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约翰福音生命读经 · 第26篇

生命的结果与繁增（二）

Life’s Issue and Multiplication (2)
贰 生命藉著死
II. LIFE’S MULTIPLICATION
与复活的繁增
THROUGH DEATH AND RESURRECTION
1在本篇信息中，我们来看约翰十二章的后半。在约翰十二章的前半，我们藉著小影，看见召会是藉著主作复活的生命产生的。我们藉著主复活的生命而有召会，但主如何能使召会扩增?这一点在十二章下半给我们看见。（约十二12～36上。）前半给我们看见召会是如何有的，后半给我们看见主如何藉祂的死与复活使召会扩增。
1In this message we come to the second part of John chapter twelve. In the first part of this chapter we see, in a shadow, that the church has come into existence through the Lord as resurrection life. We have the church by His resurrection life. But how can the Lord increase the church? This is shown in the second part of this chapter (vv. 12-36a). The first part shows how the church is here, but the second part shows how the Lord can increase the church through His death and resurrection
一 耶稣的黄金时期
A. The Golden Time for Jesus
2按照属世的看法，这时耶稣正处于祂的黄金时期。叫拉撒路从死人中复活真是一个了不起的神迹，震动了所有的人。一个死人埋了四天，甚至都臭了，竟还能复活，这真是一个神迹！由于主叫拉撒路从死人中复活，许多犹太人对主极为尊崇，热切欢迎。（约十二12～。）他们欢迎祂，喊著说，『和散那，在主名里来的以色列王，是当受颂赞的！』按人说，这是主在地上最荣耀的时刻。人人都赞美祂，欢迎祂，尊荣祂；甚至希利尼人也来求见。（约十二20～22。）犹太人欢迎祂，外邦人，希利尼人想要跟随祂。主能因著接受这种欢迎和尊荣而产生并扩增召会么?不，这不是产生或扩增召会的路。这不是在生命里产生召会，并叫召会在生命里增长的路。二像一粒麦子落在地里就在那一刻，当主被犹太人和希利尼人欢迎尊荣之时，祂说甚么?我们当时若在场，或者这样的欢迎是给我们的，我们会说，『赞美主。现在是我们有所作为来荣耀神的时候了。』然而主耶稣并不兴奋。欢迎越大，祂越平静。人越寻求祂，祂越冷静。祂告诉那些来找祂的人说，祂是一粒麦子。祂说，『我实实在在的告诉你们，一粒麦子不落在地里死了，仍旧是一粒；若是死了，就给出许多子粒来。』（约十二24。）这就是主对人的欢迎所有的态度。甚么是一粒麦子繁增的路?不是藉著受欢迎或尊荣，乃是藉著落在地里死了。这与人的观念完全相反。然而，我们必须记得，这是产生召会并叫召会在生命中扩增的惟一途径。每当人的欢迎临到你的时候，你必须说，『我必须死。』每当人的尊荣临到你的时候，你必须回答说，『我必须被埋葬。』不要说，『阿利路亚，赞美主！』即使你的用意是要荣耀神，这也不是你有所作为的良机。荣耀神正确的路乃是你死了，被埋葬了。
2At this point, according to the worldly view, Jesus was in His golden time. The raising up of Lazarus from the dead was such a miracle that it shook all the people. It was a real miracle for a dead person, buried for four days and even stinking, to be raised up. Because the Lord had raised Lazarus from the dead, a great crowd of the Jews highly esteemed Him and warmly welcomed Him (vv. 12-19). They welcomed Him by shouting, “Hosanna, blessed is He who comes in the 19 name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” Humanly speaking, this very hour was the most glorious time for the Lord while He was on earth. All the people praised Him, welcomed Him, honored Him, and respected Him. Even the Greeks came to seek Him (vv. 20-22). The Jewish people welcomed Him, and the Gentiles, the Greeks, sought to follow Him. Could the Lord have produced and increased the church by accepting this kind of welcome and honor? No, this is not the way to produce or increase the church. This is not the way to bring the church into existence and increase it in life. B. As a Grain of Wheat to Fall into the Ground At that very moment, when the Lord was welcomed and honored by both Jews and Greeks, what did He say? If we had been there, or if such a welcome had been extended to us, we would have said, “Praise the Lord. Now is the time for us to do something to glorify God.” The Lord Jesus, however, was not excited. The greater the welcome, the more calm He became. The more He was sought after, the colder He was to those who sought for Him. He told the seekers that He was a grain of wheat. He said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abides alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (v. 24). This was the Lord’s attitude toward such a human welcome. This was His reaction toward the glory of human honor. What is the way for a grain of wheat to multiply? It is not by being welcomed or honored, but by falling into the ground to die. This is absolutely contrary to the human concept. Nevertheless, we must remember that this is the only way to bring the church into being and to increase it in life. Whenever a human welcome comes to you, you must say, “I must die.” Whenever human honor comes to you, you must reply, “I must be buried.” Do not say, “Hallelujah, praise the Lord!” This is not the best time for you to do something, even if your intention is to glorify God. The proper way to glorify God is for you to die and be buried.
3主耶稣并未抓住这黄金时机，作为祂扩增的凭藉。若是这样，祂就犯了大错。黄金时机绝不是为著扩增的。你若读召会历史，会看见每当召会有所扩增，都不是由于黄金时机，乃是由于逼迫。召会扩增的时期乃是在受逼迫的时期，不是在受热烈欢迎的时期。当仇敌将召会置于死地的时候，那就是召会扩增的时候。逼迫和反对越多，召会就越扩增。在头两个世纪，罗马帝国的逼迫，并未阻挠召会的增长，反倒帮助她长大。那么，是甚么破坏了召会?是罗马帝国的欢迎。当罗马帝国将逼迫转为欢迎时，召会生活就受了毁坏。不要因人的欢迎而兴奋。人的欢迎总会毁坏、败坏我们。赞美主，人的逼迫与反对乃是叫基督扩增的黄金时机。祂是一粒麦子；要叫这粒麦子扩增，别无他途，除非让牠落在地里死了。这是生命繁增的路。一粒麦子若不落在地里死了，仍旧是一粒，绝不会产生甚么。但是赞美主，麦粒死了又长起来，便成了许多子粒，或许多果实。这许多子粒或果实就是召会。这是产生召会的路，也是主叫召会扩增的路。这也必须是我们产生召会的路，并叫召会扩增的路。我们必须藉著死，藉著接受十字架来面对人的欢迎。产生并扩增召会的路，不是藉著人的荣耀，乃是藉著十字架的死。
3The Lord Jesus did not seize the golden opportunity as the means to have His increase. If He had, He would have made a great mistake. The golden opportunity is never for the increase. If you read church history, you will see that whenever the church had an increase it was not the result of a golden opportunity but of persecution. The time for the church to increase is during persecution, not during a warm welcome. When the enemy puts the church into death, that is the time for the church to be increased. The more persecution and opposition there are, the more increase the church will have. The persecution at the hands of the Roman Empire did not frustrate the growth of the church during the first two centuries, but rather helped it to grow. What then did damage the church? The welcome of the Roman Empire. When the Roman Empire turned its persecution into welcome, the church life was ruined. Do not be excited by man’s welcome. Man’s welcome will always ruin and corrupt us. Praise the Lord that man’s persecution and opposition are the golden opportunity for the increase of Christ. He is a grain of wheat, and there is no other way for that grain of wheat to increase except for it to fall into the ground and die. This is the way to have the multiplication of life. Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it will simply remain one grain and will never produce anything. But, praise the Lord, after it dies and grows up, the one grain becomes the many grains or the much fruit. These many grains or much fruit are the church. This is the way for the church to come into being. This is also the way for the Lord to increase the church. This has to be the way for us to bring the church into existence and to increase it. We must face human welcome by death, by taking the cross. The way for the church to come into being and to increase is not by human glory; it is by the death of the cross.
4在早期有些主要的差会，如戴德生（HudsonTaylor）弟兄所成立的内地会，曾打发好些优秀的传教士到中国；可是历史证明，他们对于正当的召会生活并无多少果效。在许多到中国的传教士之中，有一位姊妹名叫和受恩（MargaretE．Barber），她是从英国来的。她曾被人诬告，因而被差会召回英国，后来蒙主表白。以后主给她负担回到中国，但她不接受任何差会的打发，乃是凭著信心去中国，定居在一个名叫罗星塔的小镇，非常接近倪柝声弟兄的家乡。她特意留在那里，不去别处访问。就一面说，主将她种在那里，像一粒麦子一样。她留在那里多年，于一九二九年去世。倪弟兄亲口告诉我，他与和受恩姊妹接触的整个故事。倪弟兄随同别的青年人，一同到她那里接受帮助。她在主里很深，也很严格。她常常责备青年人。倪弟兄告诉我说，大多数的青年人受不了她的责备，末了他几乎是惟一继续去找她的人，将自己当作供物摆在她面前受她的责备。他是特意这样作的。过了一段时间，他觉得需要进一步的责备，就会去她那里再受一次责备，她也果真这样作。一九二九年她到主那里去了。她没有留下多少遗物可以给人，只有一本满了注解的圣经，她遗言送给倪弟兄。和受恩姊妹是一粒种下的种子，倪弟兄是从那粒种子结出的子粒，成了恢复正当召会生活的大器皿。这就是产生召会，并叫召会在生命中扩增的路。这完全不是黄金时机的问题。一九四○年，中日战争期间，倪弟兄在上海带领训练，我参加了那次的训练。那段时期，在中国有一些很得欢迎的传道人，跟从他们的人很多，大批的群众去听他们讲道。然而，倪弟兄经常告诉我们说，工作不是外面活动的努力，乃是里面生命的涌流。主所需要的工作，乃是里面生命的涌流。那次的训练，受训的人不到八十位。但是倪弟兄满意于这么少的人数。每次当他召集一次特会，最多不超过三百五十人。他总是强调，工作乃是里面生命的涌流，不是外面活动的努力。今天我们看见倪弟兄职事的果子，在全地上有许多召会在主的恢复中产生了。
4Although many good missionaries were sent to China by the leading missions, such as the one formed by Brother Hudson Taylor, history proves that there was not much result for the proper church life. Among the many missionaries who went to China was a sister named Margaret E. Barber who was sent there by a British mission. She was accused falsely, called back to England, and later vindicated by the Lord. Then the Lord burdened her to return to China. She was not sent by any mission but went there by faith, settling in a little town named Pagoda, very close to Brother Watchman Nee’sho met own. She stayed there purposely, not visiting other places. In a sense, the Lord sowed her there as a grain of wheat. She remained there for years, dying there in 1929. Brother Nee told me personally the complete story regarding his contact with Sister Barber. Along with other young people, Brother Nee went to her to receive help. She was deep in the Lord and was very strict. She often rebuked the young ones. Brother Nee told me that most of them could not stand her rebukes. Eventually he was nearly the only one who kept going to her, presenting himself to her as an offering for her rebukes. He did this purposely. After a certain period of time had passed, he would feel the need for further rebuking and would go to her for another rebuke, and she did it. In 1929 she went to the Lord. She did not have much that anyone could inherit except a Bible containing many notes, which she willed to Brother Nee. Sister Barber was a seed that was sown, and Brother Nee was a grain that grew out of that seed. Brother Nee, as a seed that grew out of her, became a great vessel for the recovery of the proper church life. This is the way to produce and increase the church in life. It is absolutely not a matter of a golden opportunity. In 1940, during the Sino-Japanese War, Brother Nee conducted a training in Shanghai. I attended that training. In China during that time, there were some prevailing Chinese preachers. They always had the greatest following, and large crowds attended their preaching. Brother Nee, on the contrary, used to tell us that the work is not a matter of the endeavor of outward activity, but of the outflow of the inner life. The work that the Lord needs is the overflow of the inner life. In Brother Nee’s training in 1940 there were not more than eighty trainees. But Brother Nee was satisfied with such a small number. Whenever he held a conference, there were, at the most, not more than 350 people. He always stressed that the work is the overflow of inner life, not the endeavor of outward activity. Today we see the issue of Brother Nee’s ministry: many churches produced in the Lord’s recovery throughout the world.
5不要因为别人外面活动的短暂成功而感到困扰。给主一点时间，祂会表白祂在生命中的道路。虽然倪弟兄已经到主那里去了，他的职事仍然得胜，他的工作继续向前。这样的工作不是活动的事，乃是生命的事。这就是产生召会，并叫召会扩增之生命的工作。我们可以用人造的假花作例证。你若雇人来造假花，短期内可以生产许多。然而，你若要栽花，那就费时了。你必须先播种，种子会生长并繁增。然后有更多种子会落到地里，一再的生长、繁增。这种繁增会持久。你盼望有怎样的繁增?是藉外面劳苦而得的假花，或是由生命产生的真花？
5Do not be troubled by the temporary success of others’ outward activities. Let the Lord have some time and He will vindicate His way in life. Although Brother Nee has gone to be with the Lord, his ministry is still prevailing and his work continues to go on. Such a work is not a matter of activity, but of life. This is the work of life to produce and increase the church. We may use the illustration of making artificial flowers. If you were to hire people to make artificial flowers, a great number could be produced within a short time. However, if you are going to grow flowers, it will take a longer time. You must first sow the seed. The seed will grow and multiply. Then more seed will fall into the ground and grow and multiply again and again. This kind of multiplication will last for a long time. What kind of increase do you expect to have—artificial flowers produced by outward labor or genuine flowers produced by life
1 结出许多子粒－吸引万人
1. To Produce Many Grains—to Draw All Men
6主耶稣落在地里死了，就叫祂神圣的元素，神圣的生命，能从祂人性的体壳释放出来，在复活里产生许多信徒。（彼前一3。）正如一粒麦子落在地里，把生命的元素释放出来，又从地里长出，给出许多果实，就是许多子粒。主不接受热烈的欢迎，宁愿像一粒麦子，落在地里死了，好为著召会结出许多子粒来。主像一粒麦子一样落在地里，藉著死失去了祂的魂生命，好在复活里释放出祂永远的生命给『许多子粒。』主的死一面是落在地里，如二十四节所启示的；另一面是被举在木头上。（约十二32，彼前二24。）像一粒麦子一样落在地里，是要结出许多子粒；作人子被举在木头上，是要吸引万人来归祂。祂落在地里所结出的许多子粒，就是祂被举在木头上所吸引的万人。
6The Lord Jesus fell into the ground and died that His divine element, His divine life, might be released from within the shell of His humanity to produce many believers in resurrection (1 Pet. 1:3), just as a grain of wheat has its life element released by falling into the ground and growing up out of the ground to bear much fruit, that is, to bring forth many grains. Instead of receiving a warm welcome, the Lord preferred to fall into the ground and die as a grain of wheat that He might produce many grains for the church. The Lord, as a grain of wheat falling into the ground, lost His soul-life through death that He might release His eternal life in resurrection to the “many grains.” In one aspect, the Lord’s death was a falling into the ground as revealed in verse 24; in another aspect, it was a lifting up on the tree (v. 32; 1 Pet. 2:24). To “fall into the ground” as a grain of wheat was to produce the many grains; to be “lifted up” on the tree as the Son of Man was to draw all men to Himself. The many grains produced by His falling into the ground are the “all men” drawn by His being lifted up on the tree
7约翰十二章所启示主的死，不是救赎的死，（如一章二十九节所说的，）乃是生产、繁衍的死。按照这章，主藉著祂的死，祂那成为肉体所穿上的人性体壳，就破裂了，使祂能完成三项目的：结出许多子粒，吸引万人来归祂；（约十二24，32；）释放神圣的元素，永远的生命；（约十二23，28；）审判世界，并将世界的王赶出去。（约十二31。）
7In chapter twelve of John the Lord’s death is revealed not as the redeeming death (as referred to in 1:29) but as the producing, generating death. According to this chapter, by His death the Lord had His incarnation shell broken that He might accomplish three purposes: the producing of the many grains, the drawing of all men to Himself (vv. 24, 32); the releasing of the divine element, the eternal life (vv. 23, 28); and the judging of the world and the casting out of its ruler (v. 31).
2 释放出神圣的生命，神圣的元素－得著荣耀并荣耀父
2. To Release the Divine Life, the Divine Element— to Be Glorified and to Glorify the Father
8主藉著祂的死，得著了荣耀，并且荣耀了父神。在二十三节主说，『人子得荣耀的时候到了。』在二十八节祂祷告说，『父阿，愿你荣耀你的名。』主是如何得荣耀的?祂是藉著死与复活得荣耀，因为藉著死与复活，祂神圣的元素才得著释放并彰显。父神是如何得荣耀的?乃是藉著子得荣耀。子神圣的元素，藉著死与复活得著释放并彰显的时候，父神圣的生命就得著释放并彰显。因此在子藉著死与复活的得荣里，父就得了荣耀。主的死与复活荣耀了父神，因为祂的死与复活将神的神圣元素从祂里面释放出来。神的神圣元素拘禁在祂的肉体里，正如一粒麦子的生命元素拘禁在牠的外壳里。麦粒的生命元素如何得著荣耀?麦粒必须死了，牠里面的生命元素才能得彰显、得荣耀。神的神圣元素也是一样。荣耀父的名，乃是使父神圣的元素得著彰显。父神圣的元素，就是永远的生命，是在成了肉体的子里面。子成了肉体所穿上的体壳，必须藉著死被破裂，父神圣的元素，就是永远的生命，才能在祂的复活里得著释放并彰显。正如一粒麦子的生命元素，藉著外壳破裂得了释放，并藉著开花得了彰显。这就是父神在子身上得荣耀。
8It was by His death that the Lord was glorified and glorified God the Father. In verse 23 the Lord said, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified,” and in verse 28 He prayed, “Father, glorify Your name.” How was the Lord glorified? He was glorified through death and resurrection because it was through death and resurrection that His divine element was released and manifested. How was God the Father glorified? It was by the Son’s being glorified. When the Son’s divine element was released and manifested through His death and resurrection, the Father’s divine life was released and manifested. Thus, the Father was glorified in the Son’s glorification through His death and resurrection. The death and resurrection of the Lord glorified God the Father because His death and resurrection released God’s divine element from within Him. God’s divine element was confined in His flesh, just as the life element of a grain of wheat is confined within its shell. How is the life element of a grain glorified? The grain has to die so that the life element within it can be manifested and glorified. It is the same with God’s divine element. To glorify the name of the Father was to cause the Father’s divine element to be manifested. The Father’s divine element, which is the eternal life, was in the incarnated Son. The shell of the Son’sin carnation, that is, His flesh, had to be broken through death that the Father’s divine element, the eternal life, might be released and manifested in resurrection, just as the life element of a grain of wheat is released by its shell being broken and is manifested by its blossom. This was the glorification of God the Father in the Son’s glorification
9假定我们有一粒花种，在这种子的生命中藏著很多的美丽，这美丽如何才能得著彰显?种子必须死。种子若是落在地里死了，又长起来，牠里面的美丽就要得著彰显。那就是荣耀，叫种子里面的生命得荣耀。照样，曾有一度神被局限在主的肉体里。主必须死，好叫祂里面的神在复活里得释放、得彰显、并且得荣耀。
9Suppose we have a flower seed. Although much beauty is in the life of that seed, how can that beauty be manifested? The seed has to die. If the seed falls into the earth, dies, and grows up, the full beauty within it will be manifested. That is the glory, the life in the seed glorified. Likewise, at one time God was confined within the flesh of the Lord. The Lord had to die that God within Him might be released, manifested, and glorified in resurrection
10得荣耀就是得彰显的意思。我多次用电灯里的电作例证。电是何时在灯里得荣的?电显出时，就得荣了。电显出了，就是电得荣了。照样，当耶稣复活的时候，那被拘禁在耶稣肉体里的神也得了彰显。因此，当神从耶稣里面彰显出来的时候，神就得了荣耀。
10Glorified simply means manifested. Many times I have used the electricity in a lamp as an illustration. When is the electricity glorified in the lamp? When the electricity is manifested, it is glorified. The electricity manifested is the electricity glorified. Likewise, the God who was confined in the flesh of Jesus was manifested when He was resurrected. So, when God was manifested from within Jesus, God was glorified
3 审判世界并将世界的王撒但赶出去
3. To Judge the World and to Cast Out Its Ruler, Satan
11在三十一节主宣告说，『现在这世界受审判，这世界的王要被赶出去。』主藉著祂在十字架上的死，审判了世界，并将世界的王撒但赶出去。世界是一个邪恶的系统，是撒但系统化的安排。撒但已把地上一切的事物，特别是那些与人类有关的，以及空中的事物，都系统化成为他黑暗的国度，为要霸占人，阻挠人，不让人成全神的定旨，并打岔人对神的享受。当主的肉体被钉十字架，而把世界的王撒但赶出去时，这邪恶的体系，黑暗的国度，也就受了审判。主这位人子（约十二23）是在蛇的形状里，（约三14，）就是在罪之肉体的样式里，（罗八3，）在十字架上被举起来。这世界的王撒但，就是古蛇，（启十二9，二十2，）已经将他自己注入人的肉体。主在罪之肉体的样式里，死于十字架，就废除了在人肉体里的撒但。（来二。）因著这样审判了撒但，（约十六，）就使挂在撒但身上的世界也受了审判。因此，主被举起来，就审判了世界，也把世界的王撒但赶了出去。当主耶稣这位人子在蛇的形状里被举起时，祂不只除去了我们的罪，也对付了我们的蛇性，并且废除了撒但和挂在他身上那属撒但的世界系统。现今，藉著祂的死，我们蒙了救赎、拯救，有了神圣的生命，并且胜过了世界。约翰福音是一卷图画或表号的书，给我们看见许多关于主作生命的事。我们若不认识这卷福音，就可能只认识主作生命，却不认识主作生命的一切细节。我们若要认识主作生命的细节，就必须领会约翰福音。这卷福音以一幅一幅的图画揭示生命。比方说，连这章的棕树枝，也象征胜过死亡的生命，描绘出胜过死亡的生命。大多数棕树生长在象征死亡的沙漠。所以生命（棕树）从死亡（沙漠）中长出，这描绘出生命胜过死亡，这就是棕树的属灵意义。因此，我们若要领会生命的细节，就必须领会约翰福音这卷表号的书。
11In verse 31 the Lord declared, “Now is the judgment of this world; now shall the ruler of this world be cast out.” By His death on the cross the Lord judged the world and cast out its ruler, Satan. The world is an evil system, arranged systematically by Satan. Satan has systematized all the things on earth, especially those related to mankind, and the things in the air into his kingdom of darkness to occupy and frustrate people from the purpose of God and to distract them from the enjoyment of God. This evil system, the kingdom of darkness, was judged when its ruler, Satan, was cast out by the Lord’s crucifixion in the flesh. On the cross the Lord as the Son of Man (v. 23) was lifted up in the form of the serpent (3:14), that is, “in the likeness of the flesh of sin” (Rom. 8:3). Satan, the ruler of this world, as “the old serpent” (Rev. 12:9; 20:2), had injected himself into man’s flesh. Through His death on the cross “in the likeness of the flesh of sin,” the Lord destroyed Satan, who is in man’s flesh (Heb. 2:14). By judging Satan (16:11) in this way, the Lord 14 also judged the world, which is hanging on Satan. 11 Hence, the Lord’s being lifted up caused the world to be judged and its ruler, Satan, to be cast out. When the Lord Jesus as the Son of Man was lifted up in the form of a serpent, He not only removed our sins and dealt with our serpentine nature but also destroyed Satan and the satanic world system that hangs upon him. Now, by His death, we are redeemed, delivered, have the divine life, and are overcoming the world. The Gospel of John is a book of pictures or signs, showing many things related to the Lord as life. If we do not know this Gospel, we may know the Lord as life, but we simply will not know the Lord as life in all its detailed aspects. If we want to know the Lord as life in detail, we must understand the Gospel of John, which unveils life in one picture after another. For example, even the palm branches in this chapter symbolize life overcoming death, portraying a life that is victorious over death. Most palm trees grow in the desert, which signifies death. So life (palm trees) grows out of death (desert). This pictures the victory of life over death, which is the spiritual significance of the palm tree. Therefore, if we wish to understand life in detail, we must understand the Gospel of John as a book of figures.
12约翰在他的福音书里，用了不同的比喻，说明主死的各面。一章二十九节说，『看哪！神的羔羊，除去世人之罪的。』在三章十四节主耶稣说，祂必须像摩西举在杆上的铜蛇一样，被举在十字架上。现今在十二章，主说祂是一粒麦子。在此我们看见三个比方：神的羔羊、蛇以及麦粒。主的死有三面。第一面，祂是神的羔羊，藉著流出祂的血，除去我们的罪。第二面，祂是铜蛇，废除了那古蛇，以及我们里面蛇的性情。第三面，祂是一粒麦子，落在地里死了，产生许多子粒。主耶稣一次的死有这三面：救赎、废除撒但、以及释放生命。当祂被钉在十字架上时，祂是神的羔羊，担当了我们的罪，为著救赎我们流出祂的血。这是头一面，每一位真基督徒都熟悉这个。然而，很少基督徒熟悉主死的第二面，那就是主耶稣在十字架上，是在蛇的形状里被钉，为要废除古蛇以及我们这人里面蛇的性情。这是废除撒但的一面。主死的第三面是释放生命。神的生命在那小小的人耶稣里面，正如生命被局限在一粒麦子里面一样。生命既隐藏在子粒里，外壳就必须破裂，里面的生命才得著释放。故此，当基督在十字架上时，祂是羔羊，祂是在蛇的形状里，祂也是那一粒麦子。藉著一死，祂完成了三重目的：除去我们的罪、废除撒但、并从祂里面释放出神的生命，以产生许多子粒。阿利路亚！藉著祂的死，我们的罪被除去了。藉著祂的死，我们蛇的性情被对付了。藉著祂的死，神的生命也释放给我们了。我们不再是犯罪的，也不再是蛇性的；神的生命已经分赐到我们里面，现今我们是从那一粒麦子所结出来的许多子粒。这许多子粒正好用来作成一个饼，就是基督的身体（林前十17）－召会。从前我们是罪人，有蛇的性情，与神的生命毫不相干。但是藉著主包罗万有的死，我们的罪已经被除去，我们蛇的性情也受到了对付，神的生命也已经分赐到我们里面。现今我们成了活的子粒，给合在一起，成了一个饼，就是召会。赞美祂！
12In his Gospel John uses different figures to portray various aspects of the Lord’s death. Verse 1:29 says, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” In 3:14 the Lord Jesus said that He had to be lifted up on the cross as the brass serpent was lifted up on a pole by Moses. Now, in chapter twelve, the Lord says that He is a grain of wheat. Here we see three figures: the Lamb of God, the serpent, and the grain of wheat. The Lord’s death has three aspects. In the first aspect He was the Lamb of God taking away our sins by shedding His blood. In the second aspect He was the brass serpent that destroyed the old serpent as well as the serpentine nature within us. In the third aspect He was a grain of wheat that fell into the ground and died to produce many grains. The one death of the Lord Jesus had these three aspects: there deeming aspect, the Satan - destroying aspect, and the life-releasing aspect. When He was nailed to the cross, He was the Lamb of God bearing our sins and shedding His blood for our redemption. This is the first aspect, and every genuine Christian is familiar with it. However, not many Christians are familiar with the second aspect of the Lord’s death, which is that on the cross the Lord Jesus was crucified in the form of a serpent in order to destroy the old serpent and the serpentine nature within our being. This is the Satan-destroying aspect. The third aspect of the Lord’s death is the life-releasing aspect. The divine life was in that little man Jesus just as life is confined in a grain of wheat. Since the life is concealed in the grain, the shell must be broken that the inward life may be released. Thus, when Christ was on the cross, He was the Lamb, He was in the form of the serpent, and He was also a grain of wheat. By one death He accomplished the threefold purpose of taking away our sins, destroying Satan, and releasing the divine life from within Him to produce many grains. Hallelujah! By His death our sins have been removed. By His death our serpentine nature has been dealt with. By His death the divine life has been released to us. No longer are we sinning and no longer are we serpentine. The divine life has been imparted into us, and we are now the many grains that have been produced out of that one grain. These many grains are good for making one loaf, which is the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 10:17), the church. Formerly, we were sinners with the serpentine nature, having nothing to do with the divine life. But by the Lord’sa ll-inclusive death our sins have been removed, our serpentine nature has been dealt with, and the divine life has been imparted into our being. Now we have become living grains that, composed together, become one loaf, the church. Praise Him!
13根据这原则，我们若要产生召会，我们就必须死。我们若要荣耀神，叫神藉我们彰显出来，并在我们中间得荣耀，我们就必须死。我们若要对付撒但，和他的世界，我们就必须死。乃是藉著十字架，召会才得以产生。乃是藉著十字架，神才得著荣耀。乃是藉著十字架，撒但和他的世界才受到对付。主明说，祂死了，就要结出许多子粒来；祂死了，父就得了荣耀；并且祂被举起来，就要审判世界，赶出这世界的王撒但。这是多么简明，但又是何等深奥，并且满有意义！这三项包括了一切－召会产生了，父得了荣耀，撒但被驱逐了。再没有留下甚么事了。我们若要产生召会，荣耀神，并对付撒但，除了十字架的死，别无他途。我们一直谈论召会的道路：召会的路就是十字架的路。我们一直谈论如何荣耀神：荣耀神的路就是十字架的路。还有对付神仇敌撒但的路，也是十字架的路。只有一条路－十字架。我们必须经历十字架。不管人多么欢迎我们，如何欢迎我们，我们必须领悟，他们越欢迎我们，我们就越必须死。我们怎么死法?在二十五节主告诉我们，要丧失我们的魂。『爱惜自己魂生命的，就丧失魂生命；在这世上恨恶自己魂生命的，就要保守魂生命归入永远的生命。』这里的魂生命，原文与十章十一、十五、十七节的『命』同字。这也可以由马太和马可福音得到证明。（太十六24～26，可八34～35。）死和经历十字架是甚么意思?那就是否认并弃绝你的魂，你天然的生命。你必须丧失你的魂，你天然的生命，你的己，然后召会才产生；然后神才得荣耀；然后撒但才被对付，被赶出去，因为他要被召会所驱逐。
13Based upon this principle, if we want the church to be brought into existence, we have to die. If we want to glorify God, to have God manifested through us and glorified among us, we have to die. If we want to deal with Satan and his world, we have to die. It is by the cross that the church comes into existence, it is by the cross that God is glorified, and it is by the cross that Satan and his world are dealt with. The Lord clearly said that when He died, He would produce much fruit; that when He died, the Father would be glorified; and that when He was lifted up, He would judge the world and cast out Satan, the ruler of this world. This is so brief and simple, yet it is so profound and meaningful. These three items include everything — the church produced, the Father glorified, and Satan expelled. There is nothing else left. If we want to bring the church into existence, to glorify God, and to deal with Satan, there is no other way than the death of the cross. We always talk about the way of the church: the way of the church is the way of the cross. We always talk about how to glorify God: the way to glorify God is the way of the cross. And the way to deal with Satan, the enemy of God, is also the way of the cross. There is only one way—the cross. We must experience the cross. No matter how much people welcome us or how they welcome us, we must realize that the more they welcome us, the more we must die. How do we die? In verse 25 the Lord tells us to lose our soul. “He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world shall keep it unto eternal life.” The first two occurrences of the word life in this verse in the Greek language mean “soul” or “soul-life.” The same word is found in 10:11, 15, 17. This is also proved by the Gospels of Matthew and Mark (Matt. 16:24-26; Mark 8:34-37). What does it mean to die and experience the cross? It simply means to deny and reject your soul, your natural life. You must lose your soul, your natural life, your self. Then the church will come into being, then God will be glorified, and then Satan will be dealt with and cast out, for he will be expelled by the church.
14主是一粒麦子落在地里，藉著死丧失魂生命，使祂得以在复活里，将祂永远的生命释放给许多子粒。我们是这许多子粒，也必须藉著死丧失魂生命，才能在复活里享受这永远的生命。这就是二十六节所说，我们若服事主，就当跟从祂。不仅如此，这许多子粒需要被碾碎，磨成粉，这样才能相调在一起成为饼。参宗教的不信与盲瞎
14The Lord as a grain of wheat falling into the ground lost His soul-life through death that He might release His eternal life to the “many grains” in resurrection. We as the many grains must lose our soul - life through death that we may enjoy the eternal life in resurrection. This is to follow Him that we might serve Him, as mentioned in verse 26. Furthermore, the many grains need to be crushed and ground into flour, into powder, that they may be blended together and become the bread. III. RELIGION’SUN BELIEF AND BLINDNESS
一 为以赛亚所豫言
A. Prophesied by Isaiah
15从三十六节下半至四十三节，说到宗教的不信，以及神对那不信的审判。不管作生命的主行了多少异能、神迹、奇事，热心宗教的人仍不肯与祂同行。不管主作了多少，热心宗教的人仍不肯有所回应。他们就是不接受祂，反倒弃绝祂。以赛亚早已豫言这事。他说，『我们所传给人听的，有谁信?主的膀臂向谁显露?』（赛五三1，直译。）主的膀臂就是主耶稣自己。主就是神的膀臂来行事，来拯救，但在宗教世界中无人能认识这膀臂。没有人肯回应，接受，反倒弃绝了这膀臂。虽然这膀臂就是救恩，甚至就是救主，并拯救者本身，热心宗教的人却弃绝了祂。
15Verses 36b through 43 speak of the unbelief of religion and God’s judgment upon that unbelief. Regardless of how much the Lord as life worked in wonders, miracles, and signs, the religious people would not go along with Him. No matter how much the Lord did, the religious people would not respond. They simply did not receive Him, but on the contrary, they rejected Him. Isaiah had prophesied this already. He said, “Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?” (Isa. 53:1). The arm of the Lord is the Lord Jesus Himself. The Lord is the arm of God to do things and to deliver, but no one in the religious world could recognize this arm. No one would respond to, receive, or accept this arm. They simply rejected it. Although this arm is salvation, even the Savior and the Deliverer Himself, the religious people rejected Him
二 为神所审判
B. Judged by God
16结果，眼瞎与心硬临到了他们身上。（约十二40，赛六10。）这是神的审判施行在那不信、弃绝主的人身上。眼瞎与心硬二者是相联的，乃是对不信之人的惩罚。这样，宗教没有相信，只有眼瞎。
16As a result, blindness and hardness of heart have come upon them (v. 40; Isa. 6:10). This is God’s judgment exercised over their unbelieving rejection of the Lord. Blindness and the hardening of the heart are a punishment to the unbelieving ones. Thus, religion has no belief; it has only blindness
三 主的荣耀为人所看见，却不为人所宝爱
C. The Glory of the Lord Seen, but Not Loved
17四十一节说，以赛亚看了祂的荣耀，就指著祂说这话。『祂的荣耀』这句话证实主耶稣就是神，就是万军之耶和华；以赛亚曾见过祂的荣耀。（赛六1，3。）这荣耀虽被以赛亚看见并赏识，却不为主软弱的信徒所宝爱。（约十二42，43。）他们爱人的荣耀过于爱神的荣耀。这荣耀就是在他们面前的永活耶稣。他们若赏识并宝爱主耶稣是神的荣耀，他们就不会顾到人的荣耀，或害怕被赶出会堂了。
17Verse 41 says that Isaiah saw His glory and spoke concerning Him. The words His glory confirm that the Lord Jesus is the very God, Jehovah of hosts, whose glory Isaiah saw (Isa. 6:1, 3). This glory was seen and appreciated by Isaiah, but it was not loved by the Lord’s weaker believers (vv. 42-43). They loved the glory of man more than the glory of God, which was the living Jesus before them. If they had appreciated and loved the Lord Jesus as the glory of God, they would not have cared for the glory of man or feared being cast out of the synagogue.
IV. LIFE’S DECLARATION
肆 生命向不信之宗教的宣告
TO THE UNBELIEVING RELIGION
18在四十四至五十节，我们看见生命向不信之宗教的宣告。在这里主向热心宗教的人作了末次的宣告。这次宣告之后，在约翰福音其余的部分里，主就与热心宗教的人无关了。
18In verses 44 through 50 we see life’s declaration to the unbelieving religion. Here the Lord makes a final declaration to the religious people. After this declaration, for the remainder of the Gospel of John, the Lord has nothing to do with the religious people
一 是向人显现的神
A. Being God Manifested to Man
19首先祂宣告，祂是活神的显现。（约十二44～45。）祂是神的儿子，那就是说，祂是神的显现。看见祂的就是看见神，接受祂的就是接受神，因为祂是向人显现的神。
19First, He declared that He is the manifestation of the living God (vv. 44-45). He is the Son of God, which means that He is the manifestation of God. Whoever sees Him sees God, and whoever receives Him receives God because He is the manifestation of God to man
二 到世上来作光
B. Coming as Light into the World
20第二祂宣告，祂到世上来作照耀的光，好叫人不住在黑暗里。（约十二46，36。）人若接受这光，就有神。祂作光是神的显现，你若接受祂作光，你就有神。人若信入祂，就不住在黑暗里。然而，你若不肯接受祂作光，你就是弃绝神，就要被黑暗所胜过。祂来作光，你若接受祂，你就有神，并且要成为光的儿子。
20Second, He declared that He came to this world as the shining light that man might not remain in darkness (vv. 46, 36). If people will receive this light, they will have God. He is the manifestation of God as light, and if you receive Him as light, you will have God. If a man believes in Him, he will not remain in darkness. However, if you refuse to receive Him as light, you simply reject God and will be overtaken with darkness. He comes as light. If you receive Him, you will have God and will become one of the sons of light
三 带著活的话临到人
C. Coming to Man with Living Words
21第三祂宣告，祂带著活的话临到人；凡领受祂话的，就有永远的生命，从今直到永远；凡弃绝祂话的，在末日要受祂话的审判。（约十二47～50。）
21Third, He declared that He came to man with living words and that whoever receives His words will have eternal life now and forever and that whoever rejects His words will be judged by them in the last day (vv. 47-50
22这宣告有甚么意义?那就是主告诉犹太人说，祂是神的显现，临到他们作光。他们若接受祂，就会得著神，成为神的儿女。但他们若弃绝祂，就要为黑暗所胜过。再者，神所命令祂说的话，他们若接受，对他们就是永远的生命。不然，这话在末日将要审判他们。这是主对热心宗教的人最后的宣告。这时，主与热心宗教之人的关系就结束了。从十三章开始，主就一直与门徒同在，不再与犹太人有甚么来往。
22What is the meaning of this declaration? It is simply that the Lord told the Jewish people that He is the manifestation of God coming to them as light. If they receive Him, they will have God and become the children of God. But if they reject Him, they will be overtaken by darkness. Moreover, the commandment that God gave to Him to speak is to them eternal life if they receive it. Otherwise, that very word will become a sentence of judgment upon them in the last day. This is the final declaration the Lord made to the religious people. At this juncture, the Lord is finished with the religious people. Beginning with chapter thirteen, the Lord is continually with His disciples, no longer having anything to do with the Jewish people.
23因此这一章有四点。第一点显示，甚么是真正的召会生活。第二点启示，主如何产生并扩增召会。第三点揭示，热心宗教的人不肯与主同行，不管作生命的主在那些神迹中为他们行了多少事。最后，末一点指明主如何被迫向热心宗教的群众宣告，祂是神的显现，临到他们作光；他们若接受祂，就要成为光的儿子；若不接受，他们就要被黑暗胜过；祂带著神的命令临到他们，对他们说活的话；他们若领受祂的话，这些话对他们就要成为永远的生命；但他们若弃绝这些话，这些话就要在末日审判他们。
23There are, therefore, four points to this chapter. The first point shows what the real church life is. The second reveals how the Lord produces and increases the church. The third discloses that the religious people will not go along with the Lord no matter how much He as life does for them in the signs. Finally, the last point indicates how the Lord was forced to make a declaration to the religious crowd that He is the manifestation of God coming to them as light; that if they receive Him, they will become the sons of light, and that if they do not receive Him, they will be overtaken by darkness; that He comes to them with the commandment of God to speak living words to them; and that if they receive His words, those words will become eternal life to them, but if they reject them, those very words will judge them in the last day.