4. Manna issue 94 - The Sacraments and the Lives of the Saints (Part 3): Holy Communion 聖徒的聖禮與生活(第三回)：聖餐禮
Boaz—Malaysia 馬來西亞
THE COVENANT OF HOLY COMMUNION 聖餐禮之約
In a covenant, two parties (or more) have an obligation
to fulfill the clauses in the contract in exchange for the guarantee of the covenant.
The root of the Hebrew word for "covenant"
—beriyth (Gen 15:18)
—has several meanings.
Two of these are "to eat with" and "to slice or cut down."
Therefore, when a covenant is made,
the two parties may dine together.
In the Bible, we see examples of these between two people
—Isaac and Abimelech (Gen 26:30),
Jacob and Laban (Gen 31:54)
—and between man and God
—the nobles of the children of Israel and the Lord
(Ex 24:7–11),
the disciples and Jesus
(Mt 26:26–30).
Additionally, covenants could be made by passing between an animal cut in two
(Gen 15:10).
This signifies that while the covenant is valid,
each party has clear and distinct responsibilities;
the party who breaks the covenant will receive the punishment due to him.
在契約中，兩方（或多方）有義務，
履行合約的條款，以換取盟約的保證。
希伯來語“契約”一詞的字根
—beriyth（創 15：18）
—有多種含義。
其中兩個意思是“一起吃”和“切片或砍下來”。
所以，當立下契約的時候，
雙方可以一起用餐。
在聖經中，我們看見了兩人之間這些事的例子
—以撒和亞比米勒（創 26：30），
雅各和拉班（創 31：54）
—以及人與神之間，
—以色列選民貴族和主耶和華
（出 24：7-11），
門徒和耶穌
（太 26：26-30）。
此外，設立契約可以用契約傳過切成兩半的動物之間來達成。
（創 15：10）。
這意味著，只要該契約有效，
各方都有明確且清楚的責任；
違反契約的一方，將受到應有的懲罰。
From this perspective,
the Last Supper was essentially Jesus making a covenant with His disciples
(or the people of the world),
in which both parties hold clear responsibilities
(Mt 26:28; Mk 14:24; Lk 22:20; 1 Cor 11:25).
Since partaking of the Holy Communion is partaking of the Lord's feast and drinking His cup
(1 Cor 10:18, 21),
believers must take the Holy Communion in a worthy manner towards God,
both in spirit and truth.
In terms of spirit, believers ought to carry a respectful attitude;
in terms of truth, they ought to discern that what they are receiving are Jesus' body and blood
(1 Cor 11:27–29).
從這個角度來看，
最後的晚餐基本上是耶穌與門徒立約
（或全世界的人民），
契約中雙方都有明確的責任
（太 26：28；可 14：24；路 22：20；林前 11：25）。
因為領受聖餐就是參與主的筵席，喝主的杯
(林前 10：18，21),
信徒必須以面對神合宜的態度的方式來領受聖餐，
無論是在屬靈上還是在真理上遵守規定。
在屬靈上，信徒應該抱持恭敬的態度；
就真理而言，他們應該辨別自已所領受的，是耶穌的身體和血
（林前 11：27-29）。
The Bible indicates that we should conduct this Holy Communion regularly,
but not how often
(1 Cor 11:26).
Therefore, the church finds herself in a dilemma
when trying to balance between the frequency of Holy Communion and the attitude of believers.
As the saying goes, familiarity breeds contempt.
Believers may take the Holy Communion for granted
if it is conducted too frequently.
Reducing the frequency would compel believers to treasure the opportunity
to partake of the Holy Communion.
That said, would such scarcity really increase the Holy Communion's value to believers,
or would it take away the opportunity to remind them of its significance?
A better way to correct the attitude of believers would be to educate them
and build a good foundation of the right attitude with which to partake of the Holy Communion.
聖經指明，我們應該定期舉行聖餐禮，
但沒有說明多久一次
（林前 11：26）。
因此，教會陷入兩難的情況。
想要平衡舉行聖餐的次數和信徒的態度。
俗話說，太過熟悉就會忽視。
信徒可能認為聖餐禮是理所當然的，
如果舉行得太頻繁。
減少次數將使信徒珍惜這種機會，
來領受聖餐。
也就是說，這種稀缺性真的會增加聖餐對信徒的價值嗎？
或者它會剝奪提醒他們其重要性的機會呢？
糾正信徒態度更好的方法，就是去教育他們，
為領受聖餐打下正確態度的良好基礎。
Partaking of the Flesh and Blood of Christ 領受基督的肉與血
"For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed."
(Jn 6:55)
55我的肉真是可吃的，我的血真是可喝的。
(約 6：55)
If we were invited to a grand ball involving important dignitaries,
we would plan and prepare our outfit, our transport,
and how we would conduct ourselves several days before the occasion.
During the Holy Communion,
we partake of the flesh and blood of Christ.
While our level of preparation does not directly affect the efficacy of the Holy Communion,
it will determine the benefit we reap for our soul when we partake of it.
Believers who esteem the Holy Communion feel moved
and compelled by the love of the Lord to weep for their weaknesses
and resolve to overcome them.
Those who despise the Holy Communion may similarly partake of the flesh and blood,
but the sacrament does not bring blessings to their souls;
rather, it brings judgment and even death
(1 Cor 11:29–30).
如果我們受邀請參加有重要人士的盛大舞會，
我們會計劃和準備好自已的服裝、交通工具，
以及在這個場合之前幾天，我們要如何行為舉止。
在聖餐禮期間，
我們領受基督的肉和血。
雖然我們準備的程度，並不會直接影響聖餐禮的功效，
當我們領受的時候，它會決定我們靈魂所能得到的好處。
尊重聖餐禮的信徒會有感動，
並因著主慈愛的驅動，而為自己的軟弱憂傷，
並下決心要克服弱點。
那些輕視聖餐禮的人，同樣領受肉和血，
但聖餐禮並沒有給他們的靈魂帶來祝福；
相反，它會帶來審判，甚至死亡
（林前 11：29-30）。
Some believers choose not to partake of the Holy Communion
because, after self-examination,
they feel afraid or unworthy because of their sinful thoughts or low faith.
We may occasionally refrain
because, in our momentary weakness,
we are unprepared.
But we should not always use the excuse of "not being prepared" as a reason to refrain.
In the Old Testament,
Israelites who intentionally declined to keep the Feast of the Passover were cut off by God
and made to shoulder their own sins
(Num 9:13).
Therefore, it is the responsibility of every Christian
always to be prepared to partake of the Lord's flesh and blood.
有些信徒選擇不參加聖餐禮，
因為經過自我審察之後，
他們因為罪惡的思想，或是信心軟弱，而感到害怕或不配。
我們有時可能會禁制自己領受，
因為，在我們一時有軟弱，
且自已毫無準備。
但我們也不應該總是以“沒有準備好”為藉口，而停止領受。
在舊約中，
故意不守逾越節的以色列人會被神剪除，
並且受迫要承擔自己的罪孽
（民 9：13）。
因此，這是每一個基督徒的責任。
時刻準備好領受主的肉和血。
In the Old Testament, God instituted a second Passover,
which would occur a month after the first,
on the fourteenth day of the second month.
This provision was made for those
who had set their hearts on keeping the Passover
but were prevented from doing so
because they were unclean from touching a dead body or had been traveling
(Num 9:6–11).
During King Hezekiah's reign,
the nation decided to keep this second Passover
because the priests and the people had not readied themselves in time for the first.
And in the second month,
although the people of the northern kingdom
who had come to participate had been unable to sanctify themselves
according to the ceremonial laws,
God forgave the entire congregation
because they had prepared their hearts to seek God
(2 Chr 30:2–3, 18–20).
在舊約中，神設立第二個逾越節，
這會在第一次之後的一個月舉行，
是二月十四日。
這項規定是為那些人，
他們立志守逾越節，
但是事情阻擋而作不到，
因為他們可能接觸屍體而不潔淨，或是一直旅行中
（民 9：6-11）。
希西家王統治期間，
全國決定守第二個逾越節
因為祭司和百姓，第一次逾越節沒有及時做好準備。
而到了第二個月，
雖然北國的百姓
那些來參加的人，並無法潔淨自己，
根據儀節的律法，
神寬恕了會眾全部，
因為他們內心已經準備好，要尋求神
（代下 30：2-3，18-20）。
These examples show that the Passover was precious in God's eyes,
whether celebrated in the first or second month.
Most importantly, the people of God also esteemed it
and prepared their hearts to seek Him.
Similarly, esteeming the Holy Communion is demonstrated by how we prepare our hearts:
do we reflect on our behavior, repent, make resolutions, and cultivate gratitude?
Making preparation is better than making no preparation at all.
Making ample preparation is much better than making hasty preparation.
Giving ourselves sufficient time allows us to do a thorough examination.
From our first Holy Communion until today,
have we lived according to our resolutions?
Where have we fallen short of God's glory?
When we seriously introspect,
our resolutions will be more definite and our thanksgiving more sincere.
這些例子表明，神的眼中逾越節是寶貴的，
無論是第一個月還是第二個月才慶祝。
最重要的是，神的子民也看重它，
並他們準備好內心來尋求神。
同樣，尊重聖餐禮是以我們如何準備自已的內心來展現的：
我們是否反省自己的行為，好好悔改、且下定決心，並有培養感恩之心？
有準備總比沒有準備的好。
充份的準備比倉促的準備要好得多。
給自己足夠的時間，讓我們可以進行徹底的反省。
從自已第一次領聖餐直到今天，
我們是否按照自已的決心去生活呢？
我們在哪裡有虧缺了神的榮耀呢？
當我們認真的內省時，
我們的決心會更加堅定，我們的感恩會更加真誠。
THE SPIRITUAL EFFECTS OF HOLY COMMUNION 聖餐的屬靈功效
1. United with Christ 與基督聯合
"He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him."
(Jn 5:56)
“56吃我肉、喝我血的人常在我裡面，我也常在他裡面。。”
（約 5：56）
When we partake of the Holy Communion, our lives are joined to Jesus.
How should we who are united with the Lord Jesus manifest the life of the Lord?
當我們領受聖餐時，我們的生命與耶穌結合在一起。
我們與主耶穌結合的人，應該如何彰顯主的生命呢？
Be preserved in the church 被保守在教會中
The church being united with Christ
is akin to the great mystery of the union between husband and wife
(Eph 5:31–32).
This union was established
when the church (the bride of Christ) was redeemed by the blood flowing from Christ's side,
just as Eve was created from Adam's rib.
In the salvation process, the church fulfills the bride's role
by gathering all good believers who have prepared themselves to receive the coming of Jesus.
Believers must preserve themselves in the church
because there is no salvation outside the church
(Mt 16:19, 18:18; Jn 20:22–23).
Although each believer is individually saved,
he must not leave the church, which is the whole;
we are united with Christ through the church.
教會與基督聯合，
就類似於夫妻結合的偉大奧秘
（弗 5：31-32）。
這個聯合婚姻能成立，
是因為教會（基督的新婦）是由基督肋旁流出的寶血所救贖的，
正如夏娃是用亞當的肋骨所創造的一樣。
在救贖的過程中，教會執行了新娘的角色，
聚集了所有準備好迎接耶穌降臨的好信徒。
信徒必須保守自己在教會裡，
因為在教會之外沒有拯救
（太 16：19，18：18；約 20：22-23）。
雖然每個信徒都是各自得救的，
他一定不能離開教會，因為教會是個整體；
我們經由教會與基督聯合。
Bear fruit diligently 努力結果
Individually, being united with Christ
is akin to the relationship between the branch and its vine
(Jn 15:4–8).
When a believer is baptized and abides in Christ,
he is like a branch grafted onto the vine
(Rom 11:17).
Two aspects of being a branch are pertinent
—sustenance and productivity.
First, if a person constantly abides in the Lord,
the word of God abides in him
(Jn 15:7).
God's word is like rain that falls from heaven
(Isa 55:10-12; Deut 32:2).
The vine absorbs water from the soil through its roots
and transports it to the branches via its stem.
Similarly, when we are joined to the vine,
we receive rich and constant spiritual nourishment from God's word.
個人而言，與基督聯合，
就類似於枝子和葡萄樹之間的關係
（約 15：4-8）。
當信徒受洗並且留在基督裡的時候，
他就像嫁接在葡萄樹上的新枝子
（羅 11：17）。
成為萄葡樹枝，有兩個相關的方面，
—可以存活和有生產力。
第一，人若常常住在主裡面，
神的道就住在他裡面
（約 15：7）。
神的話語就像從天而降的雨
（賽 55：10-12；申 32：2）。
萄葡樹通過根部從土壤吸收水份，
並通過樹幹將水送到樹枝上。
同樣的，當我們與葡萄樹相連時，
我們從神的話語中，得到豐富、持續的屬靈營養。
Second, the person who always abides in the Lord ought to bear much fruit
(Jn 15:5).
The fruit that we bear
—our good deeds and virtues,
including the fruit of the Holy Spirit
—will glorify God
(Jn 15:8).
Believers must diligently bear fruit.
The heavenly Father will cut off any branches that do not
(Jn 15:1–2).
This was Jesus' warning to every branch in Him.
Therefore, let us not make light of,
or be complacent in,
our pursuit of faith.
The Israelites in the past also boasted of their status as Abraham's descendants,
but they were broken off because of their unbelief
(Rom 11:20–21).
The heavenly Father will prune the branch that diligently bears fruit
(Jn 15:2).
Although pruning
—the refinement of our faith through the fiery furnace
—is a process of affliction,
this branch will receive even more nutrients,
and thus bear even more fruit.
第二，常在主裡的人應該多結果子
（約 15：5）。
我們結出的果子，
—我們的好行為和美德，
包括聖靈的果子
—會榮耀神
（約 15：8）。
信徒必須殷勤結出果子。
天父會砍掉任何沒有結果的枝子
（約 15：1-2）。
這是耶穌對他每一個枝子的警告。
因此，我們不要輕忽，
或是沉溺於自滿，
自已信仰的追求。
過去的以色列人，也誇耀自己是亞伯拉罕的後裔，
但因為他們的不信，而被砍了下來
（羅 11：20-21）。
天父會修剪勤奮結果的枝子
（約 15：2）。
雖然有修剪
—通過火爐熬煉我們的信仰
—是一個痛苦的過程，
這根樹枝將會獲得更多的養分，
從而結出更多的果子。
Maintain our union in holiness and honor 在聖潔和榮耀上保守自已的聯合
Since believers have been united with Christ,
the apostles instructed the Gentile believers to abstain from certain acts
in order to maintain the sanctity of this union.
They were to refrain from eating food offered to idols, blood, and strangled animals,
as well as from sexual immorality
(Act 15:29).
To do any of these would be to form an alternative, ungodly union
—defiling their original union with Christ and provoking the Lord to fiery jealousy
(Deut 4:24).
Partaking of food offered to idols is partaking of the table of demons,
which means entering a covenant with demons
(1 Cor 10:21).
Eating blood, or meat that contains blood,
means forming a union with the animal,
since its life is in the blood
(Lev 17:10–11).
And finally, committing fornication with someone means being joined,
as one body, with that person
(1 Cor 6:15–18).
Therefore, when we are joined with the Lord in spiritual unity,
we must guard our bodies in holiness and honor
(1 Thess 4:4).
We must never allow our bodies
—members of Christ
(1 Cor 6:15)
—to be joined with demons, animals, or anyone apart from our spouse.
因為信徒已經與基督聯合，
使徒指示外邦信徒禁戒某些行為，
為了維持這個聯合的聖潔。
他們不可吃祭偶像的物、血和被勒死的動物，
以及遠離淫行
（徒 15：29）。
做了任何這些事，都會形成一個不同、不敬虔的聯合，
—玷污了他們原本與基督的聯合，激起主強烈的嫉妒
（申 4：24）。
吃祭偶像的物就，就是參與魔鬼的宴席，
這代表與惡魔簽訂契約
（林前 10：21）。
吃血，或是吃帶血的肉，
代表與動物聯盟，
因為它的生命就在血液裡
（利 17：10-11）。
最後，與某人行淫代表與那個人，
連合成為一體
（林前 6：15-18）。
因此，當我們在靈裡與主聯合的時候，
我們必須保守自已身體的聖潔和榮耀
（帖前 4：4）。
我們不能讓自已的身體
—基督的肢體
（林前 6：15）
—與惡魔、動物或是配偶之外的任何人結合在一起。
2. Gain Eternal Life, Resurrect on the Last Day
2. 獲得永生，末日復活
Then Jesus said to them,
"Most assuredly, I say to you,
unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood,
you have no life in you.
Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life,
and I will raise him up at the last day."
(Jn 6:53–54)
53耶穌說：
我實實在在的告訴你們，
你們若不吃人子的肉，不喝人子的血，
就沒有生命在你們裡面。
54吃我肉、喝我血的人就有永生，
在末日我要叫他復活。
(約 6：53-54)
Jesus Christ is the bread of life and the hidden manna
(Jn 6:48; Rev 2:17).
He urged the people of the world not to labor for food that perishes,
but, instead, for the food that endures to everlasting life.
Even the manna that came down from heaven would turn bad
if it were kept overnight.
Only the manna kept in the golden urn lasted for generations
(Ex 16:33).
This refers to Christ, the hidden manna that was revealed in the last times
(1 Pet 1:20).
Only Christ is the true bread from heaven.
He is the hidden manna of which man may eat and not die
(Jn 6:50),
unlike the manna in the wilderness that could not prevent the death of those who ate it.
耶穌基督是生命的糧和隱藏的嗎哪
（約 6：48；啟 2：17）。
他鼓勵世界的人不要為腐朽的食物而勞力，
而相反的，要為了永生的食物努力。
甚至天上降下來的嗎哪也會變質，
如果存到隔天。
唯有金罐子的嗎哪才能保存世世代代
（出 16：33）。
這指的是基督，末世就會顯露的隱藏嗎哪
（彼前 1：20）。
唯有基督才是真正天上的糧。
祂是隱藏的嗎哪，而人吃了就不會死
（約 6：50），
與曠野的嗎哪不一樣，它不能阻止吃嗎哪之人的死亡。
Throughout history,
there have been many legends of explorers seeking a mythical fountain of youth,
and alchemists working to discover the elusive formula to the elixir of life,
both of which were believed to promise eternal youth.
Today, we have been granted the bread of life
not because we are more capable
or have invested more than the individuals in these stories of obsessive pursuit.
Neither do we need to "work the works of God"
—seeking justification and reward through practicing the law
—as the Jews thought
(Jn 6:28–29).
On the contrary, we have freely received the bread of life
because we believed in Jesus.
This is entirely out of God's grace,
not because of the works we do
(Rom 4:4–5).
Furthermore, we did not have to traverse mountains
or voyage across endless oceans to seek the bread of life.
Rather, the heavenly Father drew us to Him
(Jn 6:44).
縱觀歷史，
有許多探險家尋找神祕青春之泉的傳說，
煉金師努力發現難解的長生不老藥配方，
兩者都有人相信可以保證青春永駐。
今日，我們得賜生命之糧，
而不是因為我們更利害，
或者在這些痴迷追求的故事中，比那些人投入更多。
我們也不需要“做神的事”
—尋求遵守律法而得到公義和回報，
—正如猶太人所認為的
（約 6：28-29）。
相反的，我們白白領受了生命之糧，
因為我們相信耶穌。
這完全是出於神的恩典，
不是因為我們所做的善行
（羅 4：4-5）。
再者，我們不用翻山越嶺，
或是航行穿越無盡的海洋去尋找生命之糧。
相反的，天父吸引我們歸向他
（約 6：44）。
Today, where can the world find this hidden manna?
In the wilderness,
God's people did not collect manna in Egypt
or any other part of the world.
The only place manna could be found was around the camp of God's people
(Ex 16:13, 15–17).
Similarly, only when one comes to the true church can he find this "hidden manna"
—for his soul to be satisfied and never thirst again.
今日，世界上那個地方可以找到這種隱藏的嗎哪呢？
在曠野中，
神的子民沒有在埃及收集嗎哪，
或是世上任何其他的地方。
唯一能找到嗎哪的地方，是神子民帳幕的周圍
（出 16：13，15-17）。
同樣的，只有當一個人來到真教會的時候，他才能找到這個“隱藏的嗎哪”。
—讓他的靈魂得到滿足，不再乾渴。
When we hold the precious bread of life in our hands during each Holy Communion service,
do we reflect anew on our call and election by the Lord?
Are we laboring for the food that perishes or the food that endures to everlasting life?
Are we utterly convinced this ordinary-looking hidden manna can give us everlasting life?
Or do we hanker after the delicacies of Egypt to satisfy our never-ending desires?
當我們每次聖餐禮聚會，手中拿著寶貴生命之糧的時候，
我們是否重新反省主的呼召和揀選？
我們是不是為那必朽壞的食物努力工作，還是為永生的食物努力付出？
我們是否完全深信，這個看似平凡的隱藏嗎哪，可以給我們帶來永生？
還是我們追求埃及的美食，來滿足自已永無休止的慾望？
In fact, our daily labors will reveal what is in our hearts.
The destination of our lives is not reached in a single big step
or achieved by a big decision.
It is attained by accumulating every step we take every day of our lives.
We do not hope for any extraordinary achievements in this short life.
Instead, we hope that
every little step we take in every ordinary day of our life
is a step towards eternity until we reach our destination
—everlasting life.
Then, we can truly say that the promise of resurrection on the last day belongs to us.
事實上，我們每日的勞苦會顯露我們內心的想法。
我們人生的目的地，並不會踏出一步就能到達，
或是作好重大決定，就能實現。
它是通過我們生活的每一天，累積踏出每一步來實現的。
我們不期望，在這短暫的一生中取得任何非凡的成就。
相反的，我們盼望，
自已生命每一個平凡的日子，所邁出的每一步，
就是邁向永生的一步，直到我們到達終點
—永生。
那麼，我們就可以真正說，末日復活的應許是屬於我們了。
CONCLUSION 結論
The Holy Communion has all the spiritual efficacies of unity with Christ,
eternal life, and resurrection on the last day.
Besides these, this sacrament is also a trumpet sound in our faith,
reminding us of what Jesus said:
"Remember Me."
When Jesus instituted the Holy Communion,
He said this twice to emphasize that
we who have partaken of His body and blood must never forget the price the Lord has paid.
Each time the body and blood of the Lord are before us,
do we feel the heavy price Jesus paid?
Can we see Jesus' pain, sacrifice, and love?
聖餐具有與基督聯合所有屬靈的功效，
得到永生，並且末日復活。
除此之外，這個聖禮也是我們信仰的號角聲，
提醒我們耶穌說過的話：
“記住耶穌。”
當耶穌設立聖餐的時候，
他說了兩遍是為了強調，
我們這些領受主的身體和寶血的人，絕不能忘記主所付出的代價。
每當主的身體和寶血出現在我們面前的時候，
我們是否能感受到耶穌付出的沉重代價呢？
我們是否能看到耶穌的痛苦、犧牲和慈愛嗎？
In the inevitable aging process,
we cannot stop even the most precious memories from fading.
May Jesus' name be the one we hold in our memory to the last.
在無法避免的衰老過程中，
我們也無法阻止即使是最珍貴的記憶，從而消失。
願耶穌的聖名成為我們永遠銘記於心的一件事。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
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