路加福音 2章25-32節

 

  2:25 當時，在耶路撒冷有一個人，名叫西面。他是敬畏上帝的義人，一向盼望以色列得到拯救。聖靈與他同在； 2:26 他得到聖靈的啟示，知道自己在離世以前會看見主所應許的基督。 2:27 由於聖靈的感動，他來到聖殿。這時候，耶穌的父母剛抱著孩子耶穌進來，要履行法律所規定的事。 2:28 西面把孩子抱在懷裏，頌讚上帝說： 2:29 主啊，你已實現了你的應許；如今可讓你的僕人平安歸去。 2:30 我已親眼看見你的拯救， 2:31 就是你為萬民所預備的： 2:32 他要成為啟示外邦的亮光，成為你子民以色列的榮耀。

  Luke 2:25-32 NIV

  Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel , and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 'Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel .'

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      西門因為有聖靈與他同在，所以他看到耶穌的父母剛抱著孩子耶穌進來時，就認出祂是基督，頌讚上帝說：『主啊，你已實現了你的應許；如今可讓你的僕人平安歸去。我已親眼看見你的拯救，就是你為萬民所預備的：他要成為啟示外邦的亮光，成為你子民以色列的榮耀。』

      故我們要有聖靈才能認識基督，這也是蒙揀選的明證。正如耶穌基督在這世界時，有許多人靠近祂，卻沒有信祂是上帝的兒子、是基督，只有門徒們說：『主啊，你有賜永生的話語，我們還跟從誰呢？我們信，並且知道你是從上帝那裏來的聖者。』（約翰福音6章68-69）

      所以我們可以認識並信靠耶穌基督，是上帝的恩典！