To walk in the light of the Lord

John 11:1-16 (New International Version)

The Death of Lazarus

¹Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. ²This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. ³So the sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick."

⁴When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." ⁵Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. ⁶Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.

⁷Then he said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea."

⁸"But Rabbi," they said, "a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?"

⁹Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world's light. ¹⁰It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light."

¹¹After he had said this, he went on to tell them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up."

¹²His disciples replied, "Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better." ¹³Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.

¹⁴So then he told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, ¹⁵and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."

¹⁶Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."

11:1 有一個患病的人，名叫拉撒路，住在伯大尼，就是馬利亞和她姊姊馬大的村莊。11:2 這馬利亞就是那用香膏抹主，又用頭髮擦他腳的；患病的拉撒路是她的兄弟。11:3 她姊妹兩個就打發人去見耶穌，說：「主啊，你所愛的人病了。」11:4 耶穌聽見，就說：「這病不至於死，乃是為　神的榮耀，叫　神的兒子因此得榮耀。」11:5 耶穌素來愛馬大和她妹子並拉撒路。11:6 聽見拉撒路病了，就在所居之地仍住了兩天。11:7 然後對門徒說：「我們再往猶太去吧。」11:8 門徒說：「拉比，猶太人近來要拿石頭打你，你還往那裏去嗎？」11:9 耶穌回答說：「白日不是有十二小時嗎？人在白日走路，就不至跌倒，因為看見這世上的光。11:10 若在黑夜走路，就必跌倒，因為他沒有光。」11:11 耶穌說了這話，隨後對他們說：「我們的朋友拉撒路睡了，我去叫醒他。」11:12 門徒說：「主啊，他若睡了，就必好了。」11:13 耶穌這話是指著他死說的，他們卻以為是說照常睡了。11:14 耶穌就明明地告訴他們說：「拉撒路死了。11:15 我沒有在那裏就歡喜，這是為你們的緣故，好叫你們相信。如今我們可以往他那裏去吧。」11:16 多馬，又稱為低土馬，就對那同作門徒的說：「我們也去和他同死吧。」

一、中心內容：

內容：
1>介紹病人拉撒路的家庭，尤其描述與主耶穌深厚的情誼。（v1-2）

Verse 1-2 introduced the family of Lazarus who was sick and their profound relationship with Jesus.

2>馬大與馬利亞打發人，將有關拉撒路生病 之事告知主耶穌。（v3）

Martha and Mary sent word to Jesus concerning Lazarus’ sickness. (v3)
3>聽到拉撒路生病之後，主耶穌的評語（不至於死）與反應（仍住兩天）。（v4-6）

When Jesus heard that Lazarus was ill, Jesus commented that Lazarus would not die and His response was to stay where He was for two days. (v4-6)
4>事發兩日之後，主耶穌決定前往探視，門徒因擔心主遭猶太人傷害而勸阻。（v7-8）

After two days, Jesus decided to go and see Lazarus. His disciples told Him not to go for the fear of the Jews. (v7-8)
5>主耶穌以白日有光，行走安全（行在真理，不怕遭害）為喻，表明前往決心。（v9-10）

Jesus expressed His determination by saying that it was safe to walk in the daylight (which means to walk in the truth and not to be afraid of danger). (v9-10)
6>主耶穌明白的告知門徒：拉撒路已死。並要前去醫治他，使他復活。（v11-14）

In verses 11-14, Jesus told the disciples that Lazarus was dead and He wanted to heal and raise him from the dead.
7>多馬呼籲其他門徒與主同行、共赴苦難。（v15-16）
Thomas told the disciples to go with Jesus and to die with Him. (v15-16)
主題：
1>為了上帝的榮耀。For God’s glory
2>行在主的光明中。To walk in the light of the Lord

二、上帝、耶穌基督、聖靈是誰？

1>深深愛人的耶穌基督。（v3、v5）Jesus Christ who loves deeply. (vv3;5)
2>配得榮耀的上帝。（v4）God who is worthy of glory.(v4)
3>配得榮耀的耶穌基督。（v4）Jesus Christ who is worthy of glory. (v4)
4>教師耶穌基督。（v8）Jesus Christ, the Teacher. (v8)
5>遭受迫害的耶穌基督。（v8）Jesus Christ whom was persecuted.(v8)

6>不怕遭害、慷慨赴義的耶穌基督。（v8-11）Jesus Christ who was not afraid of persecution and death. (v8-11)
7>使死人復活的耶穌基督。（v11）Jesus Christ who raised people from the dead.(v11)

三、給我的教訓（命令、應允、榜樣、責備、警告）是什麼？

1>患難中隨時幫助 A help in times of trouble
有一個患病的人，名叫拉撒路，住在伯大尼，就是馬利亞和她姊姊馬大的村莊。這馬利亞就是那用香膏抹主，又用頭髮擦他腳的；患病的拉撒路是她的兄弟。她姊妹兩個就打發人去見耶穌，說：「主啊，你所愛的人病了。（v1-3）

¹Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. ²This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. ³So the sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick." (v1-3)
這個家庭有三姊弟，男孩拉撒路病了，而且病得很嚴重。兩個姊妹便打發人去，將拉撒路生病的消息告訴主耶穌，因為她們相信而且期待主耶穌能醫治他。顯然，主耶穌是這個家庭，患難中求告的對象，也是患難中隨時的幫助、唯一的倚靠與盼望。

There were two sisters and one brother in this household. Lazarus, the brother, was seriously ill. They anticipated and believed that Jesus would heal their brother, the two sisters sent someone to tell Jesus that Lazarus was ill. Apparently, Jesus was the person to whom this family went whenever they were in trouble. Jesus was the only person on whom they could rely and from whom they could draw hope.
反省：當時馬大、馬利亞與拉撒路這三姊弟，當家中遇到苦難時，懂得尋求主耶穌。今天，要是我的家庭遇到苦難，我都如何自處？是否懂得尋求主耶穌？又：如何尋求呢？
Reflection: When Martha, Mary and Lazarus were in trouble, they went to Jesus for help. , If my family encounters trouble, what would I do? Would I go to Jesus? How would I seek for His help?
2>耶穌所愛的家庭 The family that Jesus loved
她姊妹兩個就打發人去見耶穌，說：「主啊，你所愛的人病了。（v3）

³So the sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick."(v3)
耶穌素來愛馬大和她妹子並拉撒路。（v5）

⁵Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.(v5)
馬大、馬利亞、拉撒路這個家庭，是一個有福的家庭，因為跟主耶穌的關係十分密切，尤其是主耶穌所愛的家庭，家中每一個成員都是主耶穌所愛的。

This family was blessed. Their relationship with Jesus was so close. Moreover, this family was loved by Jesus. Each family member was loved by Jesus.
反省：我的家庭是主耶穌所愛的家庭嗎？我是主耶穌所愛的人嗎？我該如何作，才能成為主耶穌所愛的呢？我是否愛祂？是否明白並遵行祂的旨意？
Reflection: Is my family the one that Jesus loves? Am I the one whom Jesus loves? What can I do to become the one whom Jesus loves? Do I love Him? Do I understand and obey His will?
3>彰顯上帝的榮耀 Manifest God’s glory

耶穌聽見，就說：「這病不至於死，乃是為　神的榮耀，叫　神的兒子因此得榮耀。」（v4）

⁴When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it."
根 據主耶穌的說法，拉撒路的病是具有特殊意義的，也就是不僅不至於死，甚至要顯出上帝的榮耀，尤其叫上帝的兒子耶穌基督，因此而得榮耀。另外，根據約翰福音 第九章的記載：耶穌過去的時候，看見一個人生來是瞎眼的。門徒問耶穌說：「拉比，這人生來是瞎眼的，是誰犯了罪？是這人呢？是他父母呢？」耶穌回答說： 「也不是這人犯了罪，也不是他父母犯了罪，是要在他身上顯出　神的作為來。（v1-3）

According to Jesus, there was a special meaning in Lazarus’ sickness. Lazarus would not die; God’s glory would be manifested and Jesus Christ would be glorified through it. In John 9:1-3,¹As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. ²His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" ³"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.

顯然，病痛或苦難，不一定跟罪有關，不僅未必有關，甚至為了彰顯上帝的榮耀。

Apparently, sickness or suffering is not necessarily connected with sin, and not only that, it even displays God’s glory.
反省：在我的生涯當中，是否曾經歷過哪些苦難？我是否用心思想過，在這些苦難的背後，代表什麼意義？苦難為何會發生？又：我是用什麼態度來面對？是否曾經怨天尤人（埋怨上帝、怪罪他人）或從苦難中得著益處？尤其藉著苦難榮耀上帝？
Reflection: Had I ever encountered any suffering in my life? Had I ever pondered on the meaning behind those sufferings? Why did it happen to me? What was my attitude when I faced one? Had I ever complained against God and blamed others? Or did I benefit from it? Was God glorified through it?
4>凡事叫人得益處 It is for the good of others
聽見拉撒路病了，就在所居之地仍住了兩天。然後對門徒說：「我們再往猶太去吧。（v6-7）我沒有在那裏就歡喜，這是為你們的緣故，好叫你們相信。如今我們可以往他那裏去吧。（v15）

⁶Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days. ⁷Then he said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea." (v6-7) ¹⁵and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."(v15)

當看完這段經文之後，可能有人會想說：當主耶穌聽到拉撒路病重的消息之後，為何沒有立即啟程，前往探視，甚至醫治，卻仍在原地耽擱了兩天呢？其實主耶穌並不糊塗，也不是不愛拉撒路，乃是有祂完整的計劃，祂絕對不誤事。

After reading this passage, one may want to say something like this: “When Jesus heard that Lazarus was seriously ill; He stayed where He was for two days. Why did Jesus not go immediately to see and heal Lazarus?” As a matter of fact, Jesus was not out of His mind, and it was not because that He did not love Lazarus. Instead, He had a perfect plan and he never missed it.
換句話說，不管祂立刻啟程，或耽擱兩天，其實都為了叫人得益處。假設祂立刻啟程，趕到拉撒路的身邊，一定會醫治他，不至於任憑他死去，這當然是好事一樁。然而，實際上主耶穌隔了兩天才去，或許可以說：故意讓拉撒路死去後再去。這又為了什麼呢？目的就是彰顯祂擁有醫治的權柄，尤其彰顯勝過死亡的權柄，藉此叫看見的人相信祂。

In other words, it was for the good of the people in either case. It would be a good thing, if He went right away, definitely, He would heal Lazarus. In fact, Jesus waited for two days. Maybe we could say that Jesus did it on purpose, He went after Lazarus was dead. Why did He do that? It is for the manifestation of His authority to heal and, especially, His authority over the power of death. People whoever saw it would believe Him.

反省：我是否能體會「凡事都互相效力，叫愛上帝的人得益處」這句話的意義？
Reflection: Do I understand the meaning of --- in all things God works for the good of those who love Him?
5>行在主的光明中 Walk in the light of the Lord
耶穌回答說：「白日不是有十二小時嗎？人在白日走路，就不至跌倒，因為看見這世上的光。若在黑夜走路，就必跌倒，因為他沒有光。」（v9-10）

⁹Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world's light. ¹⁰It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light." (v9-10)
雖然門徒因為擔心猶太人的傷害，而極力勸阻主耶穌前往伯大尼，但是主耶穌前往的決心依然堅定不變。便對門徒表明：祂並不懼怕猶太人，因為猶太人活在黑暗之中，而祂本身則是世界的光，祂人到什麼地方，光就照到什麼地方。

His disciples were afraid because the Jews wanted to harm Him, so they tried to stop Him from going to Bethany. However, Jesus was determined to go. He said to them that he was not afraid of the Jews who were living in the darkness; that He was the Light of the world and wherever He was there would be light.
反省：我是否凡事行在真理中？是否凡事行在主的光明中？
Reflection: In all things, do I walk in the truth and in the light of the Lord?
6>與主同死的決心 The determination to die with the Lord
如今我們可以往他那裏去吧。」多馬，又稱為低土馬，就對那同作門徒的說：「我們也去和他同死吧。（v15b-16）

“…But let us go to him.” ¹⁶Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."(v15b,16)

一 談到多馬，大家都想到他的理性，因為當主耶穌復活之後，他曾經表明：除非讓他親眼看見耶穌、親手摸到傷痕，否則不相信主耶穌復活。但是此處的多馬，所表現 的卻是可圈可點、令人激賞。因為當他得知主耶穌明知有危險，卻依然堅持前往伯大尼（近耶路撒冷）時，多馬立刻對那同作門徒的說：「我們也去和他同死吧。顯 示，他對主耶穌的忠心。

Upon his name is mentioned, everyone remembers that Thomas was a rational person. He was the one who said that he would not believe the resurrection of Jesus, unless he touched the wound in Jesus’ hand and saw Jesus in person. In this passage, Thomas’ action was praiseworthy. When he heard Jesus’ word of determination, he called other disciples to go and die with Jesus. It displayed his loyalty to Jesus.
反省：如果哪一天，為了主的緣故，我必須遭受苦害，我願意與主同行、同背十架嗎？
Reflection: If I were to be persecuted for the Lord, would I be willing to walk with the Lord and carry the cross with Him for His sake?
四、我的禱告 / 實際應用