“從此就顯出誰是神的兒女,誰是魔鬼的兒女:凡不行義的就不屬神,不愛弟兄的也是如此。” 【約翰一書 3:10】失落的兒子與以色列國的歷史無不相同,他們雖被稱為“受撿選的民”,但卻周期性地在很長的時間�塈滽囿熔ㄦ~浪費在他們自己罪性的欲望�堙C于是神帶領他們走過“曠野”,使他們謙卑,領他們悔改。
失落的兒子也有這個“曠野”的經歷──去放豬──這使得他悔改。曠野的經歷給人帶來悔改所必需的謙卑。甚至耶穌也代替我們,被帶到曠野去受魔鬼的試探。他對魔鬼的回答之一引用的就是申命記�媄鬗_以色列人的曠野的經歷的經文:“他苦煉你,任你飢餓,將你和你列祖所不認識的嗎哪賜給你吃,使你知道,人活著不是單靠食物,乃是靠耶和華口�堜狴X的一切話。” 【申命記 8:3】謙卑是所有品質中最重要的。因為謙卑總能把人帶回到神那�堙C然而,注意到他悔改的動機并不一定總是可嘉的,而是自私的。但無論如何,這是接受神。因為悔改并非是徹底無罪的,而只是有足夠的謙卑,能夠認識到自己的罪,以及罪的害處。
所以我認為大兒子代表法利賽人之類的人,雖人他們覺得按自己的行為來說他們是“義人”,但從他們不愿饒恕的態度上講其實是不義的。事實上,這整個“失落”系列是這樣在路加福音第十五章�媔}始的: 眾稅吏和罪人,都挨近耶穌要聽他講道。法利賽人和文士私下議論說:“這個人接待罪人,又同他們吃飯。” 【路加福音 15:1,2】
名義上的基督徒有兩種──無法的和墨守律法的。(其實有三種──但我認為“自由派”的人太偏異了,已不能算作“基督徒”了)一般說來,無法的基督徒愿意接受基督為救主,但不愿接受他為主,墨守律法愿意接受基督為主,但不愿接受基督為救主。當然,他們也許會在言語上接受,但行為卻是另一個樣子。因為我們的行為所表現出的是我們真實的信仰。
But while he was still a long way away
His father saw him, the son gone astray
He was filled with compassion and ran to meet him
He'd been watching and waiting for the whole interim.
He gave him a hug and then he kissed him
It was quite apparent that he had missed him
The son said, "I have sinned against heaven and against you.
I can't be your son after what you've been through."
But the father said, "Bring the robe, the one that is best
For this is my son and not just some guest.
Put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.
Killed the fattened calf and lets eat some meat.
Let's celebrate and have a feast
For my son is alive after being deceased.
Before he was lost, but now he is found.
Let's celebrate and let joy abound.
The older son was in the field.
Laboring hard so that wheat it would yield
But when he happened to pass by the house
Where all had been quiet as a mouse
He heard music and dancing and asked, "What's going on?"
"Your brother's returned after he's been long gone."
Said the servants to him of the one who took half,
"And your father has killed the fattened calf."
The brother was angry and refused to go in.
So the father went out to plead with him.
But he answered his father, "I've been slaving for you
All of these years I do what you say I should do.
You never even gave me a goat to eat
With my friends for just a treat.
But when this son of yours has come
Who is really nothing but a bum
He's wasted what's yours on paying for whores
While I do nothing but carry out chores
Yet when he comes you receive him with glee"
"My son," the father said, "you are always with me,
All I have is yours, don't be mad.
But we had to celebrate and be glad.
This brother of yours once was dead
He didn't behave as he was bred
But now he lives, having returned
He was lost and is found and now he has learned
Of my love for him despite his behavior
I'll not condemn, but be his savior.