星象家——喜乐的敬拜者
星星？星象家？奢华昂贵的礼物？这个奇怪的故事是什么意思？
这些星象家是众多其他民族和文化的人中首先来尊崇和敬拜耶稣的。他们是外邦人，即以色列民族以外的人。这些外邦人中的许多人都敬拜别神，但当他们遇见耶稣，他们就会认出祂到底是谁。他们会相信祂救赎和赐新生命的大能，而且，就像星象家一样，他们会对祂的同在回以喜悦、尊崇，和敬拜。
伯利恒之星的故事告诉我们，神的爱是为所有时代、所有国家、所有种族的人预备的。没有人能独占神的爱，或把神的亮光留给自己。耶稣来，是要成为世界的救主——整个世界。
星象家们寻找耶稣的热情，应该促使我们思量自己对耶稣的热情。我们真的渴望认识祂吗？我们会放下一切来朝见他并跟随祂吗？我们愿意放弃整个生命，好来发现耶稣是我们救主的喜乐吗？
当星象家们找到耶稣时，他们向祂所呈献的礼物，象征了心中的敬意。我们是否愿意同样献上呢？
神啊，求祢将爱的亮光照进黑暗。照耀我们的周围和头顶的穹苍，指引我们所有人找到耶稣——世界的光。以祢的光充满我们的心，又愿我们将心敬献于祢。奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们。
马太福音 2:1-12
1当希律王的时候，耶稣生在犹太的伯利恒。有几个博士从东方来到耶路撒冷，说：
2那生下来作犹太人之王的在那里？我们在东方看见他的星，特来拜他。
3希律王听见了，就心里不安；耶路撒冷合城的人也都不安。
4他就召齐了祭司长和民间的文士，问他们说：基督当生在何处？
5他们回答说：在犹太的伯利恒。因为有先知记着，说：
6犹大地的伯利恒阿，你在犹大诸城中并不是最小的；因为将来有一位君王要从你那里出来，牧养我以色列民。
7当下，希律暗暗的召了博士来，细问那星是什么时候出现的，
8就差他们往伯利恒去，说：你们去仔细寻访那小孩子，寻到了，就来报信，我也好去拜他。
9他们听见王的话就去了。在东方所看见的那星忽然在他们前头行，直行到小孩子的地方，就在上头停住了。
10他们看见那星，就大大的欢喜；
11进了房子，看见小孩子和他母亲马利亚，就俯伏拜那小孩子，揭开宝盒，拿黄金、乳香、没药为礼物献给他。
12博士因为在梦中被主指示不要回去见希律，就从别的路回本地去了。
Joyful Wise Men
"When they saw the star, they were overjoyed... They bowed down and worshiped him." — Matthew 2:10-11
Stars? Magi? Lavishly expensive gifts? What does this strange story mean?
The Magi are the first of a long line of people from other nations and cultures who will come to honor Jesus and worship him. They are Gentiles, people from outside the Israelite nation. Many of these Gentiles are worshipers of other gods, but when they meet Jesus, they will come to know him for who he really is. They will believe in his power to save and give new life, and, like the Magi, they will react to his presence with joy, honor, and worship.
The story of the star of Bethlehem tells us that God's love is for all people of all races from all nations and all times. None of us has a corner on God's love or can keep God's light for ourselves. Jesus came to be the Savior of the world—all of it.
The passion of the Magi to find Jesus should make us ponder our own passion for Jesus. Is it truly our hearts' desire to know him? Would we leave everything behind to meet him and follow him? Are we willing to abandon our whole being to the joy of discovering Jesus as our Savior?
When the Magi found Jesus, they presented him gifts that were symbols of their hearts. Are we willing to offer him the same?
O God, shine the light of your love in the darkness. Shine it around and above us, leading us all to Jesus, the light of the world. Fill our hearts with your light, and may we offer them to you. In Jesus, Amen.
诵读: 楚云
片头: 张妙阳
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