三月十七日[mp3_embed playlst=”/downloading/audio/evening/03/0317.mp3″]
经文: 使人和睦的人有福了，因为他们必称为上帝的儿子。（马太福音五：9）
这是耶稣登山宝训论八福中的第七种福。在希伯来习俗中七是代表完全的数字。救主耶稣将“使人和睦的人”列在第七，可能因为这样的人已经十分接近在基督耶稣里的完全人。这节经文的前一节是“清心的人有福了，因为他们必得见上帝。”（太五：8）。我们必须明白，我们“先是清洁，后是和平”（雅三：17）。和睦的本质是绝不容忍罪或邪恶。对于那些敌挡上帝和祂圣洁的每样事物，我们必须反对。然后，带着我们灵里已有的清洁，才能进而寻求和睦。但是在此世界中，无论我们在和睦的事上可以作到如何程度，仍会被人误会。这一点不应令我们惊讶，因为甚至和平的君也在这世界掀起轩然大波。虽然祂爱人类而且没有过犯，但是“祂被藐视、被人厌弃；多受痛苦、常经忧患。”（赛五十三：3）。因此，存心和睦的人会遇到仇敌是毋需惊讶的。下一节的经文再加上：“为义受逼迫的人有福了，因为天国是他们的。”（太五：10）。使人和睦的人不仅是有福了，更是被各样福气环绕着。主啊！求祢恩待，让我们能攀登上这第七样的福气。洁净我们的心思意念使我们先有清洁的心，继后与人和睦。刚强我们的心，好让在我们为你的缘故受到迫害时，不至于胆怯绝望。
Evening, March 17
Scripture: “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”(Matthew 5:9)
This is the seventh of the beatitudes: and seven was the number of perfection among the Hebrews. It may be that the Saviour placed the peacemaker the seventh upon the list because he most nearly approaches the perfect man in Christ Jesus. He who would have perfect blessedness, so far as it can be enjoyed on earth, must attain to this seventh benediction, and become a peacemaker. There is a significance also in the position of the text. The verse which precedes it speaks of the blessedness of “the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” It is well to understand that we are to be “first pure, then peaceable.” Our peaceableness is never to be a compact with sin, or toleration of evil. We must set our faces like flints against everything which is contrary to God and his holiness: purity being in our souls a settled matter, we can go on to peaceableness. Not less does the verse that follows seem to have been put there on purpose. However peaceable we may be in this world, yet we shall be misrepresented and misunderstood: and no marvel, for even the Prince of Peace, by his very peacefulness, brought fire upon the earth. He himself, though he loved mankind, and did no ill, was “despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” Lest, therefore, the peaceable in heart should be surprised when they meet with enemies, it is added in the following verse, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Thus, the peacemakers are not only pronounced to be blessed, but they are compassed about with blessings. Lord, give us grace to climb to this seventh beatitude! Purify our minds that we may be “first pure, then peaceable,” and fortify our souls, that our peaceableness may not lead us into cowardice and despair, when for thy sake we are persecuted.