從無花果樹看行動 馬可福音 11:12-14, 20-26
- 馬克牧師
- Mar 18, 2024
- 7 min read
各位平安，歡迎收聽每日聖經故事，每天從聖經學習，如何成為有品德，有能力的人。我是馬克
咒詛無花果樹
（太21‧18－19）
12第二天，他們從伯大尼出來，耶穌餓了。 13遠遠地看見一棵無花果樹，樹上有葉子，就往那裏去，或者在樹上可以找着甚麼。到了樹下，竟找不着甚麼，不過有葉子，因為不是收無花果的時候。 14耶穌就對樹說：「從今以後，永沒有人吃你的果子。」他的門徒也聽見了。
從無花果樹得教訓
（太21‧20－22）
20早晨，他們從那裏經過，看見無花果樹連根都枯乾了。 21彼得想起耶穌的話來，就對他說：「拉比，請看！你所咒詛的無花果樹已經枯乾了。」 22耶穌回答說：「你們當信服神。 23我實在告訴你們，無論何人對這座山說：『你挪開此地，投在海裏！』他若心裏不疑惑，只信他所說的必成，就必給他成了。 24所以我告訴你們，凡你們禱告祈求的，無論是甚麼，只要信是得着的，就必得着。 25你們站着禱告的時候，若想起有人得罪你們，就當饒恕他，好叫你們在天上的父也饒恕你們的過犯。 26你們若不饒恕人，你們在天上的父也不饒恕你們的過犯。 」
我們看到的這段故事記載在馬可福音11章，放在耶穌光榮進入聖城和進入潔淨聖殿的故事之間，提到這個關於無花果樹的故事，很多人都覺得這個故事有點莫名其妙。我們來看一看這個過程，耶穌怎麼會閒著沒事去咒詛一個無花果樹呢？而且這又不是結果子的季節，耶穌幹嘛要欺負一棵樹呢？而且接下來的經文又有一點好像接不上去，就是又提到了禱告又提到了移山，這是為什麼呢？同樣的故事也在馬太福音21章有記載這個事情，而路加福音十三章記載了一個家主再給一棵樹第二次機會的故事。
我們來細讀的時候會發現，其實它整段是在講同一件的事情，耶穌要表達的是一個訊息。我們在看經文的時候，我們不能夠總是單看字面上的意義，會變成斷章取義。整合聖經前後的總原則來看，耶穌當然知道這不是結果子的季節，耶穌也當然沒有必要去找一棵樹的麻煩，那麼耶穌有可能是要用行動來表達道理。我們在聖經裡面也有看到很多時候先知是用一個景象，用一個場景來表達預言，所謂“象徵性”的行為，像是耶利米書27-28章埋腰帶的故事，以賽亞書20:1-16赤腳走路，或是以西結4-5章拿磚和鐵鑿這些行動。
耶穌有一個訊息要告訴我們，我們來看看祂想講什麼。在提到葉子很多但沒有果子的樹上，樹上的葉子能讓人看起來說這個樹應該是很健康很強壯，但卻沒有果子，這一個教訓其實是一個警告：一個葉子茂密，卻沒有果子的樹有點像什麼呢？只在嘴巴上所說而沒有行為的基督徒。可能講起聖經頭頭是道（看起來葉子很茂密），可能看起來很繁盛（參加很多聚會和事工），但是如果沒有結果子，就如馬太福音7章16節所說的：「憑著果子就可以認出他來」，或是路加福音3:8所說的：「結出和悔改的心相稱的果子」宗教經常被人攻擊的事情就是只講不做。如果一個基督徒只有言語卻沒有行為，如果一個教會只有傳道卻沒有愛人的行為，其實這樣子不會產生任何果效，反而會被人攻擊說你們只有嘴沒有手。就如耶穌抨擊法利賽人一樣：耶穌說：「你們律法師也有禍了！因為你們把難擔的擔子放在人身上，自己一個指頭卻不肯動。(路加福音11:46)
在我們日常生活裡面，我們是不是言語多過行動呢？我曾經聽人講很多的好主意。我覺得他們在講的時候精彩無比，描繪了一個美好的未來。但我現在就是默默地看，再過一陣子，看這個人有沒有去執行。而我發現到，這個世界上其實不缺更多的好主意，或是更多的計畫，而是腳踏實地地去執行。我們是不是也是一樣呢？我們如果自己捫心自問自己的生活的話，我們是行動多過話語呢？還是我們總是在講卻沒有那麼多的行動呢？
基督徒要做行動者。我們的言語不用多，因為我們的行為會遠遠大過我們的言語。講道不用多，行道才是重點。唯有行為能讓人看見並且做出改變。
耶穌又告訴我們關於行動的兩個重點。信心是其中之一，就好像我們華人常說的故事之中的愚公移山的故事。愚公宣布他要移山的時候，有人嘲笑他，這麼高的山怎麼可能移得走呢？但是愚公卻很有信心地說：「我一世一世的，我的兒子、我的孫子、我的曾孫子一直這麼搬下去，總有一天這座山會被我們剷平。」他的行動就是信心的表徵，我們看見他的信心，就相信這件事情真的會成就。所有的行動都來自於這個信心，都來自於讓你踏上旅程的信心。只要你開始做，才有實現的可能性。禱告有必要性，而行動也有必要性。我們看見耶穌的行為是，以禱告開始，以行動實現。透過禱告與上帝同心，透過行動與上帝同行。
另一個重點是行動的動力在於愛。我們看到耶穌所說的：「你們當饒恕得罪你們的人。」如果我們無法饒恕別人，那麼天上的父也不會饒恕我們。因為我們是白白獲得恩典跟饒恕，如果我們獲得這樣的恩典卻無法把這樣的恩典分享給別人，等於是我們也沒有真的相信這樣的恩典是白白赦罪的。愛是驅動力，讓我們可以忍耐路上的風雨，繼續往前行。
做事情是由信心為出發點，你必須要先相信，看見你能夠去做，然後以愛為動力，將行為去行出來。
明天我們來看11章最後一段耶穌的權柄被質問，從耶穌的精彩回答裡看他要教我們的智慧。
The story we see is recorded in Mark 11, sandwiched between Jesus entering the holy city in glory and entering the temple to cleanse it. Many find this story about the fig tree somewhat puzzling. Let's take a look at the process: why would Jesus bother cursing a barren fig tree when it wasn't even the season for figs? And why does the following passage seem disconnected, mentioning prayer and moving mountains? The same story is also recorded in Matthew 21, and Luke 13 recounts a parable where a master gives a fig tree a second chance.
As we delve into it, we realize it's all part of the same message Jesus is conveying. When reading scripture, we shouldn't always take things at face value, or we risk cherry-picking. Looking at the overall principles before and after, Jesus obviously knew it wasn't the season for figs, and He certainly didn't need to pick a fight with a tree. So perhaps Jesus was using action to convey a point. Throughout the Bible, we often see prophets using symbolic actions to convey prophecies, such as the story of Jeremiah burying a belt in Jeremiah 27-28, Isaiah walking barefoot in Isaiah 20:1-16, or Ezekiel's actions with bricks and an iron pan in Ezekiel 4-5.
Jesus has a message for us, let's see what He's trying to say. Speaking of a tree with plenty of leaves but no fruit, it's a warning: a tree with lush leaves but no fruit is a bit like what? Christians who only talk the talk without walking the walk. They may seem knowledgeable about the Bible (lots of leaves), they may seem involved in many church activities, but if there's no fruit, as Matthew 7:16 says, "By their fruit you will recognize them," or as Luke 3:8 says, "Produce fruit in keeping with repentance." Religion is often criticized for all talk and no action. If a Christian only has words without actions, if a church only preaches without loving actions, it won't produce any results and will instead be criticized for having only words and no deeds. Just as Jesus criticized the Pharisees: "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them." (Luke 11:46)
In our daily lives, do we speak more than we act? I've heard many great ideas from people. Their words were captivating, painting a beautiful picture of the future. But now, I silently observe to see if they follow through. And I've come to realize that the world isn't lacking in good ideas or plans; what it lacks is the grounded execution. Are we any different? If we introspect our lives, do we find that our actions surpass our words? Or do we often talk without much action?
As Christians, we are called to be people of action. Our words need not be abundant, for our actions speak volumes. It's not about preaching a lot; it's about living out the message. Only through action can people see and bring about change.
Jesus also teaches us two key points about action. Faith is one of them, just like the story of the Foolish Old Man Who Removed the Mountains often recounted in Chinese culture. When the old man declared he would move the mountain, some laughed at him, questioning how such a tall mountain could be moved. Yet, the old man remained steadfast, saying, "Through generations, my sons, my grandsons, and my great-grandsons will continue this task, and one day this mountain will be flattened." His actions were a manifestation of his faith. Seeing his faith, we believe this task can truly be accomplished. All actions stem from this faith, from the belief that starting something leads to the possibility of achievement. Prayer is necessary, and so is action. We see Jesus' behavior: it begins with prayer and ends with action. Through prayer, we align with God, and through action, we work alongside Him.
Another key point is that the driving force behind action is love. We see this in Jesus' words: "Forgive those who have wronged you." If we can't forgive others, then our heavenly Father won't forgive us. We've received grace and forgiveness freely; if we can't extend that to others, it's as if we don't truly believe in the grace and forgiveness we've received. Love is the driving force that enables us to endure the storms on the journey and keep moving forward.
Doing things starts with faith. You must first believe, see that you can do it, and then let love propel you into action.
Tomorrow, let's look at the last section of Chapter 11, where Jesus is questioned about His authority, and from His brilliant response, we can learn wisdom.
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