聖經裡的動物 (9)

聖經裡的動物 (9)
聖經閱讀：路加福音2:1-7 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年5月23日(一)

　今天閱讀的經節跟我們談到耶穌誕生的故事。路加沒有告訴我們太多耶穌誕生的細節，但是他確實跟我們談到耶穌降生在伯利恆，以及馬利亞將嬰孩耶穌「放在馬槽裡」（第7b節）。我們並不確定這地方看起來是什麼樣子，有些人認為可能是安置牲口的一個小洞穴。
耶穌降生在這樣一個簡陋的地方是一件有趣的事，耶穌是上帝的兒子，聖經稱祂是萬王之王、萬主之主。我們會預期這樣一個尊貴的嬰孩會降生在一個充滿財寶和奢侈品的華麗皇宮裡，但是上帝卻選擇讓耶穌出生在一個安置牲口的地方。
耶穌卑微的出生讓我們想起祂謙卑的性格。耶穌向遇見的人施展愛和憐憫，而且祂願意死在十字架上，好讓我們能夠得著救恩和永生。今天就效法耶穌謙卑的榜樣！ —JK

「他成為人，以人的形體出現。他自甘卑微，順服至死。」 腓立比書2:7b-8a

禱告：天父，謝謝祢賜下耶穌和祂謙卑的榜樣。奉主的名，阿們！

(林煜茹譯)

Bible Animals (9)
Bible Reading: Luke 2:1-7
Tuesday, May 23, 2016

　The verses in our Bible Reading today tell us the story of the birth of Jesus. Luke doesn't give us many details about Jesus' birth. But he does tell us that Jesus was born in Bethlehem and that Mary laid baby Jesus “in a box where cattle are fed” (verse 7b). We are not sure what this place looked like. Some people think that it might have been a small cave where cattle were kept.
It is interesting that Jesus was born in such a humble place. Jesus is the Son of God. The Bible calls Him King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We would expect that such an important baby would be born in a fancy palace surrounded by wealth and luxury. But God chose for Jesus to be born in a place where cattle were kept.
Jesus' humble birth reminds us of His humble character. Jesus showed love and compassion to people He met. And He willingly died on the cross so that we could have salvation and eternal life. Follow Jesus’ example of humility today! —JK

“During his [Jesus'] life as a man, he humbled himself by being fully obedient to God, even when that caused his death.” Philippians 2:7b-8a

PRAYER: Father, thank You for Jesus and His example of humility. In His name. Amen.