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.)

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

首先，我们看到凡遵行神之道的人都是耶稣的亲属，祂并没有不认祂自己的母亲和弟兄，只是从大我讲。第二，祂知道如果祂吩咐风和水，风和水都听从祂的，实在没有必要因风浪而担心，祂也这样做了，只是人会又惧怕又希奇。第三，我们谈到了鬼入猪群的事件，看到被群鬼附身的人，仍在耶稣前有选择。第四，知道的人显然是害怕大于希奇，以致于他们都求耶稣离开他们，失去了救恩的机会。耶稣虽行了神迹，但不强迫他们相信接受祂，后者就宛如我们举的一个例子一样。并说明为什么耶稣以前行了神迹时要长大痲疯的不要讲，现在却要低加坡里人传扬祂为他做了何等大的事。

1. 遵行神之道的人即是亲属       

     『耶稣的母亲和他弟兄来了，因为人多，不得到他跟前。有人告诉他说：「你母亲和你弟兄站在外边，要见你。」耶稣回答说：「听了神之道而遵行的人就是我的母亲，我的弟兄了。」』(路加福音 8:19-21)       

     同样的事在马太福音也有记载，『耶稣还对众人说话的时候，不料，他母亲和他弟兄站在外边，要与他说话。有人告诉他说：「看哪，你母亲和你弟兄站在外边，要与你说话。」他却回答那人说：「谁是我的母亲？谁是我的弟兄？」就伸手指著门徒说：「看哪，我的母亲，我的弟兄。凡遵行我天父旨意的人，就是我的弟兄、姐妹和母亲了。」』(马太福音 12:46-50) 在马可福音 3:31-35 也记载了同一件事。       

     请注意，祂并没有不认祂自己的母亲和弟兄，只是从大我讲，听了神之道而遵行的人就是亲属了。相反的，我们看到了祂在十字架上仍托付祂的母亲给约翰，就如经文所说，『耶稣见母亲和他所爱的那门徒(约翰)站在旁边，就对他母亲说：「母亲，看，你的儿子！」又对那门徒说：「看，你的母亲！」从此那门徒就接她到自己家里去了。』(约翰福音 19:26-27) 这里也可以看到，在十字架前的门徒只有约翰，其他门徒都逃走了。

2. 平静风浪的神迹       

     『有一天，耶稣和门徒上了船，对门徒说：「我们可以渡到湖那边去。」他们就开了船。正行的时候，耶稣睡著了。湖上忽然起了暴风，船将满了水，甚是危险。门徒来叫醒了他，说：「夫子！夫子！我们丧命啦！」 耶稣醒了，斥责那狂风大浪，风浪就止住，平静了。耶稣对他们说：「你们的信心在哪里呢？」 他们又惧怕又希奇，彼此说：「这到底是谁？他吩咐风和水，连风和水也听从他了。」』(路加福音 8:22-25)       

     同样的一件事情也记载在马太福音 8:23-27，当『耶稣说：「你们这小信的人哪！为甚么胆怯呢？」…』(马太福音 8:26) 就是『耶稣对他们说：「你们的信心在哪里呢？」 …』(路加福音 8:25) 我们看到了耶稣虽在大风浪时仍然保持了祂的平静，因为祂在船尾上，枕著枕头睡著了，门徒得要叫醒祂。(参马可福音 4:35-41) 祂知道，如果祂吩咐风和水，风和水都听从祂的，祂最后也这样做了，只是人的反应是会又惧怕又希奇。

3. 赶鬼入猪群事件       

     『他们到了格拉森人的地方，就是加利利的对面。耶稣上了岸，就有城里一个被鬼附著的人迎面而来。这个人许久不穿衣服，不住房子，只住在坟茔里。他见了耶稣，就俯伏在他面前，大声喊叫，说：「至高神的儿子耶稣，我与你有甚么相干？求你不要叫我受苦！」是因耶稣曾吩咐污鬼从那人身上出来。原来这鬼屡次抓住他，他常被人看守，又被铁链和脚镣捆锁，他竟把锁链挣断，被鬼赶到旷野去。耶稣问他说：「你名叫甚么？」 他说：「我名叫『群』。」这是因为附著他的鬼多。鬼就央求耶稣，不要吩咐他们到无底坑里去。那里有一大群猪在山上吃食。鬼央求耶稣，准他们进入猪里去。耶稣准了他们，鬼就从那人出来，进入猪里去。于是那群猪闯下山崖，投在湖里淹死了。』(路加福音 8:26-33) 同样的一件事在马可福音 5:1-13 有其记载，并在马太福音 8:28-32 也有简略的记录。         

     在什么地方发生这事很清楚，我们也看到这被污鬼附的人力气超乎常人的大，也看到他受到的其他影响。我们看到了鬼央求耶稣，准他们进入猪里，耶稣准了他们，但一大群猪受不了那群鬼，那些鬼毕竟是要到无底坑里去的。很清楚的，耶稣在灵界是大有权柄的。我们也看到了他虽被群鬼附身，仍在耶稣前有选择，因『他见了耶稣，就俯伏在他面前，大声喊叫，…』(路加福音 8:28) 经文说的很清楚，『…将主…是怎样怜悯你，都告诉他们。』(马可福音 5:19) 祂是因为怜悯他而赶出了群鬼。所以我们即使在相当坏的情况下，还是可以有选择的，所以有人说，爬都要爬到耶稣的救恩前。关于这被污鬼附著人的情况可在马可福音 5:1-13 中看到更清楚的描述，其中我们知道猪的数目约有二千，所以猪的主人在财务上的损失是相当大的。

4. 事后发生的事       

     『放猪的看见这事就逃跑了，去告诉城里和乡下的人。众人出来要看是甚么事。到了耶稣那里，看见鬼所离开的那人，坐在耶稣脚前，穿著衣服，心里明白过来，他们就害怕。看见这事的便将被鬼附著的人怎么得救告诉他们。格拉森四围的人，因为害怕得很，都求耶稣离开他们，耶稣就上船回去了。鬼所离开的那人恳求和耶稣同在，耶稣却打发他回去，说：「你回家去，传说神为你做了何等大的事。」他就去满城里传扬耶稣为他做了何等大的事。』(路加福音 8:34-39) 同样的事在马可福音 5:14-20 有叙述，并在在马太福音 8:28-34 有简略的记载。    

     刚才谈到，门徒们看到了耶稣平静了风浪，是又惧怕又希奇。在这里，害怕也是正常的反应，因为他们看见或听见了非常的事，不知道耶稣是何等人。他们显然是害怕大于希奇，也许加上了怕和猪的主人一样有财务上的损失，以致于他们都求耶稣离开他们，失去了救恩的机会。    

     我们也看到了耶稣行了神迹，但不强迫他们相信而接受祂。这就像在马可福音 10:17-22 和路加福音 18:18-23 所述的情况一样，有一个财主问耶稣说，『…良善的夫子，我该做甚么事才可以承受永生？』(路加福音 18:18) 。『耶稣对他说：「…诫命你是晓得的：『不可杀人，不可奸淫，不可偷盗，不可作假见证，不可亏负人，当孝敬父母。』」他对耶稣说：「夫子，这一切我从小都遵守了。」』(马可福音 10:18-20) 『耶稣看著他，就爱他，对他说：「你还缺少一件，去变卖你所有的，分给穷人，就必有财宝在天上；你还要来跟从我。」』(马可福音 10:21)  那时耶稣讲了，也邀请他跟随祂，但人有自由意志，最后是『他听见这话，脸上就变了色，忧忧愁愁地走了，因为他的产业很多。』(马可福音 10:22) 我们一定要知道，撒但的权势绝对不会大过神的能力，神不允许，牠一步都不能够越过。(参约伯记 1-2:7) 在约伯记中也可看到，撒但得到的许可都只是一次，如果要第二次行事，必须要另外得到许可才行。       

     关于鬼所离开的那人恳求和耶稣同在的事，马可福音有较详细的记载。『耶稣上船的时候，那从前被鬼附著的人恳求和耶稣同在。耶稣不许，却对他说：「你回家去，到你的亲属那里，将主为你所做的是何等大的事，是怎样怜悯你，都告诉他们。」那人就走了，在低加坡里传扬耶稣为他做了何等大的事，众人就都希奇。』(马可福音 5:18-20) 请注意，这和有一个长大痲疯的来求耶稣的情况不同，那时『耶稣严严地嘱咐他，就打发他走，对他说：「你要谨慎，甚么话都不可告诉人；只要去把身体给祭司察看，又因为你洁净了，献上摩西所吩咐的礼物，对众人作证据。」』(马可福音 1:43-44) 从经文我们可看到这人是在犹大的犹太人，不一样的反应是因为他是犹太人，而不是因为祂因动了慈心行了神迹，而那犹太人『…出去，倒说许多的话，把这件事传扬开了，叫耶稣以后不得再明明地进城，只好在外边旷野地方。人从各处都就了他来。』(马可福音 1:45) 祂知道祂的时间还没到，在那以前的最初，祂都是在犹太人面前以低姿态出现的。例如『耶稣就对他们(祂的弟兄)说：「我的时候还没有到，你们的时候常是方便的。世人不能恨你们，却是恨我，因为我指证他们所做的事是恶的。你们上去过节吧！我现在不上去过这节，因为我的时候还没有满。」耶稣说了这话，仍旧住在加利利。但他弟兄上去以后，他也上去过节，不是明去，似乎是暗去的。』(约翰福音 7:6-10) 而低加坡里是在外邦，和祂受难没有直接的关系。记得犹太人要致祂于死地好像是祂不守律法上的安息日开始的，因经文说：『所以犹太人越发想要杀他，因他不但犯了安息日，并且称神为他的父，将自己和神当作平等。』(约翰福音 5:18) 所以祂没有守律法上安息日的日子。就像我们以前所分享的，祂守的是安息日的精意，我们要知道，『…安息日是为人设立的，人不是为安息日设立的。所以，人子也是安息日的主。』(马可福音 2:27-28)

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       首先，我們看到凡遵行神之道的人都是耶穌的親屬，祂並沒有不認祂自己的母親和弟兄，只是從大我講。第二，祂知道如果祂吩咐風和水，風和水都聽從祂的，實在沒有必要因風浪而擔心，祂也這樣做了，只是人會又懼怕又希奇。第三，我們談到了鬼入豬羣的事件，看到被羣鬼附身的人，仍在耶穌前有選擇。第四，知道的人顯然是害怕大於希奇，以致於他們都求耶穌離開他們，失去了救恩的機會。耶穌雖行了神蹟，但不強迫他們相信接受祂，後者就宛如我們舉的一個例子一樣。並說明為什麼耶穌以前行了神蹟時要長大痲瘋的不要講，現在卻要低加坡里人傳揚祂為他做了何等大的事。

1. 遵行神之道的人即是親屬

       『耶穌的母親和他弟兄來了，因為人多，不得到他跟前。有人告訴他說：「你母親和你弟兄站在外邊，要見你。」耶穌回答說：「聽了神之道而遵行的人就是我的母親，我的弟兄了。」』(路加福音 8:19-21)

       同樣的事在馬太福音也有記載，『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) 在馬可福音 3:31-35 也記載了同一件事。

       請注意，祂並沒有不認祂自己的母親和弟兄，只是從大我講，聽了神之道而遵行的人就是親屬了。相反的，我們看到了祂在十字架上仍託付祂的母親給約翰，就如經文所說，『耶穌見母親和他所愛的那門徒(約翰)站在旁邊，就對他母親說：「母親，看，你的兒子！」又對那門徒說：「看，你的母親！」從此那門徒就接她到自己家裏去了。』(約翰福音 19:26-27) 這裏也可以看到，在十字架前的門徒只有約翰，其他門徒都逃走了。

2. 平靜風浪的神蹟

       『有一天，耶穌和門徒上了船，對門徒說：「我們可以渡到湖那邊去。」他們就開了船。正行的時候，耶穌睡着了。湖上忽然起了暴風，船將滿了水，甚是危險。門徒來叫醒了他，說：「夫子！夫子！我們喪命啦！」 耶穌醒了，斥責那狂風大浪，風浪就止住，平靜了。耶穌對他們說：「你們的信心在哪裏呢？」 他們又懼怕又希奇，彼此說：「這到底是誰？他吩咐風和水，連風和水也聽從他了。」』(路加福音 8:22-25)

       同樣的一件事情也記載在馬太福音 8:23-27，當『耶穌說：「你們這小信的人哪！為甚麼膽怯呢？」…』(馬太福音 8:26) 就是『耶穌對他們說：「你們的信心在哪裏呢？」 …』(路加福音 8:25) 我們看到了耶穌雖在大風浪時仍然保持了祂的平靜，因為祂在船尾上，枕着枕頭睡著了，門徒得要叫醒祂。(參馬可福音 4:35-41) 祂知道，如果祂吩咐風和水，風和水都聽從祂的，祂最後也這樣做了，只是人的反應是會又懼怕又希奇。

3. 趕鬼入豬羣事件

       『他們到了格拉森人的地方，就是加利利的對面。耶穌上了岸，就有城裏一個被鬼附着的人迎面而來。這個人許久不穿衣服，不住房子，只住在墳塋裏。他見了耶穌，就俯伏在他面前，大聲喊叫，說：「至高神的兒子耶穌，我與你有甚麼相干？求你不要叫我受苦！」是因耶穌曾吩咐污鬼從那人身上出來。原來這鬼屢次抓住他，他常被人看守，又被鐵鏈和腳鐐捆鎖，他竟把鎖鏈掙斷，被鬼趕到曠野去。耶穌問他說：「你名叫甚麼？」 他說：「我名叫『羣』。」這是因為附着他的鬼多。鬼就央求耶穌，不要吩咐他們到無底坑裏去。那裏有一大羣豬在山上吃食。鬼央求耶穌，准他們進入豬裏去。耶穌准了他們，鬼就從那人出來，進入豬裏去。於是那羣豬闖下山崖，投在湖裏淹死了。』(路加福音 8:26-33) 同樣的一件事在馬可福音 5:1-13 有其記載，並在馬太福音 8:28-32 也有簡略的記錄。

     在什麼地方發生這事很清楚，我們也看到這被污鬼附的人力氣超乎常人的大，也看到他受到的其他影響。我們看到了鬼央求耶穌，准他們進入豬裏，耶穌准了他們，但一大羣豬受不了那羣鬼，那些鬼畢竟是要到無底坑裏去的。很清楚的，耶穌在靈界是大有權柄的。我們也看到了他雖被羣鬼附身，仍在耶穌前有選擇，因『他見了耶穌，就俯伏在他面前，大聲喊叫，…』(路加福音 8:28) 經文說的很清楚，『…將主…是怎樣憐憫你，都告訴他們。』(馬可福音 5:19) 祂是因為憐憫他而趕出了羣鬼。所以我們即使在相當壞的情況下，還是可以有選擇的，所以有人說，爬都要爬到耶穌的救恩前。關於這被污鬼附著人的情況可在馬可福音 5:1-13 中看到更清楚的描述，其中我們知道豬的數目約有二千，所以豬的主人在財務上的損失是相當大的。

4. 事後發生的事

       『放豬的看見這事就逃跑了，去告訴城裏和鄉下的人。眾人出來要看是甚麼事。到了耶穌那裏，看見鬼所離開的那人，坐在耶穌腳前，穿着衣服，心裏明白過來，他們就害怕。看見這事的便將被鬼附着的人怎麼得救告訴他們。格拉森四圍的人，因為害怕得很，都求耶穌離開他們，耶穌就上船回去了。鬼所離開的那人懇求和耶穌同在，耶穌卻打發他回去，說：「你回家去，傳說神為你做了何等大的事。」他就去滿城裏傳揚耶穌為他做了何等大的事。』(路加福音 8:34-39) 同樣的事在馬可福音 5:14-20 有敍述，並在在馬太福音 8:28-34 有簡略的記載。

     剛才談到，門徒們看到了耶穌平靜了風浪，是又懼怕又希奇。在這裏，害怕也是正常的反應，因為他們看見或聽見了非常的事，不知道耶穌是何等人。他們顯然是害怕大於希奇，也許加上了怕和豬的主人一樣有財務上的損失，以致於他們都求耶穌離開他們，失去了救恩的機會。

    我們也看到了耶穌行了神蹟，但不強迫他們相信而接受祂。這就像在馬可福音 10:17-22 和路加福音 18:18-23 所述的情況一樣，有一個財主問耶穌說，『…良善的夫子，我該做甚麼事才可以承受永生？』(路加福音 18:18) 。『耶穌對他說：「…誡命你是曉得的：『不可殺人，不可姦淫，不可偷盜，不可作假見證，不可虧負人，當孝敬父母。』」他對耶穌說：「夫子，這一切我從小都遵守了。」』(馬可福音 10:18-20) 『耶穌看着他，就愛他，對他說：「你還缺少一件，去變賣你所有的，分給窮人，就必有財寶在天上；你還要來跟從我。」』(馬可福音 10:21)  那時耶穌講了，也邀請他跟隨祂，但人有自由意志，最後是『他聽見這話，臉上就變了色，憂憂愁愁地走了，因為他的產業很多。』(馬可福音 10:22) 我們一定要知道，撒但的權勢絕對不會大過神的能力，神不允許，牠一步都不能夠越過。(參約伯記 1-2:7) 在約伯記中也可看到，撒但得到的許可都只是一次，如果要第二次行事，必須要另外得到許可才行。

       關於鬼所離開的那人懇求和耶穌同在的事，馬可福音有較詳細的記載。『耶穌上船的時候，那從前被鬼附着的人懇求和耶穌同在。耶穌不許，卻對他說：「你回家去，到你的親屬那裏，將主為你所做的是何等大的事，是怎樣憐憫你，都告訴他們。」那人就走了，在低加坡里傳揚耶穌為他做了何等大的事，眾人就都希奇。』(馬可福音 5:18-20) 請注意，這和有一個長大痲瘋的來求耶穌的情況不同，那時『耶穌嚴嚴地囑咐他，就打發他走，對他說：「你要謹慎，甚麼話都不可告訴人；只要去把身體給祭司察看，又因為你潔淨了，獻上摩西所吩咐的禮物，對眾人作證據。」』(馬可福音 1:43-44) 從經文我們可看到這人是在猶大的猶太人，不一樣的反應是因為他是猶太人，而不是因為祂因動了慈心行了神蹟，而那猶太人『…出去，倒說許多的話，把這件事傳揚開了，叫耶穌以後不得再明明地進城，只好在外邊曠野地方。人從各處都就了他來。』(馬可福音 1:45) 祂知道祂的時間還沒到，在那以前的最初，祂都是在猶太人面前以低姿態出現的。例如『耶穌就對他們(祂的弟兄)說：「我的時候還沒有到，你們的時候常是方便的。世人不能恨你們，卻是恨我，因為我指證他們所做的事是惡的。你們上去過節吧！我現在不上去過這節，因為我的時候還沒有滿。」耶穌說了這話，仍舊住在加利利。但他弟兄上去以後，他也上去過節，不是明去，似乎是暗去的。』(約翰福音 7:6-10) 而低加坡里是在外邦，和祂受難沒有直接的關係。記得猶太人要致祂於死地好像是祂不守律法上的安息日開始的，因經文說：『所以猶太人越發想要殺他，因他不但犯了安息日，並且稱神為他的父，將自己和神當作平等。』(約翰福音 5:18) 所以祂沒有守律法上安息日的日子。就像我們以前所分享的，祂守的是安息日的精意，我們要知道，『…安息日是為人設立的，人不是為安息日設立的。所以，人子也是安息日的主。』(馬可福音 2:27-28)

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First, those who hear the word of God and act on it are relatives. Please note that Jesus didn’t deny His mother and brothers. He just said it to include everyone who hears God’s word and acts on it as relatives. Secondly, He knew that if He commanded the wind and the sea, they would obey Him, there was no reason for Him to panic. Indeed, He did so. And the people around Him felt fearful and amazed. Thirdly, we talk about the event of casting out the demons into the swine. We can see even the person possessed by demons still had a choice in front of Jesus. Fourthly, those knowing the event apparently were more fearful than amazed. They asked Jesus to leave and lost the opportunity to get salvation. Although Jesus performed a miracle, He didn’t have any intention to force them to believe and thus receive Him, just like the example described here from the other occasion. And we explain the seeming contradiction about why He wanted the person with leprosy not to talk about his healing while also asking the possessed man to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him.

1. Who hear the word of God and do it are relatives

In Luke 8:19-21, it says, “And His mother and brothers came to Him, and they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd. And it was reported to Him, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wishing to see You.” But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.””

The same event is recorded in Matthew 12:46-50, “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.”” Mark 3:31-35 also records the same event.

Please note that He didn’t deny His mother and brothers. He just said things including all people who hear the word of God and do it are relatives. Conversely, we see that He asked John to take care of His mother as said in John 19:26-27, “When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour the disciple took her into his own household.” Here, we also see that all of the male disciples except John fled. John was the only one who was in front of the cross.

2. The miracle of stilling the sea

In Luke 8:22-25, it says, “Now on one of those days Jesus and His disciples got into a boat, and He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they launched out. But as they were sailing along He fell asleep; and a fierce gale of wind descended on the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger. They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm. And He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?””

The same event is recorded in Matthew 8:23-27. When “He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” …”(Matthew 8:26) That was why He said to them, “…”Where is your faith?” …”(Luke 8:25) We see that Jesus maintained His calm even in the middle of storms, since He Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion, and they had to wake Him. (Ref. Mark 4:35-41) He knows that if He commands the winds and the water, then they will obey Him. He eventually did command the wind and the rain to calm down, but the reaction of the men was to be fearful and amazed.

3. The event of casting out the demons into the swine

In Luke 8:26-33, it says, “Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. And when He came out onto the land, He was met by a man from the city who was possessed with demons; and who had not put on any clothing for a long time, and was not living in a house, but in the tombs. Seeing Jesus, he cried out and fell before Him, and said in a loud voice, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me.” For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had seized him many times; and he was bound with chains and shackles and kept under guard, and yet he would break his bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert. And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. They were imploring Him not to command them to go away into the abyss. Now there was a herd of many swine feeding there on the mountain; and the demons implored Him to permit them to enter the swine. And He gave them permission. And the demons came out of the man and entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.” The same event is recorded in Mark 5:1-13, and also in Matthew 8:28-32 briefly.

It is clearly said where the event happened. We can see that the strength of the man possessed by demons was unusually strong beyond a normal human being, who was affected by other situations as well. We can see that demons implored Him to permit them to enter the swine and got His permission.  But the herd couldn’t tolerate them and died. After all, the demons went into the abyss eventually. It is clear that Jesus had great authority in the spiritual world. We can also see that although the man was possessed by many demons, he still had a choice since it is said in Luke 8:28 “Seeing Jesus, he cried out and fell before Him, …”  In Mark 5:19, it says, “…how He had mercy on you.” Out of mercy, He cast out the demons. Therefore, we can see that even though we are in a worse situation from our viewpoint, we still have a choice. That is, no matter what, we can still crawl in front of the salvation of Jesus. Regarding to the situation of the man possessed by demons, it is described more clearly in Mark 5:1-13, which says that the number of the swine is about two thousand. So, we can see that the financial loss to the owner of the swine was pretty big.

4. What happened afterwards 

In Luke 8:34-39, it says, “When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they ran away and reported it in the city and out in the country. The people went out to see what had happened; and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting down at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they became frightened. Those who had seen it reported to them how the man who was demon-possessed had been made well. And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes and the surrounding district asked Him to leave them, for they were gripped with great fear; and He got into a boat and returned. But the man from whom the demons had gone out was begging Him that he might accompany Him; but He sent him away, saying, “Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you.” So he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.” The same event is recorded in Mark 5:14-20, and also described briefly in Matthew 8:28-34.

As discussed earlier, when the disciples saw that Jesus calmed down the wind and the sea, they were fearful and amazed. In here, being gripped with great fear was a normal reaction, since they either saw or heard an unusual thing. They really didn’t know what kind of person Jesus was. Apparently, their fear was greater than their amazement. Maybe, on top of that, they were also afraid of financial losses like what happened to the owner of the swine. Thus, they asked Jesus to leave and lose the opportunity to get salvation. 

We also see that Jesus performed a miracle, but He had no intention to force them to believe and accept Him. This is sort of like what happened in Mark 10:17-22 and Luke 18:18-23, there was a wealthy person who asked Him, “… Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”(Luke 18:18) “And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments, ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’ And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.””(Luke 18:19-21) “When Jesus heard this, He said to him, “One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.””(Luke 18:22) At that time, He talked and also invited him, but man has free will. As the results, “But when he had heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.”(Luke 18:23) We must absolutely know that the power of Satan cannot exceed the authority of God. Satan cannot do anything beyond what God permits. (Ref. Job 1-2:7) In the Book of Job, we can also see that the permission of God is given to Satan for only one thing each time. If Satan wants to do anything else, he has to ask permission again. 

Regarding the demon possessed man begging Him to accompany Him, the Gospel of Mark has more details. In Mark 5:18-20, it says, “As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed was imploring Him that he might accompany Him. And He did not let him, but He said to him, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.” Please notice the situation is very different from the person who had leprosy who asked Him to heal him. At that time, as described in Mark 1:43-44, “And He sternly warned him and immediately sent him away, and He said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”” From these verses, we can see that that person was a Jew at Juda. The different reaction is because he is a Jew, not because “But he went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news around, to such an extent that Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city, but stayed out in unpopulated areas; and they were coming to Him from everywhere.”(Mark 1:45) He knew that His time was not yet come. In the beginning of that period, He always kept a low profile in front of Jews. For example, it is like what was described in John 7:6-10, “So Jesus said to them, “My time is not yet here, but your time is always opportune. The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it, that its deeds are evil. Go up to the feast yourselves; I do not go up to this feast because My time has not yet fully come.” Having said these things to them, He stayed in Galilee.  But when His brothers had gone up to the feast, then He Himself also went up, not publicly, but as if, in secret.”

The country of the Gerasenes is among the gentiles, and it is not directly linked to His nailing in the cross. Remember that the Jews wanted to kill Him starting with the time His not following the time of Sabbath, since the verse says in John 5:18, “For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.” So, He didn’t follow the time of Sabbath according to Law. What He did obey the true meaning of Sabbath. We must know what said in Mark 2:27-28, “Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.””

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

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     我们首先提到在法利赛人家中抹香膏的女人和打破玉瓶而浇香膏的女人不是同一件事。在抹香膏的女人身上，爱多赦免就多。『我们爱，因为神先爱我们。』(约翰一书 4:19) 第二，我们看到了妇女的供给，和耶稣设立了十二使徒是为了学习并和祂一同去传道的。第三，耶稣讲了撒种的比喻。人常常会想我是那结实几倍的，却没有想到没有一个能听的耳且行道，那能听到神的声音而行道。第四，我们来看圣经怎么解释这比喻，明说撒的就是道，而要能真正的忍耐著行道才能结实，也看到了即使灯放在床底下，仍不能遮掩其亮光。就像掩藏的事没有不显出来的。

1. 抹香膏的女人    

     『有一个法利赛人请耶稣和他吃饭，耶稣就到法利赛人家里去坐席。那城里有一个女人，是个罪人，知道耶稣在法利赛人家里坐席，就拿著盛香膏的玉瓶，站在耶稣背后，挨著他的脚哭，眼泪湿了耶稣的脚，就用自己的头发擦干，又用嘴连连亲他的脚，把香膏抹上。请耶稣的法利赛人看见这事，心里说：「这人若是先知，必知道摸他的是谁，是个怎样的女人，乃是个罪人。」耶稣对他说：「西门，我有句话要对你说。」西门说：「夫子，请说。」耶稣说：「一个债主有两个人欠他的债：一个欠五十两银子，一个欠五两银子，因为他们无力偿还，债主就开恩免了他们两个人的债。这两个人哪一个更爱他呢？」西门回答说：「我想是那多得恩免的人。」 耶稣说：「你断的不错。」于是转过来向著那女人，便对西门说：「你看见这女人吗？我进了你的家，你没有给我水洗脚，但这女人用眼泪湿了我的脚，用头发擦干。你没有与我亲嘴，但这女人从我进来的时候就不住地用嘴亲我的脚。你没有用油抹我的头，但这女人用香膏抹我的脚。所以我告诉你，她许多的罪都赦免了，因为她的爱多；但那赦免少的，他的爱就少。」于是对那女人说：「你的罪赦免了！」同席的人心里说：「这是甚么人，竟赦免人的罪呢？」耶稣对那女人说：「你的信救了你，平平安安地回去吧！」(路加福音 7:36-50)       

     这段相当的清楚，我们知道这事发生的地点是在法利赛人西门的家里，因为路加福音是按照次序写的，所以知道不是接近耶稣被钉十字架的时间。我们看到了那女人做的事情，但我不知道那女人是谁，其实谁并不重要，比较重要的是我们要看她对耶稣做的事情，这是为什么耶稣看见了她的信。     

     从耶稣和西门对话，就知道耶稣的确知道那抹膏的女人是个罪人，也看到这女人也知道自己是个罪人，是不配得赦免的，但耶稣见她的信，赦免了她的罪。我们看得到同席的人不知道『…人子在地上有赦罪的权柄…』(马可福音 2:10) 相信这也是因为祂的怜悯和恩典赦了罪，这不正是我们现在的光景吗？虽然『…世人都犯了罪，亏缺了神的荣耀；如今却蒙神的恩典，因基督耶稣的救赎，就白白地称义。』(罗马书 3:23-24) 神爱我们，怜悯我们，给了我们一个机会，因信称义。    

     我们也看得到从人(西门)的角度和从神(耶稣)的角度在断定这件事上是一致的，绝对不是从两个角度看一定是不同的，只是当两个角度看是不同的时候，我们应该选择从神的角度看，即使不为别的原因如顺服神，也要因为知道，『耶和华说：「我的意念非同你们的意念，我的道路非同你们的道路。天怎样高过地，照样，我的道路高过你们的道路，我的意念高过你们的意念。』(以赛亚书 55:8-9) 所以我们的看见不一定是对的，顺服圣灵的带领绝对是对我们好的。    

     我们再强调一次，虽然我们是人，但是我们是可以从神的角度看事情，因为圣经是神所默示，从正确的不强解圣经看，就是从神的角度看，但反过来是不对的。简单的说，只要想到神是无限，而圣经的字句有限就可以了。所以读经时不能自己加等号，以免犯错误，改了圣经的话语都不知道，听别人的话也当是如此！       

     最后要提的是，有人可能会以为在马太福音 26:6-13 及马可福音 14:3-9 中所讲打破玉瓶而浇香膏的女人是同一件事，在那里，两个地方的确是对观福音中写的同一件事，是为耶稣安葬做的，发生的时间是接近耶稣被钉十字架的时候，看发生的时间就知道不是和抹香膏的女人同一件事，虽然同样在叫做西门的家中发生的，应该不是同一个西门，我们分享到那里时再谈详情。

2. 跟随耶稣的妇女和十二门徒       

     『过了不多日，耶稣周游各城各乡传道，宣讲神国的福音。和他同去的有十二个门徒，还有被恶鬼所附、被疾病所累、已经治好的几个妇女，内中有称为抹大拉的马利亚，曾有七个鬼从她身上赶出来；又有希律的家宰苦撒的妻子约亚拿，并苏撒拿，和好些别的妇女，都是用自己的财物供给耶稣和门徒。』(路加福音 8:1-3)       

     耶稣设立了十二使徒是为了学习并和祂一同去传道的。这十二个使徒是有权柄赶鬼的，就如经文所说，『他就设立十二个人，要他们常和自己同在，也要差他们去传道，并给他们权柄赶鬼。』(马可福音 3:14-15) 以彼得和约翰为例就可以看到他们跟著耶稣的学习，『他们见彼得、约翰的胆量，又看出他们原是没有学问的小民，就希奇，认明他们是跟过耶稣的。』(使徒行传 4:13) 请注意他们的胆量是来自五旬节圣灵降临后，因耶稣上十字架时，除了约翰在那之前里外，门徒是四散的 [1]。 这里也看到有好些妇女在耶稣传道时的供献，用自己的财物供给耶稣和门徒。

3. 撒种的比喻       

     我们首先看看这比喻的本身，『当许多人聚集、又有人从各城里出来见耶稣的时候，耶稣就用比喻说：「有一个撒种的出去撒种。撒的时候，有落在路旁的，被人践踏，天上的飞鸟又来吃尽了。有落在磐石上的，一出来就枯干了，因为得不著滋润。有落在荆棘里的，荆棘一同生长，把它挤住了。又有落在好土里的，生长起来，结实百倍。」 耶稣说了这些话，就大声说：「有耳可听的，就应当听！」』(路加福音 8:4-8)       

     在马可福音是这样记载的，『耶稣又在海边教训人。有许多人到他那里聚集，他只得上船坐下。船在海里，众人都靠近海，站在岸上。耶稣就用比喻教训他们许多道理。在教训之间，对他们说：「你们听啊！有一个撒种的出去撒种。撒的时候，有落在路旁的，飞鸟来吃尽了。有落在土浅石头地上的，土既不深，发苗最快，日头出来一晒，因为没有根，就枯干了。有落在荆棘里的，荆棘长起来，把它挤住了，就不结实。又有落在好土里的，就发生长大，结实有三十倍的，有六十倍的，有一百倍的。」又说：「有耳可听的，就应当听！」』(马可福音 4:1-9) 在这里，我们看到撒种的比喻只是祂的教训中的一个，不是所有的都有记载的，但把不结实的原因讲得很清楚。也看到了当时的情况，耶稣是在海上的船中，众人在岸上。       

     在马太福音 13:1-9 也记载了这件事，这三个地方应该是指同一件事，因为都说了『有耳可听的，就应当听！』有一个能听的耳是很不容易的，所有启示录的七个教会都说，『圣灵向众教会所说的话，凡有耳的，就应当听！』(参启示录 2-3) 人常常会想我是那结实几倍的，却没有想到我可能是没有一个能听的耳，且不能行道的人。那能听到神的声音而行道，尤其是神借著人去传讲的话语，人常常会问，为什么就是你被拣选而不是我，却忘了神有绝对的主权，这样而能够结实是很难的！

4. 对门徒解说这比喻       

     我们看见了耶稣虽然在公众前讲了这比喻，却对门徒私底下解释了，也可见耶稣是知道祂的比喻虽简单，但是人会听不懂的，很容易人就以为自己是结实几倍的，却常常不是如此。    

     『门徒问耶稣说：「这比喻是甚么意思呢？」他说：「神国的奥秘只叫你们知道，至于别人，就用比喻，叫他们『看也看不见，听也听不明。』「这比喻乃是这样：种子就是神的道。那些在路旁的，就是人听了道，随后魔鬼来，从他们心里把道夺去，恐怕他们信了得救。那些在磐石上的，就是人听道，欢喜领受，但心中没有根，不过暂时相信，及至遇见试炼就退后了。那落在荆棘里的，就是人听了道，走开以后，被今生的思虑、钱财、宴乐挤住了，便结不出成熟的子粒来。那落在好土里的，就是人听了道，持守在诚实善良的心里，并且忍耐著结实。「没有人点灯用器皿盖上，或放在床底下，乃是放在灯台上，叫进来的人看见亮光。因为掩藏的事没有不显出来的；隐瞒的事没有不露出来被人知道的。所以，你们应当小心怎样听。因为凡有的，还要加给他；凡没有的，连他自以为有的，也要夺去。」』(路加福音 8:9-18)      

     种子就是神的道，在这里为什么不结实解释得非常清楚。人常常以为自己都是对的，不是很容易听得进别人的真实话。我们看见了光是听见了还不行，必须持守在诚实善良的心里，并且忍耐著结实，非要忍耐不可，从种子到结实是需要一段时间的。其实不是耶稣故意让他们听不懂，在马太福音 13:13就讲得很清楚，这百姓本就是油蒙了心，耳朵发沉，眼睛闭著。       

     这是马太福音所讲的，『…凡有的，还要加给他，叫他有余；凡没有的，连他所有的也要夺去。所以我用比喻对他们讲，是因他们看也看不见，听也听不见，也不明白。在他们身上，正应了以赛亚的预言，说：『你们听是要听见，却不明白；看是要看见，却不晓得。因为这百姓油蒙了心，耳朵发沉，眼睛闭著；恐怕眼睛看见，耳朵听见，心里明白，回转过来，我就医治他们。』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 13:10-17)     

     所以我们看到这百姓本是耳朵发沉，不是耶稣怕他们回转，但明讲了，重点是如果回转是会得医治的。能听到这比喻的确是有是有福的，而类似的解释在马太福音 13:18-23 和马可福音 4:13-23 也有。马可福音也明讲，『撒种之人所撒的就是道。』(马可福音 4:14) 所以会说，『凡听见天国道理不明白的，那恶者就来，把所撒在他心里的夺了去，这就是撒在路旁的了。』(马太福音 13:19) 关于凡有的就加给他们，应该是天国工作的原则，在别的经文也说到，『主人说：『我告诉你们：凡有的，还要加给他；没有的，连他所有的也要夺过来。』』(路加福音 19:26)     

     请注意，即使灯放在床底下，仍不能遮掩其亮光。就像掩藏的事没有不显出来的；隐瞒的事没有不露出来被人知道的。那么这经文是说得什么意思呢？『你们是世上的光。城造在山上，是不能隐藏的。人点灯，不放在斗底下，是放在灯台上，就照亮一家的人。你们的光也当这样照在人前，叫他们看见你们的好行为，便将荣耀归给你们在天上的父。』(马太福音 5:14-16) 难道基督徒不是都应该放在灯台上吗？这不是和这矛盾吗？不是的，这是讲到生命。我们看这经文提到了好行为，不是讲所有的基督徒要蓄意的展示自己，这是和谦卑不符合的，知道反正生命是不能隐藏的，生命会自然而然显露出来的！

参考

[1] 耶稣钉十字架时，门徒除约翰外是四散的。『…门徒都离开他逃走了。』(马太福音 26:56) 至于约翰仍在十字架前，这经文可看到，『站在耶稣十字架旁边的，有他母亲与他母亲的姊妹，并革罗罢的妻子马利亚和抹大拉的马利亚。耶稣见母亲和他所爱的那门徒(约翰)站在旁边，就对他母亲说：「母亲，看，你的儿子！」』(约翰福音 19:25-26)

(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』。)

       我們首先提到在法利賽人家中抹香膏的女人和打破玉瓶而澆香膏的女人不是同一件事。在抹香膏的女人身上，愛多赦免就多。『我們愛，因為神先愛我們。』(約翰一書 4:19) 第二，我們看到了婦女的供給，和耶穌設立了十二使徒是為了學習並和祂一同去傳道的。第三，耶穌講了撒種的比喻。人常常會想我是那結實幾倍的，卻沒有想到沒有一個能聽的耳且行道，那能聽到神的聲音而行道。第四，我們來看聖經怎麼解釋這比喻，明說撒的就是道，而要能真正的忍耐著行道才能結實，也看到了即使燈放在牀底下，仍不能遮掩其亮光。就像掩藏的事沒有不顯出來的。

1. 抹香膏的女人

    『有一個法利賽人請耶穌和他吃飯，耶穌就到法利賽人家裏去坐席。那城裏有一個女人，是個罪人，知道耶穌在法利賽人家裏坐席，就拿着盛香膏的玉瓶，站在耶穌背後，挨着他的腳哭，眼淚濕了耶穌的腳，就用自己的頭髮擦乾，又用嘴連連親他的腳，把香膏抹上。請耶穌的法利賽人看見這事，心裏說：「這人若是先知，必知道摸他的是誰，是個怎樣的女人，乃是個罪人。」耶穌對他說：「西門，我有句話要對你說。」西門說：「夫子，請說。」耶穌說：「一個債主有兩個人欠他的債：一個欠五十兩銀子，一個欠五兩銀子，因為他們無力償還，債主就開恩免了他們兩個人的債。這兩個人哪一個更愛他呢？」西門回答說：「我想是那多得恩免的人。」 耶穌說：「你斷的不錯。」於是轉過來向着那女人，便對西門說：「你看見這女人嗎？我進了你的家，你沒有給我水洗腳，但這女人用眼淚濕了我的腳，用頭髮擦乾。你沒有與我親嘴，但這女人從我進來的時候就不住地用嘴親我的腳。你沒有用油抹我的頭，但這女人用香膏抹我的腳。所以我告訴你，她許多的罪都赦免了，因為她的愛多；但那赦免少的，他的愛就少。」於是對那女人說：「你的罪赦免了！」同席的人心裏說：「這是甚麼人，竟赦免人的罪呢？」耶穌對那女人說：「你的信救了你，平平安安地回去吧！」(路加福音 7:36-50)

       這段相當的清楚，我們知道這事發生的地點是在法利賽人西門的家裏，因為路加福音是按照次序寫的，所以知道不是接近耶穌被釘十字架的時間。我們看到了那女人做的事情，但我不知道那女人是誰，其實誰並不重要，比較重要的是我們要看她對耶穌做的事情，這是為什麼耶穌看見了她的信。

     從耶穌和西門對話，就知道耶穌的確知道那抹膏的女人是個罪人，也看到這女人也知道自己是個罪人，是不配得赦免的，但耶穌見她的信，赦免了她的罪。我們看得到同席的人不知道『…人子在地上有赦罪的權柄…』(馬可福音 2:10) 相信這也是因為祂的憐憫和恩典赦了罪，這不正是我們現在的光景嗎？雖然『…世人都犯了罪，虧缺了神的榮耀；如今卻蒙神的恩典，因基督耶穌的救贖，就白白地稱義。』(羅馬書 3:23-24) 神愛我們，憐憫我們，給了我們一個機會，因信稱義。

    我們也看得到從人(西門)的角度和從神(耶穌)的角度在斷定這件事上是一致的，絕對不是從兩個角度看一定是不同的，只是當兩個角度看是不同的時候，我們應該選擇從神的角度看，即使不為別的原因如順服神，也要因為知道，『耶和華說：「我的意念非同你們的意念，我的道路非同你們的道路。天怎樣高過地，照樣，我的道路高過你們的道路，我的意念高過你們的意念。』(以賽亞書 55:8-9) 所以我們的看見不一定是對的，順服聖靈的帶領絕對是對我們好的。

    我們再強調一次，雖然我們是人，但是我們是可以從神的角度看事情，因為聖經是神所默示，從正確的不強解聖經看，就是從神的角度看，但反過來是不對的。簡單的說，只要想到神是無限，而聖經的字句有限就可以了。所以讀經時不能自己加等號，以免犯錯誤，改了聖經的話語都不知道，聽別人的話也當是如此！

       最後要提的是，有人可能會以為在馬太福音 26:6-13 及馬可福音 14:3-9 中所講打破玉瓶而澆香膏的女人是同一件事，在那裏，兩個地方的確是對觀福音中寫的同一件事，是為耶穌安葬做的，發生的時間是接近耶穌被釘十字架的時候，看發生的時間就知道不是和抹香膏的女人同一件事，雖然同樣在叫做西門的家中發生的，應該不是同一個西門，我們分享到那裏時再談詳情。

2. 跟隨耶穌的婦女和十二門徒

       『過了不多日，耶穌周遊各城各鄉傳道，宣講神國的福音。和他同去的有十二個門徒，還有被惡鬼所附、被疾病所累、已經治好的幾個婦女，內中有稱為抹大拉的馬利亞，曾有七個鬼從她身上趕出來；又有希律的家宰苦撒的妻子約亞拿，並蘇撒拿，和好些別的婦女，都是用自己的財物供給耶穌和門徒。』(路加福音 8:1-3)

       耶穌設立了十二使徒是為了學習並和祂一同去傳道的。這十二個使徒是有權柄趕鬼的，就如經文所說，『他就設立十二個人，要他們常和自己同在，也要差他們去傳道，並給他們權柄趕鬼。』(馬可福音 3:14-15) 以彼得和約翰為例就可以看到他們跟著耶穌的學習，『他們見彼得、約翰的膽量，又看出他們原是沒有學問的小民，就希奇，認明他們是跟過耶穌的。』(使徒行傳 4:13) 請注意他們的膽量是來自五旬節聖靈降臨後，因耶穌上十字架時，除了約翰在那之前裏外，門徒是四散的 [1]。 這裏也看到有好些婦女在耶穌傳道時的供獻，用自己的財物供給耶穌和門徒。

3. 撒種的比喻

       我們首先看看這比喻的本身，『當許多人聚集、又有人從各城裏出來見耶穌的時候，耶穌就用比喻說：「有一個撒種的出去撒種。撒的時候，有落在路旁的，被人踐踏，天上的飛鳥又來吃盡了。有落在磐石上的，一出來就枯乾了，因為得不着滋潤。有落在荊棘裏的，荊棘一同生長，把它擠住了。又有落在好土裏的，生長起來，結實百倍。」 耶穌說了這些話，就大聲說：「有耳可聽的，就應當聽！」』(路加福音 8:4-8)

       在馬可福音是這樣記載的，『耶穌又在海邊教訓人。有許多人到他那裏聚集，他只得上船坐下。船在海裏，眾人都靠近海，站在岸上。耶穌就用比喻教訓他們許多道理。在教訓之間，對他們說：「你們聽啊！有一個撒種的出去撒種。撒的時候，有落在路旁的，飛鳥來吃盡了。有落在土淺石頭地上的，土既不深，發苗最快，日頭出來一曬，因為沒有根，就枯乾了。有落在荊棘裏的，荊棘長起來，把它擠住了，就不結實。又有落在好土裏的，就發生長大，結實有三十倍的，有六十倍的，有一百倍的。」又說：「有耳可聽的，就應當聽！」』(馬可福音 4:1-9) 在這裏，我們看到撒種的比喻只是祂的教訓中的一個，不是所有的都有記載的，但把不結實的原因講得很清楚。也看到了當時的情況，耶穌是在海上的船中，眾人在岸上。

       在馬太福音 13:1-9 也記載了這件事，這三個地方應該是指同一件事，因為都說了『有耳可聽的，就應當聽！』有一個能聽的耳是很不容易的，所有啓示錄的七個教會都說，『聖靈向眾教會所說的話，凡有耳的，就應當聽！』(參啓示錄 2-3) 人常常會想我是那結實幾倍的，卻沒有想到我可能是沒有一個能聽的耳，且不能行道的人。那能聽到神的聲音而行道，尤其是神藉著人去傳講的話語，人常常會問，為什麼就是你被揀選而不是我，卻忘了神有絕對的主權，這樣而能夠結實是很難的！

4. 對門徒解說這比喻

       我們看見了耶穌雖然在公眾前講了這比喻，卻對門徒私底下解釋了，也可見耶穌是知道祂的比喻雖簡單，但是人會聽不懂的，很容易人就以為自己是結實幾倍的，卻常常不是如此。

    『門徒問耶穌說：「這比喻是甚麼意思呢？」他說：「神國的奧秘只叫你們知道，至於別人，就用比喻，叫他們『看也看不見，聽也聽不明。』「這比喻乃是這樣：種子就是神的道。那些在路旁的，就是人聽了道，隨後魔鬼來，從他們心裏把道奪去，恐怕他們信了得救。那些在磐石上的，就是人聽道，歡喜領受，但心中沒有根，不過暫時相信，及至遇見試煉就退後了。那落在荊棘裏的，就是人聽了道，走開以後，被今生的思慮、錢財、宴樂擠住了，便結不出成熟的子粒來。那落在好土裏的，就是人聽了道，持守在誠實善良的心裏，並且忍耐着結實。「沒有人點燈用器皿蓋上，或放在牀底下，乃是放在燈台上，叫進來的人看見亮光。因為掩藏的事沒有不顯出來的；隱瞞的事沒有不露出來被人知道的。所以，你們應當小心怎樣聽。因為凡有的，還要加給他；凡沒有的，連他自以為有的，也要奪去。」』(路加福音 8:9-18)

      種子就是神的道，在這裏為什麼不結實解釋得非常清楚。人常常以為自己都是對的，不是很容易聽得進別人的真實話。我們看見了光是聽見了還不行，必須持守在誠實善良的心裏，並且忍耐着結實，非要忍耐不可，從種子到結實是需要一段時間的。其實不是耶穌故意讓他們聽不懂，在馬太福音 13:13就講得很清楚，這百姓本就是油蒙了心，耳朵發沉，眼睛閉着。

       這是馬太福音所講的，『…凡有的，還要加給他，叫他有餘；凡沒有的，連他所有的也要奪去。所以我用比喻對他們講，是因他們看也看不見，聽也聽不見，也不明白。在他們身上，正應了以賽亞的預言，說：『你們聽是要聽見，卻不明白；看是要看見，卻不曉得。因為這百姓油蒙了心，耳朵發沉，眼睛閉着；恐怕眼睛看見，耳朵聽見，心裏明白，回轉過來，我就醫治他們。』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 13:10-17) 

     所以我們看到這百姓本是耳朵發沉，不是耶穌怕他們回轉，但明講了，重點是如果回轉是會得醫治的。能聽到這比喻的確是有是有福的，而類似的解釋在馬太福音 13:18-23 和馬可福音 4:13-23 也有。馬可福音也明講，『撒種之人所撒的就是道。』(馬可福音 4:14) 所以會說，『凡聽見天國道理不明白的，那惡者就來，把所撒在他心裏的奪了去，這就是撒在路旁的了。』(馬太福音 13:19) 關於凡有的就加給他們，應該是天國工作的原則，在別的經文也說到，『主人說：『我告訴你們：凡有的，還要加給他；沒有的，連他所有的也要奪過來。』』(路加福音 19:26)

     請注意，即使燈放在牀底下，仍不能遮掩其亮光。就像掩藏的事沒有不顯出來的；隱瞞的事沒有不露出來被人知道的。那麼這經文是說得什麼意思呢？『你們是世上的光。城造在山上，是不能隱藏的。人點燈，不放在斗底下，是放在燈台上，就照亮一家的人。你們的光也當這樣照在人前，叫他們看見你們的好行為，便將榮耀歸給你們在天上的父。』(馬太福音 5:14-16) 難道基督徒不是都應該放在燈台上嗎？這不是和這矛盾嗎？不是的，這是講到生命。我們看這經文提到了好行為，不是講所有的基督徒要蓄意的展示自己，這是和謙卑不符合的，知道反正生命是不能隱藏的，生命會自然而然顯露出來的！

參考

[1] 耶穌釘十字架時，門徒除約翰外是四散的。『…門徒都離開他逃走了。』(馬太福音 26:56) 至於約翰仍在十字架前，這經文可看到，『站在耶穌十字架旁邊的，有他母親與他母親的姊妹，並革羅罷的妻子馬利亞和抹大拉的馬利亞。耶穌見母親和他所愛的那門徒(約翰)站在旁邊，就對他母親說：「母親，看，你的兒子！」』(約翰福音 19:25-26)

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

We first take a look at the woman who anointed Jesus with perfume in the house of the Pharisee Simon. The event of the woman described in Mark 14:3 and Matthew 26:6-13, who broke an alabaster vial of very costly perfume, isn’t the same event. Here, she loved much and was forgiven correspondingly. “We love, because He first loved us.”(1 John 4:19) Secondly, we see that many women were contributing to their support, and the reason why Jesus chose the twelve is for them to learn and to preach with Him. Thirdly, Jesus told the parable of sowing seeds. People often think that they are the persons who have multiple fruits, without thinking that they may have no ears which can hear and also are not doers. For those like this, how can they hear what God says and be doers? Fourthly, let us take a look at how the Bible interprets this parable, which says clearly what was sown is the Word. Only those who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast can bear fruit with perseverance. We also see that even a lamp is put under a bed, it cannot hide its light just like anything secret that will come to light eventually.

1. The woman who anointed Jesus with perfume

In Luke 7:36-50, it says, “Now one of the Pharisees was requesting Him to dine with him, and He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. And there was a woman in the city who was a sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume, and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume. Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner.” And Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he replied, “Say it, Teacher.” “A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?” Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have judged correctly.” Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.””

This paragraph is clearly enough. We know the place of the event which is in the house of the Pharisee Simon. Because the Gospel of Luke is written according to order of events, we know that it happened nowhere close to the time that Jesus was nailed to the cross. We see what the woman did without knowing who she was. Her name is not so important. What is more important is what she did to Jesus. This is why Jesus saw her faith. 

From the conversation between Jesus and Simon, we know that Jesus indeed knew the woman is a sinner.  And she knew herself very well that she was not worthy to be saved. But He forgave her sin. We saw that those who were reclining at the table with Him didn’t know, “…that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”(Mark 2:10) We believe that her sin was forgiven is also because of His compassion and grace. Isn’t it our current situation just like this? Although we “…have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.”(Romans 3:23-24) God loves us, has compassion on us, and gives us a chance to be justified by faith.

We can also see in this case that to see things in the aspect of human (Simon) and that in the aspect of God (Jesus) are consistent. So, we can see that the two viewpoints are not necessarily absolutely different. But when these two viewpoints are different, we should not choose our viewpoint. If not for reasons like obeying the Holy Spirit, we must know what was stated in Isaiah 55:8-9, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.” Therefore, our viewpoint is not necessarily correct. It is absolutely good for us if we obey the leading of the Holy Spirit. 

Let us emphasize again that although we are humans, but we can see things in the aspect of God since the Bible is inspired by God. It is very important for us to interpret the words from the Bible correctly. But the converse is not true. Basically, all we need to know is that God is infinite, and the words in the Bible is finite. Infinity cannot be equal to finite. Thus, we cannot add equal sign for two statements arbitrarily to avoid mistakes. Otherwise, we may have changed the messages in the Bible without knowing. The same goes for listening to the words of others. Don’t add equal signs because of our own thinking.

Finally, what we want to mention at the end of this section is that some people may think the event of the woman described in Mark 14:3-9 and in Matthew 26:6-13, who broke an alabaster vial of very costly perfume, is the same event as this one. What was described in Mark 14:3-9 and in Matthew 26:6-13 is indeed the same event, which is for the burial of Jesus, and happened very close to the time Jesus was nailed in the cross. Looking at the time of what happened, we know that the event there and this one is not the same event even though both happened at the house of the person named Simon. They are not the same persons but with the same name. We’ll discuss the details when we reach there. 

2. The women who followed Jesus and the twelve apostles  

In Luke 8:1-3, it says, “Soon afterwards, He began going around from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means.”

The reason why Jesus chose the twelve is for them to learn and to preach with Him. The twelve had authority to cast out demons, as said in Mark 3:14-15, “And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach, and to have authority to cast out the demons.” We can indeed see their learning from the example of Peter and John described in Acts 4:13, “Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.” Please notice that their courage came after the Holy Spirit came down in Pentecost. The situation is now different from when Jesus was ready to be nailed in the cross. At that time, all disciples fled except John [1]. Here, we can also see that many women were contributing to their support out of their private means.

3. The parable of sowing seeds 

We first look at the parable itself in Luke 8:4-8, “When a large crowd was coming together, and those from the various cities were journeying to Him, He spoke by way of a parable: “The sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell beside the road, and it was trampled under foot and the birds of the air ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky soil, and as soon as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. Other seed fell among the thorns; and the thorns grew up with it and choked it out. Other seed fell into the good soil, and grew up, and produced a crop a hundred times as great.” As He said these things, He would call out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.””

The same event is so recorded in Mark 4:1-9, “He began to teach again by the sea. And such a very large crowd gathered to Him that He got into a boat in the sea and sat down; and the whole crowd was by the sea on the land. And He was teaching them many things in parables, and was saying to them in His teaching, “Listen to this! Behold, the sower went out to sow; as he was sowing, some seed fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on the rocky ground where it did not have much soil; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of soil. And after the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. Other seeds fell into the good soil, and as they grew up and increased, they yielded a crop and produced thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.” And He was saying, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”” Here, we see that His teaching is not restricted to this one, many teachings were not recorded, and it says clearly about why some people cannot bear fruits. We also see the situation at that time. Jesus was in a boat in the sea with the whole crowd who was by the sea on the land.

In Matthew 13:1-9, the same event is recorded also. These three are the same thing and they all say that “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Having ears that can hear is not an easy thing. All seven churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation were told, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”(Ref. Revelation 2-3) People often thinks that they are the persons who has multiple fruits, without thinking that they may have no ears which can hear and also doers. For those like this, how can they hear what God says and be doers? In particular, when God through a person preaches His words, people may ask, how come it is you and not me? They forget that God has absolute authority. For those like these, it is difficult for them to bear fruits!

4. Explaining the parable to disciples 

Although Jesus told the crowd this parable in public, He explained it to the disciples in private. We can see that Jesus knew that although the parable was simple enough, people wouldn’t understand. It was easy for them to think that they could bear multiple fruits. The reality may not be so.

It is said in Luke 8:9-18 “His disciples began questioning Him as to what this parable meant. And He said, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God. Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved. Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away. The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity. But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance. Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light. So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.”

Here it is said, “the seed is the word of God.” It explains clearly why some people cannot bear fruits. People often think that they are all right, and thus it is hard for them to listen to true words from others. One cannot just hear correctly, but need to hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance. Perseverance is necessary, since it takes time from a seed to bear fruits. Jesus didn’t plan to have them not to understand on purpose. It said clearly in the Book of Matthew, the crowd was to start with the status, “…while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.”(Matthew 13:13)

Here is what said in Matthew 13:10-17, “And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” Jesus answered them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, ‘You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; You will keep on seeing, but will not perceive; For the heart of this people has become dull, With their ears they scarcely hear, And they have closed their eyes, Otherwise they would see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, And understand with their heart and return, And I would heal them.’ 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.”

Therefore, we can see that the crowd was to start with “while hearing they do not hear.”  It was not that Jesus was afraid of their return. But it also said clearly that the emphasis was “return, And I would heal them.” Indeed, only the blessed could hear this parable. Similar messages are also given in Matthew 13:18-23 and Mark 4:13-23. In Mark 4:14, it says clearly, “The sower sows the word.” Therefore, it is thus said in Matthew 13:19, “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road.” Regarding “whoever has, to him more shall be given,” it should be the working principle of the kingdom of heaven. As it also mentioned in other verses such as that in Luke 19:26, “I tell you that to everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.”

Please notice that even a lamp is put under a bed, it cannot hide its light just like anything secret that will come to light eventually. Then what does it mean in Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Isn’t it according to this verse that all Christians must on purpose put themselves on the lampstand? Isn’t it just contradictory to what we just said? No, here talks about life. The verses mention about good works. It isn’t talking about that all Christians must display themselves in public on purpose. This is contradictory to what being humble is. We should know that life cannot hide in any way. Life will show it up naturally and eventually, no matter what one tries to pretend!

Reference

[1] When Jesus was in ready to be nailed in the cross, except John, “…all the disciples left Him and fled.”(Matthew 26:56) Regarding John was in front of the cross, it is described in John 19:25-26, “Therefore the soldiers did these things. But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!””

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

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