作為外來人，傳教士必會帶給當地居民不安。例如，來自東方的賢士，前往耶路撒冷，尋覓新生的猶太人君王，結果引起全城恐慌（瑪2:1-3）。東方賢士把觀測到、領受到的真理，帶給耶路撒冷的居民，他們可算是傳教士。可惜，東方賢士不明白猶大當時的政治氣候，他們帶來的真理，卻動搖了現存的體制。新生王不是大黑落德的兒子，卻要取代他成為猶太人未來的君王，哪有不恐慌的道理！同樣，後世的傳教士，把福音的價值觀傳授給本地人的時候，既得利益者會覺得福音太革命性，當權者認為福音反動，受壓迫者覺得福音是解放他們、改善他們生活的一線曙光！整個社會何來和平呢？難怪耶穌基督說：「那裡如有和平之子，你們的和平就要停留在他身上；否則，仍歸於你們。」（路10:6）難道福音真的不能帶來和平嗎？
俗世的建制所營造的和平，祇是為了保存建制內，一少撮既得利益者的利益，其中的不公義，有目共睹，所以那表面的和平是不穩定的。當四周的環境改變了，現存的制度也要適應新環境，配合改變，否則便會被淘汰。耶穌基督是天主子，惟有祂所傳授的福音，纔會帶來永恆的和平。哪一種和平是好的呢？不證自明！
世上有甚麼人，有能力成為「和平之子」，領受到福音所帶來的和平呢？是那些良善心謙的人（瑪5:3-10），他們在弱肉強食的建制之内，通常是受壓迫者。他們渴求這永恆的和平，他們容易接納福音的價值觀，所以他們是新皮囊，可以把福音新酒裝進去（谷2:22）。「那傳報福音者的腳步，在山上是多麼美麗啊！」（依52:7）
主基督，讓我們在福音中找到和平，再把這和平傳開去。亞孟。
MISSIONARIES ARE LIBERATORS (Luke 10:1-9)
As foreigners, missionaries will bring unrest to local people. For example, the Magi from the East came to Jerusalem to look for the Jewish new born king. Consequently all Jerusalem was greatly troubled together with Herod the Great (Matthew 2:1-3). The Magi had discovered and accepted the truth which they brought to the people of Jerusalem. They could be called missionaries. Unfortunately, the Magi did not understand the political climate of the Jews at that time. They brought the truth which shook the existing establishment. The new born king was not the son of Herod the Great. But the baby would one day replace him to become the king of the Jews. How could people not be alarmed! In the same way, missionaries in subsequent ages brought to the local people a gospel which the establishment deemed too revolutionary, the people in power deemed it counter-revolutionary while the oppressed would see it as liberation, a ray of hope to improve their life. How could the whole society be peaceful? No wonder Jesus Christ says, "If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you." (Luke 10:6) Can the gospel bring us genuine peace?
The peace enforced by secular establishment is to protect the interests of a minority. The injustice is crystal clear. This superficial peace is unstable. When new circumstances arise, the establishment needs to adapt to the new environment and make changes. Otherwise, it will be overturned. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Only the peace He teaches in His gospel can bring eternal peace. Which peace is better is obvious!
What kind of people on earth can be "a peaceful person" who can receive the peace brought by the gospel? The meek and humble (Matthew 5:3-10). They are usually the oppressed inside the establishment which is ruled by the law of the jungle. The meek and humble desire eternal peace. They are more receptive to the values of the gospel. They are fresh wineskins into which the new wine of the gospel can be poured (Mark 2:22). "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the one bringing good news!" (Isaiah 52:7)
Lord Jesus Christ! Let us find peace in the gospel and spread it. Amen.
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