“The Delusive Glory of This World’s Kingdoms 這世上國度的浮華“(Matthew 馬太福音 4:8-10)
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. ‘All this I will give you,’ he said, ‘if you will bow down and worship me.’
Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”’
最後,魔鬼帶耶穌上了一座極高的山,把世界各國和各國的榮華都指給他看。並且對他說:“你只要跪下來拜我,我就把這一切都給你。”但耶穌說:“撒但,走開!經上記著:‘當拜主你的神,單要事奉他。’”
Shrewdly taking advantage of a known human weakness, Satan once tried to bring about Christ’s downfall by offering Him all the world’s kingdoms and glory in them. However, it failed because Satan was attempting to seduce a sinless man full of Holy Spirit and wisdom, whose penetrating glance pierced the world’s attractive exterior. Beneath its gaudy allurements He saw the corruption and the decay. He knew its glory was but bait to catch foolish victims. He knew its bright promises were all lies. He saw not beauty but death, a garish death that must be purchased at the price of the soul. What He saw revolted Him — He would have no part of it! The devil is wise but not wise enough!
撒旦正好狡猾地攻擊眾所周知人性的弱點,曾企圖給予基督世界的萬國和其中的榮華,使祂墮落。然而,這詭計失敗了,因為撒旦企圖去引誘的,是一個無罪的人,充滿聖靈和知慧,祂那看透萬事的眼光,能看穿世界那耀人眼目的外表。祂在它華麗的誘惑底下,看見腐敗和朽壞。祂知道它的榮耀不過是個餌,為要擄掠愚蠢的受害者;祂知道它冠冕堂皇的應許都是謊言。祂看不見美麗而是死亡,那炫耀的死亡須以靈魂的代價來換取。祂所看見的令祂厭惡不已 — 祂不願陷入其中!魔鬼是聰明的,但不夠睿智!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, how can we keep our ways pure? We can do it only by living according to your word. Pray that our ways are steadfast in obeying your words! Then we would not be put to shame when we consider all your commands. May we have hidden your word in our hearts that we might not sin against you. Amen.
禱告:天父啊,我們 用甚麼潔淨自己的行為呢?我們只有遵守你的話才能做到。祈求我們的道路堅定,為要遵守你的話語!我們重視你的一切命令,就不至於羞愧。願我們把你的話藏在心裡,免得我們得罪你。阿們。