Wednesday, 13th July 2022
Rev Daniel Xi An Poon
Before Jesus went on the cross, every day He spent time with His disciples, took them to Jerusalem, into the House of God. But Jesus did not stay in the House of God, He did not stay in Jerusalem, He left at the end of the day, then enter in again in the morning. We also come to the House of God every day, we enter, we left, then we enter again the next day. Do our lives change as we entering and leaving the House of God? Jesus treasures lives, He wants to remind us, and reveal to us how our lives are.
In Jerusalem, Jesus took the disciples to the Upper Room, He taught them and established the communion for them. After Jesus resurrected, the disciples again enter the Upper Room, this time, Jesus was not there with them, but they were different. Because they knew Jesus had overcome death, they knew Jesus was resurrected, and they knew their lives were different. Today we are also entering the Upper Room after Jesus’ resurrection, He has overcome, He has received victory, and we must be willing to offer our lives. It’s not about sings and wonders, it’s not about healing and delivering, but it’s about praying together and observing the communion; letting go our oneself and uniting with one another. There may be danger, challenges, difficulties, and hardship, but we are no longer afraid.
In the Upper Room, we will be planted, fertilised, and bear fruits. We will live under the Tree of Life; and live out the true life God has given us. Life is the core of our faith, our lives must be right, because if our lives are not right, we will be confused, we will be lost, and we will not see hope.
Section One V1-16 How Did Men Respond?
V1 ‘After two days it was the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by trickery and put Him to death.’ Passover is a time to remember how God delivered the Israelites out of Egypt. This is the time of thanksgiving, but the chief priests and the scribes were planning to kill Jesus. God loved His people and saved them, but how they repay God was to kill His only Son. These chief priests and scribes knew the Bible very well, but they did not know Jesus. Do we really know Jesus? Do we really understand the Heart of God? V2 ‘But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar of the people.”’ For them, the Passover was just a festival, a feast, a day of celebration… they forgot the true meaning of Passover, which is to remember God and to give thanks to God. We may live our lives in a familiar pattern, which stops us to really receive the Word of God and to really see the truth of life.
V3 ‘And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head.’ Jesus came to Bethany and chose to go to the house of Simon. Because Simon was willing to open up his house, and Jesus wanted Simon to see the love of God. As a leper, he would have been despised and rejected by the society, but Jesus accepted him and love him for who he was. When we follow God, do we only want to see the signs and wonders? Do we only want our earthly lives to change? Do we only want our problems to be solved? Or do we really seek God and receive the love of God?
V4-5 ‘But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they criticized her sharply.’ The woman was Mary, who was willing to give up her costly oil of spikenard that represented her marriage. But in the eyes of men, it was a waste of money. We must know that the House of God deserves the best, so stop using the earthly values and standards to treat the House of God. If we want to control God, then it would lead to death, just like Judas, he wanted Jesus to do what he wanted to see happening, therefore he used his own way, trying to manipulate Jesus.
V10-11 ‘Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Him to them. And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. So he sought how he might conveniently betray Him.’ Judas followed Jesus for three years, but at the end he still betrayed Jesus. Because he did not like Jesus’ teaching, he did not seek Jesus’ heart, and he only followed his own earthly desires.
Section Two V17-52 How Did Jesus Respond?
V18-20 ‘Now as they sat and ate, Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you who eats with Me will betray Me.” And they began to be sorrowful, and to say to Him one by one, “Is it I?” And another said, “Is it I?” He answered and said to them, “It is one of the twelve, who dips with Me in the dish.’ The disciples were sorrowful, because not only Judas, but they were all having doubts in heart. They knew Jesus could see through their hearts and they were afraid. Jesus was not only talking to Judas, but to every one of the disciples. What is inside our hearts? Jesus is also talking to us today, He can see through our hearts, no matter how well we behave or how obedient we may look.
V21 ‘The Son of Man indeed goes 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 never been born.’ Jesus only spoke the truth, He knew what were in the disciples’ hearts, and He responded with the Word of God. The lives of the disciples needed healing and deliverance before they entered Upper Room, therefore Jesus established the communion for them.
V29-31 ‘Peter said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be.” Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” But he spoke more vehemently, “If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And they all said likewise.’ Peter was still living under the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, he did not admit his weakness and he did not believe that Jesus could see through him. We often live like Peter before he entered the Upper Room, with a victim mindset; we don’t want to admit our mistakes and we don’t want to receive teaching.
V32-34 ‘Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.”’ Jesus was sad for His disciples, He saw their lives going up and down, He saw them continue to live an earthly life, He was tempted by the devil, and He was sorrowful. Jesus loved His disciples, He spent all His time teaching and fellowshipping with them, He poured out everything to them, even His life, but their lives seemed to stay the same.
V35-36 ‘He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”’ Jesus wanted to spend more time with His beloved disciples, He saw their lives still the same and He really wanted to help them, but at the same time, He was humble and obedient. Jesus asked God for more time, but once these words were spoken, He immediately realised that He was weakened, and asked the Will of God to be done.
V37-38 ‘Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”’ Jesus loved His disciples, He continued to help and support them, He knew their weaknesses, but He didn’t give up on them. For the second time and the third time, Jesus came to wake up the disciples, who were still weak and tired. We will still fall weak and weary after Jesus’ resurrection, but we also have the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome. We will no longer stay in our own weaknesses, and we will no longer surrender to our sins. By being humble and obedient, denying ourselves and benefiting others, we will overcome and receive victory together with Jesus.
Section Three V53-72 The Words Spoken
Jesus did not speak in front of the people, who were accusing Him wrongly. The people did not believe anything Jesus said and therefore Jesus remained silent. What are the words coming out from our mouth? Our words come from our hearts, and an unbelief attitude will speak words of unbelief. The words from people are ‘I do not understand’, ‘I do not know’, ‘I do not admit’… these are the words we say when we hear the truth, but Jesus never gives up on us, just like how He never gave up on His disciples. Jesus was waiting for the disciples to be willing to again enter the Upper Room, to let go of their own agendas, and to be transformed by God.
马可福音 14 – 在真理下的生命
2022年7月13日 星期三
潘锡安牧师
耶稣已经走到了服事的最后时刻，他在被钉十字架前每一天都带着门徒进入耶路撒冷，正如我们每天都来到神的殿点灯一样。耶稣为什么大费周章每一天都离开又进入耶路撒冷，为何在这个星期不留宿在耶路撒冷？耶稣的生命给我们每一个跟从他的人很大的启示。耶稣每一次进入耶路撒冷，彰显的是他的生命。耶稣看重生命，我们是否也看重生命？耶稣在复活前也曾带着门徒进入马可楼，复活后，那剩下的十一个门徒再次放下一切，进入马可楼时，耶稣就没有陪伴他们。我们在马可楼是否迷失了，我们在马可楼所经历、跟随的耶稣好像不是那从死里复活、得胜的耶稣？我们在马可楼的阶段是耶稣得胜之前还是之后呢？在逾越节的晚餐时，门徒里面还是充满分辨善恶树、充满自己，但在耶稣复活之后，门徒每一天就是脚踏实地的祷告、守圣餐，他们在马可楼的生活再不一样。同心的祷告就是放下自己、彼此合一；守圣餐代表每一天都经历耶稣的医治和平安。在马可楼，我们记念的是要尽心尽力尽意爱神并且爱人如己。不要仍停留在耶稣上十字架前与门徒一起吃逾越节晚餐的马可楼，我们今天的马可楼是耶稣复活升天之后门徒每天去的马可楼，使我们能够栽种在这个土壤里，吸收养分，结出生命树的果子。本章的内容重点在讲“生命”。神要我们放下生命，因他要给我们一个新的生命，能活出在地如在天的生命。
一、v.1-16 人如何回应
V1 逾越节也是除酵节，是帮助以色列人记念耶和华神如何帮助他们逃过家中长子被杀死的灾难，也记念神如何带领他们走出埃及。在这样一个记念的日子，祭司长和文士却“想法子怎么用诡计捉拿耶稣杀他”。在两千年前，神选择牺牲他的独生爱子为人赎罪，但人选择要杀害他。这些人对圣经非常熟悉，却不认识耶稣。我们真的认知主、认知神、认识耶稣、明白神的心意吗？
V2 他们守节只是在过一个没有意义的宗教节日。我们今天来晨祷、守圣餐、做看似敬虔的事，有意义吗，还是像那些祭司长一样为了做事而做事？神要我们在守节的时候可以有时间去回想神如何爱我们。我们是否对神感恩，在真理下我们真的有领受吗？
V3a 耶稣又离开耶路撒冷，到“伯大尼”- 就是有耶稣所爱的拉撒路、马利亚和马大家。这一次他去了“长大麻风”的西门家，帮助坚固西门的生命。长大麻风的人在当时是被社会上的人厌恶的，然而耶稣接纳他、爱他，在那里并没有特别施行神迹奇事。我们跟从神的时候很喜欢看医病赶鬼，好像看戏一样，心里的生命却没法改变。我们跟从神，希望得到世俗的好处，然而耶稣彰显的是爱的生命。
V3b 这女人就是马利亚，虽然耶稣没有去马利亚家，她却没有抱怨苦毒。马利亚没有等耶稣给她好处，却将“一玉瓶至贵的真哪哒香膏”带给耶稣，这是当时的女子为结婚所预备的，表示马利亚愿意放下她所渴望的婚姻。耶稣曾说过自己要到耶路撒冷受死，但门徒没有听耶稣的话，马利亚却听了，所以能放下自己的婚姻，用油来膏耶稣。
V4-6 马利亚旁边责备的人就是卖主的犹大。我们是否也会论断牧者在教会上花钱太多？我们忘了我们给神的殿应该是要给最好的，只拿次等的、用过的物品来教会。犹大觉得耶稣跟自己想法不一样，想要用自己的方式来操控耶稣。我们是否也想操控我们的权柄，以为我们的价值观更好？耶稣提醒他们要看重神。
V10 犹大以为他可以用自己的方式操控耶稣，但耶稣知道，当人不愿谦卑跟从的时候，人就会死亡。
V12 当门徒对耶稣说“你”的时候，他们看这件事情是耶稣自己要做，不是他们自己想做的。我们是否也会用这个借口来回应神？因为害怕做错、不知道神想做什么。门徒跟着耶稣那么久了，不愿意跟他对水位，不愿意贴他的心；我们也是无法体贴神、体贴权柄的心意，害怕做错后被权柄提升，因为被提升时就觉得是被害，所以永远无法真正对水位。守逾越节是每一个犹太人都要做的事，可惜这些门徒没有与耶稣对水位，只在doing的模式里。
二、v.17-52 耶稣如何面对
V19 大家的心都有牢骚，脚虽跟着耶稣，心却抱怨连连，耶稣知道他们的心，他们才忧愁。
V20 其实每个人都曾同耶稣“蘸手在盘子里”。耶稣在跟门徒和我们说：你知道自己的心如何吗？我们的心是在主复活前还是复活后？
V21 耶稣用真理回应。
V22 耶稣知道此时的门徒生命还没有被医治，充满诡诈和自我，需要被医治和平安，因此为他们设立圣餐。
V23-25 我们需要去爱神、爱人
V26 如果门徒领受了圣餐的意义，行动就会不一样，不会只是在表面做事。
V27-31 彼得和众门徒不相信神的话，不承认自己的软弱，只体贴自己的肉体，处在分辨善恶树下。我们不愿意相信真理，不相信神可以看见我们里面，反而抵挡他的话、存着受害者的心态，因为我们没有谦卑顺服、舍己利他。
V33-34 这是耶稣最亲的三个门徒。“极其难过”原文是激动。真正让耶稣难过的是，他们刚刚从马可楼下来，他看到这些跟随他的门徒竟然还是有这样旧我的生命，所以难过。耶稣此时也受到了魔鬼的试探。如果我们带着一群我们所爱的人像耶稣的这几个门徒一样，我们的心会怎样想呢？
V35-36 耶稣不是不想被钉十字架，而是看到被栽培了三年的门徒还是老样子，希望能有更多时间帮助他们。耶稣也有软弱的时候，当他一发出话语后就马上警醒，祷告让神的旨意行在地上如同在天上。我们是否愿意承认自己的软弱，让神来接管我们？
V37-38 面对我们的软弱，耶稣不断帮助、提醒我们。我们要看见耶稣的爱，他明白彼得的软弱，就提升他。
V39 耶稣看到彼得听到这一切却还是没有去行，所以又去祷告。彼得在耶稣复活前体贴自己的肉体，在困倦的时候就想睡觉不理。
V41-42 我们不要以为神就会一直体贴我们的软弱、用神的怜悯当作不行动的借口。耶稣知道，唯有自己把那场战打胜，才能救门徒。我们是会困，会软弱，但我们在软弱中有圣灵，就不会在属世的世界里投降。我们不会再伏在软弱中，而是带着谦卑顺服、舍己利他、战胜自己的软弱。
三、v.53-72 人说出来的话
V53-61 在真理中我们所说出来的话都表现出我们的生命。面对众人的假见证和陷害，耶稣不说话。
V62-64 他们听见耶稣说的“我是”不是一段改变生命的话，却觉得是不应该、不合宜的话。我们听到神、听到我们权柄对我们说的话，我们会说什么？
V65 人说的话充满不信、不敬。
V68 彼得说的是不承认、不认得、不明白。我们也是常常不明白圣经的话或牧师的教导。但我们真的不明白吗，还是因为没有真的放下自己、愿意被责备？我们不觉得自己有错、有问题，以为自己已经做得超过该做的，所以听不进真理。
耶稣没有放弃我们，而是用爱包裹他所爱的门徒。耶稣死而复活之后主动去找门徒，将天国的道理告诉他们，之后这些门徒就愿意进入马可楼，放下自己，改变生命。耶稣所彰显的生命就是爱。