约翰福音 4:27

当下门徒回来，就希奇耶稣和一个妇人说话；只是没有人说：“你是要什么？”或说：“你为什么和他说话？”

11月17日

你在这个故事的哪一部分出现

“当下门徒回来，就希奇耶稣和一个妇人说话。” - 约 4:27

容我再问一次（参看11月15日内容）：你在故事的哪一部分出现？你在哪一个人物中看到自己（或你自己的一部份）的影子？

我们认同哪一个人，跟我们听到神藉这个故事对我们说什么话有密切关系。

如果你在撒玛利亚妇人的角色中看到自己（或你自己的一部分），你会清楚听到神奇妙的恩典。你或许像她那样，因神愿意拯救一个像你的人感到惊讶。

如果你在那些混身不自在的门徒中找到自己，看到耶稣随意传讲祂救恩的好消息，你大有可能感到疑惑。你放下一切来跟从的领袖，究竟为什么要和妇人交谈，尤其是一个撒玛利亚妇人？如果你有这种想法，你应该知道，耶稣和你看事物的角度有明显的分别。

另一个可能，就是你开始捉摸到耶稣的信息和目的。在这个故事中，你或许看到耶稣的门徒仍未能领会到的事情；你或许因为能够看清楚事情的真义，而感到神对你的肯定。

《圣经》中的一个故事，对不同的人竟能带出如此不同的信息，实在令人惊讶。这就是故事在多方面发挥出来的力量。

我们看事物的角度，深深影响我们如何去读这个故事。你在故事的哪一部分看到自己的影子呢？

祷告

主啊，求你帮助我在你的故事中清楚看到自己，又引导我以信心、谦卑和爱心来回应。我深知我时常都需要你的恩典，并且需要不断去学习怜悯的功课。阿们。

John 4:27

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17

YOUR PLACE IN THIS STORY

Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. —John 4:27

Let me ask again (see Nov. 15): Where do you show up in this story? In which characters do you see (parts of) yourself?

Whomever we identify with has something to do with what we hear God saying to us through this story.

If you see yourself in (parts of) the character of the Samaritan woman, you will hear God’s amazing grace ringing out clearly. And, like her, you may be surprised that God would save a person like you.

If you find yourself among the fidgeting disciples, you may well be perplexed at how reckless Jesus can be with his message of salvation. Why on earth would your leader, for whom you’ve given up everything to follow, be talking with a Samaritan woman, of all people? If so, it will be important to see a disconnect between Jesus’ perspective and yours.

Alternatively, if you have begun to grasp Jesus’ message and purpose, you will probably see a story in which his disciples are missing the point. You may even find yourself feeling affirmed by God for seeing things more clearly.

It can be surprising to discover how one story in Scripture can speak quite differently to various people. That’s part of the multifaceted power of stories.

Our perspective deeply affects how we read this story. Where do you see yourself here?

Lord, help me to see myself clearly in your story. Guide me to respond with faith, humility, and love, recognizing that I always need your grace and can keep learning compassion. Amen.

约翰福音 4:28-30

那妇人就留下水罐子，往城里去，对众人说：“你们来看！有一个人将我素来所行的一切事都给我说出来了，莫非这就是基督吗？”众人就出城，往耶稣那里去。

11月16日

回转

“那妇人就留下水罐子，往城里去，对众人说：‘你们来看！有一个人将我素来所行的一切事都给我说出来了。’” - 约 4:28-29

我们早前曾经讨论过，这个故事主要是关于悔改的。那天早上，撒玛利亚妇人醒来时，她的生命正陷于难以摆脱的困境中。然而，到了下午，她却朝着另一个完全不同的方向前进。遇到耶稣后，她全然回转了。

你上一次因某一件事悔改，是在什么时候呢？悔改是一件微妙的事。有时我们好像悔改了，可是实际上并没有转向神。例如我们承认，严格来说我们可能犯了错，但并不是故意这样做的，所以我们可能根本没有悔意。或许我们承认自己可能有点过份，但我们会尝试让别人觉得，我们当时这样做是合情合理的。

还有另一个陷阱，就是只确认耶稣的价值观和教导，但却从来没有真正完全委身给祂。

我们很容易“类似”悔改了，然而却没有完全降服于基督在我们生命中的计划。《圣经》中提到悔改的能力，在于把自己交付给基督，来成就祂乐意在我们里面所作的工。

你上一次真心悔改，是在几时呢？

祷告

神啊，求你赐我勇气，离开那些可能妨碍我完全转向你的罪。又求你帮助我全然回应你的邀请，信靠你改变我并且重整我的计划。阿们。

John 4:28-30

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16

TURNING AROUND

Leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did.” —John 4:28-29

As we discussed earlier, this story has a lot to do with repentance. The Samaritan woman woke up that morning mired in one way of looking at life. But by early afternoon she was facing in an entirely different direction. She turned completely around after meeting Jesus.

When was the last time you repented of something?

Repentance can be tricky. Sometimes we can give the appearance of repentance, but we don’t actually turn back to God. For example, we can acknowledge that technically we might have done something wrong, but we didn’t mean it. As a result, we might not actually feel sorry about it. Or we may admit that we probably crossed a line somewhere, but we try to make other see that our behavior was reasonable at the time.

Still another trap may be to affirm Jesus’ values and teachings while never actually giving our whole lives over to him.

It can be easy to “sort of” repent without fully surrendering to what Christ might want to do in our lives. The power of biblical repentance comes from signing ourselves over to what Christ would love to do in us.

When was the last time you truly repented?

God, give me the courage to turn away from whatever sins may hinder me from turning totally toward you. Help me to respond fully to your invitation, trusting your plan for change and restoration. Amen.

约翰福音 4:4-30

必须经过撒马利亚，于是到了撒马利亚的一座城，名叫叙加，靠近雅各给他儿子约瑟的那块地。在那里有雅各井。耶稣因走路困乏，就坐在井旁。那时约有午正。有一个撒马利亚的妇人来打水。耶稣对她说：“请你给我水喝。”那时门徒进城买食物去了。撒马利亚的妇人对他说：“你既是犹太人，怎么向我一个撒马利亚妇人要水喝呢？”原来犹太人和撒马利亚人没有来往。耶稣回答说：“你若知道神的恩赐，和对你说‘给我水喝’的是谁，你必早求他，他也必早给你活水。”妇人说：“先生，没有打水的器皿，井又深，你从哪里得‘活水’呢？我们的祖宗雅各将这井留给我们，他自己和儿子并牲畜也都喝这井的水，难道你比他还大吗？”耶稣回答说：“凡喝这水的还要再渴；人若喝我所赐的水就永远不渴。我所赐的水要在他里头成为泉源，直涌到永生。”妇人说：“先生，请把这水赐给我，叫我不渴，也不用来这么远打水。”耶稣说：“你去叫你丈夫也到这里来。”妇人说：“我没有丈夫。”耶稣说：“你说‘没有丈夫’是不对的。你已经有五个丈夫，现在有的并不是你的丈夫。你这话是真的。”妇人说：“先生，我看出你是先知。我们祖宗在这山上礼拜，你们倒说，当礼拜的地方是在耶路撒冷。”耶稣说：“妇人，你当信我。时候将到，你们拜父，也不在这山上，也不在耶路撒冷。你们所拜的，你们不知道；我们所拜的，我们知道，因为救恩是从犹太人出来的。时候将到，如今就是了，那真正拜父的，要用心灵和诚实拜他，因为父要这样的人拜他。神是个灵，所以拜他的必须用心灵和诚实拜他。”妇人说：“我知道弥赛亚（就是基督）要来；他来了，必将一切的事都告诉我们。”耶稣说：“这和你说话的就是他！”当下门徒回来，就希奇耶稣和一个妇人说话；只是没有人说：“你是要什么？”或说：“你为什么和他说话？”那妇人就留下水罐子，往城里去，对众人说：“你们来看！有一个人将我素来所行的一切事都给我说出来了，莫非这就是基督吗？”众人就出城，往耶稣那里去。

11月15日

我们怎样看撒玛利亚人

“耶稣说：‘你去叫你丈夫也到这里来。’” - 约 4:16

你认同故事中哪一个人物呢？

我向来都知道耶稣一定会有正确的答案的，那么，我的目标当然是尽量依从基督的看法了。然而，神把这个故事放在《圣经》中，会不会是为了要指出，其他人也可能在展露我们自己的生命的一部份呢？或许我们与那撒玛利亚妇人有不少相似之处。我们大多数人都做过自以为耻的抉择，我们的生命也被这些抉择带来的后果玷污了。

另一方面，我们在哪些方面与耶稣的门徒有相似之处呢？看到他们的拉比与一个污秽的妇人“闲谈”时，他们露出僵硬的表情。我承认有时我只看重符合标准或洁净的灵命，以致容不下对那些正在挣扎—在灵性上、或身体上、或两者都有的人的怜悯。可悲的是，谈到向人显露基督的爱时，我们这些跟随耶稣的人，有时根本没有基督的样式。

想想，在你认识的人中，有谁正在挣扎，以出乎你意料之外的方式过生活。我们应该怎样以基督的样式，来回应他们的需要呢？

祷告

主啊，求你帮助我从你的角度看待人，教导我以怜悯来回应，留意正在挣扎的人，并且以实际的方式来体现你的爱。阿们。

John 4:4-30

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15

HOW WE LOOK AT SAMARITANS

[Jesus] said to her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” —John 4:16

Whom do you identify with in this story?

I grew up knowing that Jesus always had the right answers, so of course the objective was to try to be as much like Christ as possible.

But could God have included this story in Scripture to show, as well, how other characters might portray parts of our own lives? We may have more in common with the Samaritan woman than we’d like to admit. Most of us have made choices in life that we are not proud of, and our lives are marked by the results of those choices.

Alternatively, in what ways might we be like Jesus’ disciples, who stiffened at the sight of their rabbi “hanging out” with a damaged woman? I have to admit that at times my concerns about being spiritually right or pure have crowded out my compassion for people who might be struggling in their own lives—spiritually or physically or both. Sadly, when it comes to showing Christ’s love to others, we who follow Jesus can often be less than Christlike.

Think of someone you know who is struggling and hasn’t quite handled life in a way you would expect. What would be a Christlike way to respond to them?

Lord, help me to see people from your perspective. Teach me to respond with compassion, to notice those who struggle, and to embody your love in practical ways. Amen.

路加福音 10:25-37

有一个律法师起来试探耶稣说：“夫子，我该做什么才可以承受永生？”耶稣对他说：“律法上写的是什么？你念的是怎样呢？”他回答说：“你要尽心、尽性、尽力、尽意爱主你的神；又要爱邻舍如同自己。”耶稣说：“你回答得是；你这样行，就必得永生。”那人要显明自己有理，就对耶稣说：“谁是我的邻舍呢？”耶稣回答说：“有一个人从耶路撒冷下耶利哥去，落在强盗手中。他们剥去他的衣裳，把他打个半死，就丢下他走了。偶然有一个祭司从这条路下来，看见他就从旁边过去了。又有一个利未人来到这地方，看见他也照样从旁边过去了。惟有一个撒马利亚人行路来到那里，看见他就动了慈心，上前用油和酒倒在他的伤处，包裹好了，骑上自己的牲口，带到店里去照应他。第二天拿出二钱银子来，交给店主说：‘你且照应他；此外所费用的，我回来必还你。’你想这三个人那一个是落在强盗手中的邻舍呢？”他说：“是怜悯他的。”耶稣说：“你去照样行吧。”

11月14日

与我们“不同”的人

“谁是我的邻舍呢？” - 路 10:29

若有人毫无掩饰地抗拒你最重视的事情，你会有什么反应呢？那人或许是住在你附近、家族成员、同事、或教会里的人。或许他们有不同的政见，或许他们不赞同你对《圣经》中某些教导的解释。他们似乎根本不明白，而更糟的，就是他们没有兴趣去考虑另一种看法。这真令人沮丧。

在耶稣那个年代的犹太人，就是这样看撒玛利亚人—视他们为拒绝去“明白”的人。他们被视为“不洁净”，他们事奉神的方式，完全蔑视了“神真正的子民”持守的价值观。

对着那些似乎“不明白”的人，你会有什么反应？大部分人都与他们保持距离。在家庭聚会、工作场所或教会里，我们都以礼相待。不过，当需要落实与那些人讨论事情时，我们懂得避免冲突，不会触及“分歧之处”。这样做合情合理吗？

有趣的是，耶稣却不是这样“合情合理”的。所以，当耶稣在井旁遇见撒玛利亚妇人时，祂希望看到她脱离躲藏的生活，又告诉她神的救恩是为她而设的。那一天结束时，耶稣的出现带来了极大的影响力，不单影响了她的生命，更影响了她居住的整个城市的人的生命（《约翰福音 》4:39-42）。

神希望你去接触谁呢？

祷告

神啊，求你教导我们，以忍耐和谅解对待那些与我们不同的人，帮助我们以恩典来回应，并且把握时机与他们分享你的爱，而不是感到沮丧或避开他们。阿们。

Luke 10:25-37

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14

“DIFFERENT” PEOPLE

“Who is my neighbor?” —Luke 10:29

How do you react when you meet someone who contrasts brazenly with things you hold dear? Maybe it’s someone in your neighborhood, extended family, workplace, or church. Maybe they differ from you politically, or they dismiss the way you interpret some teachings in the Bible. It seems they just don’t get it. Worse yet, they don’t seem interested in considering another point of view. That can be frustrating.

That was how most of the Jews in Jesus’ day saw the Samaritans— as people who refused to “get it.” They were considered “impure,” and their way of serving God was an affront to everything that the “real people of God” stood for.

How do you respond to people who seem not to “get it”? Most of us keep our distance. We’re polite at family gatherings or at work or church, but when it comes to actually discussing issues with those individuals, we’ve learned to avoid conflict and not “go there.” That just makes sense, right?

Interestingly, Jesus didn’t have that kind of “sense.” So when he met the Samaritan woman at the well, he wanted to free her from a life of hiding and show her that God’s salvation was for her too. And by the end of the day, his visit had a profound effect not only on her life but also on the life of her entire town (John 4:39-42).

Whom might God be wanting you to connect with?

God, teach us patience and understanding with all who may differ with us. Help us to respond with grace, seeing opportunities to share your love rather than becoming frustrated or distant. Amen.

约翰福音 4:7-20, 28-30

有一个撒马利亚的妇人来打水。耶稣对她说：“请你给我水喝。”那时门徒进城买食物去了。撒马利亚的妇人对他说：“你既是犹太人，怎么向我一个撒马利亚妇人要水喝呢？”原来犹太人和撒马利亚人没有来往。耶稣回答说：“你若知道神的恩赐，和对你说‘给我水喝’的是谁，你必早求他，他也必早给你活水。”妇人说：“先生，没有打水的器皿，井又深，你从哪里得‘活水’呢？我们的祖宗雅各将这井留给我们，他自己和儿子并牲畜也都喝这井的水，难道你比他还大吗？”耶稣回答说：“凡喝这水的还要再渴；人若喝我所赐的水就永远不渴。我所赐的水要在他里头成为泉源，直涌到永生。”妇人说：“先生，请把这水赐给我，叫我不渴，也不用来这么远打水。”耶稣说：“你去叫你丈夫也到这里来。”妇人说：“我没有丈夫。”耶稣说：“你说‘没有丈夫’是不对的。你已经有五个丈夫，现在有的并不是你的丈夫。你这话是真的。”妇人说：“先生，我看出你是先知。我们祖宗在这山上礼拜，你们倒说，当礼拜的地方是在耶路撒冷。”那妇人就留下水罐子，往城里去，对众人说：“你们来看！有一个人将我素来所行的一切事都给我说出来了，莫非这就是基督吗？”众人就出城，往耶稣那里去。

11月13日

你与人谈论什么？

“耶稣回答说：‘凡喝这水的还要再渴；人若喝我所赐的水就永远不渴。’” - 约 4:13-14

与人会面时，当获悉我从事什么行业之后，他们有时会开始谈论宗教信仰。出人意料，他们可以很快便深入讨论到各种宗教背景的不同之处。

在撒玛利亚的井旁，耶稣与遇到的妇人开始谈论宗教信仰。耶稣邀请她思想“神的赐与”、思想祂（耶稣）是谁、思想祂来是要带给人什么。简单而言，主耶稣的恩言触碰到这妇人的羞耻感，攻破了她的防御，就是这样改变了她的生命。那一天完结时，恩典便像浪涛般涌流过她所住的整个城市了。

对我们每一个人来说，基督在我们生命中所作的工至为重要。然而，与人谈论这个话题却出乎意料地困难，所以我们总会玩一个类似属灵捉迷藏的游戏。为什么会这样？有时谈论关乎自己的事，我们会感到不安，纵使与好朋友谈论也是如此。另有些时候，我们真的觉得没有什么可说。我们或许对神的救恩都耳熟能详，听来很平凡，似乎有点“不言而喻”了。很多返教会的人都有这种想法。

述说我们对宗教信仰的看法是重要的，然而真正重要的，乃是与人分享基督在我们生命中的工作，祂怎样改变了我们，叫我们成为新造的人。

你上一次与人谈论这些事，是在几时呢？

祷告

主啊，求你帮助我与人真诚地分享信仰，并以你在我生命中的工作为中心。求你赐我勇气，以忠诚和爱心述说你的作为。阿们。

John 4:7-20, 28-30

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13

WHAT DO YOU TALK ABOUT?

Jesus declared, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.” —John 4:13-14

When I meet people and they find out what I do for a living, they sometimes launch into a religious conversation. Before long, they can get surprisingly deep into the differences between religious backgrounds.

At the well in Samaria, Jesus and the woman he met got talking about religion. Jesus invited her to wonder about “the gift of God,” about who he (Jesus) was, and about what he had come to offer. Long story short, his grace collided with her shame, her defenses crumbled, and the Lord changed her life. By the end of that day a wave of grace had rolled through her entire town.

Christ’s work in our lives is central for us all. Yet it can be surprisingly difficult to discuss that with others, so we tend to play a sort of spiritual hide-and-seek game. Why? Sometimes we’re uncomfortable talking about personal matters, even with close friends. Other times we may honestly feel that we don’t have much to say. We may have heard about God’s salvation so often that it seems commonplace in our lives and sort of “goes without saying.” This can be true for a lot of people who go to church.

It can be important to talk about our religious views. But what really counts is sharing with others what Christ is doing in our lives and how he is changing us, making us new.

When was the last time you talked about these things?

Lord, help me to share my faith authentically, focusing on what you have done in my life. Give me courage to speak of your work with honesty and love. Amen.

诗篇 139:23-24

神啊，求你鉴察我，知道我的心思，试炼我，知道我的意念，看在我里面有什么恶行没有，引导我走永生的路。

11月12日

渐渐懂得怎样悔改

“神啊，求你鉴察我，知道我的心思，试炼我，知道我的意念。” - 诗 139:23

我们成长后，悔改看来似乎不再适用于我们了。悔改对属灵生命幼嫩的人是一件美事，但作为基督徒模范的人也需要常常悔改，实在难以想像。他们也需要这样做吗？

我的信心越成长，但若认为自己不再需要悔改，听起来就越发愚昧了。我虽然没有丑闻需要隐瞒，但我也有很多需要悔改的事情。事实上，比起年青时，现今我有更多需要悔改的因由。

最近，神轻轻提醒我，去察看我的好行为背后的动机。举例说，如果我一向都是个忠心的丈夫，或是尽责的牧师，我是为了谁这样做呢？我没有破坏我的婚姻或事奉的工作，最受惠的大概是我自己。我的动机不一定是要过圣洁的生活，我有好行为，或许是我明智的选择而已！

那么，这件事带给我什么？它最终是令我感恩。恩典奇妙之处，就是它一旦开始了便不会停下来。就像一个不用担忧自己有没有好表现的继承者，我可以毫无顾忌地来到神面前。这都是基于神藉耶稣基督赐给我那奇妙、不可思议的大爱。这是永远不会改变的—不在乎我尽了多少努力来改变我的动机。今天我明白了这点，明天我便能够更放心地悔改了。

你又怎样呢？你在哪些事情上更懂得悔改？

祷告

神啊，求你引导我去察验自己的动机，带领我去真心悔改，叫我不是单单满足要求，而是全然信靠你丰盛的恩典。阿们。

Psalm 139:23-24

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12

GETTING BETTER AT REPENTANCE?

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. —Psalm 139:23

Repentance can seem like something we should outgrow. It’s great for spiritual beginners, but it’s hard to imagine Christian role models having to repent very much. Do they?

The more I grow in faith, the sillier it sounds to think I could outgrow repentance. I’m not hiding scandals in my life, but I’ve still got plenty to repent of. In fact, I think I’ve probably got more raw material for repentance than I had when I was younger.

Lately God has been nudging me to look into my motives behind doing good things. For example, if I’ve been a faithful husband or a responsible pastor, whom have I really done that for? I’ve probably been the one who has benefited most from not wrecking my marriage or my career in ministry. Rather than being motivated by holiness, my actions might just be smart!

So where does that lead me? Ultimately, into gratitude. One of the amazing things about grace is that it doesn’t stop when an introductory period has passed. My freedom to waltz into God’s presence like an heir doesn’t depend on my ability to do good; it depends on the amazing, mind-boggling love that God has shown me through Jesus Christ. And that will never change—no matter how much I try to work on my motives. Realizing this today leads me to repent even more freely tomorrow.

What about you? In which areas are you getting better at repentance?

God, guide me in examining my motives. Lead me to repent sincerely, not just out of obligation, and to rely fully on your abundant grace. Amen.

罗马书 7:14-25

我们原晓得律法是属乎灵的，但我是属乎肉体的，是已经卖给罪了。因为我所做的，我自己不明白；我所愿意的，我并不做；我所恨恶的，我倒去做。若所做是我所不愿意的，就应承律法是善的。既是这样，就不是我做的，乃是住在我里头的罪做的。我也知道在我里头，就是我肉体之中，没有良善。因为，立志为善由得我，只是行出来由不得我。故此，我所愿意的善，我反不做；我所不愿意的恶，我倒去做。若我去做所不愿意做的，就不是我做的，乃是住在我里头的罪做的。因为我觉得有个律，就是我愿意为善的时候，就有恶与我同在。按着我里面的意思，我是喜欢神的律；但我觉得肢体中另有个律和我心中的律交战，把我掳去，叫我附从那肢体中犯罪的律。我真是苦啊！谁能救我脱离这取死的身体呢？感谢神，靠着我们的主耶稣基督就能脱离了。这样看来，我以内心顺服神的律，我肉体却顺服罪的律了。

11月11日

不再需要悔改？

“我所作的，我自己不明白。我所愿意的，我并不作。我所恨恶的，我倒去作。”罗 7:15

有时教会可能会妨碍了我们悔改。

悔改是我们成为跟随基督的人非常重要的一环，我们从昔日生活的方向，改而朝着救主的方向走。

然而，跟着发生了一些事情。我们进步了，我们得医治，信心也增长了。《圣经》称之为成圣，这是一件美事。

当我们的信心增长时，我们需要悔改的事情似乎已越来越少了，这看来是合理的。当我们对基督的信心日渐成熟时，我们的生活也应该会改变的。然而，这是不是全部的细节和真相呢？

对我来说，我已经能够抗拒某些我年青时犯的罪了，但我必须承认，有其他引诱会静静地列队等候加入—例如：骄傲、找藉口自我防卫。当我看到防御某一种罪有进展时，很快就留意到有新的罪冒出来了。保罗在《罗马书》第7章解释说，罪会在我们心里生长的，我深知他在说什么。

我正在学习调整对灵命成长的看法。我小时有时会猜想，成年人是否也需要悔改。现在，身为成年人，我知道自己是永远不会“不再需要悔改的”。感谢神的灵在我心里作的工，我已渐渐学会忠心地过生活了。

我希望你已经有悔改的经历。而当你的信心逐渐增长时，在神不断的帮助下，希望你仍继续有那种经历。

祷告

主啊，我们的信心成长时，求你保守我们有谦卑的心。又提醒我们，常常需要你的恩典，帮助我们继续转向你，因为我们必定常常需要你。阿们。

Romans 7:14-25

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11

OUTGROWING REPENTANCE?

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. —Romans 7:15

Sometimes church can get in the way of repentance.

Repentance plays a huge part in our becoming followers of Christ. We pivot from our previous direction, turning toward the Savior.

But then something happens. We get better. We heal and grow in faith. The Bible calls this sanctification, and this is a good thing.

As we grow in faith, it can seem like we have less to repent of. And that makes sense. Our lives should change as we mature in our faith in Christ. But is that the whole story?

Personally, I have grown in my resistance to some of the sins of my younger days. But I have to admit that other, quieter temptations can easily line up to take their place—sins like pride or defensiveness. When I see progress in resisting one kind of sin, I soon notice a new one cropping up. In Romans 7, Paul explains that sin grows inside us. I get that.

I’m learning to adjust my idea of what spiritual growth looks like. As a boy, I sometimes wondered if grown-ups needed to repent. Now, as a grown-up, I realize that I’ll never move past my need for repentance. But, thanks to the work of God’s Spirit in me, I’m getting better at living faithfully.

I hope you have experienced repentance. And, as your faith grows, I hope you keep experiencing that, with God’s help all along the way.

Lord, keep us humble as we grow in faith. Remind us that we always need your grace, and help us continually to turn back to you, realizing we need you always. Amen.

罗马书 7:21- 25

因为我觉得有个律，就是我愿意为善的时候，就有恶与我同在。按着我里面的意思，我是喜欢神的律；但我觉得肢体中另有个律和我心中的律交战，把我掳去，叫我附从那肢体中犯罪的律。我真是苦啊！谁能救我脱离这取死的身体呢？感谢神，靠着我们的主耶稣基督就能脱离了。这样看来，我以内心顺服神的律，我肉体却顺服罪的律了。

11月10日

悔改

“我觉得肢体中另有个律，和我心中的律交战，把我掳去叫我附从那肢体中犯罪的律。” - 罗 7:23

悔改并不是一件复杂的事，它可以像说一句“对不起”那么简单。然而，悔改虽然简单，但却是出乎意料之外地难以实行。

自小我的父母便教导我明白悔改的基本意思。当我违反了规矩，或做了伤害兄弟的事时，他们便指示我要说对不起。（不管我的道歉是否真心！）

当想到悔改时，你想像看到什么？你是否看到与很久失去联系的朋友，重聚带来的宽慰？或者是司机因超速驾驶，被截停时露出的无奈，或是类似运动员犯规，被裁判员判罚时说的：抱歉？不抱歉！

细想之下，悔改其实是一件奇妙的事。它给我们一个讲出我们的罪，以及挪走这些罪的机会。不过，很奇怪，我们甚少想起或谈到悔改这件事。或许更奇怪的，就是当我们成为资深的信徒时，便越来越少想到悔改，就好像我们总觉得自己已经不再需要悔改那样（迟些我们会再谈论这点。）于是，我们便躲藏起来。

你上一次经历悔改，是什么时候呢？你还记得这件事吗？

祷告

神啊，求你提醒我，真诚的悔改能带来自由。求你帮助我不要逃避认罪，反要欣然以喜乐的心，转向你和信靠你的怜悯。奉耶稣名祈求，阿们。

Romans 7:21-25

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10

REPENTANCE

I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. —Romans 7:23

Repentance isn’t complicated. It can be as simple as saying “I’m sorry.” Yet for all its simplicity, repentance can be surprisingly elusive.

When I was a child, my parents taught me the basics of repentance. When I broke a rule or did something hurtful to my brothers, they instructed me to say I was sorry (whether I actually was or not!).

If you think of repentance, how do you picture it? Does it show the relief of a reunion with a long-lost friend? Or is it more like the grim resignation of a driver pulled over for speeding in traffic—or, similarly, like an athlete called on a foul by a referee: sorry, not sorry!

Actually, repentance is amazing, if we think about it. It gives us the chance to name our sins and have them taken away.

Oddly, though, we don’t often think or talk much about repentance. And, perhaps more strangely, we can tend to think about it less and less the more we gain experience as believers. It’s almost as if we think we somehow outgrow our need for repentance. (More about that later.)

And so we hide.

When was your last experience of repentance? Can you remember it?

God, remind me that true repentance brings freedom. Help me not to shrink from confessing, but to embrace turning toward you with joy and trust in your mercy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

约翰一书 1:8-10

我们若说自己无罪，便是自欺，真理不在我们心里了。我们若认自己的罪，神是信实的，是公义的，必要赦免我们的罪，洗净我们一切的不义。我们若说自己没有犯过罪，便是以神为说谎的，他的道也不在我们心里了。

11月9日

诚实对神

“我们若认自己的罪，神是信实的，是公义的，必要赦免我们的罪，洗净我们一切的不义。” - 约壹 1:9

羞耻心导致我们与神隔离，就像井旁的妇人那样。人类自从堕落犯罪之后（《创世记》3章），便警觉到我们破坏了神为我们作的最好安排，因此便与神保持距离了。甚至到了今天，我们仍然记着那些不快的回忆、破碎的期望和累积的悔意。出于羞愧，我们在不知不觉中避开了神。

怎样才能解决这个问题呢？神在《圣经》中吩咐我们要认罪悔改。基本上，悔改牵涉对神完全坦诚：不单承认我们做了什么事，更要承认我们已经成为怎样的人。坦诚的悔改帮助我们经历罪得赦免的神迹，我们的罪债已经归到基督身上了。更促进我们的成圣过程，就是神用来更新我们的方式。

我们务要谨记，悔改关乎关系的层面。悔改不只是牵涉承认犯错，它更牵涉某种关系被破坏了。《圣经》中悔改这个词语意味着“回转”，当我认罪悔改时，我离开那个罪行，返回神吩咐我去过的生活。悔改牵涉到我们在某些方面离开了神，现在回转回到祂那里。

你上一次悔改回到神那里，是几时的呢？

祷告

主啊，求你帮助我坦诚对你。求你让我看见我犯了什么罪，帮助我全然回转归向你，又打开心门来被你更新，阿们。

1 John 1:8-10

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9

HONESTY WITH GOD

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. —1 John 1:9

Shame creates distance from God, just as it did for the woman at the well. Since the fall into sin (Genesis 3), a sense of having spoiled God’s best for us has caused us to keep our distance from him. Even today we carry bad memories, broken expectations, and accumulated regrets. In our shame we subtly back away from God.

How do we fix this problem? In the Bible God calls us to repentance for our sin. At its core, repentance involves complete honesty with God: a recognition of not only what we have done but also who we have become. Honest repentance provides a step toward the miracle of having our sins washed away, with our debts charged to Christ’s account. It furthers the process of our sanctification, God’s way of making us new.

There is also a relationship side to repentance that is important to remember. Repentance involves more than simply acknowledging that a rule was broken. It involves recognizing that a relationship was damaged. The biblical word for repentance refers to “turning around.” When I repent of a sin, I turn away from that behavior and back toward the way God calls me to live. Repentance involves a new realization that we have in some way left God and are turning back toward him.

When was the last time you repented, turning back to God?

Lord, help me to be honest with you. Show me where I have sinned, and help me to turn fully toward you, with my heart open to renewal. Amen.

约翰福音 4:4-18

必须经过撒马利亚，于是到了撒马利亚的一座城，名叫叙加，靠近雅各给他儿子约瑟的那块地。在那里有雅各井。耶稣因走路困乏，就坐在井旁。那时约有午正。有一个撒马利亚的妇人来打水。耶稣对她说：“请你给我水喝。”那时门徒进城买食物去了。撒马利亚的妇人对他说：“你既是犹太人，怎么向我一个撒马利亚妇人要水喝呢？”原来犹太人和撒马利亚人没有来往。耶稣回答说：“你若知道神的恩赐，和对你说‘给我水喝’的是谁，你必早求他，他也必早给你活水。”妇人说：“先生，没有打水的器皿，井又深，你从哪里得‘活水’呢？我们的祖宗雅各将这井留给我们，他自己和儿子并牲畜也都喝这井的水，难道你比他还大吗？”耶稣回答说：“凡喝这水的还要再渴；人若喝我所赐的水就永远不渴。我所赐的水要在他里头成为泉源，直涌到永生。”妇人说：“先生，请把这水赐给我，叫我不渴，也不用来这么远打水。”耶稣说：“你去叫你丈夫也到这里来。”妇人说：“我没有丈夫。”耶稣说：“你说‘没有丈夫’是不对的。你已经有五个丈夫，现在有的并不是你的丈夫。你这话是真的。”

11月8日

羞耻心

“耶稣说：‘你去叫你丈夫也到这里来。’” - 约 4:16

在这个故事中，我们找到撒玛利亚妇人习惯了隐瞒事实的线索。原来她的私生活已毁坏了，她的羞耻心影响了她的日常作息。一般人都会选择阴凉时才出来打水，她却在一天中最炎热的时刻这样做。她在光天化日之下躲藏起来。

我们也常常躲藏起来。自从脸上沾满禁果果汁的亚当和夏娃，蜷缩在伊甸园内之后（《创世记》3:6-10），每当我们有罪疚感，或感到羞耻时，我们便躲藏起来了。

有时，我们掩饰自己的罪，就像远离家门的叛逆子女那样。我们或许不是刻意这样做—只是因为当熟识我们的人，看不见我们或告诉我们应怎样行时，掩饰是较为容易的。

此外，有时我们会尝试用另一个方法—就是把罪藏在我们的“良善”后面。当发觉我们在某方面失误之后，我们就本能地展示最好的表现了。当我们再次陷入犯罪的恶习时，回想我们会怎样向人展示自己最好的表现。我们甚至不察觉自己在这样做，因为尝试隐瞒和“掩饰所作所为”的本能，已经是根深蒂固的了。像那在午正来到井旁的妇人，我们会在羞耻中躲藏起来。

在你生命中，怎样显露出你的羞耻心？当你尝试掩饰时，你察觉得到吗？你会有什么反应？

祷告

神啊，我们尝试掩饰自己的羞耻心，求你赦免我们。求你以恩典和赦免的确据，取代我们的畏惧，好让我们能够享受你藉基督所赐的新生命里的自由。阿们。

John 4:4-18

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8

SHAME

[Jesus] told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” —John 4:16

In this story we find hints that the Samaritan woman was accustomed to hiding. Her personal life had fallen into ruin, and her sense of shame affected her daily routine. She came out to draw water at the hottest time of day, when most people preferred the shade. She was hiding in plain sight.

We, too, often hide. Ever since Adam and Eve crouched in Eden with those forbidden-fruit stains all over their faces (Genesis 3:6-10), we have tried to hide when we have felt guilty or ashamed.

Sometimes we hide in our sin, like rebellious sons and daughters far from home. We may not even do this on purpose— it just becomes easier to do as we please when the people who know us aren’t watching us or telling us what to do.

At other times we may try a different approach—hiding behind our “goodness.” We instinctively aim to act our best when we realize we have failed in some way. Think of how we put on our best behavior after sliding back into a sinful habit. We may not even be aware we are doing this, but our instinct to try to cover up and “clean up our act” runs deep. Like the woman who came to the well at midday, we tend to hide in our shame.

How does shame show up in your life? Do you notice when you are trying to cover up? How do you respond?

God, forgive us for trying to hide in our shame. Replace our fears with assurance of your grace and forgiveness, that we may enjoy the freedom you give us through new life in Christ. Amen.

约翰福音 4:7-10

有一个撒马利亚的妇人来打水。耶稣对她说：“请你给我水喝。”那时门徒进城买食物去了。撒马利亚的妇人对他说：“你既是犹太人，怎么向我一个撒马利亚妇人要水喝呢？”原来犹太人和撒马利亚人没有来往。耶稣回答说：“你若知道神的恩赐，和对你说‘给我水喝’的是谁，你必早求他，他也必早给你活水。”

11月7日

禁止入内

“你既是犹太人，怎么向我一个撒玛利亚妇人要水喝呢？” - 约 4:9

我们多数都喜欢有一个可称为家的地方的，喜欢身处熟悉的环境，和与我们同声同气的人一起。

耶稣却不一样，我们在《约翰福音》第4章看到，祂在一天最不舒适的时刻，在一口陌生的井旁，与一个外族妇人交谈起来。耶稣似乎喜欢跨越那些界限，就是被人标签了“禁止入内”的社交和地域限制。（身为一个祖先住在离开犹大和撒玛利亚很远的地方的外邦人，我个人为此深深感恩。）

或许在熟识的环境与人一起时，或甚至在自己的朋友和家人中间，你有没有尝过自己是一个局外人的感受？如果有的话，这种感受如何影响你？置身在神的子民中的人，你知道有谁可能感到自己是局外人呢？神会告诉你，应该怎样关顾他们？

在今天的经文中，我们或许意会到，在井旁遇到一个向她要水喝的犹太人，那撒玛利亚妇人绝不觉得兴奋。（难道耶稣擅自闯进了她的私人空间吗？）然而，耶稣却以神的话回答她，又说祂能够赐她“活水”。庆幸耶稣没有只作一般闲话家常，祂知道自己到世上来是有原因的——祂每次与人的交谈，都是以此为大前题。

你生命中有哪些人际关系，是神可以用来接触人的呢？

祷告

主啊，求你帮助我留意那些我可能会忽视的人，又赐我勇气接近和关怀他们，并且领他们到你那里。奉你的名，阿们。

John 4:7-10

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7

NO TRESPASSING?

“You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” —John 4:9

Most of us like to have a place to call home. We prefer to be in familiar territory and with people who are like us.

Jesus was different. That’s why in John 4 we see him chatting with a foreign woman at an unfamiliar well at the least comfortable time of the day. Jesus seems to have loved skipping across social and territorial boundaries that other people had marked with “No Trespassing” signs. (Note: As a Gentile whose ancestors lived a long way away from both Judea and Samaria, I’m personally thankful for that.)

Have you ever felt like an outsider— perhaps even with people in familiar surroundings, or maybe even among your own friends and family? If so, how did that affect you? Whom do you know who might be feeling like an outsider among God’s people today? What might God be saying to you about caring for them?

In our reading today, we may sense that the Samaritan woman wasn’t exactly thrilled to meet a Jew at the local well and to have him ask her for a drink of water. (Was Jesus trespassing on her territory?) Yet Jesus replied with some words about God and said that he could give her “living water.” I’m glad Jesus didn’t just stay in familiar territory. He knew he was on earth for a reason—and every conversation he had was shaped by that awareness.

What relationships in your life could God use in order to reach someone?

Lord, help me to notice people I might overlook. Give me courage to approach them with care and to point them to you. For your sake, Amen.

约翰福音 4:4-10

必须经过撒马利亚，于是到了撒马利亚的一座城，名叫叙加，靠近雅各给他儿子约瑟的那块地。在那里有雅各井。耶稣因走路困乏，就坐在井旁。那时约有午正。有一个撒马利亚的妇人来打水。耶稣对她说：“请你给我水喝。”那时门徒进城买食物去了。撒马利亚的妇人对他说：“你既是犹太人，怎么向我一个撒马利亚妇人要水喝呢？”原来犹太人和撒马利亚人没有来往。耶稣回答说：“你若知道神的恩赐，和对你说‘给我水喝’的是谁，你必早求他，他也必早给你活水。”

11月6日

被排斥的人

“有一个撒玛利亚的妇人来打水，耶稣对她说：‘请你给我水喝。’” - 约 4:7

若要深入明白这个故事，我们需要知道这个撒玛利亚妇人到底是谁。昨天我们已经看过，撒玛利亚人是一个与犹太人有远亲关系的少数民族。在耶稣那个年代，那些最“备受尊敬”的犹太人都认为撒玛利亚人“不是同路人”，所以会与他们保持距离。

此外，我们也需要看看这个妇人在她自己社区里的地位。前两天我们曾经指出，她在炎热的正午背着沉重的水瓶，来到水井打水，而其他人则会在早上较清凉的时间才这样做的。为了与人保持距离，她不计较辛苦，连被别人排斥的人，也在排斥她。

《约翰福音》第4章指出，门徒希奇耶稣和这个妇人说话（27节），这样说或许未能完全反映出这件事的严重性。任何体面的拉比（老师）都甚少会和妇人交谈的，更不用说是来自撒玛利亚的妇人了。然而，耶稣就是这样，在叙加井旁与这妇人交谈起来。

耶稣与这妇人的接触，表明一件重要的事，就是耶稣将要带来一个怎样的国度。在这个国度里，你不是只与那些跟你同声同气、能够帮助你成功的人交往的。耶稣似乎特别留意那些对他毫无益处的人。

神把那些对你毫无益处的人放在你的生命中，你又怎样呢？

祷告

主啊，求你帮助我们效法你，去寻找被忽视、被排斥的人。求你赐我们爱每一个人的心，又信靠你能使用这爱人的心去行善。阿们。

John 4:4-10

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6

OUTCAST

When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” —John 4:7

To read this story well, we need to understand who this Samaritan woman was. As we saw yesterday, the Samaritans were a minority group that was distantly related to the Jews. And most “respectable” Jews in Jesus’ day kept their distance from Samaritans, having determined that they were “not their kind” of people.

Further, we need to look at this woman’s place in her own community. As we noted a couple of days ago, she was lugging her heavy water jug to the local well in the heat of midday, though everyone else did that in the cool of the morning. She was keeping her distance even though it made her life more difficult. She was an outcast among outcasts.

John 4 observes later that the disciples were surprised to discover Jesus talking to this woman (v. 27). And that’s probably an understatement. Any decent rabbi (teacher) would rarely talk to a woman, much less a Samaritan one. But here was Jesus, having a conversation with this woman at the well near Sychar.

This encounter reveals something important about the kind of kingdom Jesus had come to bring. This wasn’t a kingdom where you spent your time with only the people who were like you and could help you get ahead. Jesus seemed drawn to people who had the least to offer him.

What about you? Whom has God placed in your life who has little to offer you?

Lord, help us to follow your example of seeking people who are overlooked or outcast. Give us the heart to love everyone, trusting you will use it to do good. Amen.

约翰福音 4:4-9

必须经过撒马利亚，于是到了撒马利亚的一座城，名叫叙加，靠近雅各给他儿子约瑟的那块地。在那里有雅各井。耶稣因走路困乏，就坐在井旁。那时约有午正。有一个撒马利亚的妇人来打水。耶稣对她说：“请你给我水喝。”那时门徒进城买食物去了。撒马利亚的妇人对他说：“你既是犹太人，怎么向我一个撒马利亚妇人要水喝呢？”原来犹太人和撒马利亚人没有来往。

11月5日

局外人？

“（耶稣）必须经过撒玛利亚。” - 约 4:4

发生在叙加城的故事，跟人怎样看局外人有关的。当以色列被征服，流落异乡时（《列王纪下》17章），他们与异族通婚，撒玛利亚人便是昔日以色列民的混种。因此，对犹太人来说，撒玛利亚人其实已经不是神的子民了。他们就像尴尬的家族丑闻，家人聚集时，没有人想提起这些事。然而，在耶稣那个年代，他们就住在犹太人附近，所以，偶尔碰头是在所难免的事。

在那个年代，大部份犹太人出外时，都会绕过撒玛利亚，为了要避免穿过那地方。然而，当耶稣准备从犹大地前往加利利时，祂却带领门徒经过这片“妥协之地”，他们没法回避了！

谁是你世界中的“撒玛利亚人”呢？或许他们是住在你国界以外的近邻？或许他们是支持另一个政党的人？又或许他们的生活方式与你的不一样？

你怎样处理你和你的“撒玛利亚人”的关系呢？通常我们会抗拒：每当看到他们触犯了我们的信念时，便感到心头一震；有些时候，我们可能会被他们吓怕了，便尝试取得他们的欢心。有时，他们也可能改变我们，无论是好的或是坏的改变，以致我们变得更像他们。在耶稣那个年代，宗教领袖们最害怕的，就是以色列民陷入这种妥协。

你通常会怎样和你生命中的“撒玛利亚人”相处的呢？

祷告

主啊，求你赐我们勇气，不害怕，也不妥协地跨越界限。求你帮助我们，在我们或许会避开的人当中，反映出你的真理和慈爱。奉你的名祈求，阿们。

John 4:4-9

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5

OUTSIDERS?

Now [Jesus] had to go through Samaria. —John 4:4

The story at Sychar is all about outsiders. Samaritans were racially mixed former Israelites who had intermarried when Israel was conquered and exiled (2 Kings 17). To the Jews, then, the Samaritans were no longer really God’s people. They were more like the embarrassing family secret that people didn’t like to talk about at get-togethers. Yet they lived next door to the Jews in Jesus’ day, so occasional run-ins were inevitable.

In those days, most Jews traveled around Samaria to avoid going through it. But Jesus led his disciples right through the land of compromise as he traveled from Judea to Galilee. No hiding for them!

Who are the “Samaritans” in your world? Perhaps they are people who live across some border near you? Or they align with another political party? Or they have a lifestyle that contrasts with yours?

How do you react to your “Samaritans”? Often we bristle against them. We stiffen inwardly if we see them going against our convictions. Or, at times, we may feel intimidated and try to get them to like us. Sometimes they can also begin to change us, leading us to become more and more like them, for better or for worse. In Jesus’ day that kind of compromise was the religious leaders’ worst fear for Israel.

How do you tend to respond to the “Samaritans” in your life?

Lord, give us courage to cross boundaries without fear or compromise. Help us to reflect your truth and love among people whom we might otherwise avoid. In your name, Amen.

约翰福音 4:1-9

主知道法利赛人听见他收门徒、施洗比约翰更多，（其实不是耶稣亲自施洗，乃是他的门徒施洗，）他就离了犹太，又往加利利去。必须经过撒马利亚，于是到了撒马利亚的一座城，名叫叙加，靠近雅各给他儿子约瑟的那块地。在那里有雅各井。耶稣因走路困乏，就坐在井旁。那时约有午正。有一个撒马利亚的妇人来打水。耶稣对她说：“请你给我水喝。”那时门徒进城买食物去了。撒马利亚的妇人对他说：“你既是犹太人，怎么向我一个撒马利亚妇人要水喝呢？”原来犹太人和撒马利亚人没有来往。

11月4日

布局

“有一个撒玛利亚的妇人来打水。” - 约 4:7

这是一个简单但却耐人寻味的场景。

在这个月，我们将会认识一个意想不到会蒙耶稣善待的妇人。《约翰福音》4章7节以叙述这个妇人本来不愿意身处的境况开始。

首先……“午正”应该是炎热的时刻。

我们一家曾在加利福尼亚州北部住了12年，那里属地中海性的气候，每天的早晚气温通常有30度的差别。早上通常清凉，但之后的气温却像烤厢取披萨出来那样炎热，到了黄昏，气温再次下降。居民都会按这个气温模式安排作息。

现在，如果你要背着一个像小孩那样大的水瓶，走一段路来到一个公众水井，装满水之后背回去，你会在什么时候去做？大概不会在午正炎热的时刻吧。

这个细节不单告诉我们当时的时间，更指出这个妇人在村子里怎样看自己。她是在与人保持距离，如果受人欢迎，你应该不会这样做的。

这个撒玛利亚妇人选择了躲避，至低限度，在耶稣找到她之前，她都是这样。最终，她与人的隔阂，却成为一份契机，让她有机会接近救主，被祂寻获，我们以后会再专注思想这点。

你最近有没有遇到不愉快的境况呢？你能否想像，基督怎样会在那个境况中与你会面呢？求祂帮助你吧！祂就在你身旁。

祷告

主啊，求你在我们最意料不到的地方临在，甚至使用困难的境况，来引领我们靠近你，向我们显明你的恩典。阿们。

John 4:1-9

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4

THE SETUP

A Samaritan woman came to draw water. . . . —John 4:7

The scene is simple—and loaded.

This month, we’ll get to know a surprising woman whom Jesus befriended. John 4:7 begins to describe a situation that was not what this woman would have wanted.

To begin with . . . it would have been hot at “about noon.”

For a dozen years my family lived in northern California, which has a Mediterranean climate. There is usually a 30-degree swing in temperature every day. In the morning it is usually cool, but later in the day it will be taking-pizza-from- the-oven hot. Then in the evening it will cool back down. People adapt their schedules to this pattern.

Now, if you were going to haul a water jug the size of a child all the way out to the public well to fill it and haul it back, when would you do that? Probably not at noon.

This isn’t just a detail about the time of day. It speaks to how this woman saw herself in her village. She was keeping her distance. And you don’t do that if people like you.

This Samaritan woman had learned to hide. At least until Jesus found her. In the end, her isolation turned out to be a gift, drawing her close enough to the Savior to be found. We’ll focus more on that later.

Are you facing unpleasant circumstances lately? Can you picture how Christ might be meeting you in that situation? Ask him for help; he is near.

Lord, meet us even in the places where we might least expect you. Use even uncomfortable circumstances to draw us close and to reveal your grace to us. Amen.

路加福音 5:27-32

这事以后，耶稣出去，看见一个税吏，名叫利未，坐在税关上，就对他说：“你跟从我来。”他就撇下所有的，起来，跟从了耶稣。利未在自己家里为耶稣大摆筵席，有许多税吏和别人与他们一同坐席。法利赛人和文士就向耶稣的门徒发怨言说：“你们为什么和税吏并罪人一同吃喝呢？”耶稣回答说：“无病的人用不着医生，有病的人才用得着。我来本不是召义人悔改，乃是召罪人悔改。”

11月3日

耶稣的同路人？

“你们为什么和税吏、并罪人，一同吃喝呢？” 路 5:30

我们预料跟随耶稣的人都是友善、循规蹈矩、和不受到世界玷污的，对吗？大多数信徒都似乎有这种想法。然而耶稣却好像从来不会这样想；事实上，祂反而倾向于相反的做法。祂安然与那些人避开，跟不被接纳的人一起。耶稣没有参与他们的恶行，但祂喜欢与他们作伴。重要的是，基本上他们就是耶稣的同路人了。

然而，我们却往往有不同的做法。我们跟那些与我们有相同想法、政治倾向、和敬拜模式的人聚集，但对那些与我们的生活方式不同的人，我们便保持距离了。另一方面， 当我们尝试融入他们中间时，我们连自己的信念也可能会被蒙蔽了。

想像耶稣在看你这个月的行事历。祂会看到你用多少时间与“祂”的同路人一起呢？祂会看到你与他们保持距离吗？另一方面，祂会不会看到你为了融入而看不清你自己的信念呢？

有一天，当耶稣再来时，围绕每一个信徒的，都是灵命上没有挣扎的人，这将会是何等美好的日子。然而，现在这一天仍未到来。

看看你这个月的行事历吧。耶稣会安排你用时间与谁相聚？他们有没有躲藏起来？你会不会去寻找他们呢？

祷告

耶稣啊，求你帮助我像你那样看人，求你教导我欣然接纳每一个你所爱的人，并踏出我的舒适圈，向他们显明你赐给我的恩典。阿们。

Luke 5:27-32

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3

JESUS’ KIND OF PEOPLE?

“Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” —Luke 5:30

Followers of Jesus are expected to be nice, well-behaved, and untainted by the world, right? Most believers seem to think that.

But Jesus never seemed to catch on to that idea. In fact, he tended to do the opposite. He sat comfortably among people whom others avoided and disapproved of. He didn’t join them in their sin, but he enjoyed their company. In an important sense, they were his kind of people.

But we often act differently. We cluster with people who think, vote, and worship like we do. We keep a safe distance from people whose lives are different from ours—and seem to be rather complicated. On the other hand, if we try to blend in, we can tend to blur our convictions.

Imagine Jesus glancing at your calendar this month. How much time would he see you spending with “his” kind of people? Would he see you keeping your distance from them? Alternatively, might he see you blurring your convictions in order to fit in?

One day, when Jesus returns, every believer will be surrounded by people who are free of spiritual struggles. That will be a great day indeed. But that day isn’t here yet.

Look at your calendar for this month. Whom might Jesus like to arrange for you to spend time with? Are they hiding? Will you go and find them?

Jesus, help me to see others as you do. Teach me to embrace everyone you love, stepping outside my comfort zone and showing the grace you have shown to me. Amen.