天國的話 The Word of the Kingdom

天國的話（瑪13:18-23）

聖經學者告訴我們，耶穌所說的比喻，尤其是那些短句，有時只是借用當代人熟悉的『常言道』。例如：「人點燈，並不是放在斗底下…」（瑪5:15）；「舊皮囊裝新酒」（9:17）等等，都是百姓耳熟能詳，大眾公認的道理。但其他比喻的藝術成份更高，聽來更深入民心，例如『撒種比喻』（13:3-8），『亡羊比喻』（19:12-14）等等。它們不但藝術成份高，內容更有意外的驚喜，吸引了聽眾的注意力，令他們念念不忘。

例如『撒種比喻』中的種子實在太神奇了！從羅馬帝國的官方紀錄可知，種植小麥的回報率大約是1:6到1:10之間。所以耶穌所說的『一百倍結實』，以當代的耕種技術水平而言，是沒有可能的神跡。如果有這樣的『超級種子』，請給我一顆，好讓我也去耕種！一顆能生百顆，百顆能生萬顆…發達喇！即使是30倍也蠻不錯：一生三十，三十生九百，九百生八十一萬…倘若世上真的有這樣的種子，人類便不愁饑荒，就不須要為爭奪罕有的資源而發動戰爭了。世界和平，指日可待！朋友，供過於求的事物，當然沒有人會爭奪。但世上還有其他罕有的資源或情報，足以發動那怕是地區性的戰爭！全球已經一體化，地區性戰爭足以影響全世界！不要太天真了！

『了解』一詞在耶穌解釋這個比喻時，一共運用了兩次。第一次是指一般的了解明白。那就是說，當世人不了解、不願意接受福音的時候，就有如撒殫拿走我們所聽到，與主與人修好的福音一樣（13:19）。但第二次使用『了解』一詞時，肯定不是頭腦上的了解明白那麼簡單，必定包括了行為上的實踐和服從。試問只有撒種，而沒有隨後在日曬雨淋的境況下耕種、除草、施肥及收割，何來百倍、六十倍、三十倍的結實呢？況且，耶穌曾說：「凡聽了我這些話而實行的，就好像一個聰明人…」（7:24）。可見『知』必須與『行』合一，否則就白費了一生的歲月，空悲切！

各位親愛的兄弟姊妹，有沒有人告訴過你『天國的話』呢？你了解嗎？你實行了嗎？你宣講過嗎？
天主保祐！

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生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：gemini.google.com

The Word of the Kingdom (Matthew 13:18-23)

Biblical scholars tell us that many parables of Jesus’, especially those short ones, are contemporary aphorisms. For example, “Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket …” (Matthew 5:15); “People do not put new wine into old wineskins” (9:17) etc. Those were common wisdom among Jesus’ contemporary. However, the artistic elements of other parables are higher, making them more receptive to the audience. For example, the “Parable of the Sower” (13:3-8) and the parable of the “Lost sheep” (19:12-14) etc. Not only are they highly artistic, but they also contain surprises to attract the attention of the audience and leave behind deep impressions.

For example, the seeds in the “Parable of Sower” are truly miraculous! From the Roman official tax records, we know that the yield of wheat was roughly between 1:6 and 1:10. Thus, with the agricultural technology of that age, a hundredfold yield was next to impossible. If there were such “miraculous seeds”, gave me one so that I would become a farmer too! One grain yielded 100; 100 yielded ten thousand … Bingo! Even a thirtyfold were not bad: One grain yielded 30; 30 yielded 900; 900 yielded eight hundred and ten thousand … Had the world such miraculous seeds, mankind would not have had to worry about famines. Countries would not have started wars to fight for scarce resources. World peace were in sight! Friends, of course people do not fight for oversupplied goods. But there are still scarce resources and information which suffice to start regional warfare! Globalization amplifies even regional conflicts to shake the whole world! Don’t be naïve!

When Jesus explains this parable, He uses the term “understand” twice. The first use is ordinary understanding. That is to say, when we do not understand and are not willing to accept the gospel, it is like Satan taking away what we hear, the good news of reconciliation with the Lord and our neighbour (13:19). The second use is definitely not simply cerebral understanding but also includes practising and obeying. How can sowing seeds without the subsequent sweaty labour under the sun of weed-removal, of fertilizing and of harvesting … etc., yield hundredfold, sixtyfold and thirtyfold of wheat? After all, Jesus says, “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man …” (7:24). Thus, understanding must go hand-in-hand with practising. Otherwise, all things are vanity!

Beloved brethren! Has anybody told you “the word of the Kingdom”? Do you understand? Do you practise? Have you proclaimed?
God bless!