11/1/2013上帝兒子的光

經文:約翰福音8－10章

中心思想:約翰福音10章

提要

        今天的經文描寫耶穌個性上的兩個對比──卻都是互補的。關於祂的權威，文士和法利賽人控告祂褻瀆上帝，是一個被鬼附身的瘋子，耶穌對此有適切的回答，祂並指出法利賽人對「祖宗」的觀念錯誤。關於祂的憐憫，耶穌赦免那個行淫被捉的女人，並使天生瞎眼的人肉體和屬靈的眼睛都得見光明。最後，在第十章中，又看見耶穌的兩個特性。耶穌是好牧人，而且為羊群捨命。

每日與主同行

        就所有的外觀條件，羊應該名列「危險族類」排行榜，你知道為什麼嗎？
        ●羊行動遲緩、軟弱，毫無抵抗能力。
        ●如果給牠們自由，只有餓死一途。
        ●容易受到肉食動物的驚嚇。
        ●牠們天生是一種盲目跟從的動物。
        ●牠們無法安全涉過深水。
        ●牠們只能靠人維生，也很容易生病。
        ●牠們經常吃得過量，躺下之後無法站起來。
        照理說羊實在應該絕跡於世了──除非牠們跟隨牧人。
        也許你會覺得耶穌把你比喻為羊實在太委屈你了（約10：27），但以賽亞書五十三章六節告訴你為什麼這個形容是合適而重要的。記住──如果你從來沒有邀請耶穌作你的牧者，今天就這麼做吧！祂是一位直得你跟隨的領袖！

默想

為你所未犯的錯受罰
        既使這位生來瞎眼者的父母並未犯罪(9:3)，法利賽人乃根據出埃及記廿章五節：「我必追討他的罪，自父及子，直到三四代。」來解釋這個結果。

金言

我的主知道通過曠野的路，我所要做的就是緊緊跟隨。

Light from the Son of God

Scriptures:John 8-10

Heart of the Passage:John 10

Overview

        Today's reading portrays two contrasting—yet complementary—sides of Jesus' character. In His authority He answers the charges of the scribes and Pharisees, those who have accused Him of being a blasphemer and a demon-possessed madman. Jesus responds that it is the Pharisees who have a mistaken concept of who their "father" really is. Then in His compassion, Jesus forgives the woman taken in adultery and gives physical and spiritual sight to the man born blind. Finally, chapter 10 brings the two attributes together to show that Jesus is the strong Shepherd who gives His life for the sheep.

Your Daily Walk

        By all outward appearances, sheep ought to be on the endangered species list. Do you know why?
        • Sheep are slow, weak, and defenseless.
        • Left to their own devices, they would starve to death.
        • They are easily panicked by predators.
        • They follow one another in a sort of blind "herd instinct."
        • They cannot cross deep water without drowning.
        • They are particularly vulnerable to parasites and disease.
        • They tend to overeat, then lie down and can't get back up.
        Indeed, sheep would be virtually extinct—except for one thing: Sheep follow their shepherd.
Perhaps you find it rather unflattering that Jesus likens you to a sheep (10:27). But Isaiah 53:6 will show you why the description is both appropriate and important. Memorize it today—and if you have never done so, invite Jesus to become your Shepherd. He's one leader you can't afford not to follow!

Insight

Getting Punished for What You Didn't Do
        Although the blind man's parents had done nothing wrong to cause his condition (9:3), the Pharisees may have based the question on their interpretation of Exodus 20:5: "God [visits] the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation ..."

Adage

My Lord knows the way through the wilderness; all I hare to do is follow.