第52章 好牧人
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第52章 好牧人
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Chap. 52 - The Divine Shepherd
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（本章根据：约10:1-30）
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“我是好牧人，好牧人为羊舍命。”“我是好牧人；我认识我的羊，我的羊也认识我。正如父认识我，我也认识父一样，并且我为羊舍命。”[1]{DA 476.1}
§5
I am the Good Shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. I am the Good Shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of Mine. As the Father knoweth Me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down My life for the sheep. {DA 476.1}[1]
§6
耶稣常采用人们熟悉的事物作比喻，来提高听众的兴趣。他用清凉提神的水，比作圣灵的感化；用光，比作自己，是人类和万物的生命之本，快乐之源。这时他又以一幅美丽的牧场景色，来说明自己与那些信靠他的人之间所有的关系。这景象是他的听众最熟悉不过的，并且基督的话把它和自己永远联在一起。每当门徒看见看守羊群的牧羊人，便会自然地想起救主的教训。他们在每个忠心的牧人身上都看到了基督，又在每一只软弱无助的羊羔身上看到了自己。[2]{DA 476.2}
§7
Again Jesus found access to the minds of His hearers by the pathway of their familiar associations. He had likened the Spirits influence to the cool, refreshing water. He had represented Himself as the light, the source of life and gladness to nature and to man. Now in a beautiful pastoral picture He represents His relation to those that believe on Him. No picture was more familiar to His hearers than this, and Christs words linked it forever with Himself. Never could the disciples look on the shepherds tending their flocks without recalling the Saviours lesson. They would see Christ in each faithful shepherd. They would see themselves in each helpless and dependent flock. {DA 476.2}[2]
§8
先知以赛亚用抚慰人心的话，把这比喻用在弥赛亚的使命上，他说：“报好信息给锡安的啊，你要登高山；报好信息给耶路撒冷的啊，你要极力扬声，扬声不要惧怕。对犹大的城邑说,‘看哪，你们的上帝！’…他必像牧人牧养自己的羊群，用膀臂聚集羊羔抱在怀中。”（赛40:9-11）大卫也作歌唱：“耶和华是我的牧者，我必不至缺乏。”（诗23:1）圣灵借着以西结说：“我必立一牧人照管他们，牧养他们”，“失丧的，我必寻找；被逐的，我必领回；受伤的，我必缠裹；有病的，我必医治。”“我必与他们立平安的约。”“他们必不再作外邦人的掠物，……却要安然居住，无人惊吓。”（结34:23,16,25,28）[3]{DA 476.3}
§9
This figure the prophet Isaiah had applied to the Messiahs mission, in the comforting words, O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! . . . He shall feed His flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom. Isaiah 40:9-11. David had sung, The Lord is my shepherd; 4I shall not want. Psalm 23:1. And the Holy Spirit through Ezekiel had declared: I will set up one Shepherd over them, and He shall feed them. I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick. And I will make with them a covenant of peace. And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen; . . . but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid. Ezekiel 34:23, 16, 25, 28. {DA 476.3}[3]
§10
基督把这些预言用在自己身上，并显明自己与以色列领袖们在品德上的差别。法利赛人才从他圈里赶出一个人，因为他竟敢见证基督的权能。真牧者正吸引到自己身边的一个人，他们竟把他赶走了。在这件事上，他们显明自己对上帝交托他们的工作毫无认识，不配为羊群的牧人。现在耶稣要把一个好牧人和他们之间的显著区别，摆到他们眼前，并指明自己才是上主羊群真正的守护者。于是，在这样做之前,他先用另一个比喻来讲自己。[4]{DA 477.1}
§11
Christ applied these prophecies to Himself, and He showed the contrast between His own character and that of the leaders in Israel. The Pharisees had just driven one from the fold, because he dared to bear witness to the power of Christ. They had cut off a soul whom the True Shepherd was drawing to Himself. In this they had shown themselves ignorant of the work committed to them, and unworthy of their trust as shepherds of the flock. Jesus now set before them the contrast between them and the Good Shepherd, and He pointed to Himself as the real keeper of the Lords flock. Before doing this, however, He speaks of Himself under another figure. {DA 477.1}[4]
§12
他说：“人进羊圈，不从门进去，倒从别处爬进去，那人就是贼，就是强盗。从门进去的，才是羊的牧人。”法利赛人没有觉察这些话是针对他们讲的。当他们心里还在琢磨其寓意时，耶稣就明明告诉他们说：“我就是门，凡从我进来的，必然得救，并且出入得草吃。盗贼来,无非要偷窃、杀害、毁坏；我来了，是要叫羊得生命，并且得的更丰盛。”[5]{DA 477.2}
§13
He said, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. The Pharisees did not discern that these words were spoken against them. When they reasoned in their hearts as to the meaning, Jesus told them plainly, I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. {DA 477.2}[5]
§14
基督就是那进上帝羊圈的门。自古以来,上帝一切儿女们，都是从这门进去的。从旧约的各样表号和象征，从众先知的启示和耶稣本人所给门徒的教训，以及他在世人面前所行的神迹中，他们都已看出耶稣是“上帝的羔羊，除去世人罪孽的。”（约1:29）而且他们都是借着他，才得进入上帝恩典的羊圈。有很多人提出种种供世人信仰的对象，设计了种种仪式和制度，希望借此可以成义，并与上帝和好，得以进入他的羊圈。殊不知，唯一的门，乃是基督。凡想以其它方法来代替基督，或企图由其他门路进羊圈的，都是贼，都是强盗。[6]{DA 477.3}
§15
Christ is the door to the fold of God. Through this door all His children, from the earliest times, have found entrance. In Jesus, as shown in types, as shadowed in symbols, as manifested in the revelation of the prophets, as unveiled in the lessons given to His disciples, and in the miracles wrought for the sons of men, they have beheld the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29), and through Him they are brought within the fold of His grace. Many have come presenting other objects for the faith of the world; ceremonies and systems have been devised by which men hope to receive justification and peace with God, and thus find entrance to His fold. But the only door is Christ, and all who have interposed something to take the place 4of Christ, all who have tried to enter the fold in some other way, are thieves and robbers. {DA 477.3}[6]
§16
法利赛人不是从这个门进去的。他们是从基督之外的路爬进羊圈的，而且没有尽到真牧者的责任。祭司和官长，文士和法利赛人，践踏了青翠的牧场，污秽了生命活水的泉源。圣灵所默示的话，据实地剥露了那些假牧人的面目：“瘦弱的,你们没有养壮，有病的，你们没有医治，受伤的，你们没有缠裹，被逐的,你们没有领回，……但用强暴严严地辖制。”（结34:4）[7]{DA 478.1}
§17
The Pharisees had not entered by the door. They had climbed into the fold by another way than Christ, and they were not fulfilling the work of the true shepherd. The priests and rulers, the scribes and Pharisees, destroyed the living pastures, and defiled the wellsprings of the water of life. Faithfully do the words of inspiration describe those false shepherds: The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away; . . . but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. Ezekiel 34:4. {DA 478.1}[7]
§18
历代都有哲学家和教师们，倡导属世的学说，以满足心灵的需要。每个异教之国，都有他们的圣贤和宗教制度，提供一些在基督以外的救赎之法，使人们转脸不看天父的慈颜，对赐福他们的上帝充满恐惧的心。他们工作的趋向，无非是抢夺上帝借着创造和救赎而归于他自己的“羊”。这些假教师也一样掠夺了人类。亿万人被假的宗教所压制，被恐惧的迷信和麻木的良心束缚着，好像负重的牛马一样，终日辛劳，对今生毫无希望、快乐或志趣，对来世只有愚昧的恐惧。唯有上帝恩典的福音能救拔世人。人若默想上帝借他儿子所显明的爱，必能激励内心，奋发灵力，这是什么也不能比拟的。基督降世，是要在人身上恢复上帝的形象，所以，凡使人背弃基督的，就是使人离弃真实进步的根源，也就是在诈骗他们人生的希望、目标和荣耀。这等人就是贼，就是强盗。[8]{DA 478.2}
§19
In all ages, philosophers and teachers have been presenting to the world theories by which to satisfy the souls need. Every heathen nation has had its great teachers and religious systems offering some other means of redemption than Christ, turning the eyes of men away from the Fathers face, and filling their hearts with fear of Him who has given them only blessing. The trend of their work is to rob God of that which is His own, both by creation and by redemption. And these false teachers rob man as well. Millions of human beings are bound down under false religions, in the bondage of slavish fear, of stolid indifference, toiling like beasts of burden, bereft of hope or joy or aspiration here, and with only a dull fear of the hereafter. It is the gospel of the grace of God alone that can uplift the soul. The contemplation of the love of God manifested in His Son will stir the heart and arouse the powers of the soul as nothing else can. Christ came that He might re-create the image of God in man; and whoever turns men away from Christ is turning them away from the source of true development; he is defrauding them of the hope and purpose and glory of life. He is a thief and a robber. {DA 478.2}[8]
§20
“从门进去的，才是羊的牧人。”基督既是门,也是牧人。他从自己进去。由于他自己的牺牲，他才成了羊的牧人。“看门的就给他开门，羊也听他的声音，他按着名叫自己的羊，把羊领出来。既放出自己的羊来，就在前头走，羊也跟着他，因为认得他的声音。”[9]{DA 478.3}
§21
He that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. Christ is both the door and the shepherd. He enters in by Himself. It is through His own sacrifice that He becomes the shepherd of the sheep. To Him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear His voice: and He calleth His own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when He putteth forth His own sheep, He goeth before them, and the sheep follow Him: for they know His voice. {DA 478.3}[9]
§22
在一切动物中，羊是最胆小最懦弱的；所以在近东一带的人，都刻苦耐劳，夜以继日地看护羊群。在巴勒斯坦一带，古时像今日一样，城墙以外都不甚安全。从境外游牧民族出来的盗匪，或是藏在岩石穴中的野兽，都在伺机掠夺羊群。牧人虽知自己有生命的危险，却依然警醒看守、不敢疏忽。从前在哈兰草原看守拉班羊群的雅各，表白自己不倦的工作时说：“我白日受尽干热，黑夜受尽寒霜，不得合眼睡着。”（创31:40）大卫赤手空拳与狮子和熊搏斗,从它们口中夺回被叼去的羔羊，正是在看守他父亲羊群时的经历。[10]{DA 478.4}
§23
Of all creatures the sheep is one of the most timid and helpless, and in the East the shepherds care for his flock is untiring and incessant. 4Anciently as now there was little security outside of the walled towns. Marauders from the roving border tribes, or beasts of prey from their hiding places in the rocks, lay in wait to plunder the flocks. The shepherd watched his charge, knowing that it was at the peril of his own life. Jacob, who kept the flocks of Laban in the pasture grounds of Haran, describing his own unwearied labor, said, In the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes. Genesis 31:40. And it was while guarding his fathers sheep that the boy David, single-handed, encountered the lion and the bear, and rescued from their teeth the stolen lamb. {DA 478.4}[10]
§24
牧人引领羊群攀登多石的山丘，经过森林和荒芜的沟壑，到河边的草原，整夜在山上看守它们,保护它们脱离强盗的手，并慈祥地照料病弱的羊，他的生活就和羊群打成一片。一种亲切温柔的深情，把牧人和他所看守的羊联结在一起。不论羊群多大，牧人总是认识他的每一只羊。每只羊都有自己的名字，牧人一叫，它就应声而来。[11]{DA 479.1}
§25
As the shepherd leads his flock over the rocky hills, through forest and wild ravines, to grassy nooks by the riverside; as he watches them on the mountains through the lonely night, shielding from robbers, caring tenderly for the sickly and feeble, his life comes to be one with theirs. A strong and tender attachment unites him to the objects of his care. However large the flock, the shepherd knows every sheep. Every one has its name, and responds to the name at the shepherds call. {DA 479.1}[11]
§26
地上的牧人，怎样认识自己的羊，照样，神圣的好牧人，也认识他分布在全世界的羊群。“你们作我的羊，我草场上的羊,乃是以色列人,我也是你们的上帝，这是主耶和华说的。”耶稣说：“我曾提你的名召你，你是属我的。”“我将你铭刻在我掌上。”（结34:31；赛43:1；49:16）[12]{DA 479.2}
§27
As an earthly shepherd knows his sheep, so does the divine Shepherd know His flock that are scattered throughout the world. Ye My flock, the flock of My pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord God. Jesus says, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands. Ezekiel 34:31; Isaiah 43:1; 49:16. {DA 479.2}[12]
§28
耶稣认识我们每个人，并体恤我们的软弱。他知道我们各人的名字，认识我们所住的房屋，以及屋里每个成员的名字。他往往指示他的仆人到某城某街某家去,找他羊群里的羊。[13]{DA 479.3}
§29
Jesus knows us individually, and is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. He knows us all by name. He knows the very house in which we live, the name of each occupant. He has at times given directions to His servants to go to a certain street in a certain city, to such a house, to find one of His sheep. {DA 479.3}[13]
§30
每个人的情况耶稣都了如指掌，救主的死，好像只是为了那一个人似的。每个人的愁苦都触动着他的心。他们求助的呼声，无不蒙他垂听。他来，是要吸引众人归向自己。他吩咐他们“跟从我”，于是，他的灵就运行在他们心中，引导他们归向他。但有许多人不肯受他引导，耶稣知道他们是谁。他也知道哪些人欢喜听他的呼唤，乐意来受他的牧养。他说：“我的羊听我的声音，我也认识他们，他们也跟着我。”他对每个人照顾得都那样尽心专意，好像世上没有别人分享他的恩惠。[14]{DA 480.1}
§31
Every soul is as fully known to Jesus as if he were the only one for whom the Saviour died. The distress of every one touches His heart. The cry for aid reaches His ear. He came to draw all men unto Himself. He bids them, Follow Me, and His Spirit moves upon their hearts to draw them to come to Him. Many refuse to be drawn. Jesus knows who they are. He also knows who gladly hear His call, and are ready to come under His pastoral care. He says, My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. He cares for each one as if there were not another on the face of the earth. {DA 480.1}[14]
§32
“他按着名叫自己的羊，把羊领出来。……羊也跟着他，因为认得他的声音。”近东一带的牧人，从来不在羊群后面驱赶它们。也从不用暴力或恐吓的手段，只是走在前面，呼叫羊的名字。羊认得他的声音，听从他的呼唤。好牧人救主耶稣，也是这样对待他的羊。经上说：“你曾借摩西和亚伦的手，引导你的百姓,好像羊群一般。”耶稣借先知宣称:“我以永远的爱爱你，因此我以慈爱吸引你。”他从不强迫任何人跟从他。他说:“我用慈绳爱索牵引他们。”（诗77:20；耶31:3；何11:4）[15]{DA 480.2}
§33
He calleth His own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. . . . And the sheep follow Him: for they know His voice. The Eastern shepherd does not drive his sheep. He depends not upon force or fear; but going before, he calls them. They know his voice, and obey the call. So does the Saviour-Shepherd with His sheep. The Scripture says, Thou leddest Thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron. Through the prophet, Jesus declares, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee. He compels none to follow Him. I drew them, He says, with cords of a man, with bands of love. Psalm 77:20; Jeremiah 31:3; Hosea 11:4. {DA 480.2}[15]
§34
基督的门徒跟从他，不是因为惧怕刑罚，也不是因为希望永久的赏赐，而是看到了救主一生经历中所显明的无比大爱，——从伯利恒的马槽、到髑髅地的十字架，人一看见他，就被他吸引，心灵被他感化而驯服。人一看见他,爱就在心中苏醒。他们一听见他的声音，就跟从他。[16]{DA 480.3}
§35
It is not the fear of punishment, or the hope of everlasting reward, that leads the disciples of Christ to follow Him. They behold the Saviours matchless love, revealed throughout His pilgrimage on earth, from the manger of Bethlehem to Calvarys cross, and the sight of Him attracts, it softens and subdues the soul. Love awakens in the heart of the beholders. They hear His voice, and they follow Him. {DA 480.3}[16]
§36
牧人如何走在羊前面，自己首先去面对路上的危险，耶稣对他的子民,也是如此。“既放出自己的羊来,就在前头走。”通向天国的路，已由主神圣的脚开辟出来。这条路虽然崎岖险峻，满是泥泞，但耶稣已经行走过，他的脚已经踏平沿路伤人的荆棘，使我们更容易行走。我们所要肩负的一切重担，他都已经亲自负过。[17]{DA 480.4}
§37
As the shepherd goes before his sheep, himself first encountering the perils of the way, so does Jesus with His people. When He putteth forth His own sheep, He goeth before them. The way to heaven is consecrated by the Saviours footprints. The path may be steep and rugged, but Jesus has traveled that way; His feet have pressed down the cruel thorns, to make the pathway easier for us. Every burden that we are called to bear He Himself has borne. {DA 480.4}[17]
§38
耶稣现在虽然已经升到上帝面前，执掌宇宙的王权，但他却丝毫没有减少慈悲的心怀。今日，面对人类一切的患难，他依然敞开着他那温慈同情的心。今日，他伸出的，依然是那曾被钉穿的手，要将更丰盛的恩慈赐给他世上的子民。“他们永不灭亡，谁也不能从我手里把他们夺去。”凡将自己献给基督的人，在他眼里，就比整个世界更宝贵。就是只为救一人进入他的国,救主也甘愿忍受髑髅地的惨痛。他所替死的每个人，他决不丢弃。跟从他的人若不是自己要离开他，他总是紧紧地保守着他们。[18]{DA 480.5}
§39
Though now He has ascended to the presence of God, and shares the throne of the universe, Jesus has lost none of His compassionate nature. Today the same tender, sympathizing heart is open to all the woes of humanity. Today the hand that was pierced is reached forth to bless more abundantly His people that are in the world. And they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. 4The soul that has given himself to Christ is more precious in His sight than the whole world. The Saviour would have passed through the agony of Calvary that one might be saved in His kingdom. He will never abandon one for whom He has died. Unless His followers choose to leave Him, He will hold them fast. {DA 480.5}[18]
§40
在一切考验中，我们有一位永不失败的帮助者。他并不让我们单独在试探中挣扎，独自与邪恶搏斗，而被重担和忧伤所压倒。我们肉眼虽不能看见他，但信心的耳朵，仍能听见他的声音说：“你不要害怕，因为我与你同在。”“我是首先的，我是末后的，又是那存活的。我曾死过，现在又活了，直活到永永远远。”（赛41:10；启1:17-18）你们的忧伤我已忍受，你们的挣扎我已经历，你们的试探我已遭遇。我知道你们所流的眼泪，因为我也曾哭过。你们心中难以告人的隐痛,我都知道。你们不要以为自己是孤苦伶仃，被人撇弃的，你们的痛苦虽不能得到世人的同情，但你若仰望我，就必存活。“大山可以挪开，小山可以迁移，但我的慈爱必不离开你，我平安的约也不迁移。这是怜恤你的耶和华说的。”（赛54:10）[19]{DA 483.1}
§41
Through all our trials we have a never-failing Helper. He does not leave us alone to struggle with temptation, to battle with evil, and be finally crushed with burdens and sorrow. Though now He is hidden from mortal sight, the ear of faith can hear His voice saying, Fear not; I am with you. I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore. Revelation 1:18. I have endured your sorrows, experienced your struggles, encountered your temptations. I know your tears; I also have wept. The griefs that lie too deep to be breathed into any human ear, I know. Think not that you are desolate and forsaken. Though your pain touch no responsive chord in any heart on earth, look unto Me, and live. The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee. Isaiah 54:10. {DA 483.1}[19]
§42
牧人无论多么爱他的羊，总不如爱自己的儿女那么深。耶稣不仅是我们的牧人,也是我们“永在的父”。他说,“我认识我的羊,我的羊也认识我。正如父认识我,我也认识父一样。”这是何等奇妙的一句话啊！那在父怀里的独生子，上帝称他为“我的同伴”（亚13:7）。而今他竟用自己和永生上帝之间的交通，来说明自己和地上儿女之间的交通！[20]{DA 483.2}
§43
However much a shepherd may love his sheep, he loves his sons and daughters more. Jesus is not only our shepherd; He is our everlasting Father. And He says, I know Mine own, and Mine own know Me, even as the Father knoweth Me, and I know the Father. John 10:14, 15, R. V. What a statement is this!--the only-begotten Son, He who is in the bosom of the Father, He whom God has declared to be the Man that is My fellow (Zechariah 13:7),--the communion between Him and the eternal God is taken to represent the communion between Christ and His children on the earth! {DA 483.2}[20]
§44
耶稣爱我们，因为我们是天父赐给他的，又是他工作的报偿。他以爱子女的心情爱我们。亲爱的读者，他也爱你。上天所能赐的，再没有比这更大更好的。所以你务要信靠他。[21]{DA 483.3}
§45
Because we are the gift of His Father, and the reward of His work, Jesus loves us. He loves us as His children. Reader, He loves you. Heaven itself can bestow nothing greater, nothing better. Therefore trust. {DA 483.3}[21]
§46
耶稣又想到世上一切被假牧人所迷惑的人，渴望聚集那些还分散在狼群之中的民，作他草场上的羊。所以又说：“我另外有羊，不是这圈里的；我必须领它们来，它们也要听我的声音，并且要合成一群，归一个牧人了。”（约10:16）[22]{DA 483.4}
§47
Jesus thought upon the souls all over the earth who were misled by false shepherds. Those whom He longed to gather as the sheep of His pasture were scattered among wolves, and He said, Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and they shall become one flock, one shepherd. John 10:16, R. V. {DA 483.4}[22]
§48
“我父爱我，因我将命舍去，好再取回来。”这就是说，我父深爱你们，而我因舍命来赎你们，他就更加爱我了。我因舍身作你们的替身和中保，承当你们的罪债和过犯，就更蒙我父的爱了。[23]{DA 483.5}
§49
Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again. That is, My Father has so loved you, that 4He even loves Me more for giving My life to redeem you. In becoming your substitute and surety, by surrendering My life, by taking your liabilities, your transgressions, I am endeared to My Father. {DA 483.5}[23]
§50
“我将命舍去，好再取回来。没有人夺我的命去，是我自己舍的。我有权柄舍了，也有权柄取回来。”作为人类的一分子而言，他是必死的人；作为上帝而言,他是世人生命的泉源。他本来可以抗拒死亡的侵袭，不受死亡权势的支配，但他自愿将命舍去，为要“将不能坏的生命彰显出来。”（提后1:10）他担当了世人的罪，忍受了罪的咒诅，舍弃了自己的生命作为牺牲，叫世人不至永远死亡。“他诚然担当我们的忧患，背负我们的痛苦；……哪知他为我们的过犯受害,为我们的罪孽压伤。因他受的刑罚，我们得平安；因他受的鞭伤，我们得医治。我们都如羊走迷，各人偏行己路，耶和华使我们众人的罪孽都归在他身上。”（赛53:4-6）[24]{DA 484.1}
§51
I lay down My life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. While as a member of the human family He was mortal, as God He was the fountain of life for the world. He could have withstood the advances of death, and refused to come under its dominion; but voluntarily He laid down His life, that He might bring life and immortality to light. He bore the sin of the world, endured its curse, yielded up His life as a sacrifice, that men might not eternally die. Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows. . . . He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:4-6. {DA 484.1}[24]