Home昔日真理報2016年 真理報文章2016 年 7 月【開卷有益】 耶穌如何改變世界

【開卷有益】 耶穌如何改變世界

 

book認識耶穌有多少?從聖經福音書的記載,我們得知耶穌在世上的行事為人:祂生於木匠的家庭,自幼已經熟悉猶太人的律法書;長大之後,祂成為當代出色的教師,受到極多群眾的愛戴;祂所行的神跡奇事,也充份顯明祂憐憫的心腸,願意與喜樂的人同樂,與哀傷的人同悲。

然而,耶穌這個人殊不簡單,祂對日後人類歷史所造成的影響,遠遠超過我們的想像。《今日基督教》(Christianity Today)專欄作家奧伯格(John Ortberg)所寫的《耶穌如何改變世界》(Who is this man? — The Unpridictable Impact of the Inescapable Jesus),整理了數十位一流的歷史學家、社會文化研究學者和科學、藝術方面的專門人才,共同探討這位看似平凡的人物,對世界卻帶來空前絕後、驚天動地、翻雲覆雨的劇變,而且歷久不衰,昔日祂親手掀起的一場思想革新,至今依然盪漾著瓣瓣漣漪。

距離耶穌時代二千年後,著名的歷史學家威爾斯(H. G. Wells)對耶穌有以下的評價,他說:「我是史學家,我甚至不是基督徒,但我發現世界仍不由自主地圍繞著這個最具影響力之人的生平與生命打轉。」

在世人睥睨的眼光中,耶穌背負著母親未婚生子的名號,出生於平凡、貧窮的家庭,怎知卻成為當權者極大的威脅,竟發號施令,屠殺全城兩歲以下所有無助的小孩。耶穌到底是何許人,讓手執大權的行政首長對仍在襁褓中的嬰兒也忌憚三分。

在古代的世界裡,並非人人生而平等,階級層次分明,不得輕易逾越。君王等同神的地位,至少也是半神半人,其次是文武百官和祭司,繼而是工匠、商人和做手藝的,最後是農民和奴隸,被視為社會渣滓。

對比起君王,小孩子的輩份最低,在希臘文裡,小孩子的意思是「沒有聲音」,當時社會,奴隸、婦女和孩子都被視為沒有發言權的一群,孩子的特徵是害怕、軟弱和無助,被動而需要有人照料。

然而在耶穌眼中,每個人都極其寶貴,因為我們是按著上帝的形像被造的。一次,門徒企圖制止小朋友到耶穌那裡來,耶穌卻溫柔地接納他們,祂說:「讓小孩子到我這裡來,不要禁止他們,因為在天國的,正是這樣的人。」祂也曾說:「凡為我的名接納一個像這樣小孩子的,就是接納我。」祂的言行正正刷新了當時所有人的觀念與想法。

在耶穌經常活動的社區裡,祂擁有「稅吏和罪人的朋友」的稱號,而不是一心攀附權貴。一生與平凡小老百姓為伍的祂,深深關懷長大痲瘋的、瘸腿的、失明的與討飯的;祂也關心妓女、漁夫、女人和小孩,祂所宣揚的真理,與當時的傳統思維背道而馳。

自此,耶穌靜靜地展開了革命性的更新,從社會底層,掀起了一場緩慢而深遠的運動,打破了貧富、貴賤和尊卑之間的差距。

耶穌基督的跟隨者,秉承祂的教導,重視孩子生存的權利。二世紀的《十二使徒遺訓》中,明文禁止當時盛行的墮胎、棄嬰與殺嬰。四世紀晚期,有位信奉基督教的皇帝明令廢除棄嬰的惡習,即使父母無力撫養嬰孩,也不再拋至糞場,而是擱到修道院或教會大門口。從此,孤兒院便由修道院和教會所興建。

與當時代的神職人員相比,耶穌更明白受壓者的處境,祂不僅了解社會風俗架構之下的受害者:孤兒、寡婦、寄居的、窮人和囚犯;也明瞭因為身體殘障、畸形或因宗教歧視,而被社會摒棄的邊緣人士。動了憐憫之心,伸手觸摸他們的患處,殘缺的生命也受到尊重。

耶穌的慈憐感染後來許許多多的信徒,回應病人的需要,擔起照顧護理病患的責任,醫院的建立由此而來;也開始關注弱勢社群,致力解放奴隸、協助囚犯、妓女、吸毒者重回正軌,享受上帝所賜美好的生命。

人人生而平等的觀念,並非自古已然,亞里士多德寫道:「人有貴賤之別,主僕之分,乃天經地義之事,有人高高在上,有人卑微低賤,打從呱呱墜地,有人註定享福,有人卻註定為奴。」然而以基督教精神為本所起草的《美國獨立宣言》卻指出:人人生來平等,造物者賜給人類若干不可剝奪的權利,其中包括生命權、自由權和追求幸福的權利。

是誰扭轉了社會階層牢不可破的隔閡?耶魯大學哲學系教授伍斯特福的答案令人嘖嘖稱奇:是基於聖經的教導,耶穌親自清楚闡述,向世人宣告:每個人都是按著上帝的形像所造的,是上帝所鍾愛的。金恩博士也指出:「上帝的形像沒有不同的階層之分。」

回顧人類歷史許多巨大的轉變,尋索根源,都繫於耶穌一身,令人感歎不已。

 

      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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