基督比喻实训-第6章
第05章 “好像一粒芥菜种”
基督比喻实训-第6章
Chap. 5—“Like a Grain of Mustard Seed”
基督比喻实训-第6章
（根据太13:31,32；可4:30-32；路13:18,19）
在听基督讲道的人中，有许多法利赛人。他们不以为然地指出，祂的听众中很少有人承认祂是弥赛亚。他们悄悄地议论说：这个毫不张扬的教师怎么能高举以色列统治天下呢？祂没有财富、权势和尊荣，又怎么能够建立一个新的国度呢？基督看透了他们的心思，就回答他们说：{COL 76.1}[1]
基督比喻实训-第6章
This chapter is based on?Matthew 13:31, 32;Mark 4:30-32;Luke 13:18, 19.
In the multitude that listened to Christ’s teaching there were many Pharisees. These noted contemptuously how few of His hearers acknowledged Him as the Messiah. And they questioned with themselves how this unpretending teacher could exalt Israel to universal dominion. Without riches, power, or honor, how was He to establish the new kingdom? Christ read their thoughts and answered them:{COL 76.1}[1]
基督比喻实训-第6章
“上帝的国，我们可用什么比较呢？可用什么比喻表明呢？”祂不能用任何世上的国度来与上帝的国相比。在社会上祂也找不出什么事物与之比拟。祂说：“好像一粒芥菜种，种在地里的时候，虽比地上的百种都小，但种上以后，就长起来，比各样的菜都大，又长出大枝来，甚至天上的飞鸟可以宿在它的荫下。”{COL 76.2}[2]
基督比喻实训-第6章
“Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?” In earthly governments there was nothing that could serve for a similitude. No civil society could afford Him a symbol. “It is like a grain of mustard seed,” He said, “which, when it is sown upon the earth, though it be less than all the seeds that are upon the earth, yet when it is sown, groweth up, and becometh greater than all the herbs, and putteth out great branches; so that the birds of the heaven can lodge under the shadow thereof.” (R.V.).{COL 76.2}[2]
基督比喻实训-第6章
种子发芽生长，是由于上帝所赐之生命力的展现。它的成长不是依赖人的力量。基督的国也是这样。这是一个新建的国度。其发展的原则与统治世界各国的原则截然相反。属世的政权是靠武力来统治，靠战争来维持的。但这个新国度的创建者乃是和平之君。圣灵用猛兽来象征属世的国度。但基督却是“上帝的羔羊，除去世人罪孽的”（约1:29）。在祂的施政纲领中，不采用暴力来强迫人的良心。犹太人指望以属世国度的方式来建立上帝的国。他们用外表的措施来维护公义，想出了种种方法和计划。但是基督却栽培了一种原则。祂藉着培育诚实与公义，来抵制谬论与罪恶。{COL 77.1}[3]
基督比喻实训-第6章
The germ in the seed grows by the unfolding of the life-principle which God has implanted. Its development depends upon no human power. So it is with the kingdom of Christ. It is a new creation. Its principles of development are the opposite of those that rule the kingdoms of this world. Earthly governments prevail by physical force; they maintain their dominion by war; but the founder of the new kingdom is the Prince of Peace. The Holy Spirit represents worldly kingdoms under the symbol of fierce beasts of prey; but Christ is “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”John 1:29. In His plan of government there is no employment of brute force to compel the conscience. The Jews looked for the kingdom of God to be established in the same way as the kingdoms of the world. To promote righteousness they resorted to external measures. They devised methods and plans. But Christ implants a principle. By implanting truth and righteousness, He counterworks error and sin.{COL 77.1}[3]
基督比喻实训-第6章
耶稣讲这个比喻的时候，到处可以看到芥菜，在百草与五谷丛中婷婷玉立，迎风摇曳。小鸟在嫩绿的枝间跳来跳去，在茂密的叶丛中歌唱。然而长成这棵高大植物的种子，却是在百种中最小的。起初它只是一茎嫩芽。但它富有生机，不断发育生长，直到现在这样高大。基督的国在开始时也是这样毫不起眼的。与地上的各国相比，它似乎是最小的。基督自称为王，被世上的统治者所嘲笑。但是福音的国度赋有上帝的生命。这生命包含在基督交托给门徒的伟大真理中。这个国度发展神速，影响广泛。当基督说这个比喻的时候，只有几个加利利的农民作这个新国度的代表。人们一再以他们人少贫穷为理由，劝人不要与那些跟从耶稣的、思想单纯的渔夫联合。但这粒芥菜种却要生长，并伸展它的枝条遍及全世界。辉煌一时的地上国度都要覆灭。基督的国度却要永存。其影响深远而强大。{COL 77.2}[4]
基督比喻实训-第6章
As Jesus spoke this parable, the mustard plant could be seen far and near, lifting itself above the grass and grain, and waving its branches lightly in the air. Birds flitted from twig to twig, and sang amid the leafy foliage. Yet the seed from which sprang this giant plant was among the least of all seeds. At first it sent up a tender shoot, but it was of strong vitality, and grew and flourished until it reached its present great size. So the kingdom of Christ in its beginning seemed humble and insignificant. Compared with earthly kingdoms it appeared to be the least of all. By the rulers of this world Christ’s claim to be a king was ridiculed. Yet in the mighty truths committed to His followers the kingdom of the gospel possessed a divine life. And how rapid was its growth, how widespread its influence! When Christ spoke this parable, there were only a few Galilean peasants to represent the new kingdom.Their poverty, the fewness of their numbers, were urged over and over again as a reason why men should not connect themselves with these simple-minded fishermen who followed Jesus. But the mustard seed was to grow and spread forth its branches throughout the world. When the earthly kingdoms whose glory then filled the hearts of men should perish, the kingdom of Christ would remain, a mighty and far-reaching power.{COL 77.2}[4]
基督比喻实训-第6章
恩典在人心中的工作起先也是微小的。人所说的一句话，照在心灵的一线光明，都会产生影响，成为新生命的开始，有谁能估计它的结果呢？{COL 78.1}[5]
基督比喻实训-第6章
So the work of grace in the heart is small in its beginning. A word is spoken, a ray of light is shed into the soul, an influence is exerted that is the beginning of the new life; and who can measure its results?{COL 78.1}[5]
基督比喻实训-第6章
芥菜种的比喻不仅说明基督国度的发展，而且在基督国度发展的每一个阶段，比喻所象征的经验都要重演。上帝对每一个世代的教会都托付了特别的真理和工作。这真理向世上聪明通达的人是隐藏的，却显示给淳朴谦卑的人。真理要求人克己。要投入战斗，去争取胜利。在开始的时候，拥护真理的人并不多。他们还受到世上的大人物以及世俗化教会的反对和藐视。请看基督的先锋施洗约翰，独自一人斥责犹太国的骄傲和形式主义。请看第一批把福音传入欧洲的人。当制作帐篷的保罗和西拉，带着他们的同伴在特罗亚乘船前往腓立比的时候，他们的前途看起来是多么渺茫！请看“这有年纪的保罗”，带着锁链在凯撒的宫廷里宣讲基督。请看那些奴隶和农民出身的小群信徒怎样与罗马帝国的异教作斗争。请看马丁·路德是如何反抗那个强大的教会——世俗智慧的杰作。请看他紧握圣经，在皇帝和教皇面前宣告说：“这就是我的立场，决不能改变。愿上帝帮助我！”请看约翰·卫斯理在形式主义，在不信与纵欲的风潮中宣扬基督和祂的义。请看那一位为外邦世界的祸患而忧伤的人，恳求有机会把基督慈爱的信息传给他们；再听当时教会当局的回答：“年轻人，坐下吧，上帝若要外邦人悔改，不用你我帮助，祂也会做到的。”{COL 78.2}[6]
基督比喻实训-第6章
Not only is the growth of Christ’s kingdom illustrated by the parable of the mustard seed, but in every stage of its growth the experience represented in the parable is repeated. For His church in every generation God has a special truth and a special work. The truth that is hid from the worldly wise and prudent is revealed to the child-like and humble. It calls for self-sacrifice. It has battles to fight and victories to win. At the outset its advocates are few. By the great men of the world and by a world-conforming church, they are opposed and despised. See John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, standing alone to rebuke the pride and formalism of the Jewish nation. See the first bearers of the gospel into Europe. How obscure, how hopeless, seemed the mission of Paul and Silas, the two tentmakers, as they with their companions took ship at Troas for Philippi. See “Paul the aged,” in chains, preaching Christ in the stronghold of the Caesars. See the little communities of slaves and peasants in conflict with the heathenism of imperial Rome. See Martin Luther withstanding that mighty church which is the masterpiece of the world’s wisdom. See him holding fast God’s word against emperor and pope, declaring, “Here I take my stand; I can not do otherwise. God be my help.” See?John Wesley preaching Christ and His righteousness in the midst of formalism, sensualism, and infidelity. See one burdened with the woes of the heathen world, pleading for the privilege of carrying to them Christ’s message of love. Hear the response of ecclesiasticism: “Sit down, young man. When God wants to convert the heathen, He will do it without your help or mine.”{COL 78.2}[6]
基督比喻实训-第6章
现代宗教思想界的大领袖们为过去世代中播撒真理种子的人树碑立传，对他们赞口不绝。但今日不是有许多人正在离弃这项工作，践踏真理种子的生长吗？他们重弹陈词滥调说：“上帝对摩西说话，是我们知道的；只是这个人（基督的使者所代表的基督），我们不知道他从哪里来”（约9:29）！像古时一样，现代的特殊真理并不掌握在教会的权威人士手中，反而掌握在一班信靠上帝的圣言，不以自己最有智慧和学问的人手中。{COL 79.1}[7]
基督比喻实训-第6章
The great leaders of religious thought in this generation sound the praises and build the monuments of those who planted the seed of truth centuries ago. Do not many turn from this work to trample down the growth springing from the same seed today? The old cry is repeated, “We?know?that God spake unto Moses; as for this fellow [Christ in the messenger He sends], we know not from whence he is.”John 9:29. As in earlier ages, the special truths for this time are found, not with the ecclesiastical authorities, but with men and women who are not too learned or too wise to believe the word of God.{COL 79.1}[7]
基督比喻实训-第6章
“弟兄们哪，可见你们蒙召的，按着肉体有智慧的不多，有能力的不多，有尊贵的也不多。上帝却拣选了世上愚拙的，叫有智慧的羞愧；又拣选了世上软弱的，叫那强壮的羞愧。上帝也拣选了世上卑贱的，被人厌恶的，以及那无有的，为要废掉那有的。”“叫你们的信不在乎人的智慧，只在乎上帝的大能”（林前1:26-28；2:5）。{COL 79.2}[8]
基督比喻实训-第6章
“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called; but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty. And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are” (1 Corinthians 1:26-28); “that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:5).{COL 79.2}[8]
基督比喻实训-第6章
在这末后的世代，芥菜种的比喻将显著而胜利地应验。那颗小小的种子将要成为一棵大树。警告和恩典的最后信息要传给“各国、各族、各方、各民，”“从他们中间选取百姓归于自己的名下”。全地要“因祂的荣耀发光”（启14:6-14；徒15:14；启18:1）。{COL 79.3}[9]
基督比喻实训-第6章
And in this last generation the parable of the mustard seed is to reach a signal and triumphant fulfillment. The little seed will become a tree. The last message of warning and mercy is to go to “every nation and kindred and tongue” (Revelation 14:6-14), “to take out of them a people for His name” (Acts 15:14;Revelation 18:1). And the earth shall be lightened with His glory.{COL 79.3}[9]
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