第17章 “今年且留着”
§1
第17章 “今年且留着”
§2
Chap. 17—“Spare it this Year Also”
§3
（根据路13:1-9）
§4
基督在祂的教训中，把施恩的邀请和审判的警告结合在一起。祂说：“人子来不是要灭人的性命，是要救人的性命”（路9:56）。“因为上帝差祂的儿子降世，不是要定世人的罪，乃是要叫世人因祂得救”（约3:17）。不结实的无花果树的比喻，说明了祂恩典的使命与上帝的公正及审判之间的关系。{COL 212.1}[1]
§5
This chapter is based on?Luke 13:1-9.
§6
Christ in His teaching linked with the warning of judgment the invitation of mercy. “The Son of man is not come,” He said, “to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”?Luke 9:56. “God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.”?John 3:17. His mission of mercy in its relation to God’s justice and judgment is illustrated in the parable of the barren fig tree.?{COL 212.1}[1]
§7
基督曾警告人上帝之国的来临，并严厉斥责他们的愚昧和疏忽。他们善于识别空中气象的预兆，却不能识别显明祂使命的时代征兆。{COL 212.2}[2]
§8
Christ had been warning the people of the coming of the kingdom of God, and He had sharply rebuked their ignorance and indifference. The signs in the sky, which foretold the weather, they were quick to read; but the signs of the times, which so clearly pointed to His mission, were not discerned.?{COL 212.2}[2]
§9
但当时的人和现代的人一样，总以为自己是天之骄子，并认为责备的信息是对别人发的。听众向耶稣报告了一个耸人听闻的消息。犹太的巡抚本丢·彼拉多所采取的某些措施引起了民众的不满。耶路撒冷发生了一场大骚乱。彼拉多试图用武力进行镇压。有一次，他的部下闯入圣殿院内，杀了正在宰杀祭牲的加利利朝圣者。犹太人向来认为一个人遭遇不幸，乃是对他犯罪的惩罚，所以报告消息的人在谈论这件暴行的时候，隐约地透露出得意之情。他们认为自己的幸运证明他们比那些加利利人更善良，更蒙上帝眷爱。他们想听耶稣讲一些谴责加利利人的话。他们认为这些人是应受惩罚的。{COL 212.3}[3]
§10
But men were as ready then as men are now to conclude that they themselves are the favorites of heaven, and that the message of reproof is meant for another. The hearers told Jesus of an event which had just caused great excitement. Some of the measures of Pontius Pilate, the governor of Judea, had given offense to the people. There had been a popular tumult in Jerusalem, and Pilate had attempted to quell this by violence. On one occasion his soldiers had even invaded the precincts of the temple, and had cut down some Galilean pilgrims in the very act of slaying their sacrifices. The Jews regarded calamity as a judgment on account of the sufferer’s sin, and those who told of this act of violence did so with secret satisfaction. In their view their own good fortune proved them to be much better, and therefore more favored by God, than were these Galileans. They expected to hear from Jesus words of condemnation for these men, who, they doubted not, richly deserved their punishment.?{COL 213.3}[3]
§11
基督的门徒在听到他们夫子的意见之先，不敢贸然发表自己的看法。祂曾明确地教训他们不可论断别人的品格，也不可按自己有限的判断力去估量别人所受的刑罚。虽然如此，他们还是指望基督会谴责那些加利利人比众人更为有罪。可是祂的回答使他们大为惊愕。{COL 213.1}[4]
§12
The disciples of Christ did not venture to express their ideas until they had heard the opinion of their Master. He had given them pointed lessons in reference to judging other men’s characters, and measuring retribution according to their finite judgment. Yet they looked for Christ to denounce these men as sinners above others. Great was their surprise at His answer.?{COL 213.1}[4]
§13
救主对大家说：“你们以为这些加利利人比众加利利人更有罪，所以受这害吗？我告诉你们，不是的。你们若不悔改，都要如此灭亡！”这些耸人听闻的灾祸理应使人自卑悔改。风云已经密布，不久将有报应的暴雨倾降于一切没有藏身在基督里的人身上。{COL 213.2}[5]
§14
Turning to the multitude, the Saviour said, “Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay; but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” These startling calamities were designed to lead them to humble their hearts, and to repent of their sins. The storm of vengeance was gathering, which was soon to burst upon all who had not found a refuge in Christ.?{COL 213.2}[5]
§15
当耶稣对门徒和众人讲话的时候，祂以先知的慧眼看见将来耶路撒冷被军队所围困。祂听到外邦军队走向那蒙拣选之城邑的步伐声，看到成千上万的人在敌军攻城时丧生。许多犹太人将像那些加利利人一样，正当献祭的时候，在圣殿的院内被杀。那降在少数人身上的灾难，乃是上帝给予同样罪恶之国民的警告。耶稣说：“你们若不悔改，都要如此灭亡！”宽容的时期要为他们延长片时。他们还有时间知道那有关他们平安的事。{COL 213.3}[6]
§16
As Jesus talked with the disciples and the multitude, He looked forward with prophetic glance and saw Jerusalem besieged with armies. He heard the tramp of the aliens marching against the chosen city and saw the thousands upon thousands perishing in the siege. Many of the Jews were, like those Galileans, slain in the temple courts, in the very act of offering sacrifice. The calamities that had fallen?upon individuals were warnings from God to a nation equally guilty. “Except ye repent,” said Jesus, “ye shall all likewise perish.” For a little time the day of probation lingered for them. There was still time for them to know the things that belonged to their peace.?{COL 213.3}[6]
§17
祂接着说：“一个人有一棵无花果树，栽在葡萄园里。他来到树前找果子，却找不着，就对管园的说：‘看哪，我这三年来到这无花果树前找果子，竟找不着。把它砍了吧；何必白占地土呢！’”{COL 214.1}[7]
§18
“A certain man,” He continued, “had a fig-tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig-tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?”?{COL 214.1}[7]
§19
基督的听众不会不知道祂这话指的是什么。大卫在诗歌中曾将以色列比作从埃及带出来的葡萄树。以赛亚写道：“万军之耶和华的葡萄园，就是以色列家；祂所喜爱的树，就是犹大人”（赛5:7）。救主时代的人被比作主葡萄园里的一棵无花果树，受到祂特别的眷顾和施恩。{COL 214.2}[8]
§20
Christ’s hearers could not misunderstand the application of His words. David had sung of Israel as the vine brought out of Egypt. Isaiah had written, “The vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah His pleasant plant.”?Isaiah 5:7. The generation to whom the Saviour had come were represented by the fig tree in the Lord’s vineyard—within the circle of His special care and blessing.?{COL 214.2}[8]
§21
上帝用以下美妙的话说明了祂对于祂子民的旨意和他们的光荣前景：“使他们称为公义树，是耶和华所栽的，叫祂得荣耀”（赛61:3）。雅各临终时，曾在圣灵的感动下，论到他所最最爱的儿子说：“约瑟是多结果子的树枝，是泉旁多结果的枝子，他的枝条探出墙外。”他又说：“你父亲的上帝必帮助你，那全能者必将天上所有的福，地里所藏的福……都赐给你”（创49:22,25）。上帝曾将以色列比作一棵上好的葡萄树，栽在生命泉源的旁边。祂将祂的葡萄园设在“肥美的山冈上”，“刨挖园子，捡去石头，栽种上等的葡萄树”（赛5:1,2）。{COL 214.3}[9]
§22
God’s purpose toward His people, and the glorious possibilities before them, had been set forth in the beautiful words, “That they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified,”?Isaiah 61:3. The dying Jacob, under the Spirit of inspiration, had said of his best-loved son, “Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall.” And he said, “The God of thy Father” “shall help thee,” the Almighty “shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under.”?Genesis 49:22, 25. So God had planted Israel as a goodly vine by the wells of life. He had made His vineyard “in a very fruitful hill.” He had “fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine.”?Isaiah 5:1, 2.?{COL 214.3}[9]
§23
祂“指望结好葡萄，反倒结了野葡萄”（赛5:2）。基督时代的人比古代的犹太人有更敬虔的外貌，但是他们却更缺乏上帝圣灵的美德。那使约瑟的人生芬芳美丽的高贵品格，在犹太人中却看不到。{COL 215.1}[10]
§24
“And He looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.”?Isaiah 5:2. The people of Christ’s day made a greater show of piety than did the Jews of earlier ages, but they were even more destitute of the sweet graces of the Spirit of God. The precious fruits of character that made the life of Joseph so fragrant and beautiful, were not manifest in the Jewish nation.?{COL 215.1}[10]
§25
上帝藉着祂的儿子来寻找果子，却找不到。以色列人白占了地土。它的存在成为一种咒诅；因为它在葡萄园中占据了一棵能结果子的树所应占的位置。它剥夺了上帝想要降到世上的福气。以色列人在列国中误表了上帝。他们非但无用，反而有害。他们的宗教在很大程度上引人走错路，不但不能救人，反而使人灭亡。{COL 215.2}[11]
§26
God in His Son had been seeking fruit, and had found none. Israel was a cumberer of the ground. Its very existence was a curse; for it filled the place in the vineyard that a fruitful tree might fill. It robbed the world of the blessings that God designed to give. The Israelites had misrepresented God among the nations. They were not merely useless, but a decided hindrance. To a great degree their religion was misleading, and wrought ruin instead of salvation.?{COL 215.2}[11]
§27
比喻中管园的人对园主所说那树若再不结果子就当砍掉的决定并无异议。但他理解和分担园主对这不结果子之树的关怀。他最大的喜乐，莫过于看见它生长并多结果子了。于是他答应园主的希望说：“今年且留着。等我在周围掘开土，加上粪，以后若结果子便罢。”{COL 215.3}[12]
§28
In the parable the dresser of the vineyard does not question the sentence that the tree, if it remained fruitless, should be cut down; but he knows and shares the owner’s interest in that barren tree. Nothing could give him greater joy than to see its growth and fruitfulness. He responds to the desire of the owner, saying, “Let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it and dung it; and if it bear fruit, well.”?{COL 215.3}[12]
§29
管园的人并没有拒绝为这棵没有希望的树操劳。他准备在它身上花费更多的心血。他要要尽量改善它的环境，并千方百计照料它。{COL 215.4}[13]
§30
The gardener does not refuse to minister to so unpromising a plant. He stands ready to give it still greater care.?He will make its surroundings most favorable, and will lavish upon it every attention.?{COL 215.4}[13]
§31
葡萄园的园主和管园的人对这棵无花果树一样关心。同样，圣父与圣子对于选民的爱心也是一样的。基督告诉听众，还有更多的机会赐给他们。上帝凭着祂的爱心千方百计使他们成为公义树，并结出果子来造福世界。{COL 216.1}[14]
§32
The owner and the dresser of the vineyard are one in their interest in the fig tree. So the Father and the Son were one in their love for the chosen people. Christ was saying to His hearers that increased opportunities would be given them. Every means that the love of God could devise would be put in operation that they might become trees of righteousness, bringing forth fruit for the blessing of the world.?{COL 216.1}[14]
§33
耶稣在比喻中并没有说明管园的人工作的结果。祂的故事到此结束了。结果如何，取决于听到祂讲话的那个世代。祂已经向他们提出了严肃的警告：“不然再把它砍了”这一句不可逆转的判决是否要实现在他们身上，乃在乎他们自己。忿怒的日子已经临近。葡萄园的园主藉着已经降在以色列人身上的一些灾难,慈怜地警告他们关于不结果子之树的毁灭。{COL 216.2}[15]
§34
Jesus did not in the parable tell the result of the gardener’s work. At that point His story was cut short. Its conclusion rested with the generation that heard His words. To them the solemn warning was given. “If not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.” Upon them it depended whether the irrevocable words should be spoken. The day of wrath was near. In the calamities that had already befallen Israel, the owner of the vineyard was mercifully forewarning them of the destruction of the unfruitful tree.?{COL 216.2}[15]
§35
这个警告一直传到我们这个时代。你这心不在焉的人哪！你是主葡萄园中一棵不结果子的树吗？这个厄运的判决会落在你的身上吗？你领受了上帝的恩赐有多久了？祂期待你爱心的回报又有多久了呢？你既然栽种在主的葡萄园中，又受到管园的人细心的照料，这是多大的权利啊！慈怜的福音信息难道没有时常振奋你的心吗？你既然归在基督名下，外表上你也是祂教会的一员，那你就是祂身上的一个肢体。可是你与那满有爱心的主却没有活泼的联系。祂生命的洪流并没有通过你涌流出来。在你的生活中，看不出祂品格的美德，就是“圣灵所结的果子”。{COL 216.3}[16]
§36
The warning sounds down along the line to us in this generation. Are you, O careless heart, a fruitless tree in the Lord’s vineyard? Shall the words of doom erelong be spoken of you? How long have you received His gifts? How long has He watched and waited for a return of love? Planted in His vineyard, under the watchful care of the gardener, what privileges are yours! How often has the tender gospel message thrilled your heart! You have taken the name of Christ, you are outwardly a member of the church which is His body, and yet you are conscious of no living connection with the great heart of love. The tide of His life does not flow through you. The sweet graces of His character, “the fruits of the Spirit,” are not seen in your life.?{COL 216.3}[16]
§37
不结果子的树也领受阳光、雨露和园丁的照料。它也从土壤中吸取养料。但是它那不结果子的枝条只能投下黑暗的阴影，使其它能结果子的树在其荫下不能繁茂起来。同样，上帝所倾注在你身上的恩典，也没有给世界带来福惠。你剥夺了他人的权利。要是没有你，这些权利本来属于他们的。{COL 217.1}[17]
§38
The barren tree receives the rain and the sunshine and the gardener’s care. It draws nourishment from the soil. But its unproductive boughs only darken the ground, so that fruit-bearing plants cannot flourish in its shadow. So God’s gifts, lavished on you, convey no blessing to the world. You are robbing others of privileges that, but for you, might be theirs.?{COL 217.1}[17]
§39
你也许隐约地意识到自己是白占地土的。但上帝凭着祂的大怜悯，还没有把你砍掉。祂没有冷淡地看待你，也没有漠然离开你，让你沉沦。祂正望着你呼吁，就像多世纪以前祂对以色列人呼吁说：“以法莲哪，我怎能舍弃你？以色列啊，我怎能弃绝你？……我必不发猛烈的怒气，也不再毁灭以法莲，因我是上帝，并非世人”（何11:8,9）。慈怜的救主正论到你说：“今年且留着。等我在周围掘开土，加上粪。”{COL 217.2}[18]
§40
You realize, though it may be but dimly, that you are a cumberer of the ground. Yet in His great mercy God has not cut you down. He does not look coldly upon you. He does not turn away with indifference, or leave you to destruction. Looking upon you He cries, as He cried so?many centuries ago concerning Israel, “How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? How shall I deliver thee, Israel? ... I will not execute the fierceness of Mine anger. I will not return to destroy Ephraim; for I am God, and not man.”?Hosea 11:8, 9. The pitying Saviour is saying concerning you, Spare it this year also, till I shall dig about it and dress it.?{COL 217.2}[18]
§41
在延长了的宽容时期中，基督以不息不倦的爱心为以色列服务。祂在十字架上祷告说：“父啊，赦免他们！因为他们所做的，他们不晓得”（路23:34）。祂升天之后，福音先在耶路撒冷传开。圣灵也在那里倾降。在那里，早期的教会显示出复活救主的能力；在那里，司提反-——“他的面貌好像天使的面貌”-——作出见证（徒6:15）并牺牲了性命。凡上天所能赐的，都已经赐下来了。基督说：“我为我葡萄园所做之外，还有什么可做的呢”（赛5:4）？照样，祂对你的照顾和辛劳非但没有减弱，反而增加了。祂仍然在说：“我耶和华是看守葡萄园的。我必时刻浇灌，昼夜看守，免得有人损害”（赛27:3）。{COL 218.1}[19]
§42
With what unwearied love did Christ minister to Israel during the period of added probation. Upon the cross He prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”?Luke 23:34. After His ascension the gospel was preached first at Jerusalem. There the Holy Spirit was poured out. There the first gospel church revealed the power of the risen Saviour. There Stephen—“his face as it had been the face of an angel” (Acts 6:15)—bore his testimony and laid down his life. All that heaven itself could give was bestowed. “What could have been done more to My vineyard,” Christ said, “that I have not done in it?”?Isaiah 5:4. So His care and labor for you are not lessened, but increased. Still He says, “I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment; lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day.”?Isaiah 27:3.?{COL 218.1}[19]
§43
“以后若结果子便罢，不然……”{COL 218.2}[20]
§44
“If it bear fruit, well; and if not, then after that”—?{COL 218.2}[20]
§45
人的心若不响应上帝的感召，就会刚硬起来，直到再也不能领受圣灵的感化。于是主就说：“把它砍了吧，何必白占地土呢！”{COL 218.3}[21]
§46
The heart that does not respond to divine agencies becomes hardened until it is no longer susceptible to the influence of the Holy Spirit. Then it is that the word is spoken, “Cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?”?{COL 218.3}[21]
§47
祂今日邀请你，说：“以色列啊，你要归向耶和华你的上帝，……我必医治他们背道的病，甘心爱他们，……我必向以色列如甘露，他必如百合花开放，如黎巴嫩的树木扎根。……曾住在他荫下的必归回，发旺如五谷，开花如葡萄树。……你的果子从我而得”（何14:1-8）。{COL 218.4}[22]
§48
Today He invites you: “O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God.... I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely.... I will be as the dew unto Israel; he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.... They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine.... From Me is thy fruit found.”?Hosea 14:1-8.?{COL 218.4}[22]