路加福音 第一章 Luke Chapter 1
- 馬克牧師
- Feb 10
- 23 min read
寫給提阿非羅
1-2 提阿非羅大人哪，有好些人提筆作書，述說在我們中間所成就的事，是照傳道的人從起初親眼看見又傳給我們的。 3這些事我既從起頭都詳細考察了，就定意要按着次序寫給你， 4使你知道所學之道都是確實的。
預言施洗約翰的誕生
5當猶太王希律的時候，亞比雅班裏有一個祭司，名叫撒迦利亞；他妻子是亞倫的後人，名叫伊利莎白。 6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， 7只是沒有孩子；因為伊利莎白不生育，兩個人又年紀老邁了。 8撒迦利亞按班次在神面前供祭司的職分， 9照祭司的規矩掣籤，得進主殿燒香。 10燒香的時候，眾百姓在外面禱告。 11有主的使者站在香壇的右邊，向他顯現。 12撒迦利亞看見，就驚慌害怕。 13天使對他說：「撒迦利亞，不要害怕，因為你的祈禱已經被聽見了。你的妻子伊利莎白要給你生一個兒子，你要給他起名叫約翰。 14你必歡喜快樂；有許多人因他出世，也必喜樂。 15他在主面前將要為大，淡酒濃酒都不喝，從母腹裏就被聖靈充滿了。 16他要使許多以色列人回轉，歸於主－他們的神。 17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。」 18撒迦利亞對天使說：「我憑着甚麼可知道這事呢？我已經老了，我的妻子也年紀老邁了。」 19天使回答說：「我是站在神面前的加百列，奉差而來對你說話，將這好信息報給你。 20到了時候，這話必然應驗；只因你不信，你必啞巴，不能說話，直到這事成就的日子。」 21百姓等候撒迦利亞，詫異他許久在殿裏。 22及至他出來，不能和他們說話，他們就知道他在殿裏見了異象；因為他直向他們打手式，竟成了啞巴。 23他供職的日子已滿，就回家去了。 24這些日子以後，他的妻子伊利莎白懷了孕，就隱藏了五個月， 25說：「主在眷顧我的日子，這樣看待我，要把我在人間的羞恥除掉。」
預言耶穌的降生
26到了第六個月，天使加百列奉神的差遣往加利利的一座城去（這城名叫拿撒勒）， 27到一個童女那裏，是已經許配大衛家的一個人，名叫約瑟。童女的名字叫馬利亞； 28天使進去，對她說：「蒙大恩的女子，我問你安，主和你同在了！」 29馬利亞因這話就很驚慌，又反覆思想這樣問安是甚麼意思。 30天使對她說：「馬利亞，不要怕！你在神面前已經蒙恩了。 31你要懷孕生子，可以給他起名叫耶穌。 32他要為大，稱為至高者的兒子；主神要把他祖大衛的位給他。 33他要作雅各家的王，直到永遠；他的國也沒有窮盡。」 34馬利亞對天使說：「我沒有出嫁，怎麼有這事呢？」 35天使回答說：「聖靈要臨到你身上，至高者的能力要蔭庇你，因此所要生的聖者必稱為神的兒子 。 36況且你的親戚伊利莎白，在年老的時候也懷了男胎，就是那素來稱為不生育的，現在有孕六個月了。 37因為，出於神的話，沒有一句不帶能力的。」 38馬利亞說：「我是主的使女，情願照你的話成就在我身上。」天使就離開她去了。
馬利亞訪問伊利莎白
39那時候，馬利亞起身，急忙往山地裏去，來到猶大的一座城； 40進了撒迦利亞的家，問伊利莎白安。 41伊利莎白一聽馬利亞問安，所懷的胎就在腹裏跳動。伊利莎白且被聖靈充滿， 42高聲喊着說：「你在婦女中是有福的！你所懷的胎也是有福的！ 43我主的母到我這裏來，這是從哪裏得的呢？ 44因為你問安的聲音一入我耳，我腹裏的胎就歡喜跳動。 45這相信的女子是有福的！因為主對她所說的話都要應驗。」
馬利亞的尊主頌
46 馬利亞說：
我心尊主為大；
47我靈以神我的救主為樂；
48因為他顧念他使女的卑微；
從今以後，
萬代要稱我有福。
49那有權能的，為我成就了大事；
他的名為聖。
50他憐憫敬畏他的人，
直到世世代代。
51他用膀臂施展大能；
那狂傲的人正心裏妄想就被他趕散了。
52他叫有權柄的失位，
叫卑賤的升高；
53叫飢餓的得飽美食，
叫富足的空手回去。
54他扶助了他的僕人以色列，
55為要記念亞伯拉罕和他的後裔，
施憐憫直到永遠，
正如從前對我們列祖所說的話。
56 馬利亞和伊利莎白同住，約有三個月，就回家去了。
施洗約翰的出生
57 伊利莎白的產期到了，就生了一個兒子。 58鄰里親族聽見主向她大施憐憫，就和她一同歡樂。 59到了第八日，他們來要給孩子行割禮，並要照他父親的名字叫他撒迦利亞。 60他母親說：「不可！要叫他約翰。」 61他們說：「你親族中沒有叫這名字的。」 62他們就向他父親打手式，問他要叫這孩子甚麼名字。 63他要了一塊寫字的板，就寫上，說：「他的名字是約翰。」他們便都希奇。 64撒迦利亞的口立時開了，舌頭也舒展了，就說出話來，稱頌神。 65周圍居住的人都懼怕；這一切的事就傳遍了猶太的山地。 66凡聽見的人都將這事放在心裏，說：「這個孩子將來怎麼樣呢？因為有主與他同在。」
撒迦利亞的預言
67他父親撒迦利亞被聖靈充滿了，就預言說：
68主－以色列的神是應當稱頌的！
因他眷顧他的百姓，為他們施行救贖，
69在他僕人大衛家中，
為我們興起了拯救的角，
70正如主藉着從創世以來聖先知的口所說的話，
71拯救我們脫離仇敵
和一切恨我們之人的手，
72向我們列祖施憐憫，
記念他的聖約－
73就是他對我們祖宗亞伯拉罕所起的誓－
74叫我們既從仇敵手中被救出來，
75就可以終身在他面前，
坦然無懼地用聖潔、公義事奉他。
76孩子啊！你要稱為至高者的先知；
因為你要行在主的前面，
預備他的道路，
77叫他的百姓因罪得赦，
就知道救恩。
78因我們神憐憫的心腸，
叫清晨的日光從高天臨到我們，
79要照亮坐在黑暗中死蔭裏的人，
把我們的腳引到平安的路上。
80那孩子漸漸長大，心靈強健，住在曠野，直到他顯明在以色列人面前的日子。
各位弟兄姊妹平安，今天我們開始閱讀《路加福音》的第一章。我們會注意到，《路加福音》的每一個章節其實都相當長，不僅詳細記錄了整個事件的順序，每個章節也都有其明確的主題。
首先，我們來看看開篇的部分。路加在一開始就清楚地表明，他是寫給「提阿非羅大人」（Theophilus）的。這位「提阿非羅」（Theophilus）到底是誰呢？其實，我們並沒有確切的資料能夠完全確認他的身分，但從路加的稱呼來看，他很可能是一位羅馬的高官，或者是一位對基督信仰充滿敬仰、希望深入了解的人。
路加作為一位學者和歷史學家，他在寫作《路加福音》時，仔細考察了所有的資料，包括各種人的分享、見證，以及當時的文學記載。他的目的是要讓提阿非羅確信，他所信的一切都是確實可靠的。
路加在這裡向我們展現了一個非常重要的概念——信仰不僅僅是閱讀和學習，更重要的是我們自己與上帝的親身體驗。我們如何經歷上帝？我們與祂的個人關係是什麼？這些都是基督徒應當時刻反思的問題。
作為基督徒，閱讀聖經是理所當然的，學習神學也是應該的。然而，更重要的是我們如何積極地與上帝建立關係，如何主動地渴慕祂，並在生活中擁有第一手的屬靈經歷。
在主日禮拜時，我們聽牧師講道，或者在日常生活中聆聽各種信息，但這一切的最終目的，都是要將我們帶回與上帝的親密交通。這種親密關係來自於我們的禱告、讀經，以及個人的靈修時間。這才是建立信仰最根本、最重要的事情。
然後，路加從耶穌誕生之前開始記載，甚至再往前追溯到另一個關鍵人物——施洗約翰。施洗約翰是非常重要的人物，他的生命和使命象徵著所有基督徒應當做的事情。
我們看到，施洗約翰的父母——撒迦利亞和伊麗莎白——在年老時才得子。原本，他們是無法生育的，而這個故事與亞伯拉罕和撒拉在年老時得以撒的故事相似。兩者的共同點在於：這都是上帝的介入，是上帝的應許成就了這一切。
此外，根據路加的記載，施洗約翰與耶穌之間還有一層親屬關係。施洗約翰是耶穌的表哥，因為他的母親伊麗莎白與瑪麗亞是親戚。而施洗約翰的出生時間比耶穌早了三個月。耶穌和施洗約翰的懷孕與誕生，本身都是神蹟。施洗約翰的父母在年老時才得子，這是上帝奇妙的恩典與應許的成就。而耶穌的母親瑪麗亞則是因聖靈感孕，沒有人的介入，這是超自然的神蹟。
這兩個孩子的出生，都是上帝直接的作為，顯明祂對人類救贖計畫的主權與安排。施洗約翰的誕生預備了彌賽亞的來臨，而耶穌的誕生則是上帝救恩正式展開的重要時刻。
當瑪麗亞來到伊麗莎白的家中時，伊麗莎白腹中的胎兒就歡喜跳動，這表明施洗約翰在母腹中就已經認出耶穌是將來的彌賽亞。這是一個奇妙的場景，顯示出神的靈早已在這一切之中動工。
在這個時刻，瑪麗亞唱出了一首極為著名的讚美詩——「尊主頌」（Magnificat）。這首詩表達了她對上帝的感恩與頌讚，讚美神的偉大與憐憫，也宣告了神對世人的救贖計畫。後世許多基督徒將這首詩譜成詩歌吟唱，至今仍然流傳。如果你上網搜尋「尊主頌」，會找到許多不同版本的演繹，每一個都充滿敬虔與美感，展現了這首詩歌的永恆價值。
而撒迦利亞這一個敬虔一輩子的人，在年老懷孕的時候，因為他表達了一點懷疑，天使告訴他說：「你將成為啞巴，直到孩子出生。」當撒迦利亞第一次開口時，他所唱出的詩歌，就是為了要頌讚上帝，並且對他的孩子發出預言。這裡我們特別看到了一段，撒迦利亞對於兒子施洗約翰所發的預言。在路加福音1:76節到80節中，其實這一段對於所有基督徒來說，都是一個很重要的提醒，也是我們應當做的事情。我們一同來稍微讀一讀這一段。
76孩子啊！你要稱為至高者的先知；因為你要行在主的前面，預備他的道路，77叫他的百姓因罪得赦，就知道救恩。78因我們神憐憫的心腸，叫清晨的日光從高天臨到我們，79要照亮坐在黑暗中死蔭裏的人，把我們的腳引到平安的路上。
首先，我們看到的是，撒迦利亞說：「你要稱為至高者的先知，行在主的面前，預備祂的道路。」當我們去思考「預備道路」這到底是什麼意思呢？什麼叫做為主預備道路？我們怎麼能夠走在主的前面呢？
我們看到在77節這邊所說的是，要傳揚「救恩的知識」(the knowledge of salvation)。這裡所說的是，讓祂的百姓知道罪得赦免，得到關於救恩的知識。也就是說，我們所預備的道路，首先的第一個重點是，我們要分享這個得救的知識。
我不知道各位有沒有打過官司。通常如果你曾經打過官司，你會知道那種壓力是非常沉重的。每一次跟律師的對話都需要花費很多的錢，每一次出庭都要面對法官的應對，這其實是一個對心理壓力非常大的挑戰。如果打過官司的人應該都知道，打官司是一件非常累人且昂貴的事。如果你是被告的話，壓力會更大，因為你是被攻擊的一方。
然而，這裡告訴我們的是，上帝的宣告：你不再是被告了，法官已經宣告你無罪，從此沒有人能夠控告你。在我們的生命中，我們曾經犯過錯，曾經得罪過人，甚至得罪過上帝。我們曾經做過許多不對的事情，但耶穌告訴我們，現在你不用再擔心了，因為祂已經為你承擔了所有的罪，宣告你無罪了。
當你思考這件事情時，這個赦罪的恩典是何等偉大，何等大的安慰！讓一個人從此不再活在黑暗中，不再活在自責裡，也不再活在自我控告中，因為上帝，這位天地的主宰，已經親自宣告說：「你無罪了。」就像皇帝下達了一道聖旨，宣布一個人從此被赦免一樣。
基督徒最需要分享的事情就是關於這個救恩的知識。如果一個人不知道這件事，如果一個人對於自己的罪得赦免沒有認識，他的內心總是會沉重，總是會擔憂。所以我們所要宣告的，對於罪人宣告的第一件事情，就是上帝說：「你的罪得赦免了，你不用再為你的罪感到沉重了，你已經無罪了。」這句話，對許多人來說，對於那些內心憂愁的、那些內心仍有黑暗的人，這一個宣告是最重要的，最需要聽見的。
接下來的這句話，我們看到神憐憫的心腸。許多人對於神的認識可能是可怕的、可能是公義的，甚至可能認為祂是嚴厲的，認為做錯事情就會被懲罰。然而，這裡告訴我們，神是憐憫的，神是愛我們的，祂的光明照耀在我們身上。
大家是否曾經遇到過一個伸手不見五指的情況。如果你去露營，剛好碰上一個沒有月亮的夜晚，你就會知道什麼叫做伸手不見五指。當你把手舉到眼前，你甚至看不見自己的手，在那種極度黑暗的環境中，任何一絲光芒都顯得特別珍貴。無論是微弱的星光，還是只是一根火柴的微光，都能夠幫助你看到四周，為你帶來希望和方向。這麼一點點光芒，就能照亮周圍的環境，讓你重新獲得信心和力量。
而這個救恩的話語，就像那一絲光芒一樣，當我們心中一片黑暗、看不見前方的時候，神的光照亮了我們的道路，讓我們不再困惑、不再迷茫。祂的光芒帶領我們走出死因的幽谷，讓我們能夠走上平安的道路。你如果曾經在黑暗中行走過，你就會知道，哪怕是在自己的家中，若沒有光，即使是熟悉的地方，也會變得無比艱難。而有了光的引導，一切變得不再那麼困難。當我們擁有這樣的光時，我們的道路就被照亮，我們就能夠走在平安的路上。我們的人生有了根基，我們的價值觀也有了穩固的基礎。我們人生中，在做選擇的時候，我們不再只依靠自己的想法，而是有了神的引領和指引。
所以，身為基督徒，我們有幾個重要的職分。首先，我們是至高上帝的先知，要將關於救恩的知識分享給萬國、萬民，讓他們來聽。這個使命本身就像是一束光芒，當你分享出去後，便能照亮他人的道路，照亮他人的生命。所謂的“預備道路”，其實首先是預備我們自己的生命、家園和社區，讓人能夠更容易地認識上帝。
因此，教會的門不應該是關閉的，教會應該是隨時預備好迎接那些尋求安慰、尋求憐憫、尋求愛的人進來的地方。當我們為這個地方做準備時，上帝會使用我們，成為拯救的道路、拯救的工具、拯救的器皿。因此，我們預備道路，實際上是預備我們自己，當我們準備好自己，上帝就會使用我們。
當我們能夠被使用時，我們將看到上帝的福音在整個社區，甚至在我們周圍開始擴散。所以，讓我們一同預備自己，把自己預備好，成為上帝要來的道路。
今天屬靈反思：讓我們反思自己是否在預備自己。我是否隨時準備好來回答眾人關於救恩的知識和救恩的訊息？當有人走近我，問我為什麼是基督徒、為什麼信耶穌、為什麼去教會時，我是否能夠以滿懷盼望的心，根據彼得前書三章15節的教導，用溫柔的心將我盼望的緣由分享給眾人？
我們今天閱讀完了路加福音的第一章，明天我們將繼續閱讀路加福音第二章，進一步看到耶穌的降生，願神的話語在我們心中發光，帶領我們走在祂的光中。感謝各位的聆聽。
Introduction
1Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
5In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
8Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.
11Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
18Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”
19The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”
21Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.
23When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25“The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
The Birth of Jesus Foretold
26In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
34“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
35The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37For no word from God will ever fail.”
38“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Mary Visits Elizabeth
39At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
Mary’s Song
46And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
50His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
51He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
55to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”
56Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
The Birth of John the Baptist
57When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. 58Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.
59On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.”
61They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.”
62Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” 64Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. 65All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. 66Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.
Zechariah’s Song
67His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
68“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
because he has come to his people and redeemed them.
69He has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David
70(as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),
71salvation from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us—
72to show mercy to our ancestors
and to remember his holy covenant,
73the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
74to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,
and to enable us to serve him without fear
75in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
76And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
77to give his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,
78because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
79to shine on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
80And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.
Peace be with you, brothers and sisters,
Today, we begin reading the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke. We will notice that each chapter in the Gospel of Luke is actually quite long, not only providing a detailed account of the sequence of events, but also each chapter having its own clear theme.
First, let us take a look at the opening section. Luke clearly states at the beginning that he is writing to "Theophilus." Who exactly is "Theophilus"? In fact, we do not have exact information to fully confirm his identity, but based on Luke’s reference, he is likely a high-ranking Roman official or someone who holds a deep respect for the Christian faith and desires to learn more about it.
As a scholar and historian, Luke carefully examined all the materials when writing the Gospel, including various testimonies, accounts from different people, and literary records from that time. His goal was to ensure that Theophilus would be fully convinced that everything he believed was reliable and true.
Here, Luke presents a very important concept to us – faith is not merely about reading and learning; more importantly, it is about our personal experience with God. How do we experience God? What is our personal relationship with Him? These are the questions that every Christian should constantly reflect upon.
As Christians, reading the Bible is natural, and studying theology is expected. However, more importantly, we need to actively build a relationship with God, earnestly desire Him, and have firsthand spiritual experiences in our daily lives.
In Sunday services, we listen to the pastor’s sermons, or in our daily lives, we hear various teachings. But the ultimate purpose of all of this is to bring us back into an intimate fellowship with God. This intimate relationship comes from our prayers, Bible reading, and personal devotional time. This is the most fundamental and essential aspect of building our faith.
Next, Luke starts recording from before the birth of Jesus, even tracing back to another key figure – John the Baptist. John the Baptist is a very important figure whose life and mission symbolize what all Christians should do.
We see that John the Baptist’s parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth, were blessed with a child only in their old age. Originally, they were unable to have children, and this story is similar to that of Abraham and Sarah having Isaac in their old age. The commonality between the two is that it was God’s intervention, and it was God’s promise that brought this to pass.
Additionally, according to Luke’s account, John the Baptist and Jesus had a family connection. John the Baptist was Jesus’ cousin because his mother, Elizabeth, and Mary were relatives. Moreover, John the Baptist was born three months before Jesus. The pregnancies and births of both John and Jesus were miraculous. John’s parents had a child in their old age, which was a wonderful gift of God’s grace and fulfillment of His promise. Meanwhile, Jesus’ mother, Mary, conceived by the Holy Spirit, without human involvement, making it a supernatural miracle.
Both of these children’s births were direct acts of God, showing His sovereignty and plan for the redemption of humanity. The birth of John the Baptist prepared the way for the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus marked the official commencement of God’s salvation plan.
When Mary visited Elizabeth’s home, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaped for joy, showing that John recognized Jesus as the Messiah even before birth. This was a wonderful scene, demonstrating that God’s spirit was already working in all of this.
At this moment, Mary sang a very famous hymn of praise – the "Magnificat." This hymn expressed her gratitude and praise to God, glorifying His greatness and mercy, and proclaiming His plan for the redemption of the world. Many Christians throughout history have set this hymn to music, and it is still sung today. If you search for the "Magnificat" online, you will find many different interpretations, each filled with reverence and beauty, showcasing the timeless value of this hymn.
Zechariah, a devout man throughout his life, doubted when he learned that he and his wife were going to have a child in their old age. The angel told him, "You will be mute until the child is born." When Zechariah finally spoke, his song was a praise to God and a prophecy about his son, John.
Here we see a passage in which Zechariah prophesies about his son, John the Baptist. In Luke 1:76-80, this passage serves as an important reminder for all Christians, and it teaches us what we should do. Let us read this passage together.
Luke 1:76-80 (NASB)
"76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways; 77 To give His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins, 78 Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, 79 To shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace."
First, we see Zechariah say, "You will be called the prophet of the Most High, to go on before the Lord to prepare His ways." What does "prepare the way" mean? What does it mean to prepare the way for the Lord? How can we walk ahead of the Lord?
We see in verse 77 that it says we must proclaim "the knowledge of salvation." This means making His people aware of the forgiveness of sins. In other words, the first point of the "prepared way" is that we must share the knowledge of salvation.
I don't know if any of you have ever been involved in a lawsuit. Usually, if you've ever been in one, you know that the pressure is tremendous. Every conversation with a lawyer costs money, and every court appearance means facing the judge. It’s a challenging experience that puts great stress on a person. Those who have gone through a lawsuit know how exhausting and expensive it can be. If you’re the defendant, the pressure is even greater because you are being attacked.
However, this passage tells us that God’s declaration is: "You are no longer the defendant. The judge has declared you innocent, and no one can accuse you anymore." In our lives, we have made mistakes, offended others, and even offended God. We have done many wrong things, but Jesus tells us that we don’t need to worry anymore because He has taken all our sins upon Himself and declared us innocent.
When we think about this, the grace of forgiveness is immense, and it brings great comfort! A person can stop living in darkness, no longer living in self-blame or self-accusation, because God, the Lord of heaven and earth, has personally declared, "You are innocent." It is like a royal decree declaring someone forgiven.
The most important thing for Christians to share is the knowledge of salvation. If a person doesn’t know this, if they are unaware of the forgiveness of their sins, their heart will always be heavy, always worried. So, the first thing we need to declare to sinners is that God says, "Your sins are forgiven. You no longer need to feel burdened by your sins. You are innocent." For many, for those with troubled hearts, for those still in darkness, this declaration is the most important thing they need to hear.
Next, we see God’s tender mercy. Many people’s understanding of God might be that He is fearsome, just, or even severe, thinking that He punishes wrongdoers. But here we are told that God is merciful, God loves us, and His light shines upon us.
Has anyone ever encountered a situation where it’s so dark you can’t even see your hand in front of your face? If you go camping on a moonless night, you’ll know what it’s like when it’s so dark you can’t see your hand. In that extreme darkness, any bit of light becomes precious. Whether it’s the faintest starlight or the glow of a match, it helps you see your surroundings and gives you hope and direction. That small bit of light can illuminate your environment, giving you the confidence and strength to move forward.
The message of salvation is like that tiny light. When our hearts are in darkness, when we can’t see the way forward, God’s light shines on our path, guiding us out of confusion and despair. His light leads us through the valley of death’s shadow and brings us onto the path of peace. If you’ve ever walked in darkness, you’ll know that even in familiar places, without light, it becomes difficult. But with the light to guide us, everything becomes easier.
When we have such light, our path is illuminated, and we can walk on the road to peace. Our lives are grounded, and our values have a firm foundation. When we make decisions in life, we no longer rely solely on our own thoughts but are guided by God’s leading.
As Christians, we have several important roles. First, we are the prophets of the Most High, called to share the knowledge of salvation with all nations so they can hear it. This mission itself is like a beam of light; when you share it, it illuminates the path for others, lighting up their lives. "Preparing the way" is first preparing our own lives, our homes, and our communities, making it easier for people to recognize God.
Therefore, the doors of the church should never be closed; the church should always be ready to welcome those seeking comfort, mercy, and love. When we prepare this place, God will use us as tools for salvation, as vessels of salvation. So, when we prepare the way, we are actually preparing ourselves. When we are ready, God will use us.
When we can be used, we will see God’s gospel spreading throughout our community and even around us. So, let’s prepare ourselves to be the way for God’s coming.
Spiritual Reflection for Today: Let’s reflect on whether we are preparing ourselves. Am I always ready to share the knowledge of salvation and the message of salvation with others? When someone approaches me and asks why I am a Christian, why I believe in Jesus, or why I go to church, am I able to respond with a heart full of hope, gently sharing the reason for my hope, according to 1 Peter 3:15?
Today, we have finished reading the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke. Tomorrow, we will continue with chapter two and witness the birth of Jesus. May God's Word shine in our hearts and guide us to walk in His light. Thank you all for listening.
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