第18章 “他必兴旺，我必衰微”
§1
第18章 “他必兴旺，我必衰微”
§2
Chap. 18 - He Must Increase
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（本章根据：约3:22-36）
§4
施洗约翰的影响一时遍于全国，较比许多首领、祭司和君王的影响还大。如果他宣布自己是弥赛亚，揭竿而起，来反抗罗马政府，祭司和民众一定会云集在他旗帜之下。撒但准备拿一切足以打动世上雄主野心的欲望来怂恿施洗约翰。但约翰虽然知道自己有那么大的势力，却能毅然拒绝这动人的诱饵。他已将众人集中在他身上的注意力，转移到另一位身上去。[1]{DA 178.1}
§5
For a time the Baptists influence over the nation had been greater than that of its rulers, priests, or princes. If he had announced himself as the Messiah, and raised a revolt against Rome, priests and people would have flocked to his standard. Every consideration that appeals to the ambition of the worlds conquerors Satan had stood ready to urge upon John the Baptist. But with the evidence before him of his power, he had steadfastly refused the splendid bribe. The attention which was fixed upon him he had directed to Another. {DA 178.1}[1]
§6
现在他看见民心的趋向，离开了自己而转向救主。他周围的听众一天天减少了。耶稣从耶路撒冷到了约旦河的境界，众人成群的去听他。耶稣的门徒天天增多起来，许多人到他那里去受洗。基督自己虽不施洗，却准他的门徒执行这个礼节；这证明他赞许他先锋的工作。但是约翰的门徒看见耶稣的声望日大，就起了猜忌的心。他们准备批评他的工作，而且不久机会就找到了。犹太人和他们之间发生了争执，就是论洗礼有没有洁净灵性和清除罪孽的功效；他们主张：耶稣的洗礼与约翰的洗礼根本不同。不久他们与基督的门徒争论施洗时所应用的言辞，后来索性辩论耶稣的门徒该不该施洗。[2]{DA 178.2}
§7
Now he saw the tide of popularity turning away from himself to the Saviour. Day by day the crowds about him lessened. When Jesus came from Jerusalem to the region about Jordan, the people flocked to hear Him. The number of His disciples increased daily. Many came for baptism, and while Christ Himself did not baptize, He sanctioned the administration of the ordinance by His disciples. Thus He set His seal upon the mission of His forerunner. But the disciples of John looked with jealousy upon the growing popularity of Jesus. They stood ready to criticize His work, and it was not long before they found occasion. A question arose between them and the Jews as to whether baptism availed to cleanse the soul from sin; they maintained that the baptism of Jesus differed essentially from that of John. Soon they were in dispute with Christs disciples in regard to the form of words proper to use at baptism, and finally as to the right of the latter to baptize at all. {DA 178.2}[2]
§8
约翰的门徒心怀不平的来见他，说：“拉比，从前同你在约旦河外，你所见证的那位，现在施洗，众人都往他那里去了。”撒但利用这几句话来试探约翰。虽然约翰的任务似乎将告结束，但他仍可能拦阻基督的工作。如果他顾惜自己，并因被撤换而表示悲愤或失望，这就撒下了争论的种子，助长了嫉妒和猜疑，严重地阻碍福音的进展。[3]{DA 179.1}
§9
The disciples of John came to him with their grievances, saying, Rabbi, He that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou bearest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to Him. Through these words, Satan brought temptation upon John. Though Johns mission seemed about to close, it was still possible for him to hinder the work of Christ. If he had sympathized with himself, and expressed grief or disappointment at being superseded, he would have sown the seeds of dissension, would have encouraged envy and jealousy, and would seriously have impeded the progress of the gospel. {DA 179.1}[3]
§10
约翰本有人类所共有的缺点和软弱，然而神圣之爱的感化已将他变了过来。他生存在一种不为自私和野心所沾染的环境之中，超脱嫉妒的瘴疠之气。他毫不同情门徒这种不满，反而表示他是何等透彻地认识到自己和弥赛亚之间的关系，如何快乐地欢迎自己为他预备道路的那位。[4]{DA 179.2}
§11
John had by nature the faults and weaknesses common to humanity, but the touch of divine love had transformed him. He dwelt in an atmosphere uncontaminated with selfishness and ambition, and far above the miasma of jealousy. He manifested no sympathy with the dissatisfaction of his disciples, but showed how clearly he understood his relation to the Messiah, and how gladly he welcomed the One for whom he had prepared the way. {DA 179.2}[4]
§12
他说：“若不是从天上赐的，人就不能得什么。我曾说：‘我不是基督，是奉差遣在他前面的’，你们自己可以给我作见证。娶新妇的就是新郎，新郎的朋友站着听见新郎的声音就甚喜乐。”约翰将自己比作朋友，作订婚双方的介绍人，为婚礼作准备。新郎既娶了新妇，介绍人的任务就完成了。他自然会庆贺这一对由他撮合之伉俪的幸福。约翰被召，就是要指引百姓到耶稣面前，因此救主工作的成功，也就是他的喜乐。他说：“故此我这喜乐满足了。他必兴旺，我必衰微。”[5]{DA 179.3}
§13
He said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before Him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegrooms voice. John represented himself as the friend who acted as a messenger between the betrothed parties, preparing the way for the marriage. When the bridegroom had received his bride, the mission of the friend was fulfilled. He rejoiced in the happiness of those whose union he had promoted. So John had been called to direct the people to Jesus, and it was his joy to witness the success of the Saviours work. He said, This my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease. {DA 179.3}[5]
§14
约翰存着信心仰望救赎主，已达到舍己的最高峰。他并不想吸引人注意自己，乃是要提升他们的思想，高而又高，直到上帝的羔羊身上。他本身不过是一个声音，就是旷野的人声。现在他就快乐地静默隐退，使众人的眼目可以转向那生命之光。[6]{DA 179.4}
§15
Looking in faith to the Redeemer, John had risen to the height of self-abnegation. He sought not to attract men to himself, but to lift their thoughts higher and still higher, until they should rest upon the Lamb of God. He himself had been only a voice, a cry in the wilderness. Now with joy he accepted silence and obscurity, that the eyes of all might be turned to the Light of life. {DA 179.4}[6]
§16
凡忠心蒙召作上帝使者的人，必不求自己的尊荣。爱己之念，必被爱基督的心所吞没；决不容争权夺利的意念来损害福音最高贵的目的。他们要认清自己的责任，要像施洗约翰那样宣告：“看哪，上帝的羔羊，除去世人罪孽的。”（约1:29）他们要高举耶稣。他既被高举，人类也被高举了。“因为那至高至上、永远长存、名为圣者的如此说：‘我住在至高至圣的所在，也与心灵痛悔、谦卑的人同居；要使谦卑人的灵苏醒，也使痛悔人的心苏醒。”（赛57:15）[7]{DA 179.5}
§17
Those who are true to their calling as messengers for God will not seek honor for themselves. Love for self will be swallowed up in love for Christ. No rivalry will mar the precious cause of the gospel. They will recognize that it is their work to proclaim, as did John the Baptist, 1Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29. They will lift up Jesus, and with Him humanity will be lifted up. Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isaiah 57:15. {DA 179.5}[7]
§18
先知约翰既能虚己，就被上帝的光所充满。他为救主的荣耀所作见证的话，几乎与基督和尼哥底母会谈时所说的话相吻合。约翰说：“从天上来的，是在万有之上；从地上来的，是属乎地，他所说的，也是属乎地。从天上来的，是在万有之上。……上帝所差来的，就说上帝的话。因为上帝赐圣灵给他，是没有限量的。”基督却能说：“我不求自己的意思，只求那差我来者的意思。”（约5:30）经上说：“你喜爱公义，恨恶罪恶，所以上帝，就是你的上帝，用喜乐油膏你，胜过膏你的同伴。”（来1:9）这是指着耶稣说的。父“赐圣灵给他，是没有限量的。”[8]{DA 180.1}
§19
The soul of the prophet, emptied of self, was filled with the light of the divine. As he witnessed to the Saviours glory, his words were almost a counterpart of those that Christ Himself had spoken in His interview with Nicodemus. John said, He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: He that cometh from heaven is above all. . . . For He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him. Christ could say, I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent Me. John 5:30. To Him it is declared, Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows. Hebrews 1:9. The Father giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him. {DA 180.1}[8]
§20
跟从基督的人也是如此。我们唯有自己愿意虚心，才能领受天上来的光照。我们不能认识上帝的品格，也不能因信接受基督。除非我们愿意将所有的心意夺回，使之顺服基督。凡能这样行的人，都有无限量的圣灵赐给他们。“上帝本性一切的丰盛，都有形有体地居住在基督里面，你们在他里面也得了丰盛。”（西2:9-10）[9]{DA 181.1}
§21
So with the followers of Christ. We can receive of heavens light only as we are willing to be emptied of self. We cannot discern the character of God, or accept Christ by faith, unless we consent to the bringing into captivity of every thought to the obedience of Christ. To all who do this the Holy Spirit is given without measure. In Christ dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and in Him ye are made full. Colossians 2:9, 10, R. V. {DA 181.1}[9]
§22
约翰的门徒说：众人都到基督那里去了。但约翰却具有更清楚的见识，他说：“只是没有人领受他的见证。”能接受他为救人脱离罪恶之主的人，实在太少了。只有“那领受他见证的，就印上印，证明上帝是真的。”“信子的人有永生。”不必争论基督的洗礼或是约翰的洗礼能否洁净罪孽。赐人生命的乃是基督的恩典。离了基督，洗礼就像其他礼节一样，不过是无价值的形式。“不信子的人得不着永生。”[10]{DA 181.2}
§23
The disciples of John had declared that all men were coming to Christ; but with clearer insight, John said, No man receiveth His witness; so few were ready to accept Him as the Saviour from sin. But he that hath received His witness hath set his seal to this, that God is true. John 3:33, R. V. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life. No need of disputation as to whether Christs baptism or Johns purified from sin. It is the grace of Christ that gives life to the soul. Apart from Christ, baptism, like any other service, is a worthless form. He that believeth not the Son shall not see life. {DA 181.2}[10]
§24
施洗约翰所欢喜听到的基督工作成功消息，也传到耶路撒冷当局的耳中。从前祭司和拉比们看见百姓离了会堂，蜂拥到旷野里去，已经嫉妒约翰的势力了。但现在又来了一位，吸引群众的力量比约翰的还大。这些以色列的领袖们却更不愿与约翰同说：“他必兴旺，我必衰微。”他们群起重下决心，要制止这吸引民众离开他们的工作。[11]{DA 181.3}
§25
The success of Christs work, which the Baptist had received with such joy, was reported also to the authorities at Jerusalem. The priests and rabbis had been jealous of Johns influence as they saw the people leaving the synagogues and flocking to the wilderness; but here was One who had still greater power to attract the multitudes. Those leaders in Israel were not willing to say with John, He must increase, but I must decrease. They arose with a new determination to put an end to the work that was drawing the people away from them. {DA 181.3}[11]
§26
耶稣知道，以色列的领袖们要不遗余力的造成他的门徒与约翰门徒的分裂，而且他也知道乌云已经密布，不久要将这人间最大的先知除灭。为了避免一切足以引起误会和纷争的事，他就悄悄地停止工作，退往加利利去了。我们也当如此。虽是效忠真理，仍当设法避免一切足以误会和不睦的事，因为何时有这类的事发生，结果总有人因而跌倒。无论何时，遇有可能造成分裂的情况发生，我们就当效法耶稣和施洗约翰的榜样。[12]{DA 181.4}
§27
Jesus knew that they would spare no effort to create a division between His own disciples and those of John. He knew that the storm was gathering which would sweep away one of the greatest prophets ever given to the world. Wishing to avoid all occasion for misunderstanding or dissension, He quietly ceased His labors, and withdrew to Galilee. We also, while loyal to truth, should try to avoid all that may lead to discord and misapprehension. For whenever these arise, they result in the loss of souls. Whenever circumstances occur that threaten to cause division, we should follow the example of Jesus and of John the Baptist. {DA 181.4}[12]
§28
约翰已蒙召领导改革的工作。因此，他的门徒就难免有专注意他一人的危险，以为工作的成功全有赖于他的辛苦，而忘记他不过是上帝手中的工具。约翰的工作尚不足以奠定基督教会的根基。他的任务既然完成，便有另一种工作必须进行，是他的见证所不能成就的。约翰的门徒不明白这一点。所以他们见耶稣来出来工作时，就有嫉妒和不满的情绪了。[13]{DA 181.5}
§29
John had been called to lead out as a reformer. Because of this, his disciples were in danger of fixing their attention upon him, feeling that the success of the work depended upon his labors, and losing sight of the fact that he was only an instrument through which God had wrought. But the work of John was not sufficient to lay the foundation of the 1Christian church. When he had fulfilled his mission, another work was to be done, which his testimony could not accomplish. His disciples did not understand this. When they saw Christ coming in to take the work, they were jealous and dissatisfied. {DA 181.5}[13]
§30
同样的危险至今依然存在。上帝选召一人从事一项工作，等他尽到他所能做到的，把工作推进到一定程度之后，主又使别人前来将工作进一步开展。但是有很多人像约翰的门徒一样，以为事情的成功少不了原先的人。只注意人而不注意上帝，嫉妒就乘机而入，上帝的工作就要受损。而那过分受尊崇的人就会受到自恃的试探，而不理会自己必须依靠上帝。众人既习于靠人的指导，便陷入错误而被引导离开上帝。[14]{DA 182.1}
§31
The same dangers still exist. God calls a man to do a certain work; and when he has carried it as far as he is qualified to take it, the Lord brings in others, to carry it still farther. But, like Johns disciples, many feel that the success of the work depends on the first laborer. Attention is fixed upon the human instead of the divine, jealousy comes in, and the work of God is marred. The one thus unduly honored is tempted to cherish self-confidence. He does not realize his dependence on God. The people are taught to rely on man for guidance, and thus they fall into error, and are led away from God. {DA 182.1}[14]
§32
上帝的工作不可带有人的形象和称号。（见太22:20）上帝往往呼召不同的人，用他们来使他的旨意产生最大的成效。凡肯谦心虚己，与施洗约翰那样说“他必兴旺，我必衰微”的人乃是有福的。[15]{DA 182.2}
§33
The work of God is not to bear the image and superscription of man. From time to time the Lord will bring in different agencies, through whom His purpose can best be accomplished. Happy are they who are willing for self to be humbled, saying with John the Baptist, He must increase, but I must decrease. {DA 182.2}[15]