我們首先談到馬利亞選擇了那上好的福份，聽耶穌講話，也提到了馬大的信心。我們看到了拉撒路復活的過程，雖然他在聖經中沒講過一句話，但我們看到了他是活生生見証和他的影響。第二，我們以前詳細討論過主禱文，所以可以參考過去的討論，這裏只是強調寬恕的重要，和今日的糧是指屬靈和屬世的糧食兩者，不只是為食物謝飯而已。第三，經文說我們求聖靈一定會得著，並聖經教導我們應有的態度，只是沒有說時間，神有絕對的主權決定是何時。最後我們看看耶穌行了一個趕鬼的神蹟，彰顯了神的國降臨。我們也看到神的能力絕對大過撒但。不要以為鬼被趕出來一切都好了，一定要留在基督裏，才能永遠的逐出污鬼。

1. 馬大和馬利亞及拉撒路的復活

    『他們走路的時候，耶穌進了一個村莊。有一個女人，名叫馬大，接他到自己家裏。她有一個妹子，名叫馬利亞，在耶穌腳前坐着聽他的道。馬大伺候的事多，心裏忙亂，就進前來說：「主啊，我的妹子留下我一個人伺候，你不在意嗎？請吩咐她來幫助我。」耶穌回答說：「馬大！馬大！你為許多的事思慮煩擾，但是不可少的只有一件，馬利亞已經選擇那上好的福分，是不能奪去的。」』(路加福音 10:38-42) 的確，伯大尼的馬利亞選擇了那不可缺少的上好福份，神的話。但總要有人事奉，馬大選擇了事奉，只是該分些心思在上好的福份上，不要只為世俗的事情煩惱。教會兩者都不可或缺，如果沒人事奉教會就不會存在。如果只有事奉而沒有行出神的話，就會如老底嘉的教會一樣，把主耶穌關在門外而不自知。

    假如只能有一個選擇的情況下，生命比事奉重要，但兩者不可或缺，就像『撒母耳說：「耶和華喜悅燔祭和平安祭，豈如喜悅人聽從他的話呢？聽命勝於獻祭，順從勝於公羊的脂油。」』(撒母耳記上 15:22) 不是說內心的獻祭不重要，只是強調要聽命，因為罪就是由亞當的不順服進入了這世界。 (參羅馬書 5:12) 即使是新約時代，仍要『…將身體獻上，當作活祭，是聖潔的，是神所喜悅的；你們如此事奉，乃是理所當然的。』(羅馬書 12:1) 有了生命，自然會想事奉。這就像有了信心，才會有和信心相稱的行為，不要本末倒置。『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)

    拉撒路復活這件事是從他患病開始，『有一個患病的人，名叫拉撒路，住在伯大尼，就是馬利亞和她姐姐馬大的村莊。這馬利亞就是那用香膏抹主，又用頭髮擦他腳的，患病的拉撒路是她的兄弟。』(約翰福音 11:1-2) 『耶穌素來愛馬大和她妹子並拉撒路，聽見拉撒路病了，就在所居之地仍住了兩天。』(約翰福音 11:5-6) 祂愛拉撒路，但祂的反應和一般人很不相同。一般人會在拉撒路死前趕到，但祂反而多留了兩天，所以耶穌是要眾人真正知道，拉撒路是真正的死了以後，才行神蹟。

     從這件事上我們來看看馬大的信心， 『馬大聽見耶穌來了，就出去迎接他；馬利亞卻仍然坐在家裏。馬大對耶穌說：「主啊，你若早在這裏，我兄弟必不死！就是現在，我也知道，你無論向神求甚麼，神也必賜給你。」耶穌說：「你兄弟必然復活。」馬大說：「我知道在末日復活的時候，他必復活。」耶穌對她說：「復活在我，生命也在我！信我的人，雖然死了，也必復活。凡活着信我的人必永遠不死。你信這話嗎？」馬大說：「主啊，是的，我信你是基督，是神的兒子，就是那要臨到世界的。」』(約翰福音 11:20-27) 我們看到馬大的信心是在未來，沒有想到拉撒路今日就可復活。

    『馬大說了這話，就回去暗暗地叫她妹子馬利亞說：「夫子來了，叫你。」馬利亞聽見了，就急忙起來，到耶穌那裏去。那時，耶穌還沒有進村子，仍在馬大迎接他的地方。那些同馬利亞在家裏安慰她的猶太人，見她急忙起來出去，就跟着她，以為她要往墳墓那裏去哭。馬利亞到了耶穌那裏，看見他，就俯伏在他腳前，說：「主啊，你若早在這裏，我兄弟必不死。」耶穌看見她哭，並看見與她同來的猶太人也哭，就心裏悲歎，又甚憂愁，便說：「你們把他安放在哪裏？」 他們回答說：「請主來看。」』(約翰福音 11:28-34)

    我們來看看拉撒路復活的過程，『耶穌哭了。猶太人就說：「你看他愛這人是何等懇切。」其中有人說：「他既然開了瞎子的眼睛，豈不能叫這人不死嗎？」耶穌又心裏悲歎，來到墳墓前。那墳墓是個洞，有一塊石頭擋着。耶穌說：「你們把石頭挪開！」 那死人的姐姐馬大對他說：「主啊，他現在必是臭了，因為他死了已經四天了。」耶穌說：「我不是對你說過，你若信，就必看見神的榮耀嗎？」他們就把石頭挪開。耶穌舉目望天說：「父啊，我感謝你，因為你已經聽我；我也知道你常聽我。但我說這話，是為周圍站着的眾人，叫他們信是你差了我來。」說了這話，就大聲呼叫說：「拉撒路出來！」那死人就出來了，手腳裹着布，臉上包着手巾。 耶穌對他們說：「解開，叫他走！」那些來看馬利亞的猶太人，見了耶穌所做的事，就多有信他的。』(約翰福音 11:35-45)

    我們看到耶穌說這話是為周圍站着的眾人，這和父神有時會做的事相同。例如，約翰福音 12:28-30 說：『…當時就有聲音從天上來說：「我已經榮耀了我的名，還要再榮耀。」…耶穌說：「這聲音不是為我，是為你們來的。」』(約翰福音 12:28-30)    我們不知道耶穌為什麼悲歎又憂愁以致於哭了，因為聖經沒有明說。有人認為祂是因為見到人的結局都是一死，這是相當合理的猜測。也有人認為祂是取了人的樣式是完全的人，人有感情，因而看見所愛的人死去會哭，但這會有邏輯的問題，因為經文明說：『…父啊，我感謝你，因為你已經聽我；我也知道你常聽我。但我說這話，是為周圍站着的眾人，叫他們信是你差了我來。』(約翰福音 11:41-42) 所以祂預先就知道拉撒路會復活，跟本不會死。衆人也的確是看到了神的榮耀，因為拉撒路從死了已經四天中復活了。 

    『逾越節前六日，耶穌來到伯大尼，就是他叫拉撒路從死裏復活之處。有人在那裏給耶穌預備筵席，馬大伺候，拉撒路也在那同耶穌坐席的人中。馬利亞就拿着一斤極貴的真哪噠香膏抹耶穌的腳，又用自己頭髮去擦，屋裏就滿了膏的香氣。』(約翰福音 12:1-3) 『有許多猶太人知道耶穌在那裏，就來了，不但是為耶穌的緣故，也是要看他從死裏所復活的拉撒路。但祭司長商議連拉撒路也要殺了，因有好些猶太人為拉撒路的緣故，回去信了耶穌。』(約翰福音 12:9-11)

    拉撒路在聖經裏面一句話都沒有說，但有許多人因他信了主，他不需要說話，他本身的生命就是見証。我們剛才說到，教會生命和事奉都是不可或缺的，自己不能以身作則，只說不練是沒有用的。在教會中，生命是不可少的。不要讓世界進入教會，雖說教會和世界不同，至少在教會中應都是信主的，而一次得救就永遠得救，就如哥林多前書 3:15 所說，『人的工程若被燒了，他就要受虧損，自己卻要得救；雖然得救，乃像從火裏經過的一樣。』非基徒的名字都不在生命册上，如果我們看到啓示錄起初都照著次序寫，而相信整本啓示錄都是照著次序寫，而那時『若有人名字沒記在生命冊上，他就被扔在火湖裏。』(啓示錄 20:15) 當新天新地時，新耶路撒冷從天而降，這時城外的可能是曾經信過的，這就說明了為什麼『務要謹守、警醒，因為你們的仇敵魔鬼，如同吼叫的獅子，遍地遊行，尋找可吞吃的人。』(彼得前書 5:8) 所以『城外有那些犬類、行邪術的、淫亂的、殺人的、拜偶像的，並一切喜好說謊言編造虛謊的。』(啓示錄 22:15) 這些都是被撒但引誘而墮落的基督徒。『那些洗淨自己衣服的有福了！可得權柄能到生命樹那裏，也能從門進城。』(啓示錄 22:15) 我們要做那能進城的。

2. 主禱文

    『耶穌在一個地方禱告。禱告完了，有個門徒對他說：「求主教導我們禱告，像約翰教導他的門徒。」耶穌說：「你們禱告的時候，要說：『我們在天上的父：願人都尊你的名為聖。願你的國降臨，願你的旨意行在地上，如同行在天上。我們日用的飲食，天天賜給我們。赦免我們的罪，因為我們也赦免凡虧欠我們的人。不叫我們遇見試探，救我們脫離兇惡。』」』(路加福音 11:1-4)

    主禱文在馬太福音是這樣說，『所以，你們禱告要這樣說：『我們在天上的父，願人都尊你的名為聖。願你的國降臨，願你的旨意行在地上，如同行在天上。我們日用的飲食，今日賜給我們。免我們的債，如同我們免了人的債。不叫我們遇見試探，救我們脫離兇惡。因為國度、權柄、榮耀，全是你的，直到永遠。阿們！』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 6:9-15)

    我們以前曾討論過主禱文 [1]，在這裏我們就不多說。我們要強調是饒恕的重要，其實如果真能饒恕別人，對自己而言是卸下了一個重擔。而日用的飲食是指屬靈的糧食和一般屬世的糧食兩者，因耶穌說得很清楚，『…經上記着說：『人活着，不是單靠食物，乃是靠神口裏所出的一切話。』』(馬太福音 4:4, 路加福音 4:4) 我們的確需要食物，沒有食物，我們會餓死，我們還需要神口裏所出的一切話。最後要提的是要奉主耶穌基督的名，因『你們奉我的名無論求甚麼，我必成就，叫父因兒子得榮耀。你們若奉我的名求甚麼，我必成就。』(約翰福音 14:13-14) 這不是給我們一張空白的支票，可以隨便填，那究竟是什麼意思呢？看上下文就知道，當我們和主在某件事上合一時，我們所求的就是主所願的，祂有絕對的主權，怎麼會不成就呢？

3. 求聖靈則得之

    『耶穌又說：「你們中間誰有一個朋友半夜到他那裏去，說：『朋友，請借給我三個餅。因為我有一個朋友行路，來到我這裏，我沒有甚麼給他擺上。』「那人在裏面回答說：『不要攪擾我，門已經關閉，孩子們也同我在牀上了，我不能起來給你。』我告訴你們：雖不因他是朋友起來給他，但因他情詞迫切地直求(persistence, NASB; importunity G335, KJV)，就必起來照他所需用的給他。「我又告訴你們：你們祈求，就給你們；尋找，就尋見；叩門，就給你們開門。因為，凡祈求的，就得着；尋找的，就尋見；叩門的，就給他開門。「你們中間作父親的，誰有兒子求餅，反給他石頭呢？求魚，反拿蛇當魚給他呢？求雞蛋，反給他蠍子呢？你們雖然不好，尚且知道拿好東西給兒女，何況天父，豈不更將聖靈給求他的人嗎？」』(路加福音 11:5-13) 我們可以很清楚的看見這是指求聖靈一定會得著而說，且告訴了我們求的時候應有的態度。請注意，這裏是說我們一定得著，但沒有說何時得著，在這點上，祂有絕對的主權。

    在馬太福音所記載類似，只是沒有清楚的指出是要求得著聖靈，加上了清楚的說到律法和先知的道理。以下是其所講的，『你們祈求，就給你們；尋找，就尋見；叩門，就給你們開門。因為凡祈求的，就得着；尋找的，就尋見；叩門的，就給他開門。「你們中間誰有兒子求餅，反給他石頭呢？求魚，反給他蛇呢？你們雖然不好，尚且知道拿好東西給兒女，何況你們在天上的父，豈不更把好東西給求他的人嗎？所以，無論何事，你們願意人怎樣待你們，你們也要怎樣待人，因為這就是律法和先知的道理。』(馬太福音 7:7-12)

4. 神的國降臨的彰顯 

        『耶穌趕出一個叫人啞巴的鬼。鬼出去了，啞巴就說出話來，眾人都希奇。內中卻有人說：「他是靠着鬼王別西卜趕鬼。」又有人試探耶穌，向他求從天上來的神蹟。他曉得他們的意念，便對他們說：「凡一國自相紛爭，就成為荒場；凡一家自相紛爭，就必敗落。若撒但自相紛爭，他的國怎能站得住呢？因為你們說我是靠着別西卜趕鬼。我若靠着別西卜趕鬼，你們的子弟趕鬼又靠着誰呢？這樣，他們就要斷定你們的是非。我若靠着神的能力趕鬼，這就是神的國臨到你們了。』(路加福音 11:14-20) 

    我們在這裏也看到了法利賽人不只是一次誣衊祂是靠鬼上趕鬼 (參馬太福音 9:32-34, 12:22-24)，但卻是神的國降臨的彰顯，平時就像法利賽人所問，神的國來到是看不見的。『法利賽人問：「神的國幾時來到？」耶穌回答說：「神的國來到不是眼所能見的。人也不得說：『看哪，在這裏！看哪，在那裏！』因為神的國就在你們心裏。」』(路加福音 17:20-21) 聖經明講，不在神的國度就在撒但的國度裏。當我們愈想靠近神時，撒但就愈不甘心，攻擊也會愈多，沒有神的保守，我們會站立不住的。

        接著說，『壯士披掛整齊，看守自己的住宅，他所有的都平安無事；但有一個比他更壯的來，勝過他，就奪去他所倚靠的盔甲兵器，又分了他的贓。「不與我相合的，就是敵我的；不同我收聚的，就是分散的。』(路加福音 11:21-23) 前者的解釋很清楚，我們也看到神的能力絕對大過撒但。在馬太福音 12:24-29 和馬可福音 3:22-27 也有這樣的記載。我們知道，『「我(耶穌)實在告訴你們：世人一切的罪和一切褻瀆的話都可得赦免；凡褻瀆聖靈的，卻永不得赦免，乃要擔當永遠的罪。」這話是因為他們說：「他是被污鬼附着的。」』(馬可福音 3:28-30) 明明是聖靈的工作，卻被文士誣褻了。後者是指我們以前所分享的，是要從神的角度看事情，『因為神差他的兒子降世，不是要定世人的罪，乃是要叫世人因他得救。信他的人，不被定罪；不信的人，罪已經定了，因為他不信神獨生子的名。』(約翰福音 3:17-18)

        「污鬼離了人身，就在無水之地過來過去，尋求安歇之處。既尋不着，便說：『我要回到我所出來的屋裏去。』到了，就看見裏面打掃乾淨，修飾好了，便去另帶了七個比自己更惡的鬼來，都進去住在那裏。那人末後的景況比先前更不好了。」』(路加福音 11:24-26) 所以不要以為鬼被趕出來一切都好了，我們不只是要打掃乾淨，一定要留在基督裏，才能永遠的逐出污鬼。

       最後我們看看耶穌說這話時發生的事情，作為結束，『耶穌正說這話的時候，眾人中間有一個女人大聲說：「懷你胎的和乳養你的有福了！」耶穌說：「是，卻還不如聽神之道而遵守的人有福。」』(路加福音 11:27-28) 就像我們以前分享的經文一樣，『耶穌還對眾人說話的時候，不料，他母親和他弟兄站在外邊，要與他說話。有人告訴他說：「看哪，你母親和你弟兄站在外邊，要與你說話。」他卻回答那人說：「誰是我的母親？誰是我的弟兄？」就伸手指着門徒說：「看哪，我的母親，我的弟兄。凡遵行我天父旨意的人，就是我的弟兄、姐妹和母親了。」』(馬太福音 12:46-50) 耶穌不是不認祂的母親和弟兄，而是從大我的角度看事情。

參考

[1] 在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』，按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』，按『2021 主禱文的看見』。

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

First, we talk about Mary. She chose only the good part of necessary things, which is God’s words. We also mention the faith of Martha. We see the process of the resurrection of Lazarus. Although the Bible doesn’t mention one word he said, he was the living witness himself. We also see the effect due to this. Secondly, we discussed the Lord’s prayer in detail before. Here, we just emphasize the importance of forgiveness, and “our daily bread” refers to both the spiritual and the worldly food, not only worldly bread. Thirdly, the verses tell us that if we pray for the Holy Spirit, we can get it for sure. And it also teaches us the attitude of such praying. However, it doesn’t say when we’ll get it. God has absolute authority to decide when. Lastly, we see that Jesus performed a miracle which cast out a demon, and manifested the coming of the Kingdom of God. We can see the power of God is absolutely greater than that of Satan. Don’t think that everything is alright if demons are cast out. We need to always stay in Christ to get rid of demons permanently.

1. Martha and Mary and the resurrection of Lazarus

“Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.””(Luke 10:38-42)

We can see the choices that Martha and Mary made were really different. Indeed, Mary of Bethany chose only the good part of necessary things: God’s words. But there needs to be someone serving and Martha selected serving. However, she should also pay some attention to the good part and not solely worry about the things of the world. The Church needs people who do both. If there is no one who serves, the Church cannot exist. If there is only service without being doers of God’s words, it will be like the church in Laodicea, shutting doors for Jesus but without knowing. 

If there is only one choice, life is more important than serving. But both are needed. It just like what “Samuel said, “Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.”(1 Samuel 15:22) We aren’t saying that the sacrifice from the heart isn’t important, but emphasize that we need to obey, because sin came due to the disobedience of Adam (Ref. Romana 5:12). Even in the era of the New Testament, we still need “…to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”(Romans 12:1) Having life first, we naturally want to serve. It is important that we first have faith, then we have actions corresponding to our faith. Don’t turn it upside down. Just like what is said in James, “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)

The beginning of the event of the resurrection of Lazarus is his sickness. “Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.”(John 11:1-2)   “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was.”(John 11:5-6) He loved Lazarus, but His reaction was very different from an ordinary person. The ordinary people would try to reach Lazarus before he was dead. Jesus did the opposite thing; He stayed for two more days. Thus, Jesus wanted people to make sure that Lazarus was really dead all the way through before He performed the miracle.

Let us take a look at the faith of Martha. “Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet Him, but Mary stayed at the house. Martha then said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to Him, “Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world.””(John 11:20-27) We can see that the faith of Martha was great but regarding the future. She didn’t think that Jesus could give life for this world, and would see the resurrection of Lazarus at that day.

“When she had said this, she went away and called Mary her sister, saying secretly, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” And when she heard it, she got up quickly and was coming to Him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha met Him. Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and consoling her, when they saw that Mary got up quickly and went out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. Therefore, when Mary came where Jesus was, she saw Him, and fell at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled, and said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.””(John 11:28-34)

Let take a look at the process of the resurrection of Lazarus. “Jesus wept. So the Jews were saying, “See how He loved him!” But some of them said, “Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have kept this man also from dying?” So Jesus, again being deeply moved within, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, “Remove the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.” When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” Therefore many of the Jews who came to Mary, and saw what He had done, believed in Him.”(John 11:35-45)

We can see that Jesus said what He said because of the people standing around. This is consistent with what God sometimes did. For example, in John 12:28-30, it says, “…Then a voice came out of heaven: “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” So the crowd of people who stood by and heard it were saying that it had thundered; others were saying, “An angel has spoken to Him.” Jesus answered and said, “This voice has not come for My sake, but for your sake.” Please notice that we cannot hear clearly if God doesn’t want us to hear, which is the same as the situation when Paul saw the big light. “And those who were with me saw the light, to be sure, but did not understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me.”(Acts 22:9) God has absolute authority.

We don’t know for sure why He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled to the extent of weeping, because the Bible doesn’t say clearly. Someone thinks, “…just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men …”(Romans 5:12) As a result, the destiny of humans is death. Therefore, He behaved so.  This is a reasonable guess. Other people may think that He is completely man since He took the form of human. Humans have emotions. He saw that the man He loved was dead. Therefore, He wept. But such thinking leads to a logical problem, since the verses say clearly, “…Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.”(John 11:41-42) So He knew in advance that Lazarus would not die for sure. The crowd indeed saw the glory of God since Lazarus was resurrected after dying for four days.

“Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.”(John 12:1-3) “The large crowd of the Jews then learned that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead. But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also; because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus.”(John 12:9-11) 

In the verses, we see that Lazarus was only there. In the Bible, Lazarus didn’t say one word, but there were many of the Jews who believed in Jesus. He didn’t need to say any words. What happened to him was a witness to such a miracle. So, his life is indeed the witness itself. We just said that both life and serving were necessary to a church. If we cannot live our own life according to what we say, no one would believe it. In churches, life is indispensable. Don’t let the world enter the church. Churches and the world are different. At least, the members in churches believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. And ‘once saved is forever saved’ is as said in 1 Corinthians 3:15, “If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” Non- Christian’s names aren’t in the book of life. “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”(Revelation 20:15) If we see that the Book of Revelation is written chronologically at the beginning for sure, then we should believe that the whole book is written chronologically. Then, when the new heaven and new earth come, new Jerusalem is descended from heaven. Outside the city, there should be fallen Christians since the non-Christians are already in the lake of fire. This is why Peter said, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”(Peter 5:8) Satan is doing what supposed to do. Therefore, “Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.”(Revelation 22:15) Thus, these are fallen Christians seduced by Satan. “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.”(Revelation 22:14) Although outside the city is much better than going to the lake of fire, we really want to be the people who can enter the city.

2. Lord’s prayer

“It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.” And He said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. ‘Give us each day our daily bread. ‘And forgive us our sins, For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.’””(Luke 11:1-4)

In the Gospel of Matthew, the Lord’s prayer says in such a way. ““Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. ‘Give us this day our daily bread. ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’] 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 6:9-15)

We discussed before in detail on the Lord’s prayer [1], and we’ll not repeat such discussions. What we want to emphasize is the importance of forgiveness. As a matter of fact, if one can genuinely forgive someone else, it will release his own burden to himself. The daily bread refers to both the spiritual food and the worldly one, because Jesus said clearly, “…“It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’””(Matthew 4:4) We still need food since one will be hungry to death if without food, but we do need every word that proceeds out the mouth of God. We want to mention that we have to pray in the name of Lord Jesus Christ, since He said, “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.”(John 14:13-14) This is not given to us as an empty check so we can fill it out arbitrarily. What does it really mean? Looking at nearby verses, when we are united with the Lord in a particular thing, what we pray for will be the same as what the Lord desires. He has absolute authority, how can it not be achieved?

3. Getting for sure if praying for being filled by the Holy Spirit

“Then He said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and from inside he answers and says, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence (importunity G335, KJV) he will get up and give him as much as he needs. “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?””(Luke 11:5-13) We can see clearly that we’ll get it for sure if we pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit. It also tells us the attitude we should have. Please notice that the promise is that we’ll get it for sure, but didn’t say when. In this point, God has absolute authority.

In the Gospel of Matthew, the record is similar but without saying clearly that the statement is for praying to be filled with the Holy Spirit. It added the statement regarding the Law and the Prophets, which is clearly said. Below is what was said, ““Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”(Matthew 7:7-12)

4. The manifestation of the coming of the kingdom of God

“And He was casting out a demon, and it was mute; when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke; and the crowds were amazed. But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.” Others, to test Him, were demanding of Him a sign from heaven. But He knew their thoughts and said to them, “Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and a house divided against itself falls. If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. And if I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? So they will be your judges. But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”(Luke 11:14-20)

We also saw here that the Pharisees not only slandered Him for exorcising demons (cf. Matthew 9:32-34, 12:22-24), but it was the manifestation of the coming of the kingdom of God.  As the Pharisees asked, the kingdom of God comes unseen. “Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.””(Luke 17:20-21) The Bible clearly says that if you are not in the kingdom of God, you are in the kingdom of Satan.  The more we want to get closer to God, the more unwilling Satan will be, and the more attacks will occur. Without God’s protection, we will not be able to stand.

He went on to say, “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are undisturbed. But when someone stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away from him all his armor on which he had relied and distributes his plunder. He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me, scatters.”(Luke 11:21-23) The explanation of the former is very clear, and we also see that the power of God is absolutely greater than that of Satan. It is also recorded in Matthew 12:24-29 and Mark 3:22-27. We know, ““Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”⁠— because they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.””(Mark 3:28-30) Obviously it was the work of the Holy Spirit , but was slandered by the scribes.  The latter refers to what we have shared before, and it is to look at things in the aspect of God, “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”(John 3:17-18)

““When the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and not finding any, it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds it swept and put in order. Then it goes and takes along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first.””(Luke 11:24-26) So don’t thinking about that everything will be fine after the demons are driven out, we not only need to clean up, but must stay in Christ, in order to drive out the evil spirits forever.

Finally, we look at what happened when Jesus said this to conclude this article, “While Jesus was saying these things, one of the women in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed is the womb that bore You and the breasts at which You nursed.” But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.””(Luke 11:27-28) Just like the scriptures we shared before, “While He was still speaking to the crowds, behold, His mother and brothers were standing outside, seeking to speak to Him. Someone said to Him, “Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak to You.” But Jesus answered the one who was telling Him and said, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, “Behold My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.””(Matthew 12:46-50) Jesus did not deny His mother and brother, but see things from the perspective of the higher self.

Reference

[1] In “https://a-christian-voice.com/“, click “On spiritual understanding about life”, click “1021 What seen in Lord’s prayer”. 

(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.”)

     我们首先看到主耶稣差遣了七十个人出去宣教，都是两个两个的，这是宣教的原则。圣灵差保罗出去的时候如此，启示录有两个见证人，传道书也说明两个人比一个人强，所以出去传教至少要有两个人，这也是教会的原则。我们问、耶稣说到我们要做更大的事到底是指什么？也说到悔改的重要。第二，我们看到了耶稣被圣灵感动的欢乐，也知道三位一体的神所赐的喜乐是没有人能夺去的。第三，从一个律法师的试探，我们看到了圣经告诉我们的是多么的一致，要爱神，也要爱人。最后，我们看到了落在强盗手中的人的邻舍为什么是外邦人的撒马利亚人，这又是一个从人(律法师)角度看和从神(耶稣)角度看一致的例子。

1. 主耶稣差遣七十人       

     『这事以后，主又设立七十个人，差遣他们两个两个地在他前面，往自己所要到的各城、各地方去，就对他们说：「要收的庄稼多，做工的人少。所以，你们当求，现庄稼的主打发工人出去收他的庄稼。你们去吧！我差你们出去，如同羊羔进入狼群。不要带钱囊，不要带口袋，不要带鞋，在路上也不要问人的安。「无论进哪一家，先要说：『愿这一家平安！』那里若有当得平安的人，你们所求的平安就必临到那家；不然，就归与你们了。你们要住在那家，吃喝他们所供给的，因为工人得工价是应当的。不要从这家搬到那家。「无论进哪一城，人若接待你们，给你们摆上甚么，你们就吃甚么。要医治那城里的病人，对他们说：『神的国临近你们了。』无论进哪一城，人若不接待你们，你们就到街上去，说：『就是你们城里的尘土粘在我们的脚上，我们也当著你们擦去。虽然如此，你们该知道神的国临近了。』我告诉你们：当审判的日子，所多玛所受的，比那城还容易受呢！「哥拉汛哪，你有祸了！伯赛大啊，你有祸了！因为在你们中间所行的异能若行在推罗、西顿，他们早已披麻蒙灰，坐在地上悔改了。当审判的日子，推罗、西顿所受的，比你们还容易受呢！迦百农啊！你已经升到天上，将来必推下阴间。」又对门徒说：「听从你们的就是听从我；弃绝你们的就是弃绝我；弃绝我的就是弃绝那差我来的。」』(路加福音 10:1-16)    

     我们看到宣教的原则至少是两个一起去，保罗(扫罗)第一次出去宣道时也是和巴拿巴两个人，如经文所说，『他们事奉主，禁食的时候，圣灵说：「要为我分派巴拿巴和扫罗，去做我召他们所做的工。」于是禁食祷告，按手在他们头上，就打发他们去了。』(使徒行传 13:2-3) 在启示录也有两个见证人，『我要使我那两个见证人，穿著毛衣，传道一千二百六十天。』(启示录 11:3) 传道书基本上说了为什么要两个人的原因，『两个人总比一个人好，因为二人劳碌同得美好的果效。若是跌倒，这人可以扶起他的同伴；若是孤身跌倒，没有别人扶起他来，这人就有祸了！再者，二人同睡，就都暖和；一人独睡，怎能暖和呢？有人攻胜孤身一人，若有二人便能敌挡他；三股合成的绳子不容易折断。』(传道书 4:9-12) 这里说明二人同睡的原因是为了取暖，倒不是在这里说夫妻关系。    

     这也是教会的原则，教会是一群人，绝不是一个人。耶稣说，『…若是你们中间有两个人在地上同心合意地求甚么事，我在天上的父必为他们成全。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 18:19-20) 当夫妻能同行时，不就已经满足两人的条件吗？请注意，这里没有提到成就的时间，凡事都有定时。不要不同心同行只是因为从人的角度看是耽延、就以为祷告的事情不被应许了！    

     讲到教会，耶稣又说，『我实实在在地告诉你们：我所做的事，信我的人也要做，并且要做比这更大的事，因为我往父那里去。』(约翰福音 14:12)   这更大的事是指什么呢？很显然不是指耶稣在天上的时候，我们还要祈求祂的怜悯，成全我们所求的事呢！所以这是指在地上教会的整体，这可由祂说的原因是『因为我往父那里去』看出来。祂去了，圣灵在五旬节来了，教会成立了。耶稣在道成肉身的时候受到肉身的限制，我们现在有内住的圣灵，而且有大使命这样说，『所以，你们要去，使万民作我的门徒，奉父、子、圣灵的名给他们施洗。』(马太福音 28:19)  现在教会的成员可以到各个地方去，祂不再有限制了，而祂说，『你们奉我的名无论求甚么，我必成就，叫父因儿子得荣耀。你们若奉我的名求甚么，我必成就。』(约翰福音 14:13-14)   我们再次强调神有绝对的主权, 祂决定祷告何时被成就。这不是教会比耶稣在地上因肉身的限制局限在一个小地方、做了更大的事吗？     

     我们在差遣十二使徒出去时谈过工人得工价是应当的，基本上这七十个人是什么都不带的，并讨论过，『…弃绝我(耶稣)的就是弃绝那差我来的。』(路加福音 10:16) 这是从神的角度看，『信他的人，不被定罪；不信的人，罪已经定了，因为他不信神独生子的名。』(约翰福音 3:18) 就不多讨论了。他们去时，遇到有值得平安的人，就把平安赐给他们，并在那城医治病人，且说天国近了。     

     这段也说到悔改的重要，  『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) 请注意，这里所提到的哥拉汛、伯赛大、和迦百农都是在指神的子民，而推罗、和西顿的人是外邦人，但这经文说得很清楚，如果神迹行在那里，他们早已披麻蒙灰，坐在地上悔改了。反倒是神的子民死不悔改，虽行了许多神迹，却是少有信祂的，难怪耶稣会说，『我又告诉你们：从东从西，将有许多人来，在天国里与亚伯拉罕、以撒、雅各一同坐席；惟有本国的子民，竟被赶到外边黑暗里去，在那里必要哀哭切齿了。』(马太福音 8:11-12) 在新约的时代，我们有这样的应许，『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；我们若说自己没有犯过罪，便是以神为说谎的，他的道也不在我们心里了。』(约翰一书 1:9-10) 要真心悔改。       

     『那七十个人欢欢喜喜地回来，说：「主啊！因你的名，就是鬼也服了我们。」耶稣对他们说：「我曾看见撒但从天上坠落，像闪电一样。我已经给你们权柄可以践踏蛇和蝎子，又胜过仇敌一切的能力，断没有甚么能害你们。然而，不要因鬼服了你们就欢喜，要因你们的名记录在天上欢喜。」』(路加福音 10:17-20)     

     这段是和下列的经文是一致的，『大龙就是那古蛇，名叫魔鬼，又叫撒但，是迷惑普天下的。牠被摔在地上，牠的使者也一同被摔下去。』(启示录 12:9) 圣经说，『我又看见一个白色的大宝座与坐在上面的，…若有人名字没记在生命册上，他就被扔在火湖里。』(启示录 20:11-15) 我们看到了耶稣的著重点是很不一样的，一般人看到超自然的事情如鬼服了他就会如这七十个人般很高兴的，而耶稣更注重永恒的事情，所以耶稣会说要因记在生命册上而欢喜。我们要知道，每一个基督徒的名字，也都在生命册上的。

2. 耶稣被圣灵感动的欢乐       

     『正当那时，耶稣被圣灵感动就欢乐，说：「父啊，天地的主，我感谢你！因为你将这些事向聪明通达人就藏起来，向婴孩就显出来。父啊，是的，因为你的美意本是如此。「一切所有的都是我父交付我的。除了父，没有人知道子是谁；除了子和子所愿意指示的，没有人知道父是谁。」耶稣转身暗暗地对门徒说：「看见你们所看见的，那眼睛就有福了。我告诉你们：从前有许多先知和君王要看你们所看的，却没有看见；要听你们所听的，却没有听见。」』(路加福音 10:21-24)       

     这经文的后半段也是马太福音所说的，『但你们的眼睛是有福的，因为看见了；你们的耳朵也是有福的，因为听见了。我实在告诉你们：从前有许多先知和义人要看你们所看的，却没有看见；要听你们所听的，却没有听见。』(马太福音 13:16-17) 说到婴孩，『你因敌人的缘故，从婴孩和吃奶的口中建立了能力，使仇敌和报仇的闭口无言。』(诗篇 8:2) 我们真正的知道并承认我们是婴孩吗？在神面前我们可以，在人面前呢？我们常会说卧虎藏龙！『耶稣说：「外邦人有君王为主治理他们，那掌权管他们的称为恩主。但你们不可这样。你们里头为大的，倒要像年幼的；为首领的，倒要像服事人的。』(路加福音 22:25-26) 教会和世俗是不一样的.，不是只看能力，即使管理饭食的也要看是不是被圣灵充满。这就如经文所说，『十二使徒叫众门徒来，对他们说：「我们撇下神的道去管理饭食，原是不合宜的。所以，弟兄们，当从你们中间选出七个有好名声、被圣灵充满、智慧充足的人，我们就派他们管理这事。但我们要专心以祈祷传道为事。」』(使徒行传 6:2-4)       

     讲到喜乐，圣经说：『…你们若爱我，因我到父那里去，就必喜乐，因为父是比我大的。』(约翰福音 14:28) 『父是比我大』，只是道成肉身的那段时间，因为父差遣子，平常是同尊同荣，三位一体的神。『你们现在也是忧愁，但我要再见你们，你们的心就喜乐了，这喜乐也没有人能夺去。』(约翰福音 16:22) 耶稣复活后，完成了『我要再见你们』的承诺，所以三位一体的神所赐的喜乐是没有人能夺去的。

3. 律法师的试探       

     『有一个律法师起来试探耶稣，说：「夫子，我该做甚么才可以承受永生？」耶稣对他说：「律法上写的是甚么？你念的是怎样呢？」他回答说：「你要尽心、尽性、尽力、尽意爱主你的神；又要爱邻舍如同自己。」耶稣说：「你回答的是。你这样行，就必得永生。」』(路加福音 10:25-28) 要爱神和爱人如己是很明显的。但光知道没有用的，一定要照著行，才能得到永生，也就是说，要有雅各书所讲信心的行为，『只是你们要行道，不要单单听道，自己欺哄自己。』(雅各书 1:22)       

     在马太福音的记载基本上是相同的，『内中有一个人是律法师，要试探耶稣，就问他说：「夫子，律法上的诫命，哪一条是最大的呢？」耶稣对他说：「你要尽心、尽性、尽意，爱主你的神。这是诫命中的第一，且是最大的。其次也相仿，就是要爱人如己。这两条诫命是律法和先知一切道理的总纲。」』(马太福音 22:35-40)   一个家能真正的在爱中让主居首位，是蒙祝福的。       

     在对观福音中的马可福音多谈了一些，『有一个文士来，听见他们辩论，晓得耶稣回答得好，就问他说：「诫命中哪是第一要紧的呢？」耶稣回答说：「第一要紧的就是说：『以色列啊，你要听！主我们神是独一的主。你要尽心、尽性、尽意、尽力爱主你的神。』其次就是说：『要爱人如己。』再没有比这两条诫命更大的了。」那文士对耶稣说：「夫子说，神是一位，实在不错！除了他以外，再没有别的神；并且尽心、尽智、尽力爱他，又爱人如己，就比一切燔祭和各样祭祀好得多。」耶稣见他回答得有智慧，就对他说：「你离神的国不远了。」从此以后，没有人敢再问他甚么。』(马可福音 12:28-34)       

     我们看见了文士就是指律法师，也看见了圣经告诉我们要去做的两条诫命是一致的，我们应朝这一致性方向去想。并看见了我们要真正的了解圣经，而不只是行表面上的燔祭和各样祭祀。的确，这律法师离神的国不远了，所以前述的路加福音会说，『你这样行，就必得永生。』在新约时代，我们不必如旧约时献上死的祭物了，但要如保罗所说，『所以弟兄们，我以神的慈悲劝你们，将身体献上，当作活祭，是圣洁的，是神所喜悦的；你们如此事奉，乃是理所当然的。』(罗马书 12:1) 且要了解并要过一个分别为圣的生活，『不要效法这个世界，只要心意更新而变化，叫你们察验何为神的善良、纯全、可喜悦的旨意。』(罗马书 12:2)

4. 谁是邻舍？       

     『那人要显明自己有理，就对耶稣说：「谁是我的邻舍呢？」耶稣回答说：「有一个人从耶路撒冷下耶利哥去，落在强盗手中。他们剥去他的衣裳，把他打个半死，就丢下他走了。偶然有一个祭司从这条路下来，看见他就从那边过去了。又有一个利未人来到这地方，看见他，也照样从那边过去了。惟有一个撒马利亚人行路来到那里，看见他就动了慈心，上前用油和酒倒在他的伤处，包裹好了，扶他骑上自己的牲口，带到店里去照应他。第二天拿出二钱银子来，交给店主，说：『你且照应他，此外所费用的，我回来必还你。』「你想，这三个人哪一个是落在强盗手中的邻舍呢？」他说：「是怜悯他的。」 耶稣说：「你去照样行吧。」』(路加福音 10:29-37) 所以祭司和利未人不是落在强盗手中的人的邻舍，他们从那边过去了，邻舍的确是照顾他的撒马利亚人。    

     再一次强调要行，要像雅各书所说的，『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，我又看到一个从人(律法师)角度看和从神(耶稣)角度看一致的例子。

(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』。)

          我們首先看到主耶穌差遣了七十個人出去宣教，都是兩個兩個的，這是宣教的原則。聖靈差保羅出去的時候如此，啓示錄有兩個見証人，傳道書也說明兩個人比一個人强，所以出去傳教至少要有兩個人，這也是教會的原則。我們問、耶穌說到我們要做更大的事到底是指什麼？也說到悔改的重要。第二，我們看到了耶穌被聖靈感動的歡樂，也知道三位一體的神所賜的喜樂是沒有人能奪去的。第三，從一個律法師的試探，我們看到了聖經告訴我們的是多麼的一致，要愛神，也要愛人。最後，我們看到了落在強盜手中的人的鄰舍為什麼是外邦人的撒馬利亞人，這又是一個從人(律法師)角度看和從神(耶穌)角度看一致的例子。

1. 主耶穌差遣七十人

       『這事以後，主又設立七十個人，差遣他們兩個兩個地在他前面，往自己所要到的各城、各地方去，就對他們說：「要收的莊稼多，做工的人少。所以，你們當求，現莊稼的主打發工人出去收他的莊稼。你們去吧！我差你們出去，如同羊羔進入狼羣。不要帶錢囊，不要帶口袋，不要帶鞋，在路上也不要問人的安。「無論進哪一家，先要說：『願這一家平安！』那裏若有當得平安的人，你們所求的平安就必臨到那家；不然，就歸與你們了。你們要住在那家，吃喝他們所供給的，因為工人得工價是應當的。不要從這家搬到那家。「無論進哪一城，人若接待你們，給你們擺上甚麼，你們就吃甚麼。要醫治那城裏的病人，對他們說：『神的國臨近你們了。』無論進哪一城，人若不接待你們，你們就到街上去，說：『就是你們城裏的塵土粘在我們的腳上，我們也當着你們擦去。雖然如此，你們該知道神的國臨近了。』我告訴你們：當審判的日子，所多瑪所受的，比那城還容易受呢！「哥拉汛哪，你有禍了！伯賽大啊，你有禍了！因為在你們中間所行的異能若行在推羅、西頓，他們早已披麻蒙灰，坐在地上悔改了。當審判的日子，推羅、西頓所受的，比你們還容易受呢！迦百農啊！你已經升到天上，將來必推下陰間。」又對門徒說：「聽從你們的就是聽從我；棄絕你們的就是棄絕我；棄絕我的就是棄絕那差我來的。」』(路加福音 10:1-16)

    我們看到宣教的原則至少是兩個一起去，保羅(掃羅)第一次出去宣道時也是和巴拿巴兩個人，如經文所說，『他們事奉主，禁食的時候，聖靈說：「要為我分派巴拿巴和掃羅，去做我召他們所做的工。」於是禁食禱告，按手在他們頭上，就打發他們去了。』(使徒行傳 13:2-3) 在啓示錄也有兩個見證人，『我要使我那兩個見證人，穿着毛衣，傳道一千二百六十天。』(啓示錄 11:3) 傳道書基本上說了為什麼要兩個人的原因，『兩個人總比一個人好，因為二人勞碌同得美好的果效。若是跌倒，這人可以扶起他的同伴；若是孤身跌倒，沒有別人扶起他來，這人就有禍了！再者，二人同睡，就都暖和；一人獨睡，怎能暖和呢？有人攻勝孤身一人，若有二人便能敵擋他；三股合成的繩子不容易折斷。』(傳道書 4:9-12) 這裏說明二人同睡的原因是為了取暖，倒不是在這裏說夫妻關係。

    這也是教會的原則，教會是一群人，絕不是一個人。耶穌說，『…若是你們中間有兩個人在地上同心合意地求甚麼事，我在天上的父必為他們成全。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 18:19-20) 當夫妻能同行時，不就已經滿足兩人的條件嗎？請注意，這裏沒有提到成就的時間，凡事都有定時。不要不同心同行只是因為從人的角度看是耽延、就以為禱告的事情不被應許了！

    講到教會，耶穌又說，『我實實在在地告訴你們：我所做的事，信我的人也要做，並且要做比這更大的事，因為我往父那裏去。』(約翰福音 14:12)   這更大的事是指什麼呢？很顯然不是指耶穌在天上的時候，我們還要祈求祂的憐憫，成全我們所求的事呢！所以這是指在地上教會的整體，這可由祂說的原因是『因為我往父那裏去』看出來。祂去了，聖靈在五旬節來了，教會成立了。耶穌在道成肉身的時候受到肉身的限制，我們現在有內住的聖靈，而且有大使命這樣說，『所以，你們要去，使萬民作我的門徒，奉父、子、聖靈的名給他們施洗。』(馬太福音 28:19)  現在教會的成員可以到各個地方去，祂不再有限制了，而祂說，『你們奉我的名無論求甚麼，我必成就，叫父因兒子得榮耀。你們若奉我的名求甚麼，我必成就。』(約翰福音 14:13-14)   我們再次強調神有絕對的主權, 祂決定禱告何時被成就。這不是教會比耶穌在地上因肉身的限制侷限在一個小地方、做了更大的事嗎？

     我們在差遣十二使徒出去時談過工人得工價是應當的，基本上這七十個人是什麼都不帶的，並討論過，『…棄絕我(耶穌)的就是棄絕那差我來的。』(路加福音 10:16) 這是從神的角度看，『信他的人，不被定罪；不信的人，罪已經定了，因為他不信神獨生子的名。』(約翰福音 3:18) 就不多討論了。他們去時，遇到有值得平安的人，就把平安賜給他們，並在那城醫治病人，且說天國近了。

     這段也說到悔改的重要，  『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) 請注意，這裏所提到的哥拉汛、伯賽大、和迦百農都是在指神的子民，而推羅、和西頓的人是外邦人，但這經文說得很清楚，如果神蹟行在那裏，他們早已披麻蒙灰，坐在地上悔改了。反倒是神的子民死不悔改，雖行了許多神蹟，卻是少有信祂的，難怪耶穌會說，『我又告訴你們：從東從西，將有許多人來，在天國裏與亞伯拉罕、以撒、雅各一同坐席；惟有本國的子民，竟被趕到外邊黑暗裏去，在那裏必要哀哭切齒了。』(馬太福音 8:11-12) 在新約的時代，我們有這樣的應許，『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；我們若說自己沒有犯過罪，便是以神為說謊的，他的道也不在我們心裏了。』(約翰一書 1:9-10) 要真心悔改。

       『那七十個人歡歡喜喜地回來，說：「主啊！因你的名，就是鬼也服了我們。」耶穌對他們說：「我曾看見撒但從天上墜落，像閃電一樣。我已經給你們權柄可以踐踏蛇和蠍子，又勝過仇敵一切的能力，斷沒有甚麼能害你們。然而，不要因鬼服了你們就歡喜，要因你們的名記錄在天上歡喜。」』(路加福音 10:17-20) 

     這段是和下列的經文是一致的，『大龍就是那古蛇，名叫魔鬼，又叫撒但，是迷惑普天下的。牠被摔在地上，牠的使者也一同被摔下去。』(啓示錄 12:9) 聖經說，『我又看見一個白色的大寶座與坐在上面的，…若有人名字沒記在生命冊上，他就被扔在火湖裏。』(啓示錄 20:11-15) 我們看到了耶穌的著重點是很不一樣的，一般人看到超自然的事情如鬼服了他就會如這七十個人般很高興的，而耶穌更注重永恆的事情，所以耶穌會說要因記在生命册上而歡喜。我們要知道，每一個基督徒的名字，也都在生命册上的。

2. 耶穌被聖靈感動的歡樂

       『正當那時，耶穌被聖靈感動就歡樂，說：「父啊，天地的主，我感謝你！因為你將這些事向聰明通達人就藏起來，向嬰孩就顯出來。父啊，是的，因為你的美意本是如此。「一切所有的都是我父交付我的。除了父，沒有人知道子是誰；除了子和子所願意指示的，沒有人知道父是誰。」耶穌轉身暗暗地對門徒說：「看見你們所看見的，那眼睛就有福了。我告訴你們：從前有許多先知和君王要看你們所看的，卻沒有看見；要聽你們所聽的，卻沒有聽見。」』(路加福音 10:21-24)

       這經文的後半段也是馬太福音所說的，『但你們的眼睛是有福的，因為看見了；你們的耳朵也是有福的，因為聽見了。我實在告訴你們：從前有許多先知和義人要看你們所看的，卻沒有看見；要聽你們所聽的，卻沒有聽見。』(馬太福音 13:16-17) 說到嬰孩，『你因敵人的緣故，從嬰孩和吃奶的口中建立了能力，使仇敵和報仇的閉口無言。』(詩篇 8:2) 我們真正的知道並承認我們是嬰孩嗎？在神面前我們可以，在人面前呢？我們常會說臥虎藏龍！『耶穌說：「外邦人有君王為主治理他們，那掌權管他們的稱為恩主。但你們不可這樣。你們裏頭為大的，倒要像年幼的；為首領的，倒要像服事人的。』(路加福音 22:25-26) 教會和世俗是不一樣的.，不是只看能力，即使管理飯食的也要看是不是被聖靈充滿。這就如經文所說，『十二使徒叫眾門徒來，對他們說：「我們撇下神的道去管理飯食，原是不合宜的。所以，弟兄們，當從你們中間選出七個有好名聲、被聖靈充滿、智慧充足的人，我們就派他們管理這事。但我們要專心以祈禱傳道為事。」』(使徒行傳 6:2-4)

       講到喜樂，聖經說：『…你們若愛我，因我到父那裏去，就必喜樂，因為父是比我大的。』(約翰福音 14:28) 『父是比我大』，只是道成肉身的那段時間，因為父差遣子，平常是同尊同榮，三位一體的神。『你們現在也是憂愁，但我要再見你們，你們的心就喜樂了，這喜樂也沒有人能奪去。』(約翰福音 16:22) 耶穌復活後，完成了『我要再見你們』的承諾，所以三位一體的神所賜的喜樂是沒有人能奪去的。

3. 律法師的試探

       『有一個律法師起來試探耶穌，說：「夫子，我該做甚麼才可以承受永生？」耶穌對他說：「律法上寫的是甚麼？你念的是怎樣呢？」他回答說：「你要盡心、盡性、盡力、盡意愛主你的神；又要愛鄰舍如同自己。」耶穌說：「你回答的是。你這樣行，就必得永生。」』(路加福音 10:25-28) 要愛神和愛人如己是很明顯的。但光知道沒有用的，一定要照著行，才能得到永生，也就是說，要有雅各書所講信心的行為，『只是你們要行道，不要單單聽道，自己欺哄自己。』(雅各書 1:22)

       在馬太福音的記載基本上是相同的，『內中有一個人是律法師，要試探耶穌，就問他說：「夫子，律法上的誡命，哪一條是最大的呢？」耶穌對他說：「你要盡心、盡性、盡意，愛主你的神。這是誡命中的第一，且是最大的。其次也相仿，就是要愛人如己。這兩條誡命是律法和先知一切道理的總綱。」』(馬太福音 22:35-40)   一個家能真正的在愛中讓主居首位，是蒙祝福的。

       在對觀福音中的馬可福音多談了一些，『有一個文士來，聽見他們辯論，曉得耶穌回答得好，就問他說：「誡命中哪是第一要緊的呢？」耶穌回答說：「第一要緊的就是說：『以色列啊，你要聽！主我們神是獨一的主。你要盡心、盡性、盡意、盡力愛主你的神。』其次就是說：『要愛人如己。』再沒有比這兩條誡命更大的了。」那文士對耶穌說：「夫子說，神是一位，實在不錯！除了他以外，再沒有別的神；並且盡心、盡智、盡力愛他，又愛人如己，就比一切燔祭和各樣祭祀好得多。」耶穌見他回答得有智慧，就對他說：「你離神的國不遠了。」從此以後，沒有人敢再問他甚麼。』(馬可福音 12:28-34)

       我們看見了文士就是指律法師，也看見了聖經告訴我們要去做的兩條誡命是一致的，我們應朝這一致性方向去想。並看見了我們要真正的瞭解聖經，而不只是行表面上的燔祭和各樣祭祀。的確，這律法師離神的國不遠了，所以前述的路加福音會說，『你這樣行，就必得永生。』在新約時代，我們不必如舊約時獻上死的祭物了，但要如保羅所說，『所以弟兄們，我以神的慈悲勸你們，將身體獻上，當作活祭，是聖潔的，是神所喜悅的；你們如此事奉，乃是理所當然的。』(羅馬書 12:1) 且要瞭解並要過一個分別為聖的生活，『不要效法這個世界，只要心意更新而變化，叫你們察驗何為神的善良、純全、可喜悅的旨意。』(羅馬書 12:2)

4. 誰是鄰舍？

       『那人要顯明自己有理，就對耶穌說：「誰是我的鄰舍呢？」耶穌回答說：「有一個人從耶路撒冷下耶利哥去，落在強盜手中。他們剝去他的衣裳，把他打個半死，就丟下他走了。偶然有一個祭司從這條路下來，看見他就從那邊過去了。又有一個利未人來到這地方，看見他，也照樣從那邊過去了。惟有一個撒馬利亞人行路來到那裏，看見他就動了慈心，上前用油和酒倒在他的傷處，包裹好了，扶他騎上自己的牲口，帶到店裏去照應他。第二天拿出二錢銀子來，交給店主，說：『你且照應他，此外所費用的，我回來必還你。』「你想，這三個人哪一個是落在強盜手中的鄰舍呢？」他說：「是憐憫他的。」 耶穌說：「你去照樣行吧。」』(路加福音 10:29-37) 所以祭司和利未人不是落在強盜手中的人的鄰舍，他們從那邊過去了，鄰舍的確是照顧他的撒馬利亞人。

    再一次強調要行，要像雅各書所說的，『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) 在這裏，我又看到一個從人(律法師)角度看和從神(耶穌)角度看一致的例子。

(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, Jesus was sending the seventy to preach Gospel in groups of two, which is the principle of preaching.  The Holy Spirit sent Apostle Paul to preach the Gospel by the same way. In the Book of Revelation, there are two witnesses.  The Book of Ecclesiastes sort of explains why two people in a group is better than one person. So, there’re at least two in a group when preaching. It is also the principle used in churches. We then ask what are the greater things we can do, which Jesus talked about. And we also mention the importance of repentance. Secondly, we see that joy of Jesus is due to the Holy Spirit, and also know that there is no one who can take the joy from the Holy Trinity away from you. Thirdly, we discuss a certain test from a lawyer.  We see what the Bible tells us is consistent – loving God and your neighbor as yourself. Finally, we can see the neighbor of the person who fell among robbers is a gentile Samaritan.  This is another example, which tells us that to see things in the aspect of human (the lawyer) and in the aspect of God is consistent. 

1. Lord Jesus sending the seventy

In Luke 10:1-16, it says, “Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come. And He was saying to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Go; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no money belt, no bag, no shoes; and greet no one on the way. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’ If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they give you; for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not keep moving from house to house. Whatever city you enter and they receive you, eat what is set before you; and heal those in it who are sick, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whatever city you enter and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your city which clings to our feet we wipe off in protest against you; yet be sure of this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ I say to you, it will be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had been performed in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will be brought down to Hades! “The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me; and he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.””

We can see the principle of sending people in pairs. During Paul’s first missionary journey, he was with Barnabas, as the verses in Acts 13:2-3 says, “While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.” In Revelation 11:3, there are two witnesses, “And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” In Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, it gives sort of reasons why it takes two, “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.” Here it tells that two lie down together for the reason of keeping warm, not the relationship of husband and wife.

This is also the principle of the church, which consists of a group of people, definitely not a single person. Jesus said, “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”(Matthew 18:19-20) When husband and wife can walk together, are there two already? Please notice that timing isn’t mentioned in these verses. Everything has its appointed time. Don’t think that just because a prayer is not answered immediately it means it is not being granted.

Talking about the Church, Jesus also said in John 14:12, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.” How can we do greater works than Jesus can do? Aren’t we have to pray in His name and hope to be granted? Therefore, this was talking about the works in the period of Word becoming flesh. What Church as a whole can do what He did during that period? This can be seen from the reason He said, “because I go to the Father.” He went to Heaven, the Holy Spirit descended in Pentecost, then the Church established. During the period Jesus was on earth, He was restricted by His flesh. Now we have the Holy Spirit residing in us, and also have the great mission which says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”(Matthew 28:19)   Nowadays, the members of a church can go anywhere with the Holy Spirit. He is no longer restricted. He said in John 14:13-14, “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.” We emphasize again that timing isn’t mentioned here. God has absolute authority and He decides when a prayer would be accomplished. 

When we discussed the sent twelve, we had already talked about ” the laborer is worthy of his wages.” Basically, the seventy didn’t bring anything with them.  And we also discussed about “…the one who rejects you rejects Me; and he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.”(Luke 10:16) This is to see things in the aspect of God: “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”(John 3:18) Here, we don’t repeat the discussions.  When they met people, who were worthy of peace, the peace would rest on them. They would heal the sick at that city, and proclaimed that the Kingdom of Heaven was coming.

These verses have also mentioned the importance of repentance. “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.””(Matthew 4:17) Please notice that people at Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum were God’s people, but Tyre and Sidon were Gentile cities. The verses say clearly that they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes if miracles were done among them. On the opposite side, God’s peoples didn’t repent. Although He did many miracles, they seldom believed Him. No wonder Jesus said, “I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.””(Matthew 8:11-12) In the era of the New Testament, we have a promise, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.”(1 John 1:9-10) We need to really repent in our hearts. 

“The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” And He said to them, “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.”'(Luke 10:17-20)

These verses are consistent with the verses,  “And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.”(Revelation 12:9) The Bible also says, “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, …And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”(Revelation 20:11-15) We can see what Jesus emphasized was very different. Ordinary peoples see supernatural things such as “the demons are subject to us in Your name,” they would be very happy just like the seventy. But what Jesus emphasized was forever things since He said, “but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.” We must understand that the names for Christians are in the book of life. 

2. Jesus rejoicing greatly in the Holy Spirit

“At that very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, “I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. All things have been handed over to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” Turning to the disciples, He said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see, for I say to you, that many prophets and kings wished to see the things which you see, and did not see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and did not hear them.””(Luke 10:21-24)

The second half of the verses is the same as what was told in the Gospel of Matthew, “But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”(Matthew 13:16-17) Talking about infants, it is said in Psalm 8:2, “From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established strength Because of Your adversaries, To make the enemy and the revengeful cease.” Do we genuinely know and recognize that we’re infants? In front of God, maybe we can. How about before others? We often think that we are talented just like ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.’ It is said in Luke 22:25-26, “And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant.” The standard between the Church and the world is very different. In the Church, being talented is not the most important thing. Even serving tables, one of the criteria is to be full of the Spirit as the verses said, “So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.””(Acts 6:2-4)

Speaking about the joy, the Bible says, “You heard that I said to you, ‘I go away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced because I go to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.”(John 14:28) “The Father is greater than I” is just for the period of Word becoming flesh since the Father sent the Son. In ordinary time, they’re with equal respect and honor, the Holy Trinity.  “Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.”(John 16:22) After Jesus resurrected, He fulfilled His promise, “I will come to you.” Therefore, the joy from the Holy Trinity no one can take away from you.

3. The test of a lawyer 

In Luke 10:25-28, it says, “And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.”” Loving God and neighbors as ourselves are apparently necessary.  But merely talking is useless, we need to do this in our life. In other words, we need to have action out of faith as described in James 1:22, “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.”

The record in Matthew 22:35-40 is basically the same, “One of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”” A family which can make the Lord the first priority is really a blessed one.

In Synopses, the Gospel of Luke tells more. “One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?” Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” The scribe said to Him, “Right, Teacher; You have truly stated that He is One, and there is no one else besides Him; and to love Him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as himself, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that, no one would venture to ask Him any more questions.”(Mark 12:28-34)

We can see a scribe is a lawyer.  And we also see that what the Bible tells us is consistent regarding the two commands we should do. We really have to think along such a consistent direction. We need to really understand the Bible, and not just do things on the surface all burnt offerings and sacrifices. Indeed, the lawyer wasn’t far away from the kingdom of God.  Therefore, the previous words said in the Gospel of Luke is “do this and you will live.” In the era of the New Testament, we no longer need to offer the dead sacrifices. But we need to do what Paul said, “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”(Romans 12:1) Meanwhile,  we need to have a life to separate us from the world and lead us to sanctification as said in Romans 12:2, “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.”

4. Who is a neighbor?

It says in Luke 10:29-37, “But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.’ Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.””

The priest and the Levite weren’t a neighbor for the person who fell among robbers. Both of them passed by on the other side. A neighbor was indeed the Samaritan, who took care of him. Let us emphasize again, we need to have the action out of faith like what said in the Book of James, “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, we see another example, where viewing things in the aspect of human (lawyer) and in the aspect of God (Jesus) were the same.    

 (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.”)

     我们分享过，耶稣不只是讲讲而已，是真正的行出来祂的教导，所以祂所行的事就是祂形像的一部份，祂自己说，『…父交给我要我成就的事，就是我所做的事，这便见证我是父所差来的。』(约翰福音 5:36) 『你们当信我，我在父里面，父在我里面；即或不信，也当因我所做的事信我。』(约翰福音 14:11) 所以这个基于路加福音的系列以后就称为「耶稣」，继续以前所分享的。       

     首先我们简短的分享变化山上发生的事情，因为以前我们详细的谈过，我们看到了神的确是要我注目在耶稣身上，也顺便借著摩西和以利亚谈到了基督台和白色大宝座的区别。第二，我们看到了耶稣是说有些鬼非要禁食祷告不能赶出去，祂赶出了祂的门徒不能赶出的那鬼，可见祂是常常禁食的。第三，我们提到了祂的第二次预言受难而三日复活。门徒们那时不明白，因为那时是超过他们所想的。第四，我们看到了天国和世间的标准是很不一样的，『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 23:11-12) 第五，在讲道的情况中，不敌挡你们的，就是帮助你们的。我们讨论谁是朋友，要看我们是在宣教或得救。第六，人子来是要救人的性命，让生命得的更丰盛。最后我们分享手扶著犂向后看的人那一段，从不回头的人是真正跟随耶稣的人。

1. 变化山上发生的事情   

     『我实在告诉你们：站在这里的，有人在没尝死味以前，必看见神的国。」说了这话以后约有八天，耶稣带著彼得、约翰、雅各上山去祷告。正祷告的时候，他的面貌就改变了，衣服洁白放光。忽然有摩西、以利亚两个人同耶稣说话；他们在荣光里显现，谈论耶稣去世的事，就是他在耶路撒冷将要成的事。彼得和他的同伴都打盹，既清醒了，就看见耶稣的荣光，并同他站著的那两个人。二人正要和耶稣分离的时候，彼得对耶稣说：「夫子，我们在这里真好！可以搭三座棚：一座为你，一座为摩西，一座为以利亚。」他却不知道所说的是甚么。说这话的时候，有一朵云彩来遮盖他们，他们进入云彩里就惧怕。有声音从云彩里出来，说：「这是我的儿子，我所拣选的，你们要听他。」声音住了，只见耶稣一人在那里。当那些日子，门徒不提所看见的事，一样也不告诉人。』(路加福音 9:27-36)      

     首先，耶稣说「实在」或「实实在在」都是在说很重要的事。这里是说，「有人在没尝死味以前，必看见神的国。」的确，彼得、雅各、和约翰在生前就见到了神的国在变化山上降临在耶稣的身上。我们也看到了耶稣在祂的时间未到之前是采取低姿态的，这经文说得更清楚，『下山的时候，耶稣吩咐他们说：「人子还没有从死里复活，你们不要将所看见的告诉人。」』(马太福音 17:9) 我们看到了神要我们注目在祂的儿子耶稣身上，而甚至于不是在摩西或以利亚身上。我们知道律法是借著摩西颁的，而以利亚应是先知的代表，因为他是唯一坐火车火马升天而不尝死味的先知。虽然以诺也是先知并且不尝死味(参犹大书 1:14, 希伯来书 11:5, 创世记 5:24)，他的记载不多，不会是先知的代表。

     有人说摩西和以利亚是从未来过来的，因为白色大宝座的审判是为著所有死的人(参启示录 20:11-13)，是在未来的。但我不觉得是如此，因圣经明说，在那之前已有一批人在天上了，如经文所说，『此后，我观看，见有许多的人，没有人能数过来，是从各国、各族、各民、各方来的，站在宝座和羔羊面前，身穿白衣，…』(启示录 7:9) 相信他们已在基台前受过得奖赏的审判，『因为我们众人必要在基督台前显露出来，叫各人按著本身所行的，或善或恶受报。』(哥林多后书 5:10) 那些人已在神里从死里复活了，因为神乃是活人的神就如经文所说，『至于死人复活，摩西在荆棘篇上，称主是亚伯拉罕的神，以撒的神，雅各的神，就指示明白了。神原不是死人的神，乃是活人的神；因为在他那里，人都是活的。』(路加福音 20:37-38) 所以已经在神那里的人应该都是活的。     

     其余已死的基督徒仍然要在白色大宝座前审判，就如经文所说白色大宝座的审判是为每一个死的人，『我又看见一个白色的大宝座与坐在上面的，从他面前天地都逃避，再无可见之处了。我又看见死了的人，无论大小，都站在宝座前。案卷展开了，并且另有一卷展开，就是生命册。死了的人都凭著这些案卷所记载的，照他们所行的受审判。于是海交出其中的死人，死亡和阴间也交出其中的死人。他们都照各人所行的受审判。』(启示录 20:11-13) 基督徒的名字都在生命册上，我们是因信称义，一次得救就永远得救，如经文所说，『人的工程若被烧了，他就要受亏损，自己却要得救；虽然得救，乃像从火里经过的一样。』(哥林多前书 3:15)     

     神不会骗人，而且很公平。我们不要仅仅得救，要如雅各书所讲的，要有信心相称的行为，『只是你们要行道，不要单单听道，自己欺哄自己。』(雅各书 1:22) 因为在新天新地时，有人会不能进新耶路撒冷城的，这些人就如两处经文所说，『凡不洁净的，并那行可憎与虚谎之事的，总不得进那城；只有名字写在羔羊生命册上的才得进去。』(启示录 21:27) 『城外有那些犬类、行邪术的、淫乱的、杀人的、拜偶像的，并一切喜好说谎言编造虚谎的。』(启示录 22:15) 请注意到，不是所有生命册有份的人都可进去，至少要在生命册上。城外的没有包括不信的，是指曾经信过但流于那些犬类等的基督徒，这是第二次的死不一样。第二次的死明说包括不信的等等，『惟有胆怯的、不信的、可憎的、杀人的、淫乱的、行邪术的、拜偶像的和一切说谎话的，他们的分就在烧著硫磺的火湖里，这是第二次的死。』(启示录 21:8) 虽然在城外和下火湖不能相比，好太多了，但我们要能进城不要在外面哀哭切齿，如经文所说，『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。』(路加福音 13:28)    

     我知道有些人会觉得城外的人一定是非基督徒，会怀疑有些称为基督徒的、最初跟本不是基督徒。我们实在不能说圣经在骗人，不能回头说他们从没有得救过，这从人的角度看好像是很有道理，但我们看到的是、有些基督徒还是会堕落到城外的光景的，『论到那些已经蒙了光照、尝过天恩的滋味、又于圣灵有分、并尝过神善道的滋味、觉悟来世权能的人，若是离弃道理，就不能叫他们从新懊悔了。因为他们把神的儿子重钉十字架，明明地羞辱他。』(希伯来书 6:4-6)    

     经文说得很清楚，『并且因为他是人子，就赐给他行审判的权柄。』(约翰福音 5:27) 所以在白色大宝座上的是基督，也就是说是在基督台前，所以和这节经文不冲突，『因为我们众人必要在基督台前显露出来，叫各人按著本身所行的，或善或恶受报。』(哥林多后书 5:10) 实在是不能说所有的基督徒都不要经过白色大宝座的审判，这样会和前面所提到的启示录  20:11-13 冲突。我们要做那能进城的人，所以一旦得救后，要走窄门，『你们要进窄门。因为引到灭亡，那门是宽的，路是大的，进去的人也多；引到永生，那门是窄的，路是小的，找著的人也少。』(马太福音 7:13-14) 『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！』』(路加福音 13:24-25) 是照我本相，但我们死的时候门就关了，在这之前，我们要做神要我们做、可留到永远的事情，『我听见从天上有声音说：「你要写下：从今以后，在主里面而死的人有福了！」 圣灵说：「是的，他们息了自己的劳苦，做工的果效也随著他们。」』(启示录 14:13)

2. 禁食赶鬼       

     『第二天，他们下了山，就有许多人迎见耶稣。其中有一人喊叫说：「夫子！求你看顾我的儿子，因为他是我的独生子。他被鬼抓住，就忽然喊叫；鬼又叫他抽风，口中流沫，并且重重地伤害他，难以离开他。我求过你的门徒把鬼赶出去，他们却是不能。」耶稣说：「嗳！这又不信又悖谬的世代啊，我在你们这里，忍耐你们要到几时呢？将你的儿子带到这里来吧！」正来的时候，鬼把他摔倒，叫他重重地抽风。耶稣就斥责那污鬼，把孩子治好了，交给他父亲。众人都诧异神的大能。 …』(路加福音 9:37-43)    

     我们很明显的看到，鬼是会伤害人的，并不是每次都会乖乖的，『…鬼把那人摔倒在众人中间，就出来了，却也没有害他。』(路加福音 4:35) 同样的事情较详细的记载在马可福音 9:14-29，我们看到那污鬼是聋哑的鬼，是那孩子从小就有这病的，记录了『耶稣说：「嗳，不信的世代啊！我在你们这里要到几时呢？我忍耐你们要到几时呢？…』(马可福音 9:19) 并且『耶稣对他说：「你若能信，在信的人，凡事都能。」孩子的父亲立时喊著说：「我信，但我信不足，求主帮助！」』(马可福音 9:23-24) 你看，是「立刻」，有时.立刻是非常重要的。当我们信不足的时候，我们可以祷告求神帮助。        

     这件事在马太福音 17:14-21 也有记载，我们看到那父亲是跪求的，又加上了这些句子，『门徒暗暗地到耶稣跟前说：「我们为甚么不能赶出那鬼呢？」耶稣说：「是因你们的信心小。我实在告诉你们：你们若有信心像一粒芥菜种，就是对这座山说，『你从这边挪到那边』，它也必挪去，并且你们没有一件不能做的事了。至于这一类的鬼，若不祷告禁食，他就不出来。」』(马太福音 17:19-21) 我们看到了门徒虽以前赶过鬼，但他们的信心不够。我是从来没有试过要山从这边挪到那边，知道反正也不行，虽然以前刚看到这经文时很不服气，怎么信心连一粒芥菜种都不到呢？后来真知道是如此！我们看到在非拉铁非的教会，他们只是略有一点力量，就给他们『…一个敞开的门，是无人能关的。』(启示录 3:8) 我是常常要看见了才会信，信心怎么会大呢？大的信心是那些没有看见就信的人，就如『耶稣对他(多玛)说：「你因看见了我才信，那没有看见就信的有福了！」』(约翰福音 20:29)    

     耶稣是赶出那鬼了，因此我们也知道祂应是常常禁食的，因为祂不是事先就准备好那父亲会来的。当然，我们不排除圣灵可能会预先告诉祂的情况，但是可能性不太，因为圣灵不是一个命令一个动作而让我们变成机器人一般的神。神的原意本是，『你因敌人的缘故，从婴孩和吃奶的口中建立了能力，使仇敌和报仇的闭口无言。』(诗篇 8:2) 在(堕落的)天使面前，我们本是婴孩和吃奶的，但我们甘心情愿的时候，神就建立了能力。不要只有动作而无心，就如法利赛人的十一奉献一样，我们知道耶稣对那有多憎恶。所以是要甘心情愿的才行，要不然仇敌和报仇的不会闭口无言。

3. 第二次预言受难        

     『…耶稣所做的一切事，众人正希奇的时候，耶稣对门徒说：「你们要把这些话存在耳中，因为人子将要被交在人手里。」他们不明白这话，意思乃是隐藏的，叫他们不能明白，他们也不敢问这话的意思。』(路加福音 9:43-45)  第一次分别记在路加福音 9:21-22，马可福音 9:9-10，和马太福音 16:21-23。祂的死而复活是明说的，只是当时门徒们不明白，因为那时是超过他们所想的。一直到发生以后才明白，这可由下列经文知道他们最终明白了，『这耶稣，神已经叫他复活了，我们都为这事作见证。』(使徒行传 2:32)       

4. 最大的门徒

     『门徒中间起了议论，谁将为大。耶稣看出他们心中的议论，就领一个小孩子来，叫他站在自己旁边，对他们说：「凡为我名接待这小孩子的，就是接待我；凡接待我的，就是接待那差我来的。你们中间最小的，他便为大。」』(路加福音 9:46-48)   同样的事情在马可福音 9:33-37 的记载基本上是相同的，只是说到了是在迦百农的屋里发生的。       

     在马太福音 20:20 的叙述是在不同场合，就是，『那时，西庇太儿子(雅各和约翰)的母亲同她两个儿子上前来拜耶稣，求他一件事。』那是起争论的场合如经文所说，『那十个门徒听见，就恼怒他们弟兄二人。』(马太福音 20:24) 『耶稣叫了他们来，说：「你们知道外邦人有君王为主治理他们，有大臣操权管束他们。只是在你们中间不可这样。你们中间谁愿为大，就必作你们的用人；谁愿为首，就必作你们的仆人。正如人子来，不是要受人的服事，乃是要服事人，并且要舍命，作多人的赎价。」(马太福音 20:25-28)    

     耶稣不只是说说而已，祂离世之前是真的帮门徒洗脚，以身作则。 (参约翰福音 13:3-17) 祂为了作我们的挽回祭上了十字架。(参罗马书 3:25) 我们看到了天国和世间的标准是很不一样的，经文又明显的说，『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 23:11-12) 我们要谦卑。不是外面作出来弯腰驼肩就是谦卑，一个骄傲的人即使沦落仍可骄傲，要从心发出，『…因为一生的果效，是由心发出。』(箴言 4:23)

5. 谁是朋友？       

     『约翰说：「夫子，我们看见一个人奉你的名赶鬼，我们就禁止他，因为他不与我们一同跟从你。」耶稣说：「不要禁止他，因为不敌挡你们的，就是帮助你们的。」』(路加福音 9:49-50)        

     这好像和这经文矛盾，『不与我相合的，就是敌我的；不同我收聚的，就是分散的。所以我告诉你们：人一切的罪和亵渎的话，都可得赦免；惟独亵渎圣灵，总不得赦免。』(马太福音 12:30-31) 第一，祂是在讲赦免的程度是有限制的，就是到不要亵渎圣灵为止。第二，这里是从神的角度看，是在讲，『信他的人，不被定罪；不信的人，罪已经定了，因为他不信神独生子的名。』(约翰福音 3:18) 而路加福音是说到传教的情形，不敌挡的话，就是帮助的，要不然就像保罗的情况一样，当时的犹太人到处追杀他。

6. 人子来是要救人的性命    

     『耶稣被接上升的日子将到，他就定意向耶路撒冷去，便打发使者在他前头走。他们到了撒马利亚的一个村庄，要为他预备。那里的人不接待他，因他面向耶路撒冷去。他的门徒雅各、约翰看见了，就说：「主啊，你要我们吩咐火从天上降下来烧灭他们，像以利亚所做的吗？」耶稣转身责备两个门徒，说：「你们的心如何，你们并不知道。人子来不是要灭人的性命，是要救人的性命。」说著就往别的村庄去了。』(路加福音 9:51-56)    

     祂知道祂的时间到了，就「定意」去了，就像当时施洗的约翰作祂的开道的 (参马太福音 3:1-3)，祂就打发使者在祂前头走。当时的撒玛利亚人和犹大人是不来往的，到了这个地步，只因祂面向耶路撒冷去，祂就不被接待祂。关于以利亚的事情请参列王纪下 1:9-15)。的确，雅各和约翰不知道他们当时的心，以雅各来说，耶稣受难时，他是不在十字架前。一直到圣灵在五旬节降下后，基督徒们才能有能力完成工作。也的确，『神爱世人，甚至将他的独生子赐给他们，叫一切信他的，不至灭亡，反得永生。因为神差他的儿子降世，不是要定世人的罪，乃是要叫世人因他得救。』(约翰福音 3:16-17) 很清楚的说到耶稣降世的目的，而且说，『我就是门，凡从我进来的，必然得救，并且出入得草吃。…我来了，是要叫羊得生命，并且得的更丰盛。』(约翰福音 10:9-10)

7. 手扶著犂向后看的人       

     『他们(在撒马利亚)走路的时候，有一人对耶稣说：「你无论往哪里去，我要跟从你。」耶稣说：「狐狸有洞，天空的飞鸟有窝，只是人子没有枕头的地方。」又对一个人说：「跟从我来！」那人说：「主，容我先回去埋葬我的父亲。」耶稣说：「任凭死人埋葬他们的死人，你只管去传扬神国的道。」又有一人说：「主，我要跟从你，但容我先去辞别我家里的人。」耶稣说：「手扶著犂向后看的，不配进神的国。」』(路加福音 9:57-62)       

     没有枕头的地方是祂在地上所过的生活，很辛告的。祂知道自己的时间不多，工作非常勤奋，这可由经文中得知，『他就说：「你们来，同我暗暗地到旷野地方去歇一歇。」这是因为来往的人多，他们连吃饭也没有工夫。』(马可福音 6:31) 以致于三十多岁的人，但看起来却老得多，将近五十岁 (参约翰福音 8:57) 。 不是说不要埋葬父亲，而是说人没有得救前都是死人，活著的人比真正死著的人更重要，趁著还有今日要赶快传福音使人得救。就像使徒雅各和约翰被呼召时，『他们立刻舍了船，别了父亲，跟从了耶稣。』(马太福音 4:22) 跟随耶稣，他们没有回头过且是「立刻」。我们看到了祂传道以来一直都为我们受苦，不只在十字架上。

(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』。)

          我們分享過，耶穌不只是講講而已，是真正的行出來祂的教導，所以祂所行的事就是祂形像的一部份，祂自己說，『…父交給我要我成就的事，就是我所做的事，這便見證我是父所差來的。』(約翰福音 5:36) 『你們當信我，我在父裏面，父在我裏面；即或不信，也當因我所做的事信我。』(約翰福音 14:11) 所以這個基於路加福音的系列以後就稱為「耶穌」，繼續以前所分享的。

       首先我們簡短的分享變化山上發生的事情，因為以前我們詳細的談過，我們看到了神的確是要我注目在耶穌身上，也順便藉著摩西和以利亞談到了基督台和白色大寶座的區別。第二，我們看到了耶穌是說有些鬼非要禁食禱告不能趕出去，祂趕出了祂的門徒不能趕出的那鬼，可見祂是常常禁食的。第三，我們提到了祂的第二次預言受難而三日復活。門徒們那時不明白，因為那時是超過他們所想的。第四，我們看到了天國和世間的標準是很不一樣的，『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 23:11-12) 第五，在講道的情況中，不敵擋你們的，就是幫助你們的。我們討論誰是朋友，要看我們是在宣教或得救。第六，人子來是要救人的性命，讓生命得的更豐盛。最後我們分享手扶着犂向後看的人那一段，從不回頭的人是真正跟隨耶穌的人。

1. 變化山上發生的事情

       『我實在告訴你們：站在這裏的，有人在沒嘗死味以前，必看見神的國。」說了這話以後約有八天，耶穌帶着彼得、約翰、雅各上山去禱告。正禱告的時候，他的面貌就改變了，衣服潔白放光。忽然有摩西、以利亞兩個人同耶穌說話；他們在榮光裏顯現，談論耶穌去世的事，就是他在耶路撒冷將要成的事。彼得和他的同伴都打盹，既清醒了，就看見耶穌的榮光，並同他站着的那兩個人。二人正要和耶穌分離的時候，彼得對耶穌說：「夫子，我們在這裏真好！可以搭三座棚：一座為你，一座為摩西，一座為以利亞。」他卻不知道所說的是甚麼。說這話的時候，有一朵雲彩來遮蓋他們，他們進入雲彩裏就懼怕。有聲音從雲彩裏出來，說：「這是我的兒子，我所揀選的，你們要聽他。」聲音住了，只見耶穌一人在那裏。當那些日子，門徒不提所看見的事，一樣也不告訴人。』(路加福音 9:27-36)

      首先，耶穌說「實在」或「實實在在」都是在說很重要的事。這裏是說，「有人在沒嘗死味以前，必看見神的國。」的確，彼得、雅各、和約翰在生前就見到了神的國在變化山上降臨在耶穌的身上。我們也看到了耶穌在祂的時間未到之前是採取低姿態的，這經文說得更清楚，『下山的時候，耶穌吩咐他們說：「人子還沒有從死裏復活，你們不要將所看見的告訴人。」』(馬太福音 17:9) 我們看到了神要我們注目在祂的兒子耶穌身上，而甚至於不是在摩西或以利亞身上。我們知道律法是藉著摩西頒的，而以利亞應是先知的代表，因為他是唯一坐火車火馬升天而不嚐死味的先知。雖然以諾也是先知並且不嚐死味(參猶大書 1:14, 希伯來書 11:5, 創世記 5:24)，他的記載不多，不會是先知的代表。 有人說摩西和以利亞是從未來過來的，因為白色大寶座的審判是為著所有死的人(參啓示錄 20:11-13)，是在未來的。但我不覺得是如此，因聖經明說，在那之前已有一批人在天上了，如經文所說，『此後，我觀看，見有許多的人，沒有人能數過來，是從各國、各族、各民、各方來的，站在寶座和羔羊面前，身穿白衣，…』(啓示錄 7:9) 相信他們已在基台前受過得獎賞的審判，『因為我們眾人必要在基督台前顯露出來，叫各人按着本身所行的，或善或惡受報。』(哥林多後書 5:10) 那些人已在神裏從死裏復活了，因為神乃是活人的神就如經文所說，『至於死人復活，摩西在荊棘篇上，稱主是亞伯拉罕的神，以撒的神，雅各的神，就指示明白了。神原不是死人的神，乃是活人的神；因為在他那裏，人都是活的。』(路加福音 20:37-38) 所以已經在神那裏的人應該都是活的。

     其餘已死的基督徒仍然要在白色大寶座前審判，就如經文所說白色大寶座的審判是為每一個死的人，『我又看見一個白色的大寶座與坐在上面的，從他面前天地都逃避，再無可見之處了。我又看見死了的人，無論大小，都站在寶座前。案卷展開了，並且另有一卷展開，就是生命冊。死了的人都憑着這些案卷所記載的，照他們所行的受審判。於是海交出其中的死人，死亡和陰間也交出其中的死人。他們都照各人所行的受審判。』(啓示錄 20:11-13) 基督徒的名字都在生命册上，我們是因信稱義，一次得救就永遠得救，如經文所說，『人的工程若被燒了，他就要受虧損，自己卻要得救；雖然得救，乃像從火裏經過的一樣。』(哥林多前書 3:15) 

     神不會騙人，而且很公平。我們不要僅僅得救，要如雅各書所講的，要有信心相稱的行為，『只是你們要行道，不要單單聽道，自己欺哄自己。』(雅各書 1:22) 因為在新天新地時，有人會不能進新耶路撒冷城的，這些人就如兩處經文所說，『凡不潔淨的，並那行可憎與虛謊之事的，總不得進那城；只有名字寫在羔羊生命冊上的才得進去。』(啓示錄 21:27) 『城外有那些犬類、行邪術的、淫亂的、殺人的、拜偶像的，並一切喜好說謊言編造虛謊的。』(啓示錄 22:15) 請注意到，不是所有生命册有份的人都可進去，至少要在生命册上。城外的沒有包括不信的，是指曾經信過但流於那些犬類等的基督徒，這是第二次的死不一樣。第二次的死明說包括不信的等等，『惟有膽怯的、不信的、可憎的、殺人的、淫亂的、行邪術的、拜偶像的和一切說謊話的，他們的分就在燒着硫磺的火湖裏，這是第二次的死。』(啓示錄 21:8) 雖然在城外和下火湖不能相比，好太多了，但我們要能進城不要在外面哀哭切齒，如經文所說，『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。』(路加福音 13:28)

    我知道有些人會覺得城外的人一定是非基督徒，會懷疑有些稱為基督徒的、最初跟本不是基督徒。我們實在不能說聖經在騙人，不能回頭說他們從沒有得救過，這從人的角度看好像是很有道理，但我們看到的是、有些基督徒還是會墮落到城外的光景的，『論到那些已經蒙了光照、嘗過天恩的滋味、又於聖靈有分、並嘗過神善道的滋味、覺悟來世權能的人，若是離棄道理，就不能叫他們從新懊悔了。因為他們把神的兒子重釘十字架，明明地羞辱他。』(希伯來書 6:4-6)

    經文說得很清楚，『並且因為他是人子，就賜給他行審判的權柄。』(約翰福音 5:27) 所以在白色大寶座上的是基督，也就是說是在基督台前，所以和這節經文不衝突，『因為我們眾人必要在基督台前顯露出來，叫各人按着本身所行的，或善或惡受報。』(哥林多後書 5:10) 實在是不能說所有的基督徒都不要經過白色大寶座的審判，這樣會和前面所提到的啓示錄  20:11-13 衝突。我們要做那能進城的人，所以一旦得救後，要走窄門，『你們要進窄門。因為引到滅亡，那門是寬的，路是大的，進去的人也多；引到永生，那門是窄的，路是小的，找着的人也少。』(馬太福音 7:13-14) 『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！』』(路加福音 13:24-25) 是照我本相，但我們死的時候門就關了，在這之前，我們要做神要我們做、可留到永遠的事情，『我聽見從天上有聲音說：「你要寫下：從今以後，在主裏面而死的人有福了！」 聖靈說：「是的，他們息了自己的勞苦，做工的果效也隨着他們。」』(啓示錄 14:13)

2. 禁食趕鬼

       『第二天，他們下了山，就有許多人迎見耶穌。其中有一人喊叫說：「夫子！求你看顧我的兒子，因為他是我的獨生子。他被鬼抓住，就忽然喊叫；鬼又叫他抽風，口中流沫，並且重重地傷害他，難以離開他。我求過你的門徒把鬼趕出去，他們卻是不能。」耶穌說：「噯！這又不信又悖謬的世代啊，我在你們這裏，忍耐你們要到幾時呢？將你的兒子帶到這裏來吧！」正來的時候，鬼把他摔倒，叫他重重地抽風。耶穌就斥責那污鬼，把孩子治好了，交給他父親。眾人都詫異神的大能。 …』(路加福音 9:37-43)

    我們很明顯的看到，鬼是會傷害人的，並不是每次都會乖乖的，『…鬼把那人摔倒在眾人中間，就出來了，卻也沒有害他。』(路加福音 4:35) 同樣的事情較詳細的記載在馬可福音 9:14-29，我們看到那污鬼是聾啞的鬼，是那孩子從小就有這病的，記錄了『耶穌說：「噯，不信的世代啊！我在你們這裏要到幾時呢？我忍耐你們要到幾時呢？…』(馬可福音 9:19) 並且『耶穌對他說：「你若能信，在信的人，凡事都能。」孩子的父親立時喊着說：「我信，但我信不足，求主幫助！」』(馬可福音 9:23-24) 你看，是「立刻」，有時.立刻是非常重要的。當我們信不足的時候，我們可以禱告求神幫助。

        這件事在馬太福音 17:14-21 也有記載，我們看到那父親是跪求的，又加上了這些句子，『門徒暗暗地到耶穌跟前說：「我們為甚麼不能趕出那鬼呢？」耶穌說：「是因你們的信心小。我實在告訴你們：你們若有信心像一粒芥菜種，就是對這座山說，『你從這邊挪到那邊』，它也必挪去，並且你們沒有一件不能做的事了。至於這一類的鬼，若不禱告禁食，他就不出來。」』(馬太福音 17:19-21) 我們看到了門徒雖以前趕過鬼，但他們的信心不夠。我是從來沒有試過要山從這邊挪到那邊，知道反正也不行，雖然以前剛看到這經文時很不服氣，怎麼信心連一粒芥菜種都不到呢？後來真知道是如此！我們看到在非拉鐵非的教會，他們只是略有一點力量，就給他們『…一個敞開的門，是無人能關的。』(啓示錄 3:8) 我是常常要看見了才會信，信心怎麼會大呢？大的信心是那些沒有看見就信的人，就如『耶穌對他(多瑪)說：「你因看見了我才信，那沒有看見就信的有福了！」』(約翰福音 20:29)

    耶穌是趕出那鬼了，因此我們也知道祂應是常常禁食的，因為祂不是事先就準備好那父親會來的。當然，我們不排除聖靈可能會預先告訴祂的情況，但是可能性不太，因為聖靈不是一個命令一個動作而讓我們變成機器人一般的神。神的原意本是，『你因敵人的緣故，從嬰孩和吃奶的口中建立了能力，使仇敵和報仇的閉口無言。』(詩篇 8:2) 在(墮落的)天使面前，我們本是嬰孩和吃奶的，但我們甘心情願的時候，神就建立了能力。不要只有動作而無心，就如法利賽人的十一奉獻一樣，我們知道耶穌對那有多憎惡。所以是要甘心情願的才行，要不然仇敵和報仇的不會閉口無言。

3. 第二次預言受難

        『…耶穌所做的一切事，眾人正希奇的時候，耶穌對門徒說：「你們要把這些話存在耳中，因為人子將要被交在人手裏。」他們不明白這話，意思乃是隱藏的，叫他們不能明白，他們也不敢問這話的意思。』(路加福音 9:43-45)

       同樣的事記錄在馬太福音 17:22-23 和馬可福音 9:30-32，地點是很清楚的在加利利，且說第三日要復活。祂這樣的預言已是第二次了，第一次分別記在路加福音 9:21-22，馬可福音 9:9-10，和馬太福音 16:21-23。祂的死而復活是明說的，只是當時門徒們不明白，因為那時是超過他們所想的。一直到發生以後才明白，這可由下列經文知道他們最終明白了，『這耶穌，神已經叫他復活了，我們都為這事作見證。』(使徒行傳 2:32)

4. 最大的門徒

       『門徒中間起了議論，誰將為大。耶穌看出他們心中的議論，就領一個小孩子來，叫他站在自己旁邊，對他們說：「凡為我名接待這小孩子的，就是接待我；凡接待我的，就是接待那差我來的。你們中間最小的，他便為大。」』(路加福音 9:46-48)   同樣的事情在馬可福音 9:33-37 的記載基本上是相同的，只是說到了是在迦百農的屋裏發生的。

       在馬太福音 20:20 的敍述是在不同場合，就是，『那時，西庇太兒子(雅各和約翰)的母親同她兩個兒子上前來拜耶穌，求他一件事。』那是起爭論的場合如經文所說，『那十個門徒聽見，就惱怒他們弟兄二人。』(馬太福音 20:24) 『耶穌叫了他們來，說：「你們知道外邦人有君王為主治理他們，有大臣操權管束他們。只是在你們中間不可這樣。你們中間誰願為大，就必作你們的用人；誰願為首，就必作你們的僕人。正如人子來，不是要受人的服事，乃是要服事人，並且要捨命，作多人的贖價。」(馬太福音 20:25-28) 

     耶穌不只是說說而已，祂離世之前是真的幫門徒洗腳，以身作則。 (參約翰福音 13:3-17) 祂為了作我們的挽回祭上了十字架。(參羅馬書 3:25) 我們看到了天國和世間的標準是很不一樣的，經文又明顯的說，『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 23:11-12) 我們要謙卑。不是外面作出來彎腰駝肩就是謙卑，一個驕傲的人即使淪落仍可驕傲，要從心發出，『…因為一生的果效，是由心發出。』(箴言 4:23)

5. 誰是朋友？

       『約翰說：「夫子，我們看見一個人奉你的名趕鬼，我們就禁止他，因為他不與我們一同跟從你。」耶穌說：「不要禁止他，因為不敵擋你們的，就是幫助你們的。」』(路加福音 9:49-50)

        這好像和這經文矛盾，『不與我相合的，就是敵我的；不同我收聚的，就是分散的。所以我告訴你們：人一切的罪和褻瀆的話，都可得赦免；惟獨褻瀆聖靈，總不得赦免。』(馬太福音 12:30-31) 第一，祂是在講赦免的程度是有限制的，就是到不要褻瀆聖靈為止。第二，這裏是從神的角度看，是在講，『信他的人，不被定罪；不信的人，罪已經定了，因為他不信神獨生子的名。』(約翰福音 3:18) 而路加福音是說到傳教的情形，不敵擋的話，就是幫助的，要不然就像保羅的情況一樣，當時的猶太人到處追殺他。

6. 人子來是要救人的性命

    『耶穌被接上升的日子將到，他就定意向耶路撒冷去，便打發使者在他前頭走。他們到了撒馬利亞的一個村莊，要為他預備。那裏的人不接待他，因他面向耶路撒冷去。他的門徒雅各、約翰看見了，就說：「主啊，你要我們吩咐火從天上降下來燒滅他們，像以利亞所做的嗎？」耶穌轉身責備兩個門徒，說：「你們的心如何，你們並不知道。人子來不是要滅人的性命，是要救人的性命。」說着就往別的村莊去了。』(路加福音 9:51-56)

    祂知道祂的時間到了，就「定意」去了，就像當時施洗的約翰作祂的開道的 (參馬太福音 3:1-3)，祂就打發使者在祂前頭走。當時的撒瑪利亞人和猶大人是不來往的，到了這個地步，只因祂面向耶路撒冷去，祂就不被接待祂。關於以利亞的事情請參列王紀下 1:9-15)。的確，雅各和約翰不知道他們當時的心，以雅各來說，耶穌受難時，他是不在十字架前。一直到聖靈在五旬節降下後，基督徒們才能有能力完成工作。也的確，『神愛世人，甚至將他的獨生子賜給他們，叫一切信他的，不至滅亡，反得永生。因為神差他的兒子降世，不是要定世人的罪，乃是要叫世人因他得救。』(約翰福音 3:16-17) 很清楚的說到耶穌降世的目的，而且說，『我就是門，凡從我進來的，必然得救，並且出入得草吃。…我來了，是要叫羊得生命，並且得的更豐盛。』(約翰福音 10:9-10)

7. 手扶着犂向後看的人

       『他們(在撒馬利亞)走路的時候，有一人對耶穌說：「你無論往哪裏去，我要跟從你。」耶穌說：「狐狸有洞，天空的飛鳥有窩，只是人子沒有枕頭的地方。」又對一個人說：「跟從我來！」那人說：「主，容我先回去埋葬我的父親。」耶穌說：「任憑死人埋葬他們的死人，你只管去傳揚神國的道。」又有一人說：「主，我要跟從你，但容我先去辭別我家裏的人。」耶穌說：「手扶着犂向後看的，不配進神的國。」』(路加福音 9:57-62)

       沒有枕頭的地方是祂在地上所過的生活，很辛告的。祂知道自己的時間不多，工作非常勤奮，這可由經文中得知，『他就說：「你們來，同我暗暗地到曠野地方去歇一歇。」這是因為來往的人多，他們連吃飯也沒有工夫。』(馬可福音 6:31) 以致於三十多歲的人，但看起來卻老得多，將近五十歲 (參約翰福音 8:57) 。 不是說不要埋葬父親，而是說人沒有得救前都是死人，活著的人比真正死著的人更重要，趁著還有今日要趕快傳福音使人得救。就像使徒雅各和約翰被呼召時，『他們立刻捨了船，別了父親，跟從了耶穌。』(馬太福音 4:22) 跟隨耶穌，他們沒有回頭過且是「立刻」。我們看到了祂傳道以來一直都為我們受苦，不只在十字架上。 

(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 shared before that Jesus wasn’t merely someone who talked about doing things, He was a doer for His teaching. So, what He did was part of His image. He Himself says in John 5:36, ” …the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish-the very works that I do-testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me.” It says in John 14:11, “Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves.” Therefore, the series based upon the Gospel of Luke will be called ‘Jesus’ instead of ‘the image of Jesus’ in the future, and will continue with what we shared before.

We first share what happened on the Mount of Transfiguration briefly since we discussed in detail before. We see that God indeed wants us to fix our attention to Jesus only. We also use a discussion of Moses and Elijah to talk about the difference between the judgment seat of Christ and the great white throne. Secondly, Jesus said that some demons can be cast out only through fasting and prayer. He cast out the demon who couldn’t be cast out by His disciples. As a result, we can tell that Jesus fasted often. Thirdly, we mention that He made the prophecy that he will be resurrected in three days after dying. The disciples didn’t understand what He said, because it was beyond what they could think. Fourthly, we can see the standard between Heaven and the world is very different as the verses say in Matthew 23:11-12, “But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.” Fifthly, in the situation of preaching the Gospel, who isn’t against you is for you. Who is considered a friend depends on whether we are preaching or talking about the salvation. Sixthly, the Son of Man came to save the life of people and make them live more abundantly. Lastly, we share the paragraph regarding putting a person’s hand to the plow and looking back. A person who genuinely follows Jesus is the one who never looks back. 

1. What happened in the Mount of Transfiguration

In Luke 9:27-36, it says, “But I say to you truthfully, there are some of those standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.” Some eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming. And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him. And as these were leaving Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles: one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah”-not realizing what he was saying. While he was saying this, a cloud formed and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!” And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent, and reported to no one in those days any of the things which they had seen.”

First, we notice that when Jesus said ‘truthfully,’ it meant something important is coming. Here, it is said in Luke 9:27, “…some of those standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.” Indeed, Peter, James, and John fulfill the description and saw that the kingdom of God was upon Jesus in the Mount of Transfiguration. We also see that Jesus took a low profile before His time coming up as the verse in Matthew 17:9 says clearly, “As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.”” We see that God wanted us to fix our eyes on His Son Jesus, not even on Moses or Elijah. We know that the Law was given to the Israelites through Moses, and Elijah should represent the prophets since he was the only prophet who ascended on the chariot of fire and horses of fire and didn’t taste death. (Ref.  2 Kings 2:11) Although Enoch was a prophet and didn’t taste death, his record isn’t too much and only in Jude 1:14, Hebrew 11:5, Genesis 5:24. So, he cannot represent prophets.

Someone said that Moses and Elijah were from the future since the great white throne is for everyone and is in the future. (Ref. Revelation 20:11-13). I don’t think so, since the Bible says clearly there are some people in Heaven already, as it is said in Revelation 7:9, “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, …” I believe that they already went through the judgment of getting prices by the judgment seat of Christ described in 2 Corinthians 5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” Those people had to be resurrected since that God is the God of living as the verses in Luke 20:37-38 said, “But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the burning bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Now He is not the God of the dead but of the living; for all live to Him.” Therefore, those in there should be living.

All other dead Christians still have to go through the judgment of the white great throne, as the verses in Revelation 20:11-13 say that the judgment is for everyone, “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds.” The names of Christians are already in the book of life. We are called righteous before the God, and once saved are forever saved as said in 

1 Corinthians 3:15, “If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”

God doesn’t lie, but is very fair. He doesn’t want us to merely be saved, but wants us to have deeds out of faith, as said in James 1:22 “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” We say so because there are people who cannot enter the new Jerusalem as the following two verses said. It is said in Revelation 21:27, “and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Notice that not everyone in the book of life can enter the city, the minimum condition is at least for those who have their names in the book of life. It is said in Revelation 22:15, “Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.” People outside don’t include those who don’t believe as described in Revelation 21:8 for the second death, “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Although it is far much better than going to the lake of fire, we don’t want to be in that place where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, as described in Luke 13:28, “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.”

I know that someone thinks those outside the city must be unbelievers, and doubts if those called righteous by God were not even Christians to begin with. We cannot say that the Bible lies if it is talking about those people who once really believed and backtracked saying that they were never saved. This looks reasonable in the aspect of human. But we can see that some Christians can indeed fall to the extent to the situations like those outside the city, as said in Hebrews 6:4-6, “For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.”

The verse says clearly in John 5:27, “and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man.” Therefore, Jesus must be the one to sit in the white throne to make judgement. In other words, those Christians are under the judgement seat of Christ described in 2 Corinthians 5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” There is no contradiction to this verse. We really don’t want to say that all Christians don’t have to go through the great white throne. It not only gives a wrong guarantee but also is contradictory to what said before in Revelation 20:11-13.

We really want to be the people who can enter the city. Therefore, we should enter through the narrow gate as described in Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” It is said in Luke 13:24-25, “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.'” Yes, the salvation is according to what we are. But when we die, the door is closed. Before this, God wants us to do things what He thinks that those can last forever as said in Revelation 14:13, “And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!'” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.”” 

2. Casting out a demon through fasting

In Luke 9:37-43, it says, “On the next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met Him. And a man from the crowd shouted, saying, “Teacher, I beg You to look at my son, for he is my only boy, and a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly screams, and it throws him into a convulsion with foaming at the mouth; and only with difficulty does it leave him, mauling him as it leaves. I begged Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not.” And Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.” While he was still approaching, the demon slammed him to the ground and threw him into a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy and gave him back to his father. And they were all amazed at the greatness of God. But while everyone was marveling at all that He was doing, …” Apparently, demons can harm people. Not every time, he came out without hurting the host as depicted in Luke 4:35, “…And when the demon had thrown him down in the midst of the people, he came out of him without doing him any harm.” 

The same event is recorded in Mark 9:14-29, and we know that this spirit can make his son mute as said in Mark 9:17, and he had the problem since childhood. It is also recorded in Mark 9:19, “And He answered them and said, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!”” And it is said in Mark 9:23-24, “And Jesus said to him, ” ‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”” You see the word, ‘immediately’. Sometimes, immediacy is very important. When our faith is not big enough for the occasion, we can always pray to increase it. Of course, it is up to Him to make the final decision. 

The same event is also recorded in Matthew 17:14-21. In Matthew 17:14, it said that the father was falling on his knees before Him. And it is added in Matthew 17:17-20, “And Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.” And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured at once. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not drive it out?” And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.”” 

Although the disciples cast out demons before, their faith was not strong enough. I never tried to ask a mountain to move, knowing that it is impossible for me. Although I couldn’t believe that my faith was less than the mustard seed at first, but now I know that it is indeed so! Let us take a look at the church in Philadelphia, it is said in Revelation 3:8, just because they had a little power and so on, then “…I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, …” I am the person who believes often by seeing the facts, how can my faith be strong? Great faith is for those who believe without seeing as “Jesus said to him (Thomas), “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.””(John 20:29)

Jesus indeed cast out that demon. Therefore, we know that He often fasted since He didn’t know in advance that the father would appear. Of course, we cannot rule out the case that the Holy Spirit told Him in advance. But when we add the observation that messages from the Bible are consistent. We know that the Holy Spirit will not make a person like a robot, generating one action from one instruction. The possibility of the Holy Spirit telling Him in advance is very low. Particularly if we view the original will stated in Psalms 8:2, “From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established strength Because of Your adversaries, To make the enemy and the revengeful cease.” In front of the fallen angel Satan, we are indeed infants and nursing babies. When we aren’t willingly obedient to the Holy Spirit, how can God establish His power to make his goals fulfilled. So, we have to be willingly obedient; otherwise, the enemy will not cease. Don’t have actions without putting your heart into them, just like the one-tenth offering from Pharisees where they only had actions on the surface.

3. Prophesying His resurrection the second time 

It says in Luke 9:43-45, “…He said to His disciples, “Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.” But they did not understand this statement, and it was concealed from them so that they would not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this statement.”

The same event is described in Matthew 17:22-23 and Mark 9:30-32. The place where it happened was clearly in Galilee and He would be resurrected in three days. He prophesied this way the second time, where the first time is recorded separately in Luke 9:21-22, Mark 9:9-10, and Matthew 16:21-23. His resurrection was spelled out clearly, but the disciples at that time didn’t understand it since it was beyond what they could think. It wasn’t until much later when they finally understood as said in Acts 2:32, “This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses.”

4. The greatest disciple

In Luke 9:46-48, it says, “An argument started among them as to which of them might be the greatest. But Jesus, knowing what they were thinking in their heart, took a child and stood him by His side, and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great.”” The event is also recorded in 9:33-37, which is basically the same except saying that it happened in the house of Capernaum.

In Matthew 20:20, the description is on different occasions. That is given in Matthew 20:20, “Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee (James and John) came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him.” It is the occasion of argument since it is described in Matthew 20:24, “And hearing this, the ten became indignant with the two brothers.” “But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant.”(Matthew 20:25-26)

Jesus did not just talk about it. Sometime before He died, He actually washed the feet of disciples, and made an example for us. (Ref. John 13:3-17) He was nailed on the cross for us as a propitiation. (Ref. Roman 3:25) We can see the standard in Heaven and the world is very different. It is also said in Matthew 23:11-12, “But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.” We need to be a real humble person, not just on the surface. A proud person can still be proud even he falls very badly, saying financially. We really want to do everything in the heart, “…For from it flow the springs of life.”(Proverbs 4:23)

5. Who are friends?

It is said in Luke 9:49-50, “John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow along with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you.””

These verses look to be very contradictory on the surface to the verses in Matthew 12:30-31, “He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters. Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven.” There are two things said here. First, there is a limitation for forgiveness. In short, no blasphemy against the Spirit can be forgiven.  Secondly, what states here is to look things in the aspect of God, as what said in John 3:18, “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” In the Gospel of Luke, it talks about the situation of preaching the Gospel. Indeed, who is not against you is for you. Otherwise, the situations would be like what Paul encountered. Jews at that time tried to kill him everywhere. 

6. The Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.

It is said in Luke 9:51-56, “When the days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined to go to Jerusalem; and He sent messengers on ahead of Him, and they went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him. But they did not receive Him, because He was traveling toward Jerusalem. When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But He turned and rebuked them, [and said, “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”] And they went on to another village.”

He knew that His time was coming. He was determined to go to Jerusalem. Like John the Baptist made ready His way (Ref.  Mathew 3:1-3), He sent messengers ahead of Him. At that time, the Samaritans and the Jews weren’t friendly to each other to the extent that the Samaritans didn’t receive Him just because He was traveling toward Jerusalem. Indeed, James and John didn’t know what kind of spirit they had.  Using James as an example, when Jesus was nailed in the cross, he wasn’t in front of it. It was only when the Holy Spirit was descended during Pentecost that Christians had power to complete their works. Indeed, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”(John 3:16-17) It is clearly said the purpose of His coming, and also said, “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. …I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”(John 10:9-10)

7. Putting his hand to the plow and looking back

In Luke 9:57-62, it says, “As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” And He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.” But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.” Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.” But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.””

Having nowhere to lay His head was the life He had on earth, which was very hard indeed. He had to work very hard by knowing that his time was short, as proved by what said in Mark 6:31, “And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) “ And at the time He was only just over thirty, “…the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, …”(John 8:57) He didn’t say that we shouldn’t bury our father, but say that people alive are much more important than people were really dead in terms of salvation. As long as it is still called “Today,” we should in a hurry preach the Gospel to unbelievers so they could be saved. (Ref. Hebrews 3:13) Just like the call for the apostles James and John, it is said in Matthew 4:22, “Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.” They followed Jesus ‘immediately’ and didn’t turn back.  We should do the same. We also see that He suffered for us at least from His starting preaching the Gospel, not only just in the cross.

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

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

     首先我们看到希律因困惑想见耶稣，他也的确在他有生之年见到了。第二，我们看看五饼二鱼喂饱五千男人且剩十二篮子的神迹，我们以前讨论过就不多谈了。第三，我们讨论彼得认耶稣为基督的这事，及基督教和天主教争议的一点，说到就圣经的一致来说，教会是建造在耶稣这磐石上，不在彼得上。第四，我们谈到了耶稣预言祂的死而复活，从英文看到了彼得不是劝而是责备，从撒但来的，及耶稣对这事的反应。第五，我们讨论要背起自己的十字架，不是指自讨苦吃，而是主允许安排的苦难。我们举了一个例子，让你们自己分辩类似的情况。

1. 希律因困惑想见耶稣       

     『分封的王希律听见耶稣所做的一切事，就游移不定，因为有人说是约翰从死里复活；又有人说是以利亚显现；还有人说是古时的一个先知又活了。希律说：「约翰我已经斩了，这却是甚么人？我竟听见他这样的事呢？」就想要见他。』(路加福音 9:7-9)     

     我们看到希律想见耶稣的原因不是想要信祂，而是实在很困惑。希律的确是在耶稣被抓而被审时看到祂了，就如经文所记，『彼拉多一听见，就问：「这人是加利利人吗？」既晓得耶稣属希律所管，就把他送到希律那里去。那时希律正在耶路撒冷。希律看见耶稣，就很欢喜，因为听见过他的事，久已想要见他，并且指望看他行一件神迹，于是问他许多的话，耶稣却一言不答。』(路加福音 23:6-9) 耶稣不会因他的官大就听话而行神迹，祂每次行神迹都有原因的，做记号的。马太福音是这样纪录这件事的，『那时，分封的王希律听见耶稣的名声，就对臣仆说：「这是施洗的约翰从死里复活，所以这些异能从他里面发出来。」』(马太福音 14:1-2) 同样的事情在马可福音 6:14-16 也有记载，基本上是其他两福音书的总合。

2. 五饼二鱼喂饱五千男人且剩十二篮子       

     『使徒回来，将所做的事告诉耶稣，耶稣就带他们暗暗地离开那里，往一座城去，那城名叫伯赛大。但众人知道了，就跟著他去。耶稣便接待他们，对他们讲论神国的道，医治那些需医的人。日头快要平西，十二个门徒来对他说：「请叫众人散开，他们好往四面乡村里去借宿找吃的，因为我们这里是野地。」耶稣说：「你们给他们吃吧！」 门徒说：「我们不过有五个饼，两条鱼，若不去为这许多人买食物就不够。」那时，人数约有五千。 耶稣对门徒说：「叫他们一排一排地坐下，每排大约五十个人。」门徒就如此行，叫众人都坐下。耶稣拿著这五个饼，两条鱼，望著天祝福，擘开，递给门徒，摆在众人面前。他们就吃，并且都吃饱了；把剩下的零碎收拾起来，装满了十二篮子。』(路加福音 9:10-17)    

     『有一个门徒，就是西门彼得的兄弟安得烈，对耶稣说：「在这里有一个孩童，带著五个大麦饼、两条鱼，只是分给这许多人，还算甚么呢？」』(约翰福音 6:8-9) 所以那孩童是奉献了他所有，而后没有想到的变成这么多，连零碎都超过了原有的。同样的神迹在马太福音 14:13-21 也有类似的记载，并说，『吃的人，除了妇女孩子，约有五千。』(马太福音 14:21) 所以约有五千男人。在马可福音 6:35-44 就直说了，『吃饼的男人共有五千。』(马可福音 6:44) 这神迹非常重要，四福音书都有。在约翰福音 6:6-15 中加上了试验腓力这一段，而且说到在这大神迹后，百姓的反应是要强逼他作王，『耶稣既知道众人要来强逼他作王，就独自又退到山上去了。』(约翰福音 6:15) 祂的反应和一般人是很不相同的。我们以前讨论过这神迹 [1]，就不多谈了。

3. 认耶稣为基督       

     『耶稣自己祷告的时候，门徒也同他在那里。耶稣问他们说：「众人说我是谁？」他们说：「有人说是施洗的约翰，有人说是以利亚，还有人说是古时的一个先知又活了。」耶稣说：「你们说我是谁？」 彼得回答说：「是神所立的基督。」』(路加福音 9:18-20)    

     耶稣是一个祷告的人，即使门徒在那里，祂仍然这样做，难怪门徒要问祂关于主祷文的事，要如何祷告。 (参路加福音 11:1-4) 同样的事情也在马可福音 8:27-29 记载，但马太福首更多一些，我们看马太福音怎么说？『耶稣到了凯撒利亚腓立比的境内，就问门徒说：「人说我人子是谁？」他们说：「有人说是施洗的约翰，有人说是以利亚，又有人说是耶利米或是先知里的一位。」耶稣说：「你们说我是谁？」西门彼得回答说：「你是基督，是永生神的儿子。」耶稣对他说：「西门巴约拿，你是有福的！因为这不是属血肉的指示你的，乃是我在天上的父指示的。我还告诉你：你是彼得，我要把我的教会建造在这磐石上，阴间的权柄不能胜过他。我要把天国的钥匙给你，凡你在地上所捆绑的，在天上也要捆绑；凡你在地上所释放的，在天上也要释放。」』(马太福音 16:13-19)      

     这是耶稣第一次自己承认是基督，我们看到了耶稣是要别人先认识祂自己在先，然后祂承认这事实，祂知道得很清楚，『…因为这不是属血肉的指示你的，乃是我在天上的父指示的。』(马太福音 16:17) 而『…那磐石(G4073)就是基督。』(哥林多前书 10:4) 彼得的希腊文的意义为「磐石」或「小石」，是耶稣赐给他的名字。耶稣不可能我将教会建造在彼得这会毁坏的小石上，而是建造在自己这磐石(G4073)上，『因为那已经立好的根基就是耶稣基督，此外没有人能立别的根基。』(哥林多前书 3:11) 但这的确是双关语，要从圣经的一致性看，也就是神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的时候。这经文也说得非常清楚，『这样，你们不再作外人和客旅，是与圣徒同国，是神家里的人了。并且被建造在使徒和先知的根基上，有基督耶稣自己为房角石。』(以弗所书 2:19-20) 所以天国的钥匙是给了教会，这不是指地上的建筑物，在新天新地时，有『…圣城新耶路撒冷由神那里从天而降，…』(启示录 21:2)，所以在神眼中是有那唯一的教会的，是因信称义，不是因为参加了称为教会的地上建筑物，而是高举基督的，因『…基督是一切，又住在一切之内。』(歌罗西书 3:11, 直译) 至于关于『磐石』，仍然是基督教和天主教所争议的一点。

4. 预言死而复活    

     『耶稣切切地嘱咐他们，不可将这事告诉人，又说：「人子必须受许多的苦，被长老、祭司长和文士弃绝，并且被杀，第三日复活。」』(路加福音 9:21-22) 所以当时的宗教领袖是不知道耶稣是人子的 (参马太福音 16:13)，祂为我们受了许多苦，并且被杀，第三日复活。       

     在马太福音是这样记载的，『当下，耶稣嘱咐门徒，不可对人说他是基督。从此，耶稣才指示门徒，他必须上耶路撒冷去，受长老、祭司长、文士许多的苦，并且被杀，第三日复活。彼得就拉著他，劝他说：「主啊，万不可如此！这事必不临到你身上。」耶稣转过来，对彼得说：「撒但，退我后边去吧！你是绊我脚的，因为你不体贴神的意思，只体贴人的意思。」』(马太福音 16:20-23)       

     在马可福音 8:30-33 和马太福音 16:20-23 的叙述基本上是一样的。但前者清楚的说，『耶稣明明地说这话，彼得就拉著他劝(rebuke, G2008)他。耶稣转过来，看著门徒，就责备(rebuke, G2008)彼得说：「撒但，退我后边去吧！因为你不体贴神的意思，只体贴人的意思。」』(马可福音 8:32-33) 所以彼得不是劝，而是用了相当不好的责备口气，虽然是出于人的好意，耶稣知道是撒但的工作，难怪祂会用同样的口气责备他，祂是立刻就给了回馈的。彼得刚被夸奖，立到就只体贴人的意思。这给了我们一个提醒，不要以为自己暂时的很属灵，撒但从不会停止作工在我们身上，尤其是我们想要过一个分别为圣的生活，模成耶稣的形像。我们一定要分辩，要到三位一体的神的面前，凭著我们自己是站立不住的，神一定会工作，而撒但也一定会捣乱的。我们在这里又再一次看到了，祂的时间未到之前是采取低姿态的，不对人说祂是基督。

5. 要背起自己的十字架       

     『耶稣又对众人说：「若有人要跟从我，就当舍己，天天背起他的十字架来跟从我。因为，凡要救自己生命的，必丧掉生命；凡为我丧掉生命的，必救了生命。人若赚得全世界，却丧了自己，赔上自己，有甚么益处呢？凡把我和我的道当作可耻的，人子在自己的荣耀里，并天父与圣天使的荣耀里降临的时候，也要把那人当作可耻的。我实在告诉你们：站在这里的，有人在没尝死味以前，必看见神的国。」』(路加福音 9:23-27)     #####十字架的确是说到了苦难，耶稣在十字架上不是把命都舍了吗？所以这些包括把物质的生命也都舍了，那些为主殉道的人不是这样做了吗？对一般的人不同，我们每天要背起自己主为我们量的十字架，治死老我，不要自找苦吃，要不，『赚得全世界，却丧了自己，赔上自己，有甚么益处呢？』我们实在不能把「道」当作可耻的。祂有著再来的应许，祂再来的时候是大有荣耀的，不像第一次来的时候是为了完成救恩的计划，钉上了十字架，以人看来，这是羞辱的。的确，在接著变化山上发生的事情，是「站在这里的，有人在没尝死味以前，必看见神的国。」       

     在马太福音 16:24-28 基本上是说同样的事情，但说了这一点，『…人还能拿甚么换生命呢？人子要在他父的荣耀里，同著众使者降临；那时候，他要照各人的行为报应各人。』(马太福音 16:26-27) 这是指信心而产生的行为，因为『…信心若没有行为就是死的。』(雅各书 2:17) 这是在白色大宝座前所讲的基督徒要以信心的行为作审，因为基督的名字已在生命册上 (参启示录 20:11-15) 亚伯拉罕因信称义后，他的信心生活也是起起伏伏，直到『亚伯拉罕因著信，被试验的时候，就把以撒献上；…』(希伯来书 11:17)     

      马可福音  8:34-38  也基本上说到同样的事情，并说，『凡在这淫乱罪恶的世代，把我和我的道当作可耻的，人子在他父的荣耀里，同圣天使降临的时候，也要把那人当作可耻的。』(马可福音 8:38)      

     就像我们前所说，十字架的确是说到了苦难，耶稣在十字架上不是把命都舍了吗？我们是要模成耶稣的形像，苦难本是为著这个目的而来，没有苦难而能模成耶稣的形像大概是绝无仅有。保罗是一个谦卑的人，他受过许多的苦难，一个谦卑的人一定会知道保罗说的是事实，『若有人以为自己知道甚么，按他所当知道的，他仍是不知道。』(哥林多前书 8:2) 理论上这也是对的，神是无限，我们是有限，怎么可能知道所有的事情，我们只能知道神让我们知道的。请注意，反之不然。我们以前说过，不能随便划等号，我们看是耶稣不只是谦卑而已，一个经文的例子是，『我心里柔和谦卑，…』(马太福音 11:29) 谦卑只是模成耶稣的形像的一个环节。     

     一个模成耶稣形像的人，会知道那些事是出于圣灵，而且不消灭圣灵的感动。即使没有圣灵的感动，也会站在神这边去做决定。人有自由意志，圣灵不会强迫你做决定的。要了解，不是所有的苦难都是十字架，只有神安排如约伯般受的苦难才是十字架，不要自找苦吃。举个例子，有人说，他的直接老板是因裙带关系而不是因资格而来，简单说来，在他眼中这人不合格，因此联合了好几个人想要换掉老板，失败了，老板因而报复，别人最后都走了，只剩下他一个人不想走，只好忍耐一切不合理的要求。他做见证说，因此学会了谦卑。我一直到今天都不能决定这是否算是自找苦吃，因为是他们先开始的。但神会利用环境成就祂要成就的，这使我想起了保罗去罗马时所遇见的船难。 (参使徒行传 27:13-32) 主已经告诉了他，『保罗，不要害怕！你必定站在凯撒面前；并且与你同船的人，神都赐给你了。』(使徒行传 27:24) 当『水手想要逃出船去，把小船放在海里，假作要从船头抛锚的样子。保罗对百夫长和兵丁说：「这些人若不等在船上，你们必不能得救。」于是兵丁砍断小船的绳子，由它飘去。』(使徒行传 27:30-32) 除非神要亲自显神迹，要不没有水手的船不遇难也难。从圣经的一致性来看，我们相信不是保罗没有信心，只把一切交给就一切平安无事，而是要与神同工。对于是否自找苦吃这一点，我们深深知道保罗说的，『…连我自己也不论断自己。…判断我的乃是主。』(哥林多前书 4:3-4) 应该不要去做判断，尤其起初是他们先开始的，但后来他可以选择和别人一样的离开，而他选择留了下来，所以我会相信这是神会利用环境成就祂所要成就的。

参考

[1] 在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』，按『对属灵生命的了解』，按『2037 医治三十八年的瘫子和喂饱五千人』。

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

    首先我們看到希律因困惑想見耶穌，他也的確在他有生之年見到了。第二，我們看看五餅二魚餵飽五千男人且剩十二籃子的神蹟，我們以前討論過就不多談了。第三，我們討論彼得認耶穌為基督的這事，及基督教和天主教爭議的一點，說到就聖經的一致來說，教會是建造在耶穌這磐石上，不在彼得上。第四，我們談到了耶穌預言祂的死而復活，從英文看到了彼得不是勸而是責備，從撒但來的，及耶穌對這事的反應。第五，我們討論要背起自己的十字架，不是指自討苦吃，而是主允許安排的苦難。我們舉了一個例子，讓你們自己分辨類似的情況。

1. 希律因困惑想見耶穌

       『分封的王希律聽見耶穌所做的一切事，就游移不定，因為有人說是約翰從死裏復活；又有人說是以利亞顯現；還有人說是古時的一個先知又活了。希律說：「約翰我已經斬了，這卻是甚麼人？我竟聽見他這樣的事呢？」就想要見他。』(路加福音 9:7-9)

     我們看到希律想見耶穌的原因不是想要信祂，而是實在很困惑。希律的確是在耶穌被抓而被審時看到祂了，就如經文所記，『彼拉多一聽見，就問：「這人是加利利人嗎？」既曉得耶穌屬希律所管，就把他送到希律那裏去。那時希律正在耶路撒冷。希律看見耶穌，就很歡喜，因為聽見過他的事，久已想要見他，並且指望看他行一件神蹟，於是問他許多的話，耶穌卻一言不答。』(路加福音 23:6-9) 耶穌不會因他的官大就聽話而行神蹟，祂每次行神蹟都有原因的，做記號的。馬太福音是這樣紀錄這件事的，『那時，分封的王希律聽見耶穌的名聲，就對臣僕說：「這是施洗的約翰從死裏復活，所以這些異能從他裏面發出來。」』(馬太福音 14:1-2) 同樣的事情在馬可福音 6:14-16 也有記載，基本上是其他兩福音書的總合。

2. 五餅二魚餵飽五千男人且剩十二籃子

       『使徒回來，將所做的事告訴耶穌，耶穌就帶他們暗暗地離開那裏，往一座城去，那城名叫伯賽大。但眾人知道了，就跟着他去。耶穌便接待他們，對他們講論神國的道，醫治那些需醫的人。日頭快要平西，十二個門徒來對他說：「請叫眾人散開，他們好往四面鄉村裏去借宿找吃的，因為我們這裏是野地。」耶穌說：「你們給他們吃吧！」 門徒說：「我們不過有五個餅，兩條魚，若不去為這許多人買食物就不夠。」那時，人數約有五千。 耶穌對門徒說：「叫他們一排一排地坐下，每排大約五十個人。」門徒就如此行，叫眾人都坐下。耶穌拿着這五個餅，兩條魚，望着天祝福，擘開，遞給門徒，擺在眾人面前。他們就吃，並且都吃飽了；把剩下的零碎收拾起來，裝滿了十二籃子。』(路加福音 9:10-17)

    『有一個門徒，就是西門彼得的兄弟安得烈，對耶穌說：「在這裏有一個孩童，帶着五個大麥餅、兩條魚，只是分給這許多人，還算甚麼呢？」』(約翰福音 6:8-9) 所以那孩童是奉獻了他所有，而後沒有想到的變成這麼多，連零碎都超過了原有的。同樣的神蹟在馬太福音 14:13-21 也有類似的記載，並說，『吃的人，除了婦女孩子，約有五千。』(馬太福音 14:21) 所以約有五千男人。在馬可福音 6:35-44 就直說了，『吃餅的男人共有五千。』(馬可福音 6:44) 這神蹟非常重要，四福音書都有。在約翰福音 6:6-15 中加上了試驗腓力這一段，而且說到在這大神蹟後，百姓的反應是要強逼他作王，『耶穌既知道眾人要來強逼他作王，就獨自又退到山上去了。』(約翰福音 6:15) 祂的反應和一般人是很不相同的。我們以前討論過這神蹟 [1]，就不多談了。

3. 認耶穌為基督

       『耶穌自己禱告的時候，門徒也同他在那裏。耶穌問他們說：「眾人說我是誰？」他們說：「有人說是施洗的約翰，有人說是以利亞，還有人說是古時的一個先知又活了。」耶穌說：「你們說我是誰？」 彼得回答說：「是神所立的基督。」』(路加福音 9:18-20)

    耶穌是一個禱告的人，即使門徒在那裏，祂仍然這樣做，難怪門徒要問祂關於主禱文的事，要如何禱告。 (參路加福音 11:1-4) 同樣的事情也在馬可福音 8:27-29 記載，但馬太福首更多一些，我們看馬太福音怎麼說？『耶穌到了凱撒利亞腓立比的境內，就問門徒說：「人說我人子是誰？」他們說：「有人說是施洗的約翰，有人說是以利亞，又有人說是耶利米或是先知裏的一位。」耶穌說：「你們說我是誰？」西門彼得回答說：「你是基督，是永生神的兒子。」耶穌對他說：「西門巴約拿，你是有福的！因為這不是屬血肉的指示你的，乃是我在天上的父指示的。我還告訴你：你是彼得，我要把我的教會建造在這磐石上，陰間的權柄不能勝過他。我要把天國的鑰匙給你，凡你在地上所捆綁的，在天上也要捆綁；凡你在地上所釋放的，在天上也要釋放。」』(馬太福音 16:13-19)

      這是耶穌第一次自己承認是基督，我們看到了耶穌是要別人先認識祂自己在先，然後祂承認這事實，祂知道得很清楚，『…因為這不是屬血肉的指示你的，乃是我在天上的父指示的。』(馬太福音 16:17) 而『…那磐石(G4073)就是基督。』(哥林多前書 10:4) 彼得的希臘文的意義為「磐石」或「小石」，是耶穌賜給他的名字。耶穌不可能將教會建造在彼得這會毀壞的小石上，而是建造在自己這磐石(G4073)上，『因為那已經立好的根基就是耶穌基督，此外沒有人能立別的根基。』(哥林多前書 3:11) 但這的確是双關語，要從聖經的一致性看，也就是神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的時候。這經文也說得非常清楚，『這樣，你們不再作外人和客旅，是與聖徒同國，是神家裏的人了。並且被建造在使徒和先知的根基上，有基督耶穌自己為房角石。』(以弗所書 2:19-20) 所以天國的鑰匙是給了教會，這不是指地上的建築物，在新天新地時，有『…聖城新耶路撒冷由神那裏從天而降，…』(啓示錄 21:2)，所以在神眼中是有那唯一的教會的，是因信稱義，不是因為參加了稱為教會的地上建築物，而是高舉基督的人，知道『…基督是一切，又住在一切之內。』(歌羅西書 3:11, 直譯) 至於關於『磐石』，仍然是基督教和天主教所爭議的一點。

4. 預言死而復活

       『耶穌切切地囑咐他們，不可將這事告訴人，又說：「人子必須受許多的苦，被長老、祭司長和文士棄絕，並且被殺，第三日復活。」』(路加福音 9:21-22) 所以當時的宗教領袖是不知道耶穌是人子的 (參馬太福音 16:13)，祂為我們受了許多苦，並且被殺，第三日復活。

       在馬太福音是這樣記載的，『當下，耶穌囑咐門徒，不可對人說他是基督。從此，耶穌才指示門徒，他必須上耶路撒冷去，受長老、祭司長、文士許多的苦，並且被殺，第三日復活。彼得就拉着他，勸他說：「主啊，萬不可如此！這事必不臨到你身上。」耶穌轉過來，對彼得說：「撒但，退我後邊去吧！你是絆我腳的，因為你不體貼神的意思，只體貼人的意思。」』(馬太福音 16:20-23)

       在馬可福音 8:30-33 和馬太福音 16:20-23 的敍述基本上是一樣的。但前者清楚的說，『耶穌明明地說這話，彼得就拉着他勸(rebuke, G2008)他。耶穌轉過來，看着門徒，就責備(rebuke, G2008)彼得說：「撒但，退我後邊去吧！因為你不體貼神的意思，只體貼人的意思。」』(馬可福音 8:32-33) 所以彼得不是勸，而是用了相當不好的責備口氣，雖然是出於人的好意，耶穌知道是撒但的工作，難怪祂會用同樣的口氣責備他，祂是立刻就給了回饋的。彼得剛被誇獎，立到就只體貼人的意思。這給了我們一個提醒，不要自以為很屬靈而驕傲，撒但從來不會停止牠的工作的。這尤其是在當一個人要分別為聖去過聖潔的生活，想要模成耶穌的形像時。我們一定要分辨，要到三位一體的神的面前，憑著我們自己是站立不住的，神一定會工作，而撒但也一定會搗亂。在這裏，我們又再一次看到了，祂的時間未到之前是採取低姿態的，不對人說祂是基督。

5. 要背起自己的十字架

       『耶穌又對眾人說：「若有人要跟從我，就當捨己，天天背起他的十字架來跟從我。因為，凡要救自己生命的，必喪掉生命；凡為我喪掉生命的，必救了生命。人若賺得全世界，卻喪了自己，賠上自己，有甚麼益處呢？凡把我和我的道當作可恥的，人子在自己的榮耀裏，並天父與聖天使的榮耀裏降臨的時候，也要把那人當作可恥的。我實在告訴你們：站在這裏的，有人在沒嘗死味以前，必看見神的國。」』(路加福音 9:23-27)

    十字架的確是說到了苦難，耶穌在十字架上不是把命都捨了嗎？所以這些包括把物質的生命也都捨了，那些為主殉道的人不是這樣做了嗎？對一般的人不同，我們每天要背起自己主為我們量的十字架，治死老我，不要自找苦吃，要不，『人若賺得全世界，卻喪了自己，賠上自己，有甚麼益處呢？』(路加福音 9:25) 我們實在不能把「道」當作可恥的。祂有著再來的應許，祂再來的時候是大有榮耀的，不像第一次來的時候是為了完成救恩的計劃，釘上了十字架，以人看來，這是羞辱的。的確，在接著變化山上發生的事情，是「站在這裏的，有人在沒嘗死味以前，必看見神的國。」

       在馬太福音 16:24-28 基本上是說同樣的事情，但說了這一點，『…人還能拿甚麼換生命呢？人子要在他父的榮耀裏，同着眾使者降臨；那時候，他要照各人的行為報應各人。』(馬太福音 16:26-27) 這是指信心而產生的行為，因為『…信心若沒有行為就是死的。』(雅各書 2:17) 這是在白色大寶座前所講的基督徒要以信心的行為作審，因為基督的名字已在生命册上 (參啓示錄 20:11-15)  亞伯拉罕因信稱義後，他的信心生活也是起起伏伏，直到『亞伯拉罕因着信，被試驗的時候，就把以撒獻上；…』(希伯來書 11:17)

      馬可福音  8:34-38  也基本上說到同樣的事情，並說，『凡在這淫亂罪惡的世代，把我和我的道當作可恥的，人子在他父的榮耀裏，同聖天使降臨的時候，也要把那人當作可恥的。』(馬可福音 8:38) 

      就像我們前所說，十字架的確是說到了苦難，耶穌在十字架上不是把命都捨了嗎？我們是要模成耶穌的形像，苦難本是為著這個目的而來，沒有苦難而能模成耶穌的形像大概是絕無僅有。保羅是一個謙卑的人，他受過許多的苦難，一個謙卑的人一定會知道保羅說的是事實，『若有人以為自己知道甚麼，按他所當知道的，他仍是不知道。』(哥林多前書 8:2) 理論上這也是對的，神是無限，我們是有限，怎麼可能知道所有的事情，我們只能知道神讓我們知道的。請注意，反之不然。我們以前說過，不能隨便劃等號，我們看是耶穌不只是謙卑而已，一個經文的例子是，『我心裏柔和謙卑，…』(馬太福音 11:29) 謙卑只是模成耶穌的形像的一個環節。

     一個模成耶穌形像的人，會知道那些事是出於聖靈，且會『不要消滅聖靈的感動。』(帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:19) 即使沒有聖靈的感動，也會站在神這邊去做決定。人有自由意志，聖靈不會強迫你做決定的。要瞭解，不是所有的苦難都是十字架，只有神安排如約伯般受的苦難才是十字架，不要自找苦吃。舉個例子，有人說，他的直接老闆是因裙帶關係而不是因資格而來，簡單說來，在他眼中這人不合格，因此聯合了好幾個人想要換掉老闆，失敗了，老闆因而報復，別人最後都走了，只剩下他一個人不想走，只好忍耐一切不合理的要求。他做見証說，因此學會了謙卑。我一直到今天都不能決定這是否算是自找苦吃，因為是他們先開始的。但神會利用環境成就祂要成就的，這使我想起了保羅去羅馬時所遇見的船難。 (參使徒行傳 27:13-32) 主已經告訴了他，『保羅，不要害怕！你必定站在凱撒面前；並且與你同船的人，神都賜給你了。』(使徒行傳 27:24) 當『水手想要逃出船去，把小船放在海裏，假作要從船頭拋錨的樣子。保羅對百夫長和兵丁說：「這些人若不等在船上，你們必不能得救。」於是兵丁砍斷小船的繩子，由它飄去。』(使徒行傳 27:30-32) 除非神要親自顯神蹟，要不沒有水手的船不遇難也難。從聖經的一致性來看，我們相信不是保羅沒有信心，只把一切交給就一切平安無事，而是要與神同工。對於是否自找苦吃這一點，我們深深知道保羅說的，『…連我自己也不論斷自己。…判斷我的乃是主。』(哥林多前書 4:3-4) 應該不要去做判斷，尤其起初是他們先開始的，但後來他可以選擇和別人一樣的離開，而他選擇留了下來，所以我會相信這是神會利用環境成就祂所要成就的。

參考

[1] 在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』，按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』，按『2037 醫治三十八年的癱子和餵飽五千人』。

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

First, let us talk about how Herod tried to see Jesus due to his confusion, and indeed achieved his goal. Secondly, let us take a quick look at the miracle of using five loaves and two fish to feed five thousand men and even have leftovers that filled twelve baskets. We discussed this before and will basically not repeat what was mentioned.  Thirdly, we discuss the event when Peter recognized Jesus as Christ. We also discuss an argument between Christian churches and Catholic churches regarding Peter. From the consistency of the Bible, churches are built upon the rock, Jesus, not on Peter. Fourthly, we talk about the prophecy by Jesus regarding His resurrection. Peter didn’t not persuade, like what Chinese translation says, but rebuked. Jesus knew that it was from Satan and responded correspondingly.  Fifthly, we discuss the issue of bearing the cross daily. This is not referring to the tribulations we look for by ourselves, but those arranged under God’s permission. We give an example on this issue, and ask you to make your own judgement.

1. Herod trying to see Jesus due to his confusion 

In Luke 9:7-9, it says, “Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was happening; and he was greatly perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen again. Herod said, “I myself had John beheaded; but who is this man about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see Him.”

We see that Herod wanted to keep trying to see Jesus not because he wanted to believe Him, but it was indeed due to his confusion. Herod actually saw Him at the time when He was arrested and on trial, as the verses recorded in Luke 23:6-9, “When Pilate heard it, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself also was in Jerusalem at that time. Now Herod was very glad when he saw Jesus; for he had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had been hearing about Him and was hoping to see some sign performed by Him. And he questioned Him at some length; but He answered him nothing.”

Jesus wouldn’t perform a sign for him just because he was a supreme officer. Every time He performed a sign it was for a reason. The Gospel of Matthew is thus recorded in Matthew 14:1-2, “At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus, and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”” The same event is also recorded in Luke 6:14-16, which is basically the summation of the other two.

2. Jesus feeding five thousand men with five loaves and two fish

In Luke 9:10-17, it says, “When the apostles returned, they gave an account to Him of all that they had done. Taking them with Him, He withdrew by Himself to a city called Bethsaida. But the crowds were aware of this and followed Him; and welcoming them, He began speaking to them about the kingdom of God and curing those who had need of healing. Now the day was ending, and the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the crowd away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside and find lodging and get something to eat; for here we are in a desolate place.” But He said to them, “You give them something to eat!” And they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless perhaps we go and buy food for all these people.” (For there were about five thousand men.) And He said to His disciples, “Have them sit down to eat in groups of about fifty each.” They did so, and had them all sit down. Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed them, and broke them, and kept giving them to the disciples to set before the people. And they all ate and were satisfied; and the broken pieces which they had left over were picked up, twelve baskets full.”

It is revealed in John 6:8-9 where the five loaves and two fish came from, “One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?”” So, that lad contributed what he had, and couldn’t imagine that they would become to so many. The leftover food was even more than the original amount he had. The same miracle is recorded similarly in Matthew 14:13-21, which says, “There were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children.” Thus, there were five thousand men. In Mark 6:35-44, the same miracle is recorded by saying directly in Mark 6:44, “There were five thousand men who ate the loaves.” This miracle is very important, so that it is recorded in all four Gospels. In John 6:6-15, it is added what said in the test of Philip, and described the reactions of the crowd. “So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone.”(John 6:15) His response was very different from ordinary people. We discussed this miracle before in [1], and will not repeat the discussion.

3. Recognizing Jesus as Christ

In Luke 9:18-20, it says, “And it happened that while He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He questioned them, saying, “Who do the people say that I am?” They answered and said, “John the Baptist, and others say Elijah; but others, that one of the prophets of old has risen again.” And He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.””

Jesus is a person of prayer. He would do the same even in the presence of disciples. No wonder disciples would ask Him about the Lord’s prayer, regarding how to pray. (Ref. Luke 11:1-4) The same event is also recorded in Mark 8:27-29. With a little bit more in Matthew 16:13-19, it says, “Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.””

This is the first time that Jesus admitted that He was the Christ. We can see that He wanted Peter to recognize Him first before He admitted the fact. He knew this clearly, since it is said in Matthew 16:17, “… because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” And “…the rock (G4073) was Christ.”(1 Corinthians 10:4) The meaning of Peter in Greek means “the rock” or “a small stone”, which is the name that Jesus gave to Simon. Jesus doesn’t mean to build up His church on the mortal Peter, the small stone, but the rock Himself, “For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”(1 Corinthians 3:11) But it is indeed a pun. We need to see things from the consistency of the Bible, which means to let God show us  through the Bible what is consistent. The verse in Ephesians 2:19-20 is clear, “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone.” Thus, the key of the kingdom of heaven is given to the Church, not buildings on earth. In the new heaven and new earth, there is “…the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, …”(Revelation 21:2) Therefore, there is such a unique Church in the eyes of God, the collection of all people who are righteous in faith, not those who attend worship in some buildings on earth. Those exalt Jesus, “…but Christ is all, and in all.”(Colossians 3:11) Even though it is clear according to the Bible, there is still an argument between Christian churches and Catholic churches in terms of who is the rock.

4. Prophesying His resurrection

In Luke 9:21-22, it says, “But He warned them and instructed them not to tell this to anyone, saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised up on the third day.”” We can see that the religious leaders at that time had no idea that Jesus was the Son of Man (Ref. Matthew 16:13), He suffered many things for us, was killed and was raised up on the third day.

In Matthew 16:20-23, it is recorded, “Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ. From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.””

In Mark 8:30-33 and Matthew 16:20-23, their basic descriptions are about the same. But the former says clearly in Mark 8:32-33, “And He was stating the matter plainly. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke (G2008) Him. But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked (G2008) Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”” So, Peter didn’t persuade Him as in the Chinese translation, but rebuked in a not so friendly manner. Although it was from goodwill in the aspect of human Jesus knew that it was the work of Satan. No wonder He rebuked him as well. He gave feedback right away. Peter was just trying to do something good, but he immediately saw things in the aspect of human. This gives us a reminder as well. Be not proud just because we think that we are spiritual, Satan never stops working against us. Particularly, when one tries to live a holy life by consecration to be conformed to the image of Jesus. We must discern and go towards God. We cannot depend upon ourselves and must rely on the Holy Trinity. God will work for sure, and Satan tries to mess us up in the meantime. We observe again here that He took a low profile before His time, and asked not to tell others that He was indeed Christ.

5. Denying oneself and bearing his cross

In Luke 9:23-27 it says, “And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. But I say to you truthfully, there are some of those standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.””

Bearing one’s cross indeed talks about tribulation, didn’t Jesus give up His own life in the cross? Therefore, this also includes the giving up of material life. Didn’t the martyrs also do so? As for ordinary people, the situation is different. We need to bear our cross daily which is measured for us in particular to deny ourselves. Don’t look for tribulation yourself. Otherwise, “For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?”(Luke 9:25) We shouldn’t be ashamed because of His words. He has the promise of coming again and it will be glorious at that time. It is unlike what He came for the first time, which was to complete the plan of salvation, nailing to the cross. It looks very shameful in the aspect of human. What happened next is what happened in the Mount of Transfiguration. It is indeed “…some of those standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”(Luke 9:27)

In Matthew 16:24-28, it basically talks about the same thing but mentions this point in Matthew 16:26-27, ” …Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds.” Here, it talks about the deeds in faith, because it said clearly in James 2:17, “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.” This is same deeds what are talked about in front of the white throne for judgement. For Christmas, it is the deeds in faith since their names are already in the book of life. (Ref. Revelation 20:11-15) After Abraham considered righteous in God’s eyes because of his faith, his faith life to sanctification was up and down just like us, until Hebrews 11:17 is said, “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, …”

 The same thing is basically said in Mark 8:34-38 with what described in Mark 8:38, “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

Like what we said before, bearing one’s cross indeed talks about tribulation, didn’t Jesus give up His own life in the cross? Our purpose is to be conformed to the image of Jesus, where tribulation comes for this purpose. It is next to impossible to be conformed to the image of Jesus without any tribulation. Paul is a humble person, and he suffered many tribulations. One who is humble for sure knows what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 8:2 is a fact, “If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know.” In theory that is correct too. God is infinite, and we are finite. How can one know everything? We only know what God wants us to know. Please notice that the reverse is not true. We discussed before that we couldn’t arbitrarily add equality sign. Jesus is not only humble, but with some other qualities such as those said in Matthew 11:29, “…I am gentle and humble in heart, …” Being humble is just one aspect of being conformed to the image of Jesus. A person who is conformed to the image of Jesus, he is bound to know what comes from the Holy Spirit, and “…not quench the Spirit.”(1 Thessalonians 5:19) Even in the case that there is no stimulation from the Holy Spirit, he will choose the God side according to what he knows. Man has free will, and the Holy Spirit will not force you to select a particular way. One must understand that all the tribulations that are part of bearing your cross are to be the same as those trial that Job encountered, which were arranged by God. Don’t look for tribulations initiated by yourself. For example, someone said that his direct boss came not because of qualifications but due to personal acquaintance. In short, the person wasn’t qualified in his eyes. Therefore, some of them united to attempt to remove that person but failed. The boss started to take revenge so that all the others except him left. He didn’t want to go and had to tolerate all unreasonable demands. He said in his testimony that he learned humility by this way. Until today, I still cannot decide if it is considered looking for troubles himself since they started it. This is because God sometimes uses our environment to achieve what He wants.

This reminds me of what Paul encountered in the shipwreck on his way to Roman. (Ref. Acts 27:13-32) Lord had told him in Acts 27:24, “saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.'” “But as the sailors were trying to escape from the ship and had let down the ship’s boat into the sea, on the pretense of intending to lay out anchors from the bow, Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, “Unless these men remain in the ship, you yourselves cannot be saved.” Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat and let it fall away.”(Acts 27:30-32) Unless God performed a miracle, there was no reason to believe a ship without sailors couldn’t encounter a wreck. From the consistency of the Bible, it couldn’t be due to the lacking of faith in Paul’s part. He just wanted to be a coworker of God. In other words, the teaching of doing nothing but handing everything over to God is not alright. We need to be a coworker when necessary.  In terms of whether he got into troubles by himself, we know deeply what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 4:3-4, “…I do not even examine myself. …but the one who examines me is the Lord.” It should be no judgement from ourselves in this case. In particular, they indeed started the tribulations themselves, he could choose the same as the others’ choice to leave, but he chose to stay instead. So, I believe that this is the case the God uses the environment to achieve what He wanted to achieve. 

Reference

[1] In “https://a-christian-voice.com/,” press “On spiritual understanding about life,” then press “1037 Healing a thirty-eight years lame and feeding five thousand.”

    (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.”)

     我们首先讨论在患血漏的女人身上的神迹，她因信心只摸到衣裳䍁子而得医治，我们也顺便谈了䍁子的来历及其意义。经文告诉我们很清楚，耶稣在地上的时候没有用过祂的神性，因此从祂身上出去的那能力是如以前所说，从圣灵而来。第二，我们谈到睚鲁的十二岁女儿的死而复活，按照经文，死的时候是灵先走，当魂离开后，人就死了。我们也可以看到这个希腊字 G5053 有两个意义，「快要死了」和「死了」。第三，我们首先看到了耶稣差遣十二个门徒的任务，和传福音得工价是应当的。也讲到了不信的人被定罪，和福音的确是从以色列人开始而传到万邦的。注意，「要灵巧像蛇，驯良像鸽子，」也是差遣他们时说的话。对弟兄姊妹是要，『我赐给你们一条新命令，乃是叫你们彼此相爱；我怎样爱你们，你们也要怎样相爱。你们若有彼此相爱的心，众人因此就认出你们是我的门徒了。』 (约翰福音 13:34-35) 

1. 患血漏的女人       

     这件事在三本对观福音书都有记载，发生的时间是很显然的在耶稣要去管会堂的睚鲁家的路上，有许多人跟随拥挤时候发生的。我们还是先看路加福音，『耶稣回来的时候，众人迎接他，因为他们都等候他。有一个管会堂的，名叫睚鲁，来俯伏在耶稣脚前，求耶稣到他家里去。因他有一个独生女儿，约有十二岁，快要死了(G599)。 耶稣去的时候，众人拥挤他。有一个女人，患了十二年的血漏，在医生手里花尽了她一切养生的，并没有一人能医好她。她来到耶稣背后，摸他的衣裳䍁子，血漏立刻就止住了。耶稣说：「摸我的是谁？」 众人都不承认。彼得和同行的人都说：「夫子，众人拥拥挤挤紧靠著你。」耶稣说：「总有人摸我，因我觉得有能力从我身上出去。」那女人知道不能隐藏，就战战兢兢地来俯伏在耶稣脚前，把摸他的缘故和怎样立刻得好了，当著众人都说出来。耶稣对她说：「女儿，你的信救了你；平平安安地去吧！」』(路加福音 8:40-48)     

     我们看到这人的女儿约有十二岁了，他是犹太人，因为他是管会堂的。我们现在来谈谈那患血漏的女人，她要摸祂，但只摸到衣裳䍁子，事情就这样成就了，她患了长达十二年的血漏就痊愈了！她也当场作了见证，因她告诉了别人在她身上立即得痊愈的事。我们也看到了别人的否认是对的，因为在他们身上，的确没有发生任何事情。       

     同样的一件事情在马太福音 9:18-22 有简短的记录，并把她会摸耶稣的衣裳䍁子缘由说了出来：『因为她心里说：「我只摸他的衣裳，就必痊愈。」』(马太福音 9:21) 这也在马可福音 5:21-34 有类似详细的记载，且说：『她听见耶稣的事，就从后头来，杂在众人中间，摸耶稣的衣裳，…于是她血漏的源头立刻干了，她便觉得身上的灾病好了。耶稣顿时心里觉得有能力从自己身上出去，就在众人中间转过来，说：「谁摸我的衣裳？」』(马可福音 5:27-30) 我们可看见当时是多么的拥挤，她从后头来，只摸到了衣裳的䍁子，她的确是从后头来的，因为耶稣必须转过来，『…周围观看，要见做这事的女人。那女人知道在自己身上所成的事，就恐惧战兢，来俯伏在耶稣跟前，将实情全告诉他。』(马可福音 5:32-33) 她是有信心的，她只是听见耶稣的事，就相信摸祂的衣裳就可以了，她的信救了她。       

     我们顺便提一下当时的衣裳是有䍁子的，因为这是耶和华的命令，且有其意义。『耶和华晓谕摩西说：「你吩咐以色列人，叫他们世世代代在衣服边上做䍁子，又在底边的䍁子上，钉一根蓝细带子。你们佩带这䍁子，好叫你们看见就记念遵行耶和华一切的命令，不随从自己的心意、眼目行邪淫，像你们素常一样，使你们记念遵行我一切的命令，成为圣洁，归与你们的神。我是耶和华你们的神，曾把你们从埃及地领出来，要作你们的神。我是耶和华你们的神。」』(民数记 15:37-41) 所以䍁子是世世代代都有的，也看到它是在衣服的底边，有一根蓝细带子，不知道这个女人摸到的䍁子是不是只是这带子。    

     在旧约的时代，是要过一个分别为圣的生活。举一个例子来说，大祭司亚伦会带一面牌在额上的如经文所说，『你要用精金做一面牌，…刻著：归耶和华为圣。…这牌必在亚伦的额上，…』(出埃及记 28:36-38)   在新约的时代亦然，经文写得很清楚，『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) 我们要过一个信望爱并祷告的分别为圣的生活。       

     我们以前提到了，『耶稣顿时心里觉得有能力从自己身上出去，…』(马可福音 5:30) 类似的经文，这能力是从圣灵来的，发生时祂自己是知道的。我们最多是一个管道，这样的能力通过我们，我们也是应该知道的。祂在地上时，从没有用过祂的神性，这点在这两处的经文说得很清楚，『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。』(马太福音 24:36, 马可福音 13:32) 耶稣在道成肉身的那段时间，连圣灵也不知道那日子。那段时间是很特别的，有一个次序的，父差遣子，而子不去，圣灵不来。(参马太福音 15:24,  约翰福音 14:16)  如果祂在地上时用祂三位一体的神性怎么可能会不知道呢？因为只有一体。所以祂是真正的人子。『并且因为他是人子，就赐给他行审判的权柄。』(约翰福音 5:27)  虽然耶稣是完全的人，也是完全的神，有人对于后者举了一个很好类比的例子，就是有一个王子因某种原因生活得像乞丐，不能因他生活像乞丐就说他不是王子，他没有失去王子的身份，所以耶稣虽虚己道成肉身，祂仍是完全的神。因为撒但也可行超自然的事(参约伯记 1:16, 4:12-21)，不是所有超自然的事都是从神来的，要分辩。圣经这样说，『亲爱的弟兄啊，一切的灵，你们不可都信，总要试验那些灵是出于神的不是，因为世上有许多假先知已经出来了。凡灵认耶稣基督是成了肉身来的，就是出于神的，从此你们可以认出神的灵来。凡灵不认耶稣，就不是出于神，这是那敌基督者的灵。你们从前听见他要来，现在已经在世上了。』(约翰一书 4:1-3)

2. 睚鲁的女儿死而复活       

     『还说话的时候，有人从管会堂的家里来，说：「你的女儿死了(G2348, 动词)，不要劳动夫子。」耶稣听见就对他说：「不要怕，只要信！你的女儿就必得救。」耶稣到了他的家，除了彼得、约翰、雅各和女儿的父母，不许别人同他进去。众人都为这女儿哀哭捶胸。耶稣说：「不要哭！她不是死了(G599, 动词)，是睡著了(G2518)。」他们晓得女儿已经死了(G599)，就嗤笑耶稣。耶稣拉著她的手，呼叫说：「女儿，起来吧！」她的灵(魂)(G4151, spirit)便回来，她就立刻起来了。耶稣吩咐给她东西吃。她的父母惊奇得很。耶稣嘱咐他们，不要把所做的事告诉人。』(路加福音 8:49-56) 我们再一次看到，祂的时间未到时，的确是在犹太人采取低姿态的。不是祂故意如此，沽名钓誉，仍是因祂本是如此，『我心里柔和谦卑，…』 (马太福音 11:29) 我们看到耶稣对彼得、约翰、雅各很不同，去变化山上也只带了他们三个，在十二使徒中，彼得是大使徒，约翰活得最久，而雅各最先为主殉道。    

     同样的一件事在马可福音 5:35-43 也有记载，并详细的说：『他们来到管会堂的家里，耶稣看见那里乱嚷，并有人大大地哭泣哀号，进到里面，就对他们说：「为甚么乱嚷哭泣呢？孩子不是死了，是睡著了。」他们就嗤笑耶稣。 耶稣把他们都撵出去，就带著孩子的父母，和跟随的人进了孩子所在的地方，就拉著孩子的手，对她说：「大利大，古米！」(「亚兰语」，即「叙利亚语」，与希伯来语同系统。)  翻出来就是说：「闺女，我吩咐你起来！」那闺女立时起来走，他们就大大地惊奇；闺女已经十二岁了。耶稣切切地嘱咐他们，不要叫人知道这事，又吩咐给她东西吃。』(马可福音 5:38-43) 这件事在马太福音 9:18-26 也有记载。我们虽然看见了耶稣是在犹太人面前采取了低姿态，但是『…这风声(还是)传遍了那地方。』(马太福音 9:26) 我们可看到祂在道成肉身的这段时间里，虽然是完全的人，可以透过圣灵有权柄吩咐灵界的鬼，但没有权柄要人顺著祂做。       

     人由灵、魂、和体构成的，如经文所说，『…愿你们的灵与魂与身子得蒙保守，…』(帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:23) 按照圣经，我们可以从这些经文看到，人死的次序为灵先走，然后是魂，魂离开后人就死了。为什么这样说呢？我们从神的命令说起，『只是分别善恶树上的果子，你不可吃，因为你吃的日子(原文和英文都是指当天)必定死。』(创世记 2:17) 亚当和夏娃吃了那果子，当天就被赶出了伊甸园，没有辩法和神交通，但『亚当共活了九百三十岁就死了。』(创世记 5:5) 显然他的魂还在身上，要不然他非死不可，因为经文说的很清楚，『她(拉结)将近于死，(灵)魂(原文和英文都只有魂这字)要走的时候，…』(创世记 35:18) 灵是人与神交通的工具，从逻辑就可以知道，神没有骗人，灵当天就死了！        #####我们在出生时就继承了仍在身上的死的旧灵，只是『…灵仍归于赐灵的神。』(传道书 12:7) 旧灵在死时仍然如此。  我们再看看，『耶稣说：「不要哭！她不是死了(G599, 动词)，是睡著了(G2518)。」』(路加福音 8:52)然后再看看，『她的灵魂(G4151, spirit)便回来，她就立刻起来了。…』(路加福音 8:55) 请注意，这里用的是灵回来了，旧灵再回到人身上能保持生命不死，但魂还在身上，所以耶稣会说是睡著了。这不是和这节经文一致吗？『保罗下去，伏在他身上，抱著他说：「你们不要发慌，他的(灵)魂(G5590, soul)还在身上。」』(使徒行传 20:10) 结果是『有人把那童子(犹推古)活活地领来，得的安慰不小。』(使徒行传 20:12) 所以我们可看到，人死的次序为灵先走，然后是魂，魂离开后人就死了。这里又证实了一次，灵和魂是可以分开的。耶稣不也是在十字架大声喊著说：『…父啊！我将我的灵(魂)(G4151, spirit)交在你手里。」说了这话，气就断了。』(路加福音 23:46) 我们很高兴神接受了耶稣的灵。       

     最后我们要问一个看起来是矛盾的问题。首先看这经文，『因他(睚鲁)有一个独生女儿，约有十二岁，快要死了(G599)。 …』(路加福音 8:42) 再看看，『再三地求他(耶稣)，说：「我的小女儿快要死了(at the point of death: G2192)，求你去按手在她身上，使她痊愈，得以活了。」』(马可福音 5:23) 和这经文，『耶稣说这话的时候，有一个管会堂的来拜他说：「我女儿刚才死了(G5053)，求你去按手在她身上，她就必活了。」』(马太福音 9:18) 比较这三处经文，和耶稣到睚鲁家后他们的反应，知道他们不知道耶稣可以使他的女儿复活，如果耶稣去前那女儿就死了，睚鲁不会去找耶稣的。从圣经的一致性来说，在马太福音中的 G5053 这字是指快要死了。但在其他经文中如『希律死了(G5053)以后，有主的使者在埃及向约瑟梦中显现，…』(马太福音 2:19) 希律是真正死了。所以 G5053 这字有两个意义，「快要死了」和「死了」。

3. 差遣十二个门徒       

     『耶稣叫齐了十二个门徒，给他们能力、权柄，制伏一切的鬼，医治各样的病，又差遣他们去宣传神国的道，医治病人，对他们说：「行路的时候，不要带拐杖和口袋，不要带食物和银子，也不要带两件褂子。无论进哪一家，就住在那里，也从那里起行。凡不接待你们的，你们离开那城的时候，要把脚上的尘土跺下去，见证他们的不是。」门徒就出去，走遍各乡宣传福音，到处治病。』(路加福音 9:1-6)       

     我们首先看到了他们的任务和传福音得工价是应当的，后者在主差遣七十个人时更清楚的说，『你们要住在那家，吃喝他们所供给的，因为工人得工价是应当的。不要从这家搬到那家。』(路加福音 10:7) 至于说道：『你们离开那城的时候，要把脚上的尘土跺下去，见证他们的不是，』 这不就是『不与我相合的，就是敌我的；不同我收聚的，就是分散的』(马太福音 12:30) 吗？从人的角度看实在很不合理！不是要求别人一定要和你相同吗？要从神的角度看，『信他的人，不被定罪；不信的人，罪已经定了，因为他不信神独生子的名。』(约翰福音 3:18) 『我实在告诉你们：当审判的日子，所多玛和蛾摩拉所受的，比那城还容易受呢！』(马太福音 10:15)     

     要从正确的角度看事情！读经必须如此才不能强解圣经。但有的时候要从两个角度都看，例如说，从神的角度看，因信称义后我们已是圣徒了，例如保罗会『写信给歌罗西的圣徒，…』(歌罗西书 1:2) 从人的角度看，成圣的道路我们要走非常非常长，就如亚伯拉罕一样，他献上以撒的事情后，圣经就没说神再给他试验。约伯受试验后和大卫数民后都是日子满足而死，雅各受到最后的试验是以为约瑟已死，最终他为法老祝福，而『从来位分大的给位分小的祝福，这是驳不倒的理。』(希伯来书 7:7)       

     同样的事情在马太福音 10:5-16 和马可福音 6:7-13 也都有记载。在马可福音的记载是类似的。在马太福音这样说，『耶稣差这十二个人去，吩咐他们说：「外邦人的路，你们不要走；撒马利亚人的城，你们不要进；宁可往以色列家迷失的羊那里去。随走随传，说：『天国近了！』医治病人，叫死人复活，叫长大痲疯的洁净，把鬼赶出去。你们白白地得来，也要白白地舍去。腰袋里不要带金银铜钱。行路不要带口袋，不要带两件褂子，也不要带鞋和拐杖，因为工人得饮食是应当的。「你们无论进哪一城，哪一村，要打听那里谁是好人，就住在他家，直住到走的时候。进他家里去，要请他的安。那家若配得平安，你们所求的平安就必临到那家；若不配得，你们所求的平安仍归你们。凡不接待你们、不听你们话的人，你们离开那家或是那城的时候，就把脚上的尘土跺下去。我实在告诉你们：当审判的日子，所多玛和蛾摩拉所受的，比那城还容易受呢！我差你们去，如同羊进入狼群，所以你们要灵巧像蛇，驯良像鸽子。」』(马太福音 10:5-16)       

     我们看到福音的确是从以色列人开始而传到万邦的。耶稣也说，『…我奉差遣，不过是到以色列家迷失的羊那里去。』(马太福音 15:24) 祂复活后才有大使命说，『所以，你们要去，使万民作我的门徒，奉父、子、圣灵的名给他们施洗。』(马太福音 28:19) 所以大使命不只是要使不信主的信主，而且是要使人做门徒。请注意，耶稣说，『我差你们去，如同羊进入狼群，所以你们要灵巧像蛇，驯良像鸽子。』(马太福音 10:16) 这是差遣他们到不信主的人时说的话，不是这样对弟兄姊妹，而是要有一颗智慧的心，驯良像鸽子般的顺服圣灵的带领。对弟兄姊妹是要，『我赐给你们一条新命令，乃是叫你们彼此相爱；我怎样爱你们，你们也要怎样相爱。你们若有彼此相爱的心，众人因此就认出你们是我的门徒了。』 (约翰福音 13:34-35) 要不习惯了像蛇，会有可能真正的变成了蛇都不知道！再一次强调，要分辩，要不顺服了邪灵的带领自己会都不知道，因为会自己欺骗自己，如耶利米所说，『人心比万物都诡诈，坏到极处，谁能识透呢？』(耶利米书 17:9)

(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』。)

       我們首先討論在患血漏的女人身上的神蹟，她因信心只摸到衣裳繸子而得醫治，我們也順便談了繸子的來歷及其意義。經文告訴我們很清楚，耶穌在地上的時候沒有用過祂的神性，因此從祂身上出去的那能力是如以前所說，從聖靈而來。第二，我們談到睚魯的十二歲女兒的死而復活，按照經文，死的時候是靈先走，當魂離開後，人就死了。我們也可以看到這個希臘字 G5053 有兩個意義，「快要死了」和「死了」。第三，我們首先看到了耶穌差遣十二個門徒的任務，和傳福音得工價是應當的。也講到了不信的人被定罪，和福音的確是從以色列人開始而傳到萬邦的。注意，「要靈巧像蛇，馴良像鴿子，」也是差遣他們時說的話。對弟兄姊妹是要，『我賜給你們一條新命令，乃是叫你們彼此相愛；我怎樣愛你們，你們也要怎樣相愛。你們若有彼此相愛的心，眾人因此就認出你們是我的門徒了。』 (約翰福音 13:34-35)  

1. 患血漏的女人

       這件事在三本對觀福音書都有記載，發生的時間是很顯然的在耶穌要去管會堂的睚魯家的路上，有許多人跟隨擁擠時候發生的。我們還是先看路加福音，『耶穌回來的時候，眾人迎接他，因為他們都等候他。有一個管會堂的，名叫睚魯，來俯伏在耶穌腳前，求耶穌到他家裏去。因他有一個獨生女兒，約有十二歲，快要死了(G599)。 耶穌去的時候，眾人擁擠他。有一個女人，患了十二年的血漏，在醫生手裏花盡了她一切養生的，並沒有一人能醫好她。她來到耶穌背後，摸他的衣裳繸子，血漏立刻就止住了。耶穌說：「摸我的是誰？」 眾人都不承認。彼得和同行的人都說：「夫子，眾人擁擁擠擠緊靠着你。」耶穌說：「總有人摸我，因我覺得有能力從我身上出去。」那女人知道不能隱藏，就戰戰兢兢地來俯伏在耶穌腳前，把摸他的緣故和怎樣立刻得好了，當着眾人都說出來。耶穌對她說：「女兒，你的信救了你；平平安安地去吧！」』(路加福音 8:40-48)

     我們看到這人的女兒約有十二歲了，他是猶太人，因為他是管會堂的。我們現在來談談那患血漏的女人，她要摸祂，但只摸到衣裳繸子，事情就這樣成就了，她患了長達十二年的血漏就痊癒了！她也當場作了見証，因她告訴了別人在她身上立即得痊癒的事。我們也看到了別人的否認是對的，因為在他們身上，的確沒有發生任何事情。

       同樣的一件事情在馬太福音 9:18-22 有簡短的記錄，並把她會摸耶穌的衣裳繸子緣由說了出來：『因為她心裏說：「我只摸他的衣裳，就必痊愈。」』(馬太福音 9:21) 這也在馬可福音 5:21-34 有類似詳細的記載，且說：『她聽見耶穌的事，就從後頭來，雜在眾人中間，摸耶穌的衣裳，…於是她血漏的源頭立刻乾了，她便覺得身上的災病好了。耶穌頓時心裏覺得有能力從自己身上出去，就在眾人中間轉過來，說：「誰摸我的衣裳？」』(馬可福音 5:27-30) 我們可看見當時是多麼的擁擠，她從後頭來，只摸到了衣裳的繸子，她的確是從後頭來的，因為耶穌必須轉過來，『…周圍觀看，要見做這事的女人。那女人知道在自己身上所成的事，就恐懼戰兢，來俯伏在耶穌跟前，將實情全告訴他。』(馬可福音 5:32-33) 她是有信心的，她只是聽見耶穌的事，就相信摸祂的衣裳就可以了，她的信救了她。

       我們順便提一下當時的衣裳是有繸子的，因為這是耶和華的命令，且有其意義。『耶和華曉諭摩西說：「你吩咐以色列人，叫他們世世代代在衣服邊上做繸子，又在底邊的繸子上，釘一根藍細帶子。你們佩帶這繸子，好叫你們看見就記念遵行耶和華一切的命令，不隨從自己的心意、眼目行邪淫，像你們素常一樣，使你們記念遵行我一切的命令，成為聖潔，歸與你們的神。我是耶和華你們的神，曾把你們從埃及地領出來，要作你們的神。我是耶和華你們的神。」』(民數記 15:37-41) 所以繸子是世世代代都有的，也看到它是在衣服的底邊，有一根藍細帶子，不知道這個女人摸到的繸子是不是只是這帶子。

    在舊約的時代，是要過一個分別為聖的生活。舉一個例子來說，大祭司亞倫會帶一面牌在額上的如經文所說，『你要用精金做一面牌，…刻着：歸耶和華為聖。…這牌必在亞倫的額上，…』(出埃及記 28:36-38)   在新約的時代亦然，經文寫得很清楚，『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) 我們要過一個信望愛並禱告的分別為聖的生活。

       我們以前提到了，『耶穌頓時心裏覺得有能力從自己身上出去，…』(馬可福音 5:30) 類似的經文，這能力是從聖靈來的，發生時祂自己是知道的。我們最多是一個管道，這樣的能力通過我們，我們也是應該知道的。祂在地上時，從沒有用過祂的神性，這點在這兩處的經文說得很清楚，『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。』(馬太福音 24:36, 馬可福音 13:32) 耶穌在道成肉身的那段時間，連聖靈也不知道那日子。那段時間是很特別的，有一個次序的，父差遣子，而子不去，聖靈不來。(參馬太福音 15:24,  約翰福音 14:16)  如果祂在地上時用祂三位一體的神性怎麼可能會不知道呢？因為只有一體。所以祂是真正的人子。『並且因為他是人子，就賜給他行審判的權柄。』(約翰福音 5:27)  雖然耶穌是完全的人，也是完全的神，有人對於後者舉了一個很好類比的例子，就是有一個王子因某種原因生活得像乞丐，不能因他生活像乞丐就說他不是王子，他沒有失去王子的身份，所以耶穌雖虛己道成肉身，祂仍是完全的神。因為撒但也可行超自然的事(參約伯記 1:16, 4:12-21)，不是所有超自然的事都是從神來的，要分辨。聖經這樣說，『親愛的弟兄啊，一切的靈，你們不可都信，總要試驗那些靈是出於神的不是，因為世上有許多假先知已經出來了。凡靈認耶穌基督是成了肉身來的，就是出於神的，從此你們可以認出神的靈來。凡靈不認耶穌，就不是出於神，這是那敵基督者的靈。你們從前聽見他要來，現在已經在世上了。』(約翰一書 4:1-3)

2. 睚魯的女兒死而復活

       『還說話的時候，有人從管會堂的家裏來，說：「你的女兒死了(G2348, 動詞)，不要勞動夫子。」耶穌聽見就對他說：「不要怕，只要信！你的女兒就必得救。」耶穌到了他的家，除了彼得、約翰、雅各和女兒的父母，不許別人同他進去。眾人都為這女兒哀哭捶胸。耶穌說：「不要哭！她不是死了(G599, 動詞)，是睡着了(G2518)。」他們曉得女兒已經死了(G599)，就嗤笑耶穌。耶穌拉着她的手，呼叫說：「女兒，起來吧！」她的靈(魂)(G4151, spirit)便回來，她就立刻起來了。耶穌吩咐給她東西吃。她的父母驚奇得很。耶穌囑咐他們，不要把所做的事告訴人。』(路加福音 8:49-56) 我們再一次看到，祂的時間未到時，的確是在猶太人採取低姿態的。不是祂故意如此，沽名釣譽，仍是因祂本是如此，『我心裏柔和謙卑，…』 (馬太福音 11:29) 我們看到耶穌對彼得、約翰、雅各很不同，去變化山上也只帶了他們三個，在十二使徒中，彼得是大使徒，約翰活得最久，而雅各最先為主殉道。

    同樣的一件事在馬可福音 5:35-43 也有記載，並詳細的說：『他們來到管會堂的家裏，耶穌看見那裏亂嚷，並有人大大地哭泣哀號，進到裏面，就對他們說：「為甚麼亂嚷哭泣呢？孩子不是死了，是睡着了。」他們就嗤笑耶穌。 耶穌把他們都攆出去，就帶着孩子的父母，和跟隨的人進了孩子所在的地方，就拉着孩子的手，對她說：「大利大，古米！」(「亞蘭語」，即「敘利亞語」，與希伯來語同系統。)  翻出來就是說：「閨女，我吩咐你起來！」那閨女立時起來走，他們就大大地驚奇；閨女已經十二歲了。耶穌切切地囑咐他們，不要叫人知道這事，又吩咐給她東西吃。』(馬可福音 5:38-43) 這件事在馬太福音 9:18-26 也有記載。我們雖然看見了耶穌是在猶太人面前採取了低姿態，但是『…這風聲(還是)傳遍了那地方。』(馬太福音 9:26) 我們可看到祂在道成肉身的這段時間裏，雖然是完全的人，可以透過聖靈有權柄吩咐靈界的鬼，但沒有權柄要人順著祂做。

       人由靈、魂、和體構成的，如經文所說，『…願你們的靈與魂與身子得蒙保守，…』(帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:23) 按照聖經，我們可以從這些經文看到，人死的次序為靈先走，然後是魂，魂離開後人就死了。為什麼這樣說呢？我們從神的命令說起，『只是分別善惡樹上的果子，你不可吃，因為你吃的日子(原文和英文都是指當天)必定死。』(創世記 2:17) 亞當和夏娃吃了那果子，當天就被趕出了伊甸園，沒有辨法和神交通，但『亞當共活了九百三十歲就死了。』(創世記 5:5) 顯然他的魂還在身上，要不然他非死不可，因為經文說的很清楚，『她(拉結)將近於死，(靈)魂(原文和英文都只有魂這字)要走的時候，…』(創世記 35:18) 靈是人與神交通的工具，從邏輯就可以知道，神沒有騙人，靈當天就死了！

       我們在出生時就繼承了仍在身上的死的舊靈，只是『…靈仍歸於賜靈的神。』(傳道書 12:7) 舊靈在死時仍然如此。  我們再看看，『耶穌說：「不要哭！她不是死了(G599, 動詞)，是睡着了(G2518)。」』(路加福音 8:52)然後再看看，『她的靈魂(G4151, spirit)便回來，她就立刻起來了。…』(路加福音 8:55) 請注意，這裏用的是靈回來了，舊靈再回到人身上能保持生命不死，但魂還在身上，所以耶穌會說是睡著了。這不是和這節經文一致嗎？『保羅下去，伏在他身上，抱着他說：「你們不要發慌，他的(靈)魂(G5590, soul)還在身上。」』(使徒行傳 20:10) 結果是『有人把那童子(猶推古)活活地領來，得的安慰不小。』(使徒行傳 20:12) 所以我們可看到，人死的次序為靈先走，然後是魂，魂離開後人就死了。這裏又証實了一次，靈和魂是可以分開的。耶穌不也是在十字架大聲喊着說：『…父啊！我將我的靈(魂)(G4151, spirit)交在你手裏。」說了這話，氣就斷了。』(路加福音 23:46) 我們很高興神接受了耶穌的靈。

       最後我們要問一個看起來是矛盾的問題。首先看這經文，『因他(睚魯)有一個獨生女兒，約有十二歲，快要死了(G599)。 …』(路加福音 8:42) 再看看，『再三地求他(耶穌)，說：「我的小女兒快要死了(at the point of death: G2192)，求你去按手在她身上，使她痊愈，得以活了。」』(馬可福音 5:23) 和這經文，『耶穌說這話的時候，有一個管會堂的來拜他說：「我女兒剛才死了(G5053)，求你去按手在她身上，她就必活了。」』(馬太福音 9:18) 比較這三處經文，和耶穌到睚魯家後他們的反應，知道他們不知道耶穌可以使他的女兒復活，如果耶穌去前那女兒就死了，睚魯不會去找耶穌的。從聖經的一致性來說，在馬太福音中的 G5053 這字是指快要死了。但在其他經文中如『希律死了(G5053)以後，有主的使者在埃及向約瑟夢中顯現，…』(馬太福音 2:19) 希律是真正死了。所以 G5053 這字有兩個意義，「快要死了」和「死了」。

3. 差遣十二個門徒

       『耶穌叫齊了十二個門徒，給他們能力、權柄，制伏一切的鬼，醫治各樣的病，又差遣他們去宣傳神國的道，醫治病人，對他們說：「行路的時候，不要帶枴杖和口袋，不要帶食物和銀子，也不要帶兩件褂子。無論進哪一家，就住在那裏，也從那裏起行。凡不接待你們的，你們離開那城的時候，要把腳上的塵土跺下去，見證他們的不是。」門徒就出去，走遍各鄉宣傳福音，到處治病。』(路加福音 9:1-6)

       我們首先看到了他們的任務和傳福音得工價是應當的，後者在主差遣七十個人時更清楚的說，『你們要住在那家，吃喝他們所供給的，因為工人得工價是應當的。不要從這家搬到那家。』(路加福音 10:7) 至於說道：『你們離開那城的時候，要把腳上的塵土跺下去，見證他們的不是，』 這不就是『不與我相合的，就是敵我的；不同我收聚的，就是分散的』(馬太福音 12:30) 嗎？從人的角度看實在很不合理！不是要求別人一定要和你相同嗎？要從神的角度看，『信他的人，不被定罪；不信的人，罪已經定了，因為他不信神獨生子的名。』(約翰福音 3:18) 『我實在告訴你們：當審判的日子，所多瑪和蛾摩拉所受的，比那城還容易受呢！』(馬太福音 10:15)

     要從正確的角度看事情！讀經必須如此才不能強解聖經。但有的時候要從兩個角度都看，例如說，從神的角度看，因信稱義後我們已是聖徒了，例如保羅會『寫信給歌羅西的聖徒，…』(歌羅西書 1:2) 從人的角度看，成聖的道路我們要走非常非常長，就如亞伯拉罕一樣，他獻上以撒的事情後，聖經就沒說神再給他試驗。約伯受試驗後和大衞數民後都是日子滿足而死，雅各受到最後的試驗是以為約瑟已死，最終他為法老祝福，而『從來位分大的給位分小的祝福，這是駁不倒的理。』(希伯來書 7:7)

       同樣的事情在馬太福音 10:5-16 和馬可福音 6:7-13 也都有記載。在馬可福音的記載是類似的。在馬太福音這樣說，『耶穌差這十二個人去，吩咐他們說：「外邦人的路，你們不要走；撒馬利亞人的城，你們不要進；寧可往以色列家迷失的羊那裏去。隨走隨傳，說：『天國近了！』醫治病人，叫死人復活，叫長大痲瘋的潔淨，把鬼趕出去。你們白白地得來，也要白白地捨去。腰袋裏不要帶金銀銅錢。行路不要帶口袋，不要帶兩件褂子，也不要帶鞋和枴杖，因為工人得飲食是應當的。「你們無論進哪一城，哪一村，要打聽那裏誰是好人，就住在他家，直住到走的時候。進他家裏去，要請他的安。那家若配得平安，你們所求的平安就必臨到那家；若不配得，你們所求的平安仍歸你們。凡不接待你們、不聽你們話的人，你們離開那家或是那城的時候，就把腳上的塵土跺下去。我實在告訴你們：當審判的日子，所多瑪和蛾摩拉所受的，比那城還容易受呢！我差你們去，如同羊進入狼羣，所以你們要靈巧像蛇，馴良像鴿子。」』(馬太福音 10:5-16)

       我們看到福音的確是從以色列人開始而傳到萬邦的。耶穌也說，『…我奉差遣，不過是到以色列家迷失的羊那裏去。』(馬太福音 15:24) 祂復活後才有大使命說，『所以，你們要去，使萬民作我的門徒，奉父、子、聖靈的名給他們施洗。』(馬太福音 28:19) 所以大使命不只是要使不信主的信主，而且是要使人做門徒。請注意，耶穌說，『我差你們去，如同羊進入狼羣，所以你們要靈巧像蛇，馴良像鴿子。』(馬太福音 10:16) 這是差遣他們到不信主的人時說的話，不是這樣對弟兄姊妹，而是要有一顆智慧的心，馴良像鴿子般的順服聖靈的帶領。對弟兄姊妹是要，『我賜給你們一條新命令，乃是叫你們彼此相愛；我怎樣愛你們，你們也要怎樣相愛。你們若有彼此相愛的心，眾人因此就認出你們是我的門徒了。』 (約翰福音 13:34-35) 要不習慣了像蛇，會有可能真正的變成了蛇都不知道！再一次強調，要分辨，要不順服了邪靈的帶領自己會都不知道，因為會自己欺騙自己，如耶利米所說，『人心比萬物都詭詐，壞到極處，誰能識透呢？』(耶利米書 17:9)

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

First, we discuss the miracle about a woman who had a hemorrhage. She touched the fringe of the cloak of Jesus and got healed due to her faith. Then, we mention in passing where the fringe of the cloak came from along with its meaning. Verses tell us clearly that He didn’t use His Godhead during the period of the Word becoming flesh. The power coming out of Him really came from the Holy Spirit with Him. Secondly, we talk about the resurrection of the twelve years old daughter of Jairus. According to the verses, when a person dies, the spirit leaves first, then the soul. After the soul leaves, the person dies. We see that the Greek word G5053 has two meanings, ‘is dying’ and ‘is dead.’ Thirdly, we see the duties of the twelve apostles who were sent by Jesus and we see that preaching Gospels deserves a wage. We also mention that those who don’t have faith have been judged already, and the Gospel indeed propagates from Israel to all nations. Please be aware, the words said in Matthew 10:16 regarding “…as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents …” are when they were sent to unbelievers. To brothers and sisters in Christ, we should behave like what said in John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

1. A woman who had a hemorrhage 

This event is recorded in all first three Gospels, which apparently happened on His way to the home of Jairus, who was an official of the synagogue. And as He went, the crowds were pressing against Him. Let us first take a look at the Gospel of Luke, “And as Jesus returned, the people welcomed Him, for they had all been waiting for Him. And there came a man named Jairus, and he was an official of the synagogue; and he fell at Jesus’ feet, and began to implore Him to come to his house; for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, and she was dying(G599). But as He went, the crowds were pressing against Him. And a woman who had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and could not be healed by anyone, came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. And Jesus said, “Who is the one who touched Me?” And while they were all denying it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing in on You.” But Jesus said, “Someone did touch Me, for I was aware that power had gone out of Me.” When the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came trembling and fell down before Him, and declared in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched Him, and how she had been immediately healed. And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.””(Luke 8:40-48)

We see that his daughter was about 12 years old. He was a Jew since he was an official of the synagogue. Now talking about the woman having a hemorrhage, she wanted to touch Him, but only touched the fringe of His cloak. Then, the healing was done. Her twelve years old hemorrhage was immediately healed. And she did testimony on the spot by telling everyone what happened to her. Regarding her healing immediately, no wonder the others were all denying it, since it didn’t have anything happened to them. 

The same event is recorded briefly in Matthew 9:18-22 and also gives the reason why she wanted to touch the fringe of His cloak in Matthew 9:21 “for she was saying to herself, “If I only touch His garment, I will get well.”” The detail is also recorded similarly in Mark 5:21-34, and in Mark 5:27-30, it is said, “after hearing about Jesus, she came up in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak. …Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Immediately Jesus, perceiving in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My garments?”” We can see how crowded at that time, and she had to come from behind. She didn’t touch His cloth, but only the fringe of it. She indeed came from behind, since Jesus had to turn and “…looked around to see the woman who had done this. But the woman fearing and trembling, aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth.”(Mark 5:32-33) She indeed had faith, since she only heard about what Jesus did and believed that all she had to do was to touch His cloak.  Indeed, her faith had made her well.

We mention in passing that the cloak at that time had tassels, since it was the command from God and had its meaning. In Numbers 15:37-41, it says, “The Lord also spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the sons of Israel, and tell them that they shall make for themselves tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and that they shall put on the tassel of each corner a cord of blue. It shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the Lord, so as to do them and not follow after your own heart and your own eyes, after which you played the harlot, so that you may remember to do all My commandments and be holy to your God. I am the Lord your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt to be your God; I am the Lord your God.”” Therefore, the tassels with a cord of blue were there throughout their generations. We also see them that they were at the bottom of a cloak. We wonder if the woman touched the cord of blue only, since it was at the fringe.

In the era of the Old Testament, we had to live a life of consecration. In other words, one needed to separate oneself to sanctification. As an example, in the high priest Aaron forehead, it was carried in his turban the words as described in Exodus 28:36-38, “You shall also make a plate of pure gold and shall engrave on it, like the engravings of a seal, ‘Holy to the Lord.’ …It shall be on Aaron’s forehead, …” In the era of the New Testament, we should behave the same, since it is said in 1 Peter 1:16, “because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”” We need to have a prayer life with faith, hope, and love to have a life of consecration.

We discussed before of the similar verse as in Mark 5:30, “Immediately Jesus, perceiving in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth, …” The power came from the Holy Spirit since He was a complete man. When it happens, He knows. We as human at most can be a channel. When such a power passes us, we should know too. He in the period of Word becoming flesh, He never used His Godhead. This can be seen from the same two verses in Matthew 24:36 and Mark 13:32, “But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” In that period, even the Holy Spirit doesn’t know that date. Only the Father knows. Yes, that period is very special and requires a certain order. Father sent the Son, and the Holy Spirit won’t come unless the Son went first. (Ref. Matthew 15:24, John 14:16) If Jesus used His Godhead, the Holy Trinity, how could he not know? Because there is only a united one, three are in one. So, He is a complete man. That is why it is said in John 5:27, “and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man.” Although Jesus is a complete man, He is also a complete God. Someone gave the latter a very good analogy. If a prince for whatever reasons has to live like a beggar life temporarily, we cannot say that his status isn’t a prince just because he lives like a beggar temporarily. He never loses his status as a prince since he was born that way. So, even Jesus emptied Himself, He still is a complete God.

Since Satan can do supernatural things (Ref. Job 1:16, 4:12-21) as well, it is clear that supernatural things are not all from God. We need to discern. Bible says so for this matter in 1 John 4:1-3, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.”

2. The resurrection of the daughter of Jairus

In Luke 8:49-56, it says, “While He was still speaking, someone came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, “Your daughter has died (G2348, verb); do not trouble the Teacher anymore.” But when Jesus heard this, He answered him, “Do not be afraid any longer; only believe, and she will be made well.” When He came to the house, He did not allow anyone to enter with Him, except Peter and John and James, and the girl’s father and mother. Now they were all weeping and lamenting for her; but He said, “Stop weeping, for she has not died (G599, verb), but is asleep(G2518).” And they began laughing at Him, knowing that she had died. He, however, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Child, arise!” And her spirit (G4151) returned, and she got up immediately; and He gave orders for something to be given her to eat. Her parents were amazed; but He instructed them to tell no one what had happened.”

We can see again that He kept a low profile before His time came up. Not because that He did this for his reputation sake, He is just like this no matter what, as described in Matthew 11:29, “for I am gentle and humble in heart, …” We can see that Jesus also brought only three of His twelve disciples, namely Peter, John, and James, in the Mount of Transfiguration. Among His twelve disciples, Peter was the leading one. John lived longest, and James was the first martyr.  

The same event is also recorded in Mark 5:35-43, which says, “They came to the house of the synagogue official; and He saw a commotion, and people loudly weeping and wailing. And entering in, He said to them, “Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is asleep.” They began laughing at Him. But putting them all out, He took along the child’s father and mother and His own companions, and entered the room where the child was. Taking the child by the hand, He said to her, “Talitha kum!” (which translated means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). Immediately the girl got up and began to walk, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they were completely astounded. And He gave them strict orders that no one should know about this, and He said that something should be given her to eat.” The same event is also recorded in Matthew 9:18-26. We can see that although Jesus took a low profile at that time in front of Jews, but in Matthew 9:26, it says, “This news spread throughout all that land.” We can see that even though He could command demons through the Holy Spirit and thus had showed that He had authority over demons, but He had no authority to ask people to obey Him.

Humans consist of spirit, soul, and body as the verse in 1 Thessalonians 5:23, “…may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, …” According to verses in the Bible, the order of death is that the spirit leaves first, then soul. When the soul departs, the body is dead. Why do we say so? Let us start with the command from God in Genesis 2:16-17, “The Lord God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”” That day means the same day. When Adam and Eve ate that fruit, they died at the same day since they were chased out and couldn’t in any way actively communicate with God anymore. But it is said in Genesis 5:5, “So all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years, and he died.” Apparently, his soul was still in his body or he would die for sure since in Genesis 35:18, it is clearly said, “It came about as her (Rachel’s) soul was departing (for she died), …” Spirit is the instrument for people to communicate with God. From logic, the spirit was dead in that day. God didn’t cheat them at all.

We are born to inherit the dead old spirit, which is still in our body, but we know “…the spirit will return to God who gave it.”(Ecclesiastes 12:7) In our death, it is still so. We look at the verse in Luke 8:52, “…but He said, “Stop weeping, for she has not died, but is asleep.”” Then, “…her spirit returned, and she got up immediately; …”(Luke 8:55) Please notice that the word ‘spirit’ is used. The old spirit returns to the body so that one can keep alive. Since the soul is still inside the body, so Jesus said that she was asleep. Isn’t this the same as what described in the verse in Acts 20:10? There, it says, “But Paul went down and fell upon him (Eutychus), and after embracing him, he said, “Do not be troubled, for his life is in him.”” Thus, we can see that the order of death is that the spirit leaves first, then soul. When the soul departs, the body is dead. Here, it is verified again that spirit and soul can be separated. Didn’t “…Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” …”(Luke 23:46) We are glad that He committed His spirit.

Lastly in this section, we’ll discuss a seemly contradictory question. Let us first take a look at the verse in Luke 8:42, “for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, and she was dying. …” Then the verse in Mark 5:23 consistently says, “and implored Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death; please come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will get well and live.”” But if you look at this verse in Matthew 9:18, “While He was saying these things to them, a synagogue official came and bowed down before Him, and said, “My daughter has just died (G5053); but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live.”” If you compare these three places, and the reaction after Jesus’s arrival at the home of Jairus, we know that they didn’t know ahead of time that Jesus could resurrect his daughter. If his daughter was dead already, they wouldn’t ask Jesus to come. In other words, if one considers the consistency of the Bible, it is likely that he wouldn’t translate as “My daughter has just died (G5053).” In the Gospel of Matthew, the word G5030 should be ‘is dying.’ However, in Matthew 2:19, it says, “But when Herod died (G5053), behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, …” Herod was indeed dead. Thus, the word G5053 has two meanings, ‘is dying’ and ‘is dead.’ 

3. Jesus sent the twelve apostles

In Luke 9:1-6，it says, “And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases. And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing. And He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, neither a staff, nor a bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not even have two tunics apiece. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that city. And as for those who do not receive you, as you go out from that city, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” Departing, they began going throughout the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.” 

We first see that doing their duties and preaching the Gospel is worthy of wages. It says clearly for the latter when the seventy were sent in Luke 10:7, “Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they give you; for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not keep moving from house to house.” In terms of what said in Luke 9:5, “And as for those who do not receive you, as you go out from that city, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” Isn’t the same as what said in Matthew 12:30, “He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters.” In the aspect of human, it looks unreasonable. Isn’t it asked that the others have to behave the same? Not really. We have to look at things in the aspect of God for this issue as said in John 3:18, “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” Like what said in Matthew 10:15, “Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.” 

We have to see things in the right aspects. Only by doing so, one has a chance not to misunderstand the Bible. Sometimes, we do have to view things in both aspects. For example, seeing things in the aspect of God, we are saints already after becoming righteousness in faith. That is why Paul in Colossians 1:2 said, “To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: …” From seeing things in the aspect of human, we have to walk in the way of sanctification for a very long time, just like what Abraham did. After he passed the test of offering Isaac, the Bible has no record that he was tested again by God. Similarly, in the cases of Job and of David’s counting people, they both died full of days. Jacob last trial was that he thought Joseph was dead when he was sold in Egypt. In his final years, he was able to bless Pharaoh. (Ref. Genesis 47:10) And “…without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater.”(Hebrews 7:7)

The same event is also recorded in Matthew 10:5-16 and Mark 6:7-13. In the Gospel of Mark, what was recorded is similar. In Matthew 10:5-16, it is said, “These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them: “Do not go in the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans; but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give. Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support. And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city. As you enter the house, give it your greeting. If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace. Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city. “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.””

We can also see that the Gospel indeed propagates from Israel to all nations. Jesus said the same in Matthew 15:24, “…I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Only after He resurrected, we have the great mission in Matthew 28:19, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Thus, the great mission is not only turning unbelievers to believers, but also makes them disciples towards the way of sanctification. Please notice what Jesus said about in Matthew 10:16, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.” It was when they were sent to unbelievers. Towards brothers and sisters in Christ, we should behave like what said in John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Otherwise, one may be accustomed to be a snake and may become a snake without knowing by himself. We need a wisdom of hearts, and is innocent as doves to obey the leading of the Holy Spirit. Let us emphasize again, we need to discern; otherwise, we may follow the leading of evil spirits without knowing.  It is because one can cheat himself as said in Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?”

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

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