Home昔日真理報2014年 真理報文章2014 年 9 月【開卷有益】 權力選擇,行善行惡

【開卷有益】 權力選擇,行善行惡

 

book耶穌的受死和復活在聖經四福音的記述中佔據著一個極重要的位置。四本福音書的作者都巨細無遺地描寫了耶穌受死和復活前後一切事情發生的經過、牽涉人物之間的對話,甚至旁觀者的反應。只要把四本福音書有關耶穌受死和復活的故事反覆閱讀,就能夠得出一個完整的圖畫,瞭解每一個細節的實況。

英國杜克神學院(Duke Divinity School)基督教倫理學研究教授塞繆爾.韋爾斯(Samuel Wells)以學者的態度仔細研讀所有福音書的經文,選取了六個相關的人物,透過他們的說話、舉動和回應,竟然引起極深的震撼和反省。寫成了《權力與激情-六個追尋復活的人物》(Power and Passion-Six Characters in Search of Resurrection)。

作者生動地描繪圍繞著耶穌釘十字架和復活期間所發生的事,讓讀者清楚看到本丟.彼拉多和巴拉巴的軟弱、亞利馬太人約瑟和尼哥德慕那種會妥協的性格,又發現彼拉多妻子那種不易察覺的權力,更會在彼得和抹大拉馬利亞身上清楚看到復活產生真正的轉化,帶來饒恕並終結死亡的桎梏。

在耶穌接受審訊的過程中,當時的羅馬總督(福音書譯作巡撫)本丟.彼拉多扮演著重要的角色。身為羅馬帝國的高級官員,較一般平民百姓擁有更多的權力,但權力是一份恩賜,主要用來按公正公義審理案件,給予人們自由。明顯地,彼拉多沒有善用這份來自上帝的恩賜,公開洗手表明無辜,也洗脫不了他的懦弱與無能。只要他盲目地忠於羅馬政府,他便得到他想要的財富、地位和權力。

耶穌站在彼拉多面前,不亢不卑地宣告自己就是猶太人的王。可是,祂並非當時統治者心目中傳統的君王。祂顛覆羅馬人的假設,他們認為財富、地位和權力是至高無上的。祂不需要財富,天父所創造的世界,豐盛得教人目瞠舌結,即使所羅門王最鼎盛的時候所穿戴的,還不如野地裡的一朵百合花。祂教訓人說:「你們要免去一切的貪心,因為人的生命不在乎家道豐富。」祂指出一個人只要相信上帝,他的需用是上帝知道的,祂必然慷慨供應祂的兒女。

祂徹底推翻了世俗對地位傳統的觀念,祂說:外邦人有君王治理他們,只是在你們中間誰願為大,就必作你們的用人;誰願為首,就必作你們的僕人。正如人子來,不是要受人的服事,乃是要服事人。

祂也不需要權力,羅馬政府是用強大的軍事力量來攫取統治人民的權力,然而祂是騎著驢,溫柔地踏著鋪上棕樹枝的路進入耶路撒冷;而不是騎著馬、帶著武器和軍隊,以叛亂者的姿態自稱為王。因為耶穌的國度根本不屬於這個世界。

彼拉多對耶穌說:「豈不知我有權柄釋放你,也有權柄把你釘十字架嗎?」彼拉多運用他的權柄,選擇做了一個違背良心的決定;然而耶穌卻使用祂的權柄,選擇捨棄自己的生命,挽回千萬人失喪的心靈。他說:「沒有人奪我的命去,是我自己捨的。我有權柄捨了,也有權柄取回來。」

祂以生命作為代價,對權力的運用賦與全新的意義,又再一次顛覆人們對於權力的執著。

雖然,我們不像彼拉多位高權重,可以操控別人的生死,但在我們日常接觸的範圍裡,所擁有的權力,往往超過我們的想像。即使平凡如一個家庭主婦,也可以運用她的權力,為家人選擇日常飲食和生活方式、安排子女的活動、計劃全家旅行、決定添置家具、使用金錢的理念等;在工作場所的員工也可以自己決定用那一種態度面對他的工作、同事、顧客、供應商和同業。作為管理階層,更加有權力去影響別人、幫助別人、造福社群,還是只維護自己的利益。

在耶穌和彼拉多身上,我們看到兩種截然不同行使權力的方式,但願每當我們有權作出選擇和決定的時候,少從自己的利益、地位和聲望出發,多想到別人的福祉,引導我們身處的群體走向更美善、更健康的方向。

 

      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

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