耶稣故事中另一个像家人般的朋友是先知亚拿。她结婚仅仅7年就成了寡妇,直到现在已经84岁了。亚拿原是以色列亚设支派的人,亚设支派是早前脱离大卫王统治的十个支派之一(参代下10)。所以她代表了早期那些追随神的余民,表明神的应许也是给他们的。
圣经说,亚拿从不离开圣殿,而是日夜在那里敬拜。也许她注意到了西面引起的动静——也或许她也“受了圣灵的感动”(参路2:27)——突然间她看见了耶稣。藉着恩典,她信心的眼睛被开启,看见这个孩子就是基督,要成就神应许的那一位。她马上就开始称谢神。
就在两天前,我们庆祝了圣诞。耶稣,世界的救主已经来临。你有没有因为神的好消息而停下来称谢神呢?在耶稣里面,我们罪得赦免,对未来有了盼望。感谢你,耶稣!
还不止如此!亚拿马上就开始对他人讲说,救恩随着这个孩子已经来到。如今,许多人都在寻找宽恕的爱,以及给他们生活带来喜乐的爱。你是否能告诉他们,耶稣来正是为此。你不必年老;任何信徒,哪怕是个孩子,都能分享救恩的好消息!
主啊,感谢你藉着亚拿加添给圣诞节的喜乐。奉耶稣的名,祈求你以感恩充满我们的心。阿们。
路加福音 2:36-38
36又有女先知名叫亚拿,是亚设支派法内力的女儿,年纪已经老迈,从做童女出嫁的时候,同丈夫住了七年就寡居了,
37现在已经八十四岁,并不离开圣殿,禁食、祈求,昼夜侍奉神。
38正当那时,她进前来称谢神,将孩子的事对一切盼望耶路撒冷得救赎的人讲说。
"She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. - Luke 2:37
Another “family friend” in Jesus’ story was the prophet Anna. She was eighty-four years old and had been widowed after just seven years of marriage. Anna was from the old Israelite tribe of Asher, one of the ten tribes that had split away from the rule of King David’s line long ago (see 2 Chronicles 10). So she represented a remnant of God’s followers from those earlier times, showing that God’s promise was for them too.
The Bible says Anna never left the temple but worshiped there night and day. Perhaps she noticed the commotion caused by Simeon—or maybe she too was “moved by the Spirt” (see Luke 1:27)—and suddenly she saw Jesus. By grace, her eyes of faith were opened to see that this child was the Christ who fulfilled all of God’s promises. And immediately she began to give thanks.
Just two days ago we celebrated Christmas. Jesus, the Savior of the world, has come. Have you stopped to give thanks because of God’s good news? In him we have forgiveness of sins and hope for the future. Thank you, Jesus!
And there is more! Anna immediately began telling others that, with this child, salvation had come. Many people today are looking for love that forgives and brings joy to their lives. Will you tell them that Jesus has come to do that? You don’t have to be old; any believer, even a child, can share the good news of salvation!
Lord, thank you for the joy and praise Anna adds to Christmas. Fill our hearts with thanksgiving in Jesus’ name. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳