After Jesus finished His series of seven curses against the scribes and Pharisees, He added a final word of warning, ending His last public sermon in a lament over His own people, the Jews.
耶稣对文士与法利赛人宣告了七个咒诅后，再给予众人最后一个警告，接着向祂自己的子民犹太人哀叹，总结了最后的公开讲道。
- Judgment 审判 (23:34-36)
The coming of righteous men brings about their persecution and murder, because they are a rebuke to unrighteousness. After Israel crucifies their Messiah, they will proceed to kill and crucify His followers, especially godly men that He sends as His messengers (cf. Acts 7:58-60, 12:2; 2 Cor. 11:24-25). In doing so, these ministers of salvation would also become ministers of judgment. When additional chances of repentance results in their persistent rejection of Christ as their Lord and Saviour, they bring upon themselves the more severe judgment (cf. Rom. 2:5).
义人会引来自己的逼迫和杀害，因为他们的存在对不义之人是种谴责。以色列钉死了他们的弥赛亚后，会继而杀害祂的门徒，尤其是祂所差遣为使者的敬虔人（参：使7:58-60, 12:2；林后11:24-25）。如此，福音的执事也成为了审判的执事。当额外的悔改机会倒使他们持续拒绝基督为救主，他们将为自己带来更严重的审判（参：罗2:5）。
- Lament 哀叹 (23:37-39)
Since the call of Abraham, the Jews have been God’s special people – He pledged to preserve Israel and to call them back to Himself permanently in the future (Gen 15 & 17). However, Jesus “came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him” (Jn. 1:11); because they rejected God, God also rejected them. God has removed His protection over them, until that day when she will be ultimately be saved, restored and blessed (Jer. 23:5-6, Is. 66:10-22, Zech. 14:1-11).
自亚伯拉罕被召后，犹太人就一直是神特别的子民——祂宣示会保守以色列，日后召他们重归自己，直到永远（创15, 17）。然而，“他到自己的地方来，自己的人倒不接待他”（约1:11）；由于他们拒绝神，神也拒绝了他们。神除去了对他们的保护，直到以色列最终得救、复兴，并蒙福的那日（耶23:5-6，赛66:10-22，撒14:1-11）。
Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告
- “All who desire to live a godly live in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12). Although we may not be martyred or severely beaten like the apostles, pray that we are willing to live a life separated unto righteousness even though we may be despised by people around us.
“凡立志在基督耶稣里敬虔度日的，也都要受逼迫”（提后3:12）。虽然我们不会像使徒一样殉道或被毒打，但祈求我们不惜被人厌弃，也愿活出一个分别为圣的生活。
- Yes it is our Lord’s desire for none to perish but all to repent (2 Pet. 3:9). Yet do we take our Lord’s patience and mercy for granted, stubbornly living rebellious lives and assumed on God’s forgiveness but not judgment? Pray that we would be awaken from our sleep.
是的，我们的主不愿一人沉沦，乃愿人人都悔改（彼后3:9）。然而，我们是否将主的耐心和怜悯视为理所当然，执意活出悖逆的生活，以为神总会宽恕，不会审判？祈求我们能从沉睡中醒悟过来。
- God loves us intimately corporately as well as individually. Let’s pray that we do not cause our Lord to grieve over our sins and shame but a delight to Him in His sight?
不论是对教会或各人，神的那份爱是深切亲密的。让我们祷告不会让主为我们的罪悲哀，而是让祂取悦于我们。
