耶稣出生后40天，按照男孩出生后的律例，衪的父母带衪上圣殿，到那里献祭。这是一个重要的日子，以下就是原因。
在摩西的带领下，以色列民在旷野竖立会幕（一所可移动的圣殿）时，荣耀的云彩代表神的同在，神就在衪的子民中间。后来，他们在所罗门带领下建造一所圣殿时，荣耀的云彩也充满了整座圣殿。神坐在圣殿的宝座上，衪是以色列民真正的君王。
多年后，先知以西结看到神离开圣殿的宝座 － 荣耀的云彩也随之而去（以西结书10）。圣殿本身随即被巴比伦毁坏，成为残桓败瓦。后来，以色列民从被放逐之地回去重建另一座圣殿，可是这次却没有荣耀的云彩，也没有迹象显示神到来住在这座新的圣殿中。
又过了很多年，马利亚和约瑟带着耶稣来到圣殿。以色列民真正的君王主耶稣，再一次临到衪的子民中间。衪将会是一位怎样的君王？衪将要带来怎样的国度呢？
时至今天，我们也仍然要面对那些问题。我们应该怎样迎接君王耶稣和衪的国呢？是以谦卑吗？是以喜乐吗？是以感恩吗？是以盼望吗？是以敬虔顺服吗？答案就在我们的生命和教会生活中。
耶稣啊，你有一段时间曾经到来住在我们中间，而你也将会再来。你什么时候回来，我们都欢喜迎接你。你在哪里，你的国也在那里。阿们。
路加福音 2:22-24
22按摩西律法满了洁净的日子，他们带着孩子上耶路撒冷去，要把他献于主，
23正如主的律法上所记：“凡头生的男子，必称圣归主。”
24又要照主的律法上所说，“或用一对斑鸠，或用两只雏鸽”献祭。
"Suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple." - Malachi 3:1
When Jesus is 40 days old, his parents bring him to the temple to present the required offering after a son is born. It's a big day. Here's why.
When the Israelites, under Moses, set up a tabernacle (a portable temple) in the wilderness, a cloud of glory signaled the presence of God. God was there in the midst of his people. Later, when they built a temple, under Solomon, the cloud of glory filled it to overflowing. God was enthroned in the temple as Israel's true King.
Many years later, the prophet Ezekiel saw God's throne leave the temple—and the cloud of glory with it (Ezekiel 10). Soon the temple itself lay in ruins, destroyed by Babylon. Later the people of Israel returned from exile and built another temple. But this time there was no cloud of glory, no sign that God had come to live in the new temple.
Many more years later, Mary and Joseph came to the temple carrying Jesus. And the Lord, Israel's true King, was in the midst of his people once again. What kind of king will he be? And what kind of kingdom will he bring?
We are faced with those questions to this day. How will we welcome King Jesus and his kingdom? With humility? With joy? With thanksgiving? With hope? With holy obedience? The answer is in our lives and in the life of the church.
Jesus, you came to live among us for a while. And you will come again. We want to welcome you wherever you appear. And wherever you are, your kingdom is. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
