Home昔日真理報2014年 真理報文章2014 年 7 月【小基督大世界】「迷失的羊」與「羊的迷思」

【小基督大世界】「迷失的羊」與「羊的迷思」

 

Sheep主耶穌在世時,留下了許多寶貴的教訓,其中很多的教導是用生動的比喻來呈現。不久前,當我讀到新約聖經裡有關一隻走失的羊的比喻時,我的思緒忽然停頓,陷入深深的反思裏。


主耶穌的失羊比喻是這樣說的:「一個人若有一百隻羊,一隻走迷了路,你們的意思如何?他豈不撇下這九十九隻,往山裏去找那隻迷路的羊嗎?若是找著了,我實在告訴你們:他為這一隻羊歡喜,比為那沒有迷路的九十九隻歡喜還大呢!你們在天上的父也是這樣,不願意這小子裏失喪一個」。(馬太福音十八章:12-14節)


這雖然是「九十九隻羊」的比喻,但其實真正的主角是那一隻走迷的羊。主耶穌就是那位愛羊的牧人,我們就是祂的羊。在祂眼中,每一隻羊都很重要。祂不願失去一百隻羊中的任何一隻,因為每一隻羊對牧人來說,都是一樣的珍貴。以前讀到這個比喻時,常深深地被牧羊人對走失的羊的愛所感動,但是這次再讀這比喻時,卻又多了一層新的領受!


這次,我除了對那隻最後被找到的羊感到慶幸與歡喜外,又多了對被牧羊人「暫時」撇下的九十九隻羊的處境感到興趣。當牧羊人撇下九十九羊,全心全意地去尋找那隻失散的羊時,被暫時擱置在一旁的那九十九隻羊,他們心中是做何感想的呢?是在牧羊人回來前彼此扶持、守望,引領企盼牧羊人早早帶回走失的羊,然後領他們一起進入水草更肥沃的美地?還是為自己被牧羊人「無情地」撇下,而覺得不被重視或不受關愛,而心懷不平?還是難過到乾脆效法那隻「迷失的羊」,讓自己在牧羊人回來前失蹤,好讓牧人回來後,再次撇下其它「不重要」的羊,來找自己呢?若是這樣,那牧羊人就永遠只是疲於奔命地去尋找「離家出走」的羊,已經沒有餘力領羊前進,去吃有營養,肥美的草了。而那些輪流出狀況的羊,也因為在原地停滯不前,眼看四周的草即將被吃盡,只好你爭我奪,最後個個不僅成為瘦弱的羊,身上還多了許多互相攻擊後留下的流膿的傷疤!想到這裡,我聯想到現今許多教會的景況。


有很多的人當初之所以會認識神,是先被弟兄姊妹的愛所吸引,所以踏進了教會。然後在眾多弟兄姊妹的陪伴下,漸漸認識神,且在聖靈的帶領下打開心,決志、信主,然後受洗加入教會,成為神家裡的一份子。但是隨著信主的時日增長,有些人「漸漸地」覺得自己已經不像剛來教會時那麼「受歡迎」了!當初對他殷勤招呼的人,怎麼對他「越來越冷淡」,轉而去招呼「別人」,結果心裡慢慢地產生失落感,覺得教會怎麼變得冷冰冰的,不如以前溫暖,友愛。於是對教會失望,對牧者反感,覺得剛來教會時你們對我那麼好,可是等我受洗,加入「你們教會」後,你們就不再在乎我,反倒將你們的目標轉到別人身上,再拉別人入會.....,結果因為自覺在教會感覺不到愛(也感受不到神的愛),所以遠離了教會,與其它弟兄姊妹的關係就真的疏遠了。有的人可能會跑到另一個牧區或教會,重新當起新人,重溫「被愛」,「被接納」,「被歡迎」,「回家」的感覺;有人可能從此輕看了教會,也因此遠離了神。但是這樣的人有否想過,自己可以從「被愛者」成為「愛人者」?從「接受者」成為「施與者」?如果教會沒有「愛人者」與「施與者」,怎麼會有人是「被愛者」,或「接受者」?


渴望被愛,被接納是人人都有的本能,但是去愛人,接納人,有時卻是需要「逆著本性」才能做得到的!在教會裡如果每個人都渴慕被愛,卻不主動去愛,去付出,去接納別人,那這樣的教會永遠不會長大,因為每個人都像是拿奶瓶喝奶的嬰孩,如果奶喝完了,那誰來給嬰孩的奶瓶加奶?如果全教會的人都覺得自己受到的愛不足,那教會哪有餘力去送愛!


但是主耶穌說:「施比受更為有福」(使徒行傳二十章35節)!為什麼施比受更有福呢?因為這代表我們所受的福「滿溢」出來,所以可以給出去!即使很多時候我們覺得自己的愛不夠,但是憑著信心去做、去愛,我們會發現,我們的愛是可以在實際的操練中漸漸加多的,最後多到不僅自己愛自己,還有餘力去愛別人。這如同奶孩子的婦人,如果常常餵奶,被刺激的乳腺會分泌越多的奶水,最後不僅自己的孩子夠吃,還能分些奶給奶水不足的婦人的孩子呢!


如果你是主耶穌比喻中的那隻走失的羊,被找回後,你有何表示?如果你是被暫時撇在一旁的那九十九隻羊中的一隻,在牧人尋回那隻走失的羊之前,你會如何做呢?願我們都是那九十九隻彼此互相鼓勵、扶持、守望,儆醒等候牧羊人將我們走迷的同伴帶回來的那群羊!最好不要是那隻孤單走迷的羊喔!

 

      聖經金句 (Bible Verses)

喜樂 Joy

喜樂的心乃是良藥;憂傷的靈使骨枯乾。箴言 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

然而,我要因耶和華歡欣,因救我的 神喜樂。哈巴谷書 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

要常常喜樂,不住的禱告,凡事謝恩。帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

饒恕 Forgiveness

主啊,你本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告你的人。詩篇 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

你不要說:“我要以惡報惡”;要等候耶和華,他必拯救你。箴言 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 6:14

你們饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯;馬太福音 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

你們不饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。馬太福音 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄,我天父也要這樣待你們了。馬太福音 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:35

謙卑 Humility

敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨;尊榮以前,必有謙卑。箴言 15:33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

敬畏耶和華心存謙卑,就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。箴言 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

凡事不可結黨,不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀;只要存心謙卑,各人看別人比自己強。腓立比書 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

驕傲 Pride

驕傲來,羞恥也來;謙遜人卻有智慧。箴言 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

驕傲只啟爭競;聽勸言的,卻有智慧。箴言 13:10
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Proverbs 13:10

驕傲在敗壞以先;狂心在跌倒之前。箴言 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

忍耐 Patience

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

並且你們要為我的名,被眾人恨惡,惟有忍耐到底的,必然得救。馬可福音 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

不但如此,就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3

我們行善,不可喪志;若不灰心,到了時候就要收成加拉太書 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

你們也當忍耐,堅固你們的心,因為主來的日子近了。雅各書 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8

溫柔 Meekness

回答柔和,使怒消退;言語暴戾,觸動怒氣。箴言 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

溫柔的人有福了,因為他們必承受地土。馬太福音 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人;或者 神給他們悔改的心,可以明白真道。提摩太後書 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

只要以裡面存著長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾;這在 神面前是極寶貴的。彼得前書 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

嫉妒 Envy

不要為作惡的心懷不平,也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。詩篇 37:1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

心中安靜是肉體的生命;嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。箴言 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

在何處有嫉妒、紛爭,就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。雅各書 3:16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

生氣 Anger

當止住怒氣,離棄忿怒;不要心懷不平,以致作惡。詩篇 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

好生氣的人,不可與他結交;暴怒的人,不可與他來往。箴言 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Proverbs 22:24

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

生氣卻不要犯罪.不可含怒到日落。以弗所書 4:26
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

我親愛的弟兄們,這是你們所知道的,但你們各人要快快的聽,慢慢的說,慢慢的動怒,因為人的怒氣並不成就 神的義。雅各書 1:19,20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19,20

災難 Calamity

謹守口與舌的、就保守自己免受災難。箴言 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

民要攻打民、國要攻打國、多處必有地震、饑荒.這都是災難的起頭。馬可福音 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8

憂愁 Worry

你們不要憂愁、因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是你們的力量。尼希米記 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

主雖使人憂愁, 還要照他諸般的慈愛發憐憫。耶利米哀歌 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

凡勞苦擔重擔的人,可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。馬太福音 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

我留下平安給你們、我將我的平安賜給你們.我所賜的、不像世人所賜的.你們心裏不要憂愁、也不要膽怯。約翰福音 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

應當一無掛慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝,將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安,必在基督耶穌裡,保守你們的心懷意念。腓立比書 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

因此, 你們是大有喜樂, 但如今, 在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁。彼得前書 1:6
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

患難 Trouble, Suffering

義人多有苦難,但耶和華救他脫離這一切。詩篇 34:19
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

神是我們的避難所,是我們的力量,是我們在患難中隨時的幫助!詩篇 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

耶和華本為善,在患難的日子為人的保障,並且認得那些投靠他的人。那鴻書 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

為義受逼迫的人有福了,因為天國是他們的。馬太福音 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

不但如此,就是在患難中,也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

我想現在的苦楚,若比將來要顯於我們的榮耀,就不足介意了。羅馬書 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

因為你們蒙恩,不但得以信服基督,並要為他受苦。腓立比書 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians 1:29

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