第九章
最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：
9耶穌從那裏往前走、看見一個人名叫馬太、坐在稅關上、就對他說、你跟從
我來．他就起來、跟從了耶穌。10耶穌在屋裏坐席的時候、有好些稅吏和罪
人來、與耶穌和他的門徒一同坐席。11法利賽人看見、就對耶穌的門徒說、
你們的先生為甚麼和稅吏並罪人一同吃飯呢。12耶穌聽見、就說、康健的人
用不著醫生、有病的人才用得著。13經上說、「我喜愛憐恤、不喜愛祭祀。
」這句話的意思、你們且去揣摩．我來、本不是召義人、乃是召罪人。
默想：
1. 耶穌呼召馬太，表明祂樂意親近社會的邊緣人物——受人歧視、排擠、
壓迫的群體，但是法利賽人對宗教禮儀與道德的拘泥謹守，使他們無法
了解何以耶穌會和這樣卑賤的人一同飲宴。你比較能認同馬太或是法利
賽人？為什麼？
2. 今天你有否看見主耶穌向你招手，邀請你跟從祂？你的回應是什麼呢？
你是否歡喜與主一同吃喝，歡樂，慶祝，休息……？
3. 耶穌引用《何6：6》「我喜愛憐恤、不喜愛祭祀。」，是否因憐恤和愛
是我們內在的實際改變，而祭祀卻是不論內心的實況如何，都可以做到
的外在表現？
禱告與筆錄：
繼續安靜在神面前聆聽神，並將你的的思想、問題、觸動你的字、詞、圖
畫，或是與神的禱告，寫在你的靈程筆記簿上面。
今日箴言：2:6-8
6因為耶和華賜人智慧，知識和聰明都由他口而出。7他給正直人存留真
智慧，給行為純正的人做盾牌，8為要保守公平人的路，護庇虔敬人的
道。
Chapter 9
If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here.
Then focus on the following section:
9As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax
collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
10While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and
“sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples. 11When the Pharisees saw this,
they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?”
12On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
13But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not
come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Meditation
1. The calling of Matthew exhibited Jesus’ calling of outcasts and despised sinners.
The Pharisees, with their strict following of both ritual and moral purity, could
not understand why Jesus would have meals with these unworthy people.
Whom can you identify more easily, Matthew or the Pharisees? Why?
2. Do you see Jesus’ calling of you, inviting you to follow Him? What’s your
response? Do you enjoy eating, drinking, celebrating, resting, having fun with
Jesus?
3. Why did Jesus quote “I desire mercy, not sacrifice”(Ho 6:6)? Could it be because
love and mercy reveal that we have a transformed heart, while sacrifice is an
outward act that can be done regardless of the condition of our heart?
Prayer & Journaling:
On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions,
words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.
Proverbs for Today: Prov 2:6-8
Family Time:
Plan to go to a Christian downtown mission or food bank to volunteer as a family.
Discuss what you will be doing, whom you will be seeing, and why you should do
this. Have a celebration and thanksgiving prayer after coming back. Discuss how
each feels about the volunteer work. If possible, plan another one later.