GRACE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP | 恩道堂

1. The Permanence of the Scripture 圣经的永恒性 (5:17-19)

The Law and the Prophets represent the Old Testament, the only written Scripture at the time of Jesus. Abolish (Kataluō) means to utterly overthrow or destroy; the same word is used of the destruction of the Temple (Matt. 24:2). Jesus said he come not to abolish but to accomplish. Accomplished (ginomai) has the meaning of becoming or taking place. Jesus came to ensure the Scripture is fulfilled or become a reality.

律法和先知指的就是旧约，它是耶稣时代唯一的书面经文。废掉（Kataluō）之意是完全推翻或销毁；这词也用于圣殿的拆毁（太24:2）。耶稣说祂来不是要废掉，乃是要成全。成全（ginomai）指的是成就或使之发生。耶稣降临的目的是要确保圣经得应验，成为事实。

2. The Purpose of the Scripture 圣经的目的 (5:20)

In saying “unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven (5:20)” Pharisaism tends to soften the law’s demands by focusing only on external obedience.  However, Jesus was calling His disciples to a deeper, more radical holiness than that of the Pharisees. In the verses that follow, Jesus unpacks the full moral significance of the law, and shows that the righteousness the law calls for an internal conformity to the spirit of the law, rather than mere external compliance to the letter. It is a matter of the heart as much as the behavior. On the other hand, if they seriously obey the law from the heart, they will realize that they cannot fulfill the law. The purpose of the Law is to point out that we all are helpless and incapable of achieve righteousness on our own. It points us to Christ who not only save us from our sins but imputed His righteousness to us (2 Cor. 5:21).

圣经既然提出：“你们的义若不胜於文士和法利赛人的义，断不能进天国”（5:20），这表示法利赛主义倾向于重视表面的服从罢了，这反而降低了律法的要求。然而，耶稣呼召众门徒要拥有比法利赛人更深、更实的圣洁。在下半段的经文中，耶稣为我们讲解律法的全面道德意义，并显示这义所要求的是从心里顺服律法的精意，不是凭着字句。它更在乎的是内心的转变，而不是外在的服从。另一方面，如果他们确实认真地从心里顺从律法，他们会发觉自己根本无法达到律法的要求。律法的作用是要指出我们都是无助的，也不可能凭自己的能力称义。它指向着基督——祂不仅救我们脱离罪，还使我们在祂里面成为神的义（林后5:21）。

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. Jesus places high priority on the Scripture. As we saw in Matt 4:1-11 He used Scripture to fend off every temptation. Can you do that? Pray that we have highest regard for the Word of God, and we are so familiar with the Scripture that we can fend off all temptation by the Word of God.

耶稣高度重视圣经。如我们在马太福音4:1-11看到，祂运用圣经来抵挡各样的试探。你能做到吗？求主让我们对神的话有最高的尊崇，也使我们能熟悉圣经，并用它来抵挡各样的试探。

2. Jesus said that heaven and earth will pass away but not an iota, not a dot of the law will pass away until all is accomplished. Pray that we study the Word of God diligently even the meaning of each word and the grammar of each sentence must be carefully studied and obeyed.

耶稣说，就是到天地都废去了，律法的一点一画也不能废去，都要成全。求主让我们能努力学习神的话，认真钻研每个字的含义及句子的语法，并服从遵行。

3. Jesus points out that he does not only want us to fulfill the law outwardly, but he also wants us to obey the law inwardly. Pray that our obedience comes from our hearts.

1. Do not ruin your testimony 不要破坏你的见证  (5:13)

Salt has always been valuable in human society and it also represents a valuable commodity. The primary characteristic of salt is to preserve the goods from decaying. Jesus warns that Christians should not lose their testimony like salt lose it taste.

盐对人类来说一直都是珍贵的物品。盐的主要作用就是保存食品，防止腐烂。耶稣告诫基督徒不要破坏自己的见证，如同盐失去了味道一样。

2. Do let your testimony shine before men 要让你的见证照在人前 (5:14-15)

Jesus said that Christians are light of the world. People light a lamp to gives light to all in the house therefore Christians should let their light shine before men just like a city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

In the same way Christians must bear testimony for the Lord and be visible with all honesty.

耶稣说基督徒是世上的光。人点灯是为了照亮全家，所以基督徒应当让他们的光照在人前，就如城造在山上是不能隐藏的。基督徒要以相同的方式为主做坦坦荡荡的好见证。

3. Your testimony is to bring glory to God 你的见证当将荣耀归给神 (5:16)

Jesus said that Christians are light of the world. The light Jesus spoke about is our good behavior and good work which God created us to do before the foundation of the world (Eph. 2:10). Christians should let our good behavior and good works shine before men so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Mat 5:16)

耶稣说基督徒是世上的光。耶稣所指的光是神从创世以前已经预备叫我们行的善行与善工（弗2:10）。基督徒应该使这些善行与善工照在人前，叫他人看见基督徒的好行为时，便将荣耀归给他们在天上的父（太5:16）。

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. Jesus said, “If salt has lost its taste how shall its saltiness be restored?” If we lose our testimony how can others trust us again? Pray that we be circumspect in our daily walk in order not to lose our testimony.

耶稣说：“盐若失了味，怎能叫它再咸呢？”如果我们破坏了自己的见证，又怎能叫他人再相信我们呢？求主让我们能每天谨慎行事，做好见证。

2. Your testimony is like a city set on a hill and a lamp set on a stand. You are not to hide but to shine before men. Are you living in isolation? Pray that we do not isolate ourselves but let our testimonies shine before men.

你的见证有如造在山上的城和放在灯台上的灯。你不该隐藏，而是要照在人前。你是否在过着一个与世隔绝的生活？求主让我们不要孤立自己，而是让我们的见证照在人前。

3. We are to live a life that brings glory to the Father in Heaven. Are you glorifying God in your daily decision? Pray that you are fully aware of our duty every minute of your life.

1. The Reason of Persecution 受逼迫的原因 (5:10)

Jesus is not speaking of every hardship, problem, or conflict that a believer may face, but those who persecuted for the sake of righteousness and for the sake of Christ.

耶稣说的不是信徒可能面对的每一个困难、问题或冲突，而是指着为公义，并为基督的缘故遭逼迫的人。

2. The Route of Persecution 受逼迫的方式 (5:11)

The Bible is clear that “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12). Believers will face physical, emotional and sometime judicial persecution. Persecution has the basic meaning of chasing, driving away which has the connotations of physical persecution, harassment, abuse, and other unjust treatment. Insults carry the idea of reviling, upbraiding, or seriously insulting, and literally means to cast in one’s teeth. Finally, believers will be falsely accused of all kinds of evil because of Christ.

圣经清楚说道：“凡立志在基督耶稣里敬虔度日的也都要受逼迫”（提后3:12）。信徒会面临肉体上、心理上，或甚至是司法上的迫害。逼迫的基本含义包括了被追逐和驱赶，也就是身体上的迫害、骚扰、虐待，以及其他不公正的待遇。辱骂包含咒骂、责备，或严重的侮辱。最后，信徒也会因基督的缘故被诬告作恶多端。

3. The Reward of Persecution 受逼迫的奖赏 (5:12)

Jesus said, “Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great” (5:12). Be glad is from agalliaō, which means to exult, to rejoice greatly, to be overjoyed, as is clear in the King James Version, “be exceeding glad.” The literal meaning is to skip and jump with happy excitement. Jesus uses the imperative mood which means we are commanded to be glad. Not to be glad when we suffer for Christ’s sake is to be untrusting and disobedient.

耶稣说：“应当欢喜快乐，因为你们在天上的赏赐是大的”（5:12）。快乐（agalliaō）就是欢腾、大大欢欣，及喜出望外。它的字面意思是开心、兴奋地蹦跳。耶稣使用的是个命令式的口语，即吩咐我们当快乐。为基督的缘故受苦时不喜悦，是一种不信靠神与悖逆的表现。

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. The Bible is clear that ALL who desire to live a godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. (2 Tim 3:12) If you are not being persecuted or ridiculed for Christ sake, do not rejoice yet. Examine yourselves to see whether you are living a godly life?

圣经清楚说到凡立志在基督耶稣里敬虔度日的也都要受逼迫（提后3:12）。如果你没有因基督的缘故受到逼迫或嘲笑，勿且欢喜。请省察自己，看你是否过着敬虔的生活？

2. The Bible never teaches us monasticism or These are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. (Col 2:23) Pray that we do not fall for the heresy thinking if we mutilate our bodies, we will gain the attention of God. (1 kings 18:29)

圣经从未有过修道或禁欲主义的教导；它们实际上在克制肉体的情欲上是毫无功效的（西2:23）。求主让我们不被异端的思想掳去，误以为若我们残害自己的身体就能获得神的关注（列上18:29）。

3. Jesus said that a servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Jesus, they would also persecute us. (John 15:20) Jesus also left us an example: When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. (1Pe 2:23)

耶稣说仆人不能大于主人。他们若逼迫耶稣，也要逼迫我们 （约15:20）。耶稣也给我们留下了一个榜样：他被骂不还口；受害不说威吓的话，只将自己交托那按公义审判人的主（彼前2:23）。

1. The Meaning of Peace 使人和睦之意 (5:9)

The most that man’s peace can offer is a truce, the temporary cessation of hostilities. God’s peace, however, not only stops the hostilities but settles the issues and brings the parties together in mutual love and harmony. This is what the Jewish greeting shalom means when a person wishes “peace” and expresses the desire that the one who is greeted will have all the goodness of God.

人与人之间的和睦最多是休战，也就是暂时停止攻击敌人的状态。然而，神的和睦不仅停留于此，更能解决根本问题，使双方能彼此相爱，共有和谐。这也是犹太人问候语“沙龙”（shalom）的意思，即当人以“平安”祝愿对方时，这表达了他愿另一方能拥有神一切的美好。

2. The Makers of Peace 使人和睦之人 (5:9)

Our God is the God of peace (Rom. 15:33; 2 Cor. 13:11; Phil. 4:9) and Christians should be makers of peace to reflect the character of God. Bible says “pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14).  The great enemy of peace is sin. Sin separates men from God and causes disharmony and enmity and there is no peace between God and man. And men’s lack of harmony with God causes their lack of harmony with each other. Therefore, the solution is the gospel of peace through Jesus Christ (Act 10:36).

我们的神是赐平安的神（罗15:33；林后13:11；腓4:9），所以基督徒当反映神的属性，作使人和睦的人。圣经说：“你们要追求与众人和睦，并要追求圣洁；非圣洁没有人能见主。”（来12:14）和平最大的敌人就是罪。罪使人与神隔绝，并制造不和与敌意，导致神与人之间不得有平安。同时，人与神的敌意也造成了人与人之间的不和。因此，唯一的解决办法就是耶稣基督和平的福音（徒10:36）。

3. The Merit of Peace 使人和睦之功 (5:9)

The merit, or result, of peacemaking is eternal blessing as God’s children in God’s kingdom. Peacemakers shall be called sons of God hence Peacemaking is a hallmark of God’s children.

建立和平的益处或结果是神国度的众子所拥有的永恒祝福。使人和睦的人必称为神的儿子，因此建立和平是神儿女的标志。

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. Is peace a feeling or a fact? Most of the time, we think of the word peace we are talking about peace of mind. However, the word peace in the Bible means more than a feeling. It expresses a certainty than we are at peace with God and we have eternal blessing from God (Eph.2:14). Let us pray that we trust the Word of God rather than our feeling.

平安到底是一种感觉还是事实？多数时候，我们会想到的是安心。然而，平安这词在圣经中不仅仅是一种感觉。它表达了信心，知道自己已经与神和好，并拥有从神而来的永恒祝福（弗2:14）。让我们祈祷，叫我们相信神的话语而不是自己的感觉。

2. Jesus Christ is our peace for He has broken down in His flesh the diving wall of hostility that we might reconcile us to God in one body through the cross (Eph. 2:14-16). Let us thank Jesus Christ for His salvation.

耶稣基督是我们的平安——他以自己的身体，拆毁了中间隔断的墙，借着十字架使两下合而为一，叫我们与神和好（弗2:14-16）。让我们感谢耶稣基督所赐的救恩。

3. As children of God are you reflecting the character of God by being a peace maker or are you a troublemaker? Let’s pray that we are peace makers by preaching peace to those who were far off and peace to those who were near. (Eph. 2:17)

身为神的儿女，你是否反映了神的属性，作使人和平的人，或者是一个成天制造麻烦的人呢？让我们祈祷，能传和平的福音给远处的人，也给那近处的人（弗2:17）。

1. Blessed are those who hunger for righteousness 饥渴慕义的人有福了 (Mat 5:6)

This beatitude speaks of strong desire, of driving pursuit, of a passionate force inside the soul. It has to do with ambition to honor, obey, and glorify God by partaking of His righteousness. This holy ambition is in great contrast to the common ambitions of men to gratify their own lusts, accomplish their own goals, and satisfy their selfish desires

这福分描绘的是灵里的一股强烈欲望，是一种极力的追求和充满激情的力量。它是借着共享神的义而有尊荣神、服从神和荣耀神的渴望。这圣洁的欲望与世人一般为满足自己的私欲及实现自己目标的野心有极大差别。

2. Blessed are the Merciful 怜恤人的人有福了 (5:7)

The basic meaning of mercy is to give help to the afflicted and to rescue the helpless. It is compassion in action. Mercy is meeting people’s needs. It is not simply feeling compassion but showing compassion, not only sympathizing but giving a helping hand. Mercy is giving food to the hungry, comfort to the bereaved; love the rejected, forgiving the offender, accompanying the lonely.

怜悯的基本含义是向困苦、无助的人给予帮助。这是一个赋予行动的同情之心。怜悯是满足他人的需要。它并不只个感觉，而是一种表现；它不仅是同情，而是伸出援手。怜悯是将食物分给饥饿的人，安慰失丧亲人的人，爱怜背弃的人，宽恕犯罪的人，及陪伴孤独的人。

3. Blessed are the Holy 清心的人有福了 (5:8)

The basic meaning here is to make pure by cleansing from dirt, filth, and contamination. The term was often used of metals that had been refined until all impurities were removed, leaving only the pure metal. Purity means unmixed, unalloyed, unadulterated. Applied to the heart, the idea is that of pure motive-of single-mindedness, undivided devotion, spiritual integrity, and true righteousness.

这里的基本含义是将尘土、污物和染毒物洁净，使之纯洁。这个词语常用于形容被提炼的金属；直等到所有的杂质被除去后，剩下的就是纯洁的金属了。纯洁指的是未混合、未合金化或为掺杂的。对于内心而言，这指的是持有纯洁动机的想法，从一而终，忠心耿耿，有诚信和真正的义。

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. Jesus said happiness belongs to those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Do you hunger and thirst for righteousness? Let us pray that God will create a hunger and thirst in you so that you can be truly blessed.

耶稣说饥渴慕义的人有福了。你是否饥渴慕义？让我们祷告，叫神能使我们有这样的胸怀，好让我们能有真正的福气。

2. Grace is to help those who do not deserve your help. Mercy is to give help to those who are in pain. So, to show mercy and grace, you must help those who are in pain and do not deserve your help. Pray that God will give you opportunity to show mercy and grace.

恩典是帮助不配得帮助的人；怜悯是向伤痛中的人给予援助。因此，为了展现怜悯和恩典，你必须帮助正受苦的和不值得你帮助的人。求神给你机会展示怜悯和恩典。

3. The Lord said, “You shall be holy, for I am holy” (1P1:16) Hebrews said without holiness no one will see the Lord (Heb.12:14). Let’s pray that we keep ourselves from all kinds of defilement. (2 Cor. 7:1)

When the Lord first started His ministry he preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mat 4:17). Since the King has announced the Kingdom is at hand he has to announce His rules and manifesto for the kingdom. This sermon is a masterful exposition of the law and a potent assault on Pharisaic legalism.

主以“天国近了，你们应当悔改！”（太4:17）的信息开启了祂的事工。君王既已宣告天国近了，就需声明祂国度的法规与宣言。这道巧妙地阐述了律法的功用，也给法利赛人的律法主义带来狠狠的一击。

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit 虚心的人有福了 (5:3)

Blessed (Makarios) means happy, joyful, and blissful. Poor in spirit is a person who realizes he is completely bankrupt, totally dependent and absolutely no means of helping himself spiritually. Such person is blessed because the only thing he can do is ask God for help.

有福（Makarios）指的是快乐、愉悦和幸福。虚心的人意识到自己在灵里上是完全贫乏，完全仰赖他人，也绝对没法自救的。这样的人便为有福，因为他唯一可做的事就是祈求上帝的帮助。

2. Blessed are those who mourn 哀恸的人有福了 (5:4)

Nine different Greek words are used in the New Testament to speak of sorrow. The one used here (pentheō, mourn) is the strongest. It represents the deepest and most heart-felt grief over his own sin. True mourning over sin does not focus on ourselves, not even on our sin. It focuses on God, who alone can forgive and remove our sin.

在新约圣经中，形容悲哀的希腊词语共有九个；这里所使用的词（pentheō，哀恸）是最强烈的。它代表一个人在内心深处对自己的罪有着极度的悲伤。当人为罪真正哀悼时，他注视的不是自己，甚至也不是他的罪。它的焦点是神，那唯一能够赦免并除去我们罪恶的神。

3. Blessed are the gentle 温柔的人有福了 (5:5)

The Greek word for gentleness or meekness is the opposite of being out of control. It is supreme self-control and submissive to the command of the Master. The word describes a wild animal which are tamed and under controlled for the master’s use.

在希腊文里，温柔，或温顺，是失控的反义词。它是对主命的至高顺从的自制力。这词语所形容的是一个被驯服而为主所用的野生动物。

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. Jesus declared, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Unless we see our sins, mourn over our sins, and repent from it, we cannot see the kingdom of heaven. Let us pray that we truly understand and repent from our sins.

耶稣宣告：“天国近了，你们应当悔改！。”除非我们能看到自己的罪，为罪哀恸并悔改，我们是无法见天国的。让我们祈祷，叫我们能真正了解何为罪，并从罪中悔改。

2. The true happiness is from God. Jesus said true happiness is the one who is poor in spirit. Are you poor in spirit? Can you see your own helplessness without God? If we still think we can enter heaven by our own strength, we are too proud. Pray that God will humble us and show us our pride and the sin of self-righteousness.

真正的幸福是从神而来的。耶稣说虚心的人才有真正的福气。你是虚心的人吗？你是否能看到你自己在神以外的无助吗？我们如果仍然认为可以通过自己的力量进天国，就实在太骄傲了。求神能使我们谦卑，指出我们的骄傲和自我称义的罪。

3. The word “gentle” has the meaning of being “tamed” or “domesticated.” Are we running like a wild horse or are we willing to be “tamed” and under controlled for the use of the Master?

1. The King begins Teaching 君王开始教导 (4:23a)

Though Galilee had long been known as “Galilee of the Gentiles” Jesus chose to start his ministry here by teaching in the synagogues. Teaching is from didaskō, from which we get didactic. Jesus’ teaching was basically exposition of the Scripture as illustrated in Luke 4:16-21.

虽然加利利早已被称作是“外邦人的加利利地”，耶稣却选择在这里展开祂的事工。主一开始就在犹太人的会堂教导人。教导的意思包括解释和阐述。主耶稣的教导是以圣经为根据的；路加福音4:16-21就是一个例子。主耶稣教导的重点就是解释圣经。

2. The King begins Preaching 君王开始传道 (4:23b)

Proclaiming is from a term kērussō often translated “to preach.” The root idea is “to herald” or “to proclaim,” that is, to publicly make a known the message. Teaching (didaskō) relates to explaining a message, whereas the task of preaching (kērussō) simply is to proclaim and make it known the Word authoritatively.

传讲的原文是kērussō，常被译为“传道”。它的本意是“宣告”，“宣布”或“宣讲”的意思，也就是公开地表明神的信息。教导（didaskō）主要指的是解释或阐述，但“传道” （kērussō）仅仅是带权柄宣告神的话。

3. The King begins Healing 君王开始医治 (4:23c-25)

Jesus begins His healing ministry to authenticate His Messiahship. As stated in Matt 11:1 that when John Baptist doubted, Jesus told John’s disciples to inform John what they saw and heard. That is the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them (Mat 11:1-5). The healing is to authenticate His Messiahship.

耶稣展开他医治的事工，以鉴定自己弥赛亚的身份。我们在马太福音11:1可以看到，当施洗约翰起疑惑时，耶稣叫约翰的门徒告诉约翰他们所见所闻的，就是瞎子看见，瘸子行走，长大麻疯的洁净，聋子听见，死人复活，穷人有福音传给他们（太11:1-5）。所以，医治的事工是主耶稣为弥赛亚的明证。

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. Jesus’ teaching is based on exposition of the Scripture. Look around us, how many teachings of the churches are expositions of the Scripture? On the other hand, can you tell whether the teachers are expositing the Scripture or are they teaching their own ideas? Pray that we are discerning so that we will not be mistaken human ideas to be God’s Word.

主耶稣的教导是以解释圣经为主的。然而，今日有多少教会的教导是以此为模式的呢？我们能不能分辨讲员所讲的是在释经圣经还是传讲自己的意见？求主开启我们的眼睛，不要把人的道理误以为是神的道而误入歧途。

2. Preaching is proclamation of God’s Word. Look around us, the preaching you hear is it a dialogue or proclamation of the Word of God? Is it story telling or jokes or is it an authoritative proclamation of God’s Word? Let’s pray for the pastors to be bold in proclaiming the Word of God without hesitation.

“传道”原文的意思是“宣讲”圣经的话。仔细想想，今日教会的讲台是在“议论”还是在“宣告”圣经的信息？今天的讲台是在讲故事，讲笑话还是带着神的权柄传讲神的话呢？让我们为众教会的牧师祷告，求主给他们胆量来宣告圣经的教训，而不是讨人的欢心。

3. Jesus’ healing is an authentication of His Messiahship. Have you personally acknowledged Him as Son of God and savior of the world? Let’s thank Jesus for His work on the cross.

《马太福音》第一章叙述了大卫的皇室家谱以及耶稣由童女诞生，这证明了耶稣作王的凭据。在第二章中，博士们对耶稣的崇拜更加强了这一点。来到第三章，王者的先锋向我们传达了同样的信息。

1. The Messenger 耶稣的先锋 (3:1)

古时，先锋会在君王驾临之前向大众宣告这事，并确他的路程是安全的。基督耶稣的先锋就是施洗约翰。

2. The Message (3:2-4)

To prepare the people to receive their King, John preached the message of repentance. The Greek word for “repent” means more than regret or sorrow. It means to turn around, 180 degree change of direction. It does not denote any change but a change from the wrong to the right; from sin and to God.

为了预备犹太人迎接他们的王，施洗约翰传讲了悔改的信息。“悔改”的希腊文原意不仅是后悔或哀伤，更包含了180度的转变。这方向的改变是由邪归正，即脱离罪恶，归向基督。

3. The Ministry 先锋的信息 (3:5-6)

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. The central message John the Baptist preached is repentance from sins. Look around the churches today, what is the central message they preach? Are they preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ or are they preaching another gospel? Please pray for the genuine preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our churches today.

2. The word “repent” means about turn. It means we turn away from our way and turn toward God. Is there anything in your lives you need to turn away from? Let’s pray that God will search us, try us and lead us in His way (Ps. 139:23-24).

3. When the people heard the word of the Lord, they repented immediately. What about us? Let’s pray that we have a sensitive heart that we may hear and respond to the Lord swiftly.

加利利虽然在犹太人眼里是一文不值的，但主耶稣却选择在此地彰显祂的荣光。主耶稣也在这个地方召了他的门徒。

1. The King called the two brothers: Peter and Andrew 君王呼召两位兄弟：彼德与安德烈 (4:18-20)

耶稣在加利利海边行走时，看到两位兄弟彼得和安德烈，在海里撒网。他们虽然是渔夫，主耶稣却召他们离开地上的工作，要他们得人如得鱼。耶稣要他们用属灵的粮食喂养众人，不是肉体的食物。世人重视肉体的医治，却失去永恒的灵魂。耶稣召彼得与安德烈离开世俗的工作，展开光荣、永恒的事奉。

2. The King called another brothers: James and John 君王呼召另一对兄弟：雅各与约翰 (4:21-22)

Jesus saw another two brothers, James and John, mending their nets. And Jesus called them. They immediately left their boat and their father, and followed Jesus. Their resolution is exemplary. Jesus never wants us do something which He himself has not done. He Himself left His Heavenly Father and died on the cross said that whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. (Mat 10:37)

耶稣又看见一对兄弟，即雅各与约翰。他们在补网，耶稣便召了他们。他们立刻舍了船，别了父亲，跟从耶稣。他们坚定的意志是众人的榜样。主自己也离开天父，并死在十字架上，还说：“爱父母过于爱我的，不配作我的门徒；爱儿女过于爱我的，不配作我的门徒”（太10:37）。

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. We spend majority of our time feeding and taking care of the physical needs. How much time has we given to the care of the eternal wellbeing? Let’s not be so short sighted that we heal people’s physical bodies and lose their eternal souls. Jesus wants us to be fishers of men rather than fishermen. Let’s pray that we focus on what counts for eternity.

2. The responses of the disciples were amazing. They left their family and earthly vocation at once. On the contrary, when we are called upon to serve God, many of us struggle to obey. That speaks volume about our heart condition. Let’s pray that our eyes be opened that Jesus didn’t ask us to do something He Himself has not done. He simply asks us to follow his footsteps.

1. The King’s Herald Ended His Ministry 君王的先锋被拒 (4:12-16)

The rejection of the herald of the King signified the rejection of the King.  When Jesus heard of John’s arrest He withdrew into Galilee According to Isaiah it is known as the Galilee of the Gentiles. Galilee is most despised by the Jews and arguably this was the darkest place on earth.  It is precisely here that the Lord began His ministry. The darkest place is the place most needed the light. This is to fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy that the people who were sitting in darkness saw a great light, and to those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death, upon them a light dawned (Isa. 9:1–2).

2. The King Begins His Ministry 君王展开事工 (4:17)

The end of the herald’s work was the beginning of the King’s. Jesus began to preach “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

To turn from sin is to repent, to change one’s orientation, to turn around and seek a new way. Repent means a 180 degree change of direction of a person’s life. Since we are created by God we are not to live our own way but to live according to God’s way. To repent is to change from living for ourselves to living for God.  To repent is to turn away from sin and to turn toward holiness. The King had arrived, and the kingdom was near. Messiah’s time had come-to usher in the age of righteousness.

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. As Christians we loathe and despise the sinners of this world and it is precisely because of them that Jesus came into the world. Is there someone in your life that you need to reach out to with the gospel of Jesus Christ? Please start praying for them that you can be light and salt to them.

2. The word “repent” is a verb which describes an action. Are there sins in your life that you need to take actions to turn away from and righteousness you need pursue? Pray that God will help you do just that.