QT 30/12/2024 Mon. Christmas Message 11. The outsider performs better? 外人的表现比较好？
QT 30/12/2024 Mon. Christmas Message 11. The outsider performs better?
READ http://www.esvbible.org/luke17:11-19
Luke 17:11–19 Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers
[11] On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. [12] And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance [13] and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” [14] When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. [15] Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; [16] and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. [17] Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? [18] Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” [19] And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” (ESV)
In this episode by Luke, the 10 lepers stood at a distance to beg for mercy. Jesus was perhaps their last hope before hopelessness sets in. Yet Jesus' response was not an immediate healing on the spot but a command which required them to demonstrate faith in Jesus' words.
They were told to "go and show yourselves to the priests". This would only be meaningful if they have already been healed. However, "as they went they were cleansed". This required faith in Jesus' words. There had to move and obey Jesus before the healing was completed.
REFLECTIONS: When we attempt to obey God's words, do you obey His commands and trust that God will follow up on what is best for you?
Luke points to the fact that when God healed and cleansed all ten of them, only the Samaritan ("this foreigner") responded with praise and worship at Jesus' feet. The self-righteous would reject Jesus and those sent by him. The sinner, the sick would appreciate Jesus' healing. But the one who praises God and worships humbly is the one who is filled with gratitude and thanksgiving for what God had done in Jesus, and what God had done in our personal lives all these while.
REFLECTION: Has God extended mercy, healing and guidance in your lives so far? Have you responded with humility, praise and worship at the place God had called you to belong to?
QT 30/12/2024 星期一. 圣诞信息 11: 外人的表现比较好？
http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/luk/17
路加福音 17:11-19. 耶稣往耶路撒冷去，经过撒玛利亚和加利利的边境。12 他走进一个村庄，有十个痲风病人迎面而来，远远地站着，13 大声说：“主耶稣啊，可怜我们吧！” 14 他看见了，就对他们说：“你们去给祭司检查吧。”他们去的时候就洁净了。15 内中有一个人见自己已经好了，就回来大声颂赞 神，16 在耶稣脚前把脸伏在地上感谢他。他是一个撒玛利亚人。17
耶稣说：“洁净了的不是有十个人吗？那九个在哪里？ 18 除了这外族人，再没有一个回来颂赞 神吗？” 19 耶稣就对他说：“起来，走吧，你的信使你痊愈了。”
在路加福音的这段情节中，十个麻风病人站在远处乞求怜悯。耶稣也许是他们绝望之前最后的希望。然而，耶稣的回应并不是当场立即治愈，而是要求他们对耶稣的话表现出信心。
他们被要求 “去见祭司”。这只有在他们已经痊愈的情况下才有意义。然而，“他们去的时候就洁净了”。这需要对耶稣的话有信心。在医治完成之前，他们需要行动并服从耶稣。
反思： 当我们试图顺服神的话时，你是否顺服神的命令，并相信神会跟进并带领你到更好的未来？
路加指出，当神医治和洁净了他们十个人时，只有撒玛利亚人（“这个外族人”）在耶稣脚前回应赞美和敬拜。自以为是的人会拒绝耶稣和他派来的人。罪人和病人会感激耶稣的医治。但是，赞美上帝和谦卑敬拜的人是对上帝在耶稣身上所做的一切充满感激和感谢的人，也是对上帝一直以来在我们个人生活中所做的一切充满感激和感谢的人。
反思：迄今为止，上帝是否在你的生命中施展了怜悯、医治和引导？在神呼召你所属的地方，你是否以谦卑、赞美和敬拜来回应？
