猶太人的失望 The Disappointment of the Jews

【失望/希望系列（四）】
猶太人的失望（路11:14-23）

在猶太人心目中，梅瑟的法令和規律是絕對重要的，因為是天主藉著梅瑟與他們立約，並頒布一些指導性的原則，在日常生活中實踐；而且，這是猶太民族的尊嚴。《梅瑟五書》有這樣的記載：「你們要謹守遵行，因為這樣，在萬民眼中，纔能顯出你們的智慧和見識；他們一聽到這一切法令說：這實在是一個有智慧，有見識的大民族！有那個大民族的神這樣接近他們，如同上主我們的天主，在我們每次呼求祂時，這樣親近我們呢？」（申4:6-7）擁有這些法律，是他們引以為榮的事，顯示出他們有智慧、有見識，和有一位全能的天主為他們作戰，作他們的後盾！因此遵守梅瑟法律，是民族的尊嚴和榮耀。

最近，一個來自加里肋亞省，納匝肋小鎮的木匠，竟然也成了一位師傅。他四出宣教，連法利塞人也請他吃飯（路7:36）；他還行了不少治病、驅魔，甚至復活死人的神蹟，博得群眾的驚訝和信服（11:14）！可惜這位師傅的行為離經背道：他不遵守梅瑟法律，與罪人同席、在安息日治病、與外邦人來往等等，簡直是猶太人的恥辱，令人失望，他沒有資格做師傅！

雖然治病、驅魔，甚至復活死人，都不是耶穌基督的主要使命，但足以顯示天主的國已經進入了這個世界（11:20），正在與魔鬼進行一場屬靈的戰爭。所以耶穌基督用了戰爭的術語，諸如「佩帶武器」、「瓜分贓物」等等，來駁斥那些毀謗祂的人。

親愛的讀者，這些猶太人是應該失望的，因為他們站在救主的對立面，而且他們的勝算是零。這是一場曠日持久的正邪對決，沒有中間路線可以選擇，沒有三國鼎立的可能。所以，不隨同耶穌基督拯救罪人靈魂的、不傳福音的，即那些「不同我收集」的人，就是從天主手中，搶走罪人的靈魂，送往魔鬼陣營去，即那些瓦解基督的努力「就是分散」的人！朋友，已經是四旬期第三周了，你在哪個陣營呢？
天主保祐！

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生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝： ideogram.ai

Disappointment & Hope Series (IV)
The Disappointment of the Jews (Luke 11:14-23)

In the Jewish mind, the Mosaic regulations and precepts are of utmost importance because God established a holy covenant with them through Moses and told them to observe these guiding instructions in their daily life. Moreover, these laws are the pride of the Jewish people. The Pentateuch has these words, “Observe them carefully, for this is your wisdom and discernment in the sight of the peoples, who will hear of all these statutes and say, ‘This great nation is truly a wise and discerning people.’ For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the LORD, our God, is to us whenever we call upon Him?” (Deuteronomy 4:6-7) Possession of these statues is their pride, showing their wisdom and knowledge. Moreover, there is an almighty God to fight battles for them, to be their shield! Therefore, observing Mosaic Law is a national pride and glory.

Lately, a carpenter who grew up in a small town of Nazareth in the province of Galilee, came as a Rabbi like a whirlwind. He went around to preach. Even Pharisees invited him to dinner (Luke 7:36). He was able to perform many healing miracles and exorcisms. He even resuscitated the dead and had won awe and conversion from the crowd (11:14). Regrettably, this Rabbi’s behaviours were heretic: He did not observe Mosaic Law, dined with sinners, healed diseases on Sabbaths and interacted with the Gentiles etc. His actions brought shame on us Jews and were disappointing. He should not be a Rabbi!

Although healings, exorcisms and even raising the dead are not the major missions of Jesus Christ, they suffice to show that the Kingdom of Heaven has entered this world (11:20) and is engaged in a spiritual warfare with Satan. Thus, Jesus Christ made use of military jargons, such as “armour” and “distributes the spoils” etc. to refute those who try to defame Him.

Beloved readers! Those Jews should be disappointed because they stood against the Savour and their chance of winning was zero! This warfare is an extended confrontation between the justified and the wicked. There is no middle ground, no possible tripartite equilibrium. Thus, those who do not follow Jesus Christ to save souls and who do not evangelize, are “those who do not gather”, namely those who kidnap sinners’ souls and send them to Satan’s camp. They neutralize the efforts of Christ. They scatter! Friends, we are already in the third week of Lent. Which side are you?
God bless!