4 月 12 日 预苦期第五周 星期六

(官佰佺荣誉会督 神恩堂)

经文-约翰福音 10:19-42

19 犹太人为这些话又起了纷争。 20 内中有好些人说：“他是被鬼附着，而且疯了！为什么听他呢？” 21 又有人说：“这不是鬼附之人所说的话。鬼岂能叫瞎子的眼睛开了呢？”

22 在耶路撒冷有修殿节，是冬天的时候。 23 耶稣在殿里所罗门的廊下行走。 24 犹太人围着他，说：“你叫我们犹疑不定到几时呢？你若是基督，就明明地告诉我们。” 25 耶稣回答说：“我已经告诉你们，你们不信。我奉我父之名所行的事可以为我作见证， 26 只是你们不信，因为你们不是我的羊。 27 我的羊听我的声音，我也认识他们，他们也跟着我。 28 我又赐给他们永生，他们永不灭亡，谁也不能从我手里把他们夺去。 29 我父把羊赐给我，他比万有都大，谁也不能从我父手里把他们夺去。

30 “我与父原为一。” 31 犹太人又拿起石头来要打他。 32 耶稣对他们说：“我从父显出许多善事给你们看，你们是为哪一件拿石头打我呢？” 33 犹太人回答说：“我们不是为善事拿石头打你，是为你说僭妄的话；又为你是个人，反将自己当做神。” 34 耶稣说：“你们的律法上岂不是写着‘我曾说你们是神’吗？ 35 经上的话是不能废的。若那些承受神道的人尚且称为神， 36 父所分别为圣又差到世间来的，他自称是神的儿子，你们还向他说‘你说僭妄的话’吗？ 37 我若不行我父的事，你们就不必信我。 38 我若行了，你们纵然不信我，也当信这些事，叫你们又知道又明白：父在我里面，我也在父里面。” 39 他们又要拿他，他却逃出他们的手走了。

40 耶稣又往约旦河外去，到了约翰起初施洗的地方，就住在那里。 41 有许多人来到他那里，他们说：“约翰一件神迹没行过，但约翰指着这人所说的一切话是真的。” 42 在那里信耶稣的人就多了。

经文反思

在约翰福音 10：19-42 中，我们目睹了耶稣与犹太宗教领袖之间日益加深的分歧。尽管耶稣谆谆教诲并行神迹，他们却拒绝相信，任由自己刚硬的心拒绝真理。随着圣周的临近，我们反思这一悖论：耶稣是爱和真理的化身，却遭到仇恨和敌视。人们为什么拒绝他？答案在于他们的骄傲和灵性的盲目。宗教领袖们认为耶稣是对他们权威的威胁，而不是上帝应许的实现。然而，面对他们的反对，耶稣仍然坚定地宣告自己的神圣身份，邀请所有人相信他。他的作为见证了天父的存在，但人们却选择让他沉默，而不是聆听。

这段经文挑战我们审视自己的内心--我们是否真正向基督敞开心扉，因为他不仅是客观真理，也是主观真理。让我们不要抗拒他在我们生命中的声音。当我们迈向耶稣受难日和复活主日时，愿我们拥抱他所赐予的爱和救赎，而不是像他那个时代的宗教领袖一样，试图 “杀死信使”。

祷告

天父，求您帮助我们放下仇恨的 “石头”，拥抱站在我们面前的您的儿子。教导我们在呼救者身上看到祂的面容。用怜悯和爱充满我们的心。愿我们在您神圣的爱的力量下，去服务、拥抱和提升那些需要帮助和受压迫的人。我们通过我们的主耶稣基督祈祷，在圣灵的合一中，合而为一的上帝，直到永永远远。阿门。

应用

耶稣让我们在世界上认识他，这在今天和当时一样重要。祂呼召我们超越自我，伸出爱与怜悯的双手，在日常生活中体现祂的同在。当我们说出治愈的话语、给予宽恕或做出仁慈的举动时，我们就在继续他的工作，让他的爱在世界上显现。然而，就像在耶稣的时代一样，人心也会变得刚硬，他的真理也会被忽视。这段经文挑战我们敞开心扉，倾听他的声音，并在行动中积极践行他的爱。

12 April The Saturday in the Fifth Week of Lent

(Bishop Emeritus Rev James Kwang Immanuel Methodist Church)

Scripture - John 10:19-42

19 The Jews who heard these words were again divided. 20 Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?” 21 But others said, “These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

22 Then came the Festival of Dedication[a] at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all]; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” 31 Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, 32 but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” 33 “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.” 34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods”’? 35 If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside— 36 what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? 37 Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. 38 But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” 39 Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp. 40 Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. There he stayed, 41 and many people came to him. They said, “Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.” 42 And in that place many believed in Jesus.

Reflections on the Scripture

In John 10:19-42, we witness the growing divide between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders. Despite his teachings and miraculous works, they refuse to believe, allowing their hardened hearts to reject the truth. As Holy Week approaches, we reflect on this paradox: Jesus, the embodiment of love and truth, is met with hatred and hostility. Why do people reject him? The answer lies in their pride, and spiritual blindness. The religious leaders saw Jesus as a threat to their authority rather than the fulfilment of God’s promise. Yet, in the face of their opposition, Jesus remains steadfast, proclaiming his divine identity and inviting all to believe in him. His works bear witness to the Father, yet the people choose to silence him rather than listen.

This passage challenges us to examine our own hearts—are we truly open to Christ as not only the objective truth, but he is also the subjective truth. Let’s not resist his voice in our lives. As we journey towards Good Friday and the Resurrection Sunday, may we embrace the love and salvation he offers, rather than turning away like those religious leaders of His days who sought to "kill the messenger."

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help us to lay down the ‘stones’ of hatred and embrace Your Son, who stands before us. Teach us to see His face in those who cry out for help. Fill our hearts with compassion and love. May we go forth to serve, embrace, and uplift the needy and oppressed, empowered by Your divine love. We pray through Jesus Christ, our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Application

Jesus offers to recognize him in the world is just as relevant today as it was then. He calls us to go beyond ourselves, to reach out in love and compassion, and to embody his presence in our daily lives. When we speak words of healing, offer forgiveness, or perform acts of kindness, we continue his work, making his love visible in the world. Yet, just as in Jesus’ time, hearts can be hardened, and his truth can be ignored. This passage challenges us to open our hearts, listen to his voice, and actively live out his love in our actions.