約翰福音信息之六---施洗约翰的身份与使命（The Identity and Mission of John the Baptist）
John 1:6-8
“There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.” (John 1:6-8)
有一個人、是從神那裡差來的、名叫約翰。這人來、為要作見證、就是為光作見證、叫眾人因他可以信。他不是那光、乃是要為光作見證。(約1:6-8)
I. Introduction （引言）
According to the apostle John, in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God, the creator, the Life and the true light, “The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood (or, overcome) it.” (John 1:5)
根据使徒约翰的记载：太初有道、这道就是神， 是造物主，是生命与真光。
“光照在黑暗裡、黑暗卻不接受光。” (約1:5)
And later on, in John 1:9, it continues saying, “The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.” So, John 1:9 was perfectly connected to John 1:5 in the stream of the flow.
在这之后， 约翰福音1：9，继续写到：“那光是真光、照亮一切生在世上的人。”这里完美衔接约翰福音1：5.
Then the question arises: why John 1:6-8 was there? It looks like a parenthesis and a kind of interruption.
那麼就有了問題： 約翰福音1：6-8的目的在何？看起来像是一个突兀的插入。
Remember the purpose of the gospel of John, “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:31)
約翰福音的寫作目的是“但記這些事、要叫你們信耶穌是基督、是神的兒子。並且叫你們信了他、就可以因他的名得生命。”(約30:31)
To serve as the proof and evidence, the author of the gospel of John recorded seven miracles and seven ‘I Am’ statements of Jesus Christ. In addition, he also provides seven personal witnesses, among whom John the Baptist was the first and the most important witness.
作為證據，約翰福音的作者記錄了耶穌基督的七個奇蹟和七個“我是”的陳述。此外，他還提供了七個證人，其中施洗者約翰是第一位也是最重要的證人。
II. The identity of John the Baptist （施洗約翰的身份）
“There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John.”（John 1:6）
“有一個人、是從神那裡差來的、名叫約翰。” (約1:6)
The gospel of John begins with a unique theological prologue, it traces the Word far back even before the universe, the time and the space came into being.
約翰福音以獨特的神學序幕開始，追溯到早在宇宙，時間和空間出現之前。
In the very beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God, He was the creator of all things, and Life was in Him, and He was the source of the Light. All these concepts, the Word, the Creator, the Life, the Light, once put together, it clearly reveals the divine nature of the Word---He is the almighty God. (John 1:1-5)
太初有道、道與神同在、道就是神。他是萬物的創造者，生命在他裡面，他是光的源頭。所有這些概念，包括道，造物主，生命，光，放在一起，就清楚地揭示了道的神性-- 他是全能的上帝。 （約1：1-5）
When it comes to John 1:6, “a man” came into the scene: “there came a man.” (John 1:6)
到約翰福音1：6 “有一個人” “一個人”進入了場景中。（約1：6）
It forms a sharp contrast, the author of the gospel of John shifts his focus from the Divine Word now to a mere man, whose name was John, not the apostle John, who was the author of this gospel, but John the Baptist, he came as the witness for the Word, namely Jesus Christ.
這形成了鮮明的對比，約翰福音的作者將他的重點從有神性的道轉移到一個单纯的人，這個人的名字叫約翰，而不是使徒約翰。使徒約翰是約翰福音的作者。施洗約翰是作為道的見證者，即耶穌基督的見證人。
Who was this man John the Baptist?
这个施洗約翰是誰？
He was not an ordinary man; he was a very special man “who was sent from God” directly---John the Baptist was the very unique witness for Jesus Christ and a very powerful servant of God. His name was given by angel even before his birth---John---the grace of God, which was very fitting, for he was chosen by God to be the prophet and the forerunner of Christ.
他不是一個普通人。他是一個非常特殊的人，“直接由上帝差遣來的”-- 施洗約翰是耶穌基督的特殊見證，也是神所差派的一位大有能力的僕人。甚至，在他出生之前，天使就賦予了他的名字。 “約翰”-即神的恩典，用在約翰身上恰如其分，因為他被神選為基督的先知和先行者。
A. His coming was prophesied （旧约的预言）
“The story of John the Baptist stretches back hundreds of years (750 years) before Christ. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Isaiah the prophet of God prophesied about a special person who would arrive on the scene to prepare hearts of Israel to receive their Messiah.” (David Welch)
“施洗約翰的故事可以追溯到基督之前的數百年（750年）。在聖靈的啟發下，上帝的先知以賽亞預言了一個特殊的人將會出現，他會準備以色列人的心接受彌賽亞。”（大衛·韋爾奇）
“A voice of one calling: ‘In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.’” (Isa 40:3-5)
有人聲喊著說：在曠野預備耶和華的路 ，在沙漠地修平我們神的道 。一切山窪都要填滿，大小 山岡都要削平；高高低低的要改為平坦，崎崎嶇嶇的必成為平原。耶和華的榮耀必然顯現；凡有 血氣的必一同看見；因為這是耶和華親口說的。(賽 40:3-5)
The book of Isaiah is divided in two major parts: the first part of the first 39 chapters pronounces the message of judgment for the sin of the nation of Israel; the second part of the latter 27 Chapters declares the message of Comfort of the Redeemer for His people.
以賽亞書分為兩個主要部分：第一部分即前39章宣告了審判以色列國有罪的信息。第二部分即後27章是一個令人心得安慰的信息即主為他子民預備救贖 。
So the second half begins with these words: “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.” (Isa 40:1)
Yet the comfort message starts with a voice calling in the desert, “Prepare the way for the Lord.” (Isa 40:3)
因此，下半部分的開頭是：“你們的神說 ： 你們要安慰，安慰我的百姓 。”（賽40：1）
然而，這安慰的信息始於曠野中呼喚的聲音，“為耶和華預備道路”（賽40：3）。
When John the Baptist came into the scene, the gospel authors Matthew, Mark and Luke, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, unanimously declare that John the Baptist fulfilled the prophesy of the book of Isaiah.
當施洗約翰出現時，福音書的作者馬修，馬可和路加在聖靈的啟示下一致宣告施洗約翰應驗了以賽亞書的預言。
“In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.’ This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: ‘A voice of one calling in the desert, Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’” (Matt 3:1-3)
那時 ，有施洗的約翰出來 ， 在猶太的曠野傳道 ，說：“天國近了 ，你們應當悔改！”這人就是先知以賽亞所說的。他說：“在曠野有人聲喊著說：預備主的道，修直祂的路！”（太3：1-3）
In addition to the book of Isaiah, the book Malachi also recorded the prophesy concerning John the Baptist. “See, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to His temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty.” (Mal 3:1)
除了以賽亞書之外，瑪拉基書還記錄了有關施洗約翰的預言。“萬軍之耶和華說： “我要差遣我的使者在我前面預備道路。你們所尋求的主必忽然進入他的殿；立約的使者，就是你們所仰慕的， 快要來到 。”（瑪 3：1）
And the book Malachi ends with this prophecy concerning the Lord’s messenger, that is John the Baptist. “See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse." (Mal 4:5-6)
瑪拉基書以關於主的使者，即施洗約翰的預言結尾。“看哪，耶和華大而可畏之日未到以前，我 必差遣先知以利亞到你們那裡去。他必使父親的心轉向兒女，兒女的心轉向父親，免得我來咒詛遍地 。”（瑪4：5-6）
Notice the uniqueness of John the Baptist, who else in human history was prophesied 750 years ahead before he came into the world? Who else in human history will be called the very messenger of the Lord God? Who else has such a privilege and honor to be the forerunner for Jesus Christ the Savior of the world?
請注意施洗者約翰的獨特性，在人類歷史上還有誰在他来到世界前750年就被預言過？人類歷史上還有誰被稱為上帝的使者？還有誰有幸成為救世主耶穌基督的先锋呢？
Therefore, Jesus Christ ever commented on His forerunner John the Baptist, “Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist.” (Matt 11:9-11)
因此，耶穌基督曾这样評價他的先行者施洗約翰。“你們出去究竟是為甚麼？是要看先知麼？我告訴你們，是的，他比先知大多了。經上記著說：我要差遣我的使者在你前面預備道路，所說的就是這個人 。我實在告訴你們，凡婦人所生的，沒有一個興起來大過施洗約翰的；然而天國裡最 小的比他還大。”（太11：9-11）
B. His birth was foretold （出生的預告）
Luke 1 gives the significant background of John’s family, his father Zechariah was a priest, his mother Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. “Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly. But they were childless, because Elizabeth was barren.” (Luke 1:6-7)
路加福音1章講述了約翰一家人的重要背景，他的父親撒迦利亞是一位牧師，他的母親伊麗莎白也是亞倫的後裔。“他們二人在神面前都是義人，遵行主的一切誡命禮儀，沒有可指摘的，只是 沒有孩子；因為以利沙伯不生育，兩個人又年紀老邁了。”（路1：6-7）
Once when it was Zechariah’s turn to serve as priest in the Temple, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. …he will be great in the sight of the Lord, …and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. …And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous--to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." (Luke 1:13-17)
當撒迦利亞輪到聖殿中擔任祭司時，耶和華的使者向他顯現，“撒迦利亞，不要害怕，因為你的祈禱已經被聽見了。你的妻子以利沙伯要給你生一個兒子，你要給他起名叫約翰 。 …… 他在主面前將要為大，…… 從母腹裡就被聖靈充滿了。…… 他必有以利亞的心志能力，行在主的前面，叫為 父的心轉向兒女，叫悖逆的人轉從義人的智慧，又為主預備合用的百姓。”（路1：13-17）
Notice that the angel’s declaration also pointed back to the prophecy of Malachi 4:5-6, John the Baptist will have the spirit and power of the prophet Elijah, to prepare the way for the Lord.
請注意，天使的宣言也指出了瑪拉基書4：5-6的預言，施洗約翰將擁有先知以利亞的精神和力量，為主做準備。
“John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.” (Matt 3:4)
“這約翰身穿駱駝毛的衣服，腰束皮帶，吃的是蝗蟲、野蜜。”（太3：4）
John the Baptist was unique in every way: He was filled with the Holy Spirit even when he was in his mother’s womb. When he started his ministry, his lodging place was rough in the desert, his diet was as simple as locusts and honey, his dress was unconventional of camel’s hair, yet his message was powerful urging the Israelites to repent from their sins, his boldness was confrontational like his predecessor Elijah that he even boldly stood up against the king Herod which eventually costed him his life.
施洗約翰在各個方面都是獨一無二的：在母腹中，就被聖靈充滿。當他開始服事時，他住在曠野，吃蝗蟲和野蜜，穿駱駝毛的衣服，但是他的信息卻強有力地敦促以色列人從罪惡中悔改，他的勇氣如先知以利亞一般，他甚至大膽地對抗希律王，儘管這最終使他喪命。
III. The Mission of John the Baptist （施洗約翰的使命）
“He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.” （John 1:7-8）
“這人來、為要作見證、就是為光作見證、叫眾人因他可以信。他不是那光、乃是要為光作見證。”（約1：7-8）
A. John testified concerning the Light（为光作见证）
All the four gospels begin with or include John’s ministry. (Matt 3:1-3; Mark 1:1-4; Luke 1:11-17; 57-79; 3:2-6; John 1:6-8)
四本福音書都始於或包括了約翰的事工。
“The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written in Isaiah the prophet: ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way’—a voice of one calling in the desert, Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’ And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” (Mark 1:1-4)
“神的兒子、耶穌基督福音的起頭、正如先知以賽亞書上記著說、『看哪、我要差遣我的使者在你前面、預備道路．在曠野有人聲喊著說、預備主的道、修直他的路。』照這話、約翰來了、在曠野施洗、傳悔改的洗禮、使罪得赦。”（可1：1-4）
After 400 years silence, God sent a voice in the wilderness to pave the way for the Christ.
沉默400年後，上帝在曠野發出聲音，為基督鋪平了道路。
According to Mark, the beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ, starts with John’s preaching a baptism of repentance of sins.
根据馬克福音，關於耶穌基督的福音始於約翰宣講悔改的洗禮。
It is the same with the gospel of John, when it comes to the account of Jesus ministry on earth, it begins with the ministry of John the Baptist.
約翰福音也是一樣，當談到耶穌在地上的事工時，它始於施洗約翰的事工。
The apostles Peter and Paul also affirmed this remark. When the apostles cast lots to choose one to take over the apostolic ministry in the place of Judas, Apostle Peter insisted that the qualification for this apostolic position is to be always with them and to be a witness of Jesus’ resurrection, beginning from John’s baptism.
使徒彼得和保羅也證實了這一說法。當使徒們抽签選擇替代猶大的新使徒时，使徒彼得堅持認為，这位新接任的使徒应该是從約翰受洗開始就與他們同在，並成為耶穌復活的見證人 。
“Therefore, it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from John's baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection." (Acts 1:21-22)
“所以主耶穌在我們中間始終出入的時候、就是從約翰施洗起、直到主離開我們被接上升的日子為止、必須從那常與我們作伴的人中、立一位與我們同作耶穌復活的見證。”（使1:21-22)
Paul preached at the synagogue of Pisidian Antioch, “Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel.” (Acts 13:24)
保羅在比西甸安提阿猶太教堂傳道，“在他沒有出來以先、約翰向以色列眾民宣講悔改的洗禮。”（使徒行傳13：24）
The word “witness,” was used in gospel of John for 47 times, 14 times as noun for witness, 33 times as verb to testify.
在約翰福音中，“見證”一詞被使用了47次，作為“見證人”的名詞被使用14次，作證動詞被使用33次。
What did John the Baptist testify? He testified concerning the Light, Jesus Christ.
施洗約翰寫了什麼見證？他見證了光，即耶穌基督。
“John testifies concerning Him. He cries out, saying, ‘This was He of whom I said, He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’” (John 1:15)
“約翰為祂作見證、喊著說、這就是我曾說、那在我以後來的、反成了在我以前的．因祂本來在我以前。”（約 1：15）
“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, A man who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me. I myself did not know Him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that He might be revealed to Israel.” (John 1:29-31)
“次日、約翰看見耶穌來到他那裡、就說、看哪、神的羔羊、除去世人罪孽的。這就是我曾說、有一位在我以後來、反成了在我以前的。因祂本來在我以前。我先前不認識祂。如今我來用水施洗、為要叫祂顯明給以色列人。”（約 1：29-31)
“Then John gave this testimony: ‘I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on Him. I would not have known Him, except that the One who sent me to baptize with water told me, The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is He who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:32-34)
“約翰又作見證說、我曾看見聖靈彷彿鴿子、從天降下、住在祂的身上。我先前不認識祂。只是那差我來用水施洗的、對我說、你看見聖靈降下來、住在誰的身上、誰就是用聖靈施洗的。我看見了、就證明這是神的兒子。”（約 1：32-34)
“So that through him all men might believe.” (John 1:7)
“叫眾人因他可以信。” （約 1：7)
“Believe” is the key word in the gospel of John, it appears 98 times, in accordance with the gospel’s clear theme: by believing in Him you may have eternal life.
“信”是約翰福音中的關鍵詞，按照福音的明確主題---“信耶穌，得永生”，“信”出現了98次 。
As the forerunner of Jesus Christ, John the Baptist’s testimony is true and powerful. The huge crowds came to John as the results of his preaching and baptism.
作為耶穌基督的先行者，施洗約翰的見證是真實而有力的。約翰的講道和洗禮吸引了大批群眾。
“People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.” (Matt 3:5-6)
“那時、耶路撒冷和猶太全地、並約但河一帶地方的人、都出去到約翰那裡。 承認他們的罪、在約但河裡受他的洗。”（太3：5-6）
John the Baptist’s testimony continued after his death, even after Jesus’ resurrection.
施洗約翰的見證在他死後，甚至到耶穌復活後，仍在繼續。
“While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’ They answered, ‘No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.’ So Paul asked, ‘Then what baptism did you receive?’ ‘John's baptism,’ they replied. Paul said, ‘John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.’ On hearing this, they were baptized into the Name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 19:1-5)
“亞波羅在哥林多的時候、保羅經過了上邊一帶地方、就來到以弗所。在那裡遇見幾個門徒。問他們說、你們信的時候、受了聖靈沒有。他們回答說、沒有、也未曾聽見有聖靈賜下來。保羅說、這樣、你們受的是甚麼洗呢。他們說、是約翰的洗。保羅說、約翰所行的是悔改的洗、告訴百姓、當信那在他以後要來的、就是耶穌。他們聽見這話、就奉主耶穌的名受洗。”（使19：1-5）
This happened long after John the Baptist’s death, even the believers in Ephesus had some misunderstanding about John’s baptism, at least you can see the significance of John’s ministry.
這發生在施洗約翰死後很久，以弗所信徒對約翰的洗禮有一些誤解，但至少你可以由此看到約翰事工的影响力之大。
And John 10 presents a marvelous summary about John the Baptist’s ministry. “And many people came to Him. They said, ‘though John never performed a miraculous sign, all that John said about this man was true.’ And in that place many believed in Jesus.” (John 10:41-42)
約翰福音10章對施洗約翰的事工做了精彩的總結。“有許多人來到他那裡。他們說、約翰一件神蹟沒有行過．但約翰指著這人所說的一切話都是真的。在那裡信耶穌的人就多了。”（约10：41-42）
B. John himself was not the light （他不是那光）
“He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.” （John 1:8）
“他不是那光、乃是要為光作見證。”（约 1：8）
John knew his identity, he knew who he is, and he knew what his mission is, he pointed people to Jesus Christ, never drew people’s attention to himself.
約翰知道他的身份，知道他是誰，知道他的任務是什麼，他將人們指向耶穌基督，從未引起人們對他自己的注意。
John was a lamp, but he was not the light. “John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.” (John 5:35)
約翰是燈，不是光。“約翰是點著的明燈。你們情願暫時喜歡他的光。”（約5：35）
After 400 years silence, the people of Israelite suddenly heard the voice from God, they were overwhelmed.
在沉默了400年之後，以色列人民突然聽到了上帝的聲音，他們不知所措。
“The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ.” (Luke 3:15)
“百姓指望基督來的時候、人都心裡猜疑、或者約翰是基督。”（路 3：15）
“Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ." They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No." Finally, they said, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, Make straight the way for the Lord."” (John 1:19-23)
“約翰所作的見證、記在下面。猶太人從耶路撒冷差祭司和利未人到約翰那裡、問他說、你是誰。他就明說、並不隱瞞。明說、我不是基督。他們又問他說、這樣你是誰呢、是以利亞麼。他說、我不是。是那先知麼、他回答說、不是。於是他們說、你到底是誰、叫我們好回覆差我們來的人。你自己說、你是誰。他說、我就是那在曠野有人聲喊著說、修直主的道路、正如先知以賽亞所說的。（約1：19-23）
“He is the One who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” (John 1:27)
“就是那在我以後來的、我給他解鞋帶、也不配。” （約1：27）
“I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of Him. …He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:28;30)
“我不是基督、是奉差遣在他前面的…… 他必興旺、我必衰微。” （約3：28；30）
He faithfully testified about Jesus Christ, he even let his own disciples turn to follow Jesus. “The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.” (John 1:35-37)
他如實地為耶穌基督作見證，甚至讓自己的門徒跟隨耶穌。“再次日、約翰同兩個門徒站在那裡。他見耶穌行走、就說、看哪、這是神的羔羊。兩個門徒聽見他的話、就跟從了耶穌。” （約1：35-37）
John was such a humble man, while all the people thought about him being the Christ, he did not draw people’s attention to himself, he was so faithful to God who sent him, he was so faithful to his calling to prepare the way for the Christ. While people thought that if he was Christ, he said that “I was not worthy to untie” the thongs of His sandals. “He must increase, but I must decrease.” （John 3:30 ESV）
約翰謙虛，當所有人都認為他是基督時，他沒有引起人們的注意，他對差派他的上帝如此忠實，對他為基督鋪路的呼召也如此忠實。當人們認為他是基督時，他說“我不配為他解鞋帶”。 “他必興旺、我必衰微。”（約翰福音3:30 ESV）
Yet when he faced the sinful men, he never compromised to confront their sinfulness. “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” (Matt 3:7-8) He boldly condemn the evil deed of king Herod and did not shrink back even it would cost his own life.
What a humble and faithful man of God.
然而，當他面對這些人時，他從未妥協指證他們的罪惡。 “毒蛇的種類、誰指示你們逃避將來的忿怒呢。你們要結出果子來、與悔改的心相稱。”（太3：7-8）他大膽地譴責希律王的邪惡行為，甚至不惜犧牲自己的生命也从不退縮了。
真是一個謙卑忠實于上帝的僕人。
IV. Conclusion（结语）
John, was the faithful witness for Jesus Christ. We are also called to be the witnesses for Christ.
約翰是耶穌基督的忠實見證者。我們也被呼召成為基督的見證人。
“And repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, …You are witnesses of these things.” (Luke 24:47-48)
“並且人要奉他的名傳悔改赦罪的道、從耶路撒冷起直傳到萬邦。你們就是這些事的見證。”（路24：47-48）
“你們的光也當這樣照在人前、叫他們看見你們的好行為、便將榮耀歸給你們在天上的父。”（太 5：16）
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
“但聖靈降臨在你們身上、你們就必得著能力．並要在耶路撒冷、猶太全地、和撒瑪利亞、直到地極、作我的見證。”（使1：8）
Nothing is impossible with God, yet amazingly, He is willing to use the mortal man to work with Him, He uses human witness to testify His wonderful deeds and works.
上帝是无所不能的，但令人驚訝的是，他願意用凡人與他一起工作，他用人的見證來證明自己的奇妙大能和工作。
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” (Rom 10:14-15)
“然而人未曾信他、怎能求他呢？未曾聽見他、怎能信他呢？沒有傳道的、怎能聽見呢？若沒有奉差遣、怎能傳道呢？如經上所記、『報福音傳喜信的人、他們的腳蹤何等佳美。』”
John the Baptist was a lamp, he burned himself to give light, yet when people came to him, he told them that he was not the Light, and he pointed the crowds to Jesus Christ the only true Light.
施洗約翰是一盞燈，他燃燒自己發光，但是當人們來找他時，他告訴他們，他不是真光，不是光的源頭，他把人群指向唯一真光 -- 耶穌基督。
So the Lord commands us to be the bearer of His Light. “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matt 5:16)
所以主命令我們成為他聖光的承載者。“你們的光也當這樣照在人前、叫他們看見你們的好行為、便將榮耀歸給你們在天上的父。”（马太5：16）
At the end of his ministry, John was beheaded by king Herod because of the very sin against which he continuously preached. He was faithful to the calling and mission which God has assigned for him. We surely believe that God will award His servant greatly in heaven, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matt 25:21)
在約翰傳道工作的末期，約翰因指出希律王所犯的罪而被斬首。他忠於上帝賦予他的召喚和使命。我們肯定相信上帝會在天上極大地賞賜他的僕人：“做得好，善良忠實的僕人！” （马太25：21）
In the end let’s meditate these questions and apply these meditations in our daily walking with the Lord:
Am I a truthful witness and servant of Jesus Christ?
Am I faithful to God’s calling like John the Baptist?
Am I a light bearer and shining in this dark world?
Am I willing to sacrifice for the sake of the gospel?
最後，讓我們思考這些問題，並在我們每天與主同行時付诸于实践：
我是耶穌基督的真實見證和僕人嗎？
我像約翰一樣忠於上帝的呼召嗎？
我是光明的承載者，在這個黑暗的世界中发光嗎？
我願意為福音犧牲嗎？
Praise the Lord!
ความคิดเห็น