撒種人、種子和土壤

Bible Reading: Luke 8: 4 – 15
讀經： 路加福音八章4至15節

This is the first full parable Jesus told. He had used all kinds of illustrations before this. But when the people around him began to openly reject him, he used parables or stories which could only be understood by those whose eyes and ears were open to what he was saying. This parable of the sower is given to us by Matthew, Mark and Luke.

這是耶穌所講的第一個比喻。在這之前，耶穌喜歡採用各種例子向人講解道理，可是，當祂身邊的人開始公開反對祂之後，祂便改用比喻和故事，因為只有那些願意張開眼睛和耳朵的人，才能明白祂的話中含意。我們在馬太福音、馬可福音和路加福音都可找到這個撒種的比喻。

The story of the sower is a wonderful picture of missionary work. In fact it covers all kinds of evangelism wherever the gospel is given out. The harvest does not always depend on the sower nor on the seed, but on the nature and response of the soil on which it falls.

這個撒種的比喻正是宣教工作的最佳寫照。事實上，它全面地勾劃了福音工作者所面對的各種禾場。最後能否獲得豐收，責任未必在於撒種的人或是種子本身，而是在於種子落在的泥土，究竟是怎樣的泥土，以及周邊各種因素所造成的影響。

The first seed fell on earth which could have been different. (Was it the same kind of soil as elsewhere in the field?) Instead of opening its heart to the seed, the soil refused to allow it to enter. The soil was hard and Christ said the seed lay on top. In the spiritual sense, Satan was able to take away the seed before it could possibly take root.

撒種的人所撒的第一把種子，若不是落在路邊，而是落在土壤裡，結果便會完全不同。(除非整塊田的土壤都是一樣。)由於路邊的泥土不是軟土，種子不能埋入土裡生長，只能留在上面，被人踐踏，或被飛鳥吃盡。從屬靈的含意來說，人若沒有把神的道理藏在心裡，讓它生根成長，撒但就會隨時來把它奪去。

In the same way Christ carefully explained each type of soil. Don't you find encouragement as a Christian in this story? The seed was sown in four places but only one place really gave the harvest that was looked for. Even in the good soil the harvest varied (see Mark 4:8).

基督向門徒逐一解說種子落在每種土壤裡的結果；我們聽完這個比喻後，會否稍感心安，不再對傳福音的成果感到耿耿於懷？撒種的人把種子撒到四處，可是，只有一處才能如願地獲得真正的豐收。而且，甚至是落在好土裡的種子，結實的數目也有差異(參看可四8)。

Your harvest will vary and it will not always be your fault. There has to be a response on the part of the hearers too. But, thank God, if we are faithful in sowing the seed, God will see to it that there will be an eternal harvest.

當我們出去傳福音的時候，情況也是一樣，能否結果，責任未必在於我們；聽道的人如何回應，也是其中一個關鍵。然而，感謝神，只要我們每位信徒都盡忠地撒種，神就會確保有永恆的大豐收。

A PRAYER:

Lord, help me to be faithful in sowing the good seed today.

禱告：

主啊，求你幫助我，使我每天都能勤勞地撒種。