[오늘의 한문장] 리빙라이프 Living Life 2026.3 (영문판)

22"You don’t know what you are asking," Jesus said to them. "Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?" "We can," they answered.

23Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father."

- P37

24When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers.

25Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.

26Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,

27and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—

28just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

- P39

When Jesus announced His death and resurrection in Matthew 16 and 17, the disciples were understandably distressed. As they draw nearer to Jerusalem, Jesus repeats that He will be condemned to death at the hand of Jewish leaders and adds that the Romans will mock, flog, and crucify Him. Jesus is not trying to discourage His disciples; He is preparing them for the difficulties that lie ahead and reassuring them that He will be raised to life.
- P40

We will at times suffer for the gospel, but we do not have to dwell on the hardships we face. We can remember that they are temporary and that, no matter what, we are assured the glorious victory of eternal life with Jesus. - P40

James and John approach Jesus with their mother to ask Him for theprivileged seats immediately next to Him in His kingdom. They thinkthat Jesus will be a warrior king like King David and take over the Romanempire. However, Jesus tells them that they do not understand theimplications of their request, and the seats they ask for are already reservedby God for those He has chosen.  - P40

When the other disciples find out whatthey had asked, they become angry with James and John. Jesus takes thisopportunity to teach them that the ambition for greatness is not a principleof His kingdom. He Himself came to serve and give His life forare reminded once again that true greatness in the kingdom of heaven isselfless service for God‘s people. - P40

15Don’t I have the right to d...

15Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’

16"So the last will be first, and the first will be last."
- P35

8"When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’

9"The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius.

10So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius.

11When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner.

12‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.

13"But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius?

14Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you.
- P35

Jesus uses the parable of a landowner and his vineyard to explain principles and values of the kingdom of heaven. In the parable, a landowner hires workers at different times of the day, but when he gives their wages, he starts with the last ones hired and gives them the same amount he agreed to give the first ones. Those who were hired earlier compare themselves with the others and grumble. - P36

Comparison often tempts us to become proud or to complain against God. However, we must remember that God uses wisdom in both His calling and what He gives those He calls. Rather than compare ourselves with others, we should rejoice in the work we can do for God’s kingdom and in the fact that none of it is in vain. - P36

The first workers accuse the landowner of being unfair. The landownerreminds them that he them thegaveand that hewages they agreed upon,
has the right to be generous with his own money. Sometimes, what theworld perceives as unfair is not how God views the situation. We must notconfuse God‘s generosity with injustice or unfairness. He does not rewardsolely based on skills or length of time in His service.  - P36

God often elevatesthose who are seen as least important in the eyes of the world. Whateverour skills or abilities, may we not be concerned with the worldly concernsof rank or status. Instead, let us consider what is important to God. - P36

Dear God, thank You for the privilege of serving You and Your people. When I am tempted to compare myself with others, help me to see from Your kingdom’s perspective rather than from the values of this world. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. - P37

25When the disciples heard th...

25When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?"

26Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
- P30

27Peter answered him, "We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?"

28Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

- P31

29And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.

30But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

- P31

Jesus says that it is harder for a rich person to enter heaven than it is for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle. With such a comparison, it seems impossible for a rich man to enter heaven. The rich young man thinks he might be able to earn his way into God’s kingdom just as he has earned his wealth, but only God can draw us into His kingdom. - P32

Wealth may seem like a blessing, but money and possessions easily become distractions that draw our focus away from God. People cannot earn their way into heaven, and success in the world does not necessarily mean special favor with God. - P32

We must remember that Jesus alone is the reason why our salvation is possible, and we are to praise God for every blessing. - P32

After Jesus‘ challenging words to the rich young man, Peter insists thatthe disciples have already given up everything, so he wonders what benefitthere will be for them. Jesus assures that the disciples who have been faithfulwill have places of honor and responsibility, and those who have sacrificedmuch will receive a hundred times more for their sacrifice. Despite howchallenging it may be to follow Jesus, the end far outweighs the difficultiesthis life may bring.  - P32

However, Jesus also reminds the disciples that the firstwill be last and the last will be first. They should not be focused on whatbenefits they will receive but remain humble as they follow Jesus andfaithfully serve Him and His people. - P32

Jesus continues to draw large...

Jesus continues to draw large crowds as He teaches and healsin Judea. Some Pharisees come and try to test Him with a question aboutmany peoplemarriage. When Jesus answers that God‘s intended plan for marriage wasthat the husband and wife should be as one flesh, they point out thatMoses allowed for divorce. However, Jesus explains that Moses‘s teachingwas an accommodation due to the hardened hearts of God‘s people,
not a reflection of how God intended marriage to be. When we want tounderstand God‘s design for us, we should seek to understand His heart.
- P24

God‘s intention at the beginning was for marriage to reflect His love andcommitment. Regardless of our relationship status, let us pray that, withthe help of His Spirit, the marriages in our churches may reflect God‘s loveand commitment as He intended. - P24

16Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"

17"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments."

- P26

20"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?"

21Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

22When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

- P27

When people bring their children to receive prayers of blessing from Jesus, the disciples try to stop them. They think children are a distraction from the important work Jesus has to do. However, Jesus not only welcomes them, but also says that children are the ones to whom the kingdom of heaven belongs. - P28

God wants us to approach Him like children, humbly and without pretense—unconcerned with the power or status that might be important in worldly kingdoms. - P28

Children who have a good relationship with their father expect and trust that he loves them and will provide for their needs. Likewise, we are to remember that we are sons and daughters who can freely approach our heavenly Father in prayer with any request at any time.
- P28

A wealthy young man has faithfully kept God‘s laws, but when he askswhat he must do to get eternal life and what is still lacking in his life, Jesustells the man to sell all of his possessions. Jesus knows that the man‘s truedevotion is to himself, to enjoy all of his possessions and the reputationhe has acquired. Friends and neighbors may envy this man, but Jesus seesthe whole picture: Wealth and possessions have become an idol that keepsthe man from giving his whole life to God.  - P28

If we want to grow in Christ,
everything else must be secondary. Our heart‘s devotion should be orientedtoward God, for we were created for His glory. - P28

Heavenly Father, I come to You today in simple faith, like a child. Forgive me for pursuing selfish pleasures when lasting satisfaction can only come from You. I give You my whole life. Use it for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P29

Before his death, Jim Elliot, one of the five martyrs, wroat he cannotlose."in his journal,
"He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannotmissionaries learned what the rich young man who met Jesusdid not. They learned that Jesus is worth more than anything else in life.
No amount of riches or success can measure up to the value of sharing thelove of Jesus with others. In heaven, for many people, the tables will turn:Those who reached the pinnacle of success may find that they have wastedtheir lives pursuing temporary things, while those who set their sights oneternity by devoutly serving God and others will find joy and rest in thepresence of their Savior. - P28

[오늘의 한문장] 리빙라이프 Living Life 2026.3 (영문판)

Jesus leaves Galilee and goes into Judea. Large crowds follow, and He healsthem. Some Pharisees ask if a man may divorce his wife for any reason. Jesusanswers by pointing to God‘s design for marriage in creation. When the disciples comment that it is better to remain unmarried, Jesus teaches about differentcircumstances that may lead to celibacy. - P23