Wednesday, 11th August 2021
Rev Daniel Xi An Poon
Section One V1-20 To Establish the Communion
Jesus Himself became the lamb for the Passover so we can be saved. He established the communion for us. He was preparing for Himself and the disciples for why was coming. When we know something is happening ahead of us, we’ll feel scared and we tend to stop going forward. But Jesus chose to prepare Himself instead of running away from what was coming. Jesus humbled Himself and obeyed the Father, therefore everything He said came true and the disciples also experienced the faithfulness of the Father.
Finally Jesus was facing the Passover, He knew it was time and He prepared a feast with His disciples. Jesus treasures those who are willing to be called and to follow Him. The bread represents Jesus’ body, so we can restore our relationship with the Father and receive His Great Commission. The cup represents the blood of Jesus, the covenant established by Jesus for us that will never fail.
Section Two V21-46 To Teach the Disciple
Jesus mentioned to the disciples that the betrayer was with them, but the disciples were not paying too much attention to what Jesus was saying. On the other hand, when they talked about who was greater, they fell in a heated argument. Jesus taught them whoever was in the higher position must serve and be humble. Then Jesus also talked to Peter to be alert, to warn him that Satan will come and attack him. We will fall and we will face attack of Satan, but don’t lose our faith. Instead, after we’ve overcome our temptation, come back and strengthen our brothers and sisters. We are weak and we must admit we are weak, but in our weaknesses God’s glory can be revealed. We will overcome because Jesus already prayed for us!
Jesus sent the disciples out, He was preparing them, talking to them about getting the sword, but the disciples didn’t understand, they were focusing on the wrong things instead of what Jesus was telling them. Then Jesus took the disciples to the garden to pray, but again the disciples were not paying attention. When Jesus prayed, He was strengthened. So again Jesus asked the disciples to rise up and pray with Him. Today Jesus is also calling us to wake up, do not hide in our sleep, but to be alert and to pray and seek the Will of the Father!
Section Three V47-74 To Humble and Receive
Jesus didn’t use violence to solve the problem, He humbled Himself and followed the Will of the Father. Peter was not humbled, he didn’t admit his weakness at the beginning, and when he recognised his weakness, Jesus looked at him. Jesus’ look reminded Peter to not lose his faith.
Jesus was willing to be beaten and accused wrongly because He knew He had to go through all these things. He didn’t run away but chose to receive the cup prepared by the Father. Jesus didn’t see all the hurt and pain He received but He focused on the Kingdom of God and the Will of God. We also need to focus and face our cup, it may seem difficult and not what we expected, but Jesus already showed us the best example. Let us be humble and deny ourselves to receive this cup. Because it would be what’s best for us, not according to us but according to our Father’s Will!
Prayer & Pursuit
Lord, You gave us this reminder from Jesus, You know all the problems in our lives, and by Jesus’ example, help us to also live a life of humility and obedience. Lord, let Your Kingdom come, give us strength to overcome all our fear and let Your truth and light come into our lives. Lord, we need Your Word everyday in our lives. Amen!
2021年8月11日 星期三
-潘锡安牧师-
路加福音 22
逾越节的耶稣
逾越节是犹太人一个很重要的节日，在那一天每家都会准备一只羔羊，而将要上十字架的耶稣为我们献上自己作为逾越节的羔羊。
一、设立圣餐 (v.1-20)
V7-13 “那一天到了”- 耶稣终于等到这一天了。我们常常在知道前面有问题发生时选择逃避，然而耶稣为我们设立榜样，不惧困难险阻，一步一步往前走。他没有选择逃避，而是选择预备。我们要进入学房的第二年了，我们是否在为这件事情预备？我们不是逆来顺受、得过且过，而是要寻问神，我们需要预备什么。耶稣愿意领受预备，就有圣灵的启示，当他愿意谦卑顺服，神也为他预备一切所需，他所说的话一句也没有落空(V13）。当我们愿意谦卑效法耶稣，神也不会让我们领受的话落空。
V14-20 耶稣在生命的最后时刻，选择跟他所爱的十二个门徒一起吃这“逾越节的筵席”，他看重关系，看重这些他所拣选、愿意回应呼召的人。V19 “你们也当如此行” – 我们作为牧养其他人的领袖，也要像耶稣一样为下面的人愿意舍自己的身体。V20 神用耶稣基督的血所立的新约是人不能破坏的，使我们与天父爸爸重新有父亲与子女的关系，也领受从主而来的大使命。
二、教导门徒（v.21-46)
V21-27 门徒一开始还问说是谁要出卖耶稣，但他们并没有认真对待这个问题, 结果转头讲到他们当中谁最大的时候，大家反而花精力去争论了，谁也不服谁。耶稣教导我们，身份大的人，反要更谦卑，“为首领的，倒要像服侍人的”- 耶稣身体力行让我们看到他自己是如何服事人的。
V28-30 耶稣所赐的杯（v.42）我们也要喝，他经历的我们也会经历，将来我们会与他一起作王掌权。我们跟随耶稣，只是为了去看神迹奇事吗？还是愿意学习他谦卑顺服，舍己利他？
V31-34 耶稣知道我们会跌倒，但他会为我们祷告，叫我们“不至于失了信心”，所以我们跌倒的时候不要继续破罐子破摔。在我们意识到自己跌倒、知道自己的软弱之后，不要屈服于自己的软弱，要及时回头，斥责我们里面的一切誓言、谎言，靠着主站立起来，因为主耶稣已经为我们祈求了。
V35-38 耶稣在这里说，时候到了，当初是我差你们出去，如今你们要拿起你们所经历的走出去。我们不要停留曾经的享乐当中等耶稣，而是靠着耶稣给我们的权柄走出去。我们已经经历过什么都不缺的时期，如今我们要预备好自己走出去了。
V39-44 耶稣教导我们要祷告，“免得入了迷惑”。在祷告中，连耶稣也经历软弱，说到要将那“杯”撤去，但他马上对父神说“不要成就我的意思，只要成就你的意思”。在祷告后，“有一位天使从天上显现，加添他的力量”。
V45-46 当我们觉得无力、忧愁的时候，不要选择用睡觉来躲避，而是“起来祷告，免得入了迷惑”。耶稣在临近生命的最后时刻都在抓住一切机会教导门徒。
三、谦卑领受（v.47-71)
V47-62 犹大要出卖耶稣，耶稣没有反抗，就算有人把抓他的大祭司的仆人削掉右耳，他也医治了那个仆人。反观彼得，他不愿意谦卑领受，结果面对别人的质疑，选择三次否认主，直到鸡叫后看到耶稣看他，他才想起来之前主对他说的话。耶稣转过身看彼得，是在提醒他“……我已经为你祈求，叫你不至于失了信心。你回头以后，要坚固你的弟兄”（v.32)。
V63-71 耶稣知道这一切的侮辱折磨都是预备给他的，他就没有抗拒。面对祭司长的审判，耶稣坚定宣告，“从今以后，人子要坐在神权能的右边”。他看神的国远重于他眼前所面对的难处。我们现在所经历的不一定是我们想要经历的，但若是神为我们安排的，我们就当谦卑领受他给我们的那一份。
*追求祷告：
这是主耶稣在上十字架前对我们的提醒。耶稣知道我们有软弱、有很多问题，但他借着路加福音22章对我们说，看啊，逾越节的羔羊！我们现在是有什么东西放不下？我们在担心什么？让我们一起祷告，愿意放下这些，像主耶稣所说的，“不要成就我的意思，只要成就你的意思”。让我们一起走谦卑顺服、舍己利他的蒙福之路，这是与耶稣一起审判的道路！
主耶稣，我们在这里呼求，愿你的国度降临在地如在天，加添我们力量，让我们靠着你战胜所有的不愿意、惧怕，让你的真光真理、你的话语在我们的身心灵里做盐做光！奉耶稣基督的名祷告，阿们！