近年来，日本已经逐渐摆脱它在过去历史上悠长的封建制度了。在封建制度之下，社会上各阶层都完全受到权威的控制。上一代的日本男子，会像武士那样盘腿坐在农夫仆人面前，向他们的妻子大声呼喝，命令说：“奉上茶来！奉上烟来！”以上这种情景，一点也没有夸大。在今天，很多日本年轻妇女不愿卑躬屈膝地伺候一个暴君，她们宁愿不结婚，也不肯受到这样的欺压。
在耶稣那个年代，身为宗教教师的律法专家，也同样在犹太社会中居高位。他们是解释律法的权威，所以他们有权柄吩咐人遵守无意义和拘泥于法则的规矩，使人成为律法的奴仆，以致百姓在重担下叫苦连天。
至于现代的家庭，人们同样应该找一个均衡、公平的做法，在忙碌的家庭生活中分工合作：赚钱养家、养儿育女、处理家务、有足够的休息。耶稣批评那些律法专家，说他们把难担的担子放在人身上，自己一个指头却不肯动，我们最好还是记着祂这句话。让我们也记得保罗在加拉太书6:2所说的：“你们各人的重担要互相担当，如此，就完全了基督的律法。”
主耶稣，我们知道，祢来是要服事人。求祢塑造我们每天的生活和与人的关系，在我们反思祢的教导时，求祢把服事人的心注入我们心中。奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们。
路加福音 11:37-46
37说话的时候，有一个法利赛人请耶稣同他吃饭，耶稣就进去坐席。
38这法利赛人看见耶稣饭前不洗手便诧异。
39主对他说：“如今你们法利赛人洗净杯盘的外面，你们里面却满了勒索和邪恶。
40无知的人哪，造外面的，不也造里面吗？
41只要把里面的施舍给人，凡物于你们就都洁净了。
42“你们法利赛人有祸了！因为你们将薄荷、芸香并各样菜蔬献上十分之一，那公义和爱神的事反倒不行了。这原是你们当行的；那也是不可不行的。
43你们法利赛人有祸了！因为你们喜爱会堂里的首位，又喜爱人在街市上问你们的安。
44你们有祸了！因为你们如同不显露的坟墓，走在上面的人并不知道。”
45律法师中有一个回答耶稣说：“夫子！你这样说也把我们糟蹋了。”
46耶稣说：“你们律法师也有祸了！因为你们把难担的担子放在人身上，自己一个指头却不肯动。
"Woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them." - Luke 11:46
In recent years Japan has been emerging from a long feudal period in its history. Under feudalism, the layers of society were strictly held in check by authority. It is no exaggeration that among the passing generation of Japanese men, some would sit cross-legged like a samurai warrior before his peasant retainer, barking out harsh commands to their wives: "Tea! Tobacco!" In Japan today, many young women don't like the idea of waiting hand-and-foot on a tyrant, preferring not to get married rather than to suffer such oppression.
The experts of the law in Jesus' day, as religious teachers, were similarly situated at the top of Jewish society. They had the power, by their authoritative interpretations, to make people groan under the burden of senseless legalistic regulations, enslaving people to the law.
In family life today, people still must figure out a balanced, fair division of labor in a busy household: earning a salary, raising children, handling housekeeping chores, getting enough rest. We do well to remember Jesus' criticism of legal experts who loaded people down with burdens, not lifting a finger to help. Let's also remember Paul's words in Galatians 6:2: "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
Lord Jesus, we know that you came to serve. Give shape to our daily lives and relationships; infuse them with an attitude of service as we reflect on all you have taught. Amen.
诵读: 楚云
片头: 张妙阳
