路加福音 2
各位弟兄姊妹平安，
今天我們閱讀的是《路加福音》第二章。在這章中，我們看到路加詳細記載了耶穌的誕生及成長過程，其中包含許多重要的細節。值得注意的是，他還特別記錄了耶穌童年時期上聖殿過逾越節的故事，這是一段《路加福音》獨有的記載。
路加清楚地交代了耶穌誕生的時空背景。當時正值羅馬帝國統治時期，根據官方的命令，百姓必須回到原籍地進行人口普查。羅馬帝國對人口統計極為嚴謹，通常每 14 年會進行一次人口普查，以確保對整個帝國的人口分布和經濟發展有準確的掌握。
約瑟和瑪麗亞正因這項政策而返回伯利恆，而耶穌便在這樣的歷史背景下誕生。他不是降生在華麗的宮殿或富裕的家庭，而是在一個簡樸的環境中，在馬槽裡、客店的一個角落中降生。這樣的安排並非偶然，正顯示出神的救恩計畫——基督以卑微的樣式來到世上，親近最平凡的人，成為所有人的救主。
當約瑟和瑪麗亞帶著嬰孩耶穌到聖殿獻上長子奉獻的禮儀時，路加記載了一個關鍵的驗證——他們遇見了一位名叫西面的敬虔人。
西面是一位長年盼望彌賽亞來臨的人，聖靈曾應許他，在他離世之前，必能親眼見到主所預備的救主。當他看見耶穌時，他立刻明白這位嬰孩正是神所應許的基督，於是發出了極具先知性的重要宣告。他說，耶穌的降生將使「許多人跌倒，許多人興起」（路 2:34）。
這預言後來確實應驗了。耶穌的教導與作為對於傳統的猶太人而言極具挑戰性，他們無法接受這位自稱是神兒子的拿撒勒人，甚至最終將他釘上十字架。然而，同樣在猶太人當中，耶穌的門徒們卻因信仰而興起，十二使徒將福音廣傳，尤其是使徒保羅，他帶著福音突破猶太人的圈子，將救恩的信息傳遍羅馬帝國各地。
這也讓我們看見，耶穌的來臨並非帶來世俗的和平，而是帶來屬靈的分界線——對某些人而言，他是拯救的盼望，但對拒絕他的人而言，他則成了絆腳石和攻擊的對象。這正是神救贖計畫的奧秘。
當我們細細思想西面所說的話，就會發現信仰之路沒有中間地帶，也沒有模糊地帶可以讓我們腳踏兩條船。耶穌的來臨帶來了一個清晰的分界——要麼站在他這一邊，要麼站在抵擋他的一邊，並不存在所謂的「中立」。
這世界本質上是與神為敵的，因為它在罪的權勢之下。因此，當我們選擇接受基督，選擇跟隨他，我們就必然與世界的價值觀、世界的標準、世界的道理產生對立。正如耶穌所說：「你們若屬世界，世界必愛屬自己的；只因你們不屬世界，乃是我從世界中揀選了你們，所以世界就恨你們。」（約 15:19）
但值得深思的是，當我們做出選擇，認為這是神在審判我們時，其實我們是自己審判自己。我們的決定會帶來相應的結果：若選擇跟隨世界，我們便要承受世界的結局；若選擇跟隨基督，我們就要抵擋世界的逼迫，耐心等待得著神所應許的獎賞。而這條路不會輕鬆，因為與世界為敵的代價是不斷的挑戰、逼迫、甚至痛苦。但耶穌也應許：「在世上你們有苦難，但你們可以放心，我已經勝了世界。」（約 16:33）
在路加福音的這段記載中，我們看到一個重要的轉折點——耶穌童年的結束。他在 12 歲時的這次聖殿經歷，不僅是他生命中重要的事件，更是他身份意識逐漸明朗的標誌。
在猶太傳統中，12 歲的男孩已經被視為成年人，開始承擔更大的責任。然而，約瑟和瑪利亞仍然把耶穌當成一個孩子，當他們在人群中尋找耶穌時，他們的焦慮與擔憂顯而易見。最終，他們在聖殿中找到他，發現他正與那些經學家、拉比們討論神學問題，表現出非凡的智慧和理解力。
馬利亞對耶穌說：「孩子啊，為什麼這樣對待我們？看哪，你父親和我傷心地找你！」這句話流露出作為母親的擔憂與愛。但耶穌的回答發人深省：「豈不知我應當以我父的事為念嗎？」或另一種翻譯：「豈不知我應當在我父的家裡嗎？」
這句話顯示出耶穌對自己真正身份的認識。他已經清楚明白，他的真正的父親不是約瑟，而是天上的父神。他知道自己的使命，他知道自己屬於神的家，也明白他的人生將完全獻給天父的旨意。這不只是對約瑟和瑪利亞的回應，更是耶穌對他一生方向的確認——他將完全委身於父神的事工。
今日的屬靈反思：天天掛在我們心上的事情是什麼呢？ 是工作？是孩子？是家庭？是金錢？你我是否也清楚，我當以我父的事為念？我們手所作的一切都是為上帝所作，所以沒有所謂俗事或屬靈的分別。關鍵是，我們內心是否清楚明瞭，我們的生命和所做的一切，都是為著上帝所作。
感謝各位的聆聽，我們明天繼續分享路加福音第三章的故事。
Peace be with you, brothers and sisters,
Today, we are reading Luke 2. In this chapter, Luke provides a detailed account of Jesus’ birth and early years, including many important details. Notably, he records the story of Jesus visiting the temple for Passover as a child, a unique account found only in Luke’s Gospel.
Luke carefully establishes the historical and cultural background of Jesus’ birth. At that time, the Roman Empire ruled the land, and an official decree required all citizens to return to their ancestral homes for a census. The Romans took population statistics very seriously, typically conducting a census every 14 years to maintain precise records of the empire’s population and economic development.
It was because of this policy that Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem, and Jesus was born within this historical context. However, He was not born in a luxurious palace or into a wealthy family. Instead, He was born in a humble setting—laid in a manger, in the corner of an inn. This was not a coincidence; it revealed God’s salvation plan—Christ came into the world in humility, drawing near to the most ordinary people and becoming the Savior of all.
When Joseph and Mary brought baby Jesus to the temple for the ceremony of presenting their firstborn, Luke records a significant encounter—they met a devout man named Simeon.
Simeon had been waiting for the coming of the Messiah, and the Holy Spirit had promised him that he would not die before seeing the Lord’s salvation. When he saw Jesus, he immediately recognized Him as the promised Christ and made a powerful prophetic declaration. He proclaimed that Jesus’ coming would cause “many to fall and many to rise” (Luke 2:34).
This prophecy was later fulfilled. Jesus’ teachings and actions deeply challenged the traditional Jewish beliefs. Many could not accept that this man from Nazareth, who claimed to be the Son of God, was indeed the Messiah. In the end, they crucified Him. Yet, at the same time, among the Jewish people, His disciples rose up in faith. The twelve apostles spread the Gospel far and wide, and especially Paul, who broke beyond Jewish circles and carried the message of salvation throughout the Roman Empire.
This shows us that Jesus’ coming did not bring worldly peace but rather a spiritual dividing line—for some, He is the hope of salvation, but for those who reject Him, He becomes a stumbling block and an object of opposition. This is the profound mystery of God’s redemption plan.
If we reflect on Simeon’s words, we realize that faith leaves no room for neutrality or compromise. Jesus’ coming presents a clear choice—we either stand with Him or against Him; there is no middle ground.
The world, by nature, is hostile to God because it is under the power of sin. When we choose to follow Christ, we inevitably clash with the world’s values, standards, and philosophies. As Jesus said:
“If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. But as it is, you do not belong to the world, for I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” (John 15:19)
Yet, it is important to understand that when we make a choice, it is not God judging us; rather, we are judging ourselves. Our decisions carry consequences: If we follow the world, we will share in its fate. If we follow Christ, we will face persecution from the world but also await God’s promised reward. This path is not easy because being at odds with the world comes with challenges, trials, and even suffering. But Jesus also promised:
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
A Turning Point in Jesus’ Life
In this passage from Luke, we also see an important turning point—the end of Jesus’ childhood. When He was 12 years old, His visit to the temple was not just an important event in His life but also a moment of clarity about His identity and mission.
In Jewish tradition, 12-year-old boys were considered young adults and began taking on greater responsibilities. However, Joseph and Mary still saw Jesus as a child. When they lost Him in the crowd, their worry and anxiety were evident. Eventually, they found Him in the temple, engaged in deep discussions with the scribes and rabbis, demonstrating remarkable wisdom and understanding.
Mary said to Him:
“Son, why have You treated us this way? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You!”
This statement reveals a mother’s deep concern and love. But Jesus’ response is profound:
“Didn’t you know I had to be in My Father’s house?” (or alternatively, “Didn’t you know I must be about My Father’s business?”)
This response shows that Jesus fully understood His true identity—His real Father was not Joseph but God in heaven. He knew His mission and belonged to God’s house, dedicating His life completely to the Father’s will. This was not just a reply to Joseph and Mary, but a confirmation of Jesus’ entire life purpose—to be fully committed to the work of His heavenly Father.
Spiritual Reflection
What is it that we think about most each day?Is it our work? Our children? Our family? Our finances?
Do we truly understand that we must be about our Father’s business?
Everything we do is for God’s glory—there is no separation between “secular” and “spiritual” work. The real question is: Are we fully aware that our lives and everything we do are for the Lord?
Thank you for listening. Tomorrow, we will continue with Luke 3.
