聖經研究心得 ： 什麼是真正的自由

這是我第一次嘗試用中文寫博客(blog)。自1971年離開香港，我既沒有機會，也不需要使用我的中國語文。所以這是一個很大的挑戰。我要先用英語開始, 然後在網上翻譯為中文。 翻譯中一定會有不準確的地方， 我會試圖糾正。我希望不僅找回我的根，但也可以同我的家人和朋友們分享從聖經內學到的真理。

今天的經文是约翰福音 8:31-32

31 於是耶穌對信了他的猶太人說：“你們若持守我的道，就真是我的門徒了； 32 你們必定認識真理，真理必定使你們自由。”

耶穌是猶太人。他知道猶太人的法律。在這一章中，他在聖殿內教道民眾。民眾中有真正有興趣聽聽他說的話的猶太人，但也有其他人（如經文士們和法利賽人）他們想找一個理由殺耶穌。

本章的開始就是一涸陷阱（1-11節） - 這些經文士們和法利賽人帶來一個在通姦時被抓住的婦人。他們對耶穌說：「老師，這婦人是正在通姦的時候被抓住的。摩西在律法上吩咐我們用石頭砸死這樣的女人，既然如此，你怎麼說呢？」他們說這話是要試探耶穌，為要找把柄來控告他。耶穌的回答是不與法律相抵觸，但指出的是，"每個人都犯了罪，虧缺了神的榮耀"（羅馬書3:23）"因為罪的工價就是死；但神的恩賜，在我們的主基督耶穌裡，卻是永恆的生命"（羅馬書6:23）。耶穌對他們說：「你們當中誰沒有罪，誰就先用石頭砸她吧！」他們聽了這話，從年長的開始，一個接一個地走開了。周圍的人知道，他們也犯了罪。這個女人生命的禮物是從耶穌的寬恕，從此，她會找到力量離開她罪的生活。

然後耶穌宣稱：

1。他是世界的光（12節）。

2。耶穌是從父來。他的父親是他的見證（第16節）。 「這是我的愛子，我所喜悅的。」（馬太福音3:17）。

3。他是彌賽亞 「除他以外，沒有救恩；因為在天下人間，沒有賜下別的名，我們必須靠著得救。」（使徒行傳4:12）。「事實上，你們如果不信我就是那一位，就將死在自己的罪孽中。」（第23節）

耶穌告訴這些相信他的猶太 - 沒有人能完全遵守法律以得永生。但是，如果有人認為他（他是誰，他從那裡來，他會為我們的罪死 - “你們舉起人子的時候，你們那時就會明白我就是那一位“（28節）

如果我們 “若持守我的道”，我們成為他的門徒（而不是普通信徒）。在他和他的真理，我們會發現真正的自由 - 法律不能夠譴責我們。

所以現在，那些在基督耶穌裡的人，就不被定罪了（羅8:1）

The truth will set you free

It has been more than two weeks since I wrote my last blog. There is no excuse. I was on vacation and had plenty of time to do it. I did commit to posting to my Facebook daily with interesting things I encountered - and there were plenty, both in Hong Kong and in Taiwan where I spent five days on a tour that took us from the south to the north of the island. I had lots of opportunity to see and hear what God was showing me through my journey.

Today's scripture is based on John 8. The most famous verse is probably verses 31-32:
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Jesus is a Jew. He knows about the Jewish laws. In this chapter he was teaching in the temple courts. There were Jews who were genuinely interested to hear what he had to say but there were others (like the teachers of the law and the Pharisees) who looking for a reason to kill him.

The chapter began with a trap (verses 1-11) - they brought a woman caught in the act of adultery. According to the law of Moses, she should be stoned to death! Now what would Jesus say to that? Was Jesus' teaching different from the traditions? Jesus' reply was not to contradict the law but to point out that we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). And the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). The woman caught in adultery was not stoned as those around her left knowing that they too had sinned and deserved death. The gift of life for this woman was the forgiveness from Jesus and from then on she would find strength to leave her life of sin.

Jesus then proclaimed that:
1. He was the light of the world (verse 12).
2. Jesus is from the Father. His Father is his witness (verse 16). "This is my beloved son in whom I am well-pleased" (Matthew 3:17).
3. He is the Messiah and salvation is found in no one else (Acts 4:12). If you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins. (verse 23)

What Jesus was telling these believing Jews was that the laws were written to convict them of their sins. No one can fully obey the laws and be saved. However, if anyone believes in Him (who he is, where he is from and what he would be doing for our sins - "when you have lifted the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me" (verse 28)

If we "hold on" to this teaching we become his disciples (as opposed to the ordinary believers). In holding on to Him and His truth, we will find freedom - freedom from the condemnation of the laws.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).

How to respond to the tragedy in the Boston Marathon

I have always found the stories in the beginning of Luke 13 intriguing. The 13th chapter seems to be the continuation of a long lecture to thousands of people who were following Jesus beginning in the 12th chapter. The two chapters are made up of many different lessons which generally serve to encourage Jesus' disciples or to warn those who were just coming for the ride.

Jesus was asked by someone in the crowd for his comments on likely a recent news event concerning "the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices" (verse 1). Apparently these Galileans were pilgrims whom Pilate slaughtered while they were making animal sacrifices - thus their blood was mixed with the animal blood (see Carrington's reference to Josephus' document). Jesus understood the point of his question which is "did they suffer because of their sins?". He then asked him back to comment on likely another recent tragedy event concerning "the eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them" (verse 4). These were innocent people who died in an accident. They too didn't die because of their sins. (There is a lovely write up in Wikipedia about the Tower of Siloam). Jesus used both of these stories to warn those who were present that "Unless you repent, you too will all perish" (verse 5). He then further explained that true repentance should result in bearing fruit. He illustrated this with the parable of the fig tree (verse 6). In this parable, the owner (i.e. God) of the fig tree that didn't produce any fruit after 3 years told his servant to cut it down. But the servant pleaded with the owner to wait another year. He would dig around it and fertilize it to give it another chance. I think this servant is Jesus himself. He is ever so patient with us. He nurtures us to give us an opportunity to repent and bear fruit.

We are sad about many of the world's events these days. Many innocent people are killed. The most recent famous event happened during the Boston Marathon (Boston Marathon bombings April 15, 2013). When such event happens it will generate questions, many of which are spiritual in nature. If I remember what Jesus has taught me today, as much as I too would be upset and share the sadness with all, I could use the opportunity to point others to Jesus.

2 Peter 3:9

New International Version (NIV)

⁹ The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Paying taxes

I delayed writing this blog until after filing my income tax. I want to use the opportunity to read through the scripture passages on this subject again and to explore it further.

The subject of paying taxes to Caesar can be found in three of the Gospels:
Matthews 22:15-22
Mark 12:13-17
Luke 20:20-26


All three passages are remarkably similar:

• The Pharisees, who were teachers of the law including the chief priests, along with the Herodians (possibly a political party), were looking for ways to catch Jesus saying something they can use to accuse him of.

• They began their question by complimenting Jesus' integrity and his teaching that is in accordance to God's law.

• The question was "Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?". 

• Jesus' answer includes an object lesson: he asked them to show him a denarius. "Whose image and inscription are on it?"

• His answer on the subject of paying taxes: "give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's".

• The questioners left astonished at Jesus' answer. They were unsuccessful in finding anything to accuse him of. (Note in Luke 23:2 these same people lied and accused Jesus of teaching his disciples not to pay tax to Caesar!)

Wikipedia has a very good write up on the "Render unto Caesar" theme, including the historical context and some of the modern interpretations.

Up until a few weeks ago, my understanding of this Gospel narrative has been along these lines:

• Paying tax honestly is my duty as a Christian. God wants me to act righteously in this area, as in "Do not steal. Do not lie. Do you deceive one another" (Leviticus 19:11).

• Paying tax is my duty as a citizen of this country. It's a way for me to pay for my share to support the government infrastructure and to (indirectly) help those who are in need of public support. My wife calls it a donation to the government! I think this relates to Paul's teaching in Roman 13:1-7 where he expounded on the theme of submitting to governing authorities: "this is why you also pay taxes" (verse 6).

• I don't think this "Paying taxes to Caesar" theme speaks to the matter of generous and cheerful giving by trusting God on his rich provision, as in 2 Corinthians 9:7. 

• I also don't think it is related to the "Paying the Temple Tax" theme in Matthews 17:24-27. BibleGateway.com has a very nice commentary on this.

Recently in a sermon by Bruxy Cavey "Jesus the Teacher" he said something quite new and remarkable. He shifted my focus on this Jesus' teaching: "give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's" from Caesar to God! This teaching has more to say than paying taxes. It teaches me to give my entire life to God. I belong to God. For "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Gal 2:20). Now that's a new perspective!


Do I still feel annoyed by how much tax I paid? Yes. Do I try every possible means to reduce my tax? Maybe a little less. I have been so richly blessed with what I have been given. I feel less compelled to keep more of it for myself. Sometimes I can be quite distracted by all the things I have to do in order to reduce my tax that I have less of myself for God. I think Jesus has and will continue to have something to say about that!

I will not sacrifice to the Lord offerings what cost me nothing

I remember this verse well and had used it to remind myself many times when I was making decisions about giving. What I didn't remember was where the verse came from. I discovered today in my scripture reading (2 Samuel 23-24 and Luke 19:1-27) that the verse came from a much bigger story (2 Samuel 24:24). The interesting thing is that the Luke reading dovetails nicely on the same "giving" theme. This is what I have learned:

From the 2 Samuel story, King David was at the end of his life. He wrote a beautiful psalm (his epitaph?) in 2 Samuel 23:1-7 where he affirmed that he belonged to the Lord of the covenant (verse 1), that the Spirit of God spoke through him (verse 2), and that his life's work was to rule (as in Genesis 1:26) in righteousness and in the fear of God (verse 3). What a way to live (verse 4)! David further affirmed that God's contraints (his laws which he laid on our hearts) would help us become a better version of ourselves (verse 5). There will be enemies to stop us but God will triumph at the end (verses 6 & 7).

Unfortunately, just when he was at the high point of his life came his fall. He decided to show off what he has done in his life. I gathered that when he decided to count the strength of his fighting forces, he was not counting the "cost" as in this parable in Luke 14:28-33. He was just showing off his accomplishment. I can easily identify with him in this. It's very easy to do that as one faces the end of his life. He starts to look at his investment portfolio, how many degrees he has earned, the success of his children etc. Let this be a lesson...

Because of his folly the Lord punished him. He graciously gave him 3 choices of which he picked the plaque which killed 70,000 people! Speaking through the prophet Gad he was told to build an alter on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite (remember they were the people David drove out of Jerusalem before he named the city after his own name?). The Jebusite was in no position to refuse David's request. Indeed he wanted to give the land to David for free. This was when David said these famous words: "No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing."

In the Luke story, Zacchaeus was not just one of the average tax collectors who were hated by most Jews for collecting taxes for their enemy, the Caesar, and who were often corrupted people who levied additional burden on the people for their own benefits. He was in fact the chief tax collector of the city of Jericho and was wealthy. He had obviously became Christ's follower in this story.  As a repentent man, he named his sacrifice which was to give away half of what he owned and to pay back 4 times to people he had cheated. Is that sacrifice good enough? You judge!

Jesus followed this story with the parable of the Ten Minas which has its own lesson which I will do on another blog.

Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather.

The title of this post came from Luke 17:37. A similar passage also appeared in Matthew 24:28. I have longed been puzzled by this statement and today I decided to do a little research on it. I discovered a neat site called Biblical Hermeneutics where a number of people gave their answers to the question. This is my favorite answer:

It's an idiom perhaps familiar to the listeners of Jesus' days. It's like saying "where there's smoke, there's fire." This is in answer to his disciples' question "Where, Lord?". Jesus in essence is saying - it will be obvious.

In this passage, Jesus was once asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come. So the question was "when". But Jesus' answer was not to give a date or a time. He explained: "the coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed... the kingdom of God is in your midst."

Jesus then explained further to his own disciples:

• don't follow rumours about when and where he is coming
• his coming will be quick like lightning strike, but he must first suffer and be rejected
• like people in Noah's days or the judgement day for Sodom, people will be unaware of their impending doom
• on that day, Jesus will gather those who belong to him (to keep them from the harm caused by the judgement), wherever they are going about their business
• those belonging to him must be well prepared to go with him with no unfinished earthly business ("whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it.")
• sometimes only one partner within a couple or one of many colleagues at work will be taken

The disciples, like many of us, still want to know, "Where (will they be gathered to), Lord?".
Jesus' answer: that should be pretty obvious to you!

I think he meant "heaven"!!! Maybe these should have been my questions:
What is heaven like? Do I want to go there? Am I ready to go? Has Jesus died for me? Do I not spend too much of my life trying to preserve it? How do I lose my life for Jesus' sake?

When I (with many other Jesus' followers) find the answers to these questions, the kingdom of God will be in our midst!

Why did Uzzah have to die

I came across this familiar passage again this morning. In 2 Samuel 6, it is said that after David became King and had finally driven out the Jebusites who were the inhabitants in Jerusalem to turn it into the City of David (2 Samuel 5:6-7), he decided to bring back the Ark of the Covenant from the house of Abinadab. Uzzah was one of the sons of Abinadab. He and his brother Ahio were guiding the new cart which King David has made for the transport. However, the oxen that were pulling the cart stumbled and Uzzah reached out with his hand to take hold of the Ark. 2 Samuel 6:6-7 said that "the Lord's anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act" and he struck him down and killed him. Because of this King David was angry - it is not clear whether he was angry with God or he was angry with Uzzah (for his irreverent act). But he was afraid of God and was not willing to move the ark to Jerusalem. He did eventually move the ark to Jerusalem after seeing how the ark blessed the household of Obed-Edom where he temporary placed the ark.

Whenever I read this passage my instinctive reaction is to judge God - he is vindictive, severe, and not nice at all. But this is so contrary to the rest of scripture so I must check my reaction and ask God to reveal the meaning of this passage even more sincerely. When I googled "Why did Uzzah have to die" there were quite a number of responses (57,400 search results in fact). I read through a number of them and summarized here:

Danny Bagget from the YouVersion (YouVersion is a new and popular free online bible translation) explained that in order to understand this, you have to make certain assumption. The ark had sat in the house of Abinidab for many years. We must assume that the event that took place on the threshing floor of Nakon was probably the consequence of years of Uzzah taking the ark of God in an irreverent manner. The ark in those days represented God's covenant love and his presence for the people of Israel ever since he took them out of Egypt, the land of bondage. The application for me is that I must not take God's love and his salvation flippantly. I should celebrate and honour his presence every day of my life.

Carey Scott did an extensive bible study on this passage in the simplebiblestudy.com site. His explanation is that Uzzah had the good intention to stop the ark from tumbling but nonetheless violated the strict instructions that God had given to the Israelites concerning the objects of the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant. So the purpose of this story in the bible is to remind us (and to warn us) that we must not think that we can serve God but ignore his teaching. In Romans 15:4 and 1 Corinthians 10:11, it is clear that the stories in the old testament, as strange and sometimes incomprehensible as they can be, are recorded for our learning and admonition so that we may have hope and assurance for the future.