那叫若翰的先知

撰文/王安當

傳說若翰洗者是愛色尼派的成員之一。愛色尼派（希伯來語：אִסִּיִים‎，Isiyim，希臘語：Εσσήνοι，Εσσαίοι，或Οσσαίοι， Essḗnoi，Essaíoi，Ossaíoi），也是猶太教派，活躍在公元前2世紀到公元1世紀的第二聖殿時期。愛色尼人分布在各大城市，過著集體生活，推崇禁欲主義(有的甚至單身)、安貧樂道、每日清潔。在當時，很多相關教派共享相似的神秘主義、末世來世、默西亞觀、和禁慾的苦修。

關於愛色尼派的認識，特別透過死海古卷（Dead Sea Scrolls）最為清楚。該古卷於1947年的死海附近的古木蘭（Qumran) 出土，故名為死海古卷。古卷主要是羊皮紙，部份是莎草紙。抄寫的文字以希伯來文為主，當中也有少數由希臘文、亞蘭文、納巴泰文和拉丁文書寫。我們是透過死海古卷的文字記錄，略了解愛色尼派的世界觀還有他們的末世觀。

當然，這些的資料也幫助了我們認識了當時後宗教人士對信仰的具體生活表現。就如以上所說的，他們以今日的話語來說，就是過著苦修的靈修生活。不過，從其他學者的資料也透露，若翰洗者極可能自幼就被這派系的生活所吸引，並加入了他們的團體。

若翰洗者在這團體裡學習生活，特別研讀了舊約中的經文，特別對依撒意亞先知的苦修生活深受影響。這也導致若翰後來離開了谷木蘭的愛色尼團體，隻身前往曠野裡去獨修，成為了『曠野的呼聲』。我們從福音裡獲知，若翰的生活是苦修式，吃的是蝗蟲和野蜜。

因著依撒意亞先知的正義模範的影響，若翰擁有堅強的正義精神，他的末世觀促使他更有使命感成為『耶穌的先鋒』，為耶穌預備了傳教的道路。儘管當時後有人認為若翰是默西亞，但若翰知道自己不是默西亞，因為他很清楚表達了耶穌就是『看，天主的羔羊，除免世罪者！這位就是我論及他，曾說過：有一個人在我以後來，成了在我以前的，因他原先我而有。連我也不曾認識他，但為使他顯示於以色列，為此，我來以水施洗』（若1：29-31），就連他自己都不給耶穌解鞋帶子。（若1：27）

耶穌對若翰洗者也很是欣賞。若翰的使命是作耶穌的先驅，他在耶穌出道前已離開荒野，走遍約但河一帶地方，宣講悔改的洗禮，為得罪之赦。(參考路 3:2-3) 若翰比耶穌更早向群眾說這句話：『你們悔改吧！因為天國臨近了。』(參考瑪 3:32 及 4:17) 耶穌的一個門徒請求耶穌教給他們祈禱，『如同若翰教給了他的門徒一樣』(路 11:1)，可見於眾人心中若翰的師長地位不亞於耶穌。然而，若翰是謙遜的。他向群眾承認自己不是默西亞，而是在曠野裏呼喊者的聲音，負責修直上主的道路。

『在婦女所生者中，沒有興起一位比洗者若翰更大的；但在天國里最小的，也比他大。』(瑪11:11)這是耶穌對洗者若翰的肯定。那是因為若翰清楚知道他是天主的僕人而已，並且他以實際的生活來見證了所宣講的信仰就是真理。然而，耶穌就是若翰眼前的真理，生命和道路。

我們從洗者若翰的生活裡認識了他對信仰的執著，特別是他的生活模式都在強調了『全歸於天主』的神修精神。超越世俗的權貴和地位，以簡樸的生活為接近天主的途徑，清心寡欲的生活來歡悅於天主。

更叫我們明白的是，若翰雖然在愛色尼的團體裡學習古經等等，但他也學習把古經的精神實踐在日常的生活裡。我們有很多基督徒都喜歡研究聖經，喜歡讀聖經，和喜歡講聖經，不過卻不願意站在前線服務聖言和服務大眾；無形中我們都成了地上最大的，但在天國里卻成為了最小的了。耶穌總是提醒我們去為大眾服務，而不是成為被大眾服務的對象。基督徒不能夠只滿足於小小的個人在信仰上的喜歡，但是要如同若翰那樣勇敢突破自己，走出去宣講天國，成為天國的鋪路人。

The Prophet John

Written by Fr Anthony Heng,CDD.

Tradition holds that John the Baptist was a member of the Essenes. The Essenes (Hebrew: אִסִּיִים‎, Isiyim; Greek: Εσσήνοι, Essaíoi, or Οσσαίοι, Essḗnoi, Essaíoi, Ossaíoi), a Jewish sect, were active during the Second Temple period, from the 2nd century BCE to the 1st century CE. These communities, spread across various cities, practiced a communal lifestyle characterized by asceticism (some even chose celibacy), contentment with poverty, and daily purification rituals. Many contemporary sects shared similar beliefs in mysticism, the afterlife, messianism, and ascetic practices.

Our understanding of the Essenes is significantly enriched by the Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered near Qumran in 1947. Composed primarily of parchment and papyrus, these scrolls were written mainly in Hebrew, with a smaller portion in Greek, Aramaic, Nabatean, and Latin. Through these texts, we gain insights into the Essenes' worldview and their eschatological beliefs.

This historical context helps us understand the religious practices of the time. In today's terms, the Essenes lived ascetic lives of spiritual devotion. Evidence suggests that John the Baptist was likely drawn to this lifestyle from a young age and joined their community.

Within this community, John studied the Old Testament, particularly finding inspiration in the ascetic life of the prophet Isaiah. Eventually, he left the Essene community at Qumran and retreated to the wilderness for solitary devotion, becoming known as "the voice in the wilderness." As the Gospels reveal, his lifestyle was austere, subsisting on locusts and wild honey.

Influenced by Isaiah's righteous example, John developed a strong sense of justice. His eschatological beliefs motivated him to become the "forerunner of Jesus," preparing the way for Jesus' ministry. Despite some who considered him the Messiah, John clearly stated that Jesus was the true Messiah. He famously declared, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.' I myself did not know him; but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel" (John 1:29-31).

Jesus held John the Baptist in high regard. John's mission was to prepare the way for Jesus, and he traveled throughout the Jordan River region, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. John proclaimed, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 3:2). Jesus' disciples even asked him to teach them to pray "as John taught his disciples" (Luke 11:1). Yet, John remained humble, acknowledging that he was merely a voice crying in the wilderness.

Jesus affirmed John's significance, saying, "Among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he" (Matthew 11:11). This is because John understood his role as God's servant and lived accordingly.

Through the life of John the Baptist, we see a deep commitment to faith, particularly his emphasis on a life wholly devoted to God. He transcended worldly power and status, embracing a simple life as a means of drawing closer to God.

While John learned from the Essenes, he also applied these teachings to his everyday life. Many Christians study the Bible and discuss it, but few are willing to serve the Word and the community. John's example challenges us to step out of our comfort zones and actively proclaim the kingdom of God, becoming pioneers in the spiritual realm.