QT 02/04/2024 Tuesday Read Luke 23. Willingness in the face of difficulties. 迎难而上.
QT 02/04/2024 Tuesday Read Luke 23
http://www.esvbible.org/luke23
Pilate and Herod were enemies, but they became the most unlikely of "friends" during the trial of Jesus Christ (Luke 23:12). In spite of their differences, they were united in not finding a guilty verdict against Jesus (Luke 23:4,14-15,20,22).
One of the criminals on the cross even testified that "this man has done nothing wrong" (Luke 23:42). So did the executioner (Luke 23:47).
Pilate didn't want a riot in his territory during his tour of duty as governor of Judea and Jerusalem. Even though he "did not find this man guilty..." (Luke 23:14), he chose to please the crowd rather than making the difficult decision which he knew was right.
APPLICATION: The roar of the urgent crowd (Luke 23:18,21,23), peer pressure and threats of rejection might derail our sense of justice in God's eye. But truly acknowledging Jesus as LORD frequently requires radical faith in the face of opposition.
Jesus' example in Luke 23 was written for His followers' consideration and encouragement. Indeed, one of the criminals who was hanged did take that step of faith by requesting Jesus to "Remember me WHEN you come into your kingdom" (Luke 23:42). The word "when" (not "if") points to an assurance of the kingdom's coming!
REFLECTION: Even though the process of Jesus' trial was a miscarriage of justice on the part of Pilate, the outcome of it all did advance the Kingdom of God onto the next phase of its growth. How could it be so?
APPLICATION: As to how you and I specifically participate in world events so as to inaugurate the Kingdom of God, let the King decide for us. Only let us be willing.
星期四 2024年3月21日 今日读经：路加福音23章. 迎难而上
http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/Luk/23/
彼拉多和希律原是彼此为仇，但在审耶稣基督时却成了最不可能的“朋友”(路23:12)。尽管他们之间存在着许多差异，但对于耶稣，他们却一致给了无罪的判决(路23:4,14-15,20,22)。
其中一个在十架上的犯人甚至见证说“这个人并没有作过什么不对的事”(路23:41)。连那百夫长也这么认为(路23:47)。
彼拉多不想在他执勤当犹太和耶路撒冷的行政长官时在他的地盘发生暴动。虽然他“一点也找不到你们控告他的罪状...”(路23:14)，他却选择迎合群众而不是作出他认为是对的艰难决定。
应用：众人的喊叫(路23:18,21,23)，同侪的压力和被拒绝的压力或许会让我们在神的眼中扭曲了公义。但在敌对势力的面前，承认耶稣为主常常需要坚固的信心。
耶稣在路加福音23章的例子是为鼓励祂的跟随者而写的。确实，其中一个被钉死的犯人勇敢地跨出信心的一步，他要求耶稣“耶稣啊，你的国降临的时候，求你记念我。”(路23:42)。你的国“降临的时候”(而不是“如果你的国降临”)指向那国度必定会降临！
反思:虽然耶稣受审的过程是彼拉多因为没有施行公义而导致的，但其结果却让神的国度晋升到另一个增长的阶段。这是为何呢？
应用：至于你和我如何具体地参与国际大事以发起神国度的降临，就让我们的王为我们决定。我们只要有颗愿意的心。
