没有什么能阻止这位旷野传道人对耶稣一心一意的忠诚。从一开始,约翰就明说他不是弥赛亚(基督)。他的事工是把人指向耶稣。
耶稣到约翰那里受洗时,约翰喊着说:“看哪,神的羔羊,除去世人罪孽的!” 一些琐碎的争论,或他的门徒离开他去跟随耶稣的事实,都没有叫约翰失去焦点。他只是说:“他必兴旺,我必衰微。”我非常喜欢约翰福音3:29节说的,约翰听见新郎的声音就甚喜乐。
每年这个时候,大人孩子经常问:“你在圣诞节得到了什么?”我们很快就失去了对带给我们救恩的耶稣的关注。相反,我们想到的是我们自己,我们有什么,没有什么。今天就来问问你自己:“我因听见救主的声音就满心喜乐吗?”
有一天耶稣要再来。那时,凡听见祂声音和相信祂作为救主的,都要和祂的百姓一起高唱:“哈利路亚!因为主我们的神,全能者,作王了。我们要欢喜快乐,将荣耀归给他!”(启19:6-7)。那将是多么美好的一天啊!
亲爱的主,求你帮助我,不要被自己的益处和其他干扰缠住。每天引导我专注于耶稣和祂奇妙的爱——此时此刻,直到祂再来。奉祂的名祷告,阿们。
约翰福音 1:19-34; 3:26-30
19约翰所作的见证记在下面。犹太人从耶路撒冷差祭司和利未人到约翰那里,问他说:“你是谁?”
20他就明说,并不隐瞒,明说:“我不是基督。”
21他们又问他说:“这样,你是谁呢?是以利亚吗?”他说:“我不是。”“是那先知吗?”他回答说:“不是。”
22于是他们说:“你到底是谁?叫我们好回覆差我们来的人。你自己说你是谁?”
23他说:“我就是那在旷野有人声喊着说:‘修直主的道路’,正如先知以赛亚所说的。”
24那些人是法利赛人差来的。
25他们就问他说:“你既不是基督,不是以利亚,也不是那先知,为什么施洗呢?”
26约翰回答说:“我是用水施洗,但有一位站在你们中间,是你们不认识的,
27就是那在我以后来的,我给他解鞋带也不配。”
28这是在约旦河外伯大尼,约翰施洗的地方作的见证。
29次日,约翰看见耶稣来到他那里,就说:“看哪,神的羔羊,除去世人罪孽的!
30这就是我曾说:‘有一位在我以后来、反成了在我以前的,因他本来在我以前。’
31我先前不认识他,如今我来用水施洗,为要叫他显明给以色列人。”
32约翰又作见证说:“我曾看见圣灵仿佛鸽子从天降下,住在他的身上。
33我先前不认识他,只是那差我来用水施洗的对我说:‘你看见圣灵降下来,住在谁的身上,谁就是用圣灵施洗的。’
34我看见了,就证明这是神的儿子。”
26就来见约翰,说:“拉比,从前同你在约旦河外、你所见证的那位,现在施洗,众人都往他那里去了。”
27约翰说:“若不是从天上赐的,人就不能得什么。
28我曾说我不是基督,是奉差遣在他前面的,你们自己可以给我作见证。
29娶新妇的就是新郎,新郎的朋友站着,听见新郎的声音就甚喜乐。故此,我这喜乐满足了。
30他必兴旺,我必衰微。”
“He must become greater; I must become less.” - John 3:30
Nothing deterred this wilderness preacher from his single-minded devotion to Jesus. From the beginning, John made clear that he was not the Messiah (Christ). His ministry was about pointing people to Jesus.
When Jesus came to John to be baptized, John’s voice rang out, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” Neither petty arguments nor the fact that his followers left him to follow Jesus (John 3:26) caused John to lose focus. He simply said, “He must become greater; I must become less.” I love the words of John 3:29, which say John was full of joy because he had heard the bridegroom’s voice.
At this time of year, children and adults often ask, “What did you get for Christmas?” How quickly we lose focus on Jesus, who came to give us salvation. Instead, we think of ourselves and the things we have or don’t have. Ask yourself today, “Am I full of joy because I have heard the Savior’s voice?”
One day Jesus will return. Then all who have heard his voice and have faith in him as the Savior will join with God’s people, singing, “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!” (Revelation 19:6-7). What a day that will be!
Dear Lord, help me to avoid getting caught up in my own interests and other distractions. Guide me daily to stay focused on Jesus and his amazing love - now and until he returns. In his name, Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳