神家之树的枝子
在我们今天的经文中，使徒保罗说他本族的子民以色列人是一棵被神扎根和栽培的橄榄树，他向外邦人，也就是除了以色列人以外的其他民族的人说话。
我们都需要具体的画面来明白神在救赎的故事中和我们的关系，这段经文就像一片森林，有许多与树、枝条、根、汁液和嫁接有关的图画，帮助我们理解神的目的。虽然这一章在某些层面上相当有难度，但即使是对经文的基本解读，也可以看出神渴望接受挑战，将野生的枝条与栽培的根茎结合起来，这不是通常的做法。将栽培的枝条接在野生树根上是典型的做法，因为野生根茎通常更耐寒，而栽培的枝条通常能结出更多的果实。
但我们看到，这个过程反过来了，神有能力维持较弱的根茎，也会插上较弱的枝条，因着祂的仁慈和怜悯，仍会使树生机勃勃，果实累累。神不仅看顾强壮的、有能力的人，他也表现出对弱小的、不可能的人选的偏爱。神甚至会把一根断裂的枝条再嫁接上去。
我们不知道神为什么选择以这样的方式聚集祂的子民，但对于我们所有感到软弱、残疾、被遗弃或不足的人来说，这段经文提供了深刻的盼望。神能够也愿意将我们纳入祂永不止息的爱的大故事中。
神啊，你的智慧和爱的深度让我们惊奇！感谢你慷慨地将我们纳入祂的大故事中。感谢你慷慨地将我们纳入你的家。将荣耀归给你，直到永远！阿们。
罗马书 11:13-24, 33-36
13我对你们外邦人说这话：因我是外邦人的使徒，所以敬重我的职分，
14或者可以激动我骨肉之亲发愤，好救他们一些人。
15若他们被丢弃，天下就得与神和好，他们被收纳，岂不是死而复生吗？
16所献的新面若是圣洁，全团也就圣洁了；树根若是圣洁，树枝也就圣洁了。
17若有几根枝子被折下来，你这野橄榄得接在其中，一同得着橄榄根的肥汁，
18你就不可向旧枝子夸口。若是夸口，当知道不是你托着根，乃是根托着你。
19你若说，那枝子被折下来是特为叫我接上。
20不错，他们因为不信所以被折下来，你因为信所以立得住。你不可自高，反要惧怕。
21神既不爱惜原来的枝子，也必不爱惜你。
22可见神的恩慈和严厉：向那跌倒的人是严厉的；向你是有恩慈的，只要你长久在他的恩慈里；不然，你也要被砍下来。
23而且他们若不是长久不信，仍要被接上，因为神能够把他们重新接上。
24你是从那天生的野橄榄上砍下来的，尚且逆着性得接在好橄榄上，何况这本树的枝子要接在本树上呢？
33深哉，神丰富的智慧和知识！他的判断何其难测，他的踪迹何其难寻！
34“谁知道主的心，谁做过他的谋士呢？
35谁是先给了他，使他后来偿还呢？”
36因为万有都是本于他，倚靠他，归于他。愿荣耀归给他，直到永远！阿们。
Part Of God's Family Tree
"You, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others. . . ." - Romans 11:17
In our reading today, the apostle Paul is talking about his own people, Israel, as an olive tree rooted and cultivated by God, and he is speaking to Gentiles, people from all other nations besides Israel.
We all need tangible ways to picture what God is doing with us in the story of salvation, and this passage is like a forest of many images that relate to trees, branches, roots, sap, and grafting to help us understand God's purposes. Although this chapter is rather difficult on some levels, even a basic reading of the verses shows that God is eager to take on the challenge of integrating wild branches with a cultivated rootstock, which is not the usual practice. It's typical to attach a cultivated branch to the root of a wild tree, because a wild rootstock is usually more hardy and a cultivated branch usually produces more fruit.
But we can see that by reversing the process, God has the power to sustain the weaker root and will also insert weaker branches, which will still, because of his kindness and mercy, result in a vibrant, fruitful tree. God not only includes strong, able people, but he also shows a preference for weak and unlikely candidates. God will even go so far as to graft a broken branch in again.
We don't know why God chooses to gather his people this way, but for all of us who feel weak, disabled, left behind, or inadequate, this passage offers profound hope. God can and will include us in the big story of his never-ending love.
O God, the depths of your wisdom and love amaze us! Thank you for graciously including us in your family tree. To you be the glory forever! Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
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