聖誕的犧牲 (1)

聖誕的犧牲 (1)
聖經閱讀：馬太福音1:18-25 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年12月19日(一)

　每年的這個時候，大部份人不會想到的一件事是「犧牲」，但是聖誕故事告訴我們，因為許多人的犧牲才讓耶穌得以誕生。今天和接下來幾天，我們要來談這些犧牲。
今天我們要來談約瑟，他和馬利亞訂婚，約瑟得知馬利亞懷了身孕，今天經文閱讀的第19節告訴我們，約瑟「不願意公開羞辱她，卻有意要秘密解除婚約。」後來有一個天使在夢裡對約瑟說話，他告訴約瑟那個嬰孩是從聖靈來的，天使吩咐約瑟要娶馬利亞為妻。
如果約瑟娶馬利亞，他可能會在自己住的地方失去人們的尊敬，但是約瑟願意犧牲自己的名聲來順服上帝。約瑟還犧牲時間、精神和財物來成為耶穌在世上的父親。
今天你願意為上帝犧牲嗎？ —GT

「約瑟一醒過來，就照主的天使所吩咐的去做，跟馬利亞成婚。」 馬太福音1:24

禱告：天父，我願捨棄一切好讓我可以跟隨祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(尤榮輝譯)

Christmas Sacrifices (1)
Bible Reading: Matthew 1:18-25
Monday, December 19, 2016

　One thing most people do not think about at this time of year is sacrifice. But the Christmas story tells us about several people who made sacrifices so that Jesus could be born. Today and for the next few days we will talk about these sacrifices.
Today we will talk about Joseph. He was engaged to Mary. Joseph learned that Mary was pregnant. Verse 19 of our Bible Reading tells us that Joseph “did not want to cause her public disgrace, so he planned to divorce her secretly.” But then an angel spoke to Joseph in a dream. He told Joseph that the baby was from the Holy Spirit. The angel told Joseph to accept Mary as his wife.
When Joseph married Mary, he might have lost the respect of some people in the community. But Joseph was willing to sacrifice his reputation in order to obey God. Joseph also sacrificed his time, energy and possessions to be an earthly father to Jesus.
Are you willing to make sacrifices for God today? —GT

“When Joseph woke up, he did what the Lord's angel told him to do. He married Mary.” Matthew 1:24

PRAYER: Father, I am willing to give up everything so I can follow You. In Jesus' name. Amen.