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Matthew 14:22-33 : Jesus geht auf dem Wasser

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22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.

23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was Come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

Kommentar

 

耶稣在海面上行走

Durch New Christian Bible Study Staff (Übersetzt in 中文)

The Disciples See Christ Walking on the Water, by Henry Ossawa Tanner

这个故事是圣经里最受喜爱的故事之一,我们不难看出为什么。很容易设想这样一幅场景,加利利附近的海面起了大风浪,门徒们的船被波浪冲击,他们正艰难地划向彼岸。这时他们惊奇地看到耶稣在海面上向他们走过来,就像走在罗马的大街上一样。彼得在惊讶之余真的下了船在水面上向他走去但又害怕了,我们也会有同感吧。我们从这个故事中得到的启示很明确,就是要信靠主,信任他的力量。

但是,这就是全部的故事了吗?耶稣在海面上行走的目的就是让门徒看到他了不起?或是让我们读者知道他了不起?或是还有更深刻的含义?

斯威登堡的著作赋予这个故事更深层的解释:故事讲述了耶稣将要建立一个新的教会,他将把信仰带到世界广泛的范围里,而不是局限于狭小范围内界定的人群。主在今天的世界里同样在进行这项工作。

一个有重要象征意义的词是“海水”,海水比喻属世的认知,也指教会外延的人们,虽然有丰富的属世的知识,但对于属灵的知识只是略有了解,在认识上流动不定如湍流。另一个重要的词是“船”,船象征有特定信仰的人所信奉的教义。当门徒们独自掌舵,船就在教会外延的各种世俗的信念和争论中摇摆,受波浪冲击。而风形容他们所持的教义没有提升到能够真正信靠主的高度。

所以耶稣在天快亮的时候--意味着他新建的教会的开始—-在海面上向门徒走来。因他无限的爱与良善,他给予即使信仰很表浅的人以(属灵)生命。一开始门徒们认不出是他很惊慌,指的是一个人从低层精神境界向高层精神境界迈进时的心理反应。主让他们放心,而彼得--象征出自对良善的渴求而形成的真理--就有勇气自己也走到海面上去。

在那一刻,凭着对耶稣的信赖彼得真的能走在海面上,也就是说,即便没有特定的教义体系,即便在应付世俗繁杂琐事的忙碌考虑之中,源自对良善的渴求而产生的真心实念就是信仰的本质。然而门徒们还不明白, 彼得失去信心就下沉,还得靠主把他救回船上去。最后的结局,门徒们的灵性都得以提升。故事中耶稣上了船之后风就停了,表达的意思是指门徒们对教义的理解得以提升,更接近主,更信靠主的力量。这个改变体现在船上的人都拜他,称他“真是神的儿子”。

那么,这个故事对我们有什么意义呢?我们本质上都是他的门徒--对主有些认知而渴望从善的人。我们从这个故事中学到,主的爱不局限于给我们,或给与我们有相同信仰的人,主的爱伸向任何人,任何地方直至海角天涯。如果我们想要改善这世界,让我们像彼得走到海面上去,不断加深对主的信赖,相信他的力量。

(Verweise: 详解启示录514 [21])