From here on, Jesus now gives His disciples the principles for living in the kingdom. Of first priority is faith.
从这儿起，耶稣给予门徒活在国度的原则。首要的就是信心。
- The Lack of Faith 信心之缺 (17:14-17)
As Jesus came down from the mountain, a man came up to Him and fell on his knees. In deep anguish, the father pleaded with Jesus to have compassion and heal his son. This boy was very ill and his condition was unusually serious, for he was demon-possessed. Though the man had brought his son to Jesus’ disciples for healing, they could not cure him.
当耶稣从山上下来后，一个人来到耶稣脚前，跪下。这位深受煎熬的父亲求耶稣有怜悯，医治他的儿子；他的病情极其严重，因为是被鬼附身的。虽然这人已将他的儿子带到耶稣的门徒前寻求医治，但他们医治不得。
- The Example of Faith 信心之例 (17:17-18)
The disciples’ faithless impotence grieved Jesus deeply, for He had personally chosen, taught and endowed them with unique power and authority. But Jesus would not give in to despair. With His divine authority, He rebuked the demon who had no choice but to come out of the boy.
门徒无能的小信令耶稣深感悲伤，因为他们都是耶稣亲自拣选、教导，并赐予独特能力和权柄的对象。然而，耶稣不肯就此沮丧。借着祂的神圣权柄，祂斥责了那鬼，使鬼不得不从孩子身上出来。
- The Power of faith 信心之能 (17:19-20)
The disciples were embarrassed and perplexed with their own failure. As Jesus explained, it was due to their littleness of faith which failed to employ the power available to them. Little faith believes in God when things are going well but withers when circumstances are uncertain or threatening. The mustard seed does not represent littleness of faith, but of persistent faith. Only when small faith grows into great faith can it move mountain-sized difficulties and accomplish great things, therefore nothing shall be impossible, when it is prayed within God’s will.
门徒对于他们的失败感到羞愧与困惑。耶稣解释道，那是因着他们的小信，使之无法施展供予他们的能力。小信之意，就是当一切顺遂时相信神，但若遇到不确定或威胁性的境况，信心就枯萎了。芥菜种代表的不是小信，乃是坚持不懈的信心。唯有当小信长成大信时，它才能排山倒海，铸成大事。因此，当我们按神的旨意祷告时，我们没有一件不能做的事了。
Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告
- Have you ever come across a situation that makes you so utterly burdened beyond your strength that you despaired of life (2 Cor. 1:8)? Who do you turn to during this moment?
你是否曾遇到令你被压太重，力不能胜，甚至连活命的指望都绝了的时候（林后1:8）？在那时刻，你转向谁呢？
- Every trial in our life helps us to recognize our weakness and should drive us to God. Pray that we will learn not to rely on ourselves, but on God who raises the dead (2 Cor. 1:9b).
生命中的每一个试炼有助于让我们知道自己的软弱，驱使我们归向神。祈求我们能学习不依靠自己，只靠叫死人复活的神（林后1:9）。
- Do you trust God in all circumstances, whether blissful or dire? Read Proverbs 3:5-6 again and pray that He will strengthen your faith to trust in His mighty power which can overcome all difficulties.
无论处境是福是祸，你是否都依靠神呢？请再次阅读《箴言》3章5至6节，求神坚固你的信心，叫你相信祂能克服万有的威武权势。
