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John’s disciples and the new way
约翰的门徒和一条新路
In the middle of a busy day healing the sick and calling sinners to follow Him, Jesus is interrupted by the disciples of John the Baptist who have a question for Him about fasting. Fasting was a normal part of religious life. Pharisees did it, disciples of John the Baptist did it, but it was noted that the disciples of Jesus didn’t – they always seemed to be enjoying a good meal with Jesus! The disciples of John were not challenging Jesus, but they just didn’t quite understand.
在繁忙的医治病人和呼召罪人来跟随祂的间隙，耶稣被施洗约翰的门徒们拦下，问了祂一个关于禁食的问题。禁食本是宗教生活正常的一部分。法利赛人常常禁食，施洗约翰的门徒们也会禁食，但是耶稣的门徒却不这么做，他们似乎常与耶稣共享美食！约翰的门徒们并不是在挑战耶稣，而是他们的确不明白。
Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast. “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” Matthew 9:14-17 NIV
那时，约翰的门徒来见耶稣，说：“我们和法利赛人常常禁食，你的门徒倒不禁食，这是为什么呢？” 耶稣对他们说：“新郎和陪伴之人同在的时候，陪伴之人岂能哀恸呢？但日子将到，新郎要离开他们，那时候他们就要禁食。没有人把新布补在旧衣服上，因为所补上的反带坏了那衣服，破得就更大了；也没有人把新酒装在旧皮袋里，若是这样，皮袋就裂开，酒漏出来，连皮袋也坏了。惟独把新酒装在新皮袋里，两样就都保全了。” 马太福音 9:14-17
Jesus’ answer went beyond questioning a religious practice. He pointed them to a new way. With Jesus, we don’t just add a new thing to the old thing. He is a completely new thing. If you want to follow Jesus, you don’t just add Him on to your life. You can’t keep all of your old ways and habits and then think that just sewing a patch of Jesus on to your old life will make things better. It will actually make things worse, there will be such a stretching and tearing as the Jesus way conflicts with the old way.
耶稣的回答超越了对宗教仪式的质疑，祂把他们指向了一条新路。和耶稣一起，我们并不是把新的东西加在旧的上面。祂完完全全是新的。如果你想要跟随耶稣，你并不能只是把祂加在你的生命里。你不能保持你原有的方式或习惯，以为只要把耶稣像补丁一样缝在你的旧生命上就能让事情变得更好。这其实会让事情变得更糟，会因为耶稣的方式与旧方式的冲突而带来诸多的撕扯。
If you have ever moved to a new job, a new city, or a new country, you will have experienced this. You cannot go to the new place expecting it to be like the old place. You cannot follow your same routines, customs and schedule in the new place. You have to have a total restart. I have moved to different countries in my life and I have learned that it is not beneficial to hold on to the old ways of doing things in a new place. It will be frustrating, and it will be hard to fully embrace the new culture.
如果你曾换过新工作，搬到另一座城市或者别的国家，就会深有体会。你不能到了新地方却还期待着会和老地方一样，也不能在新地方遵从一样的章法、习惯、或是日程。你必须要有一个完全的重启。我一生中曾在不同的国家生活过，这让我学到在新的地方保持着原有的行事方法毫无益处，还可能令人沮丧，无法完全拥抱新的文化。
Jesus did not come to change the content of God’s law. He made that very clear. But the ways of living out the heart of the law were changing. He was calling people to walk away from empty religious practices and embrace heart practices. In the Sermon on the Mount, He gave a whole new approach to the law that was about the heart – loving and forgiving others. Being pure in thoughts and heart. Secretly giving to those in need and even fasting in secret. It was all about the heart and nothing about external religious rituals.
耶稣并不是来改变上帝律法的内容，这一点祂说的很清楚，但是活出律法心意的方式需要改变。祂呼召人们从空洞的宗教仪式里走出来，接纳心灵的操练。在登山宝训中，祂对律法提出了一个全新的方法，是关于心灵的 – 爱与原谅；要洁净心思意念；暗中施舍给有需要的人；甚至在暗中禁食。这些全部和心灵有关，和外在的宗教仪式无关。
Two impossible situations changed by faith in action
在行动中因信得翻转的两个绝境
Even while He was speaking, a religious leader came to Jesus in desperate need and incredible faith. His daughter had died, and he believed Jesus could do something about an impossible situation. While Jesus was on the way to visit this little girl, He was intercepted by another person who believed Jesus could do something about her impossible situation.
就在祂讲话的时候，一个宗教领袖来到耶稣的面前，迫切需要祂的帮助且信心极大。他的女儿刚刚过世了，他相信耶稣能够在这个绝境中有所作为。正当耶稣去看望他女儿的路上，祂被另一个身处绝境却同样相信耶稣能够有所作为的人拦下了。
While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples. Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment. When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. News of this spread through all that region. Matthew 9:18-26 NIV
耶稣说这话的时候，有一个管会堂的来拜他说：“我女儿刚才死了，求你去按手在她身上，她就必活了。” 耶稣便起来跟着他去，门徒也跟了去。有一个女人，患了十二年的血漏，来到耶稣背后，摸他的衣裳䍁子，因为她心里说：“我只摸他的衣裳，就必痊愈。” 耶稣转过来看见她，就说：“女儿，放心！你的信救了你。”从那时候，女人就痊愈了。耶稣到了管会堂的家里，看见有吹手，又有许多人乱嚷，众人既被撵出，耶稣就进去，拉着闺女的手，闺女便起来了。于是这风声传遍了那地方。 马太福音 9:18-26
The little girl was pronounced dead. The sick woman was pronounced uncurable. In a society that had little regard for women and children, Jesus remarkably (but not surprisingly) and immediately responded to the faith-filled call for help. The synagogue leader proclaimed his faith that Jesus touch the girl and live. The woman reached out her own hand in faith just to touch the edge of Jesus’ robe.
这个小女孩已经被宣告死亡了，血漏的妇人也被宣告不可痊愈。在一个并不重视女性和孩童的社会，耶稣不同寻常（却毫不意外）立即回应了充满信心的求助。管会堂的宣告了他的信心，只要耶稣按手在女孩身上，她就必活了。血漏的女人在信心中伸出了双手只为触摸耶稣的衣裳䍁子。
When there is no other answer, when all hope is gone, there is Jesus. Do you have faith for your impossible situation? Have you put your faith in action like the synagogue leader and the woman? The man did not sit at home and cry over his dead daughter’s bed. He knew Jesus was in town and he ran out the door to look for him. The sick woman didn’t just lie on her bed giving up on life, she heard Jesus was in town and she ran out onto the crowded street to touch the edge of His robe. Their faith was put to action.
当别无他法，所有的希望都消散时，还有耶稣。你对你所处的绝境有信心吗？你曾把信心付诸于行动就像管会堂的和血漏的妇人一样吗？这个男人没有在家坐着哀痛于女儿的过世。他知道耶稣在城里就冲出去找祂；血漏的妇人没有躺在床上放弃生命，她听见耶稣来了就跑去拥挤的街道只为了摸一下祂衣服的䍁子。他们把信心行出来了。
What can you do to put your faith into action today?
你今天可以做什么来把信心行出来？
After a very long day, Jesus finally makes it through the town to His destination and heads indoors. Maybe the disciples were looking forward to finally getting some peace and quiet after this incredibly busy and seemingly never-ending day jam-packed with needy people. But there was no rest to be had. As soon as they headed inside, two blind men burst in. They had been following Him on the street calling with loud voices and they had the courage (or gall) to follow Him inside.
在漫长的一天过后，耶稣终于穿过了这座城市到达了祂的目的地，进入室内。也许祂的门徒们希望在这难以置信的忙碌和似乎永无休止的被贫乏有求的人拥挤一天之后，期待着终于能有片刻安宁，然而并没有休息。他们一进到房间，两个瞎眼的人就冲了进来。他们在街道上就一路跟随耶稣并大声喊叫着，并且有勇气跟随祂进了房子。
As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they replied. Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region. Matthew 9:27-31 NIV
耶稣从那里往前走，有两个瞎子跟着他，喊叫说：“大卫的子孙，可怜我们吧！” 耶稣进了房子，瞎子就来到他跟前。耶稣说：“你们信我能作这事吗？”他们说：“主啊，我们信！” 耶稣就摸他们的眼睛，说：“照着你们的信给你们成全了吧！” 他们的眼睛就开了。耶稣切切地嘱咐他们说：“你们要小心，不可叫人知道。” 他们出去，竟把他的名声传遍了那地方。 马太福音 9:27-31
Jesus had one question for them. Did they believe? And then He said something that should shake us a little on the inside: “According to your faith let it be done to you.” According to your faith! The implication is that Jesus’ miraculous work in your life is affected by your faith.
耶稣问了他们一个问题。他们信吗？接着祂说了一句也许会对我们内心有所震动的话：“照着你们的信给你们成全了吧。” 照着你们的信！这也就意味着耶稣在你生命中奇妙的作为是受你的信心所影响。
As these two previously blind men launch out on to the street with no ability to contain their good news, still others come in the door. The day finally ends with a demon-possessed man who is set free.
当这两个本来瞎眼的人来到街道上，完全无法抑制要分享这个好消息时，依旧有人来到门前，这一天终于结束了，一个被鬼所附的男人得了自由。
While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.” Matthew 9:32-34 NIV
他们出去的时候，有人将鬼所附的一个哑巴带到耶稣跟前来。鬼被赶出去，哑巴就说出话来。众人都希奇说：“在以色列中，从来没有见过这样的事。” 法利赛人却说：“他是靠着鬼王赶鬼。” 马太福音 9:32-34
It was a faith-filled friend or relative that led this hopeless man to Jesus and just like that, the man’s life was changed. Once again opinions on Jesus were divided between those who had faith (they were amazed!) and those who had no faith (they were ridiculously critical.)
一个被信充满的朋友或是亲戚把这个绝望的人带到耶稣面前，就这样，这个男人的生命被改变了。对耶稣的看法又一次出现了分岐，有信心的人（他们惊奇！）和没有信心的人（他们荒谬批判）。
When we stand on the side of faith with Jesus, we see His power move in impossible situations, and we are amazed. When we let go of faith, we become critical of others and sadly miss God’s power in our lives. Faith is the key. When Jesus saw faith, He was moved to act. When there was no faith, He could only move on to those who would believe.
当我们在信心中与耶稣同行时，我们看到祂的能力在绝境中施展，我们感到惊奇。当我们放弃信心，对他人开始批判，就很可悲得失去了神在我们生命中的大能大力。信心就是关键。当耶稣看到信心，祂忍不住就会行动；当没有信心时，祂只转去那些相信的人。
The chapter ends with Jesus’ summary of these busy days: He compassionately saw the massive amount of needy people and told His disciples to ask the Lord to send more workers into the harvest.
这一章结束于耶稣对这繁忙一日的总结：祂满有怜悯地看到了众多贫乏的人，并且告诉祂的门徒要求主打发更多的工人出去收庄稼。
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:35-38 NIV
耶稣走遍各城各乡，在会堂里教训人，宣讲天国的福音，又医治各样的病症。他看见许多的人，就怜悯他们，因为他们困苦流离，如同羊没有牧人一般。于是对门徒说：“要收的庄稼多，作工的人少。所以你们当求庄稼的主，打发工人出去收他的庄稼。” 马太福音 9:35-38
Have you answered Jesus’ call to follow Him? Have you left the old behind and embraced the new life with Jesus? With faith, Jesus will lead you to the sick and the sinner in this desperately needy world. Will you be the worker in the harvest field today? Are you going with faith and compassion to meet these needs with the love of Jesus?
你有没有回应过耶稣来跟随祂的呼召？你有没有放下老我开始迎接与耶稣一起的新生命？带着信心，耶稣会在这个极其贫瘠的世界里带你去到病人和罪人的身边，你今天会成为庄稼地里的工人吗？你会带着信心和怜悯在耶稣的爱里去见那些贫乏的人吗？
