马太福音［第十一章］
Book of Matthew 1

《在艰难中得安息》

GK611 晨祷生命读经
主讲:陈惠菁传道
12.12.2024

引言:

一、 艰难中超越的眼光(v1-15)

1. 艰难中不质疑神(v1-6)

约翰因责备希律安提帕不该娶他自己兄弟的妻子,而被下在监里。在监里的约翰来到了他事奉神 的低谷。眼光和异象开始模糊了。在艰难中对耶稣作为产生质疑。为什么行了这么多神迹,却没 有派人来救他免于牢狱之灾?为什么每天与罪人和税吏混在一起?天国什么时候才会来到?因此 他让门徒去问耶稣,你到底是不是弥赛亚?他这话并不是怀疑主的身份,而是对耶稣表示失望。 并且用“还是我们等候别人呢?” 这话作为对主的激将法,盼望主耶稣能显出弥赛亚的作为,即率 领犹太人反抗罗马帝国,复兴犹太国。

从约翰做的这件事,可以给我们以下的提醒:

首先,当我们身处艰难患难时,要紧紧注视仰望主,不是我们的问题或困境。不然我们就会像约 翰那样,认为我们的困难才是最重要,主必须先来解决我们的难题。

其次,神的时间和方式高过人的思想,我们需要信任等候神做事的时机和法则,而非催促或试探 祂。甚至把人的想法凌驾于神的旨意之上。否则,后果可能会不堪设想。

此外就算神不成就我们所求的,要相信仍有神的美意。

2. 超越眼光不定罪(v7-11)

主耶稣并没有因约翰的质疑而定罪他,相反的祂看的是约翰的优点。并在众人面前多方的肯定和 称赞约翰。

在他人的软弱的时候,我们是否愿意像主一样,超越问题,看到他人的长处和潜能?很多时候我 们领受了恩典,得胜了过往败坏的生命后,就忘了我们也应该以恩典对待软弱的人。反而做起审 判官来!求神赦免我们。

3. 积极努力进天国(v12-15)

救恩是白白得来的,但天国是要努力进入的。从施洗约翰开始到主自己出来传扬天国的福音,都 有许多阻挠人进入天国的原因。主说我们需要努力排除各种阻挠,付代价竭力活在天国的实际里 面。意思是,不是跌倒、犯罪、爱世界的人才不能进天国。而是只要作一个平凡、得过且过的基 督徒,就进不了天国了。

今天我们是否也以积极心态努力追求活出天国的实际,并神的旨意?

二、玩梗悖逆不得安息(v16-24)

1. 冷漠与顽梗的人(v16-19)

吹笛:婚礼;举哀:丧礼

耶稣以婚礼和丧礼来形容当时的人对天国的冷漠、玩梗悖逆的心态。

无论是祂传扬的救赎恩典,还是约翰所传讲神公义的审判,他们无动于衷。他们对于主和属主的 事,不但感觉麻木,而且还很迟钝。但神就是要透过施洗约翰的审判信息和耶稣的恩典福音来显 明神的智慧。

我们是否对主和属主的事感到冷漠?求圣灵破除我们的冷漠,再次眺望更新我们的心灵。

2. 得不着安息的人(v20-24)

哥拉汛、伯赛大和迦百农亲眼目睹耶稣所行许多异能,却终不悔改。耶稣说,若这些神迹行在推 罗、西顿,甚至所多玛,他们早已悔改。可见得当事人的心是何等刚硬。

耶稣清楚表明,每个人都要为自己的选择负责。玩梗悖逆的严重后果就是永远坠落阴间,不能得 着永恒的安息。

现今的世代邪恶,很多人对基督信仰和神的救恩,也一样冷漠、拒绝。以致他们无法享有神的安 息。求神让我们肩负神的使命,把这些主所爱的人,从灭亡的边缘抢过来。在这普天欢庆的圣诞 季节里,让我们把主的安息带到有需要的人群中,使他们也得着安息。

三、艰难中靠神得安息(v25-30)

在这段经文中耶稣给我们设立效法祂在艰难中如何得安息的榜样。 首先我们要在艰难中学会:

1. 感恩顺服神安排(v25-27)

主耶稣知道无论人接纳还是拒绝祂,都是经父神的手所量过的,所以祂没有抱怨,只有感谢。这 也是每一个门徒当有的态度。我们一切的遭遇,乃是经过神的手量给我们的,我们要深信必有祂 的美意,我们只管安然接受,并献上感恩。相反的,如果我们总有很多自己的理由和想法,不愿 顺服神的时候,心中必很不平安,无法得着安息。

2. 柔和谦卑负主轭(v28-30)

自从亚当犯罪以来,劳苦担重担是所有世人的实际情形,不只有生活、工作的劳苦,家庭、经济、 关系的重担,还有罪恶、骄傲自义的重担。

犹太农夫常用大小牛同负一轭的方式,来训练小牛。在这种情况下,重量全在大牛身上,小牛不 过是学大牛的样子,而跟着它走走就是了。

耶稣邀请所有劳苦担重担的人来到祂面前,效法主柔和谦卑、负主的轭,学主的样式;就必得享 安息。因为当我们放下了自己的坚持、完全顺服神的旨意,与主同负一轭时,祂会为我们承担轭 的所有重量。我们只需要像小牛那样跟着主走。这样就算再大的艰难,我们也必能得享安息。

总结:

 在艰难中得安息,需要信心超越现状,不质疑神的作为。就算神不成就我们所求的,要相信仍是 神的美意。

 悔改才能避免悖逆带来的不安,得享从神而来的安息。

 透过感恩顺服神的安排,柔和谦卑地负主的轭,学主的样式。即使在艰难中,也能得着真正的安 息。

Matthew 11

Finding Rest in the Midst of Difficulty

GK611 Morning Devotion
12/12/2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Ps Deborah

Introduction:

I. A Vision Beyond Difficulty (vv.1-15)

1. Not Doubting God in Difficulty (vv.1-6)

John the Baptist, imprisoned for rebuking Herod Antipas for marrying his brother's wife, found himself in a spiritual low. His vision and perspective began to blur. In the midst of his hardship, he questioned Jesus' role. Why, after performing so many miracles, had Jesus not come to rescue him from prison? Why did Jesus associate with sinners and tax collectors? When would the kingdom of heaven come? So, he sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He was indeed the Messiah. This wasn't a doubt about Jesus' identity but a reflection of his disappointment. The phrase "or should we expect someone else?" was a challenge to Jesus, hoping He would demonstrate His power of Messiah by leading a Jewish revolt against the Roman Empire and restoring the Jewish nation. From John's actions, we can learn the following:

First, when facing difficulties, we should keep our eyes fixed on the Lord, not our problems or circumstances. Otherwise, like John, we might prioritize our difficulties and demand that the Lord solve them first.

Second, God's timing and methods are higher than human understanding. We need to trust and wait for God's timing and ways, rather than rushing or testing Him. We should not place our human desires above God's will. Otherwise, the consequences could be disastrous.

Third, even if God doesn't fulfill our requests, we must believe that He has good intentions.

2. Overcoming Judgment with Vision (vv.7-11)

Instead of condemning John for his doubts, Jesus focused on his strengths. He publicly affirmed and praised John.

When others are weak, are we willing to follow Jesus' example and look beyond their problems to see their strengths and potential? Often, after receiving grace and overcoming past failures, we forget to extend grace to those who are struggling. Instead, we become judges! May God forgive us.

3. Striving Actively to Enter the Kingdom (vv.12-15)

Salvation is a free gift, but entering the kingdom requires effort. From John the Baptist to Jesus Himself, many things have hindered people from entering the kingdom. Jesus said we must actively remove these obstacles and strive to live in the reality of the kingdom. This means that it's not just those who stumble, sin, or love the world who cannot enter the kingdom. Even ordinary, complacent Christians may be excluded.

Are we actively pursuing a life that reflects the kingdom of God and His will?

II. The Folly of Rebellion and Lack of Rest (vv.16-24)

1. Indifferent and Stubborn People (vv.16-19)

Jesus used the imagery of weddings and funerals to describe people's indifference and rebellious hearts towards the kingdom. Whether it was the message of salvation or the judgment of God, they remained unmoved. They were not only numb to the Lord and His things but also slow to understand. Yet, God intended to reveal His wisdom through the judgment message of John the Baptist and the grace of Jesus. Are we indifferent to the Lord and His work? May the Holy Spirit break our indifference and renew our hearts.

2. Those Who Cannot Find Rest (vv.20-24)

Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum witnessed many miracles performed by Jesus, yet they remained unrepentant. Jesus said that if these miracles had been performed in Tyre, Sidon, or even Sodom, they would have repented long ago. This shows how hardened the hearts of these people were. Jesus clearly stated that everyone is responsible for their choices. The severe consequence of stubborn rebellion is eternal condemnation and the loss of eternal rest.

In today's evil world, many people are also indifferent and reject the Christian faith and God's salvation. As a result, they cannot experience God's rest. May God give us the mission to rescue these people whom He loves from the brink of destruction. In this festive Christmas season, let us bring the Lord's rest to those in need.

III. Finding Rest in God Amidst Difficulty (vv.25-30)

In this passage, Jesus sets an example for us to follow as we seek rest in the midst of difficulty. First, we must learn to:

1. Be Thankful and Submit to God's Arrangements (vv.25-27)

Jesus knew that whether people accepted or rejected Him was determined by the Father's hand. Therefore, He did not complain but gave thanks. This is the attitude that every disciple should have. All our experiences are measured out to us by God's hand. We must firmly believe that there is a good purpose in everything, and we should simply accept it with gratitude. On the contrary, if we always have our own reasons and ideas and are unwilling to submit to God's will, our hearts will be restless and we will not find peace.

2. Be Meek and Humble and Bear the Lord's Yoke (vv.28-30)

Since Adam's sin, toil and heavy burdens have been the reality for all people. This includes not only the labor of work and life but also the burdens of family, finances, relationships, sin, and pride.

Jewish farmers often used a yoke to train young oxen. In this arrangement, the larger ox bore all the weight while the smaller ox simply followed.

Jesus invites all who are weary and burdened to come to Him and learn from Him to be meek and humble, bearing His yoke. When we let go of our own insistence and fully submit to God's will, and yoke ourselves with the Lord, He will bear the weight of the yoke for us. We need only follow Him like the young ox. In this way, even in the face of great difficulty, we will find rest.

Summary:

 To find rest in the midst of difficulty, we need faith to transcend our circumstances and not question God's actions. Even if God doesn't fulfill our requests, we must believe that He has good intentions.
 Repentance is essential to avoid the unrest caused by rebellion and to experience the rest that comes from God.
 Through gratitude, submission to God's arrangements, and meekly bearing the Lord's yoke, we can find true rest even in difficult times.

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