各位平安，我們今天來分享的故事叫做「撒種的故事」，記載在馬可福音的第四章。這個故事在西方國家也是很常被使用的比喻，讓我們一同來聽聽。
耶穌開始他在曠野中的事工，在空曠的地方用一般人聽得懂的比喻和故事來向平民講道。因為當時傳統的會堂解經的嚴肅方式已經很難讓會中的人再專心聽講了。耶穌大膽地使用了新的方式來傳福音。
Peace be with you all. Today, we're going to share a story called "The Parable of the Sower," recorded in the fourth chapter of the Gospel of Mark. This story is also commonly used as a metaphor in daily life, so let's listen together.
Jesus began his ministry in the wilderness, using understandable parables and stories to preach to the common people in open spaces. Because at that time, the solemn manner of interpreting scripture in the traditional synagogues made it difficult for the congregation to remain attentive. Jesus boldly employed a new approach to spread the Gospel.
耶穌是一個比喻和講故事的大師，他深知重要的真理不能單靠大量的知識和言語來傳遞。在很長一段歷史中，人類傳遞知識的方式大多是透過歌謠、比喻和故事等等。就像我們小時候聽到的三隻小豬的故事、蚱蜢和螞蟻的故事，或者各種兒童寓言故事一樣，我們透過這些故事學到了很多道理。直到今天，我們仍然記得這些故事，並繼續將它們傳揚給我們的下一代。
Jesus was a master of parables and storytelling. He understood deeply that important truths cannot be effectively conveyed solely through a wealth of knowledge and words. Throughout much of history, humanity has transmitted knowledge primarily through songs, metaphors, and stories. Just like the stories of "The Three Little Pigs" or "The Ant and the Grasshopper" that we heard in our childhood, or various fables, we learn many lessons through these stories. Even today, we still remember these stories and continue to pass them on to the next generation.
這裡耶穌說使用的也是一個非常常見的平常的故事，就是撒種的比喻。一個農夫出去撒種，他的種子撒在各個地方：有一些落在了石頭地，有一些落在了路邊被鳥吃掉，有一些落在了荊棘叢，有一些落在了好土裡。
Here, Jesus uses a very common and ordinary story, the parable of the sower. A farmer went out to sow his seeds, and the seeds fell on different types of ground: some fell on rocky ground, some fell along the path and were eaten by birds, some fell among thorns, and some fell on good soil.
相信大家都聽過「思想的種子」這個觀念。我們任何一個想法開始的時候，都來自於一個萌芽的思想，像是一個種子。我們從這個種子開始發芽，漸漸會長成我們所想要的思想，或者是整個思想體系。這就是所謂的「思想的種子」。耶穌在這邊用種子來比喻是非常貼切的。
I believe everyone has heard of the concept of "seeds of thought." Every idea begins with a budding thought, much like a seed. We nurture this seedling thought, and gradually it grows into the thoughts or entire systems of thought that we desire. This is what we call "seeds of thought." Jesus' use of seeds as a metaphor here is very apt.
我們剛過了新年，各位都應該注意到，在新年的時候我們都會設立一些新的目標。不管是今年要減肥、要讀書，或者是要做一些新的習慣改變，解除掉一些壞習慣，或者是培養新的習慣，這都是我們每一個人在新年時會做的事情。
但我們到底堅持了多少？這個時候我們就要自己來反思一下：為什麼好像年初時設的目標到了剛過了第一季就忘光了呢？這個比喻很好地告訴了我們，在人生中我們所做的很多事情都跟這個撒種的農夫一樣。在某個時候，我們都可能是這四個情況中的某一情況。
We've just passed the New Year, and I'm sure everyone has noticed that during this time, we tend to set new goals for ourselves. Whether it's losing weight, reading more books, adopting new habits, breaking old ones, or cultivating new ones, these are all things each of us tends to do at the start of a new year.
But how many of these goals do we actually stick to? This is a moment for self-reflection: why is it that the goals we set at the beginning of the year seem to be forgotten shortly after the first quarter?
This analogy serves as a poignant reminder that many of the things we do in life are akin to the actions of the sower in the parable. At some point, we may find ourselves in one of these four situations.
我們首先看到的是土淺石頭地上的種子。這裡有土，可以生長，只不過土因為很淺，所以雖然容易發芽，但是一下子就被太陽曬乾，沒有水就死掉了。這有點像什麼呢？我們在立志的時候，我們說今天是新年，所以我一定要做什麼什麼。這時我們鬥志高昂，非常努力，然後堅持了兩天以後我們就放棄了。
The first seeds we see fall on shallow, rocky soil. Here, there is soil for growth, but it's shallow. So while the seeds sprout easily, they quickly wither in the sun without enough water. This scenario is reminiscent of our determination at the start of the year when we say, "Today is the New Year, so I must do this and that." We start with high spirits, putting in a lot of effort, but after just two days, we give up.
接著，我們看到落在路旁的種子被鳥下來就把它吃掉了。這像什麼呢？我們周圍的朋友圈非常關鍵。我們都會被周圍的人所影響，如果你的朋友都在支持你，你的目標會比較容易實現。所以為什麼講朋友圈呢？因為你會跟類似的人在一起，這些人有可能會把你往上帶，但大多數情況下他們會把你留在原地。這時，這些人的話就像鳥一樣，你剛剛得到了新的資訊、新的概念，但因為你周圍的朋友圈沒有同樣的概念，而你自己可能也覺得這樣子無所謂，漸漸地就放棄了這個有價值的觀念，種子被鳥吃掉了。
Next, we see seeds falling along the path and being eaten by birds. What does this resemble? Our social circle is crucial here. We are influenced by the people around us. If your friends support you, your goals are more likely to be achieved. So why mention the social circle? Because you tend to surround yourself with similar people. These individuals may uplift you, but most of the time, they'll keep you stagnant. At this point, their words are like birds; you've just gained new information, new concepts, but because your social circle lacks the same ideas and you may feel indifferent, you gradually abandon this valuable concept, and the seed is eaten by birds.
再來第三種叫做荊棘。從這個比喻中，我們所有的人可能都很容易體會。想想紐西蘭的夏天，各位有沒有除過草？草長得特別快，剛剛除完草一個禮拜，馬上又長出來了。大家都知道，除草是蠻辛苦的。
然後，大家有沒有注意到當我們在種花園的時候，剛開始撒種一些花啊草的時候，那些好的花草生長都很慢，但是過了兩天，一看旁邊馬上冒出了一些其他的東西，雜草。雜草的生命力又強又快，你除了又長，拔了還長，你要一勞永逸地除掉是不可能的。
Next, we have the third type, the seeds among thorns. From this analogy, it's something all of us can easily relate to. Think about summers in New Zealand. Have you ever had to weed your garden? Grass grows exceptionally fast; you just finished weeding, and within a week, it's grown back again. We all know that weeding can be quite arduous.
Furthermore, have you noticed that when we start planting in our gardens, initially, the growth of the good flowers and plants is slow, but after a couple of days, we see other things sprouting nearby— weeds. Weeds have strong and rapid growth. They keep coming back even after you've pulled them out, making it impossible to get rid of them once and for all.
更奇妙的是，就算你把土全部都翻過一遍，換了所有的土，雜草還是有本事不知道從哪裡冒出來，並且把你那些努力中好的花草纏住，搶了養分。這就是雜草和荊棘的厲害。
當我們想要去做一件事情的時候，比如說每天運動30分鐘，其實很多人都認同，但是很少人做得到。為什麼呢？因為我們每天都有工作，每一天都有加班，每天都有孩子要照顧，每天都有許多許多的事情要我們去分心煩惱。
What's even more remarkable is that even if you turn over all the soil and replace it, weeds still manage to sprout from somewhere, entangling your efforts and robbing nutrients from the good plants. That's the cunning nature of weeds and thorns.
When we set out to do something, like exercising for 30 minutes every day, many people agree it's beneficial, yet few actually manage to do it. Why is that? Because every day, we have work, overtime, children to take care of, and numerous other distractions and worries that divert our attention.
所以當我們在堅持這個過程的時候，有很多的荊棘。無論是我們家中的種種，無論是我們的工作，無論是我們外面的種種，無論是我們立志行善的種種，我們都立意良善，想要去做，但是終究得在某些生活的磨難之下，我們就漸漸被這些荊棘給捆綁起來了。
而除雜草是一個需要固定努力的事情，你不可能除一次就休息兩個月，否則你的花園早就被雜草全部覆蓋掉了。
So, as we persevere through this process, we encounter many thorns. Whether they're the various distractions at home, the demands of our work, the external pressures we face, or the noble aspirations we set out to achieve, we may have good intentions and the desire to act, but ultimately, we find ourselves gradually bound by these thorns due to life's trials and tribulations.
Weeding, therefore, is something that requires consistent effort. You can't just weed once and then take a two-month break; otherwise, your garden would soon be overrun by weeds.
最後，我們看到了好土。這就是當你用心地種植以後，你會看到你的花或者是你的水果，或者是你喜歡的植物生長茂密，並且結出了累累實實的果子。不論你是種的花，還是種水果，這個時候收成的時候相信每一個喜歡園藝的人都是非常開心的。
而真正做過園藝的人都知道這個成果得來不易。因為你要做許多事情：你要翻土，要除雜草，要施肥，要澆水，你要為它遮陽。真正能夠結出果子來的都是不簡單的結果。
Finally, we see the good soil. This is when, with careful cultivation, you witness your flowers, fruits, or favorite plants growing lush and bearing abundant fruit. Whether you're cultivating flowers or fruits, gardeners everywhere rejoice at the harvest during this time.
However, those who have truly practiced gardening understand that this outcome doesn't come easily. You must perform various tasks: turning over the soil, weeding, fertilizing, watering, providing shade. Truly bearing fruit is no simple feat.
耶穌就在這裡比喻一模一樣的，這就是人心啊。土壤其實就是我們每一個人的人心，因為當我們立志去做一些事情的時候，我們都知道可能是好的，但是有鳥兒來搶，有土淺的地方，也有荊棘把我們的思緒擠住了。所以很多時候我們在勵志的時候由得我，但行出來卻由不得我。
你可以思想這個園丁的道理，因為園丁要很努力。你如果認定了一件事情，你必定要為它付出代價，付出努力。在這世上，想要有好的結果、想要有豐盛的果子，一定是要付出相當大的努力的。
Here, Jesus uses the same analogy, likening it to the human heart. The soil represents each person's heart because when we set out to do something, we may know it's good, but birds come to snatch it away, there are shallow places, and thorns choke our thoughts. So often, while we are inspired, our actions are not within our control.
You can ponder the wisdom of the gardener because gardening requires great effort. If you're committed to something, you must pay the price, exert effort. In this world, achieving good results, bearing abundant fruit, always requires significant effort.
耶穌的比喻特別奇妙，他的目的就是在分享一個概念，你要明白耶穌想要表達的重點在於哪裡。其實人心就是如此，我們每一個人在某個時間點上都可能是這四個圖裡面的其中一個。我自己就有過每一種經歷，所以我很明白了解這四個圖分別都是什麼樣子的。我相信每個人大概也有這樣的感受。所以當我們聽完這個比喻的時候，我們可以把它放在自己的身上去思想：今天你是哪一種土？我還記得我自己，剛剛開始參加教會的時候，很開心，很期待去聚會。但是聚會了好幾年，好像也沒真的把這個信仰搞明白。然後，有段時間失去方向，就在外面漂流了好一陣子，聚會也不去，聖經也不讀。有好長一段時間，就是在荊棘叢裡。
Jesus's parable is indeed remarkable, aiming to convey a concept. It's essential to understand where Jesus intends to emphasize. The human heart mirrors this analogy, as each person can identify with one of the four scenarios at different times. Personally, I've experienced each scenario, so I understand what each represents. I believe many others can relate as well. So, when we hear this parable, we can reflect on ourselves: which type of soil are we today?
I recall a time when I first joined the church, filled with joy and anticipation for gatherings. However, after attending for years, it seemed like I hadn't truly grasped the faith. I lost direction for a while, drifting away from church and neglecting the Bible. For a significant period, I found myself among thorns.
感謝上帝，祂從未放棄我們，派遣許多僕人來引導我們。我終於讓上帝改變了我，但我是否已經成為好土地呢？也許，至少在過去幾年裡，我更認真地閱讀聖經，思考上帝的話語。我也獲得了前所未有的理解和視角。為此，我每天都感謝上帝。我期待這些種子能夠結出豐盛的果實，三十倍、六十倍、一百倍。我們要將福音傳遞出去，讓更多人聽到。作為基督徒，我們必須走到人前，用行動表達我們的信仰。每個基督徒的挑戰不是默默地藏在土裡，而是要成長、發芽、結果，並以行動實踐信仰。教會不能閉門造車，只為自己安靜地聚會。教會是要走出去，將這塊土地變成豐盛的禾場。
Thank God, He never gave up on me, sending many of His servants to guide me. I finally allowed God to change me, but am I now good soil? Perhaps, at least in the past few years, I have been more earnestly reading the Bible and pondering God's word. I have also gained unprecedented understanding and perspective. For this, I thank God every day. I look forward to these seeds bearing abundant fruit, thirtyfold, sixtyfold, a hundredfold. We must spread the gospel and let more people hear it. As Christians, we must step out and express our faith through action. The challenge for every Christian is not to quietly hide in the soil but to grow, sprout, bear fruit, and practice our faith through action. The church cannot shut its doors and quietly hold meetings. The church is meant to go out and turn this land into a fertile harvest field.
所以，我們可能這四個過程都會經歷過。但感謝上帝，我們可以選擇。我們是人，有勇氣，能聽，能做出改變。今天有機會能夠把雜草除掉，把荊棘去掉，讓好的種子在我們心中發芽。當你付出了這些努力的時候，你心中的種子會不斷地生長發芽，最後給你相當大的回報。
信仰改變的是我們一生的價值觀。今天我們聽見了福音。耶穌都在我們心中灑了種子，而各位每週也都回來繼續聽，繼續將種子撒進心中。感謝上帝。身為牧師，我的職責就是繼續撒種。我為各位禱告，盼望這些種子能夠在各位心中生根發芽，結實三十，六十，一百倍。
So, we may have experienced each of these four processes. But thank God, we have a choice. We are human, with courage, ability to listen, and ability to make changes. Today, we have the opportunity to remove the weeds, to clear away the thorns, and to let the good seeds sprout in our hearts. When you make these efforts, the seeds in your heart will continue to grow and sprout, ultimately giving you a significant reward.
Faith changes the values of our lives. Today we have heard the gospel. Jesus has sown seeds in our hearts, and each week you come back to continue listening, continuing to sow seeds in your hearts. Thank God. As a pastor, my duty is to continue sowing seeds. I pray for you all, hoping that these seeds will take root and sprout in your hearts, yielding thirty, sixty, a hundredfold.
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