Home昔日真理報2016年 真理報文章2016 年 1 月【牧者抒懷】新年的盼望:在主裏!

【牧者抒懷】新年的盼望:在主裏!

 

hope-1有一個美國著名小說家,筆名是奧亨利(O. Henry,1862-1910)。他的短篇小說《最後一葉》(The Last Leaf)最為我們熟悉,被改編成為電影、舞台劇,甚至小朋友睡前要聽的故事。

故事發生在二十世紀初紐約的格林威治村(Greenwich Village),患肺結核的女孩 Johnsy 與朋友 Sue,兩人都熱愛藝術,所以一同租住一個單位。樓下住了一個失意的老畫家 Behrman,他總是盼望有一天可以畫出一幅永垂不朽的自己的代表作。Johnsy 與 Sue 常常照顧老畫家,自從 Johnsy 病了之後無法下床,只能望著窗外的一棵樹數算日子。醫生說,肺結核這個病有賴病人的意志力去克服,一旦失去求生意志就一定會死。Sue 只見 Johnsy 喃喃自語,天天數著樹葉。Johnsy 告訴 Sue,當冬天樹葉都落光了,在最後一片樹葉凋落之後,她的生命也可以結束了。

果然隨著天氣漸冷,Johnsy 望著落葉繽紛,感傷地說:希望能看到最後一片落葉她就了無遺憾。沒想到大風雪的夜晚,最後一片葉子不但沒有落下,還一直保留嫩綠,這片葉子點燃起了 Johnsy 的求生慾望,陪她渡過冬天,身體漸漸康復。但她卻聽說 Behrman 先生死了。

後來,Sue 告訴她,大風雪前一晚,Behrman 畫了一片葉子在牆上,自己卻得了肺炎,病重不治身亡。最後一葉引領 Johnsy 走過生命低潮,重新燃起她的盼望,牆上的那片樹葉成了永恆的象徵,也是一幅永垂不朽的 Behrman 的代表作。

由此可見盼望的重要性!《彼得前書》1章3-4節「願頌讚歸與我們主耶穌基督的父神!祂曾照自己的大憐憫,藉耶穌基督從死裡復活,重生了我們,叫我們有活潑的盼望,可以得著不能朽壞、不能玷污、不能衰殘﹐為你們存留在天上的基業。」盼望!

hope-2當代德國神學家莫特曼(Jurgen Moltmann,1926-)原本志在科學,受到納粹愛國情操所鼓動,16 歲時加入希特拉青年團。18歲被派上前線,在部隊之中經歷幾次的死裏逃生,眼見戰友被炸死,他在掙扎與矛盾中生平第一次向上帝發出吶喊呼求,因而信主。19 歲因德國戰敗,他成為戰俘。在戰俘營看見德軍屠殺猶太人的慘狀,粉碎了對祖國的形象。

他在監獄裏面勤讀聖經,詩篇中的哀歌成為他訴說苦況的安慰,從中領悟到「盼望」的意義。莫特曼出獄後,為尋求真理轉讀神學,26歲獲得神學博士。後來在德國幾間大學任教。1964 年莫特曼以其《盼望神學》(Theology of Hope)而廣為人知......雖然他所寫的書十分艱澀。

這本書是二次大戰後最具影響力的一本神學書籍,他說復活是神應許給世界的盼望。耶穌藉著十架上的死亡認同今世一切負面的力量,同樣地,祂的復活在每一方面都與十字架相對立,也成了整個世界要被改變的應許。這個應許既關乎神要更新整個世界,也為我們現今世代入世而不屬世,在世界洪流的沖擊之下,仍然可以改造世界的行動,提供一個高尚的動機。莫特曼要教會正視自己的社會和今世的責任,並促使「盼望」變成人類的具體責任。

甚麼是活潑的盼望?當重生開啟了我們與天父之間的交通(Fellowship)團契的時候,我們不但有了免於懼怕的自由,同時也展開仰望有「活潑的盼望」的新生活新方向,就是能堅固我們從各種苦難中再度奮興起來,是活潑的,可以真實地去感受得到的盼望。就好像莫特曼的《盼望神學》所說的,基督的復活與再來,不僅會帶給我們生命的動力與喜樂,透過宣教,將來必擴展成為全人類的出路。

美國哈佛大學首位黑人哲學博士 Cornel West 曾經說過,「Despair and hope are inseparable. One can never understand what hope is really about unless one wrestles with despair.」(絕望和盼望是不能分割的,一個人無法真正明白甚麼是「盼望」......除非他曾經與「絕望」搏鬥!)

Jurgen Moltmann 的《盼望神學》講到,真正的「盼望」不是樂觀主義。它也不是叢生於指日可待的凱旋以及未來的憧憬之中。真正的「盼望」,是生於一種辯證張力──關鍵在於「十架上死亡苦楚之實在絕望」與及「復活的真實性所帶來之終極榮耀」是完全相對的事!

死亡與生命,更清晰一點,死亡與復活,神的隔離與同在,神的離棄與及榮耀,是完全相對的事,也是完全相反的事,卻竟然在同一個人物-耶穌-身上出現!神將祂的獨生子,主耶穌基督,從死裏復活,粉碎死亡的權勢;神延續了不可延續的,復活的事實,開啟了一個未來,一個沒有可能之中的可能。於是就帶來盼望,一個再不與現實-殘忍局限負面的現實-掛鉤的盼望!除非真正理解、體驗、經歷痛苦,否則,一個人不能夠明白「盼望」的實在和解放!

這個世界越來越離開神,變得冷漠,甚至冷酷,令人無望!或許去年我們也經過最低潮!踏入 2016 年,當世人正忙於希望怎樣怎樣,祝願甚麼甚麼的時候,讓我們緊靠著神,一同在主裏經歷、細嚐那活潑的盼望!

 

      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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