Your faith has healed you!

Jesus Questioned About Fasting

¹⁴Then John's disciples came and asked him, "How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?"

¹⁵Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.

¹⁶"No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. ¹⁷Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved."

A Dead Girl and a Sick Woman

¹⁸While he was saying this, a ruler came and knelt before him and said, "My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live." ¹⁹Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.

²⁰Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. ²¹She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed."

²²Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment.

²³When Jesus entered the ruler's house and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd, ²⁴he said, "Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep." But they laughed at him. ²⁵After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. ²⁶News of this spread through all that region.

9:14 有一次，施洗者約翰的門徒來問耶穌：「我們和法利賽人常常禁食，你的門徒卻不禁食，為甚麼呢？」9:15 耶 穌回答：「新郎還在婚宴的時候，賀喜的客人會悲傷嗎？當然不會。可是日子將到，新郎要從他們當中被帶走，那時候他們就要禁食了。9:16 「沒 有人拿新布去補舊衣服，因為新的補釘會扯破那舊衣服，使裂痕更大。9:17 也沒有人拿新酒裝在舊皮袋裏。這樣做的話，皮袋會脹 破，酒漏掉，連皮袋也損壞了。要把新酒裝在新皮袋裏；那麼，兩樣就都保全了。」 9:18 耶穌正在向約翰的門徒說這 些話的時候，有一個猶太會堂的主管來見他，在他面前跪下，說：「我的女兒剛死了，求你去為她按手，使她再活過來。」9:19 耶 穌起來，跟著他去；耶穌的門徒也一起去。9:20 有一個女人患了十二年血崩；她走到耶穌背後，摸了一下他外袍的衣角。9:21 她 心裏想：「只要我摸到他的衣角，我一定會得醫治。」9:22 耶穌轉過身來，看見她，就對她說：「孩子，放心吧，你的信心救了 你！」就在那時候，那個女人的病好了。9:23 耶穌來到那主管的家，看見出殯的吹鼓手和亂哄哄的人群，9:24 就對他們說：「你們都出 去，這女孩子沒有死，她只是睡著了！」大家都譏笑他。9:25 這群人被趕出去以後，耶穌進女孩子的臥室，拉著她的 手，她就起來。9:26 這消息傳遍了整個地區。

一、中心內容 Message：

內 容Content：
1>論禁食的問題。（v14-17）Question about fasting. (v14-17)
2>主耶穌使患血崩的婦女得痊癒。（v18-22）Jesus healed the woman who was subjected to bleeding for years. (v18-22)
3>主耶穌讓會堂 主管的女兒復活。（v23-26）Jesus brought the ruler’s daughter back to life. (v23-26)

主題 Theme：
1>兩個醫治的神蹟。Two healing miracles.
2>你的信心救了你！Your faith has healed you!

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

1>憐憫人的耶穌基督。（v18-19）Jesus Christ who is compassionate. (v18-19)
2>看透人內心的耶穌基督。（v22）Jesus Christ who knows the thoughts of man. (v22)
3> 擁有醫治權柄的耶穌基督。（v22）Jesus Christ who has the power to heal. (v22)
4>話語帶著權柄的耶穌基督。（v22）Jesus Christ whose words have authority. (v22)
5>能使死人復活的耶穌基督。（v25）Jesus Christ who can bring a dead person back to life. (v25)

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>禁食的動機 The motive of fasting

禁食，是一項十分嚴肅的信仰行為。表示謙卑，或為罪悲傷的態度。

摩西時代規定每年的贖罪節要禁食。（利未記16:29-34）
當國家亡於巴比倫之後，每年禁食的次數，已經增加到四次．（撒迦利亞8:19）
主耶穌時代，所謂敬虔派的猶太人，又增加到每個禮拜兩次禁食。（路加福音18:12）

Fasting is a very solemn act of faith and through this attitude it shows humility or grief due to sins. During the time of Moses, fasting on the Day of Atonement every year was an ordinance. (Leviticus 16:29-34)

When the nation ended in Babylon, the number of fasts per year increased to four times. (Zechariah 8:19)

During the time of Jesus Christ, the so-called Devotionist Jewish people had increased the number of fasts to twice a week. (Luke 18:12)

至此，禁食已經失去內心謙卑、為罪悲傷的意涵，淪為例行公事的宗教習 慣，甚至成為「彰顯自己，互相比較，顯出敬虔」的誇耀舉動。

To this point, the act of fasting has lost its meaning of humility and grief for sins. It has become a routine of religious custom, or even a boasting act to “show off oneself, compare each other and appear reverent.”

反省：我是否強調禁食？是否常常禁食？我為何禁食？理由充分嗎？動機正 確嗎？為悔罪而禁食？為國難而禁食？或成為習慣？甚至為表現自己？顯出自己比別人敬虔？
Reflection: Do I emphasize on fasting? Do I fast often? Why do I fast? Do I have adequate reasons and do I have a right motive? Do I fast for a national calamity or has it become a habit? Or even an act to show off and appear to be more reverent than others?

2>禁食的時機 The timing of fasting

針對禁食的問題，主耶穌使用了一個比喻。主耶穌說：新郎還在婚宴的時 候，賀喜的客人會悲傷嗎？當然不會。可是日子將到，新郎要從他們當中被帶走，那時候他們就要禁食了。在這個比喻當中，主耶穌點出有關 禁食時機的問題。上帝國來臨，就像舉辦婚姻宴席一樣。在這場宴席當中，主耶穌是新郎，門徒是陪伴的人。當新郎出席宴席的時候，就 是應該歡喜快樂的時候，所以陪伴的人就不應當悲傷、哀哭或禁食。可是日子將到，新郎要從他們當中被帶走。意思就是說：主耶穌將被出 賣、將遭殺害，那時候他們就要禁食了。根據主耶穌的教導，有關禁食的問題，顯然不是隨時想禁食就可以禁食，尤其不要讓禁食 成為一種宗教習慣，而是要看時機是否適合。

When faced with a question about fasting, Lord Jesus used a metaphor. Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.” In this metaphor, Jesus pointed out the right time for fasting. His analogy was that the coming of God’s kingdom is like the banquet for the newly-weds. In this banquet, Jesus is the bridegroom and the disciples are the guests. The guests should not mourn, cry or fast when the bridegroom is still with them for it is a time to be joyful. However, “the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them.” This foreshadows that Jesus will betrayed and killed, and THEN they will fast. From the teaching of Jesus, it is clear that the timing for fasting is very important. It cannot be done whenever nor can it be treated as a mere religious custom.

反省：再一次提醒，我對禁食有多少認識？我常常禁食嗎？通常都在什麼情 況之下禁食？

Reflection: Once again, how much do I know about fasting? How often do I fast and under what circumstances do I fast?

3>新舊難融合 The unmatched new and old

當主耶穌談過禁食之後，緊接著談到新舊難合的比喻。祂說：沒有人拿新布 去補舊衣服，因為新的補釘會扯破那舊衣服，使裂痕更大。又說：也沒有人拿新酒裝在舊皮袋裏。這樣做的話，皮袋會脹破，酒會漏掉，連皮 袋也損壞了。因此，要把新酒裝在新皮袋裏；那麼，兩樣就都保全了。主耶穌講這個比喻的用意，就是為了表明：祂所傳講上帝國的信息，跟 猶太教傳統的儀文主義並不相配。因此，應該用全新的心態、全新的形式，才能夠理解並貫徹。

After Jesus answered the question about fasting, he jumped right into an analogy of the unmatched new and old. He said, “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse.” He then said, “Neither do men pour new wine into old wine-skins. If they do, the skins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” The purpose behind this analogy is to make clear that the message he preaches about God’s kingdom does not match with the traditional Jewish doctrine. Therefore, one has to use a brand new attitude and mind in order to understand and implement the message of God.

反省：當我信耶穌之後，是否以「除舊佈新」的心態，來接受這個信仰？還 是依然以舊瓶來裝新酒？例如：將媽祖改為耶穌？
Reflection: After I believe in Jesus, do I clean out all the old habits and use a new attitude to accept this faith, or do I still pour new wine into old wine-skins?

4>可貴的信心 Valuable faith

對基督徒來說，信心是十分可貴的，也是屬靈恩賜的一種。所謂信心，就是 對主耶穌的信心；也就是相信祂、接受祂、倚靠祂的信心。

For a Christian, faith is very valuable and it is also a kind of spiritual gift. It is a faith for Jesus Christ—to believe him, accept him and rely on him.

哥林後書5:7說：因為我們行事為人，是憑著信心，不 是憑著眼見。

約翰一書5:4說：因為凡從上帝生的，就勝過世界；使我們勝 過世界的，就是我們的信心。因此，在基督徒的生命當中，信心絕對是不可忽視的因素。如：因信被稱義、因信蒙救贖、因信得醫治。

2 Corinthians 5:7 says: “We live by faith, not by sight.”

1 John 5:4 says: “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” Therefore, in the life of a Christian, faith cannot be neglected. There are examples of justification by faith, salvation by faith or healing by faith.

反省：我對主耶穌的信心如何？是否真正相信祂、接受祂，而且完全倚靠 祂？也就是將自己的生命、將自己的一生，完全託付給祂？
Reflection: Do I have faith in Jesus? Do I truly believe him, accept him and fully rely on him? Am I able to put my whole life onto his hand?

5>祈求的功效 The effect of asking

在這兩個醫治事件當中，罹患血漏十二年的婦女，是親自前來尋求主耶穌 的。 因此，如果以禱告的角度來看待這件事，她的情境是屬於祈求。證明：祈求是有功效的。

In these two healing miracles, the woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came to seek Jesus personally. Therefore, from a point of praying to see this event, her circumstance belonged to asking and it proved that it was effective to just simply ask.

反省：我對祈求、禱告有多少認識？有多少體會？我常常祈求、禱告嗎？
Reflection: How much do I know about asking and praying and have I experienced it? Do I often ask or pray?

6>代禱的功效 The effect of intercessory prayer

在這兩個醫治事件當中，會堂主管的女兒，是由她的父親前去尋求主耶穌 的。尤其她本人已經死亡，根本無所謂信心或祈求的問題。因此，以禱告的角度來看待這件事，她的情境是屬於代禱。證明：代禱是有功效 的。

In these two healing miracles, the synagogue ruler came to seek Jesus on the behalf of his daughter. Especially since she was dead, there was no question about her faith or prayer. Therefore, from the point of praying to see this event, her circumstance belonged to intercessory prayer and it proved to be effective.

反省：我對代禱有多少認識？有多少體會？我常常為國家、社會、教會、親 友代禱嗎？
Reflection: How much do I know about intercessory prayer and have I experienced it? Do I often pray for my country, society, church, family or friends?

7>生命的主宰 Ruler of Life

雖然，當主耶穌去到會堂主管的家中之後，對他們說：你們都出去，這女孩 子沒有死，她只是睡著了！事實上，這個女孩已經死了。從經文中，我們可以發現兩個證據。

When Jesus came to the home of the synagogue ruler, He said to them, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” In fact, this girl WAS dead and we can see two evidences from the scripture.

其一：當會堂主管見到主耶穌時，對主耶穌說：我的女兒剛死了，求你去為 她按手，使她再活過來。女孩的父親，親口說他的女兒死了，證明這女孩真的死了。

Evidence #1: The synagogue ruler came to Jesus and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” The girl’s father said himself that his daughter has died proves that the girl was dead for real.

其二：當主耶穌去到會堂主管家的時候，看見出殯的吹鼓手和亂哄哄的人 群。連出殯的吹鼓手和送葬的人群都來聚集了，證明這女孩真的死了。

Evidence #2: When Jesus entered the ruler’s house, He saw the flute players and the noisy crowd. The flute players and the crowd were gathered for her funeral—this proves that she was dead for real.

這個已經死去的女孩，主耶穌進入她的臥室，拉著她的手，就活過來了。這 是一個醫治的神蹟，也就是使死人復活的神蹟。顯示：主耶穌是生命的主宰。

Jesus went in where the girl was, took her by hand and she got up. This was a healing miracle—a miracle that brought people back to life. This shows that Lord Jesus is the ruler of life.

反省：我對主耶穌的認識有多深？是否確信祂是生命的主宰？是否放心全然 交託祂？
Reflection: How much do I know about Jesus? Do I firmly believe that He is the ruler of life? Am I able to rely on Him fully and put my life in His hand?

8>使死者復生 Bringing people back to life

在這段經文當中，主耶穌行了兩個醫治的神蹟，而且兩個都是女的。一個是 會堂主管十二歲的女 兒，一個是罹患血漏十二年的婦女。（馬可福音5:21-43）

In this passage, Lord Jesus has performed two healing miracles. Both of the miracles were performed on women— a synagogue ruler’s twelve-year-old daughter and a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. (Mark 5:21-43)

會堂主管的女兒，因為主耶穌的緣故，從死而復活，這是非常明確「死而復 生」的事。另外，罹患血漏十二年的婦女，根據當時律法的規定，她不能去敬拜上帝，也不能與人群接觸，因為罹患這種病是不潔的。因此， 凡接觸到的人，也將被視為不潔。所以，罹患血崩的婦女，事實上是跟人群隔離的。這樣的情境，這樣的人，遭受肉體與精神雙重折磨。就生 命意義來說，跟死亡其實相差無幾，算是一個名存實亡的人。
因此，主耶穌行這兩個神蹟，顯示：主耶穌能使死者復生！

The daughter of the synagogue ruler came back to life because of the Lord Jesus and this was a clear revival. On the other hand, according to the law at that time, the woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years was not allowed to worship God or have any contact with other people. This illness was considered to be impure and unclean, so whoever got in contact with her would be considered as impure and unclean also. As a result, this woman was completely separated from people and from the society. She only existed in name as her life was not that much different from death.

Therefore, these two miracles performed by Jesus showed that he has the power to bring people back to life!

反省：我對主耶穌的認識有多深？是否確信祂能使死者復生？是否放心全然 交託 祂？
Reflection: How much do I know about Jesus? Do I firmly believe that He can bring people back to life? Am I able to put everything in His hand?

9>與神蹟無份 No share in the miracles

當主耶穌去到會堂主管家中之後，對著眾人說：「你們都出去，這女孩子沒 有死，她只是睡著了！」結果，大家都譏笑他。也因為如此，當主耶穌要進入女孩子的臥室並施行醫治之前，做了一件或許不太引人注目的 事，就是將那一群取笑的人趕出去。這個動作顯示出：那些不信的人，對著主耶穌取笑的人，根本經歷不到神蹟。

When Jesus entered the synagogue ruler’s house, he said to the crowd, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. As a result, before Jesus went into the girl’s bedroom and healed her miraculously, he put the crowd outside. From this we can see that those who don’t believe and laugh at Jesus will not experience his miracle.

反省：我是否相信主耶穌擁有醫治的權柄？我相信神蹟嗎？針對聖經所記載 醫治的神蹟，我相信嗎？ 或認為是神話？我會不會暗中竊笑？我是聰明人，還是愚昧人？

Reflection: Do I believe that Jesus has the healing power? Do I believe in miracles? Do I believe in the biblical healing miracles or do I simply treat them as myths? Do I laugh secretly? Am I a wise man or a fool?

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