耶稣差遣衪的门徒出去为衪作工。衪不希望他们负荷过重,所以祂告诉他们,只要携带身上穿着的衣物便足够了,事态看来似乎相当逼切。耶稣要他们凭信心过生活,信得过神必定会供应他们所需的。
他们从一个地方走到另一个地方,其中有接待他们的,也有拒绝他们的,有待他们为朋友的,也有敌视他们的。耶稣告诉他们,到了每一处地方,只住在一个家庭中。何处的人不接待或不听他们,他们便要离开,并且把脚上的“尘土跺下去,”这句与文化背景有关的话,表明那处的人拒绝了他们,也意味着那个城的人需要回心转意。
总括来说,门徒经历到神的能力藉着他们作工。他们赶鬼、用油抹病人、医治许多人。
作为牧者,我也曾用油抹病人。雅各书 5:14吩咐教会领袖,要为病人祷告和抹油。对我来说,这是一个令人谦卑和神圣的经历。神虽然不是每一次都医好这些人身体的毛病,然而,每一个人的心灵都因此得到慰藉。
用油抹病人的原意,不是把它当作一种医病的良方。神决定在什么时候和用什么方法医病-可能是在病人仍在世上时,也可能是在病人离世后。为病人抹油,能带给他们祝福和慰藉,它提醒神的子民,神的看顾是始终如一的。
父啊,求你帮助我们看到,我们最需要医治的,乃是我们的内心和灵魂。求你加添我们的力量,尽此生去事奉你。阿们。
马可福音 6:6-13
6 他也诧异他们不信,就往周围乡村教训人去了。
7 耶稣叫了十二个门徒来,差遣他们两个两个地出去,也赐给他们权柄制伏污鬼,
8 并且嘱咐他们:“行路的时候不要带食物和口袋,腰袋里也不要带钱,除了拐杖以外,什么都不要带;
9 只要穿鞋,也不要穿两件褂子。”
10 又对他们说:“你们无论到何处,进了人的家,就住在那里,直到离开那地方。
11 何处的人不接待你们,不听你们,你们离开那里的时候,就把脚上的尘土跺下去,对他们作见证。”
12 门徒就出去,传道叫人悔改,
13 又赶出许多的鬼,用油抹了许多病人,治好他们。
"They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them." — Mark 6:12-13
Jesus sent out his disciples to do his work. Not wanting them to be loaded down, he told them to take along only what they were wearing. Things seemed to be urgent. Jesus wanted them to live by faith, trusting in God to supply their needs.
As they ministered from place to place, they would find both hospitality and hostility, both friends and enemies. Jesus told them to lodge at only one house in each community. And if a place did not welcome or listen to them, they should leave and “shake the dust off” their feet, a cultural statement reflecting the rejection they had been shown. This would imply that the townspeople needed a change of heart.
All in all, the disciples experienced the power of God working through them. They cast out demons and anointed sick people with oil, healing many.
As a pastor, I have anointed people with oil. James 5:14 calls church leaders to pray over sick people and anoint them with oil. For me, it has been a humbling and holy experience. Though God has not always healed these people physically, all were spiritually comforted.
Anointing oil is not meant to seem like a healing potion. God decides when and how to heal—whether it’s on this side of the grave or the other. The oil of anointing is a blessed comfort that reminds people of God’s constant care.
Father, help us to see that the healing we need most is in our hearts and souls. Strengthen us to serve you as long as we live. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳