耶稣，和平之君
真的可悲，以色列期待着神赐给他们一位永远治理他们的王，然而这个应许，不仅没见实现，还遭受被掳之苦，实在是沉痛的打击。自此之后，大卫的后裔中再没有在耶路撒冷作王的了。然而，神的先知说，从耶西之本必有枝子生出来，这枝子将要以正直治理世界。今天基督徒都知道，这枝子就是指耶稣。
不过，这里描述的枝子，是一位用暴力争战的弥赛亚，这个以嘴里的气杀戮恶人的形像，完全不符合耶稣降世的使命。究竟耶稣为什么要这样改动了世人对弥赛亚的期望呢？
重要的是，我们要明白旧约圣经和新约圣经的分别。耶稣反对暴力，因为神的国已经不是一个实质的国家或一片土地，敌人也不再是威吓神子民的异族。今日与我们敌对的，乃是在人心里或在腐败的制度中作工的邪恶势力。所以，耶稣说： “要爱你们的仇敌，为那逼迫你们的祷告。这样，就可以作你们天父的儿子。”(马太福音5:44-45)
在今天，若要跟随弥赛亚，我们必须改动一下我们对祂的期望。有一天，耶稣将会审判我们每一个人，但祂并不是在世上每一场战事中都站在我们这边的勇士。耶稣乃是和平之君，祂要求我们拒绝暴力的途径，反要致力于和平，好叫我们的敌人能看到祂的慈爱。
耶稣啊，愿祢和平的国度充满我们的思想和人际关系，并且渗透这个世界。奉祢的名祷告，阿们。
以赛亚书 11:1-9
1从耶西的本必发一条； 从他根生的枝子必结果实。
2耶和华的灵必住在他身上， 就是使他有智慧和聪明的灵， 谋略和能力的灵， 知识和敬畏耶和华的灵。
3他必以敬畏耶和华为乐； 行审判不凭眼见， 断是非也不凭耳闻；
4却要以公义审判贫穷人， 以正直判断世上的谦卑人， 以口中的杖击打世界， 以嘴里的气杀戮恶人。
5公义必当他的腰带； 信实必当他胁下的带子。
6豺狼必与绵羊羔同居， 豹子与山羊羔同卧； 少壮狮子与牛犊并肥畜同群； 小孩子要牵引它们。
7牛必与熊同食； 牛犊必与小熊同卧； 狮子必吃草，与牛一样。
8吃奶的孩子必玩耍在虺蛇的洞口； 断奶的婴儿必按手在毒蛇的穴上。
9在我圣山的遍处， 这一切都不伤人，不害物； 因为认识耶和华的知识要充满遍地， 好像水充满洋海一般。
The Coming Branch As A Violent King
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. — Isaiah 11:4
Tragically for Israel, the promise of a king who would reign forever suffered a serious setback after the people were taken into captivity. No king from the line of David reigned in Jerusalem again. But God’s prophet said a branch would grow from this stump and rule justly over the earth. Christians see that this branch is Jesus.
Descriptions of this branch, though, picture the Messiah doing violent warfare. But this imagery about slaying the wicked with the breath of his mouth hardly fit Jesus’ career. Why did Jesus seem to adjust the expectations of the Messiah?
It is important that we know the difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament. Jesus is against violence because the kingdom is no longer represented by a physical country or piece of land. The enemy is no longer represented by nations who threaten God’s people, but by the spiritual forces of evil at work in individuals and in corrupt systems. So Jesus says, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:44-45).
To follow the Messiah today means we must adjust our expectations. Some day Jesus will judge us all, but he is not the warrior who takes our side in every earthly battle we imagine. Jesus is the Prince of Peace who expects us to refuse the path of violence and to wage peace so that our enemies will see his love.
Jesus, may your peaceable kingdom fill our thoughts and relationships and saturate the world. Amen.
诵读: 楚云
片头: 张妙阳
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