《不僅僅是一個記錄者》Day 02

記錄宣教工作的路加

七日的第一日,我們聚會擘餅的時候,保羅因為要次日起行,就與他們講論,直講到半夜。我們聚會的那座樓上,有好些燈燭。9 有一個少年人,名叫猶推古,坐在窗臺上,困倦沉睡。保羅講了多時,少年人睡熟了,就從三層樓上掉下去;扶起他來,已經死了。10 保羅下去,伏在他身上,抱著他,說:「你們不要發慌,他的靈魂還在身上。」11 保羅又上去,擘餅,吃了,談論許久,直到天亮,這才走了。12 有人把那童子活活地領來,得的安慰不小。(使徒行傳二十7-12)

離那地方不遠,有田產是島長部百流的;他接納我們,盡情款待三日。8 當時,部百流的父親患熱病和痢疾躺著。保羅進去,為他禱告,按手在他身上,治好了他。從此,島上其餘的病人也來,得了醫治。10 他們又多方地尊敬我們;到了開船的時候,也把我們所需用的送到船上。(使徒行傳二十八7-10)

我卻不以性命為念,也不看為寶貴,只要行完我的路程,成就我從主耶穌所領受的職事,證明神恩惠的福音。(使徒行傳二十24)

7 On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. 9 Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. 10 Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!” 11 Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. 12 The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted. (Acts 20:7-12)

7 There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. 8 His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. 9 When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10 They honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed. (Acts 28:7-10)

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. (Acts 20:24) 

分享:路加另一個廣為人知的身份是醫生 (參歌羅西書四14),但聖經裡卻沒有路加的行醫紀錄。更甚者,當路加以「我們」記述他參與和見證保羅的宣教工作時,醫治的角色竟然皆由保羅擔當。

在第三次宣教旅程中,一個名為猶推古的少年人因聽講論至半夜,困倦沉睡,便從三層樓上掉下來死了。路加作為親眼見證意外發生的醫生,不管少年人的死亡宣告是否由他即場發出,這判斷肯定也是他所認同的,這也是宣告一切已經超出醫生的能力所及。然而,保羅的行動卻超越專業診斷,使猶推古活過來,拯救了被認為不能救治的人。(參使徒行傳二十7-11)


另外,在往羅馬受審的路上,海難過後,保羅治好了馬耳他島島長的父親。(參使徒行傳二十八7-8) 同行的路加記載這父親是患了熱病和痢疾,這很可能正出於他作為醫生的專業診斷。然而,路加同樣沒有參與治療;最後還是保羅禱告和按手醫治。


路加作為醫生,雖然身處在這兩件需要治療的事件中,但最後神使用不懂醫術的保羅醫好活人和死人。事實上,這一切皆來自主耶穌,祂才是那個「醫治病人,叫死人復活」的 (參馬太福音十8) 。主沒有使用路加的專業作直接的治療,反而使用他作為醫者的眼光,記錄保羅靠著主耶穌醫好活人死人,這不是正彰顯神的工作嗎?


事實上,這也是路加自己的擺上和順服,不以自己的專業自居,謙卑為主所用。這正如保羅所說:「⋯⋯只要行完我的路程,成就我從主耶穌所領受的職事,證明神恩惠的福音。」(使徒行傳二十24)

主日學有位小朋友曾說「原來路加是醫生,那他應該很有錢吧?」在這個連小朋友也知道以專業和財富定義人生的世代,我們又是否願意放下世俗的價值,順服回應神的呼召,領受從主而來的職事,以彰顯主的大能呢?

反思:主呼召我領受甚麼職事來事奉祂呢?這職事是能否讓人見到神的工作呢?

禱告:親愛的天父,感謝祢讓我們得以事奉祢。求祢讓我們敏感這職事能否讓人見到祢的工作,而不是我們的能力和專業。奉主名求,阿們。