【双语灵修】晨曦DAWN’S FIRST LIGHT

「从那时候，耶稣就传起道来，说：『天国近了，你们应当悔改！』」-太 4:17

我们今天所读的经文引用了以赛亚书其中的一段话，我们之前默想过：神的光将照亮坐在黑暗中的人，使他们进入神的国度，获得新的生命（12月12日）。这个成就在耶稣身上的应许，令人无比喜乐！

这段经文的上下文给了我们更多喜乐的理由。耶稣引用以赛亚的预言来回应施洗约翰入狱的消息，表明约翰为耶稣预备道路的事工已经完成。耶稣的事工还转移到另外的地方，表明祂过去是、现在也是人们期待已久的、神要成就应许的那一位。祂是活在我们中间来自神的救赎之光！

此外，耶稣将以赛亚书中的第一道曙光付诸行动，祂传道说，人应当悔改，因为「天国近了」。神应许的救赎不再遥不可及。祂的国度已经临近！经过几个世纪的等待，神的光正冲破黑暗，呼召所有人进入祂自由的国度。

当我们记念和庆祝耶稣的降生时，那令人喜乐的第一缕黎明曙光也照耀着我们：「天国近了，你们应当悔改！」耶稣仍在邀请我们脱离笼罩着我们的罪恶和黑暗，进入自由。

祷告

耶稣，我们听到了祢要我们悔改的邀请。请帮助我们远离罪恶和黑暗，活在祢救赎的光中。阿们。

马太福音 4:12-17
12耶稣听见约翰下了监，就退到加利利去； 13后又离开拿撒勒，往迦百农去，就住在那里。那地方靠海，在西布伦和拿弗他利的边界上。14 这是要应验先知以赛亚的话说：15「西布伦地、拿弗他利地，就是沿海的路，约旦河外，外邦人的加利利地， 16 那坐在黑暗里的百姓看见了大光，坐在死荫之地的人有光发现照着他们。17 从那时候，耶稣就传起道来，说：「天国近了，你们应当悔改！」

DAWN’S FIRST LIGHT

“From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’” - Matthew 4:17

Our Scripture reading today includes a quote from Isaiah that we considered earlier: God’s light will dawn on the people who live in darkness, ushering them into new life in God’s kingdom (Dec. 12). That promise is fulfilled in Jesus and is cause for great joy!

The context of this passage gives us even more reason for joy. Jesus leaned into Isaiah’s prophecy in response to the news of John the Baptist being jailed, showing that John’s ministry of preparing the way for Jesus was now complete. Jesus also moved to a different area to make clear that he was and is the long-awaited fulfillment of God’s promises. He is God’s light of salvation living among us!

Further, Jesus put the first light of dawn from Isaiah into action by preaching that everyone should repent because “the kingdom of God has come near.” No longer is God’s promised salvation off in a distant future. God’s kingdom has come near! After centuries of waiting, God’s light is breaking into the darkness and calling all people into the freedom of God’s kingdom.

As we remember and celebrate Jesus’ birth, that joyful first light of dawn comes to us as well: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near”! Jesus continues to invite us into freedom from the sin and darkness that has overshadowed us.

Prayer

Jesus, we hear your invitation to repent. Help us to turn away from our sins and from the darkness in order to live in the light of your salvation. Amen.

诵读: 楚云
片头: 张妙阳