汪维藩的神学言说

野地里的百合花（灵修）

                                      

野地里的百合花

汪 维 藩

（1985年12月《天风》编辑部初版；后被译为英文按教会节期编排，先后在香港、美国出版，并被译为朝鲜文出版。）

　
 Lilies of the Field

Wang Weifan

Translated and Edited by

Janice and Philip Wickeri

(Published in Hong Kong 1988)
 

你想野地里的百合花

——马太福音六章廿十八节

 

代  序

生命之美，不在于穿戴，不在于衣饰。而在于经历风霜，不失其娇妍；经历沙尘，不失其秀丽。父神给他儿女的妆饰，总是雕绘于心灵的最深之处。

朵朵小花，无所求亦无所私，无所羡亦无所妒，默默无闻，却点缀着百花开放的原野。旅程如此短暂，来去如此匆促。然而，无愧的也正是它曾以自己的芬芳留给那哺育过它的大地。

          ——1979年秋，二十年流离之后，

      在金陵校园里最初写下的几句。

　

　

　
 Consider the lilies of the field

 Matthew 6:28

(By way of preface)

The beauty of life does not lie in what we put on, but in bearing life’s hardships without losing sight of its charm, in encountering the vagaries of the world without losing sight of its beauty. The adornments which the Father gives to his daughters and sons are carved and painted in the deepest recesses of the soul.

The tiny flowers of the field ask nothing for themselves and covet nothing. They are silent, but in their silence, they adorn the field. Their lives are brief; they appear quickly, go quickly. Yet their conscience is clear and they leave behind their fragrance to the land that nourished them.

                          Wang Weifan

                                           Fall of 1979

 The first lines written at Jinling     After an “exile” about twenty years

　
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

圣诞节前第九主日

到旷野去歇一歇

——马可福音六章卅一节

三载匆匆，主为人仆。主尝废寝，枕首无处；主尝无食，甘受饥渴。主需小憩，隐于旷野。非为遁世，非为索居；静谧之中，与父相契。

我当效主，忘我事人，甘负重轭，不辞劳辛。亦当效主，常憩父怀——安息之所，得力之源。动若狂澜，静若止水；行如疾风，止如磐石。

父乃爱源，其深似海；常住爱中，爱人之心难竭。父乃爱源，其炽如火；常住爱中，爱人之心难冷。我爱有限，父爱无极；常住永爱之中，我爱必将常存。

　

　
 9th before Christmas

Mark 6:31

 

Come away to a lonely place and rest awhile

 

Our Lord was so busy serving others for three years. He often went without sleep, without even a place to lay his head. He often went without food, enduring hunger and thirst without complaint. So it is not surprising that he needed a brief rest and went away to a lonely place. He did not do this in order to escape reality, nor to get away from the people and lead a solitary life. He did it in order to speak quietly with his God.

We should learn from Jesus to selflessly serve others, to willingly bear heavy burdens, and not to avoid hard work. We should also learn from Jesus to frequently rest in the embrace of our God – to seek a place for quiet rest, in order to replenish our strength from its source. Action is like the pounding of great waves; rest is like the calm of a still pool. Action is like the rushing wind; rest is like the natural immobility of rock.

Our heavenly father, source of love, is deep as the oceans. If I live in the sea of love , my love for others will not wither. God is love’s source, hot as fire. If I live within the fire of love, my love for others will not grow cold. My love is so limited, while God’s love is infinite. Only if I dwell in the eternal love of God will my own love endure.

 
 
 圣诞节前第八主日

圣灵与火

——马太福音三章十一节

基督对他的教会，不仅用圣灵哺育浇灌，也降火焚烧；不仅施恩怜恤，也手操刀斧。他始终像炼金之火，要弃尽浮渣，提取精金；又如漂布之碱，要涤尽污浊，还其皎洁。他从未停止扬场，去净糠秕，好收存麦粒；也从未停止修树，砍下无果枯枝，好留存结果的嫩条。

主啊，求使我不只认识你的恩慈，也认识你的严厉；不只认识你的怜恤与恩待，也认识你的忿怒与权能。愿你的教会，在灵与火的洗礼中成为圣洁，成为无瑕！

 

　
 8th before Christmas

Matthew 3:11

 

With the Holy Spirit and with fire

 

  Christ feeds and waters his church not with the Holy Spirit only; he also sends down fire to burn it. He sends not only grace and pity, but a sword. Always Christ is the refining fire which seeks to purge the dross and bring out pure gold. Like bleach he removes the stains from the cloth, returning it to its original cleanliness. He winnows without rest, separating the chaff and gathering in the wheat. Christ never finishes pruning his trees, cutting off the barren branches so as to bring forth good fruit.

  Lord, enable us to know, not only your mercy, but your strict discipline, not only your pity and grace, but also your anger and power. May your church, through the baptism of the Holy Spirit and through fire, be made pure and without flaw

  圣诞节前第七主日

进你的内屋

——马太福音六章六节

神儿女的祷告，要有一个“进入内屋”的经验，要有一个“关上门”、心扉单独向主敞开的经验。主悦纳我们在公共崇拜时献上的祷告，主更愿意我们“进入内屋”，单独与他亲近。

主厌恶法利赛人站在十字路口假意做很长的祷告，故意叫人看见。他要的是，我们心灵深处单独向他敞开，让他鉴察。主厌恶法利赛人自以为义、藐视别人的自言自语，他要的是我们俯伏在他面前的谦卑仰望之心。

主不需要外邦人祷告时所用的许多重复话语，也不需要巴力先知那种狂呼乱叫。当我们安静等候在他面前时，圣灵要用说不出的叹息替我们祈求。

在暗中察看人心的主啊，求你吸引我们，操练我们，让我们学会在“内屋”与你单独亲近。

 

　
 7th before Christmas

Matthew 6:6

 

Go into your room

 

  In their spiritual lives, God’s children must have the experience of going into their room, of shutting the door and opening their hearts solely to God. Prayers offered in public are acceptable to God, but even more, God asks us to “go into our rooms” and approach him in private.

  God despised the Pharisees who stood like hypocrites at the street corners saying long prayers for others to see. We are called to open the depths of our hearts to God so that we may let him look upon us. God despised the Pharisees’ self-righteousness and their rejection of others. Their prayers were only for their own ears. We are called to kneel before God , with our hearts raised in humble entreaty.

  God requires neither the empty phrases the gentiles used in praying nor the wild clamor of the prophets of Baal. When we wait quietly upon our God, the Spirit will help us to pray with sighs too deep for words.

  O God, you alone see into the recesses of our hearts. We ask you to draw us near, to temper us, to allow us to learn to approach you in our private moments when we are alone.

 

 
圣诞节前第六主日

当负我的轭

——马太福音十一章廿九节

    主从未应许他的儿女不挑重担，主所应许的安息也决非饱食终日，无所事事。

主所负的轭如此艰难，但他感到容易；主所担的担子如此沉重，但他感到轻省。因为他心里柔和谦卑，在父面前存心顺服，以至于死。在繁重的工作面前，我们往往感到劳苦，感到沉重，因为我们缺少主耶稣那样一颗顺服的心，那样一颗柔和谦卑的心。

我们应当来到主的面前，学习主自己的样式，不是为了卸下重担，而是把我们的工作当作主的轭重新负上。不求工作减轻，但求心灵深处得享因谦卑顺服而来的安息。一颗安息在神旨意中的心，能使我们像主那样挑起更重的担子，因为主的轭是容易的，主的担子是轻省的。

 

　
 6th before Christmas

Matthew 11:29

 

Take my yoke upon you

 

  God has never permitted his children to avoid heavy burdens. The rest which God promises is certainly not one of full bellies and idleness.

  The yoke Christ bore was so difficult, and his burdens so heavy; yet he found the yoke easy and the burdens light because his heart is gentle and lowly. Christ was obedient before God unto death. Faced with our own load of work, we always feel that we have toiled so hard. We feel burdened, because we lack the obedient, humble and lowly heart of Jesus.

  We should come into God’s presence and learn from his example, not in order to put down our burdens, but to take them up anew as the yoke of God. We should not seek to lessen our work, but pray that in the depths of our souls we may enjoy the rest that comes from humble obedience. A heart that rests in the will of God is able to take up its burdens as Jesus did. This is what Christ meant when he said that his yoke is easy, his burden light.

 
 圣诞节前第五主日

我故此没有违背

——使徒行传廿六章十九节

路上大光，历历在目；唤我慈声，犹似当年。爱如绳索，已缚我于祭坛之侧；几度离去，几度牵回。

翻山越岭，主来寻我；今随你去，何计崎岖？血迹斑斑，主来寻我；今随你去，何计生死！

白发在前，来者尚远，此棒在手，何敢怠惰？群羔待哺，迷羊待觅，牧人之心，能不如焚！

异象之前，我已倦飞；纵使膝行，岂忍弃你？异象之前，我已迟暮；此生无多，能不奋蹄！

　
 5th before Christmas

Acts 26:19

 

I was not disobedient

 

  The great light still shines before me. The tender voice still calls as it did then. Love like a rope binds me at your altar. Whenever I stray, Love pulls me back.

  Over mountain ranges, Christ sought me. Following Christ now, what are rugged paths to me? Along a blood-spattered road, Christ sought me. Following Christ now, what are gain or loss, life or death to me?

  My white-haired predecessors lead the way. We, the younger generation, follow——some way behind——the baton passed, in our hands now. Can we be lax? Or waiver?

  So many lambs are waiting to be fed. Lost lambs are waiting to be found. As shepherds, how can we not be anxious, burning with impatience?

  Called in a vision——before that, tired, unable to move. Now, even if I had to crawl on my knees I could not bear to abandon the Christ who has called me. Called in a vision——before that I had become old, little life left in me. But now, watch me pluck up my spirits and run!

 

  诸圣日(11月1日)

见证人如同云彩

——希伯来书十一章卅二节至十二章一节

何惧浪迹天涯，何俱藏身洞穴？何惧刀锯，何惧狮口？

这碧血红花、尸灰白骨铺成的路上，走去的既是英雄，也是囚徒；既是圣者，也是罪犯。

无憾于生时付出过多，无憾于死时一无所取。每一滴汗与血，都是深埋于地下的颗颗种子；收获的虽不是自己，却必有来者与后人。

清晨为朝霞，薄暮为夕晖，彩云朵朵，悠忽蓝天；既向往那永久的家乡，又眷恋于所离开的故土。

 
 All Saints Day

Heb 11:32-12:1 

So great a cloud of witnesses

   Why should we fear hiding in catacombs or roaming the far corners of the earth? Why fear the lion’s jaw or the knife’s blade?

This road we walk is strewn with flowers stained red by blood shed in the cause of justice. Our companions on this road include both heroes and criminals, saints as well as sinners

Human life always comes to an end, but the road never ends. Yet human life never really ends either——for this endless, eternal road is paved with the bones of the heroes and the criminals, with the ashes of the saints and the sinners.

We need not lament having paid out too much of ourselves in life, nor should we regret that at the moment of death, we are left with nothing. Every drop of blood, each bead of sweet, is a seed buried deep within the earth. Though we cannot harvest the fruits of our labours ourselves, others will come to take up the task, and they, too, will have their successors.

  Rose colored in the morning light, glowing softly at dusk, clouds of witness drift across the deep blue skies,. They yearn for that constant, enduring heavenly city, but they never lose affection for the native land they have left behind.    
 
降临节之一（圣诞节前第四十天为降临节之始）

 

反倒虚已

——腓立比书二章七节

神子基督，先于万有。他本有神的形象，本有神的威严、权能与尊荣；但他竟甘愿卑微，并为奴仆。

惟其降卑至极，故上帝将他升为至高，其高超乎万有之上。他本富足，竟为人类成为贫穷；惟其贫穷，故上帝乃立他承受万有。

权柄与名位，既非他所留恋，亦非他所企求。他甘愿虚己，故上帝能使他充满万有；他倒空自己，故上帝能叫一切丰盛在他里面居住。

何时我有此心：贫穷之中显为富足，降卑之中蕴涵升高，虚己之中显为丰盛，倒空之中充沛万有？

 

注：每年12月份圣诞节前的四周为“降临节”，

藉以等待、守候基督的降生。

 

 
  Advent 1

Philippians 2:7

 

But emptied himself

 

Christ, Son of God, preceded all creation. He is in the image of God, with all of God’s majesty, power and glory. Yet he was willing to be humbled, even to be a servant.

It was precisely because he was humbled to the lowest that God exalted him to the highest, above all things. Though he was rich, he became poor for our sake. And because he was poor, God made him the heir of all creation.

He cared for neither power nor position, nor did he seek them. He willingly humbled himself, and therefore God filled him with all things. He poured himself out, but God filled him, that all things might find their richness in him.

When will I learn, O God, to see poverty as riches, to see humility as exaltation, to find plenty in emptiness, and empty myself, so that I may be filled with all of creation?

  降临节之二

乃是要成全

——马太福音五章十七节

基督先于历史，又高于历史；但他甘愿进入历史，使之得与永恒相接相联。

他不废掉历史；他来，乃要成全，使历史中一切美好的得到肯定，得到补足，得以升华，得以成圣。

进入历史的基督，不只是大卫后裔；他是人子，乃属于整个人类。他所要成全的，也不只是希伯来一个民族的历史，而是整个人类历史。

万族都将在各自漫长的沧桑之中寻见基督，并在各自的残缺之中等待他的接纳、祝福与成全。历史无法成全自己，正如历史中的人无力自救；但基督的救赎之恩，使人的历史和历史的人，终将寻见那永恒的居所。

 

 

 
 Advent 2

Matthew 5:17

 But to fulfill them

Christ was preexistent before history began and is above and outside of history. But he was willing to enter history, so that history could be united with all of eternity.

Christ did not destroy history. He came to fulfill it, that all which is good in history might be affirmed, made whole, raised up and made holy.

The Christ who entered history was more than a descendent of David. Jesus Christ was the Son of Humanity, for he belongs to all people. Christ came to fulfill not only the history of the people of Israel, but the history of all peoples.

All peoples must seek Christ in the midst of the struggles of their own nations. Each nation in itself is incomplete. Yet it is in this incompleteness that the people of a nation await the acceptance, the blessing and the fulfillment that is Christ. History cannot complete itself, nor do the people in history have the power to save themselves. It is Christ’s saving grace that enables human history and people in history to see their everlasting home one day.

    
 
降临节之三

盼望安慰者来到

——路加福音二章廿五节

   “前不见古人，后不见来者；念天地之悠悠，独怆然而涕下。”这是一种守望者的孤独，一种守望者的历史的孤独。一个民族的安慰者来到之前，守望者将始终不得安慰；守望者的得安慰，只能是在自己的民族得安慰之后。

各民族的历史，无一不是一部多灾多难而又辛酸的历史。而在历史的沉浮与崎岖之中，又无一不在仰望那一位将要来的基督。他不只是以色列百姓的荣耀，也是照亮外邦人的大光。他既是雅各家的安慰，也是地上万族的安慰。

主啊，何时？何时你将擦去人类一切的眼泪，使悲哀、哭号、疼痛永远成为过去？

 

 

 
 Advent 3

Luke 2:25

Looking forward to the consolation

The words of the poem ring true:

“Cut off from our forebears and descendents, thinking of our long drawn-out days on this earth, alone and in sorrow, I burst into tears.”

This is the solitary life of the one who keeps watch, the historical loneliness of the watchman. Before the Comforter of a people arrives, those who keep watch can find no comfort or consolation. Consolation will be theirs only after their people are comforted.

The histories of the peoples of this world are histories of calamity, hardship, sadness and bitterness. Caught up in the ebb and flow of historical change, all peoples look for the coming of a Christ. Christ is not the glory of the people of Israel alone. Christ is also the great light of the gentiles. He is the Comforter of the house of Jacob, and of all nations.

When, O Lord, when will you wipe away our mortal tears? When will all sorrow, crying and pain be consigned to the past for all eternity?

    
 
降临节之四

称他为以马内利

——马太福音一章廿三节

“以马内利啊，他展开翅膀，遍满你的地。”这既是先知的呼求，又是先知所见的异象。

在洪水仍在泛滥的地方，以马内利啊，求你展开翅膀，佑护你的儿女免于没顶之灾！在饥馑仍在肆虐的地方，以马内利啊，求你展开翅膀，佑护你的儿女免于野有饿殍！在屠刀仍在流无辜之人血的地方，以马内利啊，求你展开翅膀，佑护你的儿女免于血流成河，尸横遍野！

以马内利啊，天上的飞鸟你尚且养活，你怎能忍心让那按你形象所造的人死于千里赤地？亚伯的血曾在地里向你哀告以致你要追究，你怎能容忍无辜之人的血至今仍被人所流？

以马内利啊，求你展开翅膀，遍满大地和大地上你所生养的儿女！

 

 

 
 Advent 4

Matthew 1:23

 His name shall be called Immanuel

  “Its outspread wings will fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel.” This was the cry of the prophet Isaiah, what he had seen in a vision.

  Where the waters of the river overflow its banks, I entreat you Immanuel, spread your wings and protect your children from the flood! Where famine yet rages, I entreat you, O Immanuel, spread your wings, protect your children from starvation! Where the butcher’s knife sheds the blood of innocents, I entreat you, O Immanuel, spread your wings, protect your children that their corpses shall not cover the wilderness!

  O Immanuel, you provide for the birds of the air, how can you allow humanity, created in your image, to die on the barren earth? Abel’s blood cried out to you from the earth, and you sought after him. Can you then allow the blood of innocents to be shed?

  O Immanuel, spread your wings, I entreat you, fill the breadth of your land and cover your children who dwell here!

 
圣诞夜（12月24日之夜）

他到自己的地方来

——约翰福音一章十一节

月明星稀，万有何其寂静。藉他而受造的宇宙，今夜屏息无声，等候造他之主归来。宇宙本属于他，是他自己的地方。

万籁俱寂，原野上的小花在月光中轻轻摇曳。今夜，大地等候造他之主归来。大地与原野本属于他，是他自己的地方。

伯利恒已进入梦乡，婴儿在慈母怀中安睡。今夜，大卫之城等候大卫之裔归来。伯利恒城本属于他，是他自己的地方。

我的骨骼与血肉，我的肺腑与心肠，均为他手所造。今夜，我心静默，等候造我之主归来。我心本属于他，是他自己的地方。

 

注：圣诞夜指圣诞节的前夜，即12月24日的夜晚。

 

 

 

 
 Christmas Eve

John 1：11

He came to his own home

    Bright moon, scattered stars; so solitary is creation. The universe which God has created is especially silent on this night. It waits with bated breath for the Lord of Creation to return. The universe belongs to God, it is his home.

 Silence reigns supreme. The flowers of the field sway gently in the moonlight. This night, the vast earth awaits the homecoming of our Creator God. The vast earth and open fields belong to God, they are his home.

  Bethlehem lies dreaming. In his gentle mother’s arms, the babe sleeps peacefully this night. The City of David awaits the homecoming of David’s descendent. The town of Bethlehem belongs to him, it is his home.

  My bones, my flesh, my blood, my lungs and my heart, were all made by his hand. This night, my heart is at peace, awaiting my Creator’s return.. My heart belongs to him, it is his home.

 

 圣诞节之一

你们要看见一个婴孩

——路加福音二章十二节

昏暗的马厩里摇曳着烛炬的微光，烛光下马槽里躺卧着初生的婴孩。如此安祥，竟无一声啼哭，因他甘愿来到这藉他而造的世界。

这小脸上绽开的第一丝微笑，和被造之初的亚当何其相似。但这微笑中饱含着爱与顺服，面对十字架征途的艰难。

 这微微起伏的胸怀宽阔无比；要不，他怎能拥抱亿万远游的浪子？这纤柔如玉的双肩竟坚于金石；要不，他怎能背负起人间的痛苦与忧愁？

安睡吧，圣婴，我愿以深沉之爱作为你的襁褓；安睡吧，圣婴，在我心中也有一个马槽为你。

 

 
 Christmas Eve

Christmas Day 1

Luke 2:12

 You will find a babe

  In the dimness of the stable, faint candlelight glimmers. Under the lamplight, a newborn babe lies in the manger. Serene, he utters no cry. Christ has chosen to enter the world, which itself was created through him.

  The first small smile creases his little face. How like the first Adam. But this small smile also holds a love and obedience which will meet suffering on the road to the cross.

  This small breast, gently rising and falling, is yet boundless compare. How else could Christ embrace his innumerable prodigal children who are scattered far and wide? These tiny shoulders, delicate as jade, are yet strong as metal or stone. How else could they bear the burden of our human suffering and concern?

  Sleep well, holy infant, may you be wrapped in swadding clothes of deep love. Sleep well, holy infant, there is a manger in my heart for you.

 
 
圣诞节之二

看见你的救恩

——路加福音二章三十节

对自己饱经忧患的民族的忧伤，曾如此沉重地压抑过西面的心。对神的救恩的来到，老人不知等待过多少漫长的岁月。但当耶稣来到圣殿，尽管还是抱在父母怀中的婴儿，西面的心情感到被释，感到安然。因为他终究在未死之前看到了主所立的基督，看到了主的救恩。

这正是主的仆人应有的心。为神的家，有过忧伤，有过压抑；而当救恩与安慰来到时，感到安然，感到被释。我们曾否有过对教会而不只是对个人的忧伤？曾否有过对教会而不只是对个人的救恩的等待？而当主耶稣已经来到他自己的圣殿，我们的双目是否已经睁开？双手是否已经伸出？

主啊，求你的灵感动我们进入“圣殿”，开我们的眼得见你的救恩，使我们双手伸出接待已经来到的主。

 

 
 Christmas 2

Luke 2:30

         For mine eyes have seen thy salvation

  Simeon’s heart was weighed down by the oppression of his people. Who can tell what long years this old man had waited for the coming of God’s salvation? Though Jesus was still an infant in his parent’s arms when he came to the temple, Simeon experienced a sense of release in his heart and a sense of peace. At long last, before he was called to rest, he had seen in Jesus Christ God’s salvation.

   All God’s servants should have hearts like this. If we have felt the distress and oppression of God’s people, then we should be able to experience a sense of release and inner peace when saving grace and consolation come. But have we ever felt distress on behalf of the church, and not just for ourselves? Have we waited for salvation, not just for ourselves, but for the church? And when Jesus came to his temple, were our eyes open wide? Were our hands stretched forth in anticipation?

  O God, grant that your spirit may move us to enter your temple. Open our eyes that we may see your saving grace, and stretch forth our hands to receive the Lord who has come.

 
 显现节一

从东方来

——马太福音二章一节

基督乃是人类的救主，是照亮万民的大光。但最早被召来敬拜圣婴的，竟是东方的智者。是否由于东方古老的文化使他们领受了较多上帝的启示，以至为接待基督作了较多的准备？抑或东方人因其历史上无尽的泪之长河，而对基督更为渴求？我不得而知，只能留待引领智者的那星星自己回答。

但我知道近代历史，东方人确曾被放在苦难的铁砧上经受过一个多世纪的百炼千锤。正因为如此，东方人在朝拜基督时，岂不可能献上更为纯净的精金？出自煎熬与剧痛，东方人岂不早已准备好更为芳香的乳香与没药？

当年的智者早已归回故里，东方人对自己的家园总有一种无限依恋的深情。但，他们并未真地远离马槽；君不见他们仍然俯伏在圣婴之前？

 

注：显现节，自1月6日起至大斋节前第三主日。

 

 
 Epiphany 1

Matthew 2:1

From the East

 Christ, the savior of humankind, is the great light which shines upon all peoples. But the very first to be called to worship the holy infant were the wise men from the East. Why them, in particular? Was it that the ancient cultures of the East had received more of God’s revelation and were thus better prepared to accept Christ? Or was it that the East stood in greater need of Christ because of the endless river of tears which is its history? I do not know. Perhaps the answer lies in the star that lit their path.

What I do know is that the East, in its recent history, has been hammered on the anvil of extreme adversity, there forged and tempered for over a hundred years. Precisely because of this, should not the East be able to offer up an even more refined gold when it worships Christ? Out of this pain and agony, should not the East be ready to bring forth even more fragrant frankincense and myrrh?

The wise men have already returned home, because people from East have a deep sense of attachment to their native places. And yet, they haven’t really gone far from the manger. Don’t you see them still, kneeling over the infant?

 
 显现节二

你的心也要被刀刺透

——路加福音二章卅五节

圣婴耶稣在圣殿被献与主时，西面曾经预言，马利亚的心“也要被刀刺透”。

十字架上，主耶稣呼喊“我的神，我的神，为什么离弃我”时，天上的父因耶稣背负人类的罪孽而向自己的独生爱子掩面。地上，一位“万代要称我为有福”的母亲哭倒在十字架下。丧子之痛，像是无情的利刃刺透了马利亚的心。

然而，“有福”的真正含义却又正在于此：与神同心，尊主为大，为神永恒的计划甘愿将身生爱子献在燔祭坛上！

为救赎人类舍弃独生爱子的父啊，我们所有的一切都出于你，饶恕我们的自私，好使我们甘愿为你的旨意将原属于你的一切都归献给你！

 

 
 Epiphany 2

Luke 2:35

           And a sword will pierce through

your own soul also

 As the holy infant Jesus was being dedicated to God in the temple, Simeon prophesied to Mary: “and a sword will pierce through your own soul also.”

  When Jesus called out from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” the heavenly Father hid his countenance from Jesus because he bore the sins of humanity. On earth his mother, whom “all generations would call blessed”, fell to the ground at the foot of the cross, weeping. The pain of losing her Son was like a sharp and merciless sword piercing Mary’s soul.

  Yet the true meaning of “blessed” is contained in this: to be of one heart with God; to know God’s greatness; to be willing to give one’s only son on the sacrificial altar for the sake of God’s eternal plan!

  O Father, you gave your only begotten Son for the salvation of humankind. All we have, we have from you. Forgive our selfishness. May we return all we have to you from whence it came, that your will be done.

 
 显现节三

变成孩子的样式

——马太福音十八章三节

赤子之心，明澈如晶；我心不如，有瑕有疵。涉世愈深，蒙尘愈厚，眼目迷离，心难返璞。

赤子之心，待人以诚；我心不如，有私有曲。彼心谦卑，我心高傲；彼心温逊，我心骄慢。

赤子之心，柔顺似水；我心刚愎，如铁如石。深处微光，心眼难见；深处微声，心耳难闻。

求主助我，使我回转，还我童心，重为赤子。愿效我主，柔和谦卑；学主样式，永负主轭。

 

 
 Epiphany 3

Matthew 18:3

Become like children

  A child’s heart is clear as crystal, so unlike my own, which is full of flaws. The longer I am on this earth, the more sullied I become, the more clouded my eyesight. Yet it is impossible to bring my heart back to that pristine state of childhood when it was a piece of white jade.

  A child’s heart responds to others sincerely. My heart is twisted and heavy with selfishness. A child’s heart is humble while mine is proud, modest where mine is haughty.

  A child’s heart is yielding as water, while mine is unbending as iron or stone. Because of this, the eyes of my heart barely see the tiny light of the soul; the ears of my heart can barely hear its tiny voice.

  Help me, O God. Turn me around, give me a child-like heart, let me become like a child once again. I want to be like my lord Jesus Christ, gentle and humble. I want to follow his example, ever bearing his yoke on my own shoulders.

 

 教会合一节（一月第4主日）

使他们合而为一

——约翰福音十七章廿二节

恳求圣父使门徒合而为一，是基督离世前的祷告；圣灵赐给教会的，同样是一颗合而为一的心。

知识与神学不能使教会合一，高傲与自是不能使教会合一。唯一能使教会合而为一的，是出自圣爱的爱心。

合一不同于统一，而是一种和谐，它需要出自爱心的容让与宽厚。合一不同于吞并，而是一种共生，它需要出自爱心的体谅与温存。

一个走向合一的教会是基督的荣耀，也是圣灵的安慰。我们只应付出爱心使往日的伤痕继续愈合，而不能因自己的狭隘与偏执使之重又流血！

 

 
 Christian Unity Sunday

John 17:22

That they may be one

   Before he left this earth, Jesus prayed that the disciples might be one. Likewise, the Holy Spirit has bestowed unity on the Church of Christ.

  Knowledge and theology cannot make the Church one. Pride and a sense of self-importance are obstacles to Christian unity. Only a loving heart which comes from holy love can unite the Church.

  Unity is not conformity, but rather a kind of harmony. It has its source in the yielding and generosity of a loving heart. Unity does not mean annexation or being swallowed up. Rather, it implies a life together which finds its source in the understanding and gentleness of a loving heart.

  A Church which is moving towards unity glorifies Christ and comforts the Holy Spirit. We need only put forth a loving heart to heal the wounds of yesterday. We cannot allow old wounds to break open and bleed again through our own narrowness and bias.

 
 复活节前第八周

为什么找我呢？

——路加福音二章四十九节

在属灵的道路上，何止一次，我们以为主耶稣仍在身边，实际上他早已不和我们同行。又何止一次，我们伤心去找他时，主的回答却是“为什么找我呢？”而我们又往往不明白主的话，因为我们不明白他的心。

我们也上“耶路撒冷”，但只是按照节期的规矩。也献上羔羊，也守“逾越”，但献完守过之后，又总是走自己的路，臆想在自己安排的道路上主会同行。结果是：日复一日，年复一年，无主同在，无主同行。

以父的事为念的主啊，求你使我明白你的心意，跟随你的足迹；救我们脱离愚妄，免得求你跟随我们。

 

 
 8th before Easter

Luke 2:49

 

How is it that you sought me?

 

  In the course of our spiritual journey, it often happens that we think Jesus is still at our side when actually he hasn’t been walking with us for some time. And far more than once, when we have gone seeking him with hurt feelings, his response has been, “How is it that you have sought me?” But we have never understood his words, because we do not understand his heart.

  We are also going to Jerusalem, but we only go at the appointed times, following the rules. We make our sacrifice, we keep our “Passover,” but when we have done what is required, we return to our own path, assuming that Christ will be with us on the way we have laid out for ourselves. The result is that day by day, year after year, we walk without God.

  O Lord, help us to understand what is in your heart, to follow in your footsteps. Save us from our own stupidity, in which we expect you to follow us.  

 
 复活节前第七周

不多的事上忠心

——马太福音廿五章廿一节

    人的才干有所不同，主的托付与要求往往也因人而异。

    但主对我们的要求，并非我们力所不能及；他所求于我们的，只是在不多的事上有忠心，按他的托付尽我们之所能。

   工作的赏赐，既非荣誉与华冠，更非金钱与地位；工作的赏赐，乃是更多的工作，乃是有份于主的喜乐。

   愿我们听见主的声音：“你这又良善又忠心的仆人，你在不多的事上有忠心，我要把更多事派你管理，可以进来享受你主人的快乐！”

 

 
 7th before Easter

Matthew 25:21

 You have been faithful over a little

   People have different gifts. What Christ requires of us and the tasks which are entrusted to us differ accordingly.

  God will surely not require of us what is greater than our strength. God simply requires loyalty in a few things. We are called to pour ourselves out according to what has been given to us.

  The rewards of work are neither honor nor prizes; even less money or position. The rewards of work are yet more work and a share in the joy of Jesus Christ.

  Let us harken to Christ’s voice: “Well done，good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master!”

 
 大斋节一

我原是为这时候来的

——约翰福音十二章廿七节

    面对救赎人类的十架苦杯，主曾求父“将这杯撤去”；但主又说：“然而不要照我的意思，只要照你的意思。”

面对因背负世人罪孽被神离弃的极其痛苦的时刻，主曾求父：“倘若可行，便叫那时候过去”，但主又说：“我原是为这时候来的”。

人生难得几度拼搏。一生当中，总有需要我们付出某些代价，甚至付出高昂代价的时刻。我们的祷告是：“叫那时候过去”，抑或“我原是为这时候来的”？

作为神羔羊的主啊，求你拯救我们脱离客西马尼园的苦楚与挣扎，使我们跟随你到各各他山的十字架下！

 

注：复活节前四十天为大斋节，用于忏悔、默想、反思。

 

 
 Lent 1

John 12:27

For this purpose I have come to this hour

  The bitter cup of humankind’s redemption through his death on the cross was before him. Jesus asked: “Take this cup from me.” But he also said, “Not my will, but thine be done.”

In the moment when he faced the extreme suffering of being forsaken by God due to the sins of the world, Jesus begged: “If it is possible let this pass.” But he also said, “For this purpose I have come to this hour.”

How precious are the struggles we encounter in this life. There inevitably comes a time when we too must pay some price, even the ultimate price.

When that time comes, will our prayer be, “Let this moment pass?” Or will it be, “For this purpose I have come to this hour?”

O Jesus, Lamb of God, save us from the struggles and bitterness of Gethsemane. But also enable us to follow you to the foot of the cross on Golgotha!

   
 大斋节二

   我知道怎样处卑贱，

        怎样处丰富

——腓立比书四章十二节

保罗知道怎样处卑贱：虽在穷乏之中，却“未曾贪图一个人的金银衣服”，宁愿凭着双手劳苦，供给自己和同人的需用。

保罗也知道怎样处丰富：他把腓立比人的馈送当作极美的香气，“为神所收纳所喜悦的祭物”，而不敢妄用多求。

“富贵不能淫，贫贱不能移。”这是古人要求于自己的高风亮节。富裕而不骄奢，窘困而不失节，神的儿女在属灵道路上又何尝不需要如此律已，如此自持！

 

  
 Lent 2

Philippians 4:12

 

I know how to be abased

and how to abound

 

Paul knew how to endure poverty; in the midst of want, he “coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel,” preferring to toil with his own hands to meet his own needs and the needs of those who were with him.

He knew how to respond to plenty; he accepted the Philippians’ gifts as he would the most beautiful and fragrant offering, “a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God,” and did not dare to waste them or ask for more.

“Riches cannot corrupt nor want cause him to abandon his integrity.” Such was the high standard the ancients set themselves. Uncorrupted by wealth, retaining integrity in poverty: should not this also be the conduct of sons and daughters of God as they tread the spiritual path?

 
 大斋节三

有一根刺

——哥林多后书十二章七节

主令则行，主禁乃止。钥在主手，启闭由之。业绩有成，荣当归主；奈我有私，窃以归已。主门常开，主荣无限；主门偶闭，免我自高。

人各有刺，加诸其身。或为所难，力不能胜；或为所短，力不从心。主不去刺，惟许赐恩。主能主力，庇我覆我；软弱之时，更显主能。我之刚强，本为软弱；除却主恩，何夸何恃？

我本瓦器，主为恩源；愿更卑微，免碍主工。竭力尽心，乃我本分；荣全归主，何敢自取！

 

  
 Lent 3

2 Corinthians 12:7

 A thorn

 I go forward; I halt; all at God’s command. The key is in God’s hand, the door his to open or close. When I achieve something in my work, the glory belongs to God; but I am selfish and secretly reserve it for myself. God’s door stands, as usual, open when I return all glory to him. If it shuts for a moment, it is to avoid my pride and boastfulness.

Everyone has a thorn in the flesh, a trouble that cannot be overcome or some personal failing. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. God does not remove the thorn, but promises grace. The omnipotence and power of God cover me. When I am weak, God’s power shines forth more clearly. My strength is but weakness. Except for God’s grace, what can I rely on? Of what shall I boast?

I am but a vessel of clay. There is no fountainhead of grace save the Lord. Let me be even more humble lest I obstruct the Lord’s work. My part is to pour myself out. All glory belongs to God. How dare I take it for myself!

 
 大斋节四

又按手在他眼睛上

——马可福音八章廿二至廿五节

伯赛大一位盲人，经过耶稣按手在他身上之后，便看见了人；但所看见的人，“好像树木，并且行走”。直等主又按手在他眼睛上，这才复原了，样样都看得清楚了。

人，并不像树木。只有把人颠倒过来看，才多少有些像树。所以伯赛大的盲人第一次所看到的人，只是一个被颠倒了的人，他所看到的世界，只是一个被颠倒了的世界。直等主第二次按手在他眼睛上之后，他所看到的才是一个恢复了原样的人，一个恢复了原样的世界。

神的儿女何等需要主耶稣第二次按手，因为我们的眼睛往往模糊不清，我们所看到的事物往往是一个被颠倒了的影象。求主怜悯我们，在我们的眼睛上再次按手，好使我们看得清楚，按原样看待神手所造的一切。

  
 Lent 4

Mark 8:22-25

 

Then again he laid his hands upon his eyes

 

After Christ had laid his hands upon the blind man of Bethsaida, he was able to see people, but they looked like trees walking. Not until Christ had again laid hands upon his eyes, was he cured able to see everything clearly.

People certainly do not look like trees. You would have to stand them on their heads to achieve even a small resemblance. So the people the blind man first saw were topsy-turvy. The world he saw was an upside down world. Not until Christ had laid his hands upon his eyes a second time did he see a man who looked like a man, a world returned to its right aspect.

As children of God, we need Jesus to lay his hands upon us a second time, because we never see things clearly. We always tend to see upside down images. O God have mercy upon us, lay your hands upon our eyes once again, that we may see clearly the world which you made for what it is.

 

 大斋节五

你们的心如何

——路加福音九章五十一至五十六节

可能是出于种族的偏见，撒玛利亚一个村庄的人看到主耶稣面向犹太人的耶路撒冷去，便不接待他。雅各、约翰要求主用天火烧灭这个村庄，烧灭这里不接待主耶稣的人。但主却责备他们说：“你们的心如何，你们不知道。人子来不是要灭人的性命，是要救的人的性命”。

门徒的心是灭人性命的心，而不是主耶稣救人性命的心，是先知约拿向尼尼微宣告咒诅、坐待尼尼微毁灭的心，而不是耶和华爱惜人、乃至爱惜牲畜的心。

我们的主宁可往别的村庄去，而对一个不肯接待他的村庄，他既没有留下一声责备，更没有留下一声咒诅。我们的主只是默然而去，可以想象，在他的沉默之中蕴含着多少出自永恒之爱的谅解、期待与深情。主心如此，我们的心又如何？

 

  
 Lent 5

Luke 9:51-56

 

What manner of spirit you are of

 

When they saw that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem, the Samaritan villagers would not receive him. James and John wanted Jesus to call down from heaven upon this village and to consume those who would not receive him. But Jesus rebuked them saying, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of; for the Son of man came not to destroy human lives but to save them.”

The disciples’ hearts were those of destroyers, not of saviors. Yet in Jesus, we discover the heart of one who saves. The disciples would curse, as the prophet Jonah did, and then wait for Ninevah to be consumed. Theirs were not the loving hearts of the God who loves the people and even the animals of this created world.

Christ preferred to move on to another village, and so he left the village of the Samaritans without even a word of reproach, let alone a curse. He left quietly, and we can imagine that in this silence there was much forgiveness, patience and deep emotion born of his eternal love. This was Christ’s response. How then shall we act in similar situations?

 

   
 棕树主日

奉主名来的君王

——约翰福音十二章十三节

手拿棕树枝，高呼“和散那”，耶路撒冷的百姓倾城而出，迎接那奉主名而来的君王。但这位君王没有驾着战车而来，没有骑着骏马而来，他的坐骑只是一匹驴驹。他高贵，却又谦卑；他尊荣，却又平凡。他是王，却无帝王的威风；他是主，却无人主的盛气。

他是主，却像奴仆伺候自己的门徒；他是王，却没有登上王宫的宝座。他的“宝座”设于各各他山，他作王的称号高悬于十架之上。这就是万口称颂、万膝跪拜的万主之主，万王之王；他的威严与尊贵，蕴藏于卑微与屈辱之中；他舍己，忍受父的离弃，却以他的软弱吸引并征服万人！

 

  
 Palm Sunday

John 12:13

 

The King who comes in the name of the Lord

 

Palm branches in hand, shouting “Hosanna!” the people of Jerusalem surge out of the city to meet the king who comes in the name of the Lord. But this king does not arrive in a war chariot, nor on a prancing stallion. He is mounted on a lowly ass. He is mighty, but humble too; he is glorious and yet ordinary. He is a king without a kingdom, a lord without the airs of a Lord.

He is Lord, but he serves his disciples as a servant. He is king, but he has not ascended a throne in a palace. His throne awaits him at Golgotha, and his kingly title hangs on the cross. This is the meaning of the Lord of lords, the King of kings, whose name every tongue shall praise and before whom every knee shall bow. Christ’s majesty and glory are contained within humility and shame. He has given himself up and has borne abandonment by God. Yet in his weakness, he attracts and wins over humankind!

  受难周周一

他饿了

——马太福音廿一章十八节

道成肉身的人子基督耶稣，不只有他生理上的饥渴，更有他心灵里的饥渴。

亚当离别伊甸之时，正是人类心灵中的失落感产生之始。以致世世代代的人，若不能寻见上帝这一永恒的居所，便永远不得安息。

亚当离别伊甸之时，也是创造之主追寻人类之始。恰似倚闾盼儿归的老父，若不能寻回远游的浪子，他便永远不得安息。

基督正是怀着圣父的这一饥渴来到人间，为要寻找、拯救离开伊甸如此久远的失丧的人。

我心安息于上帝之时，正是上帝因我得以安息之时。舍此，基督的饥渴将何由得以满足？

 

  
 Monday in Holy Week

Matthew 21:18

He was hungry

 Jesus Christ, the incarnate son of humankind, experienced physical hunger and thirst. But his spiritual hunger and thirst were even greater.

Adam’s departure from Eden marked the beginning of humankind’s feelings of spiritual loss. Throughout the ages, people have continued to search for peace in an eternal dwelling place. But no one has ever been able to find peace unless he or she has first found God.

Adam’s departure from Eden also marked the beginning of the Creator’s search for humankind. The elderly father in the parable of the prodigal son must have been waiting anxiously at the gate for his child’s return. Similarly, God can find no peace until all prodigal sons and daughters return from their wandering.

Christ came into the world with this hunger and thirst for God within himself. God in Christ left Eden in order to seek and to save us long lost mortals.

When my heart rests in God, then too will God gain peace through me. Only then will Christ’s hunger and thirst be satisfied.

 
 受难周周二

匠人所弃的石头

——马可福音十二章十节

天国犹如一座巍峨的宫殿，基督是它房角的头块石头。犹太人自命为建造天国的匠人，但由于弃绝基督，结果是自己被弃绝于天国之外。

教会也是一座天国的宫殿，基督同样是它房角的头块石头。为主作工的人若不在这块石头上建造，一切的努力与经营终将归于徒然。

在我心中也有一个天国，也有一座宫殿，基督同样是它房角的头块石头。我若偏离这块石头，一切追求与虔修亦必归于无有。

基督既是惟一的根基，又是惟一的角石。除他之外，别无倚靠；除他之外，别无依凭。

 

  
 Tuesday in Holy Week

Mark 12:10

 

The very stone which the builders rejected

 

The heavenly kingdom is a lofty temple, and Christ is its cornerstone. Throughout the Bible, we see that whenever those who are chosen to be the builders reject God, their efforts come to nothing.

  The church is also a heavenly temple whose cornerstone is Christ. It we, as workers for the Lord, do not build upon this cornerstone then all our efforts will come to naught.

There is also a heavenly kingdom in our hearts, and there too Christ must be the cornerstone. If we would reject this cornerstone, our spiritual development will also count as nothing.

Christ is our one foundation and only cornerstone. Outside of Christ, there is no support. Outside of Christ, we have nothing to rely upon.

 

 受难周周三

你们不常有我

——马可福音十四章七节

伯大尼有个主所爱的家，这一家曾经奉献给他许多安慰，许多温暖。今天，是主待在伯大尼的最后一个白天，最后一个夜晚，明日离去之后，他将不再归来。

这是一次默默无声的饯别，对主的深沉之爱远非言语所能表述。这是一次默默无声的涂抹膏油，马利亚尽其所能，将她对主的爱倾注于与主生离死别之时。

三十两银子的代价固然昂贵，但一颗爱主的心又岂是金银所能衡量，所能相比？周济穷人固然是主所喜悦的善行，但又有哪一件善行能够代替他此时所需要的对他的爱心？

 

  
 Wednesday in Holy Week

Mark 14:7

 

But you will not always have me

 

There was a home which Jesus loved in Bethany, a home which had given him much comfort and warmth. This is the last day and the last night which the Lord spent there, and after today, he would never return.

This day in Bethany, there was a farewell dinner at which not a word was said, for language is utterly incapable of giving expression to the love we have for our Lord Jesus Christ. The woman who poured the ointment, therefore, did so without a sound. She was pouring out all her love for Jesus Christ, as a farewell.

The ointment worth 300 denarii was certainly very dear. But how can we attach a price in silver or in gold to a heart which loves our Lord Jesus Christ? How can love be measured in those terms? It is true that concern for the poor is a good deed which is pleasing to God. But what good deed can ever replace the loving heart which God requires of each of us?

 
 受难周周四（濯足日）

彼得远远地跟着

——路加福音廿二章五十四节

晚餐之后，主往橄榄山去；客西马尼园中，他心极其伤痛。我虽随主来到园中，但却未能与他一同儆醒；我竟沉睡，任他独自忧伤。

主被带进大祭司的院内，我因惧怕，只是远远跟随。主遭戏弄，主受羞辱；我竟三次不敢认他，任他遍体伤痕。

彼拉多的衙前，主被判以极刑。十架如此沉重，我主何能背负？西门代背，随主而去；我竟旁观袖手，任他步履蹒跚。

主已远去，城外青山；他将在彼受苦受死。受苦为我，受死为我；我竟不能跟随他到十字架下，任他苦杯独饮。

每念及此，我心何等忧伤。纵使粉身碎骨，何能报主厚爱！

 

  
 Maundy Thursday

Luke 22:54

Peter followed at a distance

 After supper, Jesus went to the Mount of Olives, in the Garden of Gethsemane. His heart was deeply troubled. Though I followed Jesus into the garden, I was not able to keep watch with him, but fell deeply asleep, leaving him alone with his worries. I am Peter.

When he was taken to the high priest’s house, I only followed at a distance, because I was afraid. When he was mocked and insulted, I denied him three times and allowed him to be beaten black and blue.

Before Pilate, Jesus was condemned to death. How heavy that cross must have been. How was my Lord to carry it? Simon of Cyrene carried it behind Jesus. But I watched from the sidelines, letting him stumble along as he went.

Jesus has now gone far away, to a hill outside the city where he will suffer and die. It is for me that he suffers, for me that he dies. But I could not follow him to the cross, and so I let him drink the cup of bitterness alone.

When I think of these things, my heart is deeply troubled. Though I would give my body to be broken, how can I return the love of Christ?

 

 受难节（周五）

钉他在十字架上

——约翰福音十九章十八节

此是何人，头戴荆冕？

他是我主，万王之王，耶稣基督。

此人为何背负十架，前往各各他山？

他乃代罪羔羊，默默无声，被牵往宰杀之地。

此人为何被钉十架，各各他山被举？

他本无罪，为我罪人受死；背负世人罪孽，被献于祭坛之上。

此人肋旁为何有血流出？

若不流血，我罪怎得赦免？他血倾流，成我赎罪源泉。故我俯伏于十字架下；十架是我生命之始，是我生命所归；十架是我生命记号，是我生命祭坛。

 

  
 Good Friday

John 19:18

 

There they crucified him

 

Who is this man, head crowned with thorns?

It is my Lord, King of kings, Christ Jesus.

Why does he carry the cross towards Golgotha?

He is the sacrificial lamb, led silently to the slaughter.

Why is this man nailed to a cross on Golgotha?

He is without sin, yet he dies for us sinners. He bears the sins of humankind and is offered up on the sacrificial altar.

Why does blood flow from this man’s side?

If blood did not flow, how would my sins be washed away? His blood is the fount of my salvation. And so I kneel at the foot of the cross. The cross is the beginning of my life, and the source to which it returns. The cross is now my life’s sign, and its altar.

 

 
 受难周周六（复活节前夜）

 

把耶稣安放在那里

——约翰福音十九章四十二节

他被安放在一个空坟墓中，像一粒麦种被埋藏在地下。他所经受的阴暗、寒冷、孤独与死亡之苦，都将转化为永恒生命之明日的无限生机。

我若细察于阴暗之处，便能窥见照彻宇宙的光耀；我若侧耳于无声之处，便能隐闻震撼大地的惊雷。神子基督，自甘卑微已到极处；他必被高举，超乎万名与诸天之上。

若无卑微，何来高举？若无死亡，何来生命？若无幽暗，何来光明？若无寂静，何来雷声？

“严冬不肃杀，何以见阳春”；自然规律如此，属灵规律岂不同样如此？

 

  
 Easter Eve

   John 19:42

 

    They laid Jesus there

 

  He was laid in an empty tomb. Just so is a grain of wheat planted in the ground. The darkness, the cold, the solitude, the bitterness of death all turned him in the direction of eternal life and a new day.

  If I search carefully in the dark places, I will be able to get a glimpse of the brilliance which penetrates the whole universe. If I bend my ear to the silent places, I will be able to hear the thunder which shakes this vast land. Christ, the Son of God, was willing to be humbled to the lowest point. He will therefore be raised on high and receive the praises of all on heaven and on earth.

  If Christ had not been humbled, how could he be lifted up? If there were no death, how could there be new life? Without darkness, how could there be light? Without stillness, how could we hear sounds?

  “Without winter, how could we greet the arrival of spring?” These are the laws of nature. Are the laws of the spirit any different?

 

 
 复活节一

他不在这里

——路加福音廿四章六节

巨石已被挪开，我主已经复活；他不在坟墓之中，坟墓与死亡怎能将生命之主拘禁！

长夜已经飞逝，晨曦洒遍大地；他不在长夜之中，长夜怎能禁锢住晨曦、曙光与朝霞！

阴翳已被驱散，阳光抚摸苍生；他不在阴翳之中，阴翳与寒冷怎能吞灭温暖与光明！

为何哀叹于软弱的昨日？他不在软弱与失败之中，他是从死里复活的刚强与得胜之主！

为何沉缅于痛苦与忧愁？他不在痛苦与忧愁之中，他是从死里复活的信实与希望之主！

为何碌碌无为于困境？他不在困境与无为之中，他是从死里复活的生命与创造之主！

  注：农历春分后第一次月圆后的第一个主日为复活节。

 

  
 Easter 1

Matthew 24:6

 

He is not here

 

  The stone had been rolled away, and our Lord Jesus Christ had risen from the dead. He was no longer in the tomb. Neither the tomb  nor death could hold him.

  The long night is over. The first rays of the morning sun shine across the land. Christ is not in the long night. How could the night hold back the dawn, its morning light breaking through the rosy clouds?

  The opaque shadows have been dispersed, the light of the sun plays upon the tomb. Christ is not in the shadows, for shadows and chill cannot swallow warmth and light!

  Of what importance are the sighs and weaknesses of yesterday? Christ does not dwell in weakness or defeat. He is the Lord, now strong and victorious, who rose from the dead.

  Why wallow in suffering and despair? Christ dwells not in these things, for he is the Lord, confident and hopeful, who rose from the dead!

  Why are we rendered helpless by difficulties? Christ does not dwell in our difficulties and inaction, for he is the Lord of life, the Creator who has risen from the dead!

 
 复活节二

不使我所夸的落了空

——哥林多前书九章十五节

传福音的靠福音养生，这原是主的命定。但对哥林多教会，保罗却从未用过这传福音的权柄。保罗多次接受腓立比教会的馈赠；但对哥林多人他却一无所取，免得给那些怀有敌意之人留下毁谤的口实与话柄。

“我宁可死，也不叫人使我所夸的落了空。”这正是使徒保罗属灵的气节，也是一切神的儿女、神的工人应有的属灵气节。

中国教会的可夸之处，正在于她在神的事工上无丝毫有求于人的依赖。求主保守我们永不失去这一属灵气节，而能像保罗那样，“我宁可死，也不叫人使我所夸的落了空。”

 

  
 Easter 2

1 Corinthians 9:15

 

That no one may deprive me

Of my ground for boasting

 

  Those who preach the gospel must depend on it for their livelihood. This was Lord’s original command. But Paul never made use of this right to support in dealing with the church in Corinth. He often accepted things from the church in philippi, but from the Corinthians he took nothing, so that those hostile to him would have no grounds for complaint.

  “For I would rather die, than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting.” Such was the spiritual integrity of Paul. All God’s daughters and sons, all God’s workers, should have spiritual integrity like this.

  The Chinese church’s grounds for boasting are precisely that she asks nothing in return for doing God’s work, but says with Paul, “I would rather die, than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting.”

 
 复活节三

常带着耶稣的死

——哥林多后书四章十节

“生于忧患，死于安乐”，人生的经历如此，属灵的经历亦复如此。

平淡与安逸不可能给人带来生命的长进；曲折与坎坷却能给人以生命的锤炼与造就。

使徒保罗跟从主的一生，可谓是饱经忧患的一生。然而，正是这一切为主所受的劳苦、穷乏、饥渴、寒冷, 成了常常带在保罗身上的“耶稣的死”，从而使“耶稣的生”也显明在保罗身上。

人生的道路远非一帆风顺，往往有骇浪，也有惊涛。但属灵生命的成长，却又往往是在惊涛骇浪、千锤百炼之中。求主让我们在他的死亡之中得着他的生命。

 

  
 Easter 3

2 Corinthians 4:10

 

Always carrying in the body the death of Jesus

 

  The Chinese philosopher Mencius once said: “Misery and hardship are life-giving; a life of carefree ease leads unto death.” If this is our experience in the life of the flesh, how much more in the life of the spirit!

  Bland comfort cannot help us progress in life. We are tempered by setbacks and trained through difficulty.

  Paul followed the Lord throughout his life; and Paul’s was a life of misery and hardship. Yet, it was this very hardship, poverty, hunger, thirst and cold suffered for the sake of Jesus Christ which became the “death of Jesus” which Paul always carried with him and through which “the life of Jesus” was manifest in Paul.

  Human life never runs smoothly, we meet with terrifying waves and stormy seas. But the spirit grows most amidst stormy seas and tempering blasts!

  Lord, grant that in your death, we may find your life.

 

 

 复活节四

生却在你们身上发动

——哥林多后书四章十二节

没有园丁付出的汗水，便没有鲜花的芬芳与娇艳；没有父母付出的劬劳，便没有儿女的成长与康健；没有先辈付出的热血与牺牲，便没有后代的幸福与欢乐。

这正是死而复活的真理的一个侧面：没有使徒付出的劳苦与眼泪，便没有教会的建立与长大成人；正如没有一颗麦粒的死，便没有许多子粒的生，死若不在我们身上发动，生就不可能发动在别人身上。

求主引导我们进入死而复活的真理，使我们为别人的生，甘愿付出自己的汗水与辛劳，甚而不惜自己的消亡与耗尽。

   
 Easter 4

2 Corinthians 4:12

So life is at work in you

   If not for the sweat of the gardener, flowers would have no beauty or fragrance. Children would not grow healthy and strong without the efforts of their parents. Without the sufferings and sacrifices of their forebears, succeeding generations would not know well-being and happiness.

  This is one aspect of the truth of death and resurrection: even as the wheat will not sprout until the seed falls to the earth and dies, the church could not be established or grow to maturity without the toil and tears of the apostles. If death is not at work in us, life cannot be at work in others.

  O God, lead us into the truth of death and resurrection, that we may live for others, giving willingly of our sweat and toil, begrudging not even exhaustion and death.

 

 

 复活节五

忘记背后，努力面前

——腓立比书三章十三节

人每每难以忘怀过去。但在属灵的道路上，过多陶醉于往日的成就，会使人固步自封；过多沉缅于往日的挫折，又会使人裹足不前；过多萦怀于往日的坎坷，也会使人徘徊踯躅，难以自拔。往事已如东流水，与其回首过去，莫若放眼未来。

“你当走的路甚远”，这是神对躺在罗藤树下的以利亚的呼唤。我们当走的路同样甚远，万木春时，岂能甘做枯树；千帆过处，岂能甘做沉舟？

求主使我灵魂苏醒，救我脱离疲惫与昏沉，不再躺在自己的“罗藤树下”；依靠主所赐的能力，继续奔那摆在前头的路程。

 

   
 Easter 5

Philippians 3:13

 Forgetting what lies behind and

Straining forward to what lies ahead

 

  It is difficult to forget the past. But as we go on our spiritual journey, intoxication with past achievements can make us complacent and rigid. If we wallow in past disappointments, we will hesitate to go forward. If we brood over past frustrations, it will be difficult to extricate ourselves from them. The past is water under the bridge. It is better to fix our eyes on what will be than to turn back to what was.

  The road you must travel is far. This was God’s call to Elijah as he rested under the broom tree. The road we must travel is equally long. When the glory of spring is spread before us, can we really want to be a withered tree? As a thousand sails sweep by, can we be content to be a sunken ship?

  Lord, awaken our souls. Save us from exhaustion and confusion, that we no longer rest beneath our own broom tree, but, relying on the strength we have from God, continue to run the course that is set before us.

 复活节六

内心却一天新似一天

——哥林多后书四章十六节

历尽风霜，可能给人带来外体的苍老，却不一定能带来内心的消沉与衰竭。即使身残也并非憾事，君不见人世间多少个“留得身残志不残”的英雄！

“哀莫大于心死”。心死之所以是最大的悲哀，因为它意味着一个人的性灵生命已经濒临绝境。在神面前最为可贵的，是一颗永不衰竭，一天新似一天的“内心”，一个霜雪不能使之枯萎，风雨不能使之凋零的“里面的人”。

求主赐我内在的坚强，好使它成为这行将拆毁的帐棚的支柱，靠你吞灭死亡的生命，为你活在人间！

 

   
 Easter 6

2 Corinthians 4:16

 

Our inner nature is being renewed every day

 

  Time and difficulties age the outer nature, but they do not necessarily afflict the inner nature with despondency and exhaustion. Even physical impairment need not be a matter for regret. Haven’t we all come across many heroes in this world “broken in body but whole in spirit?”

  The Chinese philosopher Chuang Tzu observed that: “There is nothing worse than the death of the heart.” This is the greatest tragedy because it suggests that a person’s spiritual life is teetering on the brink of hopelessness. A heart inexhaustible; an “inner man” which is being renewed everyday and which neither ice nor snow can harm, nor storms overcome; in the eyes of God, these are most precious.

  God, give me inner strength to help me become a tent-post in this earthly tent. I rely on you, that what is mortal be swallowed up by eternal life. In this world, let me live for you.

 

 

 升天节（复活节后40天）

 

为什么站着望天呢？

——使徒行传一章十一节

为什么站着望天呢？

耶稣基督虽已升上高天，坐于圣父之右，但他仍在你我心中，环绕你我前后；他耳仍然垂听，他眼仍然垂顾，他手仍在爱抚你我。

他如旭日行天，光华四射，照遍群山，也照彻幽谷；他如北极星斗，晶莹闪烁，装点长空，仍在引导你我归程。

他已超越时空，但又仍在万有与历史之内；他仍在托住万有，导引历史、人生，使源于上帝的一切至终归回于上帝。

我们的生命已经与他一同藏在神里面，但这生命又有待彰显于天上人间，犹如一台供天使与世人观看的戏景！

 

   
 The Ascension

Acts 1:11

 

Why do you stand looking into heaven?

 

  Why do you stand looking into heaven?

  Though Jesus Christ has ascended to heaven and sits at the right hand of God, he is still in our hearts, yours and mine. Christ surrounds us. He listens and is watching. The hands of Jesus Christ still soothe our wounds, yours and mine.

  A rising sun, Christ ascends to heaven, emitting light which covers the mountains and fills the valleys. Jesus Christ is our North Star, brilliant and crystal clear, glimmering in the far reaches of the cosmos, guiding us home, you and me.

  Christ, who has transcended time and space, still remains within creation and history. Christ upholds creation and guides human history. All that which came from God is in the end guided back to God through Christ.

  Our life is already in Christ, and yet remains hidden within God. It unfolds in heaven and on earth as a drama played for the angels and the world to see.

 升天节后的主日

窑匠难道没有权柄

——罗马书九章廿一节

主是窑匠，我是泥土。窑匠如何转轮作器皿，我们也如此在他手中。

我们可能报废无用，但他的深恩永不弃我。他将踩动转轮，重新再作。他看怎样为好，他有权如何作我。

他有权使我成为贵重的器皿，也有权使我成为卑微。然而，只要能够为他所用，我心已足。但求主不容我悖逆强项，成为那可怒、留待毁灭的器皿。器皿虽小，却愿他的怜悯丰盈。

即使将我摔碎，我也无怨。因他必再将碎片捡起，碾碎之后撒在泥中重踹，好按他的美意作成他所要用的器皿。

他是我主，我岂能看窑匠如泥？我岂能向他深藏谋略？因我不过是受造之物，他乃造我之主！

 

   
 Sunday after Ascension Day

Romans 9:21

 Has the potter no right over the clay?

   God is the potter; we are the clay. As the potter molds the vessel so are we shaped by the potter’s hands.

  We may have been rejected as useless, but God’s profound grace will never abandon us. God will turn the potter’s wheel and form us anew. As God sees fit, so he has the power to shape us.

  God has the power to mold us into vessels for beauty and the power to make us into vessels for menial use. Whatever God does, I am content as long as we can be made useful. But Lord, do not let me defy you, becoming a vessel for wrath awaiting destruction. The vessel may be small, but it seeks the riches of your mercy.

  Though I be shattered, I will not complain; for God will gather up the pieces, and when they been ground to dust and mixed back into the clay, God will work them anew and shape me to his use, in order to realize his beautiful plan.

  He is my Lord. Can I compare the Potter to the clay? Resist God’s will? I am but God’s creation and God my Creator!

 

 五旬节或圣灵降临节（复活节后第7主日）之一

          用众人的乡谈说话

——使徒行传二章六节

巴别分散之后，你我相去何其遥远，一在天涯，一在海角，老死不再往来。巴别分散之后，言语已经变乱，人间无由互吐衷肠，怎不充满误解、猜疑。

如火之舌，自天而降，使徒竟能用众人的乡谈见证基督。人的错失使语言由同变异，圣灵之恩又使语言化异为同。

漫漫百年，我们曾向骨肉之亲见证基督。但我们的错失，却使我们在同胞面前成为外人。我们丢失的岂止是共同的言语，更是那用故乡的泥土凝成的一颗丹心。

恳求圣灵为我寻回那颗丢失的心，并赐我如火之舌；若不然，我怎能在乡亲面前用乡谈见证基督？

 

 
 Pentecost 1

Acts 2:6

Speaking foreign languages

  After Babel, you and I were separated by vast distances, at opposite ends of the earth, never to meet again.

  After Babel, our languages were muddled. People had no way of sharing their innermost feelings. They were filled with misunderstandings and suspicion.

  But at Pentecost, tongues of fire came down from heaven and the disciples were able to speak in the language of each one in the multitude. Thus they bore witness to Christ. Our common language was differentiated through human sin. By the grace of the Holy Spirit, our many languages can become the means for sharing what we have in common.

  For more than a hundred years, we in China tried to witness to our own people. But our trespass made us appear before our sisters and brothers as outsiders. It was not only a common language that we had lost, but more, we had lost the soul nourished by the soil of our native place.

  O Holy Spirit, bring us back to this heart we have lost, and give us tongues of fire. How else can we bear witness to Christ in the presence of our kinsmen of race?

 

 五旬节二

修直主的道路

——约翰福音一章廿三节

为何要修直主的道路？因为主的道路曲折崎岖，他到自己的地方来，自己的人却不接待他。

主思念自己的教会，思念自己的“佳偶”。但许多时候，他不得不“蹿山越岭”，不得不等到“天起凉风，日影飞去”，不得不敲门说：“求你给我开门。”

我们的无知，给主设下山洼。我们的自恃，给主布设山冈。 我们的左右摇摆，使主的道路弯曲。而我们的矜持与“自义”，却连主自己都被拒之于门外。

主，我的良人，愿你的智慧为我填平山洼，愿你的卑微为我削平山冈。愿你走向各各他的坚定步履，为我修直道路。愿你在十字架上留有伤痕、但伸向世界的双手，为我打开门扉。

 

 
 Pentecost 2

John 1:23

 Make straight the way of the Lord

   Why must we make straight the way of the Lord?

  Because there are so many twists and turns that when Christ comes into his own country, his own people do not receive him.

  God looks with favor on his church. But so often Christ is forced to “leap upon the mountains and bound over the hills,” or wait until “the day breathes and the shadows flee,”or knock at the door asking, “Please let me come in.” We are always putting up obstacles which prevent Christ from entering our lives.

  Our ignorance carves out hollows in God’s way. Our self-assurance throws up ridges, our vacillations create the twists and turns in the road. By our sense of self-importance and “self-righteouness,” we even shut God out.

  Beloved God, may your wisdom fill our hollowness, and your humility level the obstacles we put before you. May our way be made straight by the determination with which you walked to Golgotha. May your hands, wounded on the cross yet stretched open to the whole world, open the door which lies ahead.

 

 五旬节三

耶稣基督的家谱

——马太福音一章一节

马太无意从血统上为亚伯拉罕、大卫续谱，而是从属灵方面总结了旧约时代神选民的兴衰。

自使徒开绐，一个属灵的耶稣基督的家谱在延续。它同样有兴衰，而兴衰的根本原因在于：不同时代的教会对神的态度如何，对神启示的态度如何。

耶稣基督的家谱永不中断。但记在家谱上的，既有亚伯拉罕的后裔，也有历史的绊脚之石。

在圣灵的光中，教会需要深思，神的儿女需要深思：历史又翻过一页的时候，我将如何为耶稣基督续谱？

 

 
 Pentecost 3

Matthew 1:1

 The geneology of Jesus Christ

 

  It was not Matthew’s intention simply to record the bloodline of Abraham and the house of David. Rather he wished to sum up the spiritual rise and fall of God’s chosen people in Old Testament time.

  With the apostles, the spiritual geneology of Jesus Christ began to unfold. It had its ups and downs. Just as our own attitude towards God’s revelation has never been consistent, so the church in different times has wavered in its understanding of God’s truth.

  Jesus Christ’s family line will never be cut off. But that family tree records both the descendents of Abraham and the stumbling blocks of the history.

  The church must reflect on its life in the light of the Holy Spirit. The daughters and sons of God, too, must reflect on their individual lives. We must ask, how will I appear on Christ’s family tree when history turns a new page? What kind of addition will my name be?

 

 五旬节四

我必衰微

——约翰福音三章三十节

犹太地从约翰受洗的人，先后都跟随了耶稣。约翰的门徒可能为此感到不平，但施洗约翰的回答却是：“他必兴旺，我必衰微。”因为神赐他以利亚的心志能力，只是为主预备合用的百姓，为主预备道路。

神的儿女应当为主结果累累，但无权为自己留下一颗果实。只应将人引到基督面前，却不能使任何一个人追随自己。在属灵的事工上，总是主必兴旺，我必衰微。

人生又何尝不是一个让别人兴旺、甘愿自己衰微的一生。在一条漫长的旅途中，他接过前人的棒跑过一程之后，又交给那比自己跑得更快的人。他从前人铺成的路石上走过，又为后来的人甘把自己铺为路石。

主啊，求你赐我心志能力。好使我此生不致虚度；但又赐我谦卑与自知，使我在神与人面前甘愿衰微。

 

 
 Pentecost  4

John 3:30

 I must decrease

 

  All who were baptized by John the Baptist followed Jesus. John’s disciples may have felt this was unfair, but his reply was, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” He said this because God had given him Elijah’s ability of spirit, but this was only to prepare a suitable people for God, to prepare the way of the Lord.

  The daughters and sons of God should store up much fruit, but they do not have the right to keep a single piece for themselves. They should lead others to Christ, but must not lead others to follow themselves. The ministry of the spirit means that God must always increase, while we must decrease.

Isn’t this the way life should be? Shouldn’t we decrease while others increase? On life’s long journey, when we have received the baton from the one ahead and run our length of the race, then we must pass the baton on to one who runs faster than we. When that person has traveled over the road prepared by the one ahead, then he or she must be willing to pave the way for those who come after.

  God, give me ability of spirit, that I may not fritter away this life. But grant me also humility and self-understanding to willingly decrease before God and others.

 

 五旬节五

我们原是他的工作

——以弗所书二章十节

我们原是他的工作，犹如匠艺之于艺匠，工艺之于艺人。

群山大海，月夜朝霞，虽都是他的浩瀚画卷；他却更喜爱在我们的方寸之处，留下点点笔触。万古千秋，汗简青史，都在展示他所雕塑的群像，他却更乐意在我们每个人身上，留下他的斧凿。

历代圣徒，有如彩云，无一不是出于他自己的手笔。但我之于他，却又像只是他唯一的作品，如此呕心沥血，刻意求工。

他可能时辍时作，因他需要构思，需要思索。但他更需要等待，因为人毕竟不同于琴弦，在他轻轻拨动之后，他愿等待我们自己吟出一曲最美的旋律。

 

 
 Pentecost 5

Ephesians 2:10

 

For we are his workmanship

 

  We are his workmanship; as the craft to the crafter or the art to the artist, so are we to God.

  Mountains and seas, the sky of night and the clouds of morning: these are God’s vast canvas. Yet it gives him greater pleasure to leave the tiniest brush stroke on our hearts. God can sculpt myriad shapes among the eternity of seasons and the annals of history. Yet he finds greater happiness in leaving the mark of his carver’s blade on each of us .

  Throughout time, the saints have been as varied as the clouds, but each without exception is the product of God’s hand. God toils and strives for perfection in me as if I am his sole creation.

  Perhaps God pauses in his task now and again, to work out the design, to ponder his art. But more, God waits——for people are not mere strings on a harp. Once we have been lightly plucked, God is willing to wait for us to compose the loveliest of melodies ourselves.

 
 五旬节六

有君尊的祭司

——彼得前书二章九节

神拣选我们成为他的子民，决非要我们离群索居，或凌驾于人。他所要求于我们的，只是作为祭司，作为人的代表侍立在他祭坛之旁。

作为祭司，我们要有一付挑得起万人的双肩，要有一个装得下万人的胸怀。正如旧约祭司的肩带与胸牌上都要镶上宝石，并在宝石上镌刻着代表整个民族的十二支派的名字。

我们当在凡事上与自己的弟兄相同，而不是高人一等。不如此，我们将不知何为慈悲忠信。“超人”不能作为人的真正代表，因为基督所要救拔的不是天使，而是作为亚伯拉罕后裔的“凡人”。

我们必须经受试探，不如此，难以体恤人的软弱。我们甚至必须被软弱所困，不如此，我们难以体恤那些愚蒙失迷的人。

我们被召，并非由于我们有任何过人之处。实际上，我们与常人无异，正如利未人并不高明于其他以色列人。所以，这祭司的尊荣没有人能自取，也没有人配自取，而只在那召我之主。

 

 
 Pentecost 6

1 Peter 2:9

 

 A royal priesthood

God has not chosen us to be his people that we might live apart from others or place ourselves above them. Rather, God wants us to be a priesthood to represent the people at his holy altar.

  As priests, we must have shoulders which can support the multitude, arms capable of embracing them. We must be like the priests in the Old Testament, who wore shoulder clasps and breastplates mounted with precious stones and inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.

  We should be like our brothers and sisters in all things, not setting ourselves above them. If we act otherwise, we will not know the meaning of mercy and faithfulness. “Supermen” cannot represent the people, because Jesus came, not to save angels, but to save women and men, the descendents of Abraham.

  As priests, we must ourselves be tested, otherwise it will be difficult for us to understand human weakness. And what is more, we must be conscious of our own weakness, otherwise we will have trouble understanding those lost in foolishness and confusion.

  We have not been called because we are in any way superior to others. In fact, we are no different from anyone else, any more than the Levites were cleverer than the rest of the Israelites. Therefore, the honor of the priesthood is not something we can choose for ourselves. No one is worthy. God calls us to it.

 

 五旬节七

把好酒留到如今

——约翰福音二章十节

主耶稣所行的第一件神迹，既不是从病魔中解脱人生的痛苦，也不是从窘困中消除人生的饥渴，因为人生除痛苦与饥渴之外，也还有欢快与喜乐。

迦拿姻筵的神迹是说：人间确有喜乐，主愿意人间的喜乐更为丰富，更为满溢；人间确有令人欢欣的美酒，主愿意在人喝足的时候，叫仆人送去更美的佳酿。

历代圣徒，可能曾经是痛苦之人的慰籍，伤心之人的爱抚。但主耶稣将好酒留到如今，也许是要我们这一代人成为人们的乐中之乐，歌中之歌。

约翰记载的神迹中，有两处提到主的荣耀，一处是在亲人的泪水中使拉撒路从死里复活；一处是这里的，为欢乐的人把好酒留到如今。因此，主的荣耀不止彰显于泪水之中的安慰，也彰显于欢乐之中的欢乐。而歌中之歌，总是较之沉寂中的歌声更美。

 

 
 Pentecost 7

John 2:10

 

You have kept the good wine till now

 

  Jesus’ first miracle did not free anyone from the pain of serious illness nor wipe away the distress of hunger or thirst. Instead, it was lighthearted, an occasion of happiness.

  The miracle of the wedding feast at Cana says to us: there is joy on earth and God wants to enrich that joy, to make it full to overflowing. There is indeed good wine on earth to lift people’s spirits, and the Lord tells his servant to bring the better wine when people have drunk their fill.

  The saints have always comforted the afflicted and have cared for those in distress. But the Lord Jesus left the best wine until now; perhaps because he wanted us, in this generation, to join our joy to that of others; to be one song among the many.

  Of the miracles recorded in John, two especially show forth the glory of God. One is the raising of Lazarus from the dead in the midst of his loved ones’ tears; the other is here, where Jesus has kept the best wine till last for the revellers. Thus, the glory of God shines forth, not only in comfort to those who weep, but also in the happiness of the joyous. For the song sung in chorus is always more beautiful than a solitary voice.

 

 
 五旬节八

向我买眼药

——启示录三章十八节

教会的建立，个人的成长，都需要“火炼的金子。”未经火炼，难成精金，不能变灵性的贫穷为富足。但也需要买点眼药，模糊之眼未经擦亮，不能变属灵的眼瞎为眼明。

肉眼虽盲，并不妨碍人看到真理之光。灵眼昏花，却能使人全身坠入黑暗。

我们并不能看清照亮全程之光。但即使是脚前的灯，也还需要我们有一双明目。自是与偏执，往往会使我们“看是看见，却不晓得”。巴底买的呼求之所以可贵，因为除“我要能看见”之外，别无他求。

我们的眼睛，要比历代先知、义人更为有福，因为他们要看我们所看的，却未曾看见。我们当抓住主给拿但业的应许，求主让我们看到更大的事，乃至天开。

 

 
 Pentecost 8

Revelation 3:18

 Buy from me salve to anoint your eyes

  The building up of the church and individual growth both require “gold refined by fire.” Before gold has been refined it cannot be pure gold, it cannot turn spiritual poverty to wealth. But we also need a little salve, so that cloudy eyes may be brightened. Otherwise we cannot turn spiritual blindness to clarity.

  The eyes of the flesh may be blind, but this does not keep one from seeing the light of truth. If the eyes of the spirit are clouded, however, the whole person will be plunged into darkness.

We cannot see clearly the light which illumines the entire way before us. Even with a lamp before our feet, we still need clear sight. Naturally the light is partial, it may cause us to “see, but not understand.” The value of the plea by the blind beggar Bartimaeus whom Jesus healed is that he asks for nothing but “that I may see.”

Our eyes have been more blessed than those of the prophets of old or those of the righteous. They looked at what we do, but did not see. We must hold fast to the promise God made to Nathanael and ask that we may see yet greater things——even the heavens opening.

 
五旬节九（缺失）

 
 五旬节十

爱是永不止息

——哥林多前书十三章八节

爱如溪水，常流不息；又如海洋，翻腾无已。

主为爱源，我乃河道，愿让主爱从我流过，不作爱之阻碍。

田间沟渠，灌溉不过数亩；长江大河，却能滋润阡陌。求主宽广我心，使我所爱之人甚多。爱水润遍万顷，于我并无所损。流出愈广，流进必将愈多。

我若不与爱源相接，难免成为干涸；但若不容爱水流出，又将成为死水。

洋海无际，我心何敢与之相比；但求主不弃我心方寸，任主爱浪翻腾！

 

 

 
 Pentecost 10

1 Corinthians 13:8

 

Love never ends

 

The stream of love flows unending; like oceans it seethes unceasing.

My Lord is the source of Love; I the river’s course. Let God’s love flow through me. I will not obstruct it.

Irrigation ditches can water but a portion of the field; the great river can water a thousand acres. Expand my heart, O Lord, that I may love yet more people. The waters of love can cover vast tracts, nothing will be lost to me. The greater the outward flow, the greater the returning tide.

If I am not linked to Love’s source, I will dry up. If I dam the waters of Love, they will stagnate.

Can I compare my heart with boundless seas? But abandon not the measure of my heart, O Lord. Let the waves of your love still billow there!

 

 五旬节十一

多给谁就向谁多取

——路加福音十二章四十八节

栽培多日，哺育多年，我之所能，我之所长，无不出于主之恩赐。非为自娱，非为装饰，乃为事主事人。

器皿大小有别，才能多寡各异。但若同存丹心一片，兢兢业业，人之所能必将愈用愈多。

受之愈多，本当用之愈多，奈我每每藏之地下。弃置不用，主将夺去，加给那甘心为主所用之人。

受主重托，非为位尊禄厚。临渊履薄，自当分外殷勤。

我主甚严，多给必将多取，多托必将多要。审判台前，何以自处， 如我负主深恩？

 

 
 Pentecost 11

Luke 12:48

Everyone to whom much is given,

from him much will be required

 Nurtured and fed for days unto years, all that I am and all that I can do arise from the grace of God. All this is given, not for my own pleasure or adornment, but for service to God and others.

As vessels we differ from one another in size and in gifts. Yet if all alike have loyal and conscientious hearts, each one’s ability will increase through use.

One who receives much must also do much. How can I always bury my gifts in the ground? And if I set them aside and do not make use of them, they will be taken from me and added to one who will use them willingly.

God has not entrusted me with these gifts so that I might use them to gain money or position, but that I might work more conscientiously, more diligently for my God. Because much has been given to me, I am coming to the edge of depths and treading on thin ice!

My God is a stern God. From one to whom much is given, much will be required. From one to whom much is entrusted, much will be asked. If I have been unworthy of his profound mercy, how shall I fare when I stand before the judgment seat?

 

 
 五旬节十二

又退到山上去了

——约翰福音六章十五节

救濒死于病榻，起瘫痪于池边。以五饼二鱼之微，饱五千流离之众。惟求荣父，但为悯人；至尊如主，不受拥戴，功成身退，独自隐于高山。

卑微如我，何敢与主相匹？竟不肖主，能进难退。盛名之下，尝沾沾以自喜；实虽难副，何忘返而留连？利禄功名，于我难如粪土；虚荣私念，每似浊浪翻腾。

玻璃之海，铺陈主前；海中有火，闪耀其间。愿此圣火，焚我五中；进以事人，炽热如焰，心如晶海，止水不波；退以面主，明净清澈。

 

 
 Pentecost 12

John 6:15

Jesus withdrew again to the mountain

by himself

  O Lord, you healed one about to die of disease; you commanded the paralytic beside the pool to rise and walk. With a meager five loaves and two fishes, you satisfied the five thousand. All this you did out of pity for the people to the glory of God the Father. Lord most great, you did not want to accept the people’s adulation. When you had accomplished your task, you withdrew to the mountain alone.

Abject as I am, how dare I compare myself to you? For I am not like you. I can get involved, but not withdraw. A little fame pleases me. Though the truth belies my reputation, fame intoxicates me. Withdrawal is unthinkable. Personal glory still counts for something with me. Vanity and selfishness, like polluted waters, still churn before my eyes.

A crystal sea spreads itself before God. In the sea, a fire blazes. May this holy fire ignite my heart, that I enter service to others in society as a red-hot flame. But may my inner self remain calm as that crystal sea, that when I withdraw into God’s presence, I do so clear and untroubled by selfishness.

 五旬节十三

神的软弱总比人强壮

——哥林多前书一章廿五节

权能如父，不克救其子。爱之何深，不能允其求。铺张穹苍之手，难撤苦涩之杯；永古大能之臂，难护怀中之子。赎价沉沉，父竟无由拒付；岂不爱子？不舍无以救赎万人。

爱之坚强，乃在爱之舍弃。子尚不惜，何惜万物！爱之坚强，乃在爱之难移，或生或死，岂能使父爱与我相隔？

父之软弱，刚强无匹；圣爱所至，何坚不克？顽石如我，化作熔岩；坚冰如我，溶为春水。征服万人，非赖天军；惟此圣爱，倾折我心！

 

 
 Pentecost 13

1 Corinthians 1:25

The weakness of God is stronger than men

 The Father’s omnipotence could not serve to save his Son. God loved Jesus Christ with a profound love, yet could not respond to his pleas. Hands vast as the heavens could not withhold the cup of bitterness. Eternal, mighty arms could not protect his only Son. The price of salvation was high, yet the Father had to pay it. Did he not love his Son? And yet, to save the multitude, the Son had to be forsaken.

Love’s strength lies in letting go. God did not stint his Son. How much less then does he begrudge creation for us. Love’s power is in its steadfastness. Neither life nor death can separate us from this love!

The weakness of God is incomparable strength. What is so solid that God’s love cannot overcome it? My rock-like insensitivity can change to molten lave; my solid ice melt into spring water.

Not by the armies of heaven does God conquer us, but by his sacred love——and my heart is captured.

 

 
 五旬节十四

总要肢体彼此相顾

——哥林多前书十二章廿五节

俊美之肢，本来毋庸装饰；柔弱之肢，却需加倍关怀；一肢之苦，众肢同受；弟兄之心抑郁，我心岂得安然？一肢之荣，众肢之乐；弟兄之心得慰，感恩岂不更多！

求同之时，易于忽略小异；小异之不顾，大同亦难久存。独尊一肢，难杜分门别类；众肢相顾，爱中乃有和谐。联络百肢，惟赖主爱；爱流通贯全身，百肢怎不相连！

柔弱之肢，此身本不可缺。惟愿我心，温柔如主，柔弱之肢，常能相顾。小异愈得关切，大同将愈显丰富。

 

 
 Pentecost 14

1 Corinthians 12:25

That members may have the same care

For one another

   Handsome limbs need no adornment, but weak ones require extra care. The suffering of one is felt by all alike. If my brother is despondent, can I be untroubled? The glory of one brings joy to all .When a sister is comforted, don’t we all experience greater mercy?

  In seeking the common ground, it is easy to overlook minor differences. But if we don’t pay attention to these minor differences, our greater unity will be short-lived. If we concentrate our respect on a single member, it will be very difficult to put an end to divisions. Only when members have the same care for one another will there be harmony in love. To join the numerous members together, we must rely on God’s love. If the stream of that love flows throughout the entire body, won’t all its members be joined together?

  This body cannot do without its weak members. May our hearts be gentle as the Lord’s heart in caring for them. The more solicitude we show over minor differences, the richer will be our common ground.

 

　

 
 五旬节十五

说不出来的叹息

——罗马书八章廿六节

我本软弱，肉体难胜；我愿为善，恶常同在。欲为之善，难如所愿；欲禁之恶，违愿而行。

我愿体贴圣灵之心，我愿顺从圣灵导引；奈我罪身，常为罪奴，神律难服，主心常拂。

我心甚苦，圣灵同叹；愿为我助，奈我他顾。心常翻腾，如猿如马；心常烦乱，如缕如麻。

求主助我，静默主前，熔我铁石，还我肉心。难言叹息，出我心声；静谧之中，春雨常润！

 

 
 Pentecost 15

Romans 8:26

 Sighs too deep for words

   I am weak. Overcoming the flesh is difficult. I resolve to do good, evil is there still. It is difficult to accomplish the desired good as I wish. The unwanted evil is done in spite of my wishes.

  My desire is to show every care for the heart of the Holy Spirit. I want to be guided by the Spirit, yet I cannot help my sinfulness. I am in thrall to sin. It is difficult to keep God’s precepts; I continue to act against God’s heart.

  My heart suffers deeply. The Spirit sighs with me, would help me——but I am ever busy about other things. My heart is capricious, restless, a jumbled thread.

  I pray to God to help me, that I may grow silent in his presence, that my heart of iron may melt to flesh once more. May the sighs of the Holy Spirit, too deep for words, be my heart’s cry, that in tranquillity I may receive the Spirit as gentle spring rain, silently falling, seeping into my heart.

 

　

 
 五旬节十六

要心地宽大

——哥林多后书七章二节

“山不弃土，故能成其高；海不厌水，故能成其深。”属灵境界之深浅、高低，每因心地之狭窄或宽宏而异。

胸襟狭隘，不能容人，党同伐异，非主所悦。小事区区，耿耿于怀，前嫌难捐难弃，我心何能成为大海？

大地苍茫，孕怀万类；阳光煦煦，无物不能得其热气。我心何小，小于鸡埘豕舍；徒有大志，又何能作雄鹰之飞，骏马之驰？

求主宽广我心，我心始得安息。高如山岳，深若洋海，我心何日能似？

 

 
 Pentecost 16

2 Corinthians 7:2

Open your hearts

   Li Si has said: “The mountain cherishes the soil which gives it height; the sea does not disdain the water which gives it depth.” The boundaries of the realm of the Spirit depend on the narrowness or breadth of the heart.

  If our embrace is narrow, we cannot put our arms about another. If we are partial to our own group or attack those who are different: this too is displeasing to God. If we take every small thing to heart, if we cannot forget past grudges, can our hearts be vast as the ocean?

  The great land supports the myriad creatures. There is nothing that does not feel the warmth of the sun. But how narrow my heart, smaller than the roost or the enclosure; empty but for ambition. How can it soar with the eagle or race with swift horses?

  I pray God to open my heart. Only then can I find peace. May it be high as a mountain peak, deep as the sea——when, Lord, when?

 

 五旬节十七

到水深之处

——路加福音五章四至七节

西门和他的伙伴劳碌终夜，一无所获，但依从主的话把船开到“水深之处”，就网住了许多鱼。

先知以西结在异象中有过一次趟水的经历。从圣所出来的水往东流去，开始只到他踝子骨，而后到膝，再后到腰，最后水便成河。只是在这水深之处，以西结才看到两岸有极多的树木，这些树的叶子永不枯干。果子永不断绝。

神的儿女在属灵的道路上，不能老是停留在水浅之地，而要逐步进入水深之处。为了寻找生命的源泉，我们必须来到神的圣所；但为追求生命的丰满，我们却又必须“离开”圣殿。离殿愈远，河水愈深；并且只有在“水深之处”，我们才能为主结果累累，得鱼甚多。

 

 
 Pentecost 17

Luke 5:4-7

 

Out into the deep

 

  Simon and his companions toiled through the night without catching anything, but obeying Jesus’ command to “put out into the deep,” they caught many fish in their nets.

  The prophet Ezekiel had a vision in which water issued from the temple towards the east. At first, it was only ankle-deep, then knee-deep, then up to the waist. Finally, it became a river. Only when he ventured out into the deep could he see that the banks of that river were lined with trees whose leaves would never wither and whose fruit would never fail.

  In the course of our spiritual journey, as children of God, we cannot always stay in the shallows. We must go ever deeper. In seeking the source of life, we must come to God’s temple, but to find the fullness of life, we must leave the temple behind. The further we go, the deeper the river. Only “out into the deep” can we gather more fruit for God. Only “out into the deep” will we catch more fish.             

 

　

 
 五旬节十八

丧掉生命的必得着生命

——马太福音十六章廿五节

一粒麦子若要保全自己，那它始终是一粒，若是落在地里死了，就结出许多子粒来。五饼二鱼若要保全自己，那它始终是五饼二鱼，但交在主手里擘开之后，就能让几千人吃饱，还有多余。

衡量神儿女的生命丰盛与否，不是看他得了许多，而是看他舍去几何。属灵的“得”乃在于“失”，属灵的“生”乃在于“死”。

十字架的道路并非一条利己之路，而是一条舍己之路。主耶稣之所以成为我们生命之水、生命之粮，是因他在十字架上为万人舍了自己。没有一个为万人舍己的心志，就不配做主的门徒。主在召唤：“若有人要跟从我，就当舍己，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，必得着生命。”求主使我们明白十字架的真谛，在一条舍己的路上跟随你。

 

 
 Pentecost 18

Matthew 16:25

 For whoever would save his life will lose it,

and whoever loses his life

for my sake will find it.

 

  If a grain of wheat wants to preserve itself, when it will always be a grain of wheat. But if it falls to the ground and dies, then it will put forth many shoots. If the five loaves and two fishes wanted to save themselves, they would have remained five loaves and two fishes forever. But given into Jesus’ hands and broken, they were able to feed five thousand, with some left over.

  To test whether one of God’s children has life in all its fullness, we do not look at how much he or she has been given, but at how much he or she has given up. Spiritual “gain” is “loss.” The “life” of the spirit is “death.”

  The way of the cross is not one of self-benefit, but of losing the self. Jesus has become our water of life, because he gave himself up on the cross for all of us. Jesus calls: “If anyone would follow me, let him give up what he has, take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Oh Lord, make us understand the truth of the cross and follow you along the path of self-sacrifice.

 

　

 五旬节十九

经上又记着说

——马太福音四章七节

撒但的试探并非完全没有圣经依据，也并非完全与圣经的某一教导相悖。撒但的迷惑只在于引用圣经中的片言只字，强调真理的某一侧面。

然而，片面的真理每每等同于谬误；将真理的某一侧面推向极端，往往是恶者设下的网罗。

我们不只需要知道“经上记着说”，还需要知道“经上又记着说”。

求主使我们将神的话语丰丰富富地藏在心里，从神全备的话语中寻求我们脚前的灯，路上的光。

 

 
 Pentecost 19

Matthew 4:7

Again it is written

 

  Satan’s words of temptation to Jesus are by no means devoid of a Biblical basis, and they are certainly not at odds with any particular Biblical teaching. Satan confuses by quoting only a phrase or two of scriptural context. In so doing, he emphasizes only of the truth.

  It is precisely this superficial truth which is in error. It always is. Pushing any one facet of the truth to its limits in this way becomes a trap set by the evil one.

  We must know not only that “it is written,” but also that “again it is written.”

  God grant that we may store up in our hearts all the riches of the word of God, the whole word of God, and in its entirety seek the lamp to light our way.

 

　

 五旬节二十

然后来献礼物

——马太福音五章廿三、四节

我们所注意的往往是我与神的关系如何，但神所注意的却往往是我们与弟兄的关系如何。

神不只要问我们“你在哪里”，他也要问“你的兄弟在哪里”。神不但注意我们与他的关系，他也注意我们与弟兄的关系。

并不是所有献在祭坛上的礼物都为神所悦纳。如果我们亏欠了弟兄，弟兄正向我们抱怨，我们的礼物再好，神也不愿收纳。因而首先要做的，是把礼物留在坛前，先去同弟兄和好，然后来献礼物。

我们与弟兄的关系如何？与邻舍的关系如何？与众人的关系如何？没有一个与弟兄、与邻舍、与众人的正常关系，我们的礼物将永远被留在祭坛之前，永不能成为神所悦纳的馨香之祭。

 

 
 Pentecost 20

Matthew 5:23-24

 

And then come and offer your gift

 

  We are always concerned about the state of our relationship with God, but God is always concerned about our relationships with others.

  God asks not simply, “Where are you?” but also “Where is your brother? Where is your sister?” Not every gift which is placed upon the altar finds favor with God. If something is wrong between my sister and me or if my brother has something against me, God will not accept my gift, no matter how good it may be. Thus I must first leave my gift at the altar, go and be reconciled with my brother or sister, and only then return and offer my gift.

  What kind of relationships do we have with our family? With our neighbors? With the people we meet each day? Unless our relationships with all these people are set upon the proper course, our gift will always be left at the altar and will never be a pleasing sacrifice to God.

 

　

 
 五旬节廿一

那人撒种，这人收割

——约翰福音四章卅七节

我们收割的庄稼，往往是前人撒下的种子；我们在工作或事业上的成就，总是包含着别人的汗水和辛劳。

没有前人架设的人梯，我们决难攀登峰顶；没有他人用成功与失败铺成的路石，我们也决难跑完这最后一段胜利者的途程。

我们所享受的，每每是别人的劳苦；酿成我们欢乐的，往往又是别人的泪水与辛酸。

在永世的宝座前，我们之所以要脱下自己的冠冕，因为配得荣耀的惟有我主；而冠冕上的颗颗宝石，又凝聚着别人的劳苦与心血。

 

 
 Pentecost 21

John 4:37

 

One sows and another reaps

 

  The crops we harvest have often grown from seed planted by others. Our achievements are built upon the sweat and strain of other people.

  If others had not built the stairs, we would find it very difficult to scale the heights. If others had not paved the road through their successes and failures, it would be impossible for us to run the final length and emerge victorious.

  Everything we enjoy has come about through the toil of others; it is always by virtue of the tears and misery of others that we gain happiness.

  We take off our crowns before the eternal throne because only God deserves the glory. Each precious jewel on each crown is formed of the blood and sweat of others.

 五旬节廿二

惟有神叫他生长

——哥林多前书三章六节

“七月流火，十月纳禾稼”。汗滴禾下，耕者劳瘁。禾田属主，主自耕耘，我惟与主，同耕同作。

我虽劳瘁，不矜其功；与主同工，岂我一人？或曾栽种，或曾浇灌；禾役穗穗，众汗涔涔！

众虽劳瘁，亦不矜功；禾生禾长，全在造化之主。我惟撒种，我惟培育；如何生长，岂我可知！

生长有时，结实有时；我不揠苗，静候主时。但知耕耘不舍，殷勤何敢怠惰；那日必将如火，验我今日工程！

 

 
 Pentecost 22

1 Corinthians 3:6

                   But God gave the growth

   Lines in the ancient Book of Poem said: “In the seventh month, Mars is in the West. The tenth is the time of harvest.”  Those who have watered the roots of rice seedlings know how difficult farming is. But we also know that the fields belong to God. It is God who has planted and weeded them. We have done noting but help in this work, tilling and working together with God.

  Though I have worked extremely hard, I have achieved nothing to boast about. I am certainly not God’s only co-worker. Some plant, others water, and there is rich growth. Everyone has sweated and slaved.

  Though everyone has toiled hard, no one can boast of his or her labors. If the crops grow, it is all due to the Creator God. I can only plant and nurture; I have no way of knowing how the seedlings will grow!

  All growth has its time, as does the harvesting of the fruit of our labors. I do not pull up the plants to speed growth. I must wait quietly for the Lord’s time. I know only that I must work and plough without ceasing, that I must be diligent and not idle. On that day when God comes like fire, it is he who will test work I have done today!

 

 
 

   
 
　

 

 
 

 
 

【作者: wangweifan】【访问统计:】【2005年10月27日 星期四 12:00】【 加入博采】【打印】