[오늘의 한문장] 리빙라이프 Living Life 2026.3 (영문판)

Jesus delivers one of His most direct and sorrowful confrontations of the religious leaders. His "woes" are not merely condemnations; they are a lament from a heart that grieves over leaders who have misled God’s people. They do not enter the kingdom of God and bar sincere seekers from entering by their false teaching and corrupt example. They make great efforts to attract even one follower, but they lead them to themselves rather than to God. Their disciples become even more hardened and hypocritical than they are. Though outwardly religious, the Pharisees are spiritually dead. True spiritual authority is lost the moment one rejects Jesus. - P88

Authentic Christian leadership always points people to Christ and flows from inner transformation, not external legalism. - P88

Gracious Lord Jesus, guard my heart from hypocrisy and self-centeredness. Help me lead and serve in ways that direct others toward You, not myself. Let my life and words reflect Your truth and character, bringing clarity, not confusion, to those who seek You. In Your name, amen. - P89

[오늘의 한문장] 리빙라이프 Living Life 2026.3 (영문판)

11The greatest among you will be your servant.

12For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

- P83

28Now then, at the resurrecti...

28Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?"

29Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.

30At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.

31But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you,

32‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living."

33When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching.

- P73

The Sadducees confront Jesus with a hypothetical story meant to discredit the resurrection—an idea they firmly reject. They appeal to the Mosaic law of levirate marriage, which ensures widows are cared for by a deceased husband’s brother. Instead of valuing the law’s compassionate intent, they use it to mock the notion of resurrection. Their question is not sincere; it is designed to trap Jesus and justify their unbelief. - P74

Like them, we can sometimes approach God with questions shaped more by doubt, resistance, or hidden motives than by a genuine desire for truth. However, we show our trust and respect for God when we seek wisdom and understanding from Him with sincere and open hearts. - P74

Jesus exposes the real issue behind the Sadducees‘ challenge: their ignoranceof Scripture and of God‘s power. Their worldview is limited to what ishumanly possible, leaving no room for divine action beyond the materialrealm. Many still approach faith this way, believing only what fits withintheir own human logic. Jesus corrects the Sadducees by asserting that Godis the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; their physical death did not endGod‘s relationship with them.  - P74

The resurrection is not simply possible; it isguaranteed by the power of the living God. When we are unsure about themysteries of God, we are reminded to trust His Word, believe in His power,
and humbly bring our questions to Him. - P74

Dear God, You know the questions that trouble my heart. I desire to seek Your wisdom with humility and sincerity. Remove any pride or resistance that keeps me from embracing Your truth. Lead me into deeper faith as I learn to trust Your Word. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. - P75

The kingdom of heaven is comp...

The kingdom of heaven is compared to a king who prepares a weddingbanquet for his son. The king sends his servants to those who have beeninvited, but they refuse to come. Likewise, God has extended an invitationof fellowship, but some have not valued Him or His kingdom. Instead,
they go off to pursue their own interests. Some even mistreat and killHis servants.  - P66

Today, many have received God‘s invitation to enter intofellowship with Him. However, those who neglect God‘s work, live selfishly,
and even persecute His servants will not only miss the celebration but alsoface judgment for their actions. Let us pray that more might recognize thevalue of God‘s kingdom and accept His invitation. - P66

Since those who were invited refuse to come to the banquet, the invitationis now extended to others. What is striking is that the king invites anyonefrom the streets-both the good and the bad. Now everyone can beincluded in the wedding celebration, but not everyone partakes in itsblessings. When the king sees a man who is not properly dressed in weddingclothes, he banishes him from the feast.  - P66

Even though all are invited intoGod‘s kingdom, only those who respond rightly to the call and align withHis will are able to enjoy its blessings. We are reminded not only of theimportance of responding to the call to follow Christ but to also value Himand reflect His character. - P66

15Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words.

16sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are.

17Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?"

18But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?

- P68

20and he asked them, "Whose image is this? And whose inscription?"

21"Caesar’s," they replied. Then he said to them, "So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s."

- P69

Jesus is confronted by an unlikely alliance of Pharisees and Herodians. The two groups disagree on many issues, but they unite in trying to trap Jesus with a politically charged question about the necessity of paying taxes to the Roman empire. A "yes" would offend Jews who resent Roman rule, and a "no" could be used to accuse Jesus of rebelling against the government. It seems that there is no way to avoid getting into trouble. However, Jesus responds with remarkable wisdom, exposing the motives behind the Pharisees’ question. - P70

Today, many approach Jesus with skepticism rather than faith. However, believers who align themselves with the Holy Spirit and His infinite wisdom can navigate challenging conversations, revealing the truth to those who do not yet believe in Him. - P70

Taking a denarius, Jesus asks about the image and inscription that areimprinted on it. The group acknowledges that the coin bears the Romanemperor‘s image and inscription. Jesus wisely addresses the obligation topay the tax by saying that the people should give back to the emperor whatis already marked as his. However, Jesus also says that the people shouldgive to God what is God‘s.  - P70

Since all of creation is under God‘s authority,
the people should offer all devotion and worship to Him. In this passage,
we are reminded of our dual citizenship: We are to participate responsiblyas citizens of our earthly nations, but our identity and ultimate loyalty areto God and His kingdom. - P70

As Christians who live outthe ways of Jesus, giving back to God is something we should do daily inthe grace that He has given us.
- P71

The Pharisees‘ hearts were hardened, and they failed to see the truth becausethey were so caught up in their own pride and self-centered beliefs aboutGod. They were not able to see the truth in the Scriptures they knewso well. If they had been walking in the ways of God, they would havehumbled themselves before Him and not been consumed with trying totrap Jesus with political questions. - P71

We are blessed because we not only haveaccess to all the Scriptures that the Pharisees had, but because we haveChrist. In Him, we have the grace of living in the new covenant with theopportunity to recognize God for who He truly is and to worship Him forall He has done. - P71

Lord Jesus, You see beyond every motive and reveal the truth. Teach me to walk with integrity on earth while reserving my deepest loyalty to You alone. Strengthen my faith so I may follow You wholeheartedly in every circumstance. In Your name I pray, amen. - P71

[오늘의 한문장] 리빙라이프 Living Life 2026.3 (영문판)

Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come.

9So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’

10So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

11"But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes.

12He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless.

13"Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

14"For many are invited, but few are chosen."

- P65