各位弟兄姊妹，平安。今天我們所閱讀的是馬可福音第一章的前十一節。
馬可福音的開頭並沒有描述耶穌誕生前的故事，也沒有記錄馬利亞被聖靈感孕的情節，不像路加福音那樣詳細地描述了耶穌誕生前的事件。馬可福音是由彼得直接口述的，是一本很人性化的福音書。因此，一開始就直接引用了先知以賽亞的預言，預言著一位使者將在耶穌前面預備道路，有人在曠野呼喊著：「預備主的道路，修直他的路徑。」這一段話也記錄在瑪拉基書3:1。
接下來，我們看到了施洗約翰的介紹。在猶太人的歷史中，自瑪拉基書結束後的四百年間，沒有出現過任何先知奉主名說話。因此，施洗約翰的出現對以色列人來說是一個希望的象徵，他們都湧向他那裡，渴望聽到他的話。施洗約翰的出現是一個極其重要的時刻，他的工作是為了預備即將到來的那位。從一開始，施洗約翰就明確表示，他自己不是基督，而是要為那位預備道路。
這段經文提醒我們，神的應許總是會實現，雖然有時候我們可能會在漫長的等待中感到沮喪，但神總是準時履行他的應許。讓我們在等待中保持信心，並預備我們的心，迎接神的到來。
約翰，我們看到約翰的敘述。他不是一個所謂的普通人，因為誰會穿著駱駝毛的衣服在野地裡吃蝗蟲野蜜呢？這樣的人物，講話卻大受人聆聽，因為他自己帶有上帝話語的權威。但同時，他卻說他為將要來的那一位解鞋帶都不配。在當時的巴勒斯坦，所謂的鞋子只是一塊皮革用繩子繫起來。行路的人腳上通常會沾滿泥土和灰塵，當他們進到屋子裡的時候，僕人會在門口為客人脱鞋洗腳。這是一個卑賤的工作。施洗約翰一開始就用這個比喻來形容他和未來這位彌賽亞的關係。
基督教的教訓，聖經的教訓，有著不可忽視的潔淨力量。在當時的羅馬，是一個混亂污穢的地方。事實上，在今天的世界上，我們依然生活在罪惡和污穢之中。科技的進步和人類文明的提升從來都沒有真正解決過罪惡的問題，反而可能加劇了罪惡的增長。唯有來自於上帝的話語和耶穌基督的救恩才能真正淨化人心。在傳揚福音的過程中，我們可能會感到無力，因為我們所傳達的訊息未必被許多人接受，未必被許多人所理解。但是，當我們堅持分享這樣的話語時，我們可以實實在在地看見這些話語在人心和社會中的潔淨力量。當人們聽到上帝的真理並思考時，潔淨的力量就會蔓延，這也是唯一可以淨化世界的力量。
在第九節，我們看到馬可福音馬上切入耶穌受洗這件事情。很多人對耶穌要來受約翰的洗禮都不理解，包括施洗約翰本人，他在其他的福音書中說："我當受你的洗，怎麼你來受我的洗呢？" 耶穌在這裡受洗有幾個意義值得思考。
首先，耶穌要在眾人面前做出一個宣告。雖然他自己是無罪的，他從來沒有犯過罪，但在這個時間點上，人們並不知道這一點。人們對於這個耶穌是不理解的，所以他必須要有一個公開的行動來告訴所有人，他願意接受這個洗禮，儘管他本身沒有罪。他這樣做，是為盡諸般的義。在他受洗後，天開了，上帝親自對他說話："你是我的愛子，我喜悅你。" 聖靈也如鴿子降在他的身上，驗證他是唯一的那一位。
其次，他做出了一個重要的抉擇。他要開始離開他的家人和家鄉，開始上帝天國的事工。他知道他的結局會在哪裡，所以這是一個重要的抉擇時刻。當他完成這樣的應許，滿足先知的預言時，他就走上了這條道路。
受洗也是在眾人面前公開驗證他身分的重要時刻。每個人進了水裡，外表上看起來沒有什麼差別。但唯有耶穌受洗完後，天開了，並且聖靈降在他的身上。這是眾人都看見的，為了驗證他的身分和地位。
在這裡，我們可以看到馬可福音的節奏相當快。從耶穌受洗開始，直接跳到了他受試探，甚至跳過了這一段的詳細描述。接下來，我們將直接進入第12節到20節，看到耶穌挑選十二門徒，並宣告並開始他的事工。感謝各位的聆聽。
Dear brothers and sisters, peace be with you. Today we are reading the first eleven verses of the Gospel of Mark.
The beginning of Mark's Gospel doesn't narrate the events preceding Jesus' birth, nor does it record the story of Mary's conception by the Holy Spirit. Unlike Luke's Gospel, which intricately details the events before Jesus' birth, Mark's Gospel, being directly dictated by Peter, is a more humanized account. Therefore, it immediately quotes the prophecy of Isaiah, predicting the coming of a messenger to prepare the way for Jesus. It is stated, "A voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'" This passage is also recorded in Malachi 3:1.
Next, we see the introduction of John the Baptist. In Jewish history, there had been a gap of four hundred years since the end of Malachi, during which no prophet spoke in the name of the Lord. Therefore, John the Baptist's appearance was a symbol of hope for the Israelites. They flocked to him, eager to hear his words. His appearance was a profoundly significant moment, as his work was to prepare the way for the coming one. From the beginning, John the Baptist made it clear that he was not the Christ but rather the one preparing the way for Him.
This passage reminds us that God's promises always come to fruition, even though at times we may feel disheartened during the long wait. Let us maintain faith during the waiting period and prepare our hearts to welcome God's arrival.
John, we see the description of John the Baptist. He was not an ordinary person, for who would wear camel's hair clothing and eat locusts and wild honey in the wilderness? Such an unusual figure yet his words were highly regarded, for he carried the authority of God's word within him. However, at the same time, he said he was not even worthy to untie the sandals of the one who was to come. In the context of Palestine at that time, sandals were simple footwear made of a piece of leather with two straps. As people walked, their feet would accumulate dust and dirt, and it was the task of a lowly servant to untie their sandals and wash their feet at the door. John the Baptist used this metaphor from the outset to describe his relationship with the future Messiah.
The teachings of Christianity, the teachings of the Bible, have an undeniable cleansing power. In the Roman era, it was a chaotic and impure place. In fact, in today's world, we still live in sin and impurity. Technological advancements and human civilization have never truly solved the problem of sin; instead, they may exacerbate its growth. Only through the word of God and the salvation of Jesus Christ can human hearts be truly purified. While preaching the Gospel, we may feel powerless because our message may not be heard by many or understood by many. However, as we continue to share such words, we can genuinely see the cleansing power of these words in people's hearts and in society. When people hear the truth of God and contemplate it, the power of purification spreads. This is the only power that can cleanse the world.
In verse nine, we see Mark's Gospel immediately addressing Jesus' baptism. Many people did not understand why Jesus, the sinless one, would come to receive John's baptism, including John the Baptist himself, who said in other Gospels, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" There are several dimensions to Jesus' baptism worth pondering.
Firstly, Jesus wanted to make a declaration before everyone. Although he was sinless and had never committed sin, people did not know this at that time. People did not understand who Jesus was, so he had to make a public action to tell everyone that he was willing to accept this baptism, even though he did not need it himself. He did this to fulfill all righteousness. After his baptism, the heavens opened, and God spoke directly to him, saying, "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." The Spirit descended on him like a dove to confirm his unique identity.
Secondly, he made an important choice. He was about to leave his family and hometown to begin the work of the kingdom of God. He knew where his journey would lead, so this was a crucial moment of choice. When he fulfilled this promise and fulfilled the prophecy of the prophets, he embarked on this path.
Baptism was also an important moment of public validation of his identity. When everyone else entered the water, there was no apparent difference on the outside. But only after Jesus was baptized did the heavens open, and the Holy Spirit descended on him. This was witnessed by everyone, to validate his identity and status.
Here, we can see that the rhythm of Mark's Gospel is quite fast. Starting from Jesus' baptism, it jumps straight to his temptation, even skipping the detailed description of this section. Next, we will directly enter into verses 12 to 20, where we will see Jesus choosing the twelve disciples and beginning his ministry. Thank you all for listening.
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