An honest question | 诚实的疑问

Is it ok to question God?
真的可以质问神吗?

An honest question
诚实的疑问

After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
Matthew 11:1-3 NIV

耶稣吩咐完了十二个门徒，就离开那里，往各城去传道教训人。约翰在监里听见基督所作的事，就打发两个门徒去，问他说：“那将要来的是你吗？还是我们等候别人呢？”
马太福音11:1-3

John the Baptist was the fearless forerunner of Jesus Christ. He was the eccentric spiritual superstar preaching in the wilderness that absolutely everyone wanted to hear. His call to prepare the way for the Messiah was a simple and clear message heard by everyone that came out to the wilderness to see him: “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” He preached to all levels in society. The high, the low, the religious, the political. He was bold and didn’t adjust his message for anyone. He knew what his calling was and when Jesus walked up to him, he knew exactly who Jesus was and pointed Him out to everyone: the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. John also knew exactly who he was: a voice in the wilderness not worthy to untie Jesus’ sandals. His position in Christ was to become less so Jesus could become greater. He was even willing to relinquish his own disciples to become followers of Jesus.

施洗约翰是先驱，祂跟随耶稣，毫无惧怕。他是另类的属灵巨星，所有人都想听他在旷野里的讲道。他的呼召就是为弥赛亚预备道路，所有跟随他到旷野的人都听到了这个简单明了的信息：“你们要悔改，因为天国近了”。 他对社会各个阶层的人宣讲，无论出身高低，是宗教人士还是官员。他大胆宣扬，从不为了迎合任何人而更改宣讲的信息。他知道自己的呼召，当耶稣走近他时，他清楚知道耶稣是谁，并且乐意将他指给众人知晓：神的羔羊，除去世人的罪孽的！约翰也非常明白他自己是谁：旷野里的呼声，给耶稣解鞋带也不配。他在基督里的位置，就是他必衰微，耶稣必兴旺。他甚至非常乐意他自己的门徒转而去跟随耶稣。

His bold preaching and calling came at a price. He found himself in prison. No longer was he in the open country baptizing people and freely living out his calling. He was now in a prison cell. His mission thwarted. At this dark moment in John’s life, he sent out a message from the depths of his imprisonment to the only person who could alleviate his suffering. He sent the one sentence message to Jesus in the form of a question: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

他大胆的宣讲和呼召也使他付出了代价。他被关进了监狱，他再也不能公开在村庄里给人施洗，也不能自由地履行他的呼召。现在他身陷牢狱，使命受重挫 。就在约翰的人生最黑暗的时候，只有耶稣能减轻他的痛苦，他托人问了耶稣一个问题，只有简单一句话：“那将要来的是你么、还是我们等候别人呢？”

Why did John ask such a question? We can only speculate. Did he need assurance in this dark night of the soul? Was he losing touch with what God was doing and wanted to reconnect with Jesus to hear just one more time the truth directly from Him? Was he fearful that he was no longer present to guide his disciples and wanted to ensure they were on the right path following Jesus? Or was he honestly second guessing his statement that Jesus must become greater and John must become less?

约翰为什么会问这个问题？我们只能猜测。是他在心里最黑暗的时候需要一个确据？或是他无法得知上帝正在行使的大工，因此想要与耶稣再次联结，再一次直接听到他对自己说话？又或是他担心再也不能直接带领自己的门徒，因此想确保门徒们走在跟随耶稣的正确道路上？再或者就是他确实对自己之前说的话心有疑虑，真的是耶稣必兴旺，他必衰微吗？

In any case, John was calling out from confinement in prison and all he wanted to know was: is Jesus really the Messiah? There are times in life when we feel like John in the wilderness. Full of God’s power and boldness and a clear idea of the calling on our lives. With full confidence we declare Jesus as the Savior of the world and have no doubts. But then there are times when we are in the complete darkness and overwhelmed with uncertainty just as John was in prison. We need some reassurance. In those dark times, is it ok to ask Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come?”

无论是哪种情况，约翰被监禁的时候曾如此呼喊，他只想知道一件事情，那就是耶稣真的是弥赛亚吗？我们的人生也有很多次像在旷野的约翰一样，那时我们充满从神来的力量和勇气，也清楚知道自己生命的呼召。我们会凭着信心宣告耶稣就是世界的救主，对此毫无疑惑。但也有很多时候，我们处在完全的黑暗中，周遭充满了不确定性，就像身处监狱的约翰。我们需要确据。在如此黑暗的时刻，是否可以问耶稣，“那将要来的是你吗？”

Jesus did not rebuke John for his question. Jesus was very sensitive to people who had no faith and often called them out on their unbelief. This was not the case with John. In fact, the opposite happened. Jesus affirmed who He was and then commended John as a great man.

耶稣并没有因为约翰的问题而谴责他。耶稣对那些没有信心的人非常敏锐，并且经常会指出他们的不信。但他并没有如此待约翰。事实上相反，耶稣肯定了他自己的身份，并且称赞约翰是伟大的人。

Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: “ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
Matthew 11:4-15 NIV

耶稣回答说：“你们去，把所听见、所看见的事告诉约翰。就是瞎子看见，瘸子行走，长大麻风的洁净，聋子听见，死人复活，穷人有福音传给他们。凡不因我跌倒的就有福了。”他们走的时候，耶稣就对众人讲论约翰说：“你们从前出到旷野是要看什么呢？要看风吹动的芦苇吗？你们出去到底是要看什么？要看穿细软衣服的人吗？那穿细软衣服的人是在王宫里。你们出去究竟是为什么？是要看先知吗？我告诉你们：是的，他比先知大多了。经上记着说：‘我要差遣我的使者在你前面预备道路。’所说的就是这个人。我实在告诉你们：凡妇人所生的，没有一个兴起来大过施洗约翰的；然而天国里最小的比他还大。从施洗约翰的时候到如今，天国是努力进入的，努力的人就得着了。因为众先知和律法说预言，到约翰为止。你们若肯领受，这人就是那应当来的以利亚。有耳可听的，就应当听。
马太福音11:4-15

‭Jesus’ answer to John found in the scriptures and the works of God‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬
‬‬‬耶稣用经文回答约翰，述说神的工‬

Jesus answered John’s question by asking the disciples and John to answer for themselves. In effect He said, “Look at the evidence, what do you see?” He reminded them of the prophesy in Isaiah about the works the Messiah would do. Jesus had proclaimed this missional prophecy in Isaiah as His own mission statement.

耶稣如此回答约翰，他问约翰和门徒们问题，让他们自己寻找答案。实际上耶稣在说：“看看这些证据，你们发现了什么？”他提到先知以赛亚书中的预言，预言论及弥赛亚将要成就的大工。耶稣宣告以赛亚书中的这段预言，把它作为自己的使命宣言。

He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Luke 4:16-21 NIV

耶稣来到拿撒勒，就是他长大的地方。在安息日，照他平常的规矩进了会堂，站起来要念圣经。有人把先知以赛亚的书交给他，他就打开，找到一处写着说“主的灵在我身上，因为他用膏膏我，叫我传福音给贫穷的人；差遣我报告：被掳的得释放，瞎眼的得看见，叫那受压制的得自由，报告神悦纳人的禧年。”于是把书卷起来，交还执事，就坐下。会堂里的人都定睛看他。耶稣对他们说：“今天这经应验在你们耳中了。”
路加福音4:16-21

‭‭John was hidden away in prison and he did not have the joy of seeing the miraculous works of Jesus firsthand. So Jesus instructed John’s disciples to return to John with the great news of lives being changed. Jesus also reminded John of what the scriptures had to say about the Messiah. ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

约翰那时被下在监里，没有亲眼目睹耶稣彰显神迹时的喜乐。因此耶稣让约翰的门徒回去告诉约翰生命被改变这样的大好消息。同时他也提醒约翰经上论及弥赛亚的经文。

In our dark moments, let’s look for the work of Jesus Christ around us. When we are feeling alone, confused and distant from God, look for His presence. Ask God to show you evidence of His power in your life and the world around you. Don’t forget to open up the pages of your Bible to read about who God is and the promises He makes in His Word.
当我们身处黑暗时，要留心查看耶稣在我们周围的做工。当我们感到孤独迷茫远离神的时候，要寻求他的同在。可以求神彰显他的大能在你生活中以及周围世界中的证据。也不要忘记打开圣经，去阅读上帝是谁以及他在圣经中给我们的应许。

Jesus commends John
耶稣赞扬约翰

Jesus does not look down on John for his moment of questioning but rather commends him to the crowd. After answering John’s question, Jesus goes on to speak of the greatness of John.
耶稣并未在约翰有疑问的时候小看他，反而他向众人称赞约翰。回答完约翰的问题后，耶稣继续论说约翰可贵之处。

Jesus condemns the nay-sayers and unrepentant
耶稣谴责不信和不悔改之人

“To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: “ ‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.” Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
Matthew 11:16-24 NIV

我可用什么比这世代呢？好像孩童坐在街市上招呼同伴，说：‘我们向你们吹笛，你们不跳舞；我们向你们举哀，你们不捶胸。’约翰来了，也不吃，也不喝，人就说他是被鬼附着的；人子来了，也吃也喝，人又说他是贪食好酒的人，是税吏和罪人的朋友。但智慧之子，总以智慧为是（有古卷作“但智慧在行为上就显为是”）。”耶稣在诸城中行了许多异能，那些城的人终不悔改，就在那时候责备他们说：“哥拉汛哪，你有祸了！伯赛大啊，你有祸了！因为在你们中间所行的异能，若行在推罗、西顿，他们早已披麻蒙灰悔改了。但我告诉你们，当审判的日子，推罗、西顿所受的比你们还容易受呢！迦百农啊，你已经升到天上（或作“你将要升到天上吗？”），将来必坠落阴间，因为在你那里所行的异能，若行在所多玛，它还可以存到今日。但我告诉你们：当审判的日子，所多玛所受的比你还容易受呢！”
马太福音11:16-24

Jesus then speaks against two groups of people: 1. The religious ones who were against John and Jesus no matter what and 2. unrepentant cities. Over and over in the gospels, Jesus calls out religious pride that leads to unbelief (such as in the religious leaders) and an unrepentant heart (as seen in cities like Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum). These two characteristics of unbelief and unrepentance will stop you from drawing near to Jesus and receiving from Him.
耶稣批评了两种人：1，是无论如何都要拒绝约翰和耶稣的宗教人士,2，不悔改的城市。在福音书中，耶稣一次又一次地谴责导致不信的、宗教上的骄傲（例如那些宗教领袖）和拒绝悔改的心（如同哥拉洵、伯赛大和迦百农城）。这两种性质的不信和拒绝悔改会阻碍我们亲近耶稣和接受他。

Jesus revealed to the humble heart
耶稣向谦卑的人启示自己

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:25-30 NIV

那时，耶稣说：“父啊，天地的主，我感谢你！因为你将这些事向聪明通达人就藏起来，向婴孩就显出来。父啊，是的，因为你的美意本是如此。一切所有的，都是我父交付我的。除了父，没有人知道子；除了子和子所愿意指示的，没有人知道父。凡劳苦担重担的人，可以到我这里来，我就使你们得安息。我心里柔和谦卑，你们当负我的轭，学我的样式，这样，你们心里就必得享安息。因为我的轭是容易的，我的担子是轻省的。”
马太福音11:25-30

Who is the person who will know Jesus and receive from Him? It is the person who comes to God like a child. When we are humble as a child, the Lord will reveal His truths to us. And the one who comes to Jesus in need will receive rest.
那些认识耶稣并且接受他的是谁呢？正是那些像孩童一样来到耶稣面前的人。当我们像孩童一样谦卑时，主会将他的真理向我们显明。带着需要来到耶稣那里的人会得到平安。
It seems that John the Baptist was one who was seeking Jesus like a child and in need of rest. The religious leaders and those rejecting Jesus on the other hand would miss the revelation of who Jesus is and miss the rest that He offers.
施洗约翰似乎就如孩童一样寻找耶稣，寻求安息。那些宗教领导和拒绝耶稣的人则会错过耶稣是谁的启示，会错过耶稣赐下的安息。

Come to Jesus
就近耶稣

When you find yourself in a dark moment, seek Jesus like John the Baptist did. Look for the work of God in your life and look into the Holy Scriptures to remind yourself of the truth of Jesus. Remain humble before God and He will reveal Jesus to you and give you the rest you need in your difficult place.

当你发觉自己处在黑暗中时，请像施洗约翰一样去寻求耶稣。查看上帝在你生命中的工作，并且查考圣经，时常知晓耶稣的真理。时刻谦卑在神面前，他会将耶稣启示给你，会在你经历困难之时赐给你安息。