路加福音 第15 章 Luke Chapter 15
- 馬克牧師
- Mar 23
- 12 min read
Updated: Mar 26
各位弟兄姊妹平安，我們今天讀到的是《路加福音》第15章的故事。其實這整章的內容，可以當作一個完整的故事來看，因為耶穌想要藉著這三個比喻，表達同一件事情。所以我們先來看這三個故事各自的含義，再一起來理解耶穌要告訴我們什麼。
在了解這個比喻之前，我們要先知道當時的時代背景是什麼。對於正統的猶太人，特別是法利賽人和文士來說，外邦人根本是一群「沒有救恩」的人。猶太人非常瞧不起非猶太人，他們認為這些屬世的外邦人，都是注定要滅亡的。他們心裡想：「上帝怎麼可能會拯救他們？只有猶太人才配得救啊！」
而當時，他們看到耶穌和罪人來往、和他們吃飯，就非常不滿。在他們眼裡，這些「有罪的猶太人」，其實和外邦人沒有差別，都是一樣注定要滅亡的。這種優越感，一直深深存在在他們的思想裡。
所以，當耶穌講出這些比喻時，他們完全無法接受，甚至會憎恨耶穌。因為耶穌一再一再地說，上帝的恩典是要臨到那些他們認為不配的人 —— 臨到罪人，甚至臨到外邦人。
有了這個背景之後，我們再來看這三個故事，你就會明白，為什麼這些宗教領袖會那麼生氣，也會明白，耶穌為什麼要用這樣的方式，告訴他們上帝真正的心意。
首先是第一個故事——失羊的比喻。我們都很熟悉這個故事：一個好牧人，雖然有一百隻羊，丟了一隻，僅僅是1% 的損失，但是他卻願意把那99隻羊留在曠野，去尋找那一隻迷失的羊。
而且，我們要先理解，牧羊人的生活在當時其實是非常危險的。不是像今天的放牧農場，有草原、有泉水、有圍起來的柵欄，很安全地放牧。當時是在曠野裡放羊，牧羊人不僅要幫羊群找到草地、找到水源，晚上還要守夜，保護羊群，抵擋野獸的攻擊。在那個時代，隨時可能會有狼、獅子，或者其他兇猛的野獸出現，想要搶奪羊群。而牧羊人，就是那個要用生命去抵擋這些威脅的人。
所以，耶穌用「牧羊人」來作比喻，不是一個輕鬆、悠閒的畫面，而是一個負責餵養、供應水源、守護羊群、甚至需要為羊付出生命、醫治受傷羊群的重要角色。
祂要表達的是：上帝就是這樣的一位牧人。祂不是高高在上，只是遙控指揮；祂是親自走進我們生命當中，冒著危險，付上代價，去尋找迷失的羊，照顧、保護、並帶牠回家的那一位。重點在第七節：「我告訴你們，一個罪人悔改，在天上也要這樣為他歡喜，比為那九十九個不用悔改的義人歡喜更大。」
耶穌在這裡清楚地表明上帝的心意：祂不希望有任何一個人迷失。只要還有一個人流浪在曠野，上帝就不會停下祂的腳步，祂會盡一切努力，去尋找並找回那迷失的羊。
第二個比喻，是關於一個婦人找尋失落的錢幣。可能很多人會覺得：「不就是一塊錢嗎？丟了就丟了，有什麼了不起的？」
但是，我們要明白，在當時巴勒斯坦的農舍裡，大多數人都非常貧窮。那一枚小銀幣，雖然看起來不值多少錢，但對他們來說，是非常寶貴、非常重要的資產。所以，當這個小銀幣不見時，這位婦人會焦急地全屋翻找，到處搜尋。
而且，我們要理解，當時房子的地板並不是像今天有磁磚或木地板，他們的地板是泥土加上稻草。在這樣的地面上，要找一個掉在地上的小銀幣，是非常困難的事情。你可以想像，那銀幣可能滾進稻草裡、陷進泥土中，要找出來需要多大的耐心和努力。
當這婦人終於找到了那個失落的銀幣，她是多麼歡喜！她甚至立刻跑去找她的鄰居，說：「來和我一起快樂吧，我找回了失去的銀幣！」
講到這裡，你就可以理解，當時那些文士和法利賽人為什麼會這麼生氣。因為耶穌不僅僅是在說，上帝會拯救罪人和外邦人，祂甚至用這個婦人的形象來比喻上帝。祂說，上帝就像這個婦人一樣，積極、努力、非常用心地尋找每一個迷失的靈魂。
這和猶太人傳統的觀念完全不同！他們認為，上帝是高高在上的君王，如果你不主動、拼命地追求祂，那你就等著滅亡，因為上帝根本不會主動來找你。
但是，耶穌卻告訴他們，上帝的形象不是冷漠嚴厲的審判者，而是一位滿有慈愛、主動尋找迷失者的神。就算人在抵抗、不願意接受，上帝依然主動、拼命地尋找、呼喚、等待，渴望將每一個失落的靈魂帶回祂的懷裡。
這個信息，完全顛覆了猶太人內心對上帝的態度。他們很難接受：「一個高高在上的神，怎麼可能親自來尋找那些失敗、甚至冒犯過祂的罪人呢？」
但耶穌要傳達的，就是這樣一個顛覆性的真理：上帝的愛，是主動的、積極的、無條件的；祂渴望找回每一個迷失的人，不論他們在人眼中有多麼渺小、不配或不值得。
最後這個故事，通常被稱為「浪子回頭」的故事。但其實，我認為真正重要的，不只是浪子回頭，而是「慈父的等待」的故事。
你看，故事中真正的主角，其實不是那個悖逆的小兒子，雖然他當然是很重要的一個角色；但當你認真去思考這個故事，從父親的角色來看，你會發現整個故事真正的比喻，其實是耶穌想要透過「父親」這個角色傳遞出來的。
這個故事裡有三個角色：第一個，是悖逆的小兒子；第二個，是勤奮工作的長子；第三個，是滿有慈愛的父親。
小兒子年輕的時候，拿了父親分給他的產業，出去揮霍放蕩，把所有的錢都花光了。最後，他落得身無分文，餓得連豬吃的食物都想吃，才悔改，決定回家。當他回到家時，父親不僅接納了他，還重新恢復他的身份，給他穿上袍子，戴上戒指。這正是在比喻耶穌拯救我們，把我們從世界上拉回來，讓我們重新在天父的家中，得著尊貴的身份。
但我們要仔細來看這個父親的描寫。當小兒子離家放蕩的時候，父親是什麼態度？當小兒子回來時，父親又表現出怎樣的態度？
請看第20節：「於是起來，往他父親那裡去。相離還遠，他父親看見，就動了慈心，跑去抱著他的頸項，連連與他親嘴。」
你看到這裡有多麼動人的畫面嗎？這個父親，遠遠就看到兒子回來，表示什麼？他每天都在盼望，每天都在等。這不只是一天兩天的事；這個兒子出去不知道多久、走得多遠，但父親卻一直守在門口，日復一日，等著有一天，能夠看見那個熟悉的身影出現在遠方。
當他終於看見兒子回來，他沒有生氣，沒有責備，反而是「跑過去」，抱著他的脖子，一遍又一遍地親吻他，滿心的慈愛，滿心的喜悅。
你看，這就是天父的心。當我們悖逆、走遠、浪費祂給我們的恩典時，祂沒有放棄我們，祂一直在等，而且不是冷冷地等，而是每天在門口、遠遠地盼望著，渴望我們有一天回頭。
當我們終於回到祂面前，祂不會責怪，祂只會用最大的愛擁抱我們，用最深的恩典恢復我們，讓我們知道：「不管你曾經走得多遠，只要你願意回家，我永遠都在等你。」
接下來我們看到第29節，大兒子生氣了。他說什麼呢？
「我服侍你這麼多年，從來沒有違背過你的命，你連一隻山羊羔都沒有給我，讓我和朋友一起快樂。但這個悖逆的兒子，吞掉了你的產業，現在他回來，你竟然為他宰了肥牛犢！」
你看，大兒子看到弟弟活著回來，他沒有一點點高興，反而心裡充滿不滿和生氣。他的反應就像是在說：「這個混球！到處亂混，敗光了家產，現在還敢回來！你想幹嘛？你已經拿走你那份財產了，還想回來跟我搶嗎？我這麼多年辛苦服侍你，沒違背過你的命令，結果你從來沒有獎勵我，連一隻小山羊都沒給我慶祝；這傢伙跑出去混了這麼久，結果你卻大肆慶祝他回來，這合理嗎？」
其實，我們都可以理解大兒子的心態。但是，我們也可以反思：大兒子，你為什麼沒有一顆憐憫的心呢？你的弟弟迷失了，現在活著回來、悔改了，難道身為哥哥的，不能寬容、不能歡喜接納嗎？
再看父親的回答，他說：「孩子，你常與我同在，我所有的一切都是你的。」
這句話很重要。父親其實在告訴大兒子，你什麼都沒少啊！你一直在我身邊，我所有的都是你的。我肯定你的努力，你的付出我都看在眼裡，並沒有因為弟弟回來就忽略你、虧待你。但是，今天你弟弟回來了，他原本失喪，現在重新得著，這是一件值得歡喜的事，不是嗎？
這讓我們也要反思：我們不也是蒙了極大恩典的人嗎？我們不是也一直與天父同在嗎？可是，當我們看到別人蒙恩、別人得到祝福的時候，我們心裡會不會起了嫉妒呢？很多時候，我們的抱怨，不是真的因為自己過得不好，而是因為「看不得別人好」。別人好，我們就心生不平。這是一個很大的提醒：我們要時時警惕自己的心，不要落入嫉妒、不平和比較的陷阱裡。
因為天父早就說了：「孩子，你常與我同在，我所有的一切都是你的。」你已經蒙了福，何必在意別人也得福？讓我們學習父親的心，當看見別人蒙恩、回轉，我們也能與父同樂。
感謝各位的聆聽，我們明天繼續分享第十六章的故事。願上帝祝福各位。
Dear brothers and sisters, peace to you all.
Today, we are reading the story found in Luke chapter 15.In fact, this entire chapter can be viewed as one continuous message, where Jesus uses three parables to express one core truth.So let’s first look at the meaning of each parable, and then together we can understand what Jesus is teaching us.
Before we dive into these parables, we need to understand the historical and cultural background.
For orthodox Jews at that time, especially the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, Gentiles were seen as people who had no hope of salvation.The Jews looked down on non-Jews, considering them worldly, impure, and destined for destruction.In their hearts, they thought: “How could God possibly save them? Only Jews are worthy of salvation!”
So when they saw Jesus associating with sinners, even eating with them, they were deeply offended.In their eyes, these “sinful Jews” were no different from Gentiles — all were doomed.This sense of superiority was deeply ingrained in their thinking.
That’s why, when Jesus spoke these parables, they couldn’t accept them. In fact, they hated them.Because Jesus kept repeating that God’s grace was not only for those they thought were worthy,but also for sinners — even for Gentiles.
With this background in mind, you will understand why these religious leaders were so angry,and why Jesus deliberately used these stories to reveal God’s true heart.
The First Parable: The Lost Sheep
We are all familiar with the story:A good shepherd, having one hundred sheep, loses just one — a 1% loss.Yet he leaves the ninety-nine in the wilderness and goes to search for that one lost sheep.
But we need to understand something more:Being a shepherd at that time was dangerous and demanding.It wasn’t like modern farming with safe pastures, fences, and water sources.Back then, shepherds had to find grass and water in the wilderness,and at night, they had to stay vigilant, guarding the flock from wild animals — wolves, lions, or other predators.
The shepherd was the one who literally risked his life to protect the sheep.So when Jesus uses the shepherd as a metaphor,it’s not an image of ease and leisure;it’s a picture of feeding, nurturing, protecting, and even healing the wounded sheep,sometimes at the cost of the shepherd’s life.
Jesus is telling us: God is this kind of shepherd.He isn’t distant and detached;He personally comes into our lives, facing danger, paying the price, to find the lost, care for them, protect them, and bring them home.
The key point is found in verse 7:"I tell you, in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."
Here, Jesus clearly expresses God’s heart:He doesn’t want anyone to be lost.As long as there’s one person wandering in the wilderness,God will not stop.He will go to great lengths to search for and bring that lost soul home.
The Second Parable: The Lost Coin
The second parable tells of a woman searching for a lost coin.Many of us might think, “It’s just a coin! What’s the big deal if it’s lost?”But we need to understand that in the homes of poor families in Palestine at that time, every small silver coin was precious — it might represent days or weeks of living expenses.
So when she lost it, this woman anxiously searched the entire house.And remember — floors back then were not tiled or wooden;they were made of packed dirt mixed with straw.Finding a small coin in that environment was incredibly difficult — it could easily get buried or hidden in the straw.It required patience and diligence to find it.
When she finally found the coin, her joy was overwhelming.She ran to her neighbors and said,"Rejoice with me! I have found the coin that was lost!"
Now, you can start to understand why the Pharisees and teachers of the law were so angry.Jesus wasn’t just saying that God seeks out sinners and Gentiles;He was painting a picture of God as someone who actively, persistently, and passionately seeks out each lost soul.
This image was completely contrary to Jewish tradition.They believed that God was a high and distant King —if you didn’t strive and work to come to Him, you would be lost.God wouldn’t go looking for you.
But Jesus said the exact opposite:God is not a cold, detached judge;He is a loving, relentless seeker of the lost.Even when people resist and refuse,God continues to pursue, call, and wait,desiring to bring every lost soul home.
This message shattered the Jewish mindset.They couldn’t accept it:"How could a high and holy God come down to search for sinners who had rebelled against Him?"
But this is the radical truth Jesus was proclaiming:God’s love is proactive, passionate, and unconditional.He longs to bring back every lost person,no matter how small, unworthy, or insignificant they may seem in the eyes of others.
The Third Parable: The Waiting Father (The Prodigal Son)
The third story is often called The Prodigal Son.But I believe the real focus is not just the son’s return;it’s the heart of the waiting, loving Father.
In this parable, there are three main characters:
The rebellious younger son.
The hardworking, loyal older brother.
The loving, patient father.
The younger son took his inheritance, left home, and squandered it all in wild living.When he had nothing left and was starving, even craving the food given to pigs,he finally repented and decided to go home.
When he returned, his father did not scold him;instead, he restored him, putting a robe on him and a ring on his hand.This is a picture of Jesus saving us and restoring our place of honor in God’s family.
But let’s carefully look at the father’s actions.What was the father’s attitude while the son was away?And what did he do when the son returned?
Verse 20 says:"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him."
What a beautiful scene!The father saw his son from far away — which tells us what?He had been waiting.Not for a day or two, but perhaps for years,standing at the gate, looking into the distance,hoping and longing for the day his son would come home.
When he finally saw him,he didn’t stand still,he ran toward him,embraced him,and kissed him repeatedly with joy and love.
This is the Father’s heart.When we wander and waste His grace,He doesn’t abandon us.He waits — not coldly, but eagerly.And when we return,there’s no scolding, only the warmest embrace and complete restoration.God says to us, “No matter how far you’ve gone, if you choose to come home, I will always be waiting.”
The Older Brother’s Reaction
Then we come to verse 29, where the older brother gets angry.He says:"Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders.Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home,you kill the fattened calf for him!”
You see, the older brother wasn’t happy at all.Instead, he was full of resentment and jealousy.It’s like he was saying,"This fool ran off and wasted everything,and now he dares to come back?He already took his share, and now he wants to share in what’s left?I’ve been here faithfully all these years, and you never threw a party for me!Yet you celebrate him? How is that fair?"
We can understand the older brother’s feelings —but we also need to reflect:Why couldn’t he show mercy?Why couldn’t he rejoice that his brother was alive and had returned?
The father’s answer is beautiful:"My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours."
The father is telling him:"You haven’t lost anything!Everything I have belongs to you.I see your loyalty and your faithfulness,but your brother was lost and now is found —shouldn’t we rejoice together?"
This is a reminder for us:We, too, are recipients of immense grace.We are already living in the Father’s presence.But sometimes, when we see others being blessed, we feel jealous or resentful.Many times, our complaints don’t come from lacking blessings ourselves,but from being unable to accept that others are also blessed.
We must guard our hearts against envy and comparison.The Father’s words are still for us today:"My child, you are always with Me, and everything I have is yours."
So, why be upset when others receive grace?Let’s learn the Father’s heart —to rejoice when others are restored and blessed,and to celebrate together in the Father’s joy.
Thank you all for listening.Tomorrow, we will continue with chapter 16.May God bless you all!
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