“你想乌鸦,也不种也不收,又没有仓又没有库, 神尚且养活它。” – 路12:24
今天的路加福音和昨天的马太福音段落很相似。耶稣可能经常会教导听众这一课,甚至当时可能边说还边指着周围飞过的鸟儿。
耶稣敦促祂的听众认识到生命中什么是最重要的。是饮食吗?衣裳吗?家财万贯吗?在世界上的许多地方,人们对享受安全、私密和舒适生活的期望几乎是理所当然的。然而,在灾难过后,财产被毁时,我们经常会听到幸存者说:“如果我们真的需要那些东西,将来还会再有的——我们很高兴现在还能活着。”
耶稣知道执着于物质的生活会导致焦虑。今世很多事物都是暂时的,我们无法控制我们的财物何时以及如何脱离我们的掌握。因此,我们最好与他人、与神连接。耶稣鼓励我们以这样一种方式去生活,即人们看重自身存在和他们的基本需要,优先于对财产和物质的所有权。所以,让我们不要被对财产、饮食或金钱的担忧所控制。
耶稣最后说:“你们这小群,不要惧怕。”祂知道我们很软弱,也知道我们真正需要什么。事实上,祂应许说,神我们的父乐意把国赐给我们——远远超过我们所求的。
祷告
主耶稣,感谢你温柔地看顾我们,并在智慧的路上引导我们。帮助我们更多地关心彼此本人,而不是个人的身外之物。阿们。
路加福音 12:22-34
22耶稣又对门徒说:“所以我告诉你们,不要为生命忧虑吃什么,为身体忧虑穿什么。
23因为生命胜于饮食,身体胜于衣裳。
24你想乌鸦,也不种也不收,又没有仓又没有库,神尚且养活它,你们比飞鸟是何等地贵重呢!
25你们哪一个能用思虑使寿数多加一刻呢?
26这最小的事你们尚且不能做,为什么还忧虑其余的事呢?
27你想百合花怎么长起来,它也不劳苦,也不纺线,然而我告诉你们:就是所罗门极荣华的时候,他所穿戴的还不如这花一朵呢!
28你们这小信的人哪!野地里的草今天还在,明天就丢在炉里,神还给它这样的装饰,何况你们呢!
29你们不要求吃什么、喝什么,也不要挂心。
30这都是外邦人所求的。你们必须用这些东西,你们的父是知道的。
31你们只要求他的国,这些东西就必加给你们了。
32你们这小群,不要惧怕,因为你们的父乐意把国赐给你们。
33“你们要变卖所有的赒济人,为自己预备永不坏的钱囊、用不尽的财宝在天上,就是贼不能近、虫不能蛀的地方。
34因为你们的财宝在哪里,你们的心也在哪里。
Don’t Be Afraid
“Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them.” – Luke 12:24
Today’s reading from Luke is similar to yesterday’s reading from Matthew. Jesus probably taught this lesson often, perhaps even pointing to birds that were nearby at the time.
Jesus urges his listeners to recognize what is most important in life. Is it food? Clothing? Having lots of money and possessions? In many parts of the world, the expectation that people will enjoy a life of security, privacy, and comfort is almost assumed. Yet, after times of disaster, when possessions are destroyed, we’ll often hear, “Those were just things that can be replaced if we really need them—we’re just glad to be alive.”
Jesus knows that a life attached to material things can lead to anxiety. Things are temporary, and we can’t always control when or how our possessions will be taken from us. So it’s better to attach ourselves to each other and to God. Jesus encourages us to live in such a way that people and their needs have priority over possessions and ownership. So let’s not be controlled by worries about possessions or food or money.
Jesus concludes by saying, “Do not be afraid, little flock.” He knows that we’re vulnerable, and he knows what we need. In fact, he promises that God, our Father, will give us the kingdom—much more than we need.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for your tender care for us, and for guiding us in the way of wisdom. Help us to care more about each other than about our things. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳