第11章 种子生长的比喻
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第11章 种子生长的比喻
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Chap. 11 - The Parable of the Growing Seed.
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主耶稣基督来到我们的世界作救世主。祂“成了肉身，住在我们中间。”祂取了人性，好用祂的人性接触人性，同时用祂的神性握住上帝的宝座。祂的生活中彰显了“父独生子的荣光”（约1:14）；但祂却将祂的神性隐藏在人性中，——将不可见的荣耀隐藏在可见的人性形体里。{SpTEd 67.1}[1]
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The Lord Jesus Christ came to our world as its Saviour. He was made flesh, and dwelt among us. He assumed humanity, that humanity might touch humanity, while his divinity grasped the throne of God. In his life was manifested the glory as of the only begotten of the Father; but he veiled his divinity in humanity, --the invisible glory in the visible human form. {SpTEd 67.1}[1]
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同样的原则也显明在祂的教训中；祂用已知的事物来举例说明未知的事物。耶稣从自然界和日常生活中所发生的事，举出实例和比喻，来发挥祂的教训。圣经记载说：“这都是耶稣用比喻对众人说的话；若不用比喻，就不对他们说什么。这是要应验先知的话，说：我要开口用比喻，把创世以来所隐藏的事发明出来”（太13:34,35）。祂就是这样把自然界的事物，同属灵的事物联系起来；把自然界的事物和听众的生活经验，同圣经崇高的属灵真理联系起来。日后，他们无论何时，若看见祂曾用来联系永生真理的事物，就会重新想起祂的教训。{SpTEd 67.2}[2]
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The same principle appeared in his teaching; the unknown was illustrated by the known. Jesus taught by illustrations and parables drawn from nature and from the familiar events of every-day life. The inspired record says, All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. Matthew 13:34, 35. In this way he associated natural things with spiritual, linking the things of nature and the life-experience of his hearers with the sublime, spiritual truths of the written word. And his lessons were repeated whenever their eyes rested on the objects which had been associated with eternal truth. {SpTEd 67.2}[2]
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在这一点上指明了父母和教师们要实行的高等教育。经过简化和例证的真理连孩童都能迅速理解。比喻的语言吸引人心的注意，也令人喜悦，于是所发挥的教训就被人铭记在心了。{SpTEd 67.3}[3]
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Here is indicated the higher education that is to be given by parents and teachers. The truth simplified and illustrated is quickly discerned even by children. The figurative language arrests the attention and pleases the mind; and the lesson is firmly fixed in the memory. {SpTEd 67.3}[3]
§9
撒种的人和种子的比喻，是基督美好、动人的比喻之一。祂说：“上帝的国，如同人把种撒在地上。黑夜睡觉，白日起来，这种子就发芽渐长，那人却不晓得如何这样。地生五谷，是出于自然的，先发苗后长穗，再后穗上结成饱满的子粒”（可4:26-28）。{SpTEd 68.1}[4]
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One of Christs beautiful and impressive parables is that of the sower and the seed. And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; and should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. Mark 4:26-28. {SpTEd 68.1}[4]
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这个比喻描绘了从种子到庄稼的成长过程。种子落在好土里，不久就会发芽，并且按照结出果实来。然而这是一个逐渐发育的过程，是“先发苗后长穗，再后穗上结成饱满的子粒。”耶稣，这位设立比喻的主，亲自创造了小小的种子，赐给它生命的活力，又制定了它生长的定律，如今祂用它来作为自然界和灵界中真理的生动例证。{SpTEd 68.2}[5]
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This parable describes the growth of the plant from the seed. When the seed falls into the good ground, it soon germinates, and in time brings forth fruit. But there is a gradual process of development. It is first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. Jesus, who gave this parable, created the tiny seed, gave it its vital properties, and ordained the laws that govern its growth; and he has made it a living illustration of truth in both the natural and the spiritual world. {SpTEd 68.2}[5]
§13
基督自己的生活，乃是这个比喻所发挥之真理的实例。祂身体和属灵方面的秉性，像植物一样，都是遵循生长的神圣规律，正如祂对所有的青年所希望的那样。祂虽然是天上的主宰、荣耀的王，却成为一个伯利恒的婴孩，并一时作一个需要母亲关怀的无助幼儿。耶稣在童年时代，履行了一个顺命儿童的本分。祂说话行事，都带着儿童的智慧，而不是成人的。祂尊敬父母，按着儿童的能力，遵从父母的心愿，帮助他们。但祂在成长的每一个阶段都是完全的，具有无罪人生纯朴天然的优美。经上论到祂的童年说：“孩子渐渐长大，强健起来，充满智慧，又有上帝的恩在祂身上。”论到祂青年时期，经上记着说：“耶稣的智慧和身量，并上帝和人喜爱祂的心，都一齐增长”（路2:40,52）。{SpTEd 68.3}[6]
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The truths which this parable teaches were made a living reality in his own life. In both his physical and his spiritual nature, he followed the divine order of growth, illustrated by the plant, as he wishes all youth to do. Although he was the Majesty of heaven, the King of glory, he became a babe in Bethlehem, and for a time represented the helpless infant in its mothers care. In childhood he did the works of an obedient child. He spoke and acted with the wisdom of a child, and not of a man, honoring his parents, and carrying out their wishes in helpful ways, according to the ability of a child. But at each stage of his development he was perfect, with the simple, natural grace of a sinless life. The sacred record says of his childhood, The child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him. And of his youth it is recorded, Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. Luke 2:40, 52. {SpTEd 68.3}[6]
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这对于父母和教师的工作，是有启发的。他们应当极其迫切地祈求耶稣随时乐意赐给的智慧；因为他们在应付的孩子们的头脑，正在其发展过程中最有兴趣及最易受影响的阶段。他们应当如此来培养青年的倾向，使他们生活的每一个阶段，都显出与这一阶段相称的美、像园中的植物那样，自然地成长。{SpTEd 69.1}[7]
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The work of parents and teachers is here suggested. They should seek most earnestly for that wisdom that Jesus is ever ready to give; for they are dealing with human minds at the most interesting and impressible period of their development. They should aim so to cultivate the tendencies of the youth, that at each stage of their life they may represent the natural beauty appropriate to that period, unfolding gradually, as do the plants and flowers in the garden. {SpTEd 69.1}[7]
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天真朴素的儿童，是最有吸引力的。让孩子受到特别的注意，在他们面前一再述说他们伶俐的话，这种作法是不智的。不要褒奖他们的容貌、言语和举动，而引起他们的虚荣心。也不要给他们穿富贵华丽的衣服，这样会造成他们骄傲自恃，并引起同伴的嫉妒。要教导儿童真正的装饰不在乎外表。“不要以外面的辫头发、戴金饰、穿美衣为装饰，只要以里面存着长久温柔安静的心为装饰，这在上帝面前是极宝贵的”（彼前3:3,4）。{SpTEd 69.2}[8]
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Those children are most attractive who are natural, unaffected. It, is not wise to give them special notice, and repeat their clever sayings before them. Vanity should not be encouraged by praising their looks, their words, or their actions. Nor should they be dressed in an expensive or showy manner. This encourages pride in them, and awakens envy in the hearts of their companions. Teach the children that the true adorning is not outward. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 1 Peter 3:3, 4. {SpTEd 69.2}[8]
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假如允许孩子随心所欲，他们很快就会变得自私自利，贪爱宴乐，喜欢受人赞美，撒但则早有党羽准备奉承他们。孩童的心是很容易受影响的；要是允许他们与有行恶倾向的孩童或成人交往，就有危险。眼睛需要受教育，否则孩子就会注视罪恶，引以为乐。舌头也需受教育。决不要让你的孩子口中对任何人说出一句不敬的话而不明白表示这令你伤心，也不要让其它具有类似性质的话在你家中说出来而不予以纠正。若不教导孩子本着敬畏上帝的心敬爱和顺从父母，又怎么能引导他们爱上帝呢？{SpTEd 69.3}[9]
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If children are permitted to have their own way, they will soon become selfish, loving pleasure, loving to be praised, and Satan has agents ready to flatter them. Childrens hearts are very impressible; and there is danger if they are allowed to associate with either children or grown persons of evil tendencies. The eye needs to be educated, or the child will find pleasure in beholding evil. The tongue needs to be educated. Never let a word of disrespect to any one pass the lips of your children without plainly showing that you are grieved, and that other words of like character cannot be spoken in your household without correction. If children are not taught to love, respect, and obey their parents in the fear of the Lord, how can they be led to love God? {SpTEd 69.3}[9]
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要按着儿童天真朴素的特点进行教育。教导他们顺从、正直、务实、尽量做好每一件事，同时满足于有益的小本分，以及于他们年龄相称的娱乐和经验。童年时代，像比喻中幼苗一样，有其特别的美。决不可催逼儿童早熟，而应尽可能长久保持童年的朝气和天真烂漫。{SpTEd 70.1}[10]
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The little ones should be educated in childhood in childlike simplicity. They should be trained to be obedient, upright, and practical, doing their best in everything, and at the same time to be content with the small, helpful duties, and with the pleasures and experiences natural to their years. Childhood answers to the blade in the parable, and the blade has a beauty peculiarly its own. The children should not be forced into a precocious maturity, but should retain as long as possible the freshness and grace of their early years. {SpTEd 70.1}[10]
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种子的比喻，传达了一个深奥的属灵教训。种子代表播撒在心中的原则；种子的成长，代表品格的发展。我们应当使这个教训与实际联系。让儿童亲手松土撒种。当他们工作的时候，父母或教师，就可以向他们说明在心灵的田园中，可以撒上好种子或坏种子。田园既需为撒自然的种子作准备，心灵的园地，也需要为播撒真理的种子作准备。当植物生长时，你们就可以继续说明自然和属灵种子成长的相应的关系。?{SpTEd 70.2}[11]
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The parable of the sower and the seed conveys a deep spiritual lesson. The seed represents the principles sowed in the heart, and its growth the development of character. Make the teaching on this point practical. The children can prepare the soil, and sow the seed; and as they work, the parent or teacher can explain to them the garden of the heart with the good or bad seed sown there; and that as the garden must be prepared for the natural seed, so the heart must be prepared for the seed of truth. As the plant grows, the correspondence between the natural and the spiritual sowing can be continued. {SpTEd 70.2}[11]
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小孩子也可以成为基督徒，获得与其年龄相称的经验。上帝所要求他们的，就是这样。他们需要在属灵的事上受教。父母应向他们提供一切方便，使他们按着基督可爱的品德，塑造自己的品格。{SpTEd 71.1}[12]
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The little children may be Christians, having an experience in accordance with their years. This is all that God requires of them. They need to be educated in spiritual things; and parents are to give them every advantage that they may form characters after the similitude of Christs lovely character. {SpTEd 71.1}[12]
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儿童的心灵是不会停止活动的。它一直向善或恶的影响敞开。人的容貌怎样被摄入照相底片上，照样，种种思想和印象，也必印在孩子的心中。这些印象不论是属世的，或是属灵而有宗教意义的，都几乎难以磨灭。在儿童开始懂事的时候，他的心灵是最敏感的，所以头几门课是很重要的。这些教训会有力地影响品格的塑造。如果这些教训是正确的，日后儿童又坚持不懈地遵循，他们今生和来生的命运，就永远决定了。上帝说：“教养孩童，使他走当行的道，就是到老，他也不偏离”(箴22:6)。{SpTEd 71.2}[13]
§28
The mind will never cease to be active. It is open to influences, good or bad. As the human countenance is stamped by the sunbeam on the polished plate of the artist, so are thoughts and impressions stamped on the mind of the child; and whether these impressions are of the earth earthy, or moral and religious, they are well-nigh ineffaceable. When reason is awakening, the mind is most susceptible; and so the very first lessons are of great importance. These lessons have a powerful influence on the formation of character. If they are of the right stamp, and if, as the child advances in years, they are followed up with patient perseverance, the earthly and eternal destinies will be shaped for good. This is the word of the Lord, Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6. {SpTEd 71.2}[13]
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父母们！要把你们的孩子奉献给上帝，让他们始终认识自己是属于上帝的，是基督羊群中的羊羔，受到真牧人的看顾。哈拿曾把撒母耳奉献给上帝。经上论到他说：“撒母耳长大了，耶和华与他同在，使他所说的话，一句都不落空”（撒上3:19）。这位以色列先知士师的事例说明，父母若与上帝合作，忠于所托付的工作，他们的儿女能达到何等的地步。?{SpTEd 71.3}[14]
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Parents, give your children to the Lord, and ever keep it before their minds that they belong to him, that they are lambs of Christs flock, watched over by the true Shepherd. Hannah dedicated Samuel to the Lord; and it is said of him, Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words [the Lords words through Samuel] fall to the ground. 1 Samuel 3:19. In the case of this prophet and judge in Israel are presented the possibilities that are placed before a child whose parents co-operate with God, doing their appointed work. {SpTEd 71.3}[14]
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儿童是上帝的产业，应当训练他们为祂服务。这种严肃神圣的工作，落在父母和教师身上，是他们不能规避或忽视的。他们若疏忽这项工作，就是不忠心的仆人了。但他们若能及早在心灵中播撒真理的种子，并细心的看护，就会得到奖赏。基督总结这个比喻说：“谷既熟了，就用镰刀去割，因为收成的时候到了”（可4:29）。在地上的庄稼收割的时候，我们就会看见劳苦的果效。因为我们将看见自己为之劳苦祈祷的人，被收集在天上的仓库中。当耶稣“看见自己劳苦的功效，便心满意足”（赛53:11）的时候，我们也必享受主人的快乐。”{SpTEd 72.1}[15]
§32
Children are a heritage of the Lord, and are to be trained for his service. This is the work that rests upon parents and teachers with solemn, sacred force, which they cannot evade or ignore. To neglect this work marks them as unfaithful servants; but there is a reward when the seed of truth is early sown in the heart, and carefully tended. Christ concludes the parable, But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come. When the harvest of the earth is reaped, we shall see the result of our toil; for we shall see those for whom we have labored and prayed gathered into the heavenly garner. So shall we enter into the joy of our Lord, when he shall see of the travail of his soul, and be satisfied. - {SpTEd 72.1}[15]