如不論我們知不知道，一個人會成為真正的基督徒，是聖靈主動尋找的工作，我們也聽過這樣的見証。

       接著就談到第二個失錢的比喻，『或是一個婦人有十塊錢，若失落一塊，豈不點上燈，打掃屋子，細細地找，直到找着嗎？找着了，就請朋友鄰舍來，對他們說：『我失落的那塊錢已經找着了，你們和我一同歡喜吧！』我告訴你們：一個罪人悔改，在神的使者面前也是這樣為他歡喜。』(路加福音 15:8-10) 

       這兩個比喻是在講同一件事情，就是天國是主動在尋找失喪的人，希望罪人悔改，也看到了因罪人悔改神的歡喜。雖是主是主動的尋找，我們仍然必須在大使命中和神同工 (參馬太福音 28:18-20)，要以身作則，使別人看見我們的好行為，甘心情願的要做基督徒，我們也因此能在大使命中，使萬民作主的門徒了。

    悔改是非常的重要，是第一步，就像『彼得說：「你們各人要悔改，奉耶穌基督的名受洗，叫你們的罪得赦，就必領受所賜的聖靈。」』（使徒行傳 2:38) 所以真正的悔改一定會有隨著而來的行動的。耶穌也說得很清楚，『…天國近了，你們應當悔改！(馬太福音 4:17) 信而受洗時，神已經『…救了我們脫離黑暗的權勢，把我們遷到他愛子的國裏；我們在愛子裏得蒙救贖，罪過得以赦免。』(歌羅西書 1:13-14) 所以我們已經在基督裏，在成聖的路上，我們要不犯罪，留在基督裡。即使不免犯罪，我們也知道，『我們若認自己的罪，神是信實的，是公義的，必要赦免我們的罪，洗淨我們一切的不義。』(約翰一書 1:9)

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

First of all, let’s look at what the banquet is a metaphor for. While we still have the opportunity to enter the kingdom of heaven, we must make the right choice. Justification by faith is only the beginning of a Christian’s life, and we must embark on the road to sanctification.  Be ready for the marriage supper of the Lamb.  Second, we talk about how to be a disciple. We must know what we can give, be ready to bear the cross, and believe that the Lord’s arrangement is for our benefit.  Finally, we see that the kingdom of heaven is actively seeking the lost, and that repentance is the first step, and how God rejoices when sinners repent.  Although the Lord is actively seeking, we still have to lead by example and work together with God in the Great Commission.  When we believed and were baptized, God had already transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son.  Therefore, we are already in Christ and on the way to sanctification. We must not sin and remain in Christ.  Even if we cannot avoid sin, we know, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”(1 John 1:9)

1. To prepare a banquet

“And He also went on to say to the one who had invited Him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you in return and that will be your repayment. But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” When one of those who were reclining at the table with Him heard this, he said to Him, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!””(Luke 14:12-15)

This man understood correctly, Jesus did use parables to talk about the feast of the kingdom of heaven, we will know this when we look at Jesus’ response in later verses.  Treating guests in the human world is indeed usually in both ways. This passage does not mean not to invite acquaintances. It is unreasonable to say so, but to invest in the kingdom of heaven, and don’t just think of asking for returns in the world, sort of like giving alms, ““So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”(Matthew 6:2-4)

Jesus continued to use the parable of a banquet, “But He said to him, “A man was giving a big dinner, and he invited many; and at the dinner hour he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come; for everything is ready now.’ But they all alike began to make excuses. The first one said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of land and I need to go out and look at it; please consider me excused.’ Another one said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please consider me excused.’ Another one said, ‘I have married a wife, and for that reason I cannot come.’ And the slave came back and reported this to his master. Then the head of the household became angry and said to his slave, ‘Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in here the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ And the slave said, ‘Master, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ And the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste of my dinner.’””(Luke 14:16-24)

The Bible often speaks of the kingdom of heaven with banquets. For example, it is clearly stated here, “Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. And he sent out his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding feast, and they were unwilling to come. Again he sent out other slaves saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited, “Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fattened livestock are all butchered and everything is ready; come to the wedding feast.”’ But they paid no attention and went their way, one to his own farm, another to his business, and the rest seized his slaves and mistreated them and killed them. But the king was enraged, and he sent his armies and destroyed those murderers and set their city on fire. Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main highways, and as many as you find there, invite to the wedding feast.’ Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered together all they found, both evil and good; and the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests.”(Matthew 22:1-10)

These verses and the previous scriptures are basically talking about the same thing. We see that the guests who were prepared before only focus on their own affairs. In the end they have no part in the banquet, and we also see that the qualifications to be invited are quite low.  If we use these scriptures as an analogy to the requirements in the New Testament, it means that salvation is originally prepared for everyone, and as long as you believe, you can be justified.  Furthermore, it can be seen that it was the Israelites who were originally invited, and “…What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened.”(Romans 11:7) A small number of Jews like Paul got it.  Also because of this, “…But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, …”(Romans 11:11) Therefore, the plan of salvation has a sequence, from the elect Jews to the Gentiles, just like “Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first; since you repudiate it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, ‘I have placed You as a light for the Gentiles, That You may bring salvation to the end of the earth.’””(Acts 13:46-47) For salvation, the threshold for salvation is set quite low, as long as one can believe. The scriptures clearly say, “for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”(Romans 10:10)

But we also see the Gospel of Matthew going on to say, ““But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?’ And the man was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.””(Matthew 22:11-14) At that time, people had to wear dresses at the banquet. Obviously, those people came on the road, and it was unlikely that they would wear dresses on the road. Because the man had nothing to say, so it indicated that the man could wear his dress. The only possibility is that the king prepared them for the banquet, but the man chose not to wear it, which is improper.  Therefore, believing and being justified is only the beginning of being a Christian. To live a life of “separation and sanctification”, which everyone can live, it is clearly stated in the New Testament, “because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.””(1 Peter 1:16) Although holiness cannot be achieved overnight, we must enter the narrow gate and walk on the road to holiness, and don’t become the one not be chosen. Please note that the scriptures do not say that there is only one person without a garment. Using the New Testament as an analogy, the garment refers to justification by faith and everyone has the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide us on the way to the sanctification.

In the last book of Revelation of the Bible, we also see the ultimate wedding feast of the Lamb, “Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I will show you the bride (the Church), the wife of the Lamb (the Lord Jesus Christ).” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.”(Revelation 21:9-10) What we want to emphasize is that the New Jerusalem is the only church in God’s eyes, that is, a group of people gathered in His name, and the physical location of that group has nothing to do with it, “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”(Matthew 18:20) Paul knew this very clearly, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”(Galatians 3:26-27) We know that Jesus is the only begotten son of the Father, so we are all sons of God, which means legal adopted sons!  The scripture says, “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren.”(Romans 8:29) He is indeed the firstborn among many brethren.

2. How to be a disciple?

“Now large crowds were going along with Him; and He turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and consider whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to encounter the one coming against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions. “Therefore, salt is good; but if even salt has become tasteless, with what will it be seasoned? It is useless either for the soil or for the manure pile; it is thrown out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.””(Luke 14:25-35)

Here it doesn’t say not to love your parents, etc., but to say that loving the Lord is more important than loving all these.  It is not easy to be a disciple. We must know what we can give, but sometimes, even if we are willing to make peace with others, they may not be willing, and our estimates may not be completely correct.  The cross doesn’t refer to asking for trouble, but is usually related to suffering. The growth of life is often accompanied by the suffering arranged or allowed by God (like Job). Basically no one is willing to take the initiative to bear the cross, but the verse says clearly that to be a disciple must be ready to bear the cross.  This scripture does not mean that before believing in the Lord, one should estimate to the extent that one can fully bear one’s own cross. If so, why bothers believing because no one can reach the full extent beforehand. But we should have the mind that when the Lord calls, we are ready to give up everything like James and John did at that time, “Going on from there He (Jesus) saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.”(Matthew 4:21-22) This is really not easy. I know it is very difficult for me to do so.

We must believe that the Lord’s arrangement is for our good, because “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, …”(Romans 8:28) As for the salt that loses its flavor and is thrown out, probably only the rock salt that is used directly will be like this, and it is impossible to make salty rock salty again that has lost its taste.  Finally, we really need to have ears that can hear. Not only here, but to the seven churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation, all said, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”(as in Revelation 3:22)

3. The kingdom of heaven is actively looking for lost sheep and lost money

“Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him. Both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.””(Luke 15:1-2) Indeed, the Pharisees and scribes judged others as sinners, but they did not expect all persons, including themselves, needs salvation, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”(Romans 3:23)

The sin mentioned in the Bible refers to disobedience to God. To prove this, we first look at the scriptures, “…through one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, …”(Romans 5:12) This is because of Adam’s disobedience.  So disobedience means sin.  Conversely, to prove that sin means disobedience to God, we can look at its logical equivalent, that obedience to God means no sin.  God has absolute sovereignty, and obedience to God is absolutely not sin, so the conclusion is that sin equals disobedience to God. The verse says, “When Adam had lived one hundred and thirty years, he became the father of a son in his own likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth.”(Genesis 5:3) Thus, Seth was born with sin since Adam was contaminated by sin at that time. We are all descendants of Adam. Similar to heredity, we also carry sin from birth. We are sinners because we carry sin, not because we commit sins. Don’t put the cart before the horse.  Speaking of sin, we know that children can tell lies without being taught. With the born sin, how cannot people be not inherently evil and do people fall short of the glory of God?

There are two parables in the following verses. The first one is: “So He told them this parable, saying, “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”(Luke 15:3-7) Note that this man is actively seeking.  It seems that whether we know it or not, that a person will become a true Christian is the work of the Holy Spirit Who actively seeks. We have also heard such testimonies.

Then it talks about the second parable of losing money, “Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost!’ In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”(Luke 15:8-10)

These two parables are talking about the same thing, that is, the kingdom of heaven is actively looking for the lost, hoping that sinners will repent, and seeing God’s joy because of sinners’ repentance.  Although the Lord is actively seeking, we still have to work together with God in the Great Commission (cf. Matthew 28:18-20). We must set an example, let others see our good deeds, and be willing to be Christians.  Therefore, in the Great Commission, all nations can be made disciples of the Lord.

Repentance is very important, it is the first step, just like “Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.””(Acts 2:38) So true repentance must be followed by action.  Jesus also made it very clear, “…Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”(Matthew 4:17) When believing and being baptized, God has “…rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”(Colossians 1:13-14) So we are already in Christ and on the way to sanctification, we must not sin and stay in Christ.  Even if we cannot avoid sin, we also know, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”(1 John 1:9)

(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，路加福音说人子来像贼一样，在道成肉身时，除了天父外没有人知道。这也使我们想到童女的故事，我们实在要做那聪明的童女，随时预备好准备迎接那不知道的日子！第二，要做忠心有见识的管家，『各人要照所得的恩赐彼此服事，作神百般恩赐的好管家。』(彼得前书 4:10) 我们也看到了神是很公平的。第三，我们看到了要跟随耶稣会要背起自己的十字架，要得著那属灵的生命，是不很容易的，因老我(肉体)只配一死。第四，我们实在是要分辩，不只是天气，且不要效法(模成)这世界。注意到圣经说，坏的意念不要有，和饶恕别人的重要性。

1. 人子来像贼一样        

    这段经文很清楚，『你们腰里要束上带，灯也要点著，自己好像仆人等候主人从婚姻的筵席上回来。他来到叩门，就立刻给他开门。主人来了，看见仆人警醒，那仆人就有福了。我实在告诉你们：主人必叫他们坐席，自己束上带，进前伺候他们。或是二更天来，或是三更天来，看见仆人这样，那仆人就有福了。家主若知道贼甚么时候来，就必警醒，不容贼挖透房屋，这是你们所知道的。你们也要预备，因为你们想不到的时候，人子就来了。』(路加福音 12:35-40)    

    所以到现在为止，所有从人的角度看的所有预言耶稣何时会来都是错的，未来也会是如此，因为圣经说得很清楚，没有人会知道祂何时再来，随时都要预备好。的确，在马太福音也同样的说，『所以，你们要警醒，因为不知道你们的主是哪一天来到。家主若知道几更天有贼来，就必警醒，不容人挖透房屋，这是你们所知道的。所以，你们也要预备，因为你们想不到的时候，人子就来了。』(马太福音 24:42-44)    

    在道成肉身的这段时间是很特别的，因『但那日子、那时辰，没有人知道，连天上的使者也不知道，子也不知道，惟独父知道。挪亚的日子怎样，人子降临也要怎样。当洪水以前的日子，人照常吃喝嫁娶，直到挪亚进方舟的那日，不知不觉洪水来了，把他们全都冲去。人子降临也要这样。』(马太福音 24:36-39) 很显然的，这里也是说我们要随时准备好那在不知不觉再到来的人子。除了这段特别的时间外，三位一体的神是同尊同荣的，因为只是一体。所以我们虽然可以去试著了解三位一体的一部份，譬如说「水」在大气压下因温度不同会有三个不同的状态，就是水蒸气、冰、和普通说的水。但这并不能完全解释三位一体，因其有三个位格而不是三个状态，三位一体对人来说，的确是奥秘，要在信心中接受。有些事我们必须在信心中接受，又如我们不可能经历过处女怀孕，必须在信心中相信耶稣是因圣灵感孕而生。        

    这也使我们想起十个童女的故事，『那时，天国好比十个童女拿著灯出去迎接新郎。其中有五个是愚拙的，五个是聪明的。愚拙的拿著灯，却不预备油；聪明的拿著灯，又预备油在器皿里。新郎迟延的时候，她们都打盹睡著了。半夜有人喊著说：『新郎来了，你们出来迎接他！』那些童女就都起来收拾灯。愚拙的对聪明的说：『请分点油给我们，因为我们的灯要灭了。』聪明的回答说：『恐怕不够你我用的，不如你们自己到卖油的那里去买吧！』她们去买的时候，新郎到了，那预备好了的，同他进去坐席，门就关了。其余的童女随后也来了，说：『主啊，主啊，给我们开门！』他却回答说：『我实在告诉你们：我不认识你们。』所以，你们要警醒，因为那日子、那时辰，你们不知道。」』(马太福音 25:1-13) 我们实在要做那聪明的童女，随时预备好准备迎接那不知道的日子！不要到时听耶稣说，『我实在告诉你们：我不认识你们。』

2. 忠心有见识的管家        

    『彼得说：「主啊，这比喻是为我们说的呢，还是为众人呢？」主说：「谁是那忠心有见识的管家，主人派他管理家里的人，按时分粮给他们呢？主人来到，看见仆人这样行，那仆人就有福了。我实在告诉你们：主人要派他管理一切所有的。那仆人若心里说『我的主人必来得迟』，就动手打仆人和使女，并且吃喝醉酒。在他想不到的日子，不知道的时辰，那仆人的主人要来，重重地处治他，定他和不忠心的人同罪。「仆人知道主人的意思，却不预备，又不顺他的意思行，那仆人必多受责打；惟有那不知道的，做了当受责打的事，必少受责打。因为多给谁，就向谁多取；多托谁，就向谁多要。」』 (路加福音 12:41-48)        

    显然每一个人都要做忠心的管家，我们只是会有个人恩赐的不同而有不同的服事，所以这比喻应该是给众人的。就像经文所说，『人应当以我们为基督的执事，为神奥秘事的管家。所求于管家的，是要他有忠心。』(哥林多前书 4:1-2) 且『各人要照所得的恩赐彼此服事，作神百般恩赐的好管家。』(彼得前书 4:10) 我们也看到神是很公平的，『…因为多给谁，就向谁多取；多托谁，就向谁多要。』(路加福音 12:48)

3. 信和不信的相争        

    『我来要把火丢在地上，倘若已经著起来，不也是我所愿意的吗？我有当受的洗还没有成就，我是何等地迫切呢！你们以为我来，是叫地上太平吗？我告诉你们：不是，乃是叫人纷争。从今以后，一家五个人将要纷争：三个人和两个人相争，两个人和三个人相争；父亲和儿子相争，儿子和父亲相争；母亲和女儿相争，女儿和母亲相争；婆婆和媳妇相争，媳妇和婆婆相争。』(路加福音 12:49-53)        

    马太福音也有类似的话，『你们不要想，我来是叫地上太平；我来并不是叫地上太平，乃是叫地上动刀兵。因为我来是叫『人与父亲生疏，女儿与母亲生疏，媳妇与婆婆生疏。人的仇敌就是自己家里的人。』(马太福音 10:34-35)        

    难道祂来的目的真是要地上没有太平吗？不是，耶稣『…如今在这末世显现一次，把自己献为祭，好除掉罪。』(希伯来书 9:26) 这是在讲信和不信的是针锋相对的。看看马太福音这之前的那些经文：『凡在人面前认我的，我在我天上的父面前也必认他；凡在人面前不认我的，我在我天上的父面前也必不认他。』(马太福音 10:32-33) 圣经也很清楚的说，『信他(耶稣)的人，不被定罪；不信的人，罪已经定了，因为他不信神独生子的名。』(约翰福音 3:18) 如果在亲属之间有不信的，这时是会有十字架的，尤其是被迫害的时候。这时要知道，『爱父母过于爱我的，不配作我的门徒；爱儿女过于爱我的，不配作我的门徒。不背著他的十字架跟从我的，也不配作我的门徒。得著生命的，将要失丧生命；为我失丧生命的，将要得著生命。』(马太福音 10:37-39)        

    绝对不像成功哲学所说的，信主后就一切顺利成功，基督徒会有十字架的，他们和常人一样会遭遇苦难的，但基督徒有神作为依靠，相信一切事情包括苦难都是安排好的，是为了他们的益处，如经文所说，『两个麻雀不是卖一分银子吗？若是你们的父不许，一个也不能掉在地上。就是你们的头发也都被数过了。』(马太福音 10:29-30) 且知道『他(神)愿意万人得救，明白真道。因为只有一位神，在神和人中间，只有一位中保，乃是降世为人的基督耶稣。他(耶稣)舍自己作万人的赎价，…』(提摩太前书 2:4-6) 我们要得著那属灵的生命，不是很容易的，因老我(肉体)只配一死。『我也知道在我里头，就是我肉体之中，没有良善。因为立志为善由得我，只是行出来由不得我。』(罗马书 7:18) 譬如没有一个正常人喜欢发怒，只是就算我们立志不要发怒，还是会发怒的。只是要记得圣经不是说不能生气，但『生气却不要犯罪，不可含怒到日落；也不可给魔鬼留地步。』(以弗所书 4:26-27)        

    最后，我们看祂说的，『我有当受的洗还没有成就，我是何等地迫切呢！』(路加福音 12:50) 这到底是指什么呢？是指祂要在十字架上为我们受死，代替我们受罪(死)的刑罚。在变化山上祂已知道会这样了(参路加福音 9:28-31)，但祂没有逃避如经文所说，『耶稣被接上升的日子将到，他就定意向耶路撒冷去。』(路加福音 9:51) 『…他因那摆在前面的喜乐，就轻看羞辱，忍受了十字架的苦难，便坐在神宝座的右边。』(希伯来书 12:2) 祂是何等的迫切要完成救恩的计划呢！

4. 要分辩        

    『耶稣又对众人说：「你们看见西边起了云彩，就说：『要下一阵雨』，果然就有。起了南风，就说：『将要燥热』，也就有了。假冒为善的人哪，你们知道分辩(G1381)天地的气色，怎么不知道分辩这时候呢？「你们又为何不自己审量甚么是合理的呢？你同告你的对头去见官，还在路上，务要尽力地和他了结；恐怕他拉你到官面前，官交付差役，差役把你下在监里。我告诉你，若有半文钱没有还清，你断不能从那里出来。」』(路加福音 12:54-59) 我们实在是要分辩: 『不要效法(模成, conformed to)这个世界，只要心意更新而变化，叫你们察验(分辩, G1381)何为神的善良、纯全、可喜悦的旨意。』(罗马书 12:2)        

    马太福音也有类似的话，『你同告你的对头还在路上，就赶紧与他和息，恐怕他把你送给审判官，审判官交付衙役，你就下在监里了。我实在告诉你：若有一文钱没有还清，你断不能从那里出来。』(马太福音 5:25-26) 所以照这人的分辩看来，他是真做错事了，真的要想办法和他的对头和好。        

    要注意到在这之前是说，『你们听见有吩咐古人的话，说：『不可杀人』，又说：『凡杀人的，难免受审判。』只是我告诉你们：凡向弟兄动怒的，难免受审判。凡骂弟兄是拉加的，难免公会的审断；凡骂弟兄是魔利的，难免地狱的火。「所以，你在祭坛上献礼物的时候，若想起弟兄向你怀怨，就把礼物留在坛前，先去同弟兄和好，然后来献礼物。』(马太福音 5:21-24) 特别强调的是，不必像旧约的时代要真正做出来是犯罪，而在新约的时代，连坏的意念都不要有和要知道饶恕别人的重要性，就如经文所说，『你们饶恕人的过犯，你们的天父也必饶恕你们的过犯；你们不饶恕人的过犯，你们的天父也必不饶恕你们的过犯。』(马太福音 6:14-15) 不要把对弟兄的抱怨放在心上，要尽量和弟兄和好。

(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，路加福音說人子來像賊一樣，在道成肉身時，除了天父外沒有人知道。這也使我們想到童女的故事，我們實在要做那聰明的童女，隨時預備好準備迎接那不知道的日子！第二，要做忠心有見識的管家，『各人要照所得的恩賜彼此服事，作神百般恩賜的好管家。』(彼得前書 4:10) 我們也看到了神是很公平的。第三，我們看到了要跟隨耶穌會要背起自己的十字架，要得著那屬靈的生命，是不很容易的，因老我(肉體)只配一死。第四，我們實在是要分辨，不只是天氣，且不要效法(模成)這世界。注意到聖經說，壞的意念不要有，和饒恕別人的重要性。

1. 人子來像賊一樣

        這段經文很清楚，『你們腰裏要束上帶，燈也要點着，自己好像僕人等候主人從婚姻的筵席上回來。他來到叩門，就立刻給他開門。主人來了，看見僕人警醒，那僕人就有福了。我實在告訴你們：主人必叫他們坐席，自己束上帶，進前伺候他們。或是二更天來，或是三更天來，看見僕人這樣，那僕人就有福了。家主若知道賊甚麼時候來，就必警醒，不容賊挖透房屋，這是你們所知道的。你們也要預備，因為你們想不到的時候，人子就來了。』(路加福音 12:35-40)

    所以到現在為止，所有從人的角度看的所有預言耶穌何時會來都是錯的，未來也會是如此，因為聖經說得很清楚，沒有人會知道祂何時再來，隨時都要預備好。的確，在馬太福音也同樣的說，『所以，你們要警醒，因為不知道你們的主是哪一天來到。家主若知道幾更天有賊來，就必警醒，不容人挖透房屋，這是你們所知道的。所以，你們也要預備，因為你們想不到的時候，人子就來了。』(馬太福音 24:42-44)

        在道成肉身的這段時間是很特別的，因『但那日子、那時辰，沒有人知道，連天上的使者也不知道，子也不知道，惟獨父知道。挪亞的日子怎樣，人子降臨也要怎樣。當洪水以前的日子，人照常吃喝嫁娶，直到挪亞進方舟的那日，不知不覺洪水來了，把他們全都沖去。人子降臨也要這樣。』(馬太福音 24:36-39) 很顯然的，這裏也是說我們要隨時準備好那在不知不覺再到來的人子。除了這段特別的時間外，三位一體的神是同尊同榮的，因為只是一體。所以我們雖然可以去試著瞭解三位一體的一部份，譬如說「水」在大氣壓下因溫度不同會有三個不同的狀態，就是水蒸氣、冰、和普通說的水。但這並不能完全解釋三位一體，因其有三個位格而不是三個狀態，三位一體對人來說，的確是奧秘，要在信心中接受。有些事我們必須在信心中接受，又如我們不可能經歷過處女懷孕，必須在信心中相信耶穌是因聖靈感孕而生。

        這也使我們想起十個童女的故事，『那時，天國好比十個童女拿着燈出去迎接新郎。其中有五個是愚拙的，五個是聰明的。愚拙的拿着燈，卻不預備油；聰明的拿着燈，又預備油在器皿裏。新郎遲延的時候，她們都打盹睡着了。半夜有人喊着說：『新郎來了，你們出來迎接他！』那些童女就都起來收拾燈。愚拙的對聰明的說：『請分點油給我們，因為我們的燈要滅了。』聰明的回答說：『恐怕不夠你我用的，不如你們自己到賣油的那裏去買吧！』她們去買的時候，新郎到了，那預備好了的，同他進去坐席，門就關了。其餘的童女隨後也來了，說：『主啊，主啊，給我們開門！』他卻回答說：『我實在告訴你們：我不認識你們。』所以，你們要警醒，因為那日子、那時辰，你們不知道。」』(馬太福音 25:1-13) 我們實在要做那聰明的童女，隨時預備好準備迎接那不知道的日子！不要到時聽耶穌說，『我實在告訴你們：我不認識你們。』

2. 忠心有見識的管家

        『彼得說：「主啊，這比喻是為我們說的呢，還是為眾人呢？」主說：「誰是那忠心有見識的管家，主人派他管理家裏的人，按時分糧給他們呢？主人來到，看見僕人這樣行，那僕人就有福了。我實在告訴你們：主人要派他管理一切所有的。那僕人若心裏說『我的主人必來得遲』，就動手打僕人和使女，並且吃喝醉酒。在他想不到的日子，不知道的時辰，那僕人的主人要來，重重地處治他，定他和不忠心的人同罪。「僕人知道主人的意思，卻不預備，又不順他的意思行，那僕人必多受責打；惟有那不知道的，做了當受責打的事，必少受責打。因為多給誰，就向誰多取；多託誰，就向誰多要。」』

(路加福音 12:41-48)

        顯然每一個人都要做忠心的管家，我們只是會有個人恩賜的不同而有不同的服事，所以這比喻應該是給衆人的。就像經文所說，『人應當以我們為基督的執事，為神奧秘事的管家。所求於管家的，是要他有忠心。』(哥林多前書 4:1-2) 且『各人要照所得的恩賜彼此服事，作神百般恩賜的好管家。』(彼得前書 4:10) 我們也看到神是很公平的，『…因為多給誰，就向誰多取；多託誰，就向誰多要。』(路加福音 12:48) 

3. 信和不信的相爭

        『我來要把火丟在地上，倘若已經着起來，不也是我所願意的嗎？我有當受的洗還沒有成就，我是何等地迫切呢！你們以為我來，是叫地上太平嗎？我告訴你們：不是，乃是叫人紛爭。從今以後，一家五個人將要紛爭：三個人和兩個人相爭，兩個人和三個人相爭；父親和兒子相爭，兒子和父親相爭；母親和女兒相爭，女兒和母親相爭；婆婆和媳婦相爭，媳婦和婆婆相爭。』(路加福音 12:49-53)

        馬太福音也有類似的話，『你們不要想，我來是叫地上太平；我來並不是叫地上太平，乃是叫地上動刀兵。因為我來是叫『人與父親生疏，女兒與母親生疏，媳婦與婆婆生疏。人的仇敵就是自己家裏的人。』(馬太福音 10:34-35)

        難道祂來的目的真是要地上沒有太平嗎？不是，耶穌『…如今在這末世顯現一次，把自己獻為祭，好除掉罪。』(希伯來書 9:26) 這是在講信和不信的是針鋒相對的。看看馬太福音這之前的那些經文：『凡在人面前認我的，我在我天上的父面前也必認他；凡在人面前不認我的，我在我天上的父面前也必不認他。』(馬太福音 10:32-33) 聖經也很清楚的說，『信他(耶穌)的人，不被定罪；不信的人，罪已經定了，因為他不信神獨生子的名。』(約翰福音 3:18) 如果在親屬之間有不信的，這時是會有十字架的，尤其是被迫害的時候。這時要知道，『愛父母過於愛我的，不配作我的門徒；愛兒女過於愛我的，不配作我的門徒。不背着他的十字架跟從我的，也不配作我的門徒。得着生命的，將要失喪生命；為我失喪生命的，將要得着生命。』(馬太福音 10:37-39)

        絕對不像成功哲學所說的，信主後就一切順利成功，基督徒會有十字架的，他們和常人一樣會遭遇苦難的，但基督徒有神作為依靠，相信一切事情包括苦難都是安排好的，是為了他們的益處，如經文所說，『兩個麻雀不是賣一分銀子嗎？若是你們的父不許，一個也不能掉在地上。就是你們的頭髮也都被數過了。』(馬太福音 10:29-30) 且知道『他(神)願意萬人得救，明白真道。因為只有一位神，在神和人中間，只有一位中保，乃是降世為人的基督耶穌。他(耶穌)捨自己作萬人的贖價，…』(提摩太前書 2:4-6) 我們要得著那屬靈的生命，不是很容易的，因老我(肉體)只配一死。『我也知道在我裏頭，就是我肉體之中，沒有良善。因為立志為善由得我，只是行出來由不得我。』(羅馬書 7:18) 譬如沒有一個正常人喜歡發怒，只是就算我們立志不要發怒，還是會發怒的。只是要記得聖經不是說不能生氣，但『生氣卻不要犯罪，不可含怒到日落；也不可給魔鬼留地步。』(以弗所書 4:26-27)

        最後，我們看祂說的，『我有當受的洗還沒有成就，我是何等地迫切呢！』(路加福音 12:50) 這到底是指什麼呢？是指祂要在十字架上為我們受死，代替我們受罪(死)的刑罰。在變化山上祂已知道會這樣了(參路加福音 9:28-31)，但祂沒有逃避如經文所說，『耶穌被接上升的日子將到，他就定意向耶路撒冷去。』(路加福音 9:51) 『…他因那擺在前面的喜樂，就輕看羞辱，忍受了十字架的苦難，便坐在神寶座的右邊。』(希伯來書 12:2) 祂是何等的迫切要完成救恩的計劃呢！

4. 要分辨

        『耶穌又對眾人說：「你們看見西邊起了雲彩，就說：『要下一陣雨』，果然就有。起了南風，就說：『將要燥熱』，也就有了。假冒為善的人哪，你們知道分辨(G1381)天地的氣色，怎麼不知道分辨這時候呢？「你們又為何不自己審量甚麼是合理的呢？你同告你的對頭去見官，還在路上，務要盡力地和他了結；恐怕他拉你到官面前，官交付差役，差役把你下在監裏。我告訴你，若有半文錢沒有還清，你斷不能從那裏出來。」』(路加福音 12:54-59) 我們實在是要分辨: 『不要效法(模成, conformed to)這個世界，只要心意更新而變化，叫你們察驗(分辨, G1381)何為神的善良、純全、可喜悅的旨意。』(羅馬書 12:2)

        馬太福音也有類似的話，『你同告你的對頭還在路上，就趕緊與他和息，恐怕他把你送給審判官，審判官交付衙役，你就下在監裏了。我實在告訴你：若有一文錢沒有還清，你斷不能從那裏出來。』(馬太福音 5:25-26) 所以照這人的分辨看來，他是真做錯事了，真的要想辦法和他的對頭和好。 

        要注意到在這之前是說，『你們聽見有吩咐古人的話，說：『不可殺人』，又說：『凡殺人的，難免受審判。』只是我告訴你們：凡向弟兄動怒的，難免受審判。凡罵弟兄是拉加的，難免公會的審斷；凡罵弟兄是魔利的，難免地獄的火。「所以，你在祭壇上獻禮物的時候，若想起弟兄向你懷怨，就把禮物留在壇前，先去同弟兄和好，然後來獻禮物。』(馬太福音 5:21-24) 特別強調的是，不必像舊約的時代要真正做出來是犯罪，而在新約的時代，連壞的意念都不要有和要知道饒恕別人的重要性，就如經文所說，『你們饒恕人的過犯，你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯；你們不饒恕人的過犯，你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。』(馬太福音 6:14-15) 不要把對弟兄的抱怨放在心上，要儘量和弟兄和好。

(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, the Gospel of Luke says that the Son of Man came like a thief, and that no one knew it except the Father when He was incarnated.  This also reminds us of the story of the ten virgins, we really want to be the wise five virgins, always ready to meet the unknown day!  Second, be faithful and good stewards as the verse says, “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”(1 Peter 4:10) We have also seen that God is fair.  Thirdly, we have seen that it is not easy to follow Jesus to take up one’s own cross and gain that spiritual life, because the old self (flesh) is only worthy of death.  Fourth, we really have to discern, not just the weather, and be not conformed to the world.  Notice what the Bible says about not having bad thoughts and the importance of forgiving others.

1. The Son of Man Comes Like a Thief

This passage is very clear, “Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit. Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them. Whether he comes in the second watch, or even in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. “But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into. You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.””(Luke 12:35-40)

So until now, all the predictions from the human point of view of when Jesus will come are wrong, and it will be the same in the future, because the Bible makes it very clear that no one will know when He will come again, and be ready at any time.  Indeed, the same thing is said in Matthew’s Gospel, “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason, you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.”(Matthew 24:42-44)

The time of the incarnation is very special, because “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 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.”(Matthew 24:36-39) Obviously, this also means that we must be ready at any time for the Son of Man who will come again without us knowing it.  Except for this special time, the God of the Trinity are equally honored and honored because there is only one.  We can try to understand a part of the Trinity. For example, “water” has three different states under atmospheric pressure due to different temperatures, namely water vapor, ice, and common water.  They are the one “water.” This does not fully explain the Trinity, because it has three persons rather than three states. The Trinity is indeed a mystery to man, and it must be accepted with faith.  There are some things we have to accept in faith, like we cannot experience a virgin pregnancy, we must believe in faith that Jesus was conceived and born by the Holy Spirit.

This also reminds us of the story of the ten virgins, “Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.”(Matthew 25:1-13) We really want to be the wise five virgins, always ready to meet the unknown day!  By this way, we don’t have to meet that day when Jesus is saying, “I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.”  

2. A faithful and good steward

“Peter said, “Lord, are You addressing this parable to us, or to everyone else as well?” And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But if that slave says in his heart, ‘My master will be a long time in coming,’ and begins to beat the slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk; the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers. And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes, but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. 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 12:41-48)

Apparently, everyone has to be a faithful steward, we just have different personal gifts and serve differently, so this parable should be for everyone.  As the scriptures say, “Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.”(1 Corinthians 4:1-2) and “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”(1 Peter 4:10) We have also seen that 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)

3. The Conflict between Believers and Unbelievers

“I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division; for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”(Luke 12:49-53)

The Gospel of Matthew also has similar words, “For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.”(Matthew 10:35-36) Could it be that the purpose of His coming is to ensure that there will be no peace on earth?  No, the Bible says clearly, Jesus appeared “…now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.”(Hebrews 9:26) To put away sin is the purpose of His appearance. These verses are to say that believers and unbelievers are tit for tat.  We can confirm it by looking at the verses before this in the book of Matthew: “Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.”(Matthew 10:32-33) The Bible also clearly says, “He who believes in Him (Jesus) 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) If there is unbelief among relatives, there will be crosses at this time, especially when they are persecuted.  At this time, you must know, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.”(Matthew 10:37-39)

Absolutely not like what the philosophy of success says, everything will be smooth and successful after believing in the Lord. Christians will have a cross, and they will encounter suffering just like ordinary people, but Christians have God as their reliance, and believe that everything, including suffering, is arranged for their benefit, as the scriptures say, “Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”(Matthew 10:29-30) and know that “who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.”(1 Timothy 2:4-6) It is not easy for us to gain that spiritual life, because the old man (flesh) is only worthy to die. “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.”(Romans 7:18) For example, no normal person likes to be angry, but even if we are determined not to be angry, we will still get angry.  Just remember that the Bible doesn’t say never to be angry, but “Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity.”(Ephesians 4:26-27)

Finally, we look at what He said “But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!”(Luke 12:50) What exactly does this mean?  It means that He will die for us on the cross and take the penalty of sin (death) instead of us.  On the Mount of Transformation, He already knew that this would happen (see Luke 9:28-31), but He did not escape, as the scriptures say, “When the days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined to go to Jerusalem.”(Luke 9:51)  “…Jesus …who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”(Hebrews 12:2) How eager He is to complete the plan of salvation!

4. Need to discern

“And He was also saying to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming,’ and so it turns out. And when you see a south wind blowing, you say, ‘It will be a hot day,’ and it turns out that way. You hypocrites! You know how to analyze the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why do you not analyze this present time? “And why do you not even on your own initiative judge what is right? For while you are going with your opponent to appear before the magistrate, on your way there make an effort to settle with him, so that he may not drag you before the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. I say to you, you will not get out of there until you have paid the very last cent.””(Luke 12:54-59)

We really need to discern: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”(Romans 12:2) There are similar words in Matthew’s Gospel, “Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last cent.”(Matthew 5:25-26) So according to this man’s judgment, he really did something wrong, and he really wanted to find a way to reconcile with his enemy. 

It should be noted that before this, it said, “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.”(Matthew 5:21-24) It is particularly emphasized that it is not necessary to truly commit a sin like in the Old Testament era, but in the New Testament era, it is important not to have even bad thoughts and to know the importance of forgiving others, as the scriptures say, “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.”(Matthew 6:14-15) Do not take complaints against your brother to heart, but try to be reconciled with your brother. 

(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，我们知道我们要进窄门，然后在经文中看到窄门是指什么，也用例子说明，神不是一个命令一个动作的神，祂给我们相当多的自由做抉择。第二，经文说到耶路撒冷和其圣殿的预言，我们也看到这预言在历史中是如何成就的。第三，我们看到了耶稣在安息日医治患水臌的人，就像我们以前分享的，耶稣是守安息日的真谛，而不是其律法上的时间，这里只是加上了另一件如此做的事情。最后我们看到了一个天国做事的原则，「凡自高的，必降为卑；自卑的，必升为高。」要模成耶稣的形像，我们必须有真实的谦卑，祂应许我们的担子是轻省的。

1. 进窄门       

    『耶稣往耶路撒冷去，在所经过的各城各乡教训人。有一个人问他说：「主啊，得救的人少吗？」耶稣对众人说：「你们要努力进窄门。我告诉你们：将来有许多人想要进去，却是不能。及至家主起来关了门，你们站在外面叩门，说：『主啊，给我们开门！』 「他就回答说：『我不认识你们，不晓得你们是哪里来的！』「那时，你们要说：『我们在你面前吃过、喝过，你也在我们的街上教训过人。』「他要说：『我告诉你们，我不晓得你们是哪里来的。你们这一切作恶的人，离开我去吧！』「你们要看见亚伯拉罕、以撒、雅各，和众先知都在神的国里，你们却被赶到外面，在那里必要哀哭切齿了。从东、从西、从南、从北将有人来，在神的国里坐席。只是有在后的，将要在前；有在前的，将要在后。」』(路加福音 13:22-30)    

    我们看到了我们是要努力进窄门，不只是要知道窄门是什么，进窄门是要努力的，而且这门是会关的。基至于凭自己而奉基督耶稣之名做一些事情也是没用的，要做主要我们做的事。这样得救的人会从各方各地，各民各族而来，和亚伯拉罕等人一同坐席。不是所有的人都是在前的都要在后，但有些在后的将要在前，是鼓励也是很真实的话，不要看到自己是在后的就不努力！圣经是很一致的，马太福音也有一部份类似的经文，『凡称呼我『主啊，主啊』的人，不能都进天国；惟独遵行我天父旨意的人，才能进去。当那日，必有许多人对我说：『主啊，主啊，我们不是奉你的名传道，奉你的名赶鬼，奉你的名行许多异能吗？』我就明明地告诉他们说：『我从来不认识你们，你们这些作恶的人，离开我去吧！』』(马太福音 7:21-23) 要遵行天父的旨意，所以雅各会说，『只是你们要行道，不要单单听道，自己欺哄自己。因为听道而不行道的，就像人对著镜子看自己本来的面目，看见，走后，随即忘了他的相貌如何。』(雅各书 1:22-24)      

    在这里很清楚的告诉基督徒，在信而受洗(开始)后要进窄门，那么窄门是什么呢？就是成圣之路，『亲爱的弟兄啊，我们既有这等应许，就当洁净自己，除去身体、灵魂一切的污秽，敬畏神，得以成圣。』(哥林多后书 7:1) 就是走上治死老我之路，如这些经文所说，『你们若顺从肉体活著，必要死；若靠著圣灵治死身体的恶行，必要活著。』(罗马书 8:13) 『所以要治死你们在地上的肢体，就如淫乱、污秽、邪情、恶欲和贪婪，贪婪就与拜偶像一样。』(歌罗西书 3:5) 要走上模成耶稣的形像之路，像经文所说，『因为他预先所知道的人，就预先定下效法(模成, be conformed to) 他儿子的模样(形像)，使他儿子在许多弟兄中作长子。』(罗马书 8:29) 虚己如耶稣般，如经文所说，『反倒虚己，取了奴仆的形像，成为人的样式。』(腓立比书 2:7) 这些都是从不同的方向讲同一件事情，进窄门是要努力的，不是一般努力的行为，而是自然有的信心行为，所以保罗会说，『我靠著那加给我力量的(圣灵)，凡事都能做。』(腓立比书 4:13) 耶稣又『说：「我实在告诉你们：你们若不回转，变成小孩子的样式，断不得进天国。』(马太福音 18:3) 小孩子小时候是完全依赖父亲的，不是说要和小孩子的心志，所以会说，『所以，凡自己谦卑像这小孩子的，他在天国里就是最大的。』(马太福音 18:3-4) 这不就是如基督徒要完全仰赖神，顺服圣灵的带领吗？如耶稣在世时般，『…父怎样吩咐我，我就怎样行。…』(约翰福音 14:31)       

    请注意，神不是一个命令一个动作的神，祂给我们相当多的自由做抉择。有错误的看见和抉择时，祂会引导我们走向正路。如旧约许多的人物像亚伯拉罕伯般、信心的道路会起起伏伏。在新约中，耶稣在被捕要钉十字架时，『…门徒都离开他逃走了。』(马太福音 26:56) 男的门徒在十字架前只有约翰，彼得甚至三次不认主。而在祂复活后，仍然『…用许多的凭据将自己活活地显给使徒看，四十天之久向他们显现，讲说神国的事。』(使徒行传 1:3) 其实真有神的命令，我们的老我也会如亚当般做不来的，『我也知道在我里头，就是我肉体之中，没有良善。因为立志为善由得我，只是行出来由不得我。』(罗马书 7:18) 所以我们非要治死老我，活在新人里面不可，『…这新人是照著神的形像造的，有真理的仁义和圣洁。』(以弗所书 4:24) 『…这新人在知识上渐渐更新，正如造他主的形像。』(歌罗西书 3:10) 会让主居首位，因『惟有基督是包括一切，又住在各人之内。(Christ is all, and in all.)』(歌罗西书 3:11)

2. 耶路撒冷的结局       

    『正当那时，有几个法利赛人来对耶稣说：「离开这里去吧，因为希律想要杀你。」耶稣说：「你们去告诉那个狐狸说：『今天、明天我赶鬼治病，第三天我的事就成全了。』虽然这样，今天、明天、后天，我必须前行，因为先知在耶路撒冷之外丧命是不能的。」「耶路撒冷啊，耶路撒冷啊！你常杀害先知，又用石头打死那奉差遣到你这里来的人。我多次愿意聚集你的儿女，好像母鸡把小鸡聚集在翅膀底下，只是你们不愿意。看哪，你们的家成为荒场留给你们。我告诉你们：从今以后你们不得再见我，直等到你们说：『奉主名来的是应当称颂的！』」』(路加福音 13:31-35)    

    请注意，今天、明天、后天就是指每一天，因明天、后天就是下一日的今天、明天。所以只要祂不上十字架，祂不会因希律想要杀祂就不前。如果稍为留心一下，就知道钉十字架前，祂只是白天在耶路撤冷，晚上是出耶路撒冷的。我们看马太福音也一致这样说，『耶路撒冷啊，耶路撒冷啊！你常杀害先知，又用石头打死那奉差遣到你这里来的人。我多次愿意聚集你的儿女，好像母鸡把小鸡聚集在翅膀底下，只是你们不愿意。看哪，你们的家成为荒场留给你们。我告诉你们：从今以后，你们不得再见我，直等到你们说：『奉主名来的，是应当称颂的！』』(马太福音 23:37-39) 那时的犹太人不愿意，今日也并没有太多的以色列人信奉主耶稣基督，一直要『…等到外邦人的数目添满了，于是以色列全家都要得救。如经上所记：「必有一位救主从锡安出来，要消除雅各家的一切罪恶。」』(罗马书 11:25-26)       

    后来的路加福音更清楚的提到这时间，『你们看见耶路撒冷被兵围困，就可知道它成荒场的日子近了。那时，在犹太的应当逃到山上，在城里的应当出来，在乡下的不要进城，因为这是报应的日子，使经上所写的都得应验。当那些日子，怀孕的和奶孩子的有祸了！因为将有大灾难降在这地方，也有震怒临到这百姓。他们要倒在刀下，又被掳到各国去。耶路撒冷要被外邦人践踏，直到外邦人的日期满了。』(路加福音 21:20-24)       

    至于圣殿的毁灭，『耶稣出了圣殿，正走的时候，门徒进前来，把殿宇指给他看。耶稣对他们说：「你们不是看见这殿宇吗？我实在告诉你们：将来在这里，没有一块石头留在石头上不被拆毁了。」』(马太福音 24:1-2) 在马可福音 13:1-2 和路加福音 21:5-6 基本上也说到同样的事情。再一次强调，我们要相信神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的，当我们朝这方向想时，会比较容易了解许多问题。      

    以上的都是预言，历史告诉我们耶路撒冷和其圣殿在主后约七十年被罗马人摧毁了，至于关于圣殿最后是没有一块石头留在石头上不被拆毁了这点，有人在网上说其原因是为了取得被烧毁圣殿所熔流的金箔，但圣经并没有这样说，不管原因如何，只要我们知道、圣经这样说的预言成就了就够了。

3. 安息日医治患水臌的人       

    『安息日，耶稣到一个法利赛人的首领家里去吃饭，他们就窥探他。在他面前有一个患水臌的人。耶稣对律法师和法利赛人说：「安息日治病可以不可以？」他们却不言语。耶稣就治好那人，叫他走了，便对他们说：「你们中间谁有驴或有牛，在安息日掉在井里，不立时拉牠上来呢？」他们不能对答这话。』(路加福音 14:1-6)       

    在经文中只有这地方提到了耶稣在安息日医治患水臌的人，就像我们以前分享的，耶稣是守安息日的真谛，而不是其律法上的时间，在安息行善是可以的(参马太福音 12:9-13) 不要像看到医治枯干了一只手的人的众人，心是这样的刚硬(参马可福音 3:1-6) 其实我们也常常心里刚硬自己都不知道，因为『人心比万物都诡诈，坏到极处，谁能识透呢？』(耶利米书 17:9) 这里只是又加上了另一件如此做的事情。

4. 凡自高的，必降为卑；自卑的，必升为高       

    『耶稣见所请的客拣择首位，就用比喻对他们说：「你被人请去赴婚姻的筵席，不要坐在首位上，恐怕有比你尊贵的客被他请来，那请你们的人前来对你说：『让座给这一位吧！』你就羞羞惭惭地退到末位上去了。你被请的时候，就去坐在末位上，好叫那请你的人来对你说：『朋友，请上座。』那时，你在同席的人面前就有光彩了。因为，凡自高的，必降为卑；自卑的，必升为高。」』(路加福音 14:7-11)     

    自高的人以为自己什么都有了，但如果一个人能真正了解并接受神是无限，人是有限，怎么可能骄傲得起来？所以保罗会谦卑的说，『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) 况且『…「神阻挡骄傲的人，赐恩给谦卑的人。」所以你们要自卑，服在神大能的手下，到了时候，他必叫你们升高。』(彼得前书 5:5-6) 现在正式的场合通常已用名牌排好位置了，所以不用担心这样的情况会发生，但有的时候没有这样的安排，这时候我们就可用到这原则了。很清楚的，马太福音也在说同一原则，『凡自高的，必降为卑；自卑的，必升为高。』经文说，『那时，耶稣对众人和门徒讲论，说：「文士和法利赛人坐在摩西的位上，凡他们所吩咐你们的，你们都要谨守遵行；但不要效法他们的行为，因为他们能说不能行。…喜爱筵席上的首座，会堂里的高位；又喜爱人在街市上问他安，称呼他拉比。「…也不要受师尊的称呼，因为只有一位是你们的师尊，就是基督。你们中间谁为大，谁就要作你们的用人。凡自高的，必降为卑；自卑的，必升为高。」』(马太福音 23:1-12)      

    我们知道通常文士和法利赛人在皈依前是人不对，没有生命的。即使如此，他们在对的位置说对的话仍然要谨守遵行，这里说得很清楚，不是要听人说什么而是要看人怎么做，是不是能以身作则？请记住，我们只有一位师尊，就是基督，不要因别人所有的，如学识或会讲道或恩赐等等，而认为这人什么都是对的，不小心的崇拜了人。同样的原则，在不同的书中也提到，如『务要在主面前自卑，主就必叫你们升高。』(雅各书 4:10) 又如在先前所提到的经节中，『…就是你们众人也都要以谦卑束腰，彼此顺服，因为「神阻挡骄傲的人，赐恩给谦卑的人。」…』(彼得前书 5:5-6) 神绝对可以这样做，只是祂有定时，我们不知道祂要如何做而已，因耶和华清楚的说：『…我的意念非同你们的意念，我的道路非同你们的道路。天怎样高过地，照样，我的道路高过你们的道路，我的意念高过你们的意念。』(以赛亚书 55:8-9)     

    我们以前也谈到过，『你们中间谁为大，谁就要作你们的用人。』(马太福音 23:11) 就不多讲了，只是在这提到的属灵原则和一般的属世原则是完全不一样。我们要如先前罗马书 8:29 所说的要模成耶稣的形像，我们就应该真实的谦卑，因为耶稣自己说，『我心里柔和谦卑，…』(马太福音 11:29) 而我们『…当负我(耶稣)的轭，学我的样式，这样，你们心里就必得享安息。因为我的轭是容易的，我的担子是轻省的。』(马太福音 11:29-30) 因在谦卑中和祂同负一轭，我们如果能把自己的负担在基督里完全的交给祂，是祂承担了我们的轭的部份，我们的担子怎能不轻省呢？我们常常说，在我们做完一件事后圣灵才告诉我们去更正，小事如常听人见证说，我忘了我的钥匙，在最后一分才被提醒。即使是『人心比万物都诡诈，坏到极处，谁能识透呢？』(耶利米书 17:9) 所以人会欺骗自己。不是祂不知道，而是我们常常不知道，借著这样的方法，我们非得面对我们真实的自己不可，所以我们会强调，不要只听一个人怎么讲，而是要看一个人怎么做，是不是能以身作则。

(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，我們知道我們要進窄門，然後在經文中看到窄門是指什麼，也用例子說明，神不是一個命令一個動作的神，祂給我們相當多的自由做抉擇。第二，經文說到耶路撒冷和其聖殿的預言，我們也看到這預言在歷史中是如何成就的。第三，我們看到了耶穌在安息日醫治患水臌的人，就像我們以前分享的，耶穌是守安息日的真諦，而不是其律法上的時間，這裡只是加上了另一件如此做的事情。最後我們看到了一個天國做事的原則，「凡自高的，必降為卑；自卑的，必升為高。」要模成耶穌的形像，我們必須有真實的謙卑，祂應許我們的擔子是輕省的。

1. 進窄門

       『耶穌往耶路撒冷去，在所經過的各城各鄉教訓人。有一個人問他說：「主啊，得救的人少嗎？」耶穌對眾人說：「你們要努力進窄門。我告訴你們：將來有許多人想要進去，卻是不能。及至家主起來關了門，你們站在外面叩門，說：『主啊，給我們開門！』 「他就回答說：『我不認識你們，不曉得你們是哪裏來的！』「那時，你們要說：『我們在你面前吃過、喝過，你也在我們的街上教訓過人。』「他要說：『我告訴你們，我不曉得你們是哪裏來的。你們這一切作惡的人，離開我去吧！』「你們要看見亞伯拉罕、以撒、雅各，和眾先知都在神的國裏，你們卻被趕到外面，在那裏必要哀哭切齒了。從東、從西、從南、從北將有人來，在神的國裏坐席。只是有在後的，將要在前；有在前的，將要在後。」』(路加福音 13:22-30)

    我們看到了我們是要努力進窄門，不只是要知道窄門是什麼，進窄門是要努力的，而且這門是會關的。基至於憑自己而奉基督耶穌之名做一些事情也是沒用的，要做主要我們做的事。這樣得救的人會從各方各地，各民各族而來，和亞伯拉罕等人一同坐席。不是所有的人都是在前的都要在後，但有些在後的將要在前，是鼓勵也是很真實的話，不要看到自己是在後的就不努力！聖經是很一致的，馬太福音也有一部份類似的經文，『凡稱呼我『主啊，主啊』的人，不能都進天國；惟獨遵行我天父旨意的人，才能進去。當那日，必有許多人對我說：『主啊，主啊，我們不是奉你的名傳道，奉你的名趕鬼，奉你的名行許多異能嗎？』我就明明地告訴他們說：『我從來不認識你們，你們這些作惡的人，離開我去吧！』』(馬太福音 7:21-23) 要遵行天父的旨意，所以雅各會說，『只是你們要行道，不要單單聽道，自己欺哄自己。因為聽道而不行道的，就像人對着鏡子看自己本來的面目，看見，走後，隨即忘了他的相貌如何。』(雅各書 1:22-24)

      在這裡很清楚的告訴基督徒，在信而受洗(開始)後要進窄門，那麼窄門是什麼呢？就是成聖之路，『親愛的弟兄啊，我們既有這等應許，就當潔淨自己，除去身體、靈魂一切的污穢，敬畏神，得以成聖。』(哥林多後書 7:1) 就是走上治死老我之路，如這些經文所說，『你們若順從肉體活着，必要死；若靠着聖靈治死身體的惡行，必要活着。』(羅馬書 8:13) 『所以要治死你們在地上的肢體，就如淫亂、污穢、邪情、惡慾和貪婪，貪婪就與拜偶像一樣。』(歌羅西書 3:5) 要走上模成耶穌的形像之路，像經文所說，『因為他預先所知道的人，就預先定下效法(模成, be conformed to) 他兒子的模樣(形像)，使他兒子在許多弟兄中作長子。』(羅馬書 8:29) 虛己如耶穌般，如經文所說，『反倒虛己，取了奴僕的形像，成為人的樣式。』(腓立比書 2:7) 這些都是從不同的方向講同一件事情，進窄門是要努力的，不是一般努力的行為，而是自然有的信心行為，所以保羅會說，『我靠着那加給我力量的(聖靈)，凡事都能做。』(腓立比書 4:13) 耶穌又『說：「我實在告訴你們：你們若不回轉，變成小孩子的樣式，斷不得進天國。』(馬太福音 18:3) 小孩子小時候是完全依賴父親的，不是說要和小孩子的心志，所以會說，『所以，凡自己謙卑像這小孩子的，他在天國裏就是最大的。』(馬太福音 18:3-4) 這不就是如基督徒要完全仰賴神，順服聖靈的帶領嗎？如耶穌在世時般，『…父怎樣吩咐我，我就怎樣行。…』(約翰福音 14:31) 

       請注意，神不是一個命令一個動作的神，祂給我們相當多的自由做抉擇。有錯誤的看見和抉擇時，祂會引導我們走向正路。如舊約許多的人物像亞伯拉罕伯般、信心的道路會起起伏伏。在新約中，耶穌在被捕要釘十字架時，『…門徒都離開他逃走了。』(馬太福音 26:56) 男的門徒在十字架前只有約翰，彼得甚至三次不認主。而在祂復活後，仍然『…用許多的憑據將自己活活地顯給使徒看，四十天之久向他們顯現，講說神國的事。』(使徒行傳 1:3) 其實真有神的命令，我們的老我也會如亞當般做不來的，『我也知道在我裏頭，就是我肉體之中，沒有良善。因為立志為善由得我，只是行出來由不得我。』(羅馬書 7:18) 所以我們非要治死老我，活在新人裡面不可，『…這新人是照着神的形像造的，有真理的仁義和聖潔。』(以弗所書 4:24) 『…這新人在知識上漸漸更新，正如造他主的形像。』(歌羅西書 3:10) 會讓主居首位，因『惟有基督是包括一切，又住在各人之內。(Christ is all, and in all.)』(歌羅西書 3:11)

2. 耶路撒冷的結局

       『正當那時，有幾個法利賽人來對耶穌說：「離開這裏去吧，因為希律想要殺你。」耶穌說：「你們去告訴那個狐狸說：『今天、明天我趕鬼治病，第三天我的事就成全了。』雖然這樣，今天、明天、後天，我必須前行，因為先知在耶路撒冷之外喪命是不能的。」「耶路撒冷啊，耶路撒冷啊！你常殺害先知，又用石頭打死那奉差遣到你這裏來的人。我多次願意聚集你的兒女，好像母雞把小雞聚集在翅膀底下，只是你們不願意。看哪，你們的家成為荒場留給你們。我告訴你們：從今以後你們不得再見我，直等到你們說：『奉主名來的是應當稱頌的！』」』(路加福音 13:31-35)

    請注意，今天、明天、後天就是指每一天，因明天、後天就是下一日的今天、明天。所以只要祂不上十字架，祂不會因希律想要殺祂就不前。如果稍為留心一下，就知道釘十字架前，祂只是白天在耶路撤冷，晚上是出耶路撒冷的。我們看馬太福音也一致這樣說，『耶路撒冷啊，耶路撒冷啊！你常殺害先知，又用石頭打死那奉差遣到你這裏來的人。我多次願意聚集你的兒女，好像母雞把小雞聚集在翅膀底下，只是你們不願意。看哪，你們的家成為荒場留給你們。我告訴你們：從今以後，你們不得再見我，直等到你們說：『奉主名來的，是應當稱頌的！』』(馬太福音 23:37-39) 那時的猶太人不願意，今日也並沒有太多的以色列人信奉主耶穌基督，一直要『…等到外邦人的數目添滿了，於是以色列全家都要得救。如經上所記：「必有一位救主從錫安出來，要消除雅各家的一切罪惡。」』(羅馬書 11:25-26)

       後來的路加福音更清楚的提到這時間，『你們看見耶路撒冷被兵圍困，就可知道它成荒場的日子近了。那時，在猶太的應當逃到山上，在城裏的應當出來，在鄉下的不要進城，因為這是報應的日子，使經上所寫的都得應驗。當那些日子，懷孕的和奶孩子的有禍了！因為將有大災難降在這地方，也有震怒臨到這百姓。他們要倒在刀下，又被擄到各國去。耶路撒冷要被外邦人踐踏，直到外邦人的日期滿了。』(路加福音 21:20-24)

       至於聖殿的毀滅，『耶穌出了聖殿，正走的時候，門徒進前來，把殿宇指給他看。耶穌對他們說：「你們不是看見這殿宇嗎？我實在告訴你們：將來在這裏，沒有一塊石頭留在石頭上不被拆毀了。」』(馬太福音 24:1-2) 在馬可福音 13:1-2 和路加福音 21:5-6 基本上也說到同樣的事情。再一次強調，我們要相信神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的，當我們朝這方向想時，會比較容易瞭解許多問題。

      以上的都是預言，歷史告訴我們耶路撒冷和其聖殿在主後約七十年被羅馬人摧毁了，至於關於聖殿最後是沒有一塊石頭留在石頭上不被拆毀了這點，有人在網上說其原因是為了取得被燒燬聖殿所熔流的金箔，但聖經並沒有這樣說，不管原因如何，只要我們知道、聖經這樣說的預言成就了就夠了。

3. 安息日醫治患水臌的人

       『安息日，耶穌到一個法利賽人的首領家裏去吃飯，他們就窺探他。在他面前有一個患水臌的人。耶穌對律法師和法利賽人說：「安息日治病可以不可以？」他們卻不言語。耶穌就治好那人，叫他走了，便對他們說：「你們中間誰有驢或有牛，在安息日掉在井裏，不立時拉牠上來呢？」他們不能對答這話。』(路加福音 14:1-6)

       在經文中只有這地方提到了耶穌在安息日醫治患水臌的人，就像我們以前分享的，耶穌是守安息日的真諦，而不是其律法上的時間，在安息行善是可以的(參馬太福音 12:9-13) 不要像看到醫治枯乾了一隻手的人的衆人，心是這樣的剛硬(參馬可福音 3:1-6) 其實我們也常常心裡剛硬自己都不知道，因為『人心比萬物都詭詐，壞到極處，誰能識透呢？』(耶利米書 17:9) 這裡只是又加上了另一件如此做的事情。

4. 凡自高的，必降為卑；自卑的，必升為高

       『耶穌見所請的客揀擇首位，就用比喻對他們說：「你被人請去赴婚姻的筵席，不要坐在首位上，恐怕有比你尊貴的客被他請來，那請你們的人前來對你說：『讓座給這一位吧！』你就羞羞慚慚地退到末位上去了。你被請的時候，就去坐在末位上，好叫那請你的人來對你說：『朋友，請上座。』那時，你在同席的人面前就有光彩了。因為，凡自高的，必降為卑；自卑的，必升為高。」』(路加福音 14:7-11)

     自高的人以為自己什麼都有了，但如果一個人能真正瞭解並接受神是無限，人是有限，怎麼可能驕傲得起來？所以保羅會謙卑的說，『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) 況且『…「神阻擋驕傲的人，賜恩給謙卑的人。」所以你們要自卑，服在神大能的手下，到了時候，他必叫你們升高。』(彼得前書 5:5-6) 現在正式的場合通常已用名牌排好位置了，所以不用擔心這樣的情況會發生，但有的時候沒有這樣的安排，這時候我們就可用到這原則了。很清楚的，馬太福音也在說同一原則，『凡自高的，必降為卑；自卑的，必升為高。』經文說，『那時，耶穌對眾人和門徒講論，說：「文士和法利賽人坐在摩西的位上，凡他們所吩咐你們的，你們都要謹守遵行；但不要效法他們的行為，因為他們能說不能行。…喜愛筵席上的首座，會堂裏的高位；又喜愛人在街市上問他安，稱呼他拉比。「…也不要受師尊的稱呼，因為只有一位是你們的師尊，就是基督。你們中間誰為大，誰就要作你們的用人。凡自高的，必降為卑；自卑的，必升為高。」』(馬太福音 23:1-12)

      我們知道通常文士和法利賽人在皈依前是人不對，沒有生命的。即使如此，他們在對的位置說對的話仍然要謹守遵行，這裏說得很清楚，不是要聽人說什麼而是要看人怎麼做，是不是能以身作則？請記住，我們只有一位師尊，就是基督，不要因別人所有的，如學識或會講道或恩賜等等，而認為這人什麼都是對的，不小心的崇拜了人。同樣的原則，在不同的書中也提到，如『務要在主面前自卑，主就必叫你們升高。』(雅各書 4:10) 又如在先前所提到的經節中，『…就是你們眾人也都要以謙卑束腰，彼此順服，因為「神阻擋驕傲的人，賜恩給謙卑的人。」…』(彼得前書 5:5-6) 神絕對可以這樣做，只是祂有定時，我們不知道祂要如何做而已，因耶和華清楚的說：『…我的意念非同你們的意念，我的道路非同你們的道路。天怎樣高過地，照樣，我的道路高過你們的道路，我的意念高過你們的意念。』(以賽亞書 55:8-9)

     我們以前也談到過，『你們中間誰為大，誰就要作你們的用人。』(馬太福音 23:11) 就不多講了，只是在這提到的屬靈原則和一般的屬世原則是完全不一樣。我們要如先前羅馬書 8:29 所說的要模成耶穌的形像，我們就應該真實的謙卑，因為耶穌自己說，『我心裏柔和謙卑，…』(馬太福音 11:29) 而我們『…當負我(耶穌)的軛，學我的樣式，這樣，你們心裏就必得享安息。因為我的軛是容易的，我的擔子是輕省的。』(馬太福音 11:29-30) 因在謙卑中和祂同負一軛，我們如果能把自己的負擔在基督裡完全的交給祂，是祂承擔了我們的軛的部份，我們的擔子怎能不輕省呢？我們常常說，在我們做完一件事後聖靈才告訴我們去更正，小事如常聽人見証說，我忘了我的鑰匙，在最後一分才被提醒。即使是『人心比萬物都詭詐，壞到極處，誰能識透呢？』(耶利米書 17:9) 所以人會欺騙自己。不是祂不知道，而是我們常常不知道，藉著這樣的方法，我們非得面對我們真實的自己不可，所以我們會強調，不要只聽一個人怎麼講，而是要看一個人怎麼做，是不是能以身作則。

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

First of all, we know that we have to enter the narrow gate, and then we see what the narrow gate refers to in the scriptures. We also use examples to illustrate that God is not a God who orders an action, He gives us quite a lot of freedom to make choices.  Second, the text speaks of the prophecy about Jerusalem and its temple, and we see how this prophecy has been fulfilled in history.  Thirdly, we see Jesus healing people who are sick with Dropsy on the Sabbath, as we shared before, Jesus kept the Sabbath in its true sense, not in its legal wording, and here is just another example. Finally, we saw a principle of doing things in the kingdom of heaven, “Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.” To be conformed to the image of Jesus, we must have true humility, and He promised that burden is easy for us when we are in Him.

1. Through the narrow gate

“And He was passing through from one city and village to another, teaching, and proceeding on His way to Jerusalem. And someone said to Him, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?” And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up to us!’ then He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets’; and He will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you are from; depart from Me, all you evildoers.’ In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but yourselves being thrown out. And they will come from east and west and from north and south, and will recline at the table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first and some are first who will be last.””(Luke 13:22-30)

We have seen that we have to work hard to enter the narrow gate. It is difficult not only to know what the narrow gate is, but to enter the narrow gate requires hard work, and the gate will be closed.  It is useless to do something by ourselves in the name of Christ Jesus, we must do what is asked of us to do.  Those who are saved in this way will come from all places, peoples and ethnic groups, and will sit at the table with Abraham and others.  Not everyone who is in the front must be in the back, but some who are in the back will be in the front. It is encouraging and true. Don’t stop working hard when you see that you are in the back! 

The Bible is very consistent, and there are some similar verses in the Gospel of Matthew, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’”(Matthew 7:21-23) To do the will of the heavenly Father, James would say, “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.”(James 1:22-24)

Here it clearly tells Christians that it is only a beginning after believing and being baptized, they must enter the narrow gate. So what is the narrow gate?  It is the way to sanctification, “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”(2 Corinthians 7:1) It is to walk the way of putting the old self to death, as these 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) “Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.”(Colossians 3:5) To walk on the road of being conformed to the image of Jesus, as the scriptures say, “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren.”(Romans 8:29)

Empty yourself as Jesus did, as the scriptures say, “but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.”(Philippians 2:7) These are all talking about the same thing from different directions. Entering the narrow gate requires effort, not an act of ordinary effort, but a natural act of faith, so Paul would say, “I can do all things through Him (Holy Spirit) who strengthens me.”(Philippians 4:13) Jesus also “…said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.””(Matthew 18:3) A little one completely depends on his father, which doesn’t mean to have the mind of a child. Isn’t having the mind of a child just like Christians who should completely rely on God and obey the leading of the Holy Spirit? Just like when Jesus was alive, “…I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. …”(John 14:31) So it says in the scripture, “…Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”(Matthew 18:3-4)

Note that God is not a God who orders an action, He gives us quite a lot of freedom to make choices.  When there are wrong views and choices, He will guide us to the right path.  Like many people in the Old Testament such as Abraham, the path of faith has its ups and downs.  In the New Testament, when Jesus was arrested for crucifixion, “…all the disciples left Him and fled.”(Matthew 26:56) The male disciples had only John before the cross, and Peter even denied the Lord three times.  And after His resurrection, He still “…presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.”(Acts 1:3)

In fact, if there is God’s command, our old self will not be able to do it like Adam, since “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.”(Romans 7:18) Therefore, we must put to death the old self and live in the new man, “and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”(Ephesians 4:24) “and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him.”(Colossians 3:10) The new self will give the Lord the first place, because “…Christ is all, and in all.”(Colossians 3:11)

2. The end of Jerusalem

“Just at that time some Pharisees approached, saying to Him, “Go away, leave here, for Herod wants to kill You.” And He said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I reach My goal.’ Nevertheless I must journey on today and tomorrow and the next day; for it cannot be that a prophet would perish outside of Jerusalem. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it! Behold, your house is left to you desolate; and I say to you, you will not see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’””(Luke 13:31-35)

Please note that today, tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow refer to every day, because tomorrow and the day after tomorrow are today and tomorrow of the next day.  So as long as He doesn’t go to the cross, He won’t stop because Herod wants to kill Him.  If you pay attention a little, you will know that before the crucifixion, He was only in Jerusalem during the day and left Jerusalem at night.  When we look at the Gospel of Matthew, it says the same, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. Behold, your house is being left to you desolate! For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’”(Matthew 23:37-39) The Jews at that time were unwilling, and today there are not so many Israelites who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and they have to be “…until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.””(Romans 11:25-26)

The later Gospel of Luke mentioned this time more clearly, “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near. Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are in the midst of the city must leave, and those who are in the country must not enter the city; because these are days of vengeance, so that all things which are written will be fulfilled. Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days; for there will be great distress upon the land and wrath to this people; and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”(Luke 21:20-24)

As for the destruction of the temple, “Jesus came out from the temple and was going away when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him. And He said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.””(Matthew 24:1-2) In Mark 13:1-2 and Luke 21:5-6, basically the same thing is said.  Once again, we must believe that what God told us through the Bible is consistent. When we think in this direction, it will be easier to understand many questions we might have.

The above are all prophecies. History tells us that Jerusalem and its temple were destroyed by the Romans about 70 years after the Lord. As for the fact that there was not a single stone left on the temple without being demolished, someone posted on the Internet and said that the reason is to obtain the melted gold leaf from the burnt temple, but the Bible does not say so. No matter what the reason is, as long as we know that the prophecy said in the Bible has been fulfilled, it is enough.

3. Healing the Dropsy on the Sabbath 

“It happened that when He went into the house of one of the leaders of the Pharisees on the Sabbath to eat bread, they were watching Him closely. And there in front of Him was a man suffering from dropsy. And Jesus answered and spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?” But they kept silent. And He took hold of him and healed him, and sent him away. And He said to them, “Which one of you will have a son or an ox fall into a well, and will not immediately pull him out on a Sabbath day?” And they could make no reply to this.”(Luke 14:1-6)

This is the only place in the scriptures where it is mentioned that Jesus healed the dropsy on the Sabbath. As we shared before, Jesus kept the true meaning of the Sabbath, not the time in the law. It is okay to do good on the Sabbath (cf.  Gospel of Matthew 12:9-13) Don’t be so hardened like the people who saw the healing of the man with a withered hand (cf. Mark 3:1-6) In fact, we often harden our hearts to the extent that we don’t even know, because “The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?”(Jeremiah 17:9) Here is just one more thing that can happen with the heart hardened.

4. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled

“And He began speaking a parable to the invited guests when He noticed how they had been picking out the places of honor at the table, saying to them, “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then in disgrace you proceed to occupy the last place. But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.””(Luke 14:7-11)

People who are self-exalted think that they have everything, but if a person can truly understand and accept that God is infinite and man is finite, how can he be proud?  That’s why Paul said humbly, “If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know.”(1 Corinthians 8:2) Besides, “…God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time.”(1 Peter 5:5-6) Now formal occasions are usually arranged with name tags, so there is no need to worry about such a situation happening, but sometimes there is no such arrangement, and we can use this principle at time like this.  

Clearly, the Gospel of Matthew speaks of the same principle, “Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, 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. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men. But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.”(Matthew 23:1-12)

We know that usually scribes and Pharisees were wrong and they had no life before conversion.  Even so, we still had to abide by what they say right when they had seated themselves in the right position, that is in the chair of Moses. It is very clear here that one should not only listen to what people would say but watch if they do it. Can they lead by examples?  Please remember that we only have one Master, that is, Christ. Don’t worship others due to carelessness, just because of what others have, such as knowledge or ability to preach or gifts, etc., and thus think that that person is right in everything.  The same principle is mentioned in different books too, such as “Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.”(James 4:10) And as in the verse mentioned earlier, “…clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time.”(1 Peter 5:5-6) God can definitely do this, but He has an appointed time for everything, we don’t know how He will do it, because the God clearly said: “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 have talked about the verse before, “But the greatest among you shall be your servant.”(Matthew 23:11) which I won’t go into too much detail. But please notice that the spiritual principles mentioned here are completely different from the general world principles.  If we want to be conformed to the image of Jesus as mentioned in Romans 8:29, we should be truly humble, because Jesus himself said, “…I am gentle and humble in heart, …”(Matthew 11:29) and we can “Take My (Jesus’) yoke upon you and learn from Me, …and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”(Matthew 11:29-30) Because we are yoked with Him in humility, if we can fully entrust our burdens to Him in Christ, it is He who bears our yoke, how can our burden be not light? 

We often complain about that the Holy Spirit tells us to make corrections many times after we have done something wrong. On this point for small things, people often testify that I forgot my key and was reminded at the last minute.  That is because people can deceive themselves as the scripture says ““The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?”(Jeremiah 17:9) It’s not that He doesn’t know that we cheat ourselves, but we often don’t know what happened until actually done. Through this last-minute approach or the afterward correction, we have to face our true selves. Thinking about this way, if we aren’t reminded, we will go through the wrong way. It is better to have the last-minute change.  Even with corrections, it is better than not knowing and never change. At last, we want to emphasize that we should not just listen to what a person says, but look at how he does it. We should ask, if the person can lead by examples.

(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.”)

     我们首先看到人人都需要悔改，真正的悔改一定有相应的行动，也看到了悔改是大有功效的。第二，在人犹如果树的比喻下，在确定不是论断人而是犹如耶稣的判断般，不结果子的果树只值得被园丁砍掉。第三，我们看耶稣在安息日医治驼背的女人的事，祂是遵行安息日的真谛，而不是律法上的时间。安息日行善是可以的，而且该知道，人子是安息日的主。最后我们来看神的国犹如芥菜种和面酵的比喻，看到这两个比喻是指同一件事情。这是一个争议性的话题，我们不像平常的结论是往好的方向想，认为神的国必定发展如芥菜种和面酵般的加以状大。我们是从圣经的一致性看，我们看到了神的国的确发展相当快，但教会的成员参差不齐，而把这比喻看做一个事实和警告。

1. 不悔改的都要灭亡       

     『正当那时，有人将彼拉多使加利利人的血搀杂在他们祭物中的事告诉耶稣。耶稣说：「你们以为这些加利利人比众加利利人更有罪，所以受这害吗？我告诉你们：不是的！你们若不悔改，都要如此灭亡！从前西罗亚楼倒塌了，压死十八个人，你们以为那些人比一切住在耶路撒冷的人更有罪吗？我告诉你们：不是的！你们若不悔改，都要如此灭亡！」』(路加福音 13:1-5)       

     我们看到了人人都需要悔改，『因为世人都犯了罪，亏缺了神的荣耀。』(罗马书 3:23) 但神是有恩典有怜悯的神，就有了救恩的计划，给了每个人有一个得救的机会。在救恩的计划中，悔改是第一步，『那时，有施洗的约翰出来，在犹太的旷野传道，说：「天国近了，你们应当悔改！」』(马太福音 3:1-2) 又看到了，『从那时候，耶稣就传起道来，说：「天国近了，你们应当悔改！」』(马太福音 4:17) 悔改是大有功效的就如经文说， 『我们若认自己的罪，神是信实的，是公义的，必要赦免我们的罪，洗净我们一切的不义；』(约翰一书 1:9) 我们一定要悔改。真正的悔改一定有行动，这点在使徒行传讲得很清楚: 『众人听见这话，觉得扎心，就对彼得和其余的使徒说：「弟兄们，我们当怎样行？」彼得说：「你们各人要悔改，奉耶稣基督的名受洗，叫你们的罪得赦，就必领受所赐的圣灵。」』(使徒行传 2:37-38)

2. 不结实的无花果的下场       

     『于是用比喻说：「一个人有一棵无花果树栽在葡萄园里。他来到树前找果子，却找不著。就对管园的说：『看哪，我这三年来到这无花果树前找果子，竟找不著。把它砍了吧，何必白占地土呢？』「管园的说：『主啊，今年且留著，等我周围掘开土，加上粪，以后若结果子便罢，不然再把它砍了。』」』(路加福音 13:6-9)      

     这无花果树本来该结果子的却没有结，从人的角度看，他已给这树相当长的时间了！但神是有恩典有怜悯的神，非常有耐心，我们常常会觉得自己真像不可能一样，但神仍不断的给我们机会，当然死后就没有机会了，所以我们在生前要把握好机会。在这比喻中，我们看到管园的要确定这无花果树是真正的不结果子，才会把它砍掉。用无花果的例子来比喻人，我们要确定自己不是论断中，『你们不要论断(G2919)人，免得你们被论断。』(马太福音 7:1) 而是要如耶稣般的判断，『你们是以外貌判断(G2919)人，我却不判断人。就是判断人，我的判断也是真的，因为不是我独自在这里，还有差我来的父与我同在。』(约翰福音 8:15-16) 真正的父在判断。请注意，同一个字 G2919 的中文翻译有时是论断，有时是判断，要看前后文才知道那个是正确的中文翻译。所以「在家庭中对错不是最重要的教导」不一定是全对的，这不是一张空白支票式的叙述，要看情况而定，有时要坚持真理，要不怎么能够分辩？但绝对有时是要顺从这教导，譬如说对一件事到底是如何发生的夫妻都不能同意，更可能和真正如何发生所不定都不一样，还怎么能谈到对错，这时不会有分辩的问题，不要坚持自己一定是对的，不要陷于论断，对错的确是不重要！当然，如果每次同一个人都指鹿为马，为反对而反对，这会是另外一个问题，一个正常人不会这么做的！在分享前正好想到这问题，看到这里讲到判断，就顺便提出来。     

     如果我们参照传道书 3:1-17，就知道凡事有定时，像等会要分享的医治驼背的女人是立即的，治疗我们分享过的有血漏的妇人也是立即的(参路加福音 8:43-44) 但一般的情况下是有一个过程的。因为即使祷告被允许，也不见得立时就成就！旧约中的一个明说的例子在但以理书 10:11-13，『…我现在奉差遣来到你这里…他就说：「但以理啊，不要惧怕！因为从你第一日专心求明白将来的事，又在你神面前刻苦己心，你的言语已蒙应允，我是因你的言语而来。但波斯国的魔君拦阻我二十一日，忽然有大君中的一位米迦勒来帮助我，我就停留在波斯诸王那里。』(但以理书 10:12-13) 而且要知道，『耶和华说：「我的意念非同你们的意念，我的道路非同你们的道路。天怎样高过地，照样，我的道路高过你们的道路，我的意念高过你们的意念。』(以赛亚书 55:8-9)  在砍无花果树前要非常的确定，是真正的不结果，而不是神的时间还没有到！不要论断。在这点上，保罗知道得很清楚，『我被你们论断，或被别人论断，我都以为极小的事，连我自己也不论断自己。我虽不觉得自己有错，却也不能因此得以称义，但判断我的乃是主。所以，时候未到，甚么都不要论断，只等主来，他要照出暗中的隐情，显明人心的意念。那时，各人要从神那里得著称赞。』(哥林多前书 4:3-5)

3. 安息日医治驼背的女人       

     『安息日，耶稣在会堂里教训人。有一个女人被鬼附著，病了十八年，腰弯得一点直不起来。耶稣看见，便叫过她来，对她说：「女人，你脱离这病了！」于是用两只手按著她，她立刻直起腰来，就归荣耀与神。管会堂的因为耶稣在安息日治病，就气忿忿地对众人说：「有六日应当做工，那六日之内可以来求医，在安息日却不可！」主说：「假冒为善的人哪，难道你们各人在安息日不解开槽上的牛、驴，牵去饮吗？况且这女人本是亚伯拉罕的后裔，被撒但捆绑了这十八年，不当在安息日解开她的绑吗？」耶稣说这话，他的敌人都惭愧了；众人因他所行一切荣耀的事，就都欢喜了。』(路加福音 13:10-17)     

     驼背的女人被捆绑了这么久，我们也看到了她的反应！何况『…安息日是为人设立的，人不是为安息日设立的。所以，人子也是安息日的主。』(马可福音 2:27-28) 耶稣怎么不可以这样做呢？安息日行善是可以的，『耶稣说：「你们中间谁有一只羊，当安息日掉在坑里，不把牠抓住拉上来呢？人比羊何等贵重呢！所以，在安息日做善事是可以的。」』(马太福音 12:11-12) 耶稣是遵行安息日的真谛，而不是律法上的时间。关于安息日的真谛，以赛亚书说得很清楚，『你若在安息日掉转你的脚步，在我圣日不以操作为喜乐，称安息日为可喜乐的，称耶和华的圣日为可尊重的，而且尊敬这日，不办自己的私事，不随自己的私意，不说自己的私话。』(以赛亚书 58:13)

4. 神的国用芥菜种和面酵比喻       

     『耶稣说：「神的国好像甚么？我拿甚么来比较呢？好像一粒芥菜种，有人拿去种在园子里，长大成树(tree G1186)，天上的飞鸟宿在它的枝上。」又说：「我拿甚么来比神的国呢？好比面酵，有妇人拿来藏在三斗面里，直等全团都发起来。」』(路加福音 13:18-21)       

     这是一段具有争议性的话题，基本上有从好的方向和坏的方向看这段经文。从好的方向想，人人都希望大使命能够成就，因『他愿意万人得救，明白真道。』(提摩太前书 2:4) 希望神国犹如芥菜种变为大树，如一团面酵般的大大成长。这也是为什么有些教会数算有多少人参加的原因，希望每一个都信基督教，但这是不可能的！耶稣在地上的时候行了多少神迹，有多少人相信祂是人子呢？尤其是当这样的教会不够注重聚会的人的质量时，会给人有负面的印象，要质和量都并重才行。我们会从圣经的一致性看神要借著圣经告诉我们什么，而不是从人的角度去想，才能够真正了解这段经文。       

     我们看看马太福音怎样说，『他(耶稣)又设个比喻对他们说：「天国好像一粒芥菜种，有人拿去种在田里。这原是百种里最小的，等到长起来，却比各样的菜都大，且成了树，天上的飞鸟来宿在它的枝上。」他又对他们讲个比喻说：「天国好像面酵，有妇人拿来，藏在三斗面里，直等全团都发起来。」这都是耶稣用比喻对众人说的话；若不用比喻，就不对他们说甚么。这是要应验先知的话，说：「我要开口用比喻，把创世以来所隐藏的事发明出来。」』(马太福音 13:31-35)           

     这一段显然是和路加福音所说的相同，但说到了那时是要用比喻把隐藏的事说出来，那这些比喻是在说什么？我们先就从圣经的一致性来看面酵。讲到酵，圣经基本上都是说不好的事情，如同经文说，『你不可将我祭物的血和有酵的饼一同献上。逾越节的祭物也不可留到早晨。』(出埃及记 34:25) 所以一般献祭都不可带酵。有唯一的例外的是，『要用有酵的饼和为感谢献的平安祭，与供物一同献上。』(利未记 7:13) 这是感谢献的平安祭，经验告诉我们，人不可能是完全无酵的，没有错的，但神的恩典仍让我们能带酵求平安，所以有了这个例外。

     新约提到酵时，也是指不好的事情，如『我(耶稣)对你们说：『要防备法利赛人和撒都该人的酵』，这话不是指著饼说的，你们怎么不明白呢？」门徒这才晓得他说的，不是叫他们防备饼的酵，乃是防备法利赛人和撒都该人的教训。』(马太福音 16:11-12) 又如，『一点面酵能使全团都发起来。我在主里很信你们必不怀别样的心，但搅扰你们的，无论是谁，必担当他的罪名！』(加拉太书 5:9-10)       

     所以这里应该没有例外，这里经文讲到的酵不是指好事情，只是讲一个事实，天国的发展的确如面酵，发展很快，但里面含有酵，而这时要怎么处理呢？在这些经文前的马太福音就说得很清楚，『主人说：『不必，恐怕薅稗子，连麦子也拔出来。容这两样一齐长，等著收割。当收割的时候，我要对收割的人说：先将稗子薅出来，捆成捆，留著烧；惟有麦子要收在仓里。』』(马太福音 13:29-30) 我们知道，『撒稗子的仇敌就是魔鬼；收割的时候就是世界的末了，收割的人就是天使。』(马太福音 13:39) 因稗子和麦子没有成熟有果实前实在是太像了，是分不出来的！     

     在这种情况下，教会的确会发展的相当快，但我们也真的要分辩。譬如在启示录的七个教会中，前六个教会至少或多或少的都有得胜者，我们绝对不要像老底嘉的教会一样，没有一个得胜者，而自己却以为，『…我是富足，已经发了财，一样都不缺。』 相信从人的角度看他们一定以耶稣的名做了不少的事情，要不然他们不会这样想，他们至少知道不可停止聚会啊！但很显然的许多事情不是神要他们做的事情，是自己要做的事情，因为从神的角度看，『却不知道你(自己)是那困苦、可怜、贫穷、瞎眼、赤身的。』(启示录 3:17) 所以只是形式上的做事是没有用的，像读经的目的本是要得生命，如耶稣所说，『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) 我以前读经只是因别人要我读经就读了，这是草本禾稭的工作，一烧就没有了！我们有大使命，是要以身作则，使别人看到并羡慕我们的好行为，就自然而然的『…使万民作我(耶稣)的门徒』(马太福音 28:19) 了！但神是有怜悯有思典的神，虽被关在门外，仍在外面耐心等候，如经文所说，『看哪，我站在门外叩门，若有听见我声音就开门的，我要进到他那里去，我与他，他与我一同坐席。』(启示录 3:20)       

     我们再看一下芥菜种的比喻，它是和菜(G3001)比较，本应是菜，欲长成了树(G1186)，变质了！这不是和现在相当多的教会的情况类似吗？如成功哲学般，教导人只要信主就一切顺利，这不是依照圣经的教导说，『…在世上你们有苦难，但你们可以放心，我已经胜了世界。』(约翰福音 16:33) 且不自知的如老底嘉的教会般，不以主耶稣居首位，让神的国参差不齐，但最终只有麦子会被收在仓里。

(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』。 

    我們首先看到人人都需要悔改，真正的悔改一定有相應的行動，也看到了悔改是大有功效的。第二，在人猶如果樹的比喻下，在確定不是論斷人而是猶如耶穌的判斷般，不結果子的果樹只值得被園丁砍掉。第三，我們看耶穌在安息日醫治駝背的女人的事，祂是遵行安息日的真諦，而不是律法上的時間。安息日行善是可以的，而且該知道，人子是安息日的主。最後我們來看神的國猶如芥菜種和麪酵的比喻，看到這兩個比喻是指同一件事情。這是一個爭議性的話題，我們不像平常的結論是往好的方向想，認為神的國必定發展如芥菜種和麪酵般的加以狀大。我們是從聖經的一致性看，我們看到了神的國的確發展相當快，但教會的成員參差不齊，而把這比喻看做一個事實和警告。

1. 不悔改的都要滅亡

       『正當那時，有人將彼拉多使加利利人的血攙雜在他們祭物中的事告訴耶穌。耶穌說：「你們以為這些加利利人比眾加利利人更有罪，所以受這害嗎？我告訴你們：不是的！你們若不悔改，都要如此滅亡！從前西羅亞樓倒塌了，壓死十八個人，你們以為那些人比一切住在耶路撒冷的人更有罪嗎？我告訴你們：不是的！你們若不悔改，都要如此滅亡！」』(路加福音 13:1-5)

       我們看到了人人都需要悔改，『因為世人都犯了罪，虧缺了神的榮耀。』(羅馬書 3:23) 但神是有恩典有憐憫的神，就有了救恩的計劃，給了每個人有一個得救的機會。在救恩的計劃中，悔改是第一步，『那時，有施洗的約翰出來，在猶太的曠野傳道，說：「天國近了，你們應當悔改！」』(馬太福音 3:1-2) 又看到了，『從那時候，耶穌就傳起道來，說：「天國近了，你們應當悔改！」』(馬太福音 4:17) 悔改是大有功效的就如經文說， 『我們若認自己的罪，神是信實的，是公義的，必要赦免我們的罪，洗淨我們一切的不義；』(約翰一書 1:9) 我們一定要悔改。真正的悔改一定有行動，這點在使徒行傳講得很清楚: 『眾人聽見這話，覺得扎心，就對彼得和其餘的使徒說：「弟兄們，我們當怎樣行？」彼得說：「你們各人要悔改，奉耶穌基督的名受洗，叫你們的罪得赦，就必領受所賜的聖靈。」』(使徒行傳 2:37-38)

2. 不結實的無花果的下場

       『於是用比喻說：「一個人有一棵無花果樹栽在葡萄園裏。他來到樹前找果子，卻找不着。就對管園的說：『看哪，我這三年來到這無花果樹前找果子，竟找不着。把它砍了吧，何必白佔地土呢？』「管園的說：『主啊，今年且留着，等我周圍掘開土，加上糞，以後若結果子便罷，不然再把它砍了。』」』(路加福音 13:6-9)

      這無花果樹本來該結果子的卻沒有結，從人的角度看，他已給這樹相當長的時間了！但神是有恩典有憐憫的神，非常有耐心，我們常常會覺得自己真像不可能一樣，但神仍不斷的給我們機會，當然死後就沒有機會了，所以我們在生前要把握好機會。在這比喻中，我們看到管園的要確定這無花果樹是真正的不結果子，才會把它砍掉。用無花果的例子來比喻人，我們要確定自己不是論斷中，『你們不要論斷(G2919)人，免得你們被論斷。』(馬太福音 7:1) 而是要如耶穌般的判斷，『你們是以外貌判斷(G2919)人，我卻不判斷人。就是判斷人，我的判斷也是真的，因為不是我獨自在這裏，還有差我來的父與我同在。』(約翰福音 8:15-16) 真正的父在判斷。請注意，同一個字 G2919 的中文翻譯有時是論斷，有時是判斷，要看前後文才知道那個是正確的中文翻譯。所以「在家庭中對錯不是最重要的教導」不一定是全對的，這不是一張空白支票式的敘述，要看情況而定，有時要堅持真理，要不怎麼能夠分辨？但絕對有時是要順從這教導，譬如說對一件事到底是如何發生的夫妻都不能同意，更可能和真正如何發生所不定都不一樣，還怎麼能談到對錯，這時不會有分辨的問題，不要堅持自己一定是對的，不要陷於論斷，對錯的確是不重要！當然，如果每次同一個人都指鹿為馬，為反對而反對，這會是另外一個問題，一個正常人不會這麼做的！在分享前正好想到這問題，看到這裏講到判斷，就順便提出來。

     如果我們參照傳道書 3:1-17，就知道凡事有定時，像等會要分享的醫治駝背的女人是立即的，治療我們分享過的有血漏的婦人也是立即的(參路加福音 8:43-44) 但一般的情況下是有一個過程的。因為即使禱告被允許，也不見得立時就成就！舊約中的一個明說的例子在但以理書 10:11-13，『…我現在奉差遣來到你這裏…他就說：「但以理啊，不要懼怕！因為從你第一日專心求明白將來的事，又在你神面前刻苦己心，你的言語已蒙應允，我是因你的言語而來。但波斯國的魔君攔阻我二十一日，忽然有大君中的一位米迦勒來幫助我，我就停留在波斯諸王那裏。』(但以理書 10:12-13) 而且要知道，『耶和華說：「我的意念非同你們的意念，我的道路非同你們的道路。天怎樣高過地，照樣，我的道路高過你們的道路，我的意念高過你們的意念。』(以賽亞書 55:8-9)  在砍無花果樹前要非常的確定，是真正的不結果，而不是神的時間還沒有到！不要論斷。在這點上，保羅知道得很清楚，『我被你們論斷，或被別人論斷，我都以為極小的事，連我自己也不論斷自己。我雖不覺得自己有錯，卻也不能因此得以稱義，但判斷我的乃是主。所以，時候未到，甚麼都不要論斷，只等主來，他要照出暗中的隱情，顯明人心的意念。那時，各人要從神那裏得着稱讚。』(哥林多前書 4:3-5)

3. 安息日醫治駝背的女人

       『安息日，耶穌在會堂裏教訓人。有一個女人被鬼附着，病了十八年，腰彎得一點直不起來。耶穌看見，便叫過她來，對她說：「女人，你脫離這病了！」於是用兩隻手按着她，她立刻直起腰來，就歸榮耀與神。管會堂的因為耶穌在安息日治病，就氣忿忿地對眾人說：「有六日應當做工，那六日之內可以來求醫，在安息日卻不可！」主說：「假冒為善的人哪，難道你們各人在安息日不解開槽上的牛、驢，牽去飲嗎？況且這女人本是亞伯拉罕的後裔，被撒但捆綁了這十八年，不當在安息日解開她的綁嗎？」耶穌說這話，他的敵人都慚愧了；眾人因他所行一切榮耀的事，就都歡喜了。』(路加福音 13:10-17) 

     駝背的女人被捆綁了這麼久，我們也看到了她的反應！何況『…安息日是為人設立的，人不是為安息日設立的。所以，人子也是安息日的主。』(馬可福音 2:27-28) 耶穌怎麼不可以這樣做呢？安息日行善是可以的，『耶穌說：「你們中間誰有一隻羊，當安息日掉在坑裏，不把牠抓住拉上來呢？人比羊何等貴重呢！所以，在安息日做善事是可以的。」』(馬太福音 12:11-12) 耶穌是遵行安息日的真諦，而不是律法上的時間。關於安息日的真諦，以賽亞書說得很清楚，『你若在安息日掉轉你的腳步，在我聖日不以操作為喜樂，稱安息日為可喜樂的，稱耶和華的聖日為可尊重的，而且尊敬這日，不辦自己的私事，不隨自己的私意，不說自己的私話。』(以賽亞書 58:13)

4. 神的國用芥菜種和麪酵比喻

       『耶穌說：「神的國好像甚麼？我拿甚麼來比較呢？好像一粒芥菜種，有人拿去種在園子裏，長大成樹(tree G1186)，天上的飛鳥宿在它的枝上。」又說：「我拿甚麼來比神的國呢？好比麪酵，有婦人拿來藏在三斗麪裏，直等全團都發起來。」』(路加福音 13:18-21)

       這是一段具有爭議性的話題，基本上有從好的方向和壞的方向看這段經文。從好的方向想，人人都希望大使命能夠成就，因『他願意萬人得救，明白真道。』(提摩太前書 2:4) 希望神國猶如芥菜種變為大樹，如一團麪酵般的大大成長。這也是為什麼有些教會數算有多少人參加的原因，希望每一個都信基督教，但這是不可能的！耶穌在地上的時候行了多少神蹟，有多少人相信祂是人子呢？尤其是當這樣的教會不夠注重聚會的人的質量時，會給人有負面的印象，要質和量都並重才行。我們會從聖經的一致性看神要藉著聖經告訴我們什麼，而不是從人的角度去想，才能夠真正瞭解這段經文。

       我們看看馬太福音怎樣說，『他(耶穌)又設個比喻對他們說：「天國好像一粒芥菜種，有人拿去種在田裏。這原是百種裏最小的，等到長起來，卻比各樣的菜都大，且成了樹，天上的飛鳥來宿在它的枝上。」他又對他們講個比喻說：「天國好像麪酵，有婦人拿來，藏在三斗麪裏，直等全團都發起來。」這都是耶穌用比喻對眾人說的話；若不用比喻，就不對他們說甚麼。這是要應驗先知的話，說：「我要開口用比喻，把創世以來所隱藏的事發明出來。」』(馬太福音 13:31-35)

           這一段顯然是和路加福音所說的相同，但說到了那時是要用比喻把隱藏的事說出來，那這些比喻是在說什麼？我們先就從聖經的一致性來看麪酵。講到酵，聖經基本上都是說不好的事情，如同經文說，『你不可將我祭物的血和有酵的餅一同獻上。逾越節的祭物也不可留到早晨。』(出埃及記 34:25) 所以一般獻祭都不可帶酵。有唯一的例外的是，『要用有酵的餅和為感謝獻的平安祭，與供物一同獻上。』(利未記 7:13) 這是感謝獻的平安祭，經驗告訴我們，人不可能是完全無酵的，沒有錯的，但神的恩典仍讓我們能帶酵求平安，所以有了這個例外。

       新約提到酵時，也是指不好的事情，如『我(耶穌)對你們說：『要防備法利賽人和撒都該人的酵』，這話不是指着餅說的，你們怎麼不明白呢？」門徒這才曉得他說的，不是叫他們防備餅的酵，乃是防備法利賽人和撒都該人的教訓。』(馬太福音 16:11-12) 又如，『一點麪酵能使全團都發起來。我在主裏很信你們必不懷別樣的心，但攪擾你們的，無論是誰，必擔當他的罪名！』(加拉太書 5:9-10) 

       所以這裡應該沒有例外，這裡經文講到的酵不是指好事情，只是講一個事實，天國的發展的確如麪酵，發展很快，但裡面含有酵，而這時要怎麼處理呢？在這些經文前的馬太福音就說得很清楚，『主人說：『不必，恐怕薅稗子，連麥子也拔出來。容這兩樣一齊長，等着收割。當收割的時候，我要對收割的人說：先將稗子薅出來，捆成捆，留着燒；惟有麥子要收在倉裏。』』(馬太福音 13:29-30) 我們知道，『撒稗子的仇敵就是魔鬼；收割的時候就是世界的末了，收割的人就是天使。』(馬太福音 13:39) 因稗子和麥子沒有成熟有果實前實在是太像了，是分不出來的！

     在這種情況下，教會的確會發展的相當快，但我們也真的要分辨。譬如在啓示錄的七個教會中，前六個教會至少或多或少的都有得勝者，我們絕對不要像老底嘉的教會一樣，沒有一個得勝者，而自己卻以為，『…我是富足，已經發了財，一樣都不缺。』 相信從人的角度看他們一定以耶穌的名做了不少的事情，要不然他們不會這樣想，他們至少知道不可停止聚會啊！但很顯然的許多事情不是神要他們做的事情，是自己要做的事情，因為從神的角度看，『卻不知道你(自己)是那困苦、可憐、貧窮、瞎眼、赤身的。』(啓示錄 3:17) 所以只是形式上的做事是沒有用的，像讀經的目的本是要得生命，如耶穌所說，『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) 我以前讀經只是因別人要我讀經就讀了，這是草本禾稭的工作，一燒就沒有了！我們有大使命，是要以身作則，使別人看到並羨慕我們的好行為，就自然而然的『…使萬民作我(耶穌)的門徒』(馬太福音 28:19) 了！但神是有憐憫有思典的神，雖被關在門外，仍在外面耐心等候，如經文所說，『看哪，我站在門外叩門，若有聽見我聲音就開門的，我要進到他那裏去，我與他，他與我一同坐席。』(啓示錄 3:20) 

       我們再看一下芥菜種的比喻，它是和菜(G3001)比較，本應是菜，欲長成了樹(G1186)，變質了！這不是和現在相當多的教會的情況類似嗎？如成功哲學般，教導人只要信主就一切順利，這不是依照聖經的教導說，『…在世上你們有苦難，但你們可以放心，我已經勝了世界。』(約翰福音 16:33) 且不自知的如老底嘉的教會般，不以主耶穌居首位，讓神的國參差不齊，但最終只有麥子會被收在倉裡。

(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 that everyone needs to repent, and true repentance must have corresponding actions, and we also saw that repentance is very effective.  Second, using the analogy that people are like fruit trees, we determine not to judge people by ourselves but to judge like Jesus. Fruit trees that do not bear fruit are only worthy of being cut down by gardeners.  Third, we look at the matter of Jesus healing the hunchbacked woman on the Sabbath. He obeyed the true meaning of the Sabbath, not the letter of the law.  It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath, and you should know that the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.  Finally, we see that the kingdom of God is like the parable of the mustard seed and the leaven, and the two parables refer to the same thing. This is a controversial topic, unlike the usual conclusion that is looking in a good direction with the thinking that the kingdom of God must grow like mustard seed and leaven.  From the perspective of the consistency of the Bible, we see that the kingdom of God has indeed developed quite rapidly, but the desire of church members is uneven, and we regard this parable as a fact and a warning.

1. All who do not repent will perish

“Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. And Jesus said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.””(Luke 13:1-5)

We saw the need for all to repent, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”(Romans 3:23) But God is a gracious and merciful God, so He has a plan of salvation and gives everyone a chance to be saved.  In the plan of salvation, repentance is the first step. It is as said, “Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.””(Matthew 3:1-2) Again, it is said, “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.””(Matthew 4:17) Repentance is very effective, just like the scriptures said, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”(1 John 1:9) We must repent.  True repentance must take action, which is clearly stated in the book of Acts: “Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”(Acts 2:37-38)

2. What happened to the unfruitful fig

“And He began telling this parable: “A man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and did not find any. And he said to the vineyard-keeper, ‘Behold, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground?’ And he answered and said to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down.’””(Luke 13:6-9)

The fig tree that was supposed to bear fruit didn’t bear fruit, and from a human point of view, the man had already given it a long time!  But God is a gracious and merciful God. He is very patient. We often feel that we are impossible, but God still gives us opportunities. Of course, there will be no opportunities after death, so we must grasp the opportunities while we are alive.  In this parable we see that the gardener has to be sure that the fig tree is truly barren before he cuts it down.  Using the example of figs to describe people, we must make sure that we are not judging ourselves as said in the verse, ““Do not judge (G2919) so that you will not be judged.”(Matthew 7:1) Instead, judge like Jesus, “You judge according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone. But even if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone in it, but I and the Father who sent Me.”(John 8:15-16) It is the Father who was judging.  Please note that the Chinese translation of the same word G2919 is sometimes very different. It depends on the context to know which is the correct Chinese translation.  The teaching “right or wrong is not important in the family” may not always be correct. This is not a blank check statement, and it should depend on the situation. Sometimes you have to stick to the truth, or how can you discern the difference between right or wrong?  But sometimes you have to obey this teaching. For example, if a couple can’t agree on how a thing happened, on top of that both of their recollections may be different from how it really happened. How can you talk about right and wrong in this case? At this time, this will no longer be an issue of discernment. Don’t insist that you must be right in this case, don’t get bogged down in judgments, right or wrong really doesn’t matter!  Of course, if the same person calls a deer a horse every time and opposes for the sake of opposing, this will be another issue. A normal person would not do this!  I happened to think of this question before sharing, and when I saw the judgment mentioned here, I brought it up by the way.

If we refer to Ecclesiastes 3:1-17, we know that there is an appointed time for everything, such as the healing of the hunchbacked woman which will be shared later is immediate, and the healing of the woman with bleeding that we have shared is also immediate (cf. Luke 8:43-44) But generally there is a process.  Because even when prayers are answered, they don’t always come true right away!  An explicit example from the Old Testament is given in the following. “…I have now been sent to you. …Then he said to me, “Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia.”(Daniel 10:11-13) And we know, ““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) The gardener has to be sure that the fig tree is truly barren and that it isn’t because God’s time has not yet come! Don’t judge by yourself. On this point, Paul knew very clearly, “But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself. For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord. Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.”(1 Corinthians 4:3-5)

3. Jesus Heals the Hunchbacked Woman in Sabbath 

“And He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And there was a woman who for eighteen years had had a sickness caused by a spirit; and she was bent double, and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, He called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your sickness.” And He laid His hands on her; and immediately she was made erect again and began glorifying God. But the synagogue official, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, began saying to the crowd in response, “There are six days in which work should be done; so come during them and get healed, and not on the Sabbath day.” But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites, does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the stall and lead him away to water him? And this woman, a daughter of Abraham as she is, whom Satan has bound for eighteen long years, should she not have been released from this bond on the Sabbath day?” As He said this, all His opponents were being humiliated; and the entire crowd was rejoicing over all the glorious things being done by Him.”(Luke 13:10-17)

The hunchbacked woman has been tied up for so long and we see her reaction too!  What’s more, “Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.””(Mark 2:27-28) How could Jesus not do this?  It is permissible to do good deeds on the Sabbath. “And He said to them, “What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.””(Matthew 12:11-12) Jesus obeyed the true meaning of the Sabbath, not the time in the law.  Regarding the true meaning of the Sabbath, Isaiah makes it very clear, ““If because of the sabbath, you turn your foot From doing your own pleasure on My holy day, And call the sabbath a delight, the holy day of the Lord honorable, And honor it, desisting from your own ways, From seeking your own pleasure And speaking your own word.”(Isaiah 58:13)

4. The parable of the kingdom of God with the mustard seed and the leaven

“So He was saying, “What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and threw into his own garden; and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.” And again He said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened.””(Luke 13:18-21)

This is a controversial topic, and there are basically good and bad ways to look at this passage.  Thinking in a positive direction, everyone hopes that the Great Commission will be accomplished, because “who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”(1 Timothy 2:4) Hope that the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed turned into a big tree, and it grows like a lump of leaven.  This is why some churches count the number of people attending, hoping that everyone will believe in Christianity, but this is impossible!  How many miracles did Jesus perform when he was on earth, and how many people believed that He was the Son of Man?  Especially when such churches don’t pay enough attention to the quality of the attendees, it will give people a negative impression, and it is necessary to pay more attention to quality than quantity.  We will look at what God wants to tell us through the Bible from the consistency in the Bible, instead of thinking from a human perspective, so that we can truly understand this passage of scriptures.

Let’s look at what Matthew said, “He presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; and this is smaller than all other seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.” He spoke another parable to them, “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened.” All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, and He did not speak to them without a parable. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.””(Matthew 13:31-35)

This passage is obviously the same as what Luke said in his Gospel, but at this time it was said that the hidden things were to be revealed with parables, so what are these parables talking about?  Let’s look at leaven first in terms of the consistency in the Bible.  When it comes to leaven, the Bible basically refers to bad things, as the scriptures say, “You shall not offer the blood of My sacrifice with leavened bread, nor is the sacrifice of the Feast of the Passover to be left over until morning.”(Exodus 34:25) Therefore, in general, sacrifices should be without leaven.  With the only exception, “With the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving, he shall present his offering with cakes of leavened bread.”(Leviticus 7:13) This is a peace offering for thanksgiving. Experience tells us that man cannot be completely unleavened, that is to say that man cannot be totally out of sin, but God’s grace still allows us to bring leaven for peace offering, so there is such an exception.

When the New Testament mentions leaven, it also refers to bad things, such as “How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” (Matthew 16:11-12) Another example is, “A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough. I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view; but the one who is disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is.”(Galatians 5:9-10)

 So there should be no exceptions here. The leaven mentioned in the scriptures here does not refer to good things, but just a fact. The development of the kingdom of heaven is indeed like leaven, and it develops very quickly, but it contains leaven. How should we deal with it in a situation like this?  The Gospel of Matthew before these verses makes it very clear, “But he said, ‘No; for while you are gathering up the tares, you may uproot the wheat with them. Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn.”’””(Matthew 13:29-30) We know, “…the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels.”(Matthew 13:39) Because the tares and the wheat are too similar in appearance before they are ripe and fruitful, and they cannot be distinguished!

In this case, the church will indeed develop quite quickly, but we also really need to be discerning.  For example, among the seven churches in the Book of Revelation, at least the first six churches have more or less overcomers. We must not be like the church in Laodicea, where there is no overcomer, but they think in Revelation 3:17a “…I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing.” I believe from a human point of view they must have done a lot in the name of Jesus, otherwise they would not think so, at least they know not to stop gatherings as the Bible says!  But it is obvious that many things are not what God wants them to do but what they have to do, because from the perspective of God, “…you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.”(Revelation 3:17) So it’s useless to do things only formally in the surface, like the purpose of reading the Bible is to gain life, as Jesus said, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.”(John 5:39-40) I used to read the Bible only because others asked me to read it. This is hay and straw like work. Once it is burned by fire, nothing will be left. Yes, we have a great commission that we have to lead by example so that others will see and envy our good deeds, and then we’ll automatically “…make disciples of all the nations, …”(Matthew 28:19)! We can see that God is a merciful and gracious God. Even though the door is shut, He still waits patiently outside. As the scriptures say, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.”(Revelation 3:20)

Let’s now look at the analogy of the mustard seed. It is compared with a vegetable (G3001). It should be a vegetable, but it grows into a tree (G1186). That means that its native quality has been changed, not the same any more. Isn’t this similar to the situation of quite a few churches today?  Like the philosophy of success, it teaches people that as long as they believe in the Lord, everything will go well. This is not according to the teaching of the Bible, which says “…In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”(John 16:33) And probably unknowingly, like the church in Laodicea, the Lord Jesus is not put in the first place, making the kingdom of God uneven, but in the end only the wheat will be harvested in the barn.

(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.”)