The true meaning of the Sabbath.

12:1 不久以後，耶穌在一個安息日經過麥田。他的門徒餓了，就摘了一些麥穗來吃。12:2有些法利賽人看見了，對耶穌說：「你看，你的門徒做了在安息日不准做的事！」12:3 耶穌回答：「大衛和他的隨從在飢餓的時候做了甚麼，你們沒有念過嗎？12:4 他走進上帝的聖殿，他跟他的隨從吃了獻給上帝的供餅；那是違法的(因為那種餅只有祭司才可以吃)。12:5 難道你們沒有念過摩西的法律所記載的？每逢安息日，祭司在聖殿裏都破壞了安息日的規矩，可是他們不算犯罪。12:6 我告訴你們，這裏有比聖殿更重要的。12:7 聖經上說：『我要的是仁慈，不是牲祭。』假如你們真正明白這話的意思，你們就不會把無辜的人定罪。12:8 因為人子是安息日的主。」
12:9 耶穌離開了那地方，到猶太人的會堂去。12:10 在那裏有一個人，他的一隻手枯萎了。有些人想找耶穌的錯處，就問他：「在安息日治病是不是違法的？」12:11 耶穌回答：「假如你們當中有人有一隻羊，這隻羊在安息日掉進坑裏去，怎麼辦呢？他不把羊拉上來嗎？2:12人比羊貴重多了！所以，在安息日行善是法律所允 許的。」12:13 於是，耶穌對那人說：「把手伸直！」他一伸手，手就復原，跟另一隻手一樣。12:14 法利賽人出去，計劃對付耶穌，要殺害他。

Lord of the Sabbath

¹At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. ²When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, "Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath."

³He answered, "Haven't you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? ⁴He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. ⁵Or haven't you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple desecrate the day and yet are innocent? ⁶I tell you that one^[a] greater than the temple is here. ⁷If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,'^[b] you would not have condemned the innocent. ⁸For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."

⁹Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, ¹⁰and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"

¹¹He said to them, "If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? ¹²How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."

¹³Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. ¹⁴But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.

一、中心內容 Message：

內容 Content：
1>主耶穌跟門徒，在安息日摘取麥穗來吃，並引來法利賽人的批評。（v1-2）Jesus and his disciples picked some heads of grain and ate them. The Pharisees criticized this behavior. (v1-2)
2>主耶穌以「大衛跟祂的隨從，吃聖殿裏的餅」與「在安息日，祭司做更多的事」為例，來為自己的作為作解釋。（v3-5）Jesus used the example of “David and his companions eating the consecrated bread in God’s house” and “the priests did more things on the Sabbath” to explain his behavior. (v3-5)
3>主耶穌為自己的身份與心意作解釋。就是：祂比聖殿更重要、祂是安息日的主、祂愛仁慈，不愛祭物---等。（v6-8） Jesus explained about his status and intention, that is, He is greater than the temple, He is the Lord of the Sabbath, He desires mercy, not sacrifice, etc. (v6-8)
4>主耶穌到猶太人的會堂，遇見一隻手枯萎的人，且面對法利賽人的挑戰。（v9-10）Jesus went into the synagogue, saw a man with a shriveled hand and faced a challenge from the Pharisees. (v9-10)
5>針對法利賽人的挑戰，主耶穌提出說明，並施行醫治。（v11-13）Being challenged by the Pharisees, Jesus explained himself and healed the man. (v11-13)
6>法利賽人就此出去，並計劃要對付耶穌，而且要殺害他。（v14）The Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus. (v14)

主題 Theme：
1>安息日的真義。The true meaning of the Sabbath.
2>安息日的主。The Lord of the Sabbath.

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

01>比聖殿偉大、比聖殿重要的耶穌基督。（v6）Jesus Christ who is greater and more important than the temple. (v6)
02>要仁慈，不要牲祭的耶穌基督。（v7）Jesus Christ who desires mercy but not sacrifice. (v7)
03>設立安息日的耶穌基督。（v8）Jesus Christ who established the Sabbath. (v8)
04>行醫治神蹟的耶穌基督。（v12）Jesus Christ who performed healing miracle. (v12)

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>設立安息的真義 The true meaning of establishing the Sabbath

猶太人，尤其法利賽人，表面上看起來，是那樣重視律法、恪遵律法。但是在傳統包袱的束縛之下，所謂的律法，經過他們解釋、定義、持守之後，卻漸漸偏離愛人的精神，甚至趨向形式化與教條化。其結果就是：不僅無法使上帝的子民，因律法而得自由、享受愛，反而因律法而承受重擔，甚至遭受轄制。

On the surface, it seems like the Jewish people, especially the Pharisees, extremely value the Law and follows the Law. However, this Law, under the constraint and burdens of their traditions, has turned away from the spirit of loving people. It has become a mere formality or doctrine after they defined it. As a consequence, not only can’t the people of God receive freedom and enjoy love because the Law, they are forced to bear the heavy burdens and get tied up.

事實上，上帝設立安息的目的非常簡單，也非常清楚，就是：讓上帝的子民，在忙碌的生活中，能夠騰出一天的時間，不需要工作，可以專心敬拜上帝，追念上帝的恩惠與慈愛。對上帝的子民來說，這是一種釋放，也是一種享受，更是一種安息。

In fact, the intention of God to establish the Sabbath is very simple and very clear—that is, God’s people can find one day in their busy life to focus on God and worship God without having to work. To think and remember God’s grace and love is an enjoyment of ease, comfort and rest for God’s people.

反省：我是否明白上帝設立安息的意義？我是否真正享受過安息？或一直在勞碌之中？是否始終背負重擔？甚至遭受綑綁？
Reflection: Do I understand the meaning behind the Sabbath established by God? Have I truly enjoyed the Sabbath? Or have I been losing myself in this busy world and carrying a heavy burden, even being so tied up?

2>恢復安息的精神 Restore the spirit of the Sabbath

根據經文的記載：有一次，主耶穌在一個安息日經過麥田。祂的門徒餓了，就摘了一些麥穗來吃。有些法利賽人看見了，就對主耶穌說：你看，你的門徒做了在安息日不准做的事。針對法利賽人的指控，主耶穌提出兩個例子，來為門徒的舉動作辯解。

According to the scripture, as Jesus went through the grainfields on one Sabbath, his disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing hwat is unlawful on the Sabbath.” In response of their accusation, Jesus explained the behavior of his disciples with two examples.

第一個例子：大衛和他的隨從在飢餓的時候，走進上帝的聖殿，跟他的隨從吃了獻給上帝的供餅。因為那種餅只有祭司才可以吃，所以大衛與其隨從的舉動，就法利賽人的標準來說，就是違法的。但是卻被容許！
第二個例子：每逢安息日，為了獻祭的緣故，祭司宰殺了許多牲畜，就法利賽人的標準來說，同樣是違法的，也就是破壞了安息日的規定。但是仍被容許！

The first example: When David and his companions were hungry, they entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread. Because only the priests can eat the bread, so what David and his companions did was unlawful according to standard of the Pharisees, but tolerated!

The second example: On the Sabbath the priests killed many animals for offerings. According to the standard of the Pharisees, this too was unlawful, but still it was still tolerated!

在這段經文當中，顯現出主耶穌和祂的門徒這一方，以及法利賽人那一方，對安息日的認知明顯不同。法利賽人拘泥於律法的字句；主耶穌和祂的門徒，卻為成全生命之所需。
法利賽人受制於猶太文化傳統；主耶穌和祂的門徒，卻以超越文化的眼光來看待。法利賽人曲解、死守律法，而主耶穌與祂的門徒，其實是恢復了律法愛人的精神！

In this scripture, it is shown that Jesus and his disciples and the Pharisees each has different understanding of the Sabbath. The Pharisees rigidly adhere to the words of the Law, whereas Jesus and his disciples help accomplish the needs in life. The Pharisees were tied down to their Jewish traditional culture, whereas Jesus and his disciples were looking past through the culture. The Pharisees misinterpreted the Law and stuck to it, whereas Jesus and his disciples restore the loving spirit of the Law!

反省：在個人信仰生活當中，有哪些部份已經成為習慣？失去意義、不知緣由，或落入教條化（律法主義）的危機當中？甚至被法規條例套牢，以致於失去「愛與公義」的信仰精神？
Reflection: Which part in your personal life of faith has become a routine and lost its meaning and reason? Or even so tied down by the Law that it has lost the spirit of love and righteousness?

3>耶穌比聖殿重要 Jesus is greater than the temple

主耶穌對法利賽人說：我告訴你們，這裏有比聖殿更重要的。（v6）
重視聖殿的禮儀與律法規條，雖然不是什麼壞事，但是過度的重視，甚至單單執著於此的結果，往往變成本末倒置。法利賽人就是如此，由於過度重視聖殿禮儀與律法規條，以致於忘了聖殿的真正作用，就是要將人帶到上帝面前。

Jesus said to the Pharisees, “I tell you that one greater than the temple is here.” (v6) Valuing the ceremony and laws of the temple is not a bad thing, but excessively valuing and persisting can lead to people attending to the superficial as opposed to the essentials. The Pharisees were like this— they forgot that the true purpose of the temple was to bring men to God because they were overly focusing on the rules.

如今，主耶穌已經來到世上，而且就在他們當中。主耶穌比聖殿重要，主耶穌也比聖殿偉大。因為主耶穌比聖殿，以及聖殿中的宗教禮儀，更能將人帶到上帝面前。尤其，主耶穌本身就是上帝。所以，祂當然比聖殿更重要、更偉大。因此，主耶穌說：我告訴你們，這裏有比聖殿更重要的---就是我（主耶穌）！

Now Jesus has come to the world and was present within them. Jesus is more important than the temple and Jesus is also greater than the temple. This is because Jesus has more power to bring men before God than the temple and its religious ceremonies. Especially when Jesus himself IS God, He then is definitely greater than the temple. Therefore, Jesus said, “I tell you that one greater than the temple is here”— ME (Lord Jesus)!

反省：我是否在不知不覺當中，看重敬拜的地點、看重敬拜的禮儀、看重敬拜的設施或器皿，過於看重敬拜的對象---三位一體的上帝？
Reflection: Often times do I focus on the place, the manner and the tools of the worship more than the object of the worship—the Holy Trinity God, without noticing?

4>愛憐恤不愛祭物 Desires mercy but not sacrifice

聖經記載主耶穌的話說：我要的是仁慈，不是牲祭。假如你們真正明白這話的意思，你們就不會把無辜的人定罪。（v7）
主耶穌引用先知何西阿的話說：我要的是仁慈，不是牲祭。（和合本：我喜愛良善，不喜愛祭祀。何西阿書6:6）意思是說，上帝看重一個人內心，勝過任何外在禮儀與祭物。

In the bible, Jesus said “if you had known what these words mean, ’I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.” (v7) Jesus quoted on prophet Hosea, “for I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” (Hosea 6:6) This means that God values one’s inner heart more than any external rites or offerings.

反省：經常參加禮拜、參與聖餐、參與服事的我，是否只重外表、只重形式，導致失去真誠、敬畏、謙卑、悔罪的心？
Reflection: Has the routine of attending to the Sunday service, the Holy Communion and constant serving in church made me focus on the appearance and formality only? Have I lost the heart to be sincere, reverent, humble and repentant?

5>設立安息日的主 Lord of the Sabbath

主耶穌說：因為人子是安息日的主。（v8）

主耶穌向法利賽人宣告：祂就是安息日的主！意思就是表明：祂比安息日（律法）更大，祂勝過安息日，因為安息日是祂所設立的。

Jesus said “for the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” (v8) Jesus told the Pharisees that He is the Lord of the Sabbath. This means that He is greater than the Sabbath (the Law) because He established the Sabbath.

然而，法利賽人，因為不明白主耶穌就是上帝的兒子，不知道安息日（律法）是祂所設立的。所以指責主耶穌所帶領的門徒，竟然觸犯了「安息日不可工作」的律法。
也因為主耶穌是安息日的主，安息日是祂所設立的。因此，設立安息日（律法）的人，當然勝過安息日，當然有權柄可以掌管所設立的安息日（律法）。

However, the Pharisees accused Jesus’ disciples for doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath because they did not understand that Jesus is the Son of God and that He established the Sabbath (the Law). Therefore, the person who establishes the Sabbath (the Law) is definitely greater than the Sabbath and has the power to be in charge of the Sabbath (the Law).

反省：當我與人分享時，是否只分享教義、道理、典章、律例，卻缺乏重生、活潑、有美好見證的生命？
Reflection: Do I only share with others about the Law, the principles and regulations but not a renewed life and a life of beautiful testimony for God?

6>無知的法利賽人 The ignorant Pharisees

法利賽人自認為是「敬畏上帝、恪遵律法」的一群，對自己死守律法的偏失卻渾然不知，甚至還以正義之師自居，認定主耶穌就是異端。進而百般挑難，極力追殺，欲除之而後快！同時，為了尋找把柄，甚至設下圈套，經常緊追不捨！自以為是替天行道。

The Pharisees thought they were the ones who were reverent towards God and strictly following the Law. They called themselves the righteous and saw Jesus as being heterodox, but they had no idea of their own fault of being tied down to the Law. They looked for chances to accuse Jesus and kill Jesus. Meanwhile, they even set Jesus up in order to find faults against him, thinking that they were working for God!

有一次，主耶穌到猶太人的會堂去。在那裏有一個人，他的一隻手枯萎了。那些法利賽人，認為逮到機會，想找主耶穌的錯處，就問祂說：在安息日治病是不是違法的？
當主耶穌以「大衛跟祂的隨從，吃聖殿裏的餅」與「在安息日，祭司做更多的事」為例子來回答，同時醫治那個人枯萎的手之後，法利賽人發現無計可施，就出去了。但是依然不死心，繼續籌謀對付主耶穌的事，甚至企圖要將祂給殺害。根據以上的描述，證明法利賽人真是無知的一群！

Jesus went into their synagogue once and a man with a shriveled hand was there. The Pharisees, thinking that they had caught the opportunity to accuse Jesus, asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” Jesus used the example of “David and his companions eating the consecrated bread in God’s house” and “the priests did more things on the Sabbath” to explain his behavior and healed the man’s hand. The Pharisees saw that there was nothing they could do and went out, but they still wouldn’t give up and started to plot how they might kill Jesus. From the above description, we can see that the Pharisees were an ignorant group of people.

反省：我是否曾經犯了法利賽人的錯誤？陷入法利賽人的迷失當中？無知卻又自以為是？

Reflection: Have I ever made the same mistake the Pharisees did—lost , ignorant, but still thinks so full of oneself?

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