首先我們透過最後的晚餐中發生事情的順序，看到了明顯的矛盾，因此問，神究竟要藉著這告訴我們什麼？由此我們談到了邏輯的工具，無神論是「相信」沒有神，基督徒相信三位一體的神，所以基督徒是活在相信神的「信心」中。接著談到了耶穌為門徒洗腳的事情，經文說得很清楚，祂是給我們作榜樣。最後我們討論四本福音書都提到了，耶穌預知猶大將賣祂的事。也看到一個例子，知道如果神不開我們的眼睛，就是明說，我們也會看不見，還以為知道了。屬靈的事情就是如此。 順便一提的是以後有一段時間是每兩週一篇短文，不像過去一樣是每週一篇。這樣會直到翻譯的工作完成。目前必須翻譯的是譯慕安得烈(Andrew Murray)著「口袋伴侶系列」(Pocket Companion Series) 的十二本小册子，必須花較多的時間趕緊完成。現在已翻譯了七本小册子，可在網站 「 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 」免費下載原版的中英對譯本。

(1) 邏輯

    上次我們按照路加福音說到杯的設立是在飯後 [1]，但馬可福音是說吃的時候 [2]。如果那些只有約翰福音講的事情是按著次序，我們還是不能確實的知道，洗腳到底是晚飯完後或晚飯還沒有吃完，因為聖經沒有明講 [3]。其實有時候事件發生的先後秩序不是最重要的，重要的是要傳遞的訊息。因人有自由意志，聖經沒有明講時，是很難確實的知道的。

    我最開始以為、聖經敘述最後的晚餐發生的事情是有確定的順序的，尤其路加福音說到了這秩序，而我確實的相信『聖經都是神所默示的，…』(提摩太後書 3:16)，現在有明顯的予盾，我們實在該問神究竟要藉著這明顯的予盾，在聖經要告訴我們什麼？我們以前也講過這樣的例子 [4]。 在這裏，我想順序不是這麼重要，重要的是訊息。我以為敘述是有順序的，這是從我(人)的角度看。但是由聖經讀出來後，發覺了聖經不是這樣說，因此放棄了原先的假設，這是從聖經(神)的角度看。讀聖經就是應該這樣，從神的角度看讀出來。我們以前講過，聖經是神所默示的，從聖經的角度看就是從神的角度看。反之不然，不能隨便劃等號 [5]。

    其實我們可以用數學上的証明作為一個類比，在証明一個定理前，我們常常會想到一個可能的結果，然後試著用邏輯推導出這結果。如果一切順利，就一步一步的推導出這定理。如果其中一步找到了予盾的反例，或走不下去，就只好放棄了。所以講到邏輯，這只是一個工具，由一些不能証明的公理(假設)開始，可以推導出不同的定理。當假設不同時，會導出不同的定理的。用在信仰上作為類比，只用邏輯不能証明有神或無神存在，會變成不可知論者，其實不可知論著相信只有邏輯能証明的是對的，是在這樣的信心裏面。無神論者在信心中相信沒有神，基督徒在信心中相信三位一體的神，這是在信心中有著不同的假設，當然會導出不同的結果，反應出在不同的生活中，所以基督徒真要活在相信神的信心中。

(2) 洗腳 (約翰福音 13:2-17)

    只有約翰福音提到洗腳這件事，經文實在很清楚，我們就直接讀經文。『吃晚飯的時候…，耶穌知道父已將萬有交在他手裏，且知道自己是從神出來的，又要歸到神那裏去，就離席站起來脫了衣服，拿一條手巾束腰，隨後把水倒在盆裏，就洗門徒的腳，並用自己所束的手巾擦乾。挨到西門彼得，彼得對他說：「主啊，你洗我的腳嗎？」耶穌回答說：「我所做的，你如今不知道，後來必明白。」彼得說：「你永不可洗我的腳！」 耶穌說：「我若不洗你，你就與我無分了。」西門彼得說：「主啊，不但我的腳，連手和頭也要洗！」耶穌說：「凡洗過澡的人，只要把腳一洗，全身就乾淨了；你們是乾淨的，然而不都是乾淨的。」耶穌原知道要賣他的是誰，所以說：「你們不都是乾淨的。」耶穌洗完了他們的腳，就穿上衣服，又坐下，對他們說：「我向你們所做的，你們明白嗎？你們稱呼我夫子，稱呼我主，你們說的不錯，我本來是。我是你們的主，你們的夫子，尚且洗你們的腳，你們也當彼此洗腳。我給你們作了榜樣，叫你們照着我向你們所做的去做。我實實在在地告訴你們：僕人不能大於主人，差人也不能大於差他的人。你們既知道這事，若是去行就有福了。」』(約翰福音 13:2-17)

     很清楚的，經文說，耶穌這樣做是要作我們的榜樣。而且我們看到了屬靈的領袖、不是像屬世的領袖一樣是高高在上的，而是要做榜樣，彼得瞭解相當的清楚。『我這作長老…務要牧養在你們中間神的羣羊，…不是轄制所託付你們的，乃是作羣羊的榜樣。』(彼得前書 5:1-3)

(3) 預知猶大賣主

    這是件重要的事情，四福音書都有記載 [6]，最清楚的是在約翰福音，我們可以看到耶穌預先知道猶大要賣祂。

    「我這話不是指着你們眾人說的，我知道我所揀選的是誰。現在要應驗經上的話，說：『同我吃飯的人，用腳踢我。』「如今事情還沒有成就，我要先告訴你們，叫你們到事情成就的時候，可以信我是基督。我實實在在地告訴你們：有人接待我所差遣的，就是接待我；接待我，就是接待那差遣我的。」耶穌說了這話，心裏憂愁，就明說：「我實實在在地告訴你們：你們中間有一個人要賣我了。」門徒彼此對看，猜不透所說的是誰。有一個門徒，是耶穌所愛的，側身挨近耶穌的懷裏。西門彼得點頭對他說：「你告訴我們，主是指着誰說的。」那門徒便就勢靠着耶穌的胸膛，問他說：「主啊，是誰呢？」耶穌回答說：「我蘸一點餅給誰，就是誰。」耶穌就蘸了一點餅，遞給加略人西門的兒子猶大。他吃了以後，撒但就入了他的心。 耶穌便對他說：「你所做的，快做吧！」同席的人，沒有一個知道是為甚麼對他說這話。有人因猶大帶着錢囊，以為耶穌是對他說「你去買我們過節所應用的東西」，或是叫他拿甚麼賙濟窮人。猶大受了那點餅，立刻就出去。那時候是夜間了。(約翰福音 13:18-30)

    我們看到了祂說到預知不是沒有原因的，是為了要門徒可以相信祂是基督。也看到了神常常要我們面對的是真實的自己，因為『人心比萬物都詭詐，壞到極處，誰能識透呢？』(耶利米書 17:9) 我們甚至會欺騙自己。說到撒但進入了猶大的心，有人就可能會說，這不是耶穌和撒但合作嗎？不是的，猶大自己早就淪陷了。『當下，十二門徒裏有一個稱為加略人猶大的，去見祭司長，說：「我把他交給你們，你們願意給我多少錢？」他們就給了他三十塊錢。從那時候，他就找機會要把耶穌交給他們。』(馬太福音 26:14-16) 我們也看到一個例子，知道如果神不開我們的眼睛，就是明說，我們也會看不見，還以為知道了。屬靈的事情就是如此。    

一些相關的經文和知識

[1] 飯後也照樣拿起杯來，說：「這杯是用我血所立的新約，是為你們流出來的。(路加福音 22:20)

[2] 他們吃的時候，耶穌拿起餅來，祝了福，就擘開遞給他們，說：「你們拿着吃，這是我的身體。」又拿起杯來，祝謝了，遞給他們，他們都喝了。耶穌說：「這是我立約的血，為多人出來的。…」(馬可福音 14:22-25)

[3] 吃晚飯的時候（魔鬼已將賣耶穌的意思放在西門的兒子加略人猶大心裏），耶穌知道父已將萬有交在他手裏，且知道自己是從神出來的，又要歸到神那裏去，就離席站起來脫了衣服，拿一條手巾束腰，隨後把水倒在盆裏，就洗門徒的腳，並用自己所束的手巾擦乾。(約翰福音 13:2-5)

[4] 可以在這 YouTube 鏈結找到以前曾講的例子。在「2012 耶穌復活後的第一次顯現」。   https://youtu.be/2cDP1pNK6-s 。 或在這網址找到相應的短文。  https://a-christian-voice.com/%e8%81%b2%e9%9f%b3-%e7%b9%81%e9%ab%94%e4%b8%ad%e6%96%87%ef%bf%bc/ 。

[5] 可以在這 YouTube 鏈結找到這討論在「2023 聖經說要如何讀聖經」。   https://youtu.be/YN5gPxcfyQU  。 或在同樣的網址找到相應的短文。

[6] 其他的三本福音是這樣說的，今將其列如後。『到了晚上，耶穌和十二個門徒坐席。正吃的時候，耶穌說：「我實在告訴你們：你們中間有一個人要賣我了。」他們就甚憂愁，一個一個地問他說：「主，是我嗎？」耶穌回答說：「同我蘸手在盤子裏的，就是他要賣我。人子必要去世，正如經上指着他所寫的，但賣人子的人有禍了，那人不生在世上倒好！」賣耶穌的猶大問他說：「拉比，是我嗎？」 耶穌說：「你說的是。」』(馬太福音 26:20-25) 『到了晚上，耶穌和十二個門徒都來了。他們坐席正吃的時候，耶穌說：「我實在告訴你們：你們中間有一個與我同吃的人要賣我了。」他們就憂愁起來，一個一個地問他說：「是我嗎？」耶穌對他們說：「是十二個門徒中同我蘸手在盤子裏的那個人。人子必要去世，正如經上指着他所寫的；但賣人子的人有禍了！那人不生在世上倒好。」』(馬可福音 14:17-21) 『飯後也照樣拿起杯來，說：「這杯是用我血所立的新約，是為你們流出來的。看哪，那賣我之人的手與我一同在桌子上。人子固然要照所預定的去世，但賣人子的人有禍了！」他們就彼此對問，是哪一個要做這事。』(路加福音 22:20-23)

(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, through the order of what happened in the last supper, we realized that there were apparent contradictions recorded in the Bible. Therefore, we ask what God wants to tell us through these apparent contradictions since the Bible is inspired by God. From here, we talk about logic as an instrument.  Atheists “believe” that there exists no God, and Christians “believe” the Holy Trinity. Therefore, Christians live in faith. Next, we talk about the event when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. The verse says clearly, “I gave you an example.” Lastly, we discuss the foreknowledge that Jesus predicted the betrayal of Judas. We also see an example regarding the opening eyes. If God doesn’t open our eyes, even when he is saying things clearly and on surface, we think that we know but we really don’t. Spiritual things are often like this. We also need to mention at this point that in the future for a while, there is only one short article every two weeks until the completion of the translation work of the twelve booklets of the original version of Pocket Companion Series by Andrew Murray, which has priority and needs more time. We are currently working on the translation of Book eight.

(1) Logic

Last time, the time of setting up the ceremony of drinking cup is after the supper according to the Gospel of Luke [1]. But according to the Gospel of Mark, it is during the meal [2]. If those events only in the Gospel of John are mentioned according to the order, we still cannot make sure if the event of washing the feet occurs before or after the meal, since the Bible doesn’t say clearly [3]. In fact, the order isn’t more important than the messages themselves. Since man has free will, people tend to think differently. When the Bible doesn’t say it clearly, there is no way to know precisely. 

At the beginning, I think that the description of what happened in the last supper has a definite order, particularly when the Gospel of Luke says so. I really believe that the Bible is inspired by the God, and He must know the apparent contradictions. Then we must ask what God wants us to know from the apparent contradictions. In the past, we discussed some examples [4]. Here, I believe that the order is not important but that the messages are. I thought originally that there was an order. This was to think in the aspect of human, me. But when I read out from the Bible, there is no such an order described. I had to change my viewpoint since it is what the Bible says, in the aspect of the Bible. Since the Bible is inspired by God, it is in the aspect of God. We talked about this before, but the converse is not true [5]. We cannot use the equality sign here.

In fact, we can use the mathematical proof as an analogy. Before we try to verify a theorem, we often start with thinking about the possible results. Then, we use logic to deduct such results. If everything is smooth, we can derive such results step by step. If during the tentative proof, we find a counterexample or not being able to go forward, we have to give up. So, when we talk about logic, it is just an instrument. It starts with some hypothesis which cannot be proven. From there, we can get a set of theorems. With different hypothesis, we can get different results. As an example, numbers in our daily life uses base ten to count. In computers, a number is represented by a string of zeros and ones. There are theorems worked in computer but not in our daily life. When you are only using logic, you cannot prove or disprove the existence of God. And those who only believe things that can be proven by logic are true and will lead to agnostic persons.  Atheists “believe” there exists no God, and Christians “believe” the Holy Trinity. In other words, three of them believe different hypothesis in faith. With that, it definitely leads to different conclusions, reflected in life. Therefore, Christians has to live in faith by believing in God, who is true and His existence can only be proven in your heart.

(2) Washing feet (John 13:2-17)

This event is only mentioned in the Gospel of John and is very clear there. Thus, we directly quote the verses in John 13:2-17.

“During supper, …Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. So He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, “Lord, do You wash my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter.” Peter said to Him, “Never shall You wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, then wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head.” Jesus said to him, “He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you. ” For He knew the one who was betraying Him; for this reason He said, “Not all of you are clean.” So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.” (John 13:2-17)

It is clear in the verses that Jesus did so to give us an example. And we can see a spiritual leader is not like a worldly one who sits high above and gives orders. Instead, the spiritual leader is there to be an example. Peter understood this very well as said in 1 Peter 5:1-3, “Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder …shepherd the flock of God among you, …nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.”

(3) Foreknowledge regarding Judas’ betrayal

This event is so important. So, it is recorded in all four Gospels. Since the Gospel of John describes it in most details, it is sufficient to refer it in John 13:18-30.

“I do not speak of all of you. I know the ones I have chosen; but it is that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats My bread has lifted up his heel against Me.’ From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” When Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you will betray Me.” The disciples began looking at one another, at a loss to know of which one He was speaking. There was reclining on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. So Simon Peter gestured to him, and said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom He is speaking.” He, leaning back thus on Jesus’ bosom, said to Him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus then answered, “That is the one for whom I shall dip the morsel and give it to him.” So when He had dipped the morsel, He took and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. After the morsel, Satan then entered into him. Therefore Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” Now no one of those reclining at the table knew for what purpose He had said this to him. For some were supposing, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus was saying to him, “Buy the things we have need of for the feast”; or else, that he should give something to the poor. So after receiving the morsel he went out immediately; and it was night.” (John 13:18-30)

We can see that Jesus predicted His betrayal is not for no reason. It is so “you may believe that I am He.” We can also see that we often need to face our true self, as said in Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?” We can even deceive ourselves. Talking about the event that Satan then entered into Jude. Some people may think, “Does that mean Jesus is cooperating with Satan?” No, absolutely not. Jude was fallen long time ago as described in Matthew 26:14-16, “Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me to betray Him to you?” And they weighed out thirty pieces of silver to him. From then on he began looking for a good opportunity to betray Jesus.” We also see an example regarding the opening of eyes. If God doesn’t open our eyes, even by saying clearly and on surface, we think that we know but we really don’t. Spiritual things are often like this.

References

[1] Luke 22:20, “And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.”

[2] Mark 14:22-25, “While they were eating, He took some bread, and after a blessing He broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is My body.” And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And He said to them, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. …”

[3] John 13:2-5, “During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.”

[4] You can find the short article “1012 The first appearance of Jesus after resurrection ” on the link “https://a-christian-voice.com/on-spiritual-understanding-about-life/.”

[5] You can find the short article “1023 Bible says how to study the Bible” on the same link “https://a-christian-voice.com/on-spiritual-understanding-about-life/.”

[6] The other three Gospels described the event as follows. In Matthew 26:20-25, it says, “Now when evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples As they were eating, He said, “Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me. Being deeply grieved, they each one began to say to Him, “Surely not I, Lord? And He answered, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the bowl is the one who will betray Me. The Son of Man is to go, just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born. And Judas, who was betraying Him, said, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself.” In Mark 14:17-21, it says, “When it was evening He came with the twelve. As they were reclining at the table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me-one who is eating with Me.” They began to be grieved and to say to Him one by one, “Surely not I?” And He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who dips with Me in the bowl. For the Son of Man is to go just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.”” In Luke 22:20-23, it says, “And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood. But behold, the hand of the one betraying Me is with Mine on the table. For indeed, the Son of Man is going as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” And they began to discuss among themselves which one of them it might be who was going to do this thing.”

 (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.”)

     我们上次已谈过了预备最后的晚餐中的预知，在四福音中都讲到最后的晚餐，也就是在马太福音 26:20-35，马可福音 14:17-31， 路加福音 22:14-38，和约翰福音 13:1-17:26。我们就从其中看看有多少的资料可以理出来？参加者为因圣灵带领选的十二使徒，所以包括了卖主的犹大。我们会有一系列的分享，详细用经文说明发生的每一件事情，及其相应经文。因为只有路加福音说到了时间顺序，所以这个话题是以路加福音为主，但要和别的福音不冲突，并加上别的福音提到而路加福音没说的事情。这次只谈四者: (1) 饭前祝谢 (路加福音 22:14-18)；(2) 吃饭 (马太福音 26:26)；(3) 擘饼纪念主 (路加22:19)； (4) 饭后以杯立新约。(路加福音 22 :20)        

     说到发生的事情，因为只有路加福音说到了时间顺序，就如路加福音 1:3-4 所说，『这些事我既从起头都详细考察了，就定意要按着次序写给你，使你知道所学之道都是确实的。』所以这个话题是以路加福音为主，但要和别的福音不冲突，并加上别的福音提到而路加福音没说的事情。然后我们接着会有一系列的分享，详细用经文说明发生的每一件事情。       

     在谈这四者前，我们先看一下参加最后晚餐的是十二使徒，其中包括了卖主的犹大。从别的经文中，知道这十二使徒是因圣灵的带领选的。也看到了在道成肉身期间，耶稣是完全的人，像我们一样，需要圣灵的带领，然后祂在祷告中确定。这些都可以从下面的经文看见。

参加者:『时候到了，耶稣坐席，使徒也和他同坐。』 (路加福音 22:14) 『到了晚上，耶稣和十二个门徒坐席。 』(马太福音 26:20)

十二使徒是圣灵的带领选的:『直到他借着圣灵吩咐所拣选的使徒，以后被接上升的日子为止。』(使徒行传 1:2)

祂如何整夜祷告去确定:『那时，耶稣出去，上山祷告，整夜祷告神。到了天亮，叫他的门徒来，就从他们中间挑选十二个人，称他们为使徒。』(路加福音 6:12-13)    

     在这一段结束前，我们要强调祂也是完全的神。关于这一点我们可以用一个比例来理解。一个王子落泊成为了乞丐，虽然他目前过的是乞丐的日子，他的身份仍然是王子。所以耶稣本是三位一体的神，虽然道成肉身取了人的样式，是一个无罪的完全的人，祂仍然保持祂的身份是完全的神。祂和我们不同是我们被罪玷污，而祂从圣灵感孕的无罪开始，像亚当和夏娃一样从无罪开始，只是亚当和夏娃选择了不顺服，而祂选择了顺服以致于死，完成了救恩。并且祂复活了，『经上也是这样记着说：「首先的人亚当成了有灵的活人」；末后的亚当成了叫人活的灵。』(哥林多前书 15:45) 『并且因为他是人子，就赐给他行审判的权柄。』(约翰福音 5:27) 祂在道成肉身时，从没有用过祂的神性。

 (1) 饭前的祝谢 (路加福音 22:14-18)        

     『时候到了，耶稣坐席，使徒也和他同坐。耶稣对他们说：「我很愿意在受害以先和你们吃这逾越节的筵席。我告诉你们：我不再吃这筵席，直到成就在神的国里。」耶稣接过杯来，祝谢了，说：「你们拿这个，大家分着喝。我告诉你们，从今以后，我不再喝这葡萄汁，直等神的国来到。」(路加福音 22:14-18) 没有说这是立约的血，因此(应该是)饭前的祝谢。      

     佐证是在哥林多前书 11:20-22，『你们聚会的时候，算不得吃主的晚餐，因为吃的时候，各人先吃自己的饭，甚至这个饥饿，那个酒醉。你们要吃喝，难道没有家吗？还是藐视神的教会，叫那没有的羞愧呢？我向你们可怎么说呢？可因此称赞你们吗？我不称赞！』在这里，我们看到了要大家一起开动，因此有杯的祝谢是很合理的。

 (2) 吃饭 (马太福音 26:26)     

     接着就是吃饭了，照马太福音 26:26 应是如此，因『他们(正)吃的时候，耶稣拿起饼来，祝福，就擘开，递给门徒，说，你们拿着吃。这是我的身体。』 这里的翻译应该有一个「正」字，因为用的是过去进行式。所以是先吃饭，正在吃饭的时候，设立了擘饼。

 (3) 擘饼纪念主 (路加22:19)       

     按照路加福音 22:19 的说法，擘饼纪念主是饭前祝福的后半部，『又(And)拿起饼来，祝谢了，就擘开，递给他们，说：「这是我的身体，为你们舍的，你们也应当如此行，为的是记念我。」』(路加福音 22:19) 我们看到了有一「又」字，因此知道是接着祝谢的杯的。但此处并没有说到时间，只说到事情的先后，和马太福音 26:26 不冲突。    

     保罗在哥林多前书 11:23-24 也说了从启示而来设立擘饼的目的，『我当日传给你们的，原是从主领受的，就是主耶稣被卖的那一夜，拿起饼来，祝谢了，就擘开，说：「这是我的身体，为你们舍的。你们应当如此行，为的是记念我。」』这里并没有说何时擘饼，所以我们时间的顺序是照以前所说的。

 (4) 饭后以杯立新约 (路加福音 22 :20)       

     『饭后也照样拿起杯来，说：「这杯是用我血所立的新约，是为你们流出来的。』(路加福音 22:20) 在哥林多前书 11:25 也这样说，『饭后，也照样拿起杯来，说：「这杯是用我的血所立的新约。你们每逢喝的时候，要如此行，为的是记念我。」』       

     其实在什么时候擘饼和喝这杯不是最重要的，重要是『你们每逢吃这饼，喝这杯，是表明主的死，直等到他来。』(哥林多前书 11:26)   『所以，无论何人不按理吃主的饼、喝主的杯，就是干犯主的身、主的血了。人应当自己省察，然后吃这饼、喝这杯。因为人吃喝，若不分辩是主的身体，就是吃喝自己的罪了。』(哥林多前书 11:27-29) 这里告诉了我们该如何实行。 

(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』。)

    我們上次已談過了預備最後的晚餐中的預知，在四福音中都講到最後的晚餐，也就是在馬太福音 26:20-35，馬可福音 14:17-31， 路加福音 22:14-38，和約翰福音 13:1-17:26。我們就從其中看看有多少的資料可以理出來？參加者為因聖靈帶領選的十二使徒，所以包括了賣主的猶大。我們會有一系列的分享，詳細用經文說明發生的每一件事情，及其相應經文。因為只有路加福音說到了時間順序，所以這個話題是以路加福音為主，但要和別的福音不衝突，並加上別的福音提到而路加福音沒說的事情。這次只談四者。(1) 飯前祝謝 (路加福音 22:14-18)；(2) 吃飯 (馬太福音 26:26)；(3) 擘餅紀念主 (路加22:19)； (4) 飯後以杯立新約。(路加福音 22 :20)

        說到發生的事情，因為只有路加福音說到了時間順序，就如路加福音 1:3-4 所說，『這些事我既從起頭都詳細考察了，就定意要按着次序寫給你，使你知道所學之道都是確實的。』所以這個話題是以路加福音為主，但要和別的福音不衝突，並加上別的福音提到而路加福音沒說的事情。然後我們接著會有一系列的分享，詳細用經文說明發生的每一件事情。

       在談這四者前，我們先看一下參加最後晚餐的是十二使徒，其中包括了賣主的猶大。從別的經文中，知道這十二使徒是因聖靈的帶領選的。也看到了在道成肉身期間，耶穌是完全的人，像我們一樣，需要聖靈的帶領，然後祂在禱告中確定。這些都可以從下面的經文看見。

參加者:『時候到了，耶穌坐席，使徒也和他同坐。』 (路加福音 22:14) 『到了晚上，耶穌和十二個門徒坐席。 』(马太福音 26:20)

十二使徒是聖靈的帶領選的:『直到他藉着聖靈吩咐所揀選的使徒，以後被接上升的日子為止。』(使徒行傳 1:2)

祂如何整夜禱告去確定:『那時，耶穌出去，上山禱告，整夜禱告神。到了天亮，叫他的門徒來，就從他們中間挑選十二個人，稱他們為使徒。』(路加福音 6:12-13)

    在這一段結束前，我們要强調祂也是完全的神。關於這一點我們可以用一個比例來理解。一個王子落泊成為了乞丐，雖然他目前過的是乞丐的日子，他的身份仍然是王子。所以耶穌本是三位一體的神，雖然道成肉身取了人的樣式，是一個無罪的完全的人，祂仍然保持祂的身份是完全的神。祂和我們不同是我們被罪玷污，而祂從聖靈感孕的無罪開始，像亞當和夏娃一樣從無罪開始，只是亞當和夏娃選擇了不順服，而祂選擇了順服以致於死，完成了救恩。並且祂復活了，『經上也是這樣記着說：「首先的人亞當成了有靈的活人」；末後的亞當成了叫人活的靈。』(哥林多前書 15:45) 『並且因為他是人子，就賜給他行審判的權柄。』(約翰福音 5:27) 祂在道成肉身時，從沒有用過祂的神性。

(1) 飯前的祝謝 (路加福音 22:14-18)

        『時候到了，耶穌坐席，使徒也和他同坐。耶穌對他們說：「我很願意在受害以先和你們吃這逾越節的筵席。我告訴你們：我不再吃這筵席，直到成就在神的國裏。」耶穌接過杯來，祝謝了，說：「你們拿這個，大家分着喝。我告訴你們，從今以後，我不再喝這葡萄汁，直等神的國來到。」(路加福音 22:14-18) 沒有說這是立約的血，因此(應該是)飯前的祝謝。

       佐証是在哥林多前書 11:20-22，『你們聚會的時候，算不得吃主的晚餐，因為吃的時候，各人先吃自己的飯，甚至這個飢餓，那個酒醉。你們要吃喝，難道沒有家嗎？還是藐視神的教會，叫那沒有的羞愧呢？我向你們可怎麼說呢？可因此稱讚你們嗎？我不稱讚！』在這裏，我們看到了要大家一起開動，因此有杯的祝謝是很合理的。

(2) 吃飯 (馬太福音 26:26)

     接著就是吃飯了，照馬太福音 26:26 應是如此，因『他們(正)喫的時候，耶穌拿起餅來，祝福，就擘開，遞給門徒，說，你們拿著喫。這是我的身體。』 這裏的翻譯應該有一個「正」字，因為用的是過去進行式。所以是先吃飯，正在吃飯的時候，設立了擘餅。

(3) 擘餅紀念主 (路加22:19)

       按照路加福音 22:19 的說法，擘餅紀念主是飯前祝福的後半部，『又(And)拿起餅來，祝謝了，就擘開，遞給他們，說：「這是我的身體，為你們捨的，你們也應當如此行，為的是記念我。」』(路加福音 22:19) 我們看到了有一「又」字，因此知道是接著祝謝的杯的。但此處並沒有說到時間，只說到事情的先後，和馬太福音 26:26 不衝突。

    保羅在哥林多前書 11:23-24 也說了從啓示而來設立擘餅的目的，『我當日傳給你們的，原是從主領受的，就是主耶穌被賣的那一夜，拿起餅來，祝謝了，就擘開，說：「這是我的身體，為你們捨的。你們應當如此行，為的是記念我。」』這裏並沒有說何時擘餅，所以我們時間的順序是照以前所說的。

(4) 飯後以杯立新約 (路加福音 22 :20)

       『飯後也照樣拿起杯來，說：「這杯是用我血所立的新約，是為你們流出來的。』(路加福音 22:20) 在哥林多前書 11:25 也這樣說，『飯後，也照樣拿起杯來，說：「這杯是用我的血所立的新約。你們每逢喝的時候，要如此行，為的是記念我。」』

       其實在什麼時候擘餅和喝這杯不是最重要的，重要是『你們每逢吃這餅，喝這杯，是表明主的死，直等到他來。』(哥林多前書 11:26)   『所以，無論何人不按理吃主的餅、喝主的杯，就是干犯主的身、主的血了。人應當自己省察，然後吃這餅、喝這杯。因為人吃喝，若不分辨是主的身體，就是吃喝自己的罪了。』(哥林多前書 11:27-29) 這裏告訴了我們該如何實行。

(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』。)

Last time we talked about the foreknowledge that happened in the preparation of that Passover. All the four Gospels mention the Last supper. That is, Matthew 26:20-35, Mark 14:17-31, Luke 22:14-38, and John 13:1-17:26. What information could we derive from them? First, we can see the participants were the twelve apostles, including Judas who betrayed Jesus. Then, we’ll have a series of discussions regarding what happened in the Last supper according to the corresponding verses. Since only the Gospel of Luke mentions the time order, this topic will be based upon it, but we have to make sure there is no contradiction with other Gospels and add things mentioned in them but not in the Gospel of Luke. We only talk about four of them here: (1) Giving thanks before the supper (Luke 22:14-18); (2) Having the supper (Matthew 26:26); (3) Breaking bread in remembrance of the Lord (Luke 22:19); (4) The new covenant set up by drinking cup after the meal (Luke 22:20).

First, we can see the participants were the twelve apostles, including the Judas who betrayed Jesus. Talking about the order of events happened, we’ll be basically depend on the Gospel of Luke since only this Gospel mentioned the order as said in Luke 1:3-4, “it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.” Thus, this topic is basically based upon the Gospel of Luke, but to make sure that there is no contradiction with other Gospels and add the events they mentioned but not in Luke. We’ll have a series of discussions regarding what happened in the Last supper according to corresponding verses. As mentioned earlier, we only talk about the first four here. 

Before we talk about these four, let us discuss who the participants were. In Luke 22:14, it says, “When the hour had come, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him.” It also says in Matthew 26:20, “Now when evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples.” Thus, the supper included Judas who betrayed Jesus. From the other verses, we can see that the twelve was chosen by the Holy Spirit as said in Acts 1:2, “until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen.” How can Jesus be sure that He had to choose these twelve? In Luke 6:12-13, it says, “It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God. And when the day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles.” We can see that He is just like us and needed the leading of the Holy Spirit, and to confirm it in the whole night prayer.

To complete the discussion of this paragraph, we must emphasize that He is the complete God. Regarding this point, we can use a simple example to illustrate it. If a prince at present lives like a beggar, he is still a prince by birth right. Therefore, because Jesus is one of Holy Trinity, He is still God even during the period that the Word became flesh. So, He is completely man and also completely God. He is different from us only in one point that He starts with no sin due to immaculate conception, and we are contaminated by sin. Starting with no sin is just like what happened to Adam and Eve. But Adam and Eve chose disobedience, and He chose to obey to death. Furthermore, He “…has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”(Hebrews 4:15) He fulfilled the salvation, and resurrected. “So also it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living soul.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.”(1 Corinthians 15:45) “and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man.”(John 5:27) During the period of the Word becoming flesh, He never used divinity.

(1) Giving thanks before the supper (Luke 22:14-18)

In Luke 22:14-18, it says, “When the hour had come, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him. And He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.”” It is reasonably assumed that this is to give thanks before the supper since Jesus didn’t say “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.” as said in Luke 22:20.

In 1 Corinthians 11:20-22, it says, “Therefore when you meet together, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper, for in your eating each one takes his own supper first; and one is hungry and another is drunk. What! Do you not have houses in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this I will not praise you.” Here, we can see that people had to start the meal together. Thus, it is reasonable to assume to signal the starting together by giving thanks before the meal.

(2) Having the supper (Matthew 26:26)

According to Matthew 26:26, it says, “While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”” It uses the past progressive tense. Apparently, in the middle of the supper, the bread was broken.

(3) Breaking bread in remembrance of the Lord (Luke 22:19)

In Luke 22:19, it says, “And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Breaking bread is after starting the meal. But in this place, the time isn’t mentioned and just the order. Therefore, this verse isn’t contradicted to Matthew 26:26.

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:23-24 the objective of breaking bread which is from revelation, “For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”” Here, it doesn’t mention the order either. Therefore, the order is given according to what we discussed before.

(4) The new covenant set up by drinking cup after the meal (Luke 22:20)

In Luke 22:20, it says, “And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.”” In 1 Corinthians 11:25, it also says, “In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.””

In fact, when breaking bread and drinking cup happened isn’t as important as its meaning as said in 1 Corinthians 11:26, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” “Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly.”(1 Corinthians 11:27-29) Here, it tells us the way to carry them out.

 (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.”)

     过了最后的晚餐就是客西马尼园的祷告，我们已谈过了客西马尼园的祷告和其后发生的事情，现在就看看四福音书中如何的提到最后的晚餐。耶稣是在逾越节钉十字架的，所以我们先从一个知识性的问题谈起，逾越节是在那一天？接着我们看一看那个预备最后的晚餐所发生的预知事情。因为有人说耶稣的再来可能是在逾越节，所以我们最后简谈一下耶稣再来的预测。

1. 逾越节的日子是那一天？    

     圣经的日子都是照着犹太人的历法的，『正月十四日黄昏的时候是耶和华的逾越节。这月十五日是向耶和华守的无酵节，你们要吃无酵饼七日。』(利未记 23:5-6) 旧约很清楚的告诉我们，逾越节是那一天。    

     犹太人的历法和我们熟知的历法不同，我们的一天是从早上到晚上，犹太人的一天是从前一天的黄昏开始到那一天的黄昏前结束。举个例子来说，如果耶稣是死后三天后的周日复活，那么往前算三日就是逾越节。周六黄昏到周日早是一天，周五黄昏到周六黄昏前另又一天，周四黄昏前到周五黄昏前又是一天，所以记念最后的晚餐应是在周四晚如天主教般，基督教和天主教都以周五晚为耶稣受难日。    

     不过真要严格的算，我们必须以犹太人的历法为准，现今的日子是政府以现在的历法规定的。所以有人会说，『我们一方面照政府规定的日子庆祝，同时不要忘了真实的日子。最重要的是要记念祂，知道祂为何而来。』在新约的时代说，我们不须再守这些节日。圣经说得很清楚，『你们谨守日子、月份、节期、年份，我为你们害怕，惟恐我在你们身上是枉费了工夫。』(加拉太书 4:10-11) 『所以不拘在饮食上，或节期、月朔、安息日，都不可让人论断你们。这些原是后事的影儿，那形体却是基督。』(罗西书 2:16-17) 在律法上，我们实在是应照犹太人的历法。只是在新约的时代，我们有内住的圣灵。只要能不消灭圣灵的感动，就自然而然的成就了律法！

2. 预备最后的晚餐的预知    

     这在马可福音 14:12-16 很清楚的写道，『除酵节的第一天，就是宰逾越羊羔的那一天，门徒对耶稣说：「你吃逾越节的筵席要我们往哪里去预备呢？」耶稣就打发两个门徒(彼得和约翰)，对他们说：「你们进城去，必有人拿着一瓶水迎面而来，你们就跟着他。他进哪家去，你们就对那家的主人说：『夫子说：客房在哪里？我与门徒好在那里吃逾越节的筵席。』他必指给你们摆设整齐的一间大楼，你们就在那里为我们预备。」门徒出去，进了城，所遇见的正如耶稣所说的。他们就预备了逾越节的筵席。(马可福音 14:12-16 和参路加福音 22:7-13) 很显然的，祂预先就知道了会发生的事情。这只是新约中常常如此记载的一件事情。    

     在除酵节的第一天，就是宰逾越羊羔的那一天，这是指逾越节，是把逾越节和除酵节联在一起，共八天算的，所以在马太福音 26:17 会一致的说，『除酵节的第一天，门徒来问耶稣说：「你吃逾越节的筵席，要我们在哪里给你预备？」…』所以和前面利未记 23:5-6 所讲的并不冲突。

3. 耶稣再来的预测    

     如果预测当时有未来固定的时间，但现在还没到那时间，是不能被证实的。目前所有能被证实的耶稣再来的日子的预测，都是不对的。没有固定时间的预测就如说、耶稣的再来一定在某一个节期！真的，圣经记载了在节期时发生了很多的事情，如耶稣在逾越节钉十字架代表了逾越的羊羔为我们受死。其实，只要三百六十五人，一人预测不同的一天作为耶稣会再来的日,，一定有一个人预测的日子是对的，只是预知绝不是这样的骗术。    

     『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) 神有绝对的主权，圣经是神所默示的，我们看看圣经圣经是怎么说的？『但主的日子要像贼来到一样。…』 (彼得后书 3:10) 『(看哪！我来像贼一样。…)』(启示录 16:15) 如果我们真能以圣经为绝对标准，就不必再预测了。因为预测一定失败，祂再来，像贼一样。

(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』。)

    過了最後的晚餐就是客西馬尼園的禱告，我們已談過了客西馬尼園的禱告和其後發生的事情，現在就看看四福音書中如何的提到最後的晚餐。耶穌是在逾越節釘十字架的，所以我們先從一個知識性的問題談起，逾越節是在那一天？接著我們看一看那個預備逾越節的晚餐所發生的預知事情。因為有人說耶穌的再來可能是在逾越節，所以我們最後簡談一下耶穌再來的預測。

1. 逾越節的日子是那一天？

    聖經的日子都是照著猶太人的曆法的，『正月十四日黃昏的時候是耶和華的逾越節。這月十五日是向耶和華守的無酵節，你們要吃無酵餅七日。』(利未記 23:5-6) 舊約很清楚的告訴我們，逾越節是那一天。

    猶太人的曆法和我們熟知的曆法不同，我們的一天是從早上到晚上，猶太人的一天是從前一天的黃昏開始到那一天的黃昏前結束。舉個例子來說，如果耶穌是死後三天後的週日復活，那麼往前算三日就是逾越節。週六黃昏到週日早是一天，週五黃昏到週六黃昏前另又一天，週四黃昏前到週五黃昏前又是一天，所以記念最後的晚餐應是在週四晚如天主教般，基督教和天主教都以週五晚為耶穌受難日。

    不過真要嚴格的算，我們必須以猶太人的歷法為準，現今的日子是政府以現在的曆法規定的。所以有人會說，『我們一方面照政府規定的日子慶祝，同時不要忘了真實的日子。最重要的是要記念祂，知道祂為何而來。』在新約的時代說，我們不須再守這些節日。聖經說得很清楚，『你們謹守日子、月份、節期、年份，我為你們害怕，惟恐我在你們身上是枉費了工夫。』(加拉太書 4:10-11) 『所以不拘在飲食上，或節期、月朔、安息日，都不可讓人論斷你們。這些原是後事的影兒，那形體卻是基督。』(羅西書 2:16-17) 在律法上，我們實在是應照猶太人的曆法。只是在新約的時代，我們有內住的聖靈。只要能不消滅聖靈的感動，就自然而然的成就了律法！

2. 預備最後晚餐的預知

    這在馬可福音 14:12-16 很清楚的寫道，『除酵節的第一天，就是宰逾越羊羔的那一天，門徒對耶穌說：「你吃逾越節的筵席要我們往哪裏去預備呢？」耶穌就打發兩個門徒(彼得和約翰)，對他們說：「你們進城去，必有人拿着一瓶水迎面而來，你們就跟着他。他進哪家去，你們就對那家的主人說：『夫子說：客房在哪裏？我與門徒好在那裏吃逾越節的筵席。』他必指給你們擺設整齊的一間大樓，你們就在那裏為我們預備。」門徒出去，進了城，所遇見的正如耶穌所說的。他們就預備了逾越節的筵席。(馬可福音 14:12-16 和參路加福音 22:7-13) 很顯然的，祂預先就知道了會發生的事情。這只是新約中常常如此記載的一件事情。

    在除酵節的第一天，就是宰逾越羊羔的那一天，這是指逾越節，是把逾越節和除酵節聯在一起，共八天算的，所以在馬太福音 26:17 會一致的說，『除酵節的第一天，門徒來問耶穌說：「你吃逾越節的筵席，要我們在哪裏給你預備？」…』所以和前面利未記 23:5-6 所講的並不衝突。

3. 耶穌再來的預測

    如果預測當時有未來固定的時間，但現在還沒到那時間，是不能被証實的。目前所有能被証實的耶穌再來的日子的預測，都是不對的。沒有固定時間的預測就如說、耶穌的再來一定在某一個節期！真的，聖經記載了在節期時發生了很多的事情，如耶穌在逾越節釘十字架代表了逾越的羊羔為我們受死。其實，只要三百六十五人，一人預測不同的一天作為耶穌會再來的日,，一定有一個人預測的日子是對的，只是預知絕不是這樣的騙術。

    『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) 神有絕對的主權，聖經是神所默示的，我們看看聖經聖經是怎麼說的？『但主的日子要像賊來到一樣。…』 (彼得後書 3:10) 『(看哪！我來像賊一樣。…)』(啓示錄 16:15) 如果我們真能以聖經為絕對標準，就不必再預測了。因為預測一定失敗，祂再來，像賊一樣。

(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』。)

The prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane is after the Last supper, which we talked about before, and what happened after that prayer. Now let us take a look regarding how the Last supper is mentioned in the four Gospels. Jesus was nailed to the cross in Passover. Thus, we start with the Bible knowledge regarding the date of Passover. Next, there was an event of foreknowledge in the preparation of Last supper. Since someone said that the coming again of Jesus Christ might happen in one of Passovers, we’ll talk briefly about the predictions about Jesus’ coming again.

1. Which day is the Passover according to the Bible?

The dates referred in the Bible are according to the Jewish calendar. In Leviticus 23:5-6, it is said clearly which day is the Passover, “In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight is the Lord’s Passover. Then on the fifteenth day of the same month there is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the Lord; for seven days you shall eat unleavened bread.” 

Jewish calendar is different from the calendar we are familiar with. Our familiar one day is from morning at 12:00 am to night before 12:00 am next day. Jewish one day starts from the dusk before that day to just before the dusk of that day. For example, if Jesus resurrected at Sunday after the death of three days, then three days before that Sunday is the Passover since Jesus was nailed to the cross at the Passover. Therefore, remembering the Last supper should be in the night of Thursday like what the Catholic churches currently do. Good Friday is used by both Christians and Catholics. 

If we want to count rigorously, we must use the Jewish calendar. Nowadays, the celebration dates are based upon the calendar we are familiar with. Therefore, it is said that we celebrate according to the government requirements, but we must not forget the real date. The most important thing is to remember Jesus, knowing why He came. In the era of the New Testament, there is no need to observe these celebration days. The Bible says clearly in Galatians 4:10-11, “You observe days and months and seasons and years. I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.” “Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day – things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.” (Colossians 2:16-17) In the Law, we should follow the Jewish calendar. But in the era of the New Testament, we have the abiding Holy Spirit. As long as we “Do not quench the Spirit” as said in 1 Thessalonians 5:19, we’ll naturally fulfil the requirements of the Law.

2. The foreknowledge in the preparation of the Last supper

In Mark 14:12-16, it says clearly, “On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was being sacrificed, His disciples said to Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare for You to eat the Passover?” And He sent two of His disciples (Peter and John) and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him; and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is My guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”‘ And he himself will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; prepare for us there.” The disciples went out and came to the city, and found it just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover.” (Also refer to Luke 22:7-13.) Obviously, He knew ahead what would happen. In the New Testament, one can observe such foreknowledge events very often.

“On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was being sacrificed,” such a day refers to the day of the Passover. By counting the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread together, there are totally eight days. Thus, in Matthew 26:17, it says consistently, “Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?”” This has no contradiction with what said before in Leviticus 23:5-6.

3. Predictions for Jesus’ coming again

A prediction with a fixed time in the future cannot be verified if such a prediction is true or not before that fixed time. Nowadays, all such verifiable predictions failed. No fixed time prediction is like such a statement that Jesus’ coming again must happen in one of those celebration days. Really, the Bible records many things that happened in celebration days. For example, that Jesus was nailed in the cross represents that the true Passover sheep died for us to achieve salvation. In fact, if there are 365 people or 366 in leap year, one person can predict different day from the others for Jesus’ coming again. The date of the prediction of one person has to be correct. However, a true prediction is not something like such a trick.   

In Matthew 24:36, it says, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” The God has the absolute authority, and the Bible is inspired by Him. Let us take a look what the Bible says. “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, …”(2 Peter 3:10) In Revelation 16:15, it also says, “(Behold, I am coming like a thief. …)” If we can truly use what the Bible says as our absolute standard, there is no reason for any prediction for His coming again. He is coming like a thief.

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

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

     首先我们看看新约如何讲爱的真谛是什么，也说到了神是爱，但不是溺爱，我们需要有像雅各书所说的信心的行为。接着我们用腓利门书谈到保罗活出爱的一个例子，在其中，保罗为阿尼西母担当了他过去的事，犹如因耶稣在十字架上，成就了救恩，如今我们所亏负的，都归于主的帐上，因此保罗彰显出那部份主的生命。第三我们要谈的是亚伯拉罕为所多玛请命，由有五十个义人就不毁城开始，几次的请求降到十个，却仍只有罗得一家得救。接着提到了耶稣呼召祂所爱的少年人之事，谈到倚靠钱财的人进神的国是何等地难！说到钱财本身是中性的，但绝对不要贪财。最后提到了关于神的爱不是溺爱的经文，作为结束。    

     在圣经里面谈到了爱的真谛，『(神的)爱是恒久忍耐，又有(是)恩慈；爱是不嫉妒，爱是不自夸，不张狂，不作害羞的事，不求自己的益处，不轻易发怒，不计算人的恶，不喜欢不义，只喜欢真理；凡事包容，凡事相信，凡事盼望，凡事忍耐；爱是永不止息。…』(哥林多前书 13:4-8) 我们可以从英文的翻译中看到爱是恩慈，也可以看到不作害羞的事是指不做不适当的事，就是要做合宜的事。有人说爱是永不止息翻译较好，但英文或原文中是说爱从不失败。其他的都相当清楚，我们在这里就不多谈了。    

     主祷文说，『愿你的国降临，愿你的旨意行在地上，如同行在天上。』(马太福音 6:10) 爱绝对在天上有。在地上，『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 13:35) 基督徒有内住的圣灵，因而我们已有神的爱在我们心中，『…因为所赐给我们的圣灵将神的爱浇灌在我们心里。』(罗马书 5:5) 可是光知道这是没有用的，雅各书说得很清楚，听道不如行道，要有信心的行为，我们要活出来。请注意，神的爱绝不是溺爱。圣经在这点上说得很清楚，『你们又忘了那劝你们如同劝儿子的话，说：「我儿，你不可轻看主的管教，被他责备的时候，也不可灰心。因为主所爱的，他必管教，又鞭打凡所收纳的儿子。」』(希伯来书 12:5-6) 而且说，『有些人存疑心，你们要怜悯他们；有些人你们要从火中抢出来，搭救他们；有些人你们要存惧怕的心怜悯他们，连那被情欲沾染的衣服也当厌恶。』(犹大书 1:22-23)    

     接着我们看到腓利门书是很好一个的例子，告诉我们保罗在这件事上如何活出爱，神的爱。这件事的背景是这样的，阿尼西母是腓利门的逃奴，在罗马因保罗而成为基督徒，现在必须回去面对他以前所犯的错误。在这本书中，我们看到了保罗为阿尼西母的事求腓利门，『我虽然靠着基督能放胆吩咐你合宜的事，然而像我这有年纪的保罗，现在又是为基督耶稣被囚的，宁可凭着爱心求你。』 (腓利门书 1:8-9) 显然的，这是合宜的事。他又说，『他若亏负你，或欠你甚么，都归在我的账上，我必偿还。这是我保罗亲笔写的。我并不用对你说，连你自己也是亏欠于我。 』(腓利门书 1:18-19) 保罗是在爱心里求，而不是凭着自己有年纪，并是成熟的基督徒。也看见了阿尼西母告诉了保罗当时的情景，而保罗承担了一切属世的事情。在这一件事情上，我们看见了保罗被模成了耶稣的形像，流露着耶稣基督的生命，因为活出爱是基督的生命的彰显。这就犹如因耶稣在十字架上所成就的救恩，如今神悦纳我们就如同悦纳主一般，我们所亏负的，都归在主的账上了。    

     第三，我们来看看亚伯拉罕活出爱的一个例子。背景圣经讲得很清楚，『耶和华说：「所多玛和蛾摩拉的罪恶甚重，声闻于我。我现在要下去，察看他们所行的，果然尽像那达到我耳中的声音一样吗？若是不然，我也必知道。」』(创世记 18:20-21) 那时亚伯拉罕款待了三人，其中『二人转身离开那里，向所多玛去，但亚伯拉罕仍旧站在耶和华面前。亚伯拉罕近前来说：「无论善恶，你都要剿灭吗？假若那城里有五十个义人，你还剿灭那地方吗？不为城里这五十个义人饶恕其中的人吗？将义人与恶人同杀，将义人与恶人一样看待，这断不是你所行的。审判全地的主岂不行公义吗？」耶和华说：「我若在所多玛城里见有五十个义人，我就为他们的缘故饶恕那地方的众人。」假若这五十个义人短了五个，你就因为短了五个毁灭全城吗？」 他说：「我在那里若见有四十五个，也不毁灭那城。」…亚伯拉罕说：「求主不要动怒，我再说这一次，假若在那里见有十个呢？」 他说：「为这十个的缘故，我也不毁灭那城。」(创世记 18:22-32) 就这样，亚伯拉罕向耶和华请求数次，从有五十个义人开始，最终到了只要有十个义人就可以了。于是『耶和华与亚伯拉罕说完了话就走了；亚伯拉罕也回到自己的地方去了。』(创世记 18:33)  难道神真不知道有多少义人吗？但这只是要给亚伯拉罕一个请求的机会。亚伯拉罕做出来后，我们才真正知道他实在是怜悯人，爱人灵魂，希望他们不灭亡，而不是为自己求什么。在创世记中，我们看到了神给了他一步一步的训练，最终，他能完全顺服神，献上以撒。    

     再看一看所多玛和临近地方的结局，『二人对罗得说：「你这里还有甚么人吗？无论是女婿，是儿女和这城中一切属你的人，你都要将他们从这地方带出去。我们要毁灭这地方，因为城内罪恶的声音在耶和华面前甚大，耶和华差我们来，要毁灭这地方。』(创世记 19:12-13) 所以最后只有他们一家四口被这二人救出来。其中，『罗得的妻子在后边回头一看，就变成了一根盐柱。』(创世记 19:26) 只有三个人得了救。    

     最后我们看主耶稣活出爱的一个例子。这是当『耶稣出来行路的时候，有一个人跑来，跪在他面前，问他说：「良善的夫子，我当做甚么事才可以承受永生？」』(马可福音 10:17) 『耶稣对他说：「你为甚么称我是良善的？除了神一位之外，再没有良善的。诫命你是晓得的：『不可杀人，不可奸淫，不可偷盗，不可作假见证，不可亏负人，当孝敬父母。』」』(马可福音 10:18-19) 然后『他对耶稣说：「夫子，这一切我从小都遵守了。」』(马可福音 10:20) 我们只能说他尽了相当的力，他是真的以为如此。『耶稣看着他，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)『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) 耶稣爱他，不是没有给他机会，呼召他，但祂不会想要说服他，勉强他的决定，这要甘心乐意才行。『…因为一生的果效，是由心发出。』(箴言 4:23) 就像祂所说的，『…小子，倚靠钱财的人进神的国是何等地难哪！…』(马可福音 10:25) 贪财是万恶之根！有人贪恋钱财，就被引诱离了真道，用许多愁苦把自己刺透了。(提摩太前书 6:10) 但钱财本身是中性的，我们也需要它存活。真是要看我们怎么使用它，贪财是万万不可。    

     我们要强调神是爱，但绝不是溺爱，因为圣经讲得很清楚，『因为主所爱的，他必管教，又鞭打凡所收纳的儿子。』 (希伯来书 12:6) 甚至说，『有些人存疑心，你们要怜悯他们；有些人你们要从火中抢出来，搭救他们；有些人你们要存惧怕的心怜悯他们，连那被情欲沾染的衣服也当厌恶。『 (犹大书 1:22-23) 神是爱，但爱中有公义，祂有绝对的主权，我们要在爱中敬畏神，给神应得的地位。

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

    首先我們看看新約如何講愛的真諦是什麼，也說到了神是愛，但不是溺愛，我們需要有像雅各書所說的信心的行為。接著我們用腓利門書談到保羅活出愛的一個例子，在其中，保羅為阿尼西母擔當了他過去的事，猶如因耶穌在十字架上，成就了救恩，如今我們所虧負的，都歸於主的帳上，因此保羅彰顯出那部份主的生命。第三我們要談的是亞伯拉罕為所多瑪請命，由有五十個義人就不毀城開始，幾次的請求降到十個，卻仍只有羅得一家得救。接著提到了耶穌呼召祂所愛的少年人之事，談到倚靠錢財的人進神的國是何等地難！說到錢財本身是中性的，但絕對不要貪財。最後提到了關於神的愛不是溺愛的經文，作為結束。

    在聖經裏面談到了愛的真諦，『(神的)愛是恆久忍耐，又有(是)恩慈；愛是不嫉妒，愛是不自誇，不張狂，不作害羞的事，不求自己的益處，不輕易發怒，不計算人的惡，不喜歡不義，只喜歡真理；凡事包容，凡事相信，凡事盼望，凡事忍耐；愛是永不止息。…』(哥林多前書 13:4-8) 我們可以從英文的翻譯中看到愛是恩慈，也可以看到不作害羞的事是指不做不適當的事，就是要做合宜的事。有人說愛是永不止息翻譯較好，但英文或原文中是說愛從不失敗。其他的都相當清楚，我們在這裏就不多談了。

    主禱文說，『願你的國降臨，願你的旨意行在地上，如同行在天上。』(馬太福音 6:10) 愛絕對在天上有。在地上，『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 13:35) 基督徒有內住的聖靈，因而我們已有神的愛在我們心中，『…因為所賜給我們的聖靈將神的愛澆灌在我們心裏。』(羅馬書 5:5) 可是光知道這是沒有用的，雅各書說得很清楚，聽道不如行道，要有信心的行為，我們要活出來。請注意，神的愛絕不是溺愛。聖經在這點上說得很清楚，『你們又忘了那勸你們如同勸兒子的話，說：「我兒，你不可輕看主的管教，被他責備的時候，也不可灰心。因為主所愛的，他必管教，又鞭打凡所收納的兒子。」』(希伯來書 12:5-6) 而且說，『有些人存疑心，你們要憐憫他們；有些人你們要從火中搶出來，搭救他們；有些人你們要存懼怕的心憐憫他們，連那被情慾沾染的衣服也當厭惡。』(猶大書 1:22-23)

    接著我們看到腓利門書是很好一個的例子，告訴我們保羅在這件事上如何活出愛，神的愛。這件事的背景是這樣的，阿尼西母是腓利門的逃奴，在羅馬因保羅而成為基督徒，現在必須回去面對他以前所犯的錯誤。在這本書中，我們看到了保羅為阿尼西母的事求腓利門，『我雖然靠着基督能放膽吩咐你合宜的事，然而像我這有年紀的保羅，現在又是為基督耶穌被囚的，寧可憑着愛心求你。』 (腓利門書 1:8-9) 顯然的，這是合宜的事。他又說，『他若虧負你，或欠你甚麼，都歸在我的賬上，我必償還。這是我保羅親筆寫的。我並不用對你說，連你自己也是虧欠於我。 』(腓利門書 1:18-19) 保羅是在愛心裏求，而不是憑著自己有年紀，並是成熟的基督徒。也看見了阿尼西母告訴了保羅當時的情景，而保羅承擔了一切屬世的事情。在這一件事情上，我們看見了保羅被模成了耶穌的形像，流露著耶穌基督的生命，因為活出愛是基督的生命的彰顯。這就猶如因耶穌在十字架上所成就的救恩，如今神悅納我們就如同悅納主一般，我們所虧負的，都歸在主的賬上了。

    第三，我們來看看亞伯拉罕活出愛的一個例子。背景聖經講得很清楚，『耶和華說：「所多瑪和蛾摩拉的罪惡甚重，聲聞於我。我現在要下去，察看他們所行的，果然盡像那達到我耳中的聲音一樣嗎？若是不然，我也必知道。」』(創世記 18:20-21) 那時亞伯拉罕款待了三人，其中『二人轉身離開那裏，向所多瑪去，但亞伯拉罕仍舊站在耶和華面前。亞伯拉罕近前來說：「無論善惡，你都要剿滅嗎？假若那城裏有五十個義人，你還剿滅那地方嗎？不為城裏這五十個義人饒恕其中的人嗎？將義人與惡人同殺，將義人與惡人一樣看待，這斷不是你所行的。審判全地的主豈不行公義嗎？」耶和華說：「我若在所多瑪城裏見有五十個義人，我就為他們的緣故饒恕那地方的眾人。」假若這五十個義人短了五個，你就因為短了五個毀滅全城嗎？」 他說：「我在那裏若見有四十五個，也不毀滅那城。」…亞伯拉罕說：「求主不要動怒，我再說這一次，假若在那裏見有十個呢？」 他說：「為這十個的緣故，我也不毀滅那城。」(創世記 18:22-32) 就這樣，亞伯拉罕向耶和華請求數次，從有五十個義人開始，最終到了只要有十個義人就可以了。於是『耶和華與亞伯拉罕說完了話就走了；亞伯拉罕也回到自己的地方去了。』(創世記 18:33) 難道神真不知道有多少義人嗎？但這只是要給亞伯拉罕一個請求的機會。亞伯拉罕做出來後，我們才真正知道他實在是憐憫人，愛人靈魂，希望他們不滅亡，而不是為自己求什麼。在創世記中，我們看到了神給了他一步一步的訓練，最終，他能完全順服神，獻上以撒。

    再看一看所多瑪和臨近地方的結局，『二人對羅得說：「你這裏還有甚麼人嗎？無論是女婿，是兒女和這城中一切屬你的人，你都要將他們從這地方帶出去。我們要毀滅這地方，因為城內罪惡的聲音在耶和華面前甚大，耶和華差我們來，要毀滅這地方。』(創世記 19:12-13) 所以最後只有他們一家四口被這二人救出來。其中，『羅得的妻子在後邊回頭一看，就變成了一根鹽柱。』(創世記 19:26) 只有三個人得了救。

    最後我們看主耶穌活出愛的一個例子。這是當『耶穌出來行路的時候，有一個人跑來，跪在他面前，問他說：「良善的夫子，我當做甚麼事才可以承受永生？」』(馬可福音 10:17) 『耶穌對他說：「你為甚麼稱我是良善的？除了神一位之外，再沒有良善的。誡命你是曉得的：『不可殺人，不可姦淫，不可偷盜，不可作假見證，不可虧負人，當孝敬父母。』」』(馬可福音 10:18-19) 然後『他對耶穌說：「夫子，這一切我從小都遵守了。」』(馬可福音 10:20) 我們只能說他盡了相當的力，他是真的以為如此。『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)『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) 耶穌愛他，不是沒有給他機會，呼召他，但祂不會想要說服他，勉强他的決定，這要甘心樂意才行。『…因為一生的果效，是由心發出。』(箴言 4:23) 就像祂所說的，『…小子，倚靠錢財的人進神的國是何等地難哪！…』(馬可福音 10:25) 貪財是萬惡之根！有人貪戀錢財，就被引誘離了真道，用許多愁苦把自己刺透了。(提摩太前書 6:10) 但錢財本身是中性的，我們也需要它存活。真是要看我們怎麼使用它，貪財是萬萬不可。

    我們要强調神是愛，但絕不是溺愛，因為聖經講得很清楚，『因為主所愛的，他必管教，又鞭打凡所收納的兒子。』 (希伯來書 12:6) 甚至說，『有些人存疑心，你們要憐憫他們；有些人你們要從火中搶出來，搭救他們；有些人你們要存懼怕的心憐憫他們，連那被情慾沾染的衣服也當厭惡。『 (猶大書 1:22-23) 神是愛，但愛中有公義，祂有絕對的主權，我們要在愛中敬畏神，給神應得的地位。

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

We first see the truth of love in the New Testament and also mention that God is love, but not an indulging love. We need the action of faith like what described in Book James. Secondly, we use the Book of Philemon as an example to talk about how Paul lived out love. In it, Paul took the burden to repay what Onesimus did in the past. This is like what Jesus did in the cross to achieve our salvation. Today, what we owe is taken into the account of Jesus. In this event, Paul was conformed to the image of Jesus. Thirdly, we talk about the plea of Abraham to God not to destroy Sodom and nearby cities if there were ten righteous men in the city. However, there is only three of the family of Lot saved. Fourthly, we mention the event that Jesus called a young man, and said that it was not easy for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. The money itself is neutral, but having the love of money is absolutely not. Lastly, we mention some verses to show that the God is love but not an indulging love.

The Bible talks about the truth of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, “Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails; …”

In the Lord’s prayer, it says, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.”(Matthew 6:10) Love absolutely is in heaven. On earth, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”(John 13:35) Christians have the abiding Holy Spirit. As the result, we have already had Agape love in us “…because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”(Romans 5:5) But merely knowing the fact is useless. In James 1:22, it says clearly, “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” We must have the actions in faith. We have to live out love. Please notice. God is love, but not an indulging love. About this point, the Bible says very clearly in Hebrews 12:5-6, “and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, Nor faint when you are reproved by Him; For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, And He scourges every son whom He receives.”” 

Secondly, we briefly talk about the Book of Philemon which is a good example regarding how Paul lived out love, the Agape love. The background of this event is as follows. Onesimus is an escaped slave from Philemon. In Rome, he met Paul and became a Christian. Now he had to go back to Colossae to face with the mistakes he made in the past. In the book, we see that Paul plead to Philemon for Onesimus as said in Philemon 1:8-9, “Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper, yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you -since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus- Plea for Onesimus, a Free Man.” Apparently, this is something proper. And he said also, “But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account; I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand, I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well).”(Philemon 1:18-19) Paul plead in love, not due to his old age or being a mature Christian. From these verses, we can deduct that Onesimus told Paul what happened at the time when he fled. And Paul repaid everything. In this event, we see that Paul was conformed to the image of Jesus, manifested the life of Jesus Christ, since living out love is a manifestation of the life of Christ. This is like what achieved in the cross by Jesus. Nowadays, God accepts us like that He accepts Jesus, since all we owe are in the Lord’s account.

Thirdly, let us see one example regarding how Abraham lived out love. The background of this event is said clearly in Genesis 18:20-21, “And the Lord said, “The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave. I will go down now, and see if they have done entirely according to its outcry, which has come to Me; and if not, I will know.”” At that time, Abraham entertained three people. Then two of them “…turned away from there and went toward Sodom, while Abraham was still standing before the Lord. Abraham came near and said, “Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will You indeed sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?” So the Lord said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place on their account.” And Abraham replied, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord, although I am but dust and ashes. Suppose the fifty righteous are lacking five, will You destroy the whole city because of five?” And He said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” …Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the ten.” (Genesis 18:22-32) By this way, Abraham plead the God several times not to destroy them if there were fifty righteous people down to ten. “As soon as He had finished speaking to Abraham the Lord departed, and Abraham returned to his place.”(Genesis 18:33) Doesn’t the God know how many righteous people? He just gave Abraham a chance to plea. Only after Abram did what was done, we can truly know that he really cared about those people, loved their souls. He hoped that they didn’t perish, and he didn’t ask anything for himself. In the Book Genesis, we can see that the God gave him a step-by-step training. Eventually, he obeyed the God completely, and was able to offer Isaac.

Let us take a look at what finally happened to Sodom and nearby cities. In Genesis 19:12-13, it says, “Then the two men said to Lot, “Whom else have you here? A son-in-law, and your sons, and your daughters, and whomever you have in the city, bring them out of the place; for we are about to destroy this place, because their outcry has become so great before the Lord that the Lord has sent us to destroy it.”” So, there were only four persons saved from the cities. Among those four, “But his wife, from behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.”(Genesis 19:26) There were only three saved as the result.

Finally, we’ll take a look at one example regarding how Jesus lived out love. This is “As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?””(Mark 10:17) “And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments, ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.'”(Mark 10:18-19) “And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.””(Mark 10:20) At this point, we would say that he really made an effort and thought so. “Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.””(Mark 10:21) “But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.”(Mark 10:22) Jesus loved him, gave him a chance, called him. But He didn’t want to convince him to change his decision, which had to have willingness from the heart as said in Proverbs 4:23, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.” Like what Jesus said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”(Mark 10:25) “For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”(1 Timothy 6:10) Money itself is neutral, and we need it to live. It depends upon how we use them. The love of money is absolutely not allowed.

What we want to emphasize is that the God is love, but not an indulging love. As said before, the Bible says clearly in Hebrews 12:6, “For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, And He scourges every son whom He receives.” And even says in Jude 1:22-23, “And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.” The God is love, but there is righteousness in love. We get to fear the Lord in love, and acknowledge that He has the absolute authority. We must put Him on the right place where He deserves.

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

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

     我们首先看到了公义是神宝座的根基，和为什么说我们是主动的被动。接着我们看到了新旧约都一致的说要爱神和爱人如己，且用约拿记作为一个例子去阐述旧约中对团体的爱。至于对个人的爱，只以雅各为例子，看见了他有属世和属灵的祝福。他为抓住神而有欺骗的行为，也受过惩罚却仍敬拜神。接着我们讨论一个可能在旧约中常问的问题，「进迦南地时真是非常残忍吗？」这是从人的角度看这件事情，我们从神(圣经)的角度来解释为什么会有这件事情。虽然神有绝对主权，祂是有怜悯有恩典的神。我们用三个例子来说明这点。我们也顺便在其中的两个例子提到了圣经的一个写法，就是圣经基本上是讲一般的情况，有时会有一些特例，如同英文的文法一般。    

     『公义(H6664)和公平，是你宝座的根基；慈爱和诚实，行在你前面(H6440, 面前)。』(诗篇 89:14)(也请看诗篇 97:2) 旧约有太多地方讲到公义，诗篇就出现了49 次，我们不可能全部谈到，要知道详情，必须看圣经。从其中，我们也看到了连以色列的敌人都知道耶和华是公义的。也就是如耶利米书 50:7 所说的：『…敌人说：『我们没有罪，因他们得罪那作公义居所的耶和华，就是他们列祖所仰望的耶和华。』    

     道成肉身在前，为我们作成了挽回祭，符合了祂的公义。我们信，然后神的爱借着圣灵厚厚浇灌在我们身上，所以是对我们来说，公义行在爱之前。对神来说，为了成就祂的爱，祂必须先符合祂的公义。再一次看到神先「主动」的做成耶稣的道成肉身，而我们只能「被动」愿意(主动的)信，这就是我们常说的『主动的被动』。    

     旧约对爱的教导和新约是一致的。在旧约中的申命记 6:4-5 中说：『以色列啊，你要听！耶和华我们神是独一的主。你要尽心、尽性、尽力爱(H157)耶和华你的神。』『不可报仇，也不可埋怨你本国的子民，却要爱(H157)人如己。我是耶和华。』(利未记 19:18)『和你们同居的外人，你们要看他如本地人一样，并要爱(H157)他如己，因为你们在埃及地也作过寄居的。我是耶和华你们的神。』(利未记 19:34) 因此新约中会说：『耶稣对他说：「你要尽心、尽性、尽意，爱主你的神。这是诫命中的第一，且是最大的。其次也相仿，就是要爱人如己。这两条诫命是律法和先知一切道理的总纲。」』(马太福音 22:37-40)    

     在约拿约记中说到了一个旧约中对团体的爱的例子，『尼尼微人信服神，便宣告禁食，从最大的到至小的都穿麻衣。这信息传到尼尼微王的耳中，他就下了宝座，脱下朝服，披上麻布，坐在灰中。他又使人遍告尼尼微通城说： 「王和大臣有令：人不可尝甚么，牲畜、牛羊不可吃草，也不可喝水。人与牲畜都当披上麻布，人要切切求告神。各人回头离开所行的恶道，丢弃手中的强暴。或者神转意后悔，不发烈怒，使我们不至灭亡也未可知。」于是神察看他们的行为，见他们离开恶道，他就后悔，不把所说的灾祸降与他们了。』(约拿书 3:5-10) 圣经在这点上实在说得很清楚，『再者，我(耶和华)对恶人说：『你必定死亡！』他若转离他的罪，行正直与合理的事：…他所犯的一切罪必不被记念；他行了正直与合理的事，必定存活。』(以西结书 33:14,16)  其实约拿书 4:10-11 也说到：『耶和华说：「这蓖麻不是你栽种的，也不是你培养的，一夜发生，一夜干死，你尚且爱惜(H2347)；何况这尼尼微大城，其中不能分辩左手右手的有十二万多人，并有许多牲畜，我岂能不爱惜(H2347)呢？」』这难道不是因为『神爱世人…』(约翰福音 3:16)，并在多处在新约说，『…神不偏待人(G4381)。』(罗马书 2:11) 吗？    

     旧约中对个人的爱有许多，我们用雅各所遭遇的一些事来说明这点罚。『雅各说：「…你向仆人所施的一切慈爱和诚实，我一点也不配得。我先前只拿着我的杖过这约旦河，如今我却成了两队了。』(创世记 32:9-10) 在雅各身上我们看到了他不只是有属世的祝福，也有属灵的祝福。在创世记 32:28-30 中，『那人说：「你的名不要再叫雅各，要叫以色列，因为你与神与人较力，都得了胜。」…雅各便给那地方起名叫毘努伊勒，意思说：「我面对面见了神，我的性命仍得保全。」』我们知道从人的角度看，雅各绝不是好人。除了其他的事情外，创世记 27:36 也说得很清楚他有欺骗的行为，『以扫说：「他名雅各岂不是正对吗？因为他欺骗了我两次，他从前夺了我长子的名分；你看，他现在又夺了我的福分。」…』其实，我们实在要深深知道：如果我们在环境中，不见得比雅各或大卫等人好，这是为什么主祷文会这样祈求，『不叫我们遇见试探，救我们脱离凶恶。…』(马太福音 6:13)    

     虽然他一生这样做只是为了抓住神，但神是很公平，他也不是没有经历过神的处罚，如创世记 37:34-35 所说，他所经历的也是很不容易的：『雅各便撕裂衣服，腰间围上麻布，为他儿子悲哀了多日。他的儿女都起来安慰他，他却不肯受安慰，说：「我必悲哀着下阴间到我儿子那里。」约瑟的父亲就为他哀哭。』最后，『以色列的死期临近了，…以色列在床头上敬拜神。』，并且『雅各嘱咐众子已毕，就把脚收在床上，气绝而死，归他列祖那里去了。』圣经是明说，耶和华是爱雅各的。『耶和华说：「…我却爱雅各。』(玛拉基书 1:2)    

     最后，可能有人会认为进迦南地时，耶和华是非常的残忍。以人的角度看是真的，因为在申命记 20:17 说得很清楚，『只要照耶和华你神所吩咐的，将这赫人、亚摩利人、迦南人、比利洗人、希未人、耶布斯人都灭绝净尽。』好像原因很单纯，因为接着又说：『免得他们教导你们学习一切可憎恶的事，就是他们向自己神所行的，以致你们得罪耶和华你们的神。』(申命记 20:18) 虽然神是这样的命令的，如果你相信神是全知的，那么祂老早就已知道以色列人不会听祂的话的，如士师记 3:5-6 所说，『以色列人竟住在迦南人、赫人、亚摩利人、比利洗人、希未人、耶布斯人中间，娶他们的女儿为妻，将自己的女儿嫁给他们的儿子，并事奉他们的神。』(士师记 3:5-6) 既然祂早已知道了，为什么还要有这样命令呢？其实圣经说得很清楚，『留下这几族，为要试验以色列人，知道他们肯听从耶和华借摩西吩咐他们列祖的诫命不肯。』(士师记 3:4) 也就是说，这观念是和一开始在创世记中是一致的，想想看神为什么在『…(伊甸)园子当中又有生命树和分别善恶的树。』(创世记 2:9)？就像我们以前分享过一样，神不是不知道，而是我们不知道，因为『人心比万物都诡诈，坏到极处，谁能识透呢？』(耶利米书 17:9) 我们常常要做后才真正知道！    

     自然有人会说，从人道的观念来说，这样做不是太过份吗？『又将城中所有的，不拘男女老少、牛羊和驴，都用刀杀尽。』(约书亚记 6:21) 尤其是婴儿何辜？其实神至少给了迦南人四百多年的机会 [1] 。创世记 15:13-16说到，『耶和华对亚伯兰说：「你要的确知道，你的后裔必寄居别人的地，又服事那地的人，那地的人要苦待他们四百年。到了第四代，他们必回到此地，因为亚摩利人的罪孽还没有满盈。」』他们明显的没有悔改，要不神会如约拿记所说那般，会赦免他们的。在这些年间有多少婴儿出世了，在这样的环境中长大，你想他们会不同吗？神的全知包括了预知，难道他不知道这些婴儿未来会怎样吗？而且我们前面说过，并没有真正的奢杀尽净。从人的角度看，挪亚时代的洪水不是比进迦南地时更糟吗？因为『耶和华说：「我要将所造的人和走兽，并昆虫，以及空中的飞鸟，都从地上除灭，因为我造他们后悔了。」』(创世记 6:7) 我们实在要看见，会审判是因为人自找的。『耶和华见人在地上罪恶很大，终日所思想的尽都是恶。』(创世记 6:5)    

     虽然神有绝对主权 [2]，我们可以看到祂是有怜悯有恩典的神。我们看一个例子，大卫因借亚们人的刀杀了乌利亚。(参撒母耳记下 11:6-25) 但神有怜悯有恩典，赦免他的死罪。(参撒母耳记下 12:1-14) 其实圣经的写法通常是讲一般原则，在其中有些特例。一般原则是律法说的，不可杀人，特例是神赦免了大卫的死罪。这就像英文的文法一样，讲的是一般原则，常常有不遵行一般原则的特例。再以受洗为例子解释这点，耶稣自己受洗作为我们的榜样(参马太福音 3:13-17)，这是一般原则，所以在可能情况下是要受洗的。特例是和耶稣同钉十字架的强盗，没有机会受洗就进入乐园了。(参路加福音 23:39-43)    

     我们再看一个例子说到神真是有怜悯有恩典的神。彼得后书 3:9说，『主所应许的尚未成就，有人以为他是耽延，其实不是耽延，乃是宽容你们，不愿有一人沉沦，乃愿人人都悔改。』神的心意本是要人人悔改，我们真要知道，神有绝对主权，是有怜悯有恩典的神。

一些相关的经文

[1] 以色列人住在埃及共有四百三十年。正满了四百三十年的那一天，耶和华的军队都从埃及地出来了。(出埃及记 12:40-41)

 [2] 神有绝对主权，『因他对摩西说：「我要怜悯谁，就怜悯谁；要恩待谁，就恩待谁。」』(罗马书 9:15) 且『这一切都是这位圣灵所运行、随己意分给各人的。』(哥林多前书 12:11) 

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    我們首先看到了公義是神寶座的根基，為什麼說我們是主動的被動。接著我們看到了新舊約都一致的說要愛神且愛人如己，且用約拿記作為一個例子去闡述舊約中對團體的愛。至於對個人的愛，只以雅各為例子，看見了他有屬世和屬靈的祝福。他為抓住神而有欺騙的行為，也受過逞罰卻仍敬拜神。最後我們討論一個可能在舊約中常問的問題，「進迦南地時是真殘忍嗎？」

    『公義(H6664)和公平，是你寶座的根基；慈愛和誠實，行在你前面(H6440, 面前)。』(詩篇 89:14)(也請看詩篇 97:2) 舊約有太多地方講到公義，詩篇就出現了49 次，我們不可能全部談到，要知道詳情，必須看聖經。從其中，我們也看到了連以色列的敵人都知道耶和華是公義的。也就是如耶利米書 50:7 所說的：『…敵人說：『我們沒有罪，因他們得罪那作公義居所的耶和華，就是他們列祖所仰望的耶和華。』 神的愛和祂的公義是祂的本質，從亙古到永遠，不會沒變。但在時間中，對我們而言有一個先後的秩序。道成肉身在前，為我們作成了挽回祭，符合了祂的公義。我們信，然後神的愛藉著聖靈厚厚澆灌在我們身上，所以是對我們來說，公義行在愛之前。對神來說，為了成就祂的愛，祂必須先符合祂的公義。所以這希伯來字 H6440 ，加上在其他的經文中看出來，應翻譯成「面前」比較好。

    舊約對愛的教導和新約是一致的。在舊約中的申命記 6:4-5 中說：『以色列啊，你要聽！耶和華我們神是獨一的主。你要盡心、盡性、盡力愛(H157)耶和華你的神。』『不可報仇，也不可埋怨你本國的子民，卻要愛(H157)人如己。我是耶和華。』(利未記 19:18)『和你們同居的外人，你們要看他如本地人一樣，並要愛(H157)他如己，因為你們在埃及地也作過寄居的。我是耶和華你們的神。』(利未記 19:34) 因此新約中會說：『耶穌對他說：「你要盡心、盡性、盡意，愛主你的神。這是誡命中的第一，且是最大的。其次也相仿，就是要愛人如己。這兩條誡命是律法和先知一切道理的總綱。」』(馬太福音 22:37-40) 

    在約拿約記中說到了一個舊約中對團體的愛的例子，『尼尼微人信服神，便宣告禁食，從最大的到至小的都穿麻衣。這信息傳到尼尼微王的耳中，他就下了寶座，脫下朝服，披上麻布，坐在灰中。他又使人遍告尼尼微通城說： 「王和大臣有令：人不可嘗甚麼，牲畜、牛羊不可吃草，也不可喝水。人與牲畜都當披上麻布，人要切切求告神。各人回頭離開所行的惡道，丟棄手中的強暴。或者神轉意後悔，不發烈怒，使我們不至滅亡也未可知。」於是神察看他們的行為，見他們離開惡道，他就後悔，不把所說的災禍降與他們了。』(約拿書 3:5-10) 聖經在這點上實在說得很清楚，『再者，我(耶和華)對惡人說：『你必定死亡！』他若轉離他的罪，行正直與合理的事：…他所犯的一切罪必不被記念；他行了正直與合理的事，必定存活。』(以西結書 33:14-16)  其實約拿書 4:10-11 也說到：『耶和華說：「這蓖麻不是你(約拿) 栽種的，也不是你培養的，一夜發生，一夜乾死，你尚且愛惜(H2347)；何況這尼尼微大城，其中不能分辨左手右手的有十二萬多人，並有許多牲畜，我豈能不愛惜(H2347)呢？」』這難道不是因為『神愛世人…』(約翰福音 3:16)，並在多處在新約說，『…神不偏待人(G4381)。』(羅馬書 2:11) 嗎？

    舊約中對個人的愛有許多，我們只用雅各所遭遇的一些事來說明這點。在雅各身上我們看到了他不只是有屬世的祝福，也有屬靈的祝福。『雅各說：「…你向僕人所施的一切慈愛和誠實，我一點也不配得。我先前只拿着我的杖過這約旦河，如今我卻成了兩隊了。』(創世記 32:9-10) 在創世記 32:28-30 中，『那人說：「你的名不要再叫雅各，要叫以色列，因為你與神與人較力，都得了勝。」…雅各便給那地方起名叫毘努伊勒，意思說：「我面對面見了神，我的性命仍得保全。」』我們知道從人的角度看，雅各絕不是好人。除了其他的事情外，創世記 27:36 也說得很清楚他有欺騙的行為，『以掃說：「他名雅各豈不是正對嗎？因為他欺騙了我兩次，他從前奪了我長子的名分；你看，他現在又奪了我的福分。」…』其實，我們實在要深深知道：如果我們在環境中，不見得比雅各或大衞等人好，這是為什麼主禱文會這樣祈求，『不叫我們遇見試探，救我們脫離兇惡。…』(馬太福音 6:13)

    雖然他一生這樣做只是為了抓住神，但神是很公平，他也不是沒有經歷過神的處罰，如創世記 37:34-35 所說，他所經歷的也是很不容易的：『雅各便撕裂衣服，腰間圍上麻布，為他兒子悲哀了多日。他的兒女都起來安慰他，他卻不肯受安慰，說：「我必悲哀着下陰間到我兒子那裏。」約瑟的父親就為他哀哭。』最後，『以色列的死期臨近了，…以色列在牀頭上敬拜神。』(創世記 47:29-30)，並且『雅各囑咐眾子已畢，就把腳收在牀上，氣絕而死，歸他列祖那裏去了。』(創世記 49:33) 聖經是明說，耶和華是愛雅各的。『耶和華說：「…我卻愛雅各。』(瑪拉基書 1:2)

    最後，可能有人會認為進迦南地時，耶和華是非常的殘忍。以人的角度看是真的，因為在申命記 20:17 說得很清楚，『只要照耶和華你神所吩咐的，將這赫人、亞摩利人、迦南人、比利洗人、希未人、耶布斯人都滅絕淨盡。』好像原因很單純，因為接著又說：『免得他們教導你們學習一切可憎惡的事，就是他們向自己神所行的，以致你們得罪耶和華你們的神。』(申命記 20:18) 雖然神是這樣的命令的，如果你相信神是全知的，那麼祂老早就已知道以色列人不會聽祂的話的，如士師記 3:5-6 所說，『以色列人竟住在迦南人、赫人、亞摩利人、比利洗人、希未人、耶布斯人中間，娶他們的女兒為妻，將自己的女兒嫁給他們的兒子，並事奉他們的神。』既然祂早已知道了，為什麼還要有這樣命令呢？其實聖經說得很清楚，『留下這幾族，為要試驗以色列人，知道他們肯聽從耶和華藉摩西吩咐他們列祖的誡命不肯。』(士師記 3:4) 也就是說，這觀念是和一開始在創世記中是一致的，想想看神為什麼在『…(伊甸)園子當中又有生命樹和分別善惡的樹。』(創世記 2:9)？就像我們以前分享過一樣，神不是不知道，而是我們不知道，因為『人心比萬物都詭詐，壞到極處，誰能識透呢？』(耶利米書 17:9) 我們常常要做後才真正知道！

    自然有人會說，從人道的觀念來說，這樣做不是太過份嗎？『又將城中所有的，不拘男女老少、牛羊和驢，都用刀殺盡。』(約書亞記 6:21) 尤其是嬰兒何辜？其實神至少給了迦南人四百多年的機會 [1] 。創世記 15:13-16說到，『耶和華對亞伯蘭說：「你要的確知道，你的後裔必寄居別人的地，又服事那地的人，那地的人要苦待他們四百年。到了第四代，他們必回到此地，因為亞摩利人的罪孽還沒有滿盈。」』他們明顯的沒有悔改，要不神會如約拿記所說般，會赦免他們的。在這些年間有多少嬰兒出世了，在這樣的環境中長大，你想他們會不同嗎？神的全知包括了預知，難道他不知道這些嬰兒未來會怎樣嗎？而且我們前面說過，並沒有真正的奢殺盡淨。從人的角度看，挪亞時代的洪水不是比進迦南地時更糟嗎？『耶和華說：「我要將所造的人和走獸，並昆蟲，以及空中的飛鳥，都從地上除滅，因為我造他們後悔了。」』(創世記 6:7) 我們實在要看見，會審判是因為人自找的。『耶和華見人在地上罪惡很大，終日所思想的盡都是惡。』(創世記 6:5)

    雖然神有絕對主權 [2]，我們可以看到祂是有憐憫有恩典的神。我們看一個例子，大衞因借亞們人的刀殺了烏利亞。(參撒母耳記下 11:6-25) 但神有憐憫有恩典，赦免他的死罪。(參撒母耳記下 12:1-14) 其實聖經的寫法通常是講一般原則，在其中有些特例。一般原則是律法說的，不可殺人，特例是神赦免了大衞的死罪。這就像英文的文法一樣，講的是一般原則，常常有不遵行一般原則的特例。再以受洗為例子解釋這點，耶穌自己受洗作為我們的榜樣(參馬太福音 3:13-17)，這是一般原則，所以在可能情況下是要受洗的。特例是和耶穌同釘十字架的强盜，沒有機會受洗就進入樂園了。(參路加福音 23:39-43) 

    我們再看一個例子說到神真是有憐憫有恩典的神。彼得後書 3:9說，『主所應許的尚未成就，有人以為他是耽延，其實不是耽延，乃是寬容你們，不願有一人沉淪，乃願人人都悔改。』神的心意本是要人人悔改，我們真要知道，神有絕對主權，是有憐憫有恩典的神。

一些相關的經文

[1] 以色列人住在埃及共有四百三十年。正滿了四百三十年的那一天，耶和華的軍隊都從埃及地出來了。(出埃及記 12:40-41)

[2] 神有絕對主權，『因他對摩西說：「我要憐憫誰，就憐憫誰；要恩待誰，就恩待誰。」』(羅馬書 9:15) 且『這一切都是這位聖靈所運行、隨己意分給各人的。』(哥林多前書 12:11)

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Let us first see that righteousness is one of foundations of His throne. Next, we see that both the New Testament and the Old Testament consistently say that you shall love your neighbor as yourself. Then we use Book Jonah to illustrate group love. Regarding individual love, we use Jacob as an example, who has both worldly and heavenly blessings. He cheated due to wanting to get hold of God. Although he got a penalty, he still worshipped God. Finally, we’ll discuss one question which is often asked in reading the Old Testament, “Is it really very cruel when Israelites entered the land of Cannon?”

In Psalms 89:14, it says, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before You.” We can find a similar verse in Psalms 97:2, “…Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.” Yes, righteousness is one foundation of God’s throne. In the Old Testament, there are many places talking about righteousness. For example, there are 49 times it is talked about in Psalms. It is impossible for us to talk all of them in this short article. For the details, we need to read the Bible. Among them, even the adversaries of Israel knew that righteousness is the foundation of God, as said in Jeremiah 50:7, “All who came upon them have devoured them; And their adversaries have said, ‘We are not guilty, Inasmuch as they have sinned against the Lord who is the habitation of righteousness, Even the Lord, the hope of their fathers.'” God’s love and His righteousness are among His characteristics. There is forever no change, from the beginning to the end. But in the domain of time, there is an order. Words becoming flesh to make propitiation for the sins of the people has to happen first, so that His righteousness is fulfilled. We believe God’s love through the Holy Spirit is shed aboard in us. So, for us the righteousness is needed before the love but due to the Agape love. For God, in order to carry out His love, He has first to fulfill His righteousness.

The teaching about love is consistent in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. In the Old Testament, it is said in Deuteronomy 6:4-5, “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You shall love (H157) the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love (H157) your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:18) This is said the same in the New Testament, “And He said to him, ” ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”” (Matthew 22:37-40)

In the of Book Jonah, it says, “Then the people of Nineveh believed in God; and they called a fast and put on sackcloth from the greatest to the least of them. When the word reached the king of Nineveh, he arose from his throne, laid aside his robe from him, covered himself with sackcloth and sat on the ashes. He issued a proclamation and it said, “In Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let man, beast, herd, or flock taste a thing. Do not let them eat or drink water. But both man and beast must be covered with sackcloth; and let men call on God earnestly that each may turn from his wicked way and from the violence which is in his hands. Who knows, God may turn and relent and withdraw His burning anger so that we will not perish.” When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them. And He did not do it.”(Jonah 3:5-10) The Old Testament says this point clearly in Ezekiel 33:14-16, “But when I say to the wicked, ‘You will surely die,’ and he turns from his sin and practices justice and righteousness, if a wicked man restores a pledge, pays back what he has taken by robbery, walks by the statutes which ensure life without committing iniquity, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of his sins that he has committed will be remembered against him. He has practiced justice and righteousness; he shall surely live.” Isn’t it because “… God so loved the world, …”(John 3:16) and “…there is no partiality with God.”(Romans 2:11) as the same words mentioned several times in the New Testament, right?

In the Old Testament, there are many descriptions regarding the personal love, and we only use some events encountered by Jacob to explain such points. In the events Jacob encountered, we see not only worldly blessings, but also spiritual blessings. Regarding the worldly blessings in Genesis 32:9-10, “Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O Lord, who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your relatives, and I will prosper you,’ I am unworthy of all the lovingkindness and of all the faithfulness which You have shown to Your servant; for with my staff only I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two companies.” Further regarding heavenly blessings, it says in Genesis 32:28-30, “He said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him and said, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And he blessed him there. So Jacob named the place Peniel, for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been preserved.”” We know that Jacob is not really a good person in the aspect of human. Among the other things, it says clearly in the Bible that he did cheat as described in Genesis 27:36, “Then he said, “Is he not rightly named Jacob, for he has supplanted me these two times? He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing.” …” As a matter of fact, we have to truly know that we are not necessarily better than Jacob or David, if we are in the same situations. This is why the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:13 says, “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. …”

Although he tried to do everything to take hold of God, which pleased God, but he indeed got punished as described in Genesis 37:34-35, “So Jacob tore his clothes, and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days. Then all his sons and all his daughters arose to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. And he said, “Surely I will go down to Sheol in mourning for my son.” So his father wept for him.” It is really not an easy one. In his final days, he still worshipped the God as described in Genesis 47:29-31, “When the time for Israel to die drew near, …Then Israel bowed in worship at the head of the bed.” And “When Jacob finished charging his sons, he drew his feet into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people.”(Genesis 49:33) The Bible says boldly in Malachi 1:2, “…declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob.””

Finally, some people may think that the God was very cruel when Israelites entered Canaan. Yes, it is true in the aspects of human as clearly described in Deuteronomy 20:17, “But you shall utterly destroy them, the Hittite and the Amorite, the Canaanite and the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite, as the Lord your God has commanded you.” The reason seems simple enough and was given in Deuteronomy 20:18, “so that they may not teach you to do according to all their detestable things which they have done for their gods, so that you would sin against the Lord your God.” Although the God so commanded, the God knows in advance that Israelites would not utterly destroy them if you believe that the God is omniscient. In Judges 3:5-6, it says, “The sons of Israel lived among the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; and they took their daughters for themselves as wives, and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods.” If He already knows in advance, why has such a commandment? In fact, the Bible says clearly in Judges 3:4, “They were for testing Israel, to find out if they would obey the commandments of the Lord, which He had commanded their fathers through Moses.” In other words, such a concept is consistent with what stated at the beginning in Genesis. Think of why the God put “…the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”(Genesis 2:9) Like what we shared before, the God knows but we don’t since “The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?”(Jeremiah 17:9) We often truly can know it only after we have done it!

Most likely, people will naturally ask if this is too much in the aspect of human as stated in Joshua 6:21, “They utterly destroyed everything in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox and sheep and donkey, with the edge of the sword.” In particular, babies didn’t do anything yet. Actually, the God gave those people in Cannon more than four hundred years to repent [1] as described in advance of the event in Genesis 15:13-16, “God said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years. But I will also judge the nation whom they will serve, and afterward they will come out with many possessions. As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you will be buried at a good old age. Then in the fourth generation they will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet complete.”” They didn’t repent obviously; otherwise, God would forgive them just like what He did as described in the Book of Jonah. In those periods of time, how many babies were born? In this environment, do you think that they will grow up differently? God is omniscient, which includes knowing things in advance. Doesn’t He know how these babies will turn out? And as we mentioned before, not all of them are utterly destroyed. In the aspect of human, the flood in the era of Noah is worse as stated in Genesis 6:7, “The Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them.”” We must see that the judgement is really due to what humans did to themselves. The reason for flood is stated in Genesis 6:5, “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

Although the God has absolute authority [2], we can see that He is full of mercy and grace. Let us take a look at one example. David killed Uriah the Hittite by using the sword of the sons of Ammon. (refer to 2 Samuel 11:6-25) But the God has mercy and grace, He forgave his sin whose penalty should be death. (refer to 2 Samuel 12:1-14) The Bible is written in this way normally. It talks general principles, but often has special cases. In this case, the general principle is what the Law says. We are forbidden to kill. Like in the English grammar, there are often exceptions in general rules. Let us use the baptism as another example to illustrate this point. We can see the general principle using the fact that Jesus was baptized as our example. So, if situations allow, we need to be baptized. The special case is that the criminal nailed to the cross had no chance to be baptized but went to Paradise with Jesus (refer to Luke 23:39-43) We cannot use this example as an excuse to not baptize.

Let us use another example to show the God is full of mercy and grace. As stated in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” Therefore, His will is for all to come to repentance. We need to know and acknowledge that the God has the absolute authority, and is full of mercy and grace.

Some related verses

[1] Exodus 12:40-41, “Now the time that the sons of Israel lived in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. And at the end of four hundred and thirty years, to the very day, all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt.”

[2] The God has the absolute authority, “For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.””(Romans 9:15) And “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.” (1 Corinthians 12:11)

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

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