Chapter 34 "Four Gospels 1" (1)

"Four Gospels 1" (1) Birth of John the Baptist When King Herod ruled Judah, there was a priest named Zechariah, and his wife was named Elizabeth.Both of them are righteous before God, obeying all the commandments of the Lord.The only regret is that the two are old, but they have never had children. One day it was Zachariah's turn to enter the main hall to offer incense to God.The angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to the right of the incense altar.The angel told him not to panic, saying that his prayer to have a son had been heard by God, and that his wife Elisha would have a son.The boy should be named John.The angel said: "You will rejoice, and many will rejoice because of his birth. He will be great before the Lord. He will drink neither wine nor strong drink, but he will be filled with the Holy Spirit in his mother's womb. He will make many The children of Israel will turn back to the Lord their God. He will go before the Lord with the mind and strength of Elijah, turning the hearts of fathers to their children, and the rebellious to the wisdom of the righteous, and the Lord Prepare a people for use."

Zechariah thought he was too old and too weak to bear children.The angel Gabriel said that he was sent by God to report, because Zechariah would become dumb if he didn't believe in God's words. Soon, Zechariah's wife Elizabeth was pregnant.When she was in the sixth month of her pregnancy, an angel was ordered by God to come to a city called Nazareth in Galilee to announce the good news to a virgin Mary there, saying that she would conceive and give birth to a child.The child's name should be Jesus. Mary had been engaged to Joseph of David's family, but had not married yet.When the angel entered the door, he said to Mary, "I greet you, the Lord is already with you." Mary felt panicked after hearing this, and she couldn't figure out what the angel meant.The angel told her: "Your son Jesus will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. God will give him the throne of his ancestor David."

He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end. " Mary said: "I am not married, how can I have a son?" The angel told her: "The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the Holy One who will be born will be called the Son of God. Don't you Do you know that your relative Elizabeth, the wife of the priest Zechariah, has never been able to bear children, but did she conceive six months ago? There is no word of God that is without power." Mary has always been a decent and pious girl.She replied, "I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word."

After the angel left, Mary went to the town of Zacharias in the mountains to greet Elizabeth.Hearing her greeting, the fetus in Elizabeth's womb twitched. As the Holy Spirit filled her whole body, Elizabeth answered in a loud voice, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child in your womb. Where did the mother of my lord come to me? You As soon as I opened my mouth, my fetus jumped up and down in my womb. I believe this woman is blessed, because all the words of the Lord will be fulfilled in her." Mary replied: "My heart magnifies the Lord, and my soul rejoices in God, my Saviour, because he considers the lowliness of his handmaid. From now on all generations will call me blessed, and the Mighty shall be called Has done great things, hallowed is his name. He has mercy on those who fear him from generation to generation. With his shoulders he casts great power. Those who do madness, who are wandering in their hearts, are driven away by him. He is called authority He lifted up the lowly, and fed the hungry with good food, and sent the rich away empty. He helped his servant Israel, remembering Abraham and his posterity, and having mercy forever, as he did to us what the fathers said."

Mary stayed at Elizabeth's house for three months, and did not leave until Elizabeth was due to give birth. Elizabeth finally gave birth to a son, and the neighbors and relatives were extremely happy.On the eighth day after the child was born, the child was circumcised first, and then a name for him was discussed.Relatives and friends said that according to the custom, the child should be called Zechariah after the father's name.But my mother said that it should be called John, which was conveyed by the angel Gabriel.The sentient beings said that there is no such name for the child, so they asked the dumb father.Zacharias asked for a writing board and wrote down his child's name - John.

The strange thing is that just after writing the last stroke, the mute's mouth opened and his tongue stretched out. After hearing Zechariah, everyone was able to speak and praise God again.The people were amazed and terrified, and the miracle was reported throughout the mountains of Judah.Zechariah prophesied that salvation would come to Israel. He said: "Blessed be the God of Israel, for he has visited his people and redeemed them, and has raised up salvation for us in the house of his servant David. the trumpet of God, to deliver us from the hand of our enemies and all who hate us, to show mercy to our fathers, and to remember his covenant, which he swore to our father Abraham . Serve him without fear and with holiness and righteousness. My child, you shall be called a prophet of the Most High, for you shall go before the Lord and prepare his way, so that his people may know salvation through the forgiveness of their sins The merciful heart of our God has caused the morning sun to come down on us from on high, to enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of safety.

From then on, John gradually grew up, he grew up in the wilderness, and eventually he would show the Israelites that he was preaching the way of Jesus Christ. John was born at the same time that Quirintius was governor of Syria.The emperor had a decree handed down to the people all over the world to sign up for registration and return to their original places to declare their household registration.At this time, Joseph also took Mary, his engaged wife, from Nazareth in Galilee to Judah, and the family of David lived in a city called Bethlehem. (Luke 1:80, 2:1-6) birth of jesus Before Jesus' mother married into Joseph's family, she was conceived by the Holy Spirit.Joseph was a righteous man, and he was unwilling to publicly humiliate his fiancée Mary, but the distress in his heart can be imagined.Joseph considered how he could quietly divorce Mary.

At this time, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream.The angel said, "Joseph, don't be afraid. Just marry your wife Mary, for the conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Nasus, for he will save his people from their sins.All these things took place that what the Lord had spoken through the prophet would be fulfilled: The virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. "Emmanuel means "God with us". The righteous man Joseph married Mary according to the angel's command, looking forward to the coming of the Son of God.

Mary, who was very pregnant, followed Joseph to Bethlehem to declare their household registration, but the inn in the city was full, so they had to temporarily settle down in a stable.Mary was due to give birth, and gave birth to her son at night in the stable of the inn.The first-born son was wrapped in cloth and placed in a manger.The manger is the cradle of Jesus, the Son of God. On the night when Jesus came, a group of shepherds took turns watching over their flocks in the countryside of Bethlehem.An angel of the Lord came suddenly and announced the good news of Jesus' birth to them.The glory of the Lord came from heaven, illuminating the surroundings of the shepherd. The angel said, "Don't be afraid, I tell you good news about all peoples. This night, in the city of David, a Savior has been born for you. He is Christ the Lord. You Go and see, there is a baby wrapped in a cloth in the manger, that is the Lord's sign." Speaking of this, a large group of heavenly soldiers came from the sky.Together with the messenger angel they praised God: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men with whom he is well pleased."

The shepherds discussed with each other: "Let's go to the city of Bethlehem and see what has been done. That is what the Lord has shown us." They found Joseph and his wife in the stable of the inn in the city, and the man lying in the manger baby inside.The shepherds spread the word of the angel, and everyone who heard it was amazed.Mary experienced and heard these words, knowing that they have been fulfilled and will be fulfilled.She gave glory to God and praised God, as the angel said. (Matthew 1, Lu 2) When Jesus was born, Bethlehem was still under the rule of King Herod.On this day, some wise men came from the east, and they said to King Herod of Jerusalem, "Where is the boy who was born to be king of Judea? We have seen his star in the East, and we have come to see him." ’” King Herod felt uneasy, and he summoned the chief priests and the scribes of the people.These people reported back to the king that the child was born in Bethlehem of Judah, and a prophet had said in the past: "O Bethlehem of Judah, you are not the least among the cities of Judah, for from you will come a king who will shepherd the people of Israel."

King Herod summoned the wise men from the east, questioned Shiwei carefully, and then sent them to Bethlehem to search for them, and returned to the king when they came back. As soon as the doctors left the palace, they saw the star that they saw in the east.The star twinkled before them, and led them to the place where the baby was born, and stopped above the stables of the inn.The magi went in happily and saw the child and his mother Mary. They bowed down to the child, opened the treasure box they brought, and offered gold, myrrh, and frankincense. The magi had already received instructions from the Lord in a dream, so they went straight back to their own country instead of going back to Jerusalem to see King Herod for an answer. On the eighth day after the boy was born, the parents circumcised him, as required by the law of Moses, and then took him to Jerusalem to present him to God, for it is said in the law: "Every firstborn the male shall be consecrated." This is part of the birth rite for Jewish boys.When ceremonies were performed in the temple, a pair of turtledoves or young pigeons should be sacrificed. (Matthew 1; Luke 2) West Prophecy In Jerusalem, there lived a wise and pious righteous man named Simeon.He witnessed the sin and distress of the Jews, and deeply looked forward to the arrival of Israel's comforter.One day, the Holy Spirit came upon him again.By the revelation of the Holy Spirit, he knew that before he died, he could see the anointed Christ of the Lord.With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, he entered the temple in Jerusalem to meet Jesus and his parents. When Joseph and Mary walked into the temple with the baby in their arms and prepared to sacrifice the baby to God according to the law, Simeon took the baby with his hands and praised God.Simeon said, "Lord, now I can release my servant according to your word. I, Simeon, have passed away. I have seen your salvation with my own eyes. This child in my hands is what you have prepared for all peoples. The light of the Gentiles, and your glory in Israel." Joseph and Mary were amazed when they heard Simeon's words.Simeon blessed them again.Simeon told Mary, "This child is ordained to cause many to fall and to raise up many in Israel; and to be a object against which many hearts will be revealed; and your own heart will be pierced through ." While Mary and the Son of God were staying in the temple, the prophetess Anna also entered the temple to thank God.Anna is 84 years old.For decades, Anna, who had been a widow, never left the temple, fasted devoutly, and served God day and night.Seeing that the savior of Israel and the light of the world had come to the world, Anna went to the streets and alleys of Jerusalem and told all the people who were looking for salvation about the boy. Yet King Herod in the city was filled with fear. He was afraid of the Savior of Israel.King Herod was furious because the wise men from the East had deceived him and never returned to Bethlehem.He ordered his subordinates to search for and find the baby boy born in Bethlehem, and they must destroy him.The guards searched Bethlehem and the surrounding areas according to his orders, and killed all boys under the age of two.This was prophesied by Jeremiah the prophet: the sound of the howler was heard in Ramah, and it was Rachel who wept for her children, and refused to be comforted, because they were gone. But the Lord has always cared for His Son.Before Herod gave the order, the angel showed Joseph a dream, telling him that Herod would find the child and destroy him.Joseph fled to Egypt with his wife and children.They were to live there until King Herod died.This corresponds to what the Prophet had said: The Lord will recall His Son from Egypt. (Luke 2:21-40; Matt 2:12-16) jesus childhood After King Herod died, an angel of the Lord came to Egypt and showed Joseph a dream. The angel said, "Get up! Take the child and his mother and go to Israel. The one who killed the child is dead." Joseph took his family back to the land of Israel.Hearing that King Herod's son Archelaus was king of Judah, he did not dare to take the risk of going to Jerusalem. According to the instructions of the angel in a dream, Joseph's family came to Nazareth in Galilee.This also corresponds to what the prophet said, the Savior is a Nazarene. Joseph was a carpenter, and his family was honest and hardworking residents in Nazareth.The virtuous Mary ran the house and educated her children.During this period, Jesus added four younger brothers, who were called James, Joses, Simon, and Judas, and two younger sisters.As the eldest son, Jesus usually helped his father with work and his mother with his younger siblings.Jesus gradually grew and became strong, full of wisdom, because the grace of God never left him. Every year when the Jewish Passover came, Joseph and his wife would take their children to Jerusalem to worship the temple and return to Nazareth after the festival was over.When Jesus was twelve years old, his parents took him to the holy city of Jerusalem, and then returned home with a large pilgrimage team.But after driving for a day, the parents discovered that Jesus was not among the crowd returning home when it was dark.They asked all relatives and friends, but to no avail, so they had to go back to Jerusalem to inquire. Three days later, they found the child in the temple in Jerusalem.He was sitting among the teachers and scholars of Judah, listening to lectures and arguments, interjecting from time to time to ask questions.Those who listened to his repeated questions and answers were all amazed at his talent to be able to deal with it so freely. The anxious parents hurried up and hugged the boy.Mary said to Jesus, "Son, how can you do this? Do you know how sad your parents are because they can't find you anywhere?" Jesus replied, "Don't be so worried. Don't look for me so anxiously. Don't you know that I have my Father's business in mind?" Joseph and his wife could not clearly understand his words, but they vaguely felt the heavy responsibility of the Son of God.Because this child is not only theirs, but God's; his home is not only in Nazareth, but also in the temple in Jerusalem, because where God is, his home is. Mary and Joseph lead Jesus down the temple.Jesus also meekly obeyed them and returned to Nazareth.Mary kept in her heart what she had seen and heard. She knew that what should happen would happen. Her eldest son would eventually go to the wilderness of Judah and announce the voice of the kingdom of heaven.He will eventually return to where he came because he is the Son of God. (Luke 2:40-51) John preaching in the wilderness John, who was born before Jesus, the son of Zechariah the priest and Elizabeth, grew up to be very strong in mind.The only child who grew up in the wilderness felt the harshness of the desert in the cold winter and the vastness of the starry sky in the summer night. The voice of the Holy Spirit echoed in his ears, and the sense of sacred mission made his blood boil.He knew that he was going to the world to preach for Jesus, so he resolutely started preaching near the Jordan River. "The kingdom of heaven is at hand, repent!" was John's initial warning.The prophet Isaiah also prophesied this day in the past. He said, At that time, a voice will cry in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. At this time, John was dressed in camel's hair and had a leather belt around his waist. He ate wild honey and locusts.People from all over Jerusalem and Judea and around the Jordan River came to John, confessed their sins, and were baptized by him in the Jordan River. To those Pharisees and Sadducees who also came to be baptized, John rebuked them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance." Do not say in your heart that Abraham is our father. Let me tell you, God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones. Now the ax is placed on the root of the tree, and every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down. in the fire. "I baptize you with water unto repentance. But he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to lift. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His hand take the dustpan, and sweep away his threshing floor, gather the wheat into the barn, and burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." The crowd asked John, "Then what shall we do?" John replied, "If you have two garments, give them to the one who has none; if you have food, give them to the hungry." For the tax collectors who also asked him to baptize, John warned them not to extract extra money beyond the stipulated standards; for the soldiers who asked him, John told them not to rape others and not to blackmail other people's money. Some of the people doubted that John was the Savior Jesus, but John declared that he was not. When Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask who he was, John said he was not the Christ.He also confessed that he was neither Elijah nor a prophet.He said he was only the one who shouted in the wilderness.John was also looking forward to the coming of Jesus Christ. The following is the Gospel proclaimed by John, which allows us to see the anxious longing of the Jews who lived near the Jordan River at the beginning of AD. From the stirring words, there are the reflections of the Jews about the Most High and the prophets themselves The restlessness: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word was in the beginning with God. All things were created by Him, and without Him was not anything that was made. "In me is life, and this life is the light of man. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness does not receive the light. "There was a man sent from God. His name was John. This man came to bear witness. To testify of the light. That through him all might believe. He was not the light, but he was to testify of the light. That light is the true light, illuminating all who are born into the world. "He was in the world. The world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came to his own, and his own received him not. Whoever received him believed in his name. He gave them Authority to be a child of God. "This man was not born of flesh, nor of the lusts, nor of the will of men, but of God. The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. We also see through his glory, the glory of the only begotten Son of the Father. "John testified of him, crying out that this is the one whom I said was coming after me, but has become before me, because he was before me. Of his fullness we have all received, and Grace on grace. "The law was given through Moses, and grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the only begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father has revealed Him." (Luke 3:10-8; Matt 3; John 1) Baptism and Temptation in the Wilderness When John faithfully fulfilled his duties, the Savior Jesus Christ really came to him. One day, John was baptizing people in the Jordan River. He suddenly heard that a new person had come to ask for baptism. He looked up and couldn't help being stunned. Jesus came out of Nazareth in Galilee so big, with a steady and peaceful demeanor and a gentle smile.Jesus has been in Nazareth for many years, working honestly every day, serving his parents at home, but in his heart, he has been waiting for the moment to go out to preach, and what he is waiting for is a sign.Hearing that John was baptizing people in the Jordan River, Jesus immediately knew that the sign had come.Now that the decisive moment had come he left his peaceful hometown of Nazareth. When Jesus asked for baptism, John said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, this is the one who came after me and became before me." John was really taken aback, He hurriedly stopped Jesus and said, "I should be baptized by you. Why do you ask me for it?" Indeed, John was only baptizing sinners, and Jesus was without sin. He is the Son of God, the Savior and Master of the people of Judah, how could he baptize him? But Jesus said softly to John: "Do as I say, this is the etiquette we should do." Jesus' tone was so peaceful and gentle, but it sounded so firm and irresistible to John, he could only obey and baptized him respectfully. When Jesus came out of the water, the distant heavy sky suddenly opened, and the Holy Spirit flew down from the sky like a dove and landed on Jesus' shoulders. At the same time, a voice came from the sky: "This is my Son, I pleasing." John's reputation became more and more prominent. He not only baptized people in the Jordan River and preached to the people, but sometimes he also went in and out of the palace to explain God's will among the king and ministers. King Herod liked John very much and asked him many questions. King Herod had a weakness, and that was lust.One day, he was walking in the garden and met a young and beautiful woman, Herodias, his half-brother's wife. He coveted her beauty, and the woman envied his power, so they hit it off .Not long after, Herod officially married Herodias, and his first wife, the daughter of the King of Nabataeans, was left out in the cold.This incident aroused the wrath of the Nabataean king, who launched a war against Palestine.Of course, the final victims are the people of the two countries. This disgraceful incident also reached John's ears.This John was a loyal and upright person on weekdays, and in the palace, he had repeatedly spoken out against King Herod's wrong behavior. So he asked King Herod in public: "You have committed a crime. It is against ethics and morals to marry a brother's wife. Don't you know?" King Herod was too ashamed to speak.Herodias who was on the side shouted fiercely: "Who are you to meddle in the king's affairs!" King Herod did not dare to kill John. He knew that in the eyes of the people of Judah, John was the incarnation of the prophet Elijah. If he killed the prophet, he would be punished by God, so King Herod decided to put John in prison. He thought this was the most appropriate way to deal with it, which not only calmed Herodias' anger, but also protected the prophet.However, he didn't know that Herodias, who hated John so much, would never let it go. She was looking for an opportunity for revenge. Herodias had a daughter named Salome, who was well-behaved and clever. She sang melodiously and danced like a fairy.Herodias decided to use his daughter to avenge her. This day is King Herod's birthday. The king set up a sumptuous banquet in the palace and invited all the civil and military officials to drink to their heart's content. When the wine was hot, Herodias said softly: "To congratulate your birthday, I specially ordered my My daughter Salome has rehearsed a dance for the king to watch." Herod kept saying, "Call her up quickly, call her up quickly." Dressed in gorgeous Salome, she walked to the table, saluted the king and ministers, and immediately danced to the beat of the music.The king and the ministers were fascinated by the graceful dancing posture. When excited, the king said casually: "Salome, you are so beautiful, and your dance is so good. How about it, please ask me, I will give you whatever you want, even half of the kingdom, and I swear I will never break my promise." The young Salome went to ask her mother, and the woman with a heart like a snake took the opportunity to instigate: " I want John's head." Salome immediately said to the king: "I want John's head, please put it on a plate and bring it to me." As soon as the words came out of Salome's mouth, Herod immediately sobered up. He wanted to repent, but how could he break his promise in front of many ministers?Helpless, he had to order the soldiers to take John's head. After a while, soldiers came in with John's head.The golden light shining in the disc made the king tremble with fright, and even Herodias's triumphant eyes couldn't help revealing terror, only Shale, who was still intoxicated by the success of the dance, Mei took the tray and sent it to her mother. Later, John's disciples buried his body in a tomb.Thus the brave prophet was martyred. After Christ Jesus was baptized by John, that glorious scene appeared in the sky.In order to exercise Jesus' mind and mind and strengthen his judgment, the Holy Spirit immediately led Jesus into the wilderness. The wilderness is so desolate, wild animals are infested, poisonous snakes are everywhere, thorns can pierce people's clothes, and rocks can pierce people's feet, there is no food or water.Relying on his love and belief in God, Jesus lived tenaciously in the wilderness for forty days, and he prayed devoutly to God every day. After the fortieth day, Jesus felt the unbearable hunger in his belly strongly.At this time, Satan appeared, a devil who specializes in tempting people.He said to Jesus: "If you are really the Son of God, you can give an order, and the stones all over the ground will become rich delicacies, and you can have a delicious meal and feast your mouth." Jesus replied: "The scriptures It is said that a person does not only live by food, as long as he loves God and believes in God, then every word of God is enough to keep him alive, and he will live better." Jesus' answer was beyond Satan's expectation. He couldn't believe that a person could resist the temptation of food when he was starving. Satan came up with another plan. He led Jesus to the holy city of Jerusalem, put him on the top of the temple, and then waved his hands and said, "If you are the Son of God, jump down. You don't have to worry, don't be afraid, you don't You will not be hurt in the slightest, for it is said in the scriptures that the Lord will command his angels to support you, so that your feet may not touch a stone." Jesus simply said, "But you forgot, it is also written in the scriptures: Do not test the Lord your God. I believe that God is protecting me all the time, and I will never doubt this." "What is said in the scriptures, it is clear that you dare not prove that you are the Son of Man, and it is clear that you are timid. You are cowardly..." No matter how Satan mocked and bewitched him, Jesus ignored him. He was not the kind of person who wavered, nor was he the kind of person who was aggressive and aggressive. This time Satan decided to put all his eggs in one basket.He took Jesus up to the highest mountain, where he could see every corner of the world.Satan pointed out every country, large and small, to Jesus. Especially for those rich and prosperous countries, Satan took the trouble to boast. In the end, he talked so hard that he felt that this time he was absolutely sure of victory.Yes, who else in the world can resist the temptation of money, and who can resist the temptation of power?He proudly said to Jesus: "You can see clearly, there are so many riches and honors in the world, and so many pleasures. This is the best pursuit in life. If a person lives in this world, what will happen if he can't get all these things?" What a pity. As long as you are willing to fall down in front of me and bow down to me, I can let you have all of these.” Jesus said contemptuously: “I am the son of God, I can only bow down to God and serve God , how can I bow down to you. Get back, Satan." Facing a person with such a firm faith, Satan tried his best to do nothing, and he disappeared into the wilderness in desperation. Immediately, the sky became bright again, and white angels flew to Jesus' side. They congratulated and rejoiced for him. He finally withstood such a severe test. (Matthew 4; Mark 1; Luke 4) Evangelism and first disciples When Jesus was 30 years old, he accepted the baptism of John the Baptist, got the approval of God, resisted the temptation of Satan the devil, and firmly believed in running for the cause of God. At this point, he began to travel around Palestine, preaching the gospel. Everywhere Jesus went, he said to people: "The kingdom of heaven is at hand, repent your sins." He told people that God loves this world, and he will accept people's repentance, so that they can break free from disappointment and live in the kingdom of heaven. get eternal life. At that time, the story of Jesus’ baptism and his experience of defeating Satan had spread throughout Palestine. No matter where his body filled with the Holy Spirit stood, countless people would gather around him. They were fascinated by his miraculous life. Attracted, more inspired by the gospel he brought.Among the crowd, there were some people who refused to leave after the crowd dispersed, insisting on knowing who Jesus really was. They had been infected by the alkalinity of Jesus and attracted by His personality.Jesus decided to gather them around Him, to share His burdens, and to spread His message. On this day, Jesus was standing by Lake Genizaret, and the crowd surrounded him to hear him preach. Jesus saw two boats standing by the lake, and the fishermen left the boats to wash their nets. One of the boats belonged to Simon.Jesus asked Simon to push the boat away from the shore a little, and he himself got into the boat and sat in the bow to tell the gospel of the kingdom of heaven. After Jesus finished speaking, the crowd dispersed amidst admiration. Only Simon sat in his boat and mended the freshly washed net. Jesus said to him, "Go to the deep water and cast your net to catch fish." Simon said, "Master, we have cast nets all night and caught nothing. But since you say so, let us obey you for a while and try again." Simon and his younger brother Andre pushed the fishing boat into the deep water again, and they pulled the net down suspiciously. When they pulled up the net, they felt that it was heavy, and they couldn't pull it up no matter how hard they dragged it, so they had to call the other boat. Brothers Jacob and John on board came to help.The lively fish almost broke the net, and the two boats full of fish almost sank. The Simon brothers had never caught so many fish, and so did Jacob and John. Surprised, Simon fell down at Jesus' knees and said, "Lord, leave me, I am a sinner." Jesus lifted him up and said, "Don't be afraid, come follow me, I will make you fishers of men ’” When the boat docked, they left everything and followed Jesus. Jesus was very happy, and said to Simon: "From now on, your name is Peter." Peter became the first person to be named by the Lord, and later he made great achievements among the disciples.Jesus named Jacob the Son of Thunder. After Jesus recruited Peter, Andrew, James, and John as disciples, he prepared to take them to Galilee to preach. The five of them, mentor and apprentice, had just started on the road when they met a man named Philip, who was from the same village as Andrew and Peter.When Philip learned from Brother Peter that Jesus had accepted them as disciples, envious eyes appeared in his eyes. He was thinking about how to ask Jesus to accept himself as disciples, but Jesus said to him: "Come and follow me." The words made Philip almost ecstatic. Philip remembered that he had a good friend named Nathanael, and he was going to persuade Nathanael to follow Jesus.Philip found Nathanael and said, "We have found the one that Moses wrote in the law and that was written by the prophets, that is, Jesus of Nazareth, son of Joseph." Nathanael curled his lips and said : "I don't believe, can such an outstanding person come out of that poor and small village in Nazareth?" Nathanael refused to believe that the Messiah would come out of such an inconspicuous place.Philip had no choice but to say to him, "If you don't believe me, I'll take you to have a look and you'll know." Seeing Nathanael and Philip approaching, Jesus pointed to Nathanael and said, "This is a true Israelite. There is no deceit in his heart. He is a man of sincerity." Nathanael asked in amazement, "How do you know all this?" Jesus replied, "Before Philip called you, I saw you when you were standing under a fig tree." Jesus was right.It was a very hot day and the sun was so hot that Nathanael had to go to a fig tree to hide from the sun. It was under the tree that Philip found him. Jesus' words made Nathanael suddenly realize that the one standing before him was indeed the Messiah and their Savior.He cried out from his heart, "Lord, you are the Son of God, and you are the King of Israel." Jesus smiled at Nathanael and said, "Because I said I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe me? You will see greater things than this in the future." After a while, Jesus told the disciples They said, "I tell you the truth, you will see the heavens opened, and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man." In this way, Jesus accepted Philip and Nathanael as his disciples. (Luke 5; Matt 4; John 2) The Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes When Jesus saw the crowd, he led them up the mountain. He sat down first, and when his disciples came to him, he began to teach them, saying, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are those who mourn! For they shall be comforted. "Blessed are the meek! For they shall inherit the earth. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy. "Blessed are the pure in heart! For they shall see God. "Blessed are the peacemakers! For they shall be called sons of God. "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake! For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you if people insult you, persecute you, and fabricate all kinds of bad things to slander you because of me. Rejoice! For great is your reward in heaven. The prophets before you were persecuted in the same way." 耶稣勉励自己的门徒，认为他们是信道的楷模和榜样，他说："你们是世上的盐。盐若失了味，怎能叫它再咸呢？以后无用，不过丢在外面，被人践踏罢了。 "你们是世上的光。城造在山上，是不能隐藏的。人点灯，不放在斗底下，是放在灯台上，就照亮一家的人。你们的光也当这样照在人前，叫他们看见你们的好行为，便将荣耀归给你们在天上的父。" 他又谈到了自己的使命和责任："莫想我来要废掉律法和先知；我来不是要废掉，乃是要成全。我实在告诉你们，就是到天地都废去了，律法的一点一画也不能废去，都要成全。所以，无论何人废掉这诫命中最小的一条，又教训人这样作，他在天国要称为最小的；但无论何人遵行这诫命，又教训人遵行，他在天国要称为大的。我告诉你们，你们的义若不胜于文士和法利赛人的义，断不能进天国。" 最后，他又谈到了信主者应遵循的诫条。 "你们听见有吩咐古人的话，说：不可杀人，又说：凡杀人的，难免受审判。只是我告诉你们：凡向弟兄动怒的，难免受审判；凡骂弟兄是拉加的，难免公会的审断；凡骂弟兄是魔利的。 难免地狱的火。所以，你在祭坛上献礼物的时候，若想起弟兄向你怀怨，就把礼物留在坛前，先去和弟兄和好，然后来献礼物。你同告你的对头还在路上，就赶紧与他和息，恐怕他把你送给审判官，审判官交付衙役，你就下在监里了。我实在告诉你，若有一文钱没有还清，你断不能从那里出来。 "你们听见有话说：不可奸淫。只是我告诉你们，凡看见妇女就动淫念的，这人心里已经与她犯奸淫了。若是你的右眼叫你跌倒，就剜出来丢掉；宁可失去百体中的一体，不叫全身丢在地狱里。若是右手叫你跌倒，就砍下来丢掉；宁可失去百体中的一体，不叫全身下地狱。 "又有话说：人若休妻，就当给她休书。只是我告诉你们，凡休妻的，若不为淫乱的缘故，就是叫她作淫妇了；人若娶这被休的妇人，也是犯奸淫了。 "你们又听见有吩咐古人的话，说：不可背誓，所起的誓，总要向主谨守。只是我告诉你们，什么誓都不可起。不可指着天起誓，因为天是神的座位；不可指着地起誓，因为地是他的脚凳；也不可指着耶路撒冷起誓，因为耶路撤冷是大君的京城；又不可指着你的头起誓，因为你不能使一根头发变黑变白了。你们的话，是，就说是；不是，就说不是；若再多说，就是出于那恶者。 "你们听见有话说：以眼还眼，以牙还牙。只是我告诉你们，不要与恶人作对，有人打你的右脸，连左脸也转过来由他打；有人想要告你，要拿你的里衣，连外衣也由他拿去；有人强迫你走一里路，你就同他走二里；有求你的，就给他；有向你借贷的，不可推辞。 "你们听见有话说：当爱你的邻舍，恨你的仇敌。只是我告诉你们，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；因为他叫日头照好人，也照歹人；降雨给义人，也给不义的人。你们若单爱那爱你们的人，有什么赏赐呢？就是税吏不也是这样吗？你们若单请你弟兄的安，比人有什么长处呢？就是外邦人不也是这样行吗？所以你们要完全，像你们的天父完全一样。 "你们要小心，不可将善事行在人的面前，故意叫他们看见；若是这样，就不能得你们天父的赏赐了。所以，你施舍的时候，不可在你前面吹号，像那假冒伪善的人在会堂里和街道上所行的，故意要得人的荣耀。我实在告诉你们，他们已经得了他们的赏赐。你施舍的时候，不要叫左手知道右手所作的；要叫你施舍的事行在暗中，你父在暗中察看，必然报答你。 "你们祷告的时候，不可像那假冒为善的人，爱站在会堂里和十字路口上祷告，故意叫人看见。我实在告诉你们，他们已经得了他们的赏赐。你祷告的时候，要进你的肉屋，关上门，祷告你在暗中的父，你父在暗中察看，必然报答你。你们祷告，不可像外邦人，用许多重复话，他们以为话多了必蒙垂听。你们不可效法他们，因为你们没有祈求以先，你们所需用的，你们的父早已知道了。所以，你们祷告要这样说：我们在天上的父：愿人都尊你的名为圣。愿你的国降临；愿你的旨意行在地上，如同行在天上。我们日用的饮食，今日赐给我们。免我们的债，如同我们免了人的债。不叫我们遇见试探；救我们脱离凶恶。因为国度、权柄、荣耀，全是你的，直到永远。阿门。你们饶恕人的过犯，你们的天父也必饶恕你们的过犯；你们不饶恕人的过犯，你们的天父也必不饶恕你们的过犯。 "你们禁食的时候，不可像那假冒伪善的人，脸上带着愁容；因为他们把脸弄得难看，故意叫人看出他们是禁食。我实在告诉你们，他们已经得了他们的赏赐。你禁食的时候，要梳头洗脸，不叫人看出你禁食来，只叫你暗中的父看见，你父在暗中察看，必然报答你。 "不要为自己积攒财宝在地上，地上有虫子咬，能锈坏，也有贼挖窟窿来愉；只要积攒财宝在天上，天上没有虫子咬，不能锈坏，也没有贼挖窟窿来偷；因为你的财宝在哪里，你的心也在哪里。 "眼睛就是身上的灯。你的眼睛若僚亮，全身就光明；你的眼睛若昏花，全身就黑暗。你里头的光若黑暗了，那黑暗是何等大呢！"一个人不能事奉两个主；不是恶这个爱那个，就是重那个轻这个。你们不能又事奉神，又事奉玛门（财神）。 "所以我告诉你们，不要为生命忧虑吃什么；为身体忧虑穿什么，生命不胜于饮食吗？身体不胜于衣裳吗？你们看那天上的飞鸟，也不种，也不收，也不积蓄在仓里，你们的天父尚且养活它。 你们不比飞鸟贵重得多吗？你们哪一个能用思虑使寿数多加一刻呢？何必为衣裳忧虑呢？你想野地里的百合花，怎么长起来；它也不劳苦，也不纺线；然而，我告诉你们，就是所罗门极荣华的时候，他所穿戴的，还不如这花一朵呢！你们这小信的人哪，野地里的草今天还在，明天就丢在炉里，神还给它这样的妆饰，何况你们呢！所以，不要忧虑，说：吃什么？喝什么？穿什么？这都是外邦人所求的，你们需用的这一切东西，你们的天父是知道的。你们要先求他的国和他的义，这些东西都要加给你们了。所以，不要为明天忧虑；因为明天自有明天的忧虑；一天的难处一大当就够了。 "你们不要论断人，免得你们被论断。因为你们怎样论断人，也必怎样被论断；你们用什么量器量给人，也必用什么量器量给你们。为什么看见你弟兄眼中有刺，却不想自己眼中有梁木呢？你自己眼中有梁木，怎能对你弟兄说：容我去掉你眼中刺，呢？你这假冒伪善的人！先去掉你眼中的梁木，然后才能看得清楚，去掉你弟兄眼中的刺。不要把圣物给狗，也不要把你们的珍珠丢在猪前，恐怕它践踏了珍珠，转过来咬你们。 "你们祈求，就给你们；寻找，就寻见；叩门，就给你们开门。 因为凡祈求的，就得着；寻找的，就寻见；叩门的，就给他开门。 你们中间谁有儿子求饼，反给他石头呢？求鱼，反给他蛇呢？你们虽然不好，尚且知道拿好东西给儿子，何况你们在天上的父，岂不更把好东西给求他的人吗？所以，无论何事，你们愿意人怎样待你们，你们也要怎样待人；因为这就是律法和先知的道理。 " "你们要进窄门；因为引到灭亡，那门是宽的，路是大的，进去的人也多；引到永生，那门是窄的，路是小的，找着的人也少。 "你们要防备假先知；他们到你们这里来，外面披着羊皮，里面却是残暴的狼。凭着他们的果子，就可以认出他们来，荆棘上岂能摘葡萄呢？蒺藜上岂能摘无花果呢？这样，凡好树都结好果子；惟独坏树结坏果子。好树不能结坏果子，坏树不能结好果子。 凡不结好果子的树，就砍下来丢在火里。所以，凭着他们的果子，就可以认出他们来。 "凡称呼我主啊，主啊的人，不能都进天国；惟独遵行我天父旨意的人，才能进去，当那日必有许多人对我说：主啊，主啊，我们不是奉你的名传道，奉你的名赶鬼，奉你的名行许多异能吗？" 我就明明的告诉他们说：我从来不认识你们，你们这些作恶的人，离开我去吧！"所以，凡听见我这话就去行的，好比一个聪明人，把房子盖在磐石上。雨淋、水冲、风吹，撞着那房子，房子不倒塌；因为根基在磐石上。凡听见我这话不去行的，好比一个无知的人，把房子盖在沙土上。雨淋、水冲、风吹，撞着那房子，房子就倒塌了；并且倒塌得很大。" 耶稣讲完了这些话，众人都希奇他的教训；因为他教训他们，正象有权柄的人，不象他们的文士。 耶稣作了这些教训，便带领他的门徒走下山来。登山宝训历来被认为是《新约》中最重要的段落之一。（太5一7） 耶稣令死者复活 在加利利期间，耶稣曾经令两个人复活，一个是拿因城的少年，另一个就是会堂管家眶鲁的女儿。 耶稣结束了在迦百家的工作，便前往拿因城去，他的门徒和许多的百姓都与他同行。他们一边谈论着，一边走进城门。这时，从城里传来一阵哀恸的哭声，耶稣听得是一位老妇人的哭声，不由举目望去。只见一群人抬着一个死人走出城门来，死者是一位少年，那哀声痛哭着的是他的母亲，他的父亲早已离开人世，母亲一个人千辛万苦地养育着他，眼看儿子一天天地长大，母亲布满皱纹的脸上渐渐露出了笑容，她知道自己的后半生有靠了，谁料这少年不知为了什么，竟在一夜之间突然死去，怎不叫做母亲的哭得死去活来，同城的人们都非常同情这孤苦无依的老妇人，纷纷来帮她料理丧事，同她一起送殡。耶稣见到这情景，怜悯之情油然而生，他扶助那老妇人，对她说："不要哭！"然后上前按住抬死者的木杆，那抬杆的人就站住了。耶稣说："少年人，我吩咐你起来！"那死人就坐了起来，并开口讲话。耶稣便把他交给了他的母亲，那妇人感激涕零自不必说。这神奇的事使众人都惊呼起来，他们归荣耀于上帝说："有大先知在我们中间兴起来了。"又说："上帝眷顾了他的百姓。"这件事传遍了犹大和周围地方。 有一个管会堂的人名叫眶鲁，他有一个女儿已经十二岁了，小孩子长得非常美丽，且又十分聪明伶俐，睚鲁因之非常疼爱她，不管干什么都依着她，久而久之孩子就十分任性。这不，加利利的秋天刚过，寒冷的冬天就来临了，屋外下着鹅毛大雪，人们都蜷缩在火炉旁边，可小孩子去觉得屋外更好玩，堆雪人，打雪仗，玩热了就把衣服脱掉随便扔在什么地方，任父母怎么叫也叫不回家，白天倒没什么，到了夜间，小孩子便发起高烧来，口里尽说胡话，一连两天人事不省。睚鲁急得团团转，恍惚问，他听得人们说拿撒勒的耶稣已行了许多奇迹，他急忙前去请他帮忙。 耶稣正在海边上和众人讨论赶鬼的事情，这睚鲁急急地跑来，俯伏在他的脚下，再三地求他说："我女儿快要死了，求你去按手在她身上，让她得以痊愈，得以继续活在人世。"正说话，又有人跑来说："睚鲁，你的女儿已经死了。你不要再求这位先生了。"睚鲁立即放声大哭起来。耶稣扶住他说："不要难过，不要害怕，只要你信，我就能叫你的女儿复活。"说罢便带着彼得、雅各和雅各的兄弟约翰一同往睚鲁家赶去，他不许众多的人跟着他。 来到睚鲁家里，耶稣看见屋子里挤满了人，吵吵嚷嚷的，有些人在那里大声地哭泣哀号，耶稣就走过去对他们说："为什么乱嚷哭泣呢？孩子不是死了，是睡着了。" 人们听见耶稣的话语，纷纷嗤笑他，嘲讽他，耶稣顾不了这些，他把他们不由分说地全都赶了出去，就带着孩子的父母和三个门徒进了孩子的卧室。孩子真的象睡着了一样，安详地躺在那里，金黄的头发散乱地披在枕头上，圆圆的小脸蛋仍然红扑扑地，嘴角仿佛还挂着一丝微笑，她不知道她的父母已为她的死去而伤心落泪，痛苦不堪。耶稣坐在床头拉着她的小手，轻声说道："孩子，我吩咐你起！"那小孩子立刻把眼睛睁开，看见他的父母和几个陌生人立在床前，便活动了一下胳膊，掀开被子，走下床来拉住她的父母。人们都被这一情景惊呆了。耶稣便叮嘱他们，不要把这件事告诉别人，又吩咐赶快拿东西给小孩子吃，说完便带着他的三个门徒走了。 当孩子的父母醒悟过来时，耶稣已走了很远。他们望着他的背影，在内心中久久地感谢上帝的恩赐。（可5；路7）