17 August 八月| Luke 路2:21-39

What did the appearance of Jesus mean to Simeon and to Anna?

What, according to verses 30–32, was to be the scope of his work?

耶稣的出现，对西面和亚拿有什么意义？

根据30-32节, 耶稣基督工作的范围是什么？

V34-35. What was to be the effect of Jesus’ coming on different classes of

people? What would be the cause of men’s falling and rising? Cf. 1 Pet. 2:6–8.

34-35节，耶稣基督的降临，对各阶层的人的影响为何？

人们败亡或兴起的原因是什么呢？（比较彼前2：6-8）

注Notes:

v21–24. After the circumcision of a child, two rites had to be performed: 1) his presentation to God (v22, 23; cf. Exod. 13:2); 2) the sacrifice of purification for the mother (v 24; cf. Lev. 12:2–8).

21-24节。小孩行割礼后，有两个仪式要举行。第一，将他献给神（22,23节；比较

出13：2）；第二，要行产妇的洁净礼（24节；比较利12：2-8）。

v25. ‘Waiting for the consolation of Israel’: i.e., for the coming of the Messiah. Cf. v38 and 24:21.

25节「素常盼望以色列的安慰者来到」意思就是弥赛亚的来临。比较38节与24 : 21

Reflections and Prayer 反思祷告

16 August 八月| Luke 路2:1-20

What may we learn from the circumstances of our Saviour’s birth, and the status of his first worshippers?

What do the angel’s message and the rejoicing of the heavenly host teach us of the importance of the birth of Jesus? How is the shepherds’ response to this message an example to us?

v1–7. How do these verses illustrate that God controls all human affairs, bringing about his own purposes through the free actions of men? Cf. with v4, Mic. 5:2.

从我们救主诞生的环境，和那些最先来朝拜祂的人的身份，我们可以学到什么功课呢？

天使的信息与天兵的欢呼，耶稣降生的重要性对于我们有什么教训？牧羊人对这信息的反应，有什么值得我们效法的？

1-7节。这几节经文如何说明神掌管人间所有的事？如何让他的旨意藉著人自由的行动实现出来？与4节，及弥5：2做一比较。

Reflections and Prayer 反思祷告

15 August 八月| Luke 路1:57-80

The song of Zechariah may be divided thus:

v68–70, thanks to God for the coming of the Messiah;

v71–75, the purpose of the Messiah’s coming;

v76, 77, the mission of John;

v78, 79, a further picture of the Messiah’s coming.

Trace in the song of Zechariah the successive stages in the unfolding of God’s plan of salvation through the Old Testament and up to the coming of the Messiah.

How does it reveal the unity of the Old and New Testaments?

What, according to this song, is the purpose of salvation?

Is this your experience?

Notes:

v69. ‘A horn of salvation’: i.e., one who is strong to save. The horn of an animal was a

common symbol of strength; cf. Ps. 18:2.

v80. ‘The desert’: the desolate region around the Jordan and the Dead Sea.

撒迦利亚的赞歌可以这样分段：

68-70节，是为弥赛亚的降临称颂上帝；

71-75节，是弥赛亚降临的目的；

76-77节，是约翰的使命；

78-79节，是弥赛亚降临的进一步之生动的描写。

在撒迦利亚的赞歌中，试追溯上帝如何在从旧约到弥赛亚的

来临的这个连续的舞台上，展开祂的救赎计划。

它如何显示了旧约与新约的统一性？

根据这篇赞歌，救赎的目的是什么？符合你自己的经验吗？

注：

69节。「拯救的角」是指一位大有能力的救赎者。动物的角是力量的象征。

比较诗18：2.

80节。「旷野」：是指介于约旦和死海一带的荒僻区域。

Reflections and Prayer 反思祷告