Home昔日真理報2013年 真理報文章2013 年 1 月【信徒本色】如何能將冷酷的十字架轉變為柔和輕省的軛

【信徒本色】如何能將冷酷的十字架轉變為柔和輕省的軛

 

十字架是冷酷的、殘忍的、恐怖的、恥辱的刑具,我曾訪問一個猶太人在海法的禮拜堂,環目四顧,卻找不到一個十字架。時至今日,猶太人仍以十字架為辱恥的象徵,雖然接受了耶穌為救主,但對十字架仍避而遠之。相反地,在基督教的教堂內外,到處都是十字架,而且還將之藝術化,變化成為各種造型;今天更有許多人將十字架當作裝飾品,我遇到一個胸前佩掛著綠色翠玉十字架的女士,問她是否基督徒,回答不是,僅為飾品。將一個恐怖的刑具當作飾品,實在匪夷所思。

基督徒對十字架的看法,一般都將它推遠了,美化了,聖化了,甚至轉移為崇拜的對象;是另一種不當的看法。信徒應崇拜的是釘在十字架上的基督,而非十字架。保羅的「十架神學」是奠基於「因為定了主意,在你們中間,不知道別的,只知道耶穌,並祂釘十字架。」(哥林多前書二2)他講的「十架神學」並不是十字架,而是釘十字架的耶穌。

十字架的象徵為何?是死亡,且是痛苦羞辱的死亡。近代神學家潘霍華說基督要我們跟從祂,就是要跟從者去死,說對了,也言重了;讓信者都嚇了一跳,幾乎要退避三舍了。至於耶穌對門徒說的:「若有人要跟從我,就當捨己,背起他的十字架來跟從我。」(馬太福音十六24)門徒姑且聽之,但能免則免,萬一不能免,只有求主憐憫,車到山前總有路;這樣嚴重的事情,最好暫時擱置一下,十字架應專屬基督,這個議題,往後推一推再說吧。

十字架讓人望之生畏,敬而遠之,因為十字架所具體代表的就是罪惡與死亡;基督要門徒去背上自己的十字架,是要叫他們去死嗎?基都既在十字架上完成了救贖,信奉祂的門徒已不在刑罰之下,而是福音恩典之下了。冷酷死亡的十字架已由主一人擔當了,勞苦的重擔也已由基督一人背負了,門徒只要接受基督為救主,便應可以在基督的十字架下安息了。基督鄭重地告訴門徒:「凡勞苦擔重擔的人可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。 我心裡柔和謙卑,你們當負我的軛,學我的樣式;這樣,你們心裡就必得享安息。因為我的軛是容易的,我的擔子是輕省的。」(馬太福音十一28-30)

基督講的這個「軛」又是什麼呢?「軛」是牛或驢負在背上可以拉動犁或車的套具,是要努力拉動的工具,也是要付上相當勞力的一種責任與事工,而一個重生得救的信徒,傳福音的責任便應自動付出,這種擔當是不是會成為「勞苦的重擔」,但「容易而輕省的軛」,便要視擔當者是否能完全信靠主;我們自己獨力背負,便會感到勞苦,若能謙卑順服來到主前,求主施恩與我們一同背負,便會感到容易輕省,且能享受安息。

基督在這兩段經文中所顯示的教訓:首先是要有一個基督徒正確的價值觀,在捨與得之間,必須要界定世界與永生的分野;人若不能捨去屬世的一切,便根本與永生無分;當然談不上會跟從主;人若能正確釐定生命的價值;捨己、跟從主與背負十架便都不是問題;當人在尚未正確認定生命價值時,背負十架會是痛苦的,是勞苦的重擔,自然寸步難行;舉步維艱,但一旦能認清生命的真義,作出正確的抉擇,便會看世上的萬事如糞土,背起十架來便會輕省了;心中也會柔和謙卑如基督一樣。以保羅為例,他世上的生命結束在監牢中,但心中卻能柔和謙卑,進而感到喜樂無比(腓立比書四4)。人在監牢中既失去自由,又生活困頓,何喜樂之有?但保羅卻能在牢中寫下給腓立比教會的喜樂書信,保羅所背負的這個「軛」,正是耶穌所背負的軛。

十字架是否能由冷酷轉輕省,僅繫於一念之間,這一念就是要正確體認生命的價值;那嗎,讓我們想一想我們所背負的是哪一種軛呢?

 

      聖經金句 (Bible Verses)

喜樂 Joy

喜樂的心乃是良藥;憂傷的靈使骨枯乾。箴言 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

然而,我要因耶和華歡欣,因救我的 神喜樂。哈巴谷書 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

要常常喜樂,不住的禱告,凡事謝恩。帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

饒恕 Forgiveness

主啊,你本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告你的人。詩篇 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

你不要說:“我要以惡報惡”;要等候耶和華,他必拯救你。箴言 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 6:14

你們饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯;馬太福音 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

你們不饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。馬太福音 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄,我天父也要這樣待你們了。馬太福音 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:35

謙卑 Humility

敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨;尊榮以前,必有謙卑。箴言 15:33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

敬畏耶和華心存謙卑,就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。箴言 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

凡事不可結黨,不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀;只要存心謙卑,各人看別人比自己強。腓立比書 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

驕傲 Pride

驕傲來,羞恥也來;謙遜人卻有智慧。箴言 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

驕傲只啟爭競;聽勸言的,卻有智慧。箴言 13:10
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Proverbs 13:10

驕傲在敗壞以先;狂心在跌倒之前。箴言 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

忍耐 Patience

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

並且你們要為我的名,被眾人恨惡,惟有忍耐到底的,必然得救。馬可福音 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

不但如此,就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3

我們行善,不可喪志;若不灰心,到了時候就要收成加拉太書 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

你們也當忍耐,堅固你們的心,因為主來的日子近了。雅各書 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8

溫柔 Meekness

回答柔和,使怒消退;言語暴戾,觸動怒氣。箴言 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

溫柔的人有福了,因為他們必承受地土。馬太福音 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人;或者 神給他們悔改的心,可以明白真道。提摩太後書 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

只要以裡面存著長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾;這在 神面前是極寶貴的。彼得前書 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

嫉妒 Envy

不要為作惡的心懷不平,也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。詩篇 37:1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

心中安靜是肉體的生命;嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。箴言 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

在何處有嫉妒、紛爭,就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。雅各書 3:16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

生氣 Anger

當止住怒氣,離棄忿怒;不要心懷不平,以致作惡。詩篇 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

好生氣的人,不可與他結交;暴怒的人,不可與他來往。箴言 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Proverbs 22:24

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

生氣卻不要犯罪.不可含怒到日落。以弗所書 4:26
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

我親愛的弟兄們,這是你們所知道的,但你們各人要快快的聽,慢慢的說,慢慢的動怒,因為人的怒氣並不成就 神的義。雅各書 1:19,20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19,20

災難 Calamity

謹守口與舌的、就保守自己免受災難。箴言 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

民要攻打民、國要攻打國、多處必有地震、饑荒.這都是災難的起頭。馬可福音 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8

憂愁 Worry

你們不要憂愁、因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是你們的力量。尼希米記 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

主雖使人憂愁, 還要照他諸般的慈愛發憐憫。耶利米哀歌 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

凡勞苦擔重擔的人,可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。馬太福音 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

我留下平安給你們、我將我的平安賜給你們.我所賜的、不像世人所賜的.你們心裏不要憂愁、也不要膽怯。約翰福音 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

應當一無掛慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝,將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安,必在基督耶穌裡,保守你們的心懷意念。腓立比書 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

因此, 你們是大有喜樂, 但如今, 在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁。彼得前書 1:6
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

患難 Trouble, Suffering

義人多有苦難,但耶和華救他脫離這一切。詩篇 34:19
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

神是我們的避難所,是我們的力量,是我們在患難中隨時的幫助!詩篇 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

耶和華本為善,在患難的日子為人的保障,並且認得那些投靠他的人。那鴻書 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

為義受逼迫的人有福了,因為天國是他們的。馬太福音 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

不但如此,就是在患難中,也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

我想現在的苦楚,若比將來要顯於我們的榮耀,就不足介意了。羅馬書 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

因為你們蒙恩,不但得以信服基督,並要為他受苦。腓立比書 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians 1:29

Go to top