Tonight, I would like to share with you two points from the Gospel of Matthew. The Light And the Life.
今晚,我想与大家分享马太福音中的两个主题:光与生命。
1/2 The Light. 光
All our lessons speak of light being separated from the darkness. The darkness covering the formless and empty planet earth, until God said in Genesis 1:3, “Let there be light,” on the first day of Creation. Adam and Eve plunging into the darkness by eating the forbidden fruit, thus sinning against God, each other, and their descendants. But there is a glimmer of hope in the story of the Fall, the seed of the woman would make war with the seed of the serpent. Light would one day triumph over the Darkness.
今晚的经文都讲到光与黑暗的分离。从创世记1:3中,黑暗笼罩着空虚混沌的地球,直到神说“要有光”,便有了光。亚当和夏娃因吃了禁果而陷入黑暗,向着神犯罪,也向彼此和后裔犯罪。然而,在堕落的故事中,仍有一丝希望:女人的后裔将与蛇的后裔争战,光终将战胜黑暗。
This was also promised to Abraham, as the ram burned on the altar in place of his son Isaac, the LORD God promised Abraham an offspring, “I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, 18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”
这一希望同样应许给了亚伯拉罕。当他用公羊代替以撒献祭时,耶和华神应许他说:“论福,我必赐大福给你;论子孙,我必叫你的子孙多起来,如同天上的星,海边的沙;你的子孙必得着仇敌的城门,并且地上万国都必因你的后裔得福,因为你听从了我的话。”
This offspring, one descendant, would be the main star in a great constellation, a constellation of people taken from all the nations of the world and made into one people, one nation, the Church. Descendants of Father Abraham, and their enemies, the Gentiles, would be linked into this constellation, and according to the Apostle Paul, shining as lights in the world.
这后裔——一个特定的后裔,将成为巨大星座中的主星。这星座由来自全世界万国的人组成,他们被聚集成为一个子民,一个族群——教会。亚伯拉罕的后裔以及他们的仇敌——外邦人,都被连结成这个星座。正如使徒保罗所说,他们如明光照耀在世上。
Abraham’s descendants became numerous as the stars of heaven and the sand on the seashore in the land of Egypt, The Twelve Tribe of Israel. However, in Egypt they are enslaved and almost exterminated by Pharaoh. The seed of the serpent, goes to war against the seed of the woman and Abraham.
亚伯拉罕的后裔在埃及变得如天上的星、海边的沙那样多。然而,在埃及,他们却被法老奴役,几近灭绝。蛇的后裔对女人的后裔及亚伯拉罕发起了战争。
But God delivers them from evil with the blood of the Lamb causing the angel of Death to pass over them and punish the seed of the Serpent.
但神以羔羊的血拯救他们,使灭命的天使越过他们,惩罚蛇的后裔。
And as they journey closer to the Promised Land the Seed of the Serpent attempts to strike them again by having Balaam the prophet utter curses from his mouth. But Balaam’s mission failed. Instead of cursing the people of Israel, he utters a blessed prophecy, for in Numbers 24:17-19 “17 I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth.18 Edom shall be dispossessed. Seir also, his enemies, shall be dispossessed. Israel is doing valiantly. 19 And one from Jacob shall exercise dominion and destroy the survivors of cities!”
在他们走向应许之地的途中,蛇的后裔试图通过让先知巴兰咒诅以色列民来攻击他们。然而,巴兰的使命失败了。相反,他说出了一个祝福的预言:“我看他却不在现时;我望他却不在近日;有星要出于雅各,有杖要兴于以色列,必打碎摩押的四角,毁坏扰乱之子。他必得以东为基业,又得仇敌之地西珥为产业。以色列必行事勇敢。有一位出于雅各的,必掌大权,他要除灭城中的余民。”(民数记24:17-19)
“A Star shall come out of Jacob.” In Genesis 1:16 the Lord God created the stars to serve the Moon as it governed the night sky. Stars were also metaphors of kings. Many chronicles record stars appearing in the sky on the night a monarch was born. But anyone who claims a star arose on their births are committing stolen valor. Only one person truly had a star rise on His birth. The Offspring of the Woman, the Offspring of Abraham, the Star of Jacob.
“有星要出于雅各。” 在创世记1:16中,神创造了星星来伴随月亮掌管夜空。星星也常象征君王。古代编年史中常记录君王出生之夜天上出现星星。然而,若有人宣称自己出生时有星星升起,那只是冒充荣耀。只有一个人的诞生真正应验了星星升起的预言,那就是女人的后裔、亚伯拉罕的后裔、雅各的星。
The Israelites entered the Promised Land only to become like Egypt and the neighboring kingdoms around them. Worshipping idols, committing injustice, and practicing immorality, for the seed of the serpent had seduced them into serving him instead of the One True and Living God. The LORD God caused their enemies to invade and carry them off into exile. All seemed to be lost. But the prophet Isaiah, inspired by the Holy Spirit uttered this prophecy, 2 “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.”
以色列人进入应许之地,却变得与埃及和周围的列国一样,敬拜偶像,行不义,犯淫乱,因为蛇的后裔引诱他们背离独一的真神。于是,耶和华神兴起敌人攻击他们,把他们掳到异地。然而,先知以赛亚在圣灵的感动下发出预言:“在黑暗中行走的百姓看见了大光;住在死荫之地的人有光照耀他们。因有一婴孩为我们而生,有一子赐给我们;政权必担在他的肩头上。他名称为奇妙策士、全能的神、永在的父、和平的君。他的政权与平安必加增无穷,他必在大卫的宝座上治理他的国,以公平公义使国坚定稳固,从今直到永远。”
All this is written in past tense, but it is what will happen in the future. Why? Because when God makes a promise, it is not only made it is considered done. Past truly portends the future when it comes to Biblical prophecy. The LORD God knowing we deserve His wrath and curse for our sins also shows us grace. He will redeem His people from their sins through the person and work of the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace.
这些话用过去式书写,却是预言未来的事情。为什么?因为神的应许一旦赐下,就必成就。在圣经的预言中,过去预示着未来。尽管我们因罪理当承受神的忿怒与咒诅,但神却赐下恩典。他要通过奇妙策士、全能的神、永在的父与和平的君来拯救他的百姓脱离罪。
Centuries pass and the Offspring of the Woman, the Offspring of Abraham, the Star of Jacob, the Child is born. In the City of King David, his human ancestor, Jesus Christ the LORD was born. The Star of Jacob arises in the East and the Magi of Persia, knowing that what Balaam prophesied centuries prior, has come to pass. They leave their dark arts, their parchments, their divinations, their scientific instruments.
几个世纪过去了,女人的后裔、亚伯拉罕的后裔、雅各的星,那婴孩终于降生了。在大卫王的城伯利恒,这位人类的救主——主耶稣基督诞生了。雅各的星从东方升起,波斯的博士们知道,巴兰数百年前的预言实现了。他们放下了巫术、典籍和工具。
They obtain gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and they come to Judaea to worship Him. That which was promised in ancient times would now be fulfilled in their time. Jesus, the Son of God has come in humanity’s darkest hour, and upon His coming light shines in the darkness. The angels appear to the shepherds outside of Bethlehem and announces His coming to the Jewish people. And a star appears to the Magi, Gentiles, enemies of the people of God, calling them to come and worship Him.
他们带着黄金、乳香和没药,来到犹太地敬拜祂。古老的应许如今要在他们的世代应验了。耶稣,上帝之子,在人类最黑暗的时刻降临,他的降临在黑暗中闪耀着光芒。天使出现在伯利恒城外的牧羊人面前,向犹太人宣告他的到来。一颗星星出现在博士、外邦人、上帝子民的敌人面前,呼唤他们来敬拜他。
They arrive in Jerusalem and inquire about His whereabouts. “Where is he who is born the King of the Jews? For we saw His star when it arose and have come to worship Him.” The Light in the sky can only get them so far. And so, it is with us. God has made Himself known by his creation, providences, and our consciences. But they will only get us so far on our spiritual journey.
他们来到耶路撒冷,询问祂的下落:“那生下来作犹太人之王的在哪里?我们在东方看见祂的星,特来拜祂。”然而,天上的光只能将他们引领至此。我们也是如此。神通过创造、护理和我们的良心向我们显明祂的存在,但这些只能将我们带到一定程度。
If we want to truly know God and to live for Him, we must consult sacred Scripture. Herod the de facto King of the Jews consults the chief priests and scribes, who in turn consult Sacred Scripture, to find out “where the Christ [the de jure king] was to be born.”
如果我们真正想认识神并为祂而活,就必须查考圣经。希律王,这位事实上的犹太王,召集祭司长和文士,他们查考圣经,以确认“基督(那位合法的王)”将诞生的地点。
Not in the palace in Jerusalem, but in Bethlehem, for it is written in Micah 5:2 “And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.” The star of Jacob the scepter of Israel would come forth from the tribe of Judah, the family of King David, and be born in Bethlehem the hometown of David the shepherd boy turned king.
答案并不是耶路撒冷的王宫,而是伯利恒,因为弥迦书5:2写道:“伯利恒以法他啊,你在犹大诸城中为小,将来必有一位从你那里出来,在以色列中为我作掌权的;他的根源从亘古,从太初就有。” 雅各的星、以色列的杖将出自犹大支派、大卫家族,诞生在大卫的故乡——牧童出身的大卫成为王的地方——伯利恒。
Herod sends the wise men on to find the child born King of the Jews and then report his location, “So that I may to come and worship Him.” The magi depart and the star that they saw rising in the East reappears, indicating that this is not just some astronomical phenomena. It is fulfilled prophecy, it is a sign from the LORD God, the Star of Jacob has arisen in the sky and is shining over the place where the child was dwelling.
希律王派博士们去寻找这位犹太人之王,并让他们回来报告祂的所在,说:“好让我也去拜祂。”博士们离开时,他们在东方看到的星再次显现,表明这不仅仅是天文现象,而是应验的预言,是耶和华神的作为。雅各的星升起在天空,照耀着那孩子所居住的地方。
The Magi rejoiced exceedingly with great joy upon finding the house where the child lives with Mary and Joseph. Jesus is now a two-year-old toddler. The day of his birth is now a memory in the heart of His mother, the Virgin Mary.
博士们找到耶稣与马利亚、约瑟同住的房子时,心里欢喜快乐极了。此时,耶稣已经是两岁的小孩了。他出生的那一天,如今只存留在童贞女马利亚的记忆里。
No longer is He a swaddled babe in a stone manger, but a child growing in wisdom and stature. Joseph is at work providing for them. Then the Magi worship Him and offer to Him their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Gold is a gift to a king. Frankincense is a gift to a priest. And myrrh is a prophetic gift. Jesus is our King, our High Priest, and our Prophet. As our King he rules over us, He defends us, restrains and conquers all His and our enemies. Especially, the Serpent who has kept us in darkness. Jesus as the King of Light delivers us out of the darkness and into His marvelous light. As our High Priest He offered up Himself to be sacrificed for our sins to reconcile us to God. And as for the myrrh, it reveals that He is a prophet who reveals to us, by His Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation. It was God’s will for Him to come into our world to die on the Cross for our sins. After his death, His body was taken down from that cursed tree, His body was anointed with myrrh, the bitter perfume.
祂不再是襁褓中的婴孩,也不再躺在石制马槽里,而是一个逐渐长大、充满智慧的小孩。约瑟正在工作,为家庭提供所需。博士们进入房子后,敬拜祂,并献上他们的礼物:黄金、乳香和没药。黄金是献给君王的礼物,乳香是献给祭司的礼物,而没药则是献给先知的礼物。耶稣是我们的君王、大祭司和先知。作为君王,祂统治我们,保护我们,制服并战胜祂所有的仇敌,尤其是使我们陷入黑暗的蛇。耶稣作为光明的君王,将我们从黑暗中拯救出来,带入祂奇妙的光明之中。作为大祭司,祂献上自己作为赎罪祭,为我们的罪牺牲自己,使我们与神和好。而没药则表明祂是先知,通过祂的话语和圣灵,向我们揭示神为我们得救的旨意。这是神的旨意:祂降临这个世界,为我们的罪被钉死在十字架上。在祂死后,祂的身体被从那咒诅的木头上取下,用没药这苦香料膏抹。
Darkness covered the land at that time, and the Serpent inferred that He had triumphed over the Seed of the Woman. And yet our Lord did not remain in the Tomb. He rose from the dead on the Third Day at first light. Triumphing over the Seed of the Serpent.
当时黑暗笼罩着大地,蛇以为它已经战胜了女人的后裔。然而,我们的主并未停留在坟墓里。祂在第三天黎明时分复活,战胜了蛇的后裔。
And as the Crucified-Risen-Ascended Lord Jesus he continues His work at Prophet, Priest, and King at the Right Hand of God with His Word and Spirit. His Star shines permanently, shining its light to all, bringing sinners out of the darkness of sin, Satan, and death and into the marvelous light. One day He shall return to finally put an end to Satan and there shall be no more night, but everlasting Light.
作为被钉死、复活并升天的主耶稣,祂继续以先知、祭司和君王的身份在神的右边作工,通过祂的话语和圣灵向世人发光。祂的星光永久闪耀,将罪人从罪恶、撒但和死亡的黑暗中带入奇妙的光明。有一天,祂将再来,彻底终结撒但,从此不再有黑夜,只有永恒的光明。
2/2 And in His light there is life. Which leads, to my second point. Life. 在祂的光中有生命,这引出了我的第二个主题:生命。
In my sermon text, we see what life is like. Life is what happens to us, and how we will respond to it. In tonight’s passages we see how people respond to the Light.
在今晚的经文中,我们看到生命的样子。生命是发生在我们身上的事,以及我们如何回应它。在今晚的经文中,我们看到人们如何回应光。
Consider King Herod and all Jerusalem with Him. How did they respond to the news that the King of the Jews had been born and His star had arisen? Notice that upon hearing the news of His birth they were troubled. Why? Herod was a descendant of the Edomite peoples, whom Balaam prophesied would be defeated by the Star of Jacob. Herod was also the seed of the Serpent. Notice that he was not a genuine believer, he had the scribes and chief priests discern the birthplace of Jesus from Scripture, for intelligence purposes. He did not want to worship the new King of the Jews, the true King of the Jews, he wanted to locate Him to kill Him. But his efforts were thwarted. He and his descendants were defeated by the Crucified and Risen Christ, He is now forgotten while Christ is remembered.
首先来看希律王和与他同在的耶路撒冷全城。他们听到犹太人之王出生的消息以及祂的星升起时,是如何回应的呢?注意,他们听到祂诞生的消息后,感到不安。为什么?因为希律是以东人的后裔,而巴兰曾预言雅各的星将战胜以东人。希律也是蛇的后裔。他并不是一位真正的信徒,他让文士和祭司长通过圣经查明耶稣的出生地,仅仅是为了情报的目的。他不想敬拜这位犹太人的新王,而是想找到祂杀死祂。然而,他的努力落空了。他和他的后裔被死而复活的基督战胜了,如今他被遗忘,而基督却被永远铭记。
Consider the chief priests and scribes. One would think that they would be delighted to hear that the Star of Jacob had been born in Bethlehem. That the prophecies of old had been fulfilled. But what to they do? They do not lead the Magi down to Bethlehem, a five-mile journey from Jerusalem. They remain in Jerusalem. Why? They were afraid of the seed of the Serpent, King Herod, that he would slay them as He did to any claimant to his throne.
接下来,我们看看祭司长和文士。他们听说雅各的星已经在伯利恒诞生时,并没有感到喜乐。旧约的预言已经实现,但他们没有引领博士前往仅五英里之遥的伯利恒。他们留在耶路撒冷。为什么?因为他们害怕蛇的后裔——希律王,怕他会像对待其他王位竞争者那样杀死他们。
They also loved their positions of power and prestige and refused to recognize Jesus as the true King of the Jews. This becomes apparent at the end of the Gospel of Matthew when they hand Jesus over to Pontius Pilate to crucify Him. They condemn for blasphemy for claiming to be the Son of God, and then have Pilate try him for sedition, for claiming to be, “The King of the Jews.”
他们也爱惜自己的权力和地位,不愿承认耶稣是真正的犹太人之王。这一点在马太福音的最后清楚显明:他们将耶稣交给彼拉多,要祂被钉十字架。他们控告祂亵渎罪,指控祂自称是神的儿子;又控告祂叛国罪,指控祂自称“犹太人的王”。
That might be you tonight. Jesus might make you uncomfortable. You like your position, your possessions, your associations. And when the good news that Jesus has come into the world to save you, you baulk at the thought that you are a sinner in need of saving. But the same Light that reveals your sinfulness is the same light that can save you. Take courage and come to Jesus. Let go of your positions, your possessions, and your associations which will soon pass away and embrace Jesus Christ. In Him you will gain an eternal position, imperishable possessions, and belong to the ultimate association, His Church.
这也许就是你今晚的情形。耶稣可能让你感到不安。你珍视自己的地位、财物和人际关系。当听到耶稣降临这个世界来拯救你的好消息时,你可能抗拒承认自己是一个需要拯救的罪人。然而,显明你罪的光,也是能够拯救你的光。鼓起勇气来寻求耶稣。放下那些很快就会过去的地位、财物和关系,转而拥抱耶稣基督。在祂里面,你将获得永恒的地位、不朽的财物,并归属于祂的教会这一至高的团契。
Then we read how the Magi responded to the good news.
让我们看看博士们如何回应这好消息
These men, left everything to follow Him, and gave their best presents unto Him. When they saw the star over Bethlehem they “rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.” They worshipped the Lord Jesus and gave them their best possessions, each one signifying their belief and trust in Him as their Lord and Savior. Then they returned to their homes on a different path. “Being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.”
这些人放下一切跟随耶稣,将他们最好的礼物献给祂。他们看见伯利恒上空的星时,“极其欢喜”,他们敬拜主耶稣,并献上他们最好的财物,每一样都象征他们对祂的信靠和敬拜。然后,他们另走一条路回到家乡,“因为在梦中被指示不要回到希律那里,就从别的路回本地去了。”
Throughout the New Testament and in Church History we encounter men and women, Jewish and Gentile alike, who leave everything to follow Jesus. How they discover they are inadequate without Jesus, how their positions and possessions are temporal, their lives but a vapor, and their hearts, minds, and souls full of sin. But when they discover Jesus, the Star of Jacob, their sins are forgiven, they want Him more than anything the world offers, and give up everything to follow Him.
在新约圣经和教会历史中,我们看到无数的男女,无论犹太人还是外邦人,都放下一切来跟随耶稣。他们发现自己在没有耶稣时是多么软弱无能;他们的地位和财物是多么短暂;他们的生命如同云雾,而他们的心灵、思想和灵魂充满罪恶。然而,当他们发现耶稣——雅各的星时,他们的罪被赦免,他们比世上的一切更渴慕祂,为了跟随祂愿意付上任何代价。
It comes at a great cost to them, but to have Jesus as their Light and Life forever it’s worth it. They leave the Herods of the world behind and like the Magi go home to their own country, the Kingdom of Heaven, whose King is the Lord Jesus Christ.
这代价对他们而言是巨大的,但拥有耶稣作为永恒的光和生命,这一切都值得。他们放下了希律王所代表的世界,就像博士们一样,踏上另一条路,回到了他们真正的家乡——天国,耶稣基督是那里的王。
How will you respond to the Star of Jacob? The first one or the second one. This Christmas, consider whether you are in the darkness or the light. Are you walking in the darkness, filled with sin, under the domain of Satan, destined to die both physically and spiritually?
你会如何回应雅各的星?你会选择第一种回应,还是第二种?今年圣诞节,请思考自己是在黑暗中,还是在光中。你是在黑暗中行走,充满罪恶,被撒但辖制,注定要经历身体和灵魂的双重死亡吗?
Let me encourage you to come out of the darkness and come to the Light that is in Jesus Christ. Worship the Lord Jesus Christ with your whole being. And may you return to your homes tonight as a different person, a different family, making a difference in the world for Jesus Christ. Go home with Jesus Christ in your heart.
让我鼓励你离开黑暗,来到耶稣基督的光中。用你的全人敬拜主耶稣基督。今晚,愿你回家时成为一个不同的人,带着耶稣基督在你心中的光,与家人一起为耶稣基督改变这个世界。
Or are you already in the Light? Do you believe in the Son of God, the Seed of the Woman, Seed of the Abraham, the Star of Jacob, the Great Light, Our Prophet, Priest, and King? If you are in the Light, then rejoice exceedingly with great joy, worship the Lord Jesus Christ, give him your time, talents, and treasures, and one day you shall go home to be with Him forever.
或者,你已经在光中了吗?你是否相信神的儿子,女人的后裔,亚伯拉罕的后裔,雅各的星,这位大光,我们的先知、祭司和君王?如果你已经在光中,那么极其欢喜,满心喜乐地敬拜主耶稣基督,将你的时间、才能和财物献给祂,有一天你将永远与祂同在。
Let us pray, 让我们祷告
Great Star of Jacob, whose star arose two thousand years ago. We thank you that you have shone in the darkness and overcame it with your incarnation, death, and resurrection. We thank you for defeating the seed of the Serpent at your incarnation, life, death, and resurrection. And we await your return.
伟大的雅各之星,两千年前你的星升起,我们感谢你在黑暗中照耀,以你的道成肉身、死亡和复活战胜了黑暗。我们感谢你在降生、生命、死亡和复活中战胜了蛇的后裔。我们盼望你的再来。
Move in our hearts tonight. Convict us of our sins and bring us to a right relationship with your Father by your preached Word and Holy Spirit. Encourage your saints that they fear not the Serpent and his seed, but be connected to you as a great constellation with you being the main star holding us together.
今晚,请感动我们的心。让我们为自己的罪忧伤悔改,通过你的圣道和圣灵与天父恢复正确的关系。鼓励你的圣徒,使他们不惧蛇和蛇的后裔,而是与你紧密相连,成为那伟大的星座,由你这主星连结在一起。
In your mercy hear our prayers, receive our thanks, through your sacred name, Lord Jesus Christ, we pray to your Father and by the Power of the Holy Spirit. One God forevermore. Amen.
主耶稣基督,奉你的圣名,我们向天父祷告,并靠圣灵的大能,阿们。