Quiet the storm.

Matthew 8:23-34 (New International Version)

Jesus Calms the Storm

²³Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. ²⁴Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. ²⁵The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"

²⁶He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

²⁷The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"

The Healing of Two Demon-possessed Men

²⁸When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes,^[a] two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. ²⁹"What do you want with us, Son of God?" they shouted. "Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?"

³⁰Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. ³¹The demons begged Jesus, "If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs."

³²He said to them, "Go!" So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water.³³Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. ³⁴Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.

一、中心內容：Message

內容：Content
1>主耶穌跟門徒搭船前往加大拉（格拉森），途中遇到暴風浪。Jesus was in the boat with his disciples and came across a furious storm.（v23-26）
2>主耶穌斥責風浪，風浪就平靜了。Jesus rebuked the winds and the waves then it was calm.（v26-27）
3>主耶穌去到加大拉，並遇到兩個被鬼附的人 Jesus went to Gadarenes and met two demon-possessed men.（v28）
4>附在這兩個人身上的鬼，央求主耶穌不要折磨牠們，如 果要牠們離開，就允許牠們進入豬群。The demons pleaded Jesus not to torture them and to send them to the herd of pigs（v29-31）
5>經主耶穌允許之後，鬼就從那兩人身上出來，並且進入 豬群當中，導致豬群衝入山崖，並且投湖而死。The demons came out of the men and went into the pigs. They went into the lake and died in the water.（v32）
6>當城裏的人得知此事之後，便要求主耶穌離開他們。The town heard about what happened and asked Jesus to leave the region.（v33-34）

主題：Theme
1>平靜風浪。Quiet the storm.
2>鬼入豬群。Demon went into the herd of pigs.
3>生命無價。Life is priceless.

二、上帝、耶穌基督、聖靈是誰？Who is God? Who is Jesus? Who is the Holy Spirit?

1>與人認同的耶穌基督。Jesus Christ who has a human identity（v23）
2>流露人性的耶穌基督。Jesus Christ who shows his human’ characters（v24）
3>救主耶穌基督。Jesus Christ the savior（v25）
4>掌管大自然的耶穌基督。Jesus Christ who is able to control the nature（v26）
5>上帝的兒子耶穌基督。Jesus Christ the Son of God（v29）
6>權柄勝過魔鬼的耶穌基督。Jesus Christ who has authority over demons（v29-32）

三、給我的教訓（命令、應允、榜樣、責備、警告）是什麼？What is God teaching me (command, promise, model, rebuke, warning)?

1>耶穌人性的流露
主耶穌不僅是完全的神，同時也是完全的人。因為祂是完全的神，所 以能醫病、趕鬼、行各樣的神蹟。又因為祂是完全的人，所以會口渴、飢餓、傷心流淚---等。Jesus is a man and God. He is fully God so He is capable of healing and other miracles. He is also a man; he gets thirsty, hungry, sad, etc.
這段經文告訴我們，主耶穌上了船，祂的門徒也跟著祂去。忽然，一 陣暴風襲擊湖面，浪濤掩蓋了船，耶穌卻睡著了。The passage tells us that Jesus was on the boat with his disciples. Suddenly a storm came and the waves swept over the boat, but Jesus was asleep.
主耶穌睡了，代表主耶穌也會疲累，也需要休息。根據這一點，可 以證明：主耶穌不僅是完全的神，同時也是完全的人。Jesus fell asleep because even Jesus gets tired and needs rest. Through this, we see that He is God but also a man.
反省：我對主耶穌的屬性有多少認識？祂是完全的神，也是完全的 人，我真正相信嗎？Reflection: He is God, but also a man. Do I really believe it?

2>掌管自然的耶穌
因為主耶穌是完全的神，所以當祂在世上的年日，經常醫病、趕鬼、行 神蹟。然而，根據這段聖經所記載的事件，又彰顯出主耶穌所擁有，另外一種權柄，就是掌管大自然的權柄。While Jesus was still on Earth, he healed the ills, casted out the demons and did miracles. However, according to the Bible, Jesus also has the authority and is in charge of the nature. 因為聖經記載說：一陣暴風襲擊湖面，浪濤掩蓋了船。門徒都感到十分驚慌，立刻叫醒主耶穌，並向祂求救。主耶穌起來，斥責風和浪，風浪 就平靜了。Bible tells us that: Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him. Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

連風浪都聽從主耶穌，證明主耶穌擁有掌管大自然的權柄。Even the waves obeyed Jesus, this proves that Jesus even has the control over the nature.
反省：我對主耶穌「掌管大自然」的權柄與能力，我有多少認識與 體會？我是否曾經為天氣因素，向主耶穌祈求過？Reflection: Have I ever experience anything about Jesus’control over the nature and have I ever prayed about it?

3>屬靈爭戰的世界
兩個人被鬼附身，主耶穌將牠們驅趕出去。這是一種事奉，但並不 是屬肉體，或屬物質的事奉，這乃是屬靈的事奉、屬靈的爭戰。顯示：我們就活在一個屬靈爭戰的世界中。
參：以弗所書6:10-18 Lord Jesus drove demons out of two demon-possessed men. This is a service to God but in a spiritual way, a spiritual battle. It also means we are living in a world of spiritual warfare. See: Ephesians 6:10-18
6:10 最後，你們要倚靠主的大能力作堅強的人。6:11 你們要穿 戴上帝所賜的全副軍裝裝，好使你們能站穩，來抵禦魔鬼的詭計。6:12 因為我們不是對抗有血有肉的人，而是對天界的邪靈，就是這黑 暗世代的執政者、掌權者，和宇宙間邪惡的勢力作戰。6:13因此，你們要以上帝所賜的武器裝備自己，好在險惡的日子裏能夠抵抗敵人的攻擊，戰鬥到 底，始終守住陣地。6:14 所以，你們要準備好。要以真理作腰帶，以正義作護胸甲，6:15 以隨時宣揚 和平的福音作鞋子穿上。6:16 要常常拿著信心的盾牌，好使你們能夠抵禦那邪惡者所射出的一切火箭。6:17 你們要以 救恩作頭盔，以上帝的話作聖靈所賜的寶劍。6:18 你們要在禱告中祈求上帝的幫助，常常隨從聖靈的帶領禱告。要事事警醒，不可放鬆；要不斷 地為信徒們禱告。Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. ¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ¹⁸And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
反省：我是否清楚自己（面對屬靈爭戰）的處境？是否穿上帝所賜 全副軍裝？是否謹慎、儆醒？在屬靈爭戰中，我經常得勝多？還是失敗多？Reflection: Do I really understand the situation of spiritual battles? Am I armed and prepared for the spiritual battle? In these battles, do I win often times or lose?

4>際遇悲慘的生命
這兩個被鬼附身的人，他們生命中的狀況，堪稱十分的悲慘，因為 無法住在家中，過著正常人的生活。只能住在墳塋裏，過著非人過的生活。These two men who are possessed by the demon are living a tragic life. They cannot live at home and have a normal life. They can only live in tombs and be treated like non-human. 而且極其凶猛，導致沒有人敢從那個地方過去。這種受轄制的生命是極其悲慘的，這種人的生命 是無望的。Those are places no one dares to go to. The lives of these men are hopeless and extremely tragic.
反省：我自己的生命狀況如何？是否在主裏得釋放？真自由？或仍 受綑綁？在我的四周圍，是否有生命際遇悲慘的人，我是否關心他？如何幫助他？Reflection: What is the state of my own life? Am I being set free by the Lord? It is true freedom? Am I surrounded by people who are having a miserable life? Do I care about them? What can I do to help them?

5>千金難買的生命
兩千頭豬，價值連城，但是為了釋放這兩個受綑綁、受壓制、受折 磨的生命，寧願將它犧牲掉。Even though life is priceless, to release and avoid the miserable lives of the pigs, it is preferring to sacrifice them. 主耶穌顯然將生命視為無價之寶，人的生命不是金錢可以衡量的。Life of human is priceless and cannot be measured.
參：馬太福音16:26 See: Matthew 16:26
人若賺得全世界，賠上自己的生命，有甚麼益處呢﹖人還能拿甚麼 換生命呢﹖What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
反省：我是一個看重世界過於生命的人，還是看重生命過於世界的 人？在這物慾橫行的社會當中，我用什麼來衡量生命的價值？金錢？學問？地位？Reflection: Do I value human life over the world or world over life? In this materialism society, what do I use to measure the value of life? By wealth? By knowledge? By status?

6>能力超然的魔鬼
從經文當中，我們非常清楚的看到，魔鬼也擁有超然的能力，僅舉 例如下：From the Bibles verses, it is clearly said that even the evil has abilities:
a.魔鬼認識主耶穌的身份：神的兒子，我們與你有甚麼相干﹖He knows Jesus’ identity: "What do you want with us, Son of God?" （v29）
b.魔鬼清楚主耶穌的能力：時候還沒有到，你就上這裏來叫我們 受苦麼﹖ He knows Jesus is powerful: "Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?"（v29）
c.魔鬼瞭解末後將有審判：時候還沒有到，你就上這裡來叫我們 受苦麼﹖He knows there will be trial: "Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?"（v29）
d.魔鬼明白主耶穌的動機：若把我們趕出去，就打發我們進入豬 群罷！He knows Jesus’ motives: "If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs."（v31）
反省：我對魔鬼認識有多深？是否識透魔鬼的詭計？有過交手的經 驗嗎？Reflection: How well do I know the devil? Do I know devil’s tricks and schemes? Have I ever experienced dealing with the devil?

7>降服耶穌的權柄
根據經文的記載，整個事件發展的經過，尤其主耶穌跟鬼之間的互 動，我們發現一個
權柄的次序，也就是主耶穌的權柄，勝過鬼的權柄。僅舉例如下：Through this whole event, especially through the interaction between Jesus and the devil, we can see the order of power: Jesus’ power has authority over the devil’s.
a.鬼就央求（begged）耶穌！（權柄小的，央求權柄大的）The demons begged Jesus.
b.耶穌說：去罷！鬼就出來，進入豬群。（經權柄大的允許，權 柄小的才敢行動）He said to them, "Go!" So they came out and went into the pigs.
顯然，將兩者的權柄拿來相比，高下立見，鬼絕對是降服在主耶穌 的權柄之下。Clearly, when we compare the two, the demons surrendered under the authority of Jesus Christ.
反省：我對主耶穌的認識有多深？是否知道主耶擁有絕對的權柄？我 是否全心倚靠祂？Reflection: How much do I know about Lord Jesus? Do I know that He has the absolute authority? Do I entirely rely on Him?

8>天壤之別的作為
我們再度將主耶穌與鬼，這兩者的作為拿來比較，發現其動機簡直 天壤之別。While comparing again Lord Jesus and the demons, we see that their motives are entirely different.
a.耶穌的動機與作為：釋放人、醫治人、拯救人。Jesus’ motivations : free people, heal people, save people.
b.魔鬼的動機與作為：綑綁人、傷害人、毀滅人。Demons’ motivations : bind up people, hurt people, destroy people.

反省：針對主耶穌的作為，以及魔鬼的詭計，我是否具備分辨的智 慧？又：我的所作所為，
通常都成為主耶穌的同工，還是成為撒魔鬼所利用的工具？Reflection: Am I being able to distinguish the good and the bad? Am I a tool that does God’s work or that is being used to do evil?

9>矇昧無知的決定
因為主耶穌答應了鬼的要求，讓牠們進入豬群當中。Jesus did as the demons wished and drove them out from human to the pigs. 結果：使得兩千頭豬，瞬間衝下山崖，竄入湖中，都淹 死了。As a result, the whole herd of pigs rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water.當城裏的人得知這件事之後，就紛紛 要求主耶穌離開他們。When the town heard about the incident, they asked Jesus to leave the region. 要求主耶穌離開那 城，是非常可惜的一件事，也是一種無知的決定。他們並沒有因為弟兄得釋放而高興，反而因損失兩千頭豬而擔憂。It was unfortunate thing to ask Jesus to leave and was a decision made out of ignorance.
參：約翰福音4:40-42 See: 2 John 4:40-42
---於是撒瑪利亞人來見耶穌，求他在他們那裏住下，他便在那 裏住了兩天。
---有更多的人因耶穌的信息而信了他。他們告訴那女人：「我 們現在信了，不是因為你
說的話，而是因為我們親自聽見了他的話，知道他真是世界的救主。」
顯然，留下主耶穌，絕對不是損失，而是蒙福！Keeping Lord Jesus is certainly not a loss but a blessing!
反省：我是否看重生命過於物質，或者看重物質過於生命？為了別 人得拯救，自己必須有所失，我願意嗎？如果我是城裏的人，我會留下耶穌同住，還是請耶穌離開？Reflection: Do I value life over materials or do I value materials over life? Am I willing to lose something in order for others to be saved? If I were living in that city, would I ask Jesus to leave or take him in my house?

四、我的禱告 / 實際應用Prayer / Life application