“从此就显出谁是神的儿女,谁是魔鬼的儿女:凡不行义的就不属神,不爱弟兄的也是如此。” 【约翰一书 3:10】失落的儿子与以色列国的历史无不相同,他们虽被称为“受捡选的民”,但却周期性地在很长的时间里把神的产业浪费在他们自己罪性的欲望里。于是神带领他们走过“旷野”,使他们谦卑,领他们悔改。
失落的儿子也有这个“旷野”的经历——去放猪——这使得他悔改。旷野的经历给人带来悔改所必需的谦卑。甚至耶稣也代替我们,被带到旷野去受魔鬼的试探。他对魔鬼的回答之一引用的就是申命记里关于以色列人的旷野的经历的经文:“他苦炼你,任你饥饿,将你和你列祖所不认识的吗哪赐给你吃,使你知道,人活着不是单靠食物,乃是靠耶和华口里所出的一切话。” 【申命记 8:3】谦卑是所有品质中最重要的。因为谦卑总能把人带回到神那里。然而,注意到他悔改的动机并不一定总是可嘉的,而是自私的。但无论如何,这是接受神。因为悔改并非是彻底无罪的,而只是有足够的谦卑,能够认识到自己的罪,以及罪的害处。
所以我认为大儿子代表法利赛人之类的人,虽人他们觉得按自己的行为来说他们是“义人”,但从他们不愿饶恕的态度上讲其实是不义的。事实上,这整个“失落”系列是这样在路加福音第十五章里开始的: 众税吏和罪人,都挨近耶稣要听他讲道。法利赛人和文士私下议论说:“这个人接待罪人,又同他们吃饭。” 【路加福音 15:1,2】
名义上的基督徒有两种——无法的和墨守律法的。(其实有三种——但我认为“自由派”的人太偏异了,已不能算作“基督徒”了)一般说来,无法的基督徒愿意接受基督为救主,但不愿接受他为主,墨守律法愿意接受基督为主,但不愿接受基督为救主。当然,他们也许会在言语上接受,但行为却是另一个样子。因为我们的行为所表现出的是我们真实的信仰。
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.