【双语灵修】复兴之路THE WAY OF REVIVAL

以赛亚书 40:3；马太福音 3:1–10

有人声喊着说：在旷野预备耶和华的路，在沙漠地修平我们上帝的道。

1那时，有施洗的约翰出来，在犹太的旷野传道，说： 2「天国近了，你们应当悔改！」 3这人就是先知以赛亚所说的。他说：「在旷野有人声喊着说：预备主的道，修直他的路！」4这约翰身穿骆驼毛的衣服，腰束皮带，吃的是蝗虫、野蜜。 5那时，耶路撒冷和犹太全地，并约旦河一带地方的人，都出去到约翰那里， 6承认他们的罪，在约旦河里受他的洗。 7约翰看见许多法利赛人和撒都该人也来受洗，就对他们说：「毒蛇的种类！谁指示你们逃避将来的愤怒呢？ 8你们要结出果子来，与悔改的心相称。 9不要自己心里说：『有亚伯拉罕为我们的祖宗。』我告诉你们，上帝能从这些石头中给亚伯拉罕兴起子孙来。 10现在斧子已经放在树根上，凡不结好果子的树就砍下来，丢在火里。

主题：复兴之路

“在旷野预备耶和华的路，在沙漠地修平我们神的道。” ——以赛亚书 40:3

先知以赛亚展望未来时，预言将有一位先知为弥赛亚的到来预备道路。施洗约翰正是那位先知，而弥赛亚就是耶稣基督。

约翰将弥赛亚耶稣引荐为那来到世上、照亮众人的真光。约翰还论到耶稣说：“看哪，神的羔羊，除去世人罪孽的！”（《约翰福音》1:29）。约翰用水施洗，但他说耶稣是比他更伟大的那一位，将用圣灵与火施洗。约翰甚至觉得自己不配为耶稣解鞋带。约翰的一生遵循着这样一个原则：“他必兴旺，我必衰微。”（《约翰福音》3:30）

教会无法“制造”复兴；然而，教会的责任是为求主预备道路，好让祂能翻转生命。复兴是神的工作，而预备复兴则是我们的责任。复兴是神超自然的作为，我们需要在旷野为我们的神修平大道。我们的生命必须成为一条畅通无阻的道路，主借此向世界彰显祂自己。

在哪些方面，你曾成为主彰显祂自己的通道？为主预备道路吧！

祷告

主耶稣，求祢使我们成为一群以谦卑和信心预备祢道路的人。求祢帮助我们日益衰微，好使祢在我们中间日益兴旺。清除我们心中所有的障碍，好让祢的光能透过我们的生命照耀出来。阿们。

Isaiah 40:3; Matthew 3:1-10

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3

THE WAY OF REVIVAL

“In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”—Isaiah 40:3

The prophet Isaiah looks ahead, pointing to a prophet who would prepare the way for the coming Messiah. John the Baptist was that prophet, and the Messiah was Jesus Christ.

John presented the Messiah, Jesus, as the true light that comes into the world and enlightens every person. John also said of Jesus, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). John came baptizing with water, and he presented Jesus as someone greater than himself, who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. John did not feel worthy even to untie the straps of Jesus’ sandals. John lived by this principle: “[Jesus] must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30).

The church cannot produce revival; however, it is up to the church to prepare the way for the Lord so that he may transform lives. Revival is the work of God, and preparing for it is our responsibility. Revival is a supernatural work of God, and we need to make a way straight in the wilderness for our God. Our lives must be the unobstructed road by which the Lord reveals himself to the world.

In what ways have you been a path through which the Lord has revealed himself? Prepare the way of the Lord!

Lord Jesus, make us a people who prepare your way with humility and faith. Help us to become less so that you may become greater among us. Clear our hearts of every obstacle so that your light may shine through our lives. Amen.