“Unnecessary Self-set Life-barrier 自設而不須的生命路障“(John 約翰福音 6:5-15)
When Jesus … said to Philip, ‘Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?’ He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do … ‘It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!’ … ‘Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?’… Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish … ‘Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.’ … Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.
耶穌 … 對腓力說:“我們從哪裡買餅給這些人吃呢?”他說這話,是要試驗腓力,因他自己早已知道要怎樣作。…“就算二百銀幣買的餅,每人分一點,也是不夠的。” …“這裡有個小孩子,帶著五個大麥餅、兩條魚;只是分給這麼多人,有甚麼用呢?” … 耶穌拿起餅來,祝謝了,就分給坐著的人;分魚也是這樣,都是隨著他們所要的。…“把剩下的零碎收拾起來,免得浪費。” … 耶穌知道群眾要來強迫他作王,就獨自又退到山上去了。
None of Lord Jesus’ disciples believed that He (as well as themselves) could meet the need of a great crowd except the little boy who offered his five small loaves and two small fish to be used in this amazing sign! It is sad that today many people including Christians set up their own barriers hindering both themselves and others to be of use to God with various excuses for their own sake. Lord Jesus not only has compassion for the needy but also knows people’s thoughts (only getting what they want from His miraculous power like many people do today). Nevertheless, He is generous in satisfying people’s need in full and ‘let nothing be wasted’ in His wonderful act.
沒有一個主耶穌的門徒相信祂(與及他們自己)能達成一大群人的需要,除了那個小孩子之外:他獻出了自己的五個餅、兩條魚,成為這令人驚訝、神的作為之用!令人憂傷的是,今天許多人包括基督徒在内,為了自己的緣故,用盡各種的理由去設置自己的路障,妨礙了既自己又别人為神所用。主耶穌不單只對貧乏有需要的人有憐憫,而且知到人的心思(好像今天許多人一樣,只要從祂行神蹟的大能得著他們想要的)。然而,祂在完全滿足人的需要上是慷慨的,並在祂奇妙的作為裡「不會浪費」。
Prayer: Oh Lord Jesus, we often want to be practical stewards and make evidence-based decision in determining the future of any church ministry/mission and associated workers, i.e. claiming to do your will, not wasting any gifts and resources. Thank you for reminding us that, without insight and compassion from you as well as our humility and simple faith in you, such work is only our own project, not your sign! Amen.
禱告:主耶穌啊,我們往往要作實事求是的管家,並做有實證依據的判決,決定任何教會事工/宣教及相關同工的未來,如此聲稱行你的旨意,不浪費任何奉獻資源。感謝你提醒我們,沒有從你而來的洞見和憐憫,與及我們的謙卑和對你單純的信心,如此作工只不過成了自己的企劃,不是你神的作為!阿們。