Restore us to yourself, Lord, that we may return

Lamentation 5:1-22

Remember, Lord, what has happened to us; look, and see our disgrace. Our ancestors sinned and are no more, and we bear their punishment.

Joy is gone from our hearts; our dancing has turned to mourning. The crown has fallen from our head. Woe to us, for we have sinned!

You, Lord, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation. Why do you always forget us? Why do you forsake us so long? Restore us to yourself, Lord, that we may return; renew our days as of old unless you have utterly rejected us and are angry with us beyond measure.

In the prayer to God which rounds off this little collection of laments, the poet vividly describes 'what has happened to us': the loss of freedom, loss of land, loss of respect; rape and cruelty; forced labor; near-starvation. He sees this as a consequence not only of the people's own sin but that of previous generations. And he prays to God for restoration, if it is not, after all too late.

Why?

This is the prayer of the poet, who described how sad life they have and the loss of being a human.

Finally, the author confesses their sins and the sins of their ancestors, who trust in the Lord and prayed to the Lord to restore them that they may return to the glory as before.

How?

Remember this punishment is so terrible for their sins, so be aware to away from the sin and obey the word of the Lord, and follow God's command is the only way of blessing.

The cup will be passed; you will be drunk and stripped naked

 Lamentation 4:1-22

Even jackals offer their breasts to nurse their young, but my people have become heartless like ostriches in the desert.

The punishment of my people is greater than that of Sodom, which was overthrown in a moment without a hand turned to help her.

Those killed by the sword are better off than those who die of famine; racked with hunger, they waste away for lack of food from the field.

But it happened because of the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests, who shed within her the blood of the righteous.

The Lord himself has scattered them; he no longer watches over them. The priests are shown no honor, the elders no favor.

Rejoice and be glad, Daughter Edom, you who live in the land of Uz. But to you also the cup will be passed; you will be drunk and stripped naked. Your punishment will end, Daughter Zion; he will not prolong your exile. But he will punish your sin, Daughter Edom, and expose your wickedness.

This lament contrasts the city's former glory, and the horrors of siege: the cries of starving, children; wizened faces; shriveled bodies; never to be forgotten. Who is to blame? It is the sins of the people, the prophets, and the priests that have brought the city low. And Edom - Judah's old arch-enemy- gloats, not knowing that its own punishment is yet to come.

Why?

The situation of the people of Israel was so hard and difficult. Even killed by the sword are better off than those who die of famine.

The author described it is because their sins are greater than that of Sodom. They shed within her the blood of the righteous. The Lord has scattered them, and no longer watches over them. So they were worse than the jackals could not feed their children.

But author pointed out these will be passed away. Rejoice and be glad. The punishment will end.

How?

No matter how much distress comes over us, God is with us when we are walking with the Lord. Rejoice and be glad!

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him

Lamentation 3:25-66

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young.

For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.

Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come? Why should the living complain when punished for their sins?

Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord. Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven, and say: “We have sinned and rebelled and you have not forgiven."

Lord, you have heard their insults, all their plots against me—what my enemies whisper and mutter against me all day long. Look at them! Sitting or standing, they mock me in their songs.

Lord, you have heard their insults, all their plots against me—what my enemies whisper and mutter against me all day long. Look at them! Sitting or standing, they mock me in their songs. Pay them back what they deserve, Lord, for what their hands have done. Put a veil over their hearts, and may your curse be on them! Pursue them in anger and destroy them from under the heavens of the Lord.

When he is all but lost, there comes the knowledge that God is near. But he cannot forgive the bitter provocation of his enemies.

Why?

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him. Let say "We have sinned and rebelled and you have not forgiven."

Even under suffering, pray to the Lord, cry to God, for God is good to his people.

When we pray to the Lord, God has known our pain and our heart, all their plots against me, God will judge them with God's hands.

How?

Waiting and be still for God is my Lord. For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion

The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him

Lamentation 3:1-24

I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of the Lord’s wrath. He has driven me away and made me walk in darkness rather than light; indeed, he has turned his hand against me again and again, all day long.

I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”

In the third lament, the agony of the nation is focussed on the experience of a single individual. In the darkness, crushed and battered to the point where all hope dies, his faith still rekindles at the thought of God whose character is steadfast love and mercy.

Why?

The punishment of the Lord is severe, it is surrounding them all day long. No one can escape from God's judgment. But there is hope in God's people when we remember these. Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed. for his compassions never fail.

So we have faith in the Lord when we focus on the experience of a single individual. Even I am in the darkness, wait for Him.

How?

Praise the Lord, for God is great! The Lord is my portion, therefore I will wair for him.

In the day of the Lord’s anger no one escaped or survived

Lamentation 2:1-22

Without pity the Lord has swallowed up all the dwellings of Jacob; in his wrath he has torn down the strongholds of Daughter Judah. He has brought her kingdom and its princes down to the ground in dishonor.

The Lord has rejected his altar and abandoned his sanctuary. He has given the walls of her palaces into the hands of the enemy; they have raised a shout in the house of the Lord as on the day of an appointed festival.

The visions of your prophets were false and worthless; they did not expose your sin to ward off your captivity. The prophecies they gave you were false and misleading.

In the day of the Lord’s anger no one escaped or survived; those I cared for and reared my enemy has destroyed.

The poet revisits the dreadful scene. All the ruin and desolation, the starving children, the slaughter are God's doing. That is the worst of it, as the poet stresses again and again. He speaks to the city, then cries to God on the city's behalf: let God look, and pity.

Why?

All of these dreadful scenes handled by the Lord, because the people of Israel have away from the Lord and their altar was no worship of the Lord but other gods. 

It is a warning to all people in the world, under the Lord's anger, no one escaped or survived.

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1)1-5 主攻擊錫安城。人以為易守難攻的耶路撒冷也被攻克，離開了主這一切都沒有意義，這一切華美都在神同在時才有。

2)6-10 神親手滅了聖殿，這個聖殿只剩下空殼，神厭惡這樣的會所，因為以色列人的心已經離開了神。當夫妻有外遇時，這個家無論怎麼豪華美麗，已經沒有意義了。

3)11-14 作者為人民沒有東西吃，以色列的傷口大到無法醫治，沒有施力點。先知失職，因為都是假先知，不會責備百姓的罪孽。人也不愛責備的話。我們不能只愛聽好聽的話。

4)15-17 外邦人譏笑

5)18-19 趕快向神祈求禱告

6)20-22 以色列民是神自己的孩子，母親也不會傷害自己的孩子，所以求神顧念這些人是神的選民，如嬰孩一樣，不懂事。詩人知道神有公義，也有憐憫，先知求神可憐這些人。

我們不是同樣指責以色列人，而是將這事當作鏡子，引為警戒。

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How?

The Lord is righteousness and full of mercy, honor God's holy name every day.

Lamentations 1: Outside, the sword bereaves; inside, there is only death.

 Lamentations 1:1-22

Her foes have become her masters; her enemies are at ease. The Lord has brought her grief because of her many sins. Her children have gone into exile, captive before the foe.

In the days of her affliction and wandering Jerusalem remembers all the treasures that were hers in days of old. When her people fell into enemy hands, there was no one to help her. Her enemies looked at her and laughed at her destruction.

“From on high he sent fire, sent it down into my bones. He spread a net for my feet and turned me back. He made me desolate, faint all the day long.

The Lord is righteous, yet I rebelled against his command. Listen, all you peoples; look on my suffering. My young men and young women have gone into exile.

Outside, the sword bereaves; inside, there is only death. People have heard my groaning, but there is no one to comfort me. All my enemies have heard of my distress; they rejoice at what you have done. May you bring the day you have announced so they may become like me.

“Let all their wickedness come before you; deal with them as you have dealt with me because of all my sins. My groans are many and my heart is faint.”

We hear the voice of the poet; the city itself is grieving. Jerusalem is alone, deserted, mourning; the people have gone; the Temple defiled and destroyed, God has judged and punished the city for the enormity of its sin. Now, at last, Jerusalem cries out to him.

Why?

People knew that God had given them up to the enemy. Otherwise, it could not have happened. So these laments express the poet's grief, not simply over the suffering and humiliation of his people, but over something deeper and far worse; God's rejection of his own people because over and over again, despite repeated appeals and warning, God's covenant people had broken faith with him.

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1)v1-11: 三個強烈對比，繁華的城市變荒涼，尊榮的變弱勢，高貴者成為奴工。

神給我們的原來是如此豐盛、富裕，我們卻想自己發展，另起爐灶。苦難中仍然呼求神的名，雖然知道這個苦難來自神，無論在什麼景況，只要在神的手中，我們就有救了。

2)v12-17:叫路人注意，不要落入此狀，沒有反應嗎？。

這些苦都是從神而來的，沒有人像我這樣子。一切的災難都是從主來的管教，公義的審判。

不要以為這些事與我們無關

3)v18-22:禱告： 神是公義的，因為我違背神的命令。對自己的懊悔都向神陳明，不管什麼理由，求神幫助我們及時回轉，神仍然與我們同行。

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How?

When the judgment comes there is no chance to return to the Law or follow Jesus Christ, there is desolation, death, and suffering. Be aware of ourselves.

The Great Commission

Matthew 28:16-20

The Great Commission

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The eleven remaining apostles return to Galilee. There Jesus, now possessing 'all authority, gives them his last command - to make disciples of all nations.

All through his Gospel Matthew has referred back to the Jewish scriptures, showing how Jesus fulfilled them. But there is nothing exclusive about the good news. And the final words of the Gospel are universal: God's kingdom is open, the invitation is extended, to people of every nation.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: this phrase became a standard expression in the formal liturgy(禮儀) of the early church.

Why?

The disciples came to Galilee, them Jesus recovered their faith, and gave them the Great Commission, so the Gospel is spread from 11 disciples with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit to all of the world.

We spread the Gospel is not only by our effort but also with the Holy Spirit.

This is the Great Commission to all Christians in the world, until the end of the day comes. This is the last command of Jesus to all of us.

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耶穌與門徒在加利利會面，當中還有人疑惑，人很難超過自己的限制，眼睛已經看見，人死怎麼能夠復活，無法接受此事。

耶穌復活後給他們大使命。復活與大使命做個連結。耶穌復活後掌管一切的權柄，是萬國萬民的主，萬國萬民都應該是耶穌的子民。生命、死亡、黑暗都在耶穌的權柄。耶穌出生，希律想和耶穌爭王權，還有文士，法利賽人，他們都死了，耶穌勝過死亡，我們不用怕死，復活帶給我們盼望、生命。復活帶來耶穌的吩咐，大使命。想到復活主不要只想到自己的好處與祝福，更要想到使更多人的好處，並得到祝福。去傳講復活的真理。

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How?

Keep this Great Commission in my heart and follow God's command in my life.

Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid

Matthew 28:1-15

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

Sorrow turns to awe and joy as the women hear the angel's message and see the risen Jesus for themselves. The first to know, they hurry to share the amazing news.

The guards are bribed to lie, to say the tomb is empty because Jesus' followers stole the body while they slept. The penalty for falling asleep on duty was death, but perhaps Pilate too could be squared with a bribe.

Why?

After Sabbath is Sunday, it is the first day of the week. It is a day of great and joyful. For Jesus has risen.

When people saw Jesus they will afraid for might be the ghost, so Jesus comforted them, Do not be afraid.

Jesus reminded them he will meet disciples in Galilee as he mentioned. Everything is running as Jesus described.

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耶穌復活後不同人的反應

抹大拉的馬利亞和那個馬利亞來看墳墓，她們渴慕愛主的程度，極迫切，甘願冒險、辛苦。即使有衛兵，有石頭，還是去。我們常常有許多理由，太早，太遠，很忙、聽不懂、和大家不熟，沒有歸屬感等。如果沒有那個心，即使沒有理由也會找理由。

重點在石頭滾開，主要是要讓兩位馬利亞看見耶穌已經不在了，已經復活了！當我們願意去，神會回應我們，讓我們明白。

天使的說明，在於這些事不是偶然，而是在神的計劃中。耶穌不是在耶路撒冷、不是在墓門口，而是在加利利，即從耶穌呼召門徒的地方。這事以後，從新呼召他們。這次稱呼他們為我的弟兄，完全的接納他們。

祭司長和長老要衛兵做假見證，他們還是為自己的利益，寧可做假見證。神蹟可以讓軟弱的人堅強起來，神蹟對於只看重自己利益的人，抗拒神的人，心裏更鋼硬，寧可違背律法。

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How?

Trust in Jesus Christ, for Jesus is the Son of God and Jesus is our Savior, my way, my truth and my life.

The burial of Jesus

Matthew 27:57-66

As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.

The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”

“Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

Why?

The chief priest and the Pharisees afraid that Jesus is resurrected three later may cause a worse result, so they asked Pilate to send guards to secure the tomb.

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were caring about Jesus so they were sitting there opposite the tomb.

Joseph is a disciple of Jesus, and he did not acknowledge it publicly, so he asked for Jesus's body and bury the body of Jesus. Even Joseph did not say he is a disciple of Jesus but from his behavior, he is really a disciple of Jesus.

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兩組人即使在耶穌死後都極力為主服事。一位是約瑟，是有錢人，雖然是公會的人，但是暗暗的跟隨耶穌。一般被釘十字架的人猶太人通常不會埋葬在墓中，耶穌死時是政治犯，最危險的時候，卻勇敢出面承認自己是耶穌的門徒。厚葬耶穌，把自己拿錢鑿的墳墓。不僅沒有神蹟，不可能有任何回報的時候，卻願意出來。我們服事神，難道期望未來在天上的更好的房子……。若是如此我們就虧對神了。

另一組人是兩位瑪利亞，她們沒有錢，沒有身份，她們不能給耶穌做什麼，耶穌不能給她們什麼，仍然守在那裏，給耶穌的關懷的愛。我們常常在教會好像什麼也不能做，但是我們願意持守在那裏，警醒。這是真愛主的人。

他們怕門徒謊稱耶穌復活，他們的利益、地位會不保。反對神的人，抵擋神的人用盡辦法維護自己的利益。他們在耶穌死後仍然沒有平安，永遠擔心不完。追隨自己的利益，勞苦愁煩必加增永遠跟隨他們。只有在耶穌基督裏才能得到安息。次日是安息日，猶太人沒有得到安息，即使在安息日，為了守自己的利益，還是派人看守耶穌的墳墓。不管安息日不可行事。

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How?

We don't have to say we are Christians but do it let people know we are the disciple of Jesus.

Surely he was the Son of God

Matthew 27:45-56

From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”)

Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.

Why?

Jesus called the Lord for God had away from Him short at that moment. But the sound Eli, Eli, seems to Elijah. So people thought Jesus called Elijah. 

The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, which means the separation between God and us is broken.

These symbols happened so the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw, they exclaimed, 'Surely he was the Son of God!' They directly proved that Jesus is the Son of God. It is exclaimed by the foreigners.

Many women were there, accompanied by Jesus on the cross. They were braver than the disciples.

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1)9AM~3PM 遍地都黑暗了，最亮的時候，卻是最黑暗，代表黑暗掌權。耶穌死的時候，鬼哭神嚎，此時是春分，不可能是日蝕，日蝕時間也沒有這麼長。

2)我的神為什麼掩面離棄我，因為罪過都在耶穌身上的關係。耶穌承擔了人的罪。這幾個小時耶穌都受不了了，我們有時候想要神不要管我的事情，神在不在無所謂。

3)耶穌斷氣時，聖殿幔子裂開，代表人與神的關係打開，當時虛有其表的敬拜停止了，不需要聖殿及大祭司了。

4)許多聖徒復活。末日復活的預言，也是復活的開始。

5)百夫長和婦人，說這人真是神的兒子。百夫長看出來，因為他從頭到尾看著耶穌受苦，耶穌完全默默的承受，沒有怨言、辨白，甘願無辜的受苦。耶穌真是為人死的。百夫長，對於猶太教很外行的人都真的看出來，猶太人，我們基督徒是否可以看出來?

這些一直跟隨耶穌，她們完全單純有信心的人，不離不棄。她們在最沒有神蹟的時候，守在耶穌旁邊，真愛耶穌的人。耶穌其實是最剛強的人，不是竭力反抗，辯白，逃避。

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How?

Jesus is the Son of God, we trust in Him and following Jesus as my savior. We are the sheep on the pasture of Jesus who is our shepherd.

They placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews

Matthew 27:27-44

Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 

Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews.

Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads.

In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

Why?

All of them did not know what they are doing. They don't know the purpose of the Lord. Jesus is King of the Jews and all of us. Jesus shed for our sins. 

Even the rubbers mocked Jesus. How Jesus felt lonely at that moment.

Those who mocked Jesus King of the Jews, it is revealed the truth that Jesus is the king of Israel and all human beings. 

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耶穌在官府被與侮辱，妝扮好像一個王的樣子，卻是受苦的，一個假的君王，來戲弄耶穌。

這士兵也代表了一群戲弄耶穌的人，好像現在不認識基督教，只知道一點皮毛，而藉以用來嘲笑的對象。這群人骨子裏不承認耶穌。

古利奈人西門是唯一為主受苦的人。後來也閃在教會中令人信服的人。

類似麻醉的一種藥品，但是耶穌不喝，寧可受苦。

猶太人的王的牌子，羅馬不允許有另外一個王。羅馬代表世界的人心，當神出現，人不允許有另外一個王在人生命當中。

人心中不允許有兩個王，想要自己做王。

嘲笑耶穌，可以自己從十字架上下來，這是很膚淺的話，如果神是真的我怎麼看不到，如果神是真的愛我們為什麼這件事發生在我身上?如果神有工作我怎麼看不到?因為耶穌要救人，所以從十字架上下來。我們的原則是先救自己才能救人，耶穌的原則是不先救自己才能救別人。不要看表面的現象就要把神拉下來審判。

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How?

Be humble and follow the way of Jesus to be a good Christian. For Jesus loves me!

Jesus is the king of the Jews

Matthew 27:11-26

Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied.

Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.

While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”

But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

“What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!”

When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” 

 All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!” Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged and handed him over to be crucified.

Pilate is not interested in offences against Jewish religious law, so the charges are 'perverting our nation', forbidding our nation', forbidding payment of tax and the treasonable claim to be 'King of the Jews' - the charge on which Pilate's condemnation will rest.

Why?

Even Pilate could not find any evidence to charge Jesus, but he did not resist against Jewish religious so he follows the claim of the crowd. 

Jesus only answered the question " Are you the king of the Jews?" "You have said so".

Pilate gives the responsibility of crucifying Jesus to the Jews, and they reply "His blood is on us and on our children?" They were blind and they didn't know what are they doing. So the Jew have to suffer these sins for a long time.

How?

Sometimes crowd said it is right, but it is wrong in the Lord, our eyes and our heart should be followed by the word of the Lord.

“I have sinned,” Judas said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood."

Matthew 27:1-10

When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”

 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.

The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on him by the people of Israel, and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.” Zech 11:12-13

The traitor's suicide: Jesus questioned by the Toman Governor. Only Matthew records Judas' remorse. He flings back the money, but a clear conscience is not so easily bought.

Why?

Judas was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver for he regretted for what he has done. He betrayed innocent blood.

Judas does not regrate and believed in Jesus, so he chose suicide. Judas still did not trust in Jesus is the Messiah.

The chief priests did not receive this money for they cared about the law, but don't care what they have done to the innocent Jesus.

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文士、長老、祭司長等想藉政府的手來殺耶穌。

猶大後悔這件事：賣了無辜人的血罪。祭司說這是血價，雖然明知耶穌沒有罪，但是耶穌威脅到他們的利益，但是卻不是用正常方法來後悔，沒有向神認錯，如掃羅。猶大退錢，自殺都是想要彌補，最有誠意的悔改，卻不是神要的悔改。會自殺的人，自覺沒有臉活在世上，也沒有臉，不敢向神認罪，想用做一些事來彌補過錯。而是要在神面前承認自己的錯誤，任何彌補的行為沒有辦法得到救贖。至少先認罪，讓神赦罪，再來做彌補的行為。像彼得痛苦就是向神悔改。彼得是一時被現實打敗，猶大則是開始就錯了。

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How?

Turn to the Lord, no matter what we have done, for God loves us if we confess our sins.

From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven

Matthew 26:57-75

Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.

The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.

The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

“You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.

Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said. But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”

Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”

Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Here are two issues, 1) Trial at the high priest's house 2)Peter disowns Jesus.

Why?

The high priest and the elders and the teachers of the law were assembled in the house of the high priest. They had plotted it a while.

Peter is caring for Jesus so he followed him at a distance, other disciples were escaped away. But peter refused he knows Jesus three times, just as Jesus has mentioned before. It shows man's weakness and our faith is not strong enough.

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耶穌在公會受審判。屬於民間法庭，彼拉多才是官方的審判。公會是有臉，有威望的人。

第一種人： 宗教家，信主很久的人，對聖經很熟悉的人。想從律法來定耶穌的罪。耶穌不回應，因為他們不是審判的人。耶穌才是審判者。當大祭司問耶穌是否為神的兒子，這個耶穌不能否認，且以後要審判人的罪。你們是否有想到以後的結局嗎？我們懂很多，不是來看神的對錯，不是去找牧師、傳道人的麻煩，而是以後關係到我們的結局。我們常常被自己的知識蒙蔽了。將來我們都要向神來交帳的。

第二種人被無知所蒙蔽。專門拿神，拿基督徒來開玩笑，即許多嘲笑基督教的人。拜豬、拜狗、拜樹的人沒有譏笑，卻譏笑基督徒的禱告。

第三種被現實打敗的。彼得三次不認主，他冒生命危險看耶穌。不要嘲笑彼得。他看到是眼前處境，他還是軟弱了？很多時候很多人覺得主很好，但是放不下自己的現實，被現實打敗。例如，工作、學業很忙，或是在教會受傷，感覺不好，因為被批評，教會不如我的意。懶得出門的人，工作已經很累無法事奉。信耶穌都很好，但是有很多拘束，星期日要來，要奉獻。長輩還在的人，不想讓家中起衝突，很教學孝順只好把耶穌犧牲掉。我們有比彼得強嗎？

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How?

Jesus knows everything will be, Jesus knows our heart and our weakness, but Jesus loves us, when we turn to Jesus, Jesus is with us always.

The writings of the prophets might be fulfilled

Matthew 26:47-56

While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.

Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”

In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

The moment passes. Jesus accepts the path of suffering as Father's will. And as the mob comes out to arrest him he is once more in command. He expresses only love for the traitor. When one of his followers draws his sword and cuts off the ear of the high priest's servant, Jesus arrests the violence. He had come to fulfill the prophecies of scripture, says  Matthew. And at this point, all his followers desert him as he had known they would.

Why?

Judas kisses Jesus as a signal to identify who is Jesus.

Jesus reflected common and peace to face this situation.

Jesus may call the Father to resist this arresting, but Jesus obeys the mission of the Lord, be a human being to be arrested. To fulfill the word of the prophecies said.

Just as Jesus has said all his disciples deserted him and fled. For man is weak in the flesh.

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耶穌勇於面對苦杯。

用親嘴當作記號來讓差役抓耶穌。親嘴打招呼是平常的事，門徒不會抵抗，猶大可以脫罪。這是賺律法的漏洞。稱猶大為朋友，這是很疏遠的關係。

耶穌面對他們來抓他，沒有躲避，沒有抵抗，如果要打可能還有得打，要門徒將刀收起來。想到的是神的旨意成就。因為耶穌對他們有威脅，所以文士、祭司們要殺耶穌，抵擋神！這些人看來好像在抓耶穌，其實是成就先知的預言，這些都是在耶穌的權柄之下而行的。那些反對神的人，好像抵擋神，其實也在成就神的心意，成就神的旨意。

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How?

Confess that we all are weak, so we need the Lord to give us the strength, to face all the challenges.