在耶穌講過的芸芸比喻中，相信我們今天選讀的這個比喻，以及浪子的比喻，是最廣為人知的了。試問還有哪一個故事，比這個撒馬利亞人的比喻，更能激發人去行善呢？這是一個叫人難忘的故事。可是，我們聽過之後，不要把它留在耶利哥的路上，反之，要在每天出門上學或上班的時候，在路上反思它對我們有甚麼寶貴的提醒。
There are four men mentioned in this story plus the innkeeper. The first is the wounded man. He is nameless but the point of the story is this: what do the other three men do with him?
這個故事共有四個關鍵人物和一位旅店的主人。最先出場的是那個受傷的人；我們完全不知道他的身分，不過，故事的重點是要指出其他三個人對這位傷者的反應。
The second man is the priest, the indifferent man. He thought only of himself, and the possible danger and went on his way.
第二個出場的人是個祭司，他看見那名傷者之後，顯得漠不關心，一心只記掛著自己的工作，和怕惹禍上身，於是便急步而過。
The third is the interested man. He wanted to know what was wrong with the wounded person, but he wasn't really interested enough to help him.
第三個出場的人，對那名傷者顯得有點兒好奇，他緩緩地在他身邊經過，想知道他究竟如何，可是，他的好奇心卻不足以推動他去伸出援手。
The fourth is the compassionate man. Again we don't know his name, but what a wonderful moment it was when he stopped to help. It was like that moment when Jesus came to you and me. The Samaritan was prepared to take every responsibility for the wounded man. Isn't that just like Jesus?
第四個出場的人，是一個充滿同情心的撒馬利亞人。我們同樣不知道他的身分，然而，他竟願意停下腳步去救援那名傷者，卻實在令人感動。那就像主耶穌來到你和我的身邊，伸手拯救我們一樣。那個撒馬利亞人甚至願意負責一切費用，只求能救回那名傷者。耶穌豈不是一樣？祂為了拯救我們，甘願不惜代價地為我們犧牲！
The needs of the wounded man interrupted the journey and the plans of the Samaritan, but he didn't seem to mind. It was because he was prepared to forget himself, and his plans, that the world has remembered him.
撒馬利亞人為了幫助那名傷者，不惜延誤行程和改變計劃，但他卻似乎沒有半點介懷。正是他這種忘我的精神，使他成為一位萬世稱頌的人物。
Are you too busy to help someone nearby who needs help? Do interruptions to your plans upset you? It could be that those interruptions have been planned by God and they are not really interruptions, but opportunities.
當你身邊的人正急需援助時，你是否只記掛著自己的工作而不願意伸出援手？你會否因為計劃受阻而大發牢騷？當知道，你的計劃受阻，可能是出於神的心意，而那些妨礙你的東西，可能是機會而非攔阻。
A QUESTION:
What are you going to do if you are interrupted by someone in need today?
反思：
萬一今天有人急需你的幫忙，而逼使你的計劃受阻，你會怎樣做呢？
沒有留言:
張貼留言