四五年前，我种了一些蓝莓。把树苗卖给我的人说，它们三年后应该就能很好地结果子了，但到目前为止我们吃到的蓝莓很少。我曾不止一次地有过拔掉那些灌木丛的想法，好把空间、土壤和阳光让给别的植物。
若是基于我有限的种植经验，我就可能太快地解释了耶稣这个比喻，以为其中带出的主要问题是有限的资源，以致贫乏的出产。然而，这样的解释是捉错用神。
耶稣讲这个故事，是为了纠正人一些根深蒂固的属灵愚昧。许多人都认为，如果一个人遭遇灾难，那么一定是他犯了严重的罪，应得这样的惩罚。而耶稣在未说以下比喻之前，特意把这个隐秘的、通常不会说出来的想法，挑了出来。
我们人人都是罪人。若不悔改，都必灭亡。透过我们所结的果子——谦卑和怜悯——我们会被认出是悔改的人。在这个比喻中，仁慈的园丁延长了祂的怜悯，祂培育和滋养我们，我们若不结果子，就必灭亡。时钟在滴答作响。园主的心意，是要我们结出谦卑和怜悯的果子。
恩慈的神啊，因为没有结出谦卑和怜悯的果子，我和所有人本应都受到祢的审判。但感谢耶稣，祢来拯救和栽培那些悔改和跟随祢的人。奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们。
路加福音 13:1-9
1正当那时，有人将彼拉多使加利利人的血搀杂在他们祭物中的事告诉耶稣。
2耶稣说：“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？
3我告诉你们，不是的！你们若不悔改，都要如此灭亡！
4从前西罗亚楼倒塌了，压死十八个人；你们以为那些人比一切住在耶路撒冷的人更有罪吗？
5我告诉你们，不是的！你们若不悔改，都要如此灭亡！”
6于是用比喻说：“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。
7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！’
8管园的说：‘ 主啊，今年且留着，等我周围掘开土，加上粪；
9以后若结果子便罢，不然再把它砍了。’”
"'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it.'" — Luke 13:8
I planted blueberry bushes four or five years ago. The seller of the bushes said they should be producing well in three years, but so far we have enjoyed too few berries. More than once, I have been tempted to tear up those bushes and make room for other plants to use the space, soil, and sunlight.
Based on my limited experience, I might too quickly assume that limited resources and poor fruit production are the main issues in Jesus' parable here. But that would miss the point.
Jesus tells this story to correct spiritual stupidity that runs deep in human thinking. Many people think that if something disastrous happens to someone, that person must have done something terribly sinful to deserve it. This secret and usually unspoken thought is drawn out by Jesus' questions in the verses leading up to his parable.
All of us are sinners. We all need to repent or perish. By our produce—the fruits of humility and compassion—we will be known. Compassion is extended by the merciful gardener who cultivates and fertilizes us in such a way that we will either produce or perish. The clock is ticking. The heart of the gardener and owner is that we produce the fruits of humility and compassion.
Gracious God, together with all people I deserve your judgment for not producing the fruits of humility and compassion. Thank you, Jesus, for coming to rescue and nurture those who repent and follow you. Amen.
诵读: 楚云
片头: 张妙阳
