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马太福音生命读经 · 第7篇

王的家世与身分（七）

THE KING’S ANTECEDENTS AND STATUS (7)
1现在我们来到马太二章。在前面几信息中，我们已讲过基督的谱系和基督的出生，本篇信息我们要来看基督的幼年。
1We come now to chapter two of Matthew. In the previous messages we have covered the genealogy of Christ and the birth of Christ. In this message we shall consider the youth of Christ
参 、幼年
III. HIS YOUTH
一 马太福音与路加福音对基督幼年的记载
A. The Record of Christ’s Youth in Matthew and Luke
2我们若注意四卷福音与马可福音没有记载基督的幼年。约翰福音告诉我们基督是神。神既没有幼年，也没有老年。神是亘古而不变的。因此，神没有幼年的问题。马可福音启示基督是奴仆。没有人会关切奴仆的幼年。反之，路加福音与马太福音都记载基督的幼年。然而，以家谱来说，这两个对基督的幼年的记载并不相同。
2If we pay attention to the four Gospels, we shall see that John and Mark contain no record of Christ’s youth. John tells us that Christ is God. With God there is neither youth nor old age. God is ancient, yet unchanging. Thus, there is no problem of youth with God. In Mark, Christ is revealed as a slave. No one cares about the youth of a slave. On the contrary, both Luke and Matthew record the youth of Christ. However, as was the case with the genealogies, there is a difference between these two records of Christ’s youth
3１.路加的记载证明基督的人性
31. Luke’s Record Proving the Humanity of Christ
4路加福音证明基督是完美的人。因此，路加福音的记载证实并表明耶稣的人性。（路二21～52。）路加所记载基督幼年的事项，表明耶稣是正确、正常的人。耶稣按照犹太人的律法，在第八天受割礼。（路二21。）祂也按照犹太人的习俗，在第八天，而不在第一天，起名叫耶稣。祂同著一对斑鸠或两只雏鸽的祭物被献给神。（路二22～24。）马利亚和约瑟只能献上微小的祭物，这表明他们很贫穷。然而，他们履行了律法的要求。不仅如此，每年逾越节的时候，耶稣就被带到耶路撒冷。（路二41。）这也是按照律法的要求，以色列所有的男丁必须每年三次过节。路加特别题及耶稣十二岁的时候被带去过节。（路二42。）路加也记载，耶稣渐渐长大，灵里刚强，神和人都喜爱祂。（路二40，52。）路加所记载的这些项目，都表明耶稣是典型的人。
4The Gospel of Luke proves that Christ was a perfect man. Hence, Luke’s record testifies and demonstrates the humanity of Jesus (Luke 2:21-52). The items of Christ’s youth recorded by Luke show that Jesus was a proper, normal man. Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day according to Jewish law (Luke 2:21). Also, according to Jewish custom, He was named Jesus on the eighth day, not on the first day. He was offered to God with the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons (Luke 2:22-24). The fact that Mary and Joseph could only afford a small sacrifice shows that they were poor. They nevertheless fulfilled the requirement of the law. Furthermore, Jesus was brought to Jerusalem every year at the time of the feast of the Passover (Luke 2:41). This was also according to the law requiring that all Israelite males attend the feasts three times a year. Luke specifically notes that Jesus was brought to the feast when He was twelve years old (Luke 2:42). Luke also records that Jesus grew physically, that He became strong in His spirit, and that He found favor with God and man (Luke 2:40, 52). All these items recorded by Luke demonstrate that Jesus was a typical man.
２ .马太的记载证明基督的王权
2. Matthew’s Record Proving the Kingship of Christ
5马太的记载表明幼年的耶稣是神百姓的王。（太二1～23。）路加没有包括这点，但马太略过路加所记的各点，详细论到这一点。藉此我们看见，圣经有一个意思：路加福音证明耶稣是人；马太福音表明耶稣是君尊的孩童。现在我们要看马太的记载，耶稣如何是这样一个君尊的孩童。
5Matthew’s record demonstrates that the young Jesus was the King of God’sp eople (2:1-23). Luke did not include this point, but Matthew, ignoring all the points covered by Luke, dwells on it. By this we see that the Bible has an intention: in Luke it is to prove that Jesus was a man; in Matthew it is to show that Jesus was a kingly child. We shall now consider Matthew’s record to see how Jesus was such a kingly child
6我们不该只想凭著白纸黑字明白圣经。我们必须进到圣经里，找出其中生命的东西。马太一章告诉我们旧约有关于基督的豫言，并且神的百姓在等候祂的来临。在马太一章，耶稣来了。基督已经被带到人性里，祂已经出现在地上。二章接著指明寻得基督的路。祂的来临曾被豫言，祂已经来了，祂就在这里。然而，问题是如何寻见祂。
6We should not try to understand the Bible by the black and white letters alone. We must enter into it and find something of life in it. Matthew 1 tells us that the Old Testament contained prophecies concerning Christ and that the people of God were waiting for His coming. In Matthew 1 Jesus came. Christ has been brought into humanity; He has appeared on the earth. Chapter two continues by showing the way to find Christ. His coming was prophesied, He has come, and He is here. However, there is the problem of how to find Him
ａ.为外邦人在伯利恒寻见
a. Found in Bethlehem by Pagan Men
7马太一章启示耶稣，弥赛亚，已经来了。你若是当时的以色列人，你会说，『你告诉我耶稣已经来了，但我怎样才能寻见祂？』感谢主，寻找耶稣的事不是由我们发起，乃是由神发起的。
7Matthew 1 reveals that Jesus, the Messiah, has come. If you had been an Israelite at that time, you would have said, “You tell me Jesus has come, but how can I find Him?” Thank the Lord that the matter of finding Jesus was not initiated by us: it was initiated by God
8想想那个背景。耶稣出生的时候，有一个宗教称为犹太教。牠是基要、健全、合乎圣经的宗教，是按照旧约三十九卷书所形成、组织、构成的。藉著马太二章的记载，我们看见犹太教非常为著圣经。然而，在那个宗教里几乎没有人知道基督已经来了。我们没有看见新约记载一些宗教徒去寻找基督。反之，圣经记载有些外邦人，星象家，来寻找祂。（太二１～１２。）当然，这是由神发起，不是由他们发起的。
8Consider the background. At the time of Jesus’ birth, there was a religion called Judaism. It was a fundamental, sound, scriptural religion that was formed, organized, and constituted according to the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament. Through the record of Matthew 2, we see that Judaism was very much for the Bible. However, hardly anyone in that religion knew that Christ had come. We find no record in the New Testament that some of those religious people went to find Christ. On the contrary, there is a record that some pagan men, magi, came to find Him (2:1-12). Of course, this was initiated by God, not by them
（一） 受星－属天的异象－引导
1) LED BY THE STAR, THE HEAVENLY VISION
9神给星象家一颗发亮的星引导他们。（太二２。）这星没有出现在圣地。这星远离圣地、圣城、圣殿、圣宗教、圣经、圣民、圣祭司的人显现出来。这发亮的星远离这一切神圣的事物，向外邦人的一些外邦人显现。这发亮的星远离这一切神圣的事物，向外邦地的一些外邦人显现。那星的照耀激起这些外邦星象家，想到犹太人的王。我不知道这些星象家怎样受到激动，想起犹太人的王，我不想猜测。关于这些星象家已有太多的想像。无论如何，他们是从东方来的，并且领悟这星指明犹太人的王。
9God gave the magi a shining star to guide them (2:2). This star did not appear in the Holy Land. It appeared to men faraway— faraway from the Holy Land; faraway from the holy city; faraway from the holy temple and the holy religion; faraway from the holy Bible, the holy people, and the holy priests. Faraway from all these holy things, the shining star appeared to some pagan men in a pagan land. The shining of that star stirred up these pagan wise men regarding the King of the Jews. I do not know how these wise men were stirred up regarding the King of the Jews, and I do not want to guess. There have already been too many imaginations concerning these wise men. At any rate, they came from the East, the Orient, and realized that the star indicated the King of the Jews.
10星象家有活的异象－天上的星，犹太宗教徒有圣经。你喜欢那一样？圣经还是星？最好两者都有。我喜欢手中有圣经，也喜欢看见天上的星。最好我是犹太人，又是外邦人。就圣经说，我是犹太人；就那星说，我是外邦的星象家。
10The wise men had the living vision, the heavenly star, and the Jewish religionists had the Bible. Which do you prefer to have—the Bible or the star? It is best to have both. I like to have the Bible in my hand, and I like to see the star in the heavens. It is best to be both a pagan and a Jew as well. As to the Bible, I am a Jew; as to the star, I am a pagan wise man
（二） 受他们属人的观念打岔
2) DISTRACTED BY THEIR HUMAN CONCEPT
11星象家经历了属天之星的异象之后，陷入了难处。这难处来自他们天然的观念。虽然我们有圣经和星，但我们必须承认，难处可能来自我们天然的观念。星象家看见了异象，领悟那指明犹太人的王，他们就推测该到犹太国的京城耶路撒冷去，以为犹太人的王应当在那里。（太二1～2。）他们去耶路撒冷的决定不是来自那星的光。他们去耶路撒冷，是因他们被自己天然的观念岔离了正路。耶路撒冷是错误的地方。牠是京城，也是圣殿所在的城，但不是耶稣出生的地方。因为星象家受到误引，他们引起严重的麻烦，几乎使幼童耶稣被杀。若非神主宰的权柄，幼年的耶稣会因他们的错误被杀。他们的错误牺牲了许多孩童的性命。16-（太二16～18。）要谨慎，你也许有圣经和星，但不要跟从你天然的观念。
11After the wise men experienced the vision of the heavenly star, they got into trouble. This trouble came from their natural concept. Although we may have the Bible and the star, we must recognize that trouble may come from our natural concept. The wise men saw the vision and, realizing that it indicated the King of the Jews, they assumed that they should go to Jerusalem, the capital of the Jewish nation, where the King of the Jews was presumed to be (v v. 1-2). Their decision to go to Jerusalem did not come from the light of the star. They went to Jerusalem because they were distracted from the right track by their natural concept. Jerusalem was the wrong place. It was the capital and the city where the temple was located, but it was not the place where Jesus was born. Because the wise men were misled, they caused a serious problem and nearly caused the young child Jesus to be killed. If it had not been for the sovereignty of God, the young Jesus would have been killed as a result of their mistake. Their error cost the lives of many young ones (vv. 18). Be careful: you may have the Bible and the star, but do not follow your natural concept.
（三） 受圣经改正
(3) CORRECTED BY THE SCRIPTURES
12许多时候你有异象，但你在心思里考虑事情时，受到你天然的观念打岔并误引。你属人的观念使你岔离正路。每当你这样受打岔时，你需要圣经。你到了错误的地方后，需要正确的书。星象家到了错误的地方，耶路撒冷后，藉著圣经得了改正。他们从圣经得知正确的地方是伯利恒，不是耶路撒冷。（太二4～6。）他们若没有受自己天然的观念误引，那星必定会把他们直接引到伯利恒耶稣所在的地方。但他们受到打岔，并且迷了路。因此，他们需要受圣经的知识改正。星象家得了圣经的改正，离开耶路撒冷，回到正路上，那星就再度显现。（太二9。）活的异象总是随著圣经。
12Many times you have the vision, but when you consider the matter in your mind, you are distracted and misled by your natural concept. Your human concept distracts you from the right track. Whenever you are distracted like this, you need the Bible. After you have arrived at the wrong place, you need the right book. After the magi had gone to Jerusalem, the wrong place, they were corrected through the Scriptures. From the Scriptures they learned that the right place was Bethlehem, not Jerusalem (v v. 4-6). If they had not been misled by their natural concept, the star certainly would have led them directly to the place where Jesus was in Bethlehem. But they were distracted and went astray. Thus, they needed to be corrected by the knowledge of the Bible. When the magi had been corrected by the Scriptures, had departed from Jerusalem, and had been restored to the right track, the star appeared again (v. 9). Living vision always goes along with the Scriptures.
13然而，耶路撒冷没有一个宗教徒和星象同去伯利恒。这十分希奇。你若是那些祭司当中的一个，你不会和星象家去看看耶稣是否真的生在伯利恒么？我若在那里，我必定会亲自去找出基督是否真的出去了。可是他们没有一个人去。他们有知识，也能告诉人，弥赛亚要生在伯利恒；但他们没有一个人亲自去。他们为著圣经知识，却不为著弥赛亚活的人位。
13However, none of the religious people in Jerusalem went with the magi to Bethlehem. This is quite strange. If you had been a priest among those priests, would you not have gone with the wise men to see if Jesus had actually been born in Bethlehem? If I had been there, I certainly would have gone to find out for myself whether or not Christ had actually been born. But none of them went. They had knowledge and they could tell people that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem; yet, none of them went for themselves. Although they were for the knowledge of the Bible, they were not for the living Person of the Messiah
14今天的情形如何呢？许多人非常合乎圣经，但他们只关切圣经，不关切活的基督。如果犹太的宗教徒关切基督，他们就会去伯利恒，伯利恒离耶路撒冷不远，就是以古时的交通方式来说也不远。虽然如此，却没有一个经学家、长老或祭司肯去。这证明你有圣经知识，却没有心为著活的基督。有异象是一件事，有圣经知识是另一件事，有心为著活的基督又是另一件事。我们都需要祷告说，『主，给我一颗为著你的心。我要看见异象，我也要认识圣经，但我更要有寻求你的心。』
14How about today’s situation? Many are very scriptural, but they care only for the Scriptures, not for the living Christ. If the Jewish religionists had cared for Christ, they would have gone to Bethlehem, which was not far from Jerusalem even by the ancient method of travel. Although Bethlehem was not far, none of the scribes, elders, or priests bothered to go. This proves that you can have the knowledge of the Bible without having a heart for the living Christ. To have the vision is one thing, to have the knowledge of the Bible is another thing, and to have a heart for the living Christ is still another thing. We all need to pray, “Lord, give me a heart for You. I want to see the vision and I want to know the Bible. But even more, I want to have a heart that seeks You
（四） 再度受那星引导，
(4) LED AGAIN BY THE STAR
寻得并敬拜基督
TO FIND AND WORSHIP CHRIST
15星象家再度看见那星之后，那星就引导他们到基督所在的地方。（太二9～10。）那星不只引导他们到伯利恒城，更引导他们到耶稣所在的地方。
15After the magi saw the star again, the star led them to the place where Christ was (vv. 9-10). The star led them not only to the city of Bethlehem, but to the exact spot where Jesus was.
16基督徒常说，要认识主，只要有圣经就彀了。就一面说，我赞同这点。然而，就另一面说（我很谨慎的说这话），我不完全赞同。虽然我们有圣经，但我们还需要活的异象。圣经的确说基督要生在伯利恒，但圣经没有说在那里，在那条街，或在那一家。活星引导星象家到伯利恒城，也到孩子所在的那条街和那一家。到了那里，星就停住了。（太二9。）星象家不需要叩门，他们知道耶稣在那里。这证明我们都需要清楚、即时的异象，把我们直接引到耶稣所在的地方。
16Christians often say that to know the Lord it is sufficient to have only the Bible. In a sense, I agree with this. However, in another sense—I say this carefully—I do not agree fully. Although we have the Bible, we still need a living vision. The Bible does say that Christ will be born in Bethlehem, but it does not say where, on what street, or in which house. The living star led the wise men to the city of Bethlehem and also to the exact street and the house where the child was. At that place, the star stopped (v. 9). The magi did not need to knock on any doors; they knew where Jesus was. This proves that we all need a clear, up-to-date vision that leads us directly to the place where Jesus is
17星象家不只寻得基督，他们也拜祂。（太二11。）在以色列人中间，没有人可以接受别人的敬拜。那被认为是对神的侮辱，对神的亵渎。按他们看，只有神配得人的敬拜。但星象家敬拜一个孩子，那孩子就是神。以赛亚九章六节说，『有一婴孩为我们而生，...祂名称为...全能的神。』星象家所寻见的孩子称为全能的神。星象家拜祂，向祂献上黄金、乳香和没药。（太二11。）
17The magi not only found Christ; they also worshipped Him (v. 11). Among the Israelites, no one was allowed to receive worship from others. That was considered an insult to God, a blasphemy against Him. According to them, only God was worthy of people’s worship. But the wise men worshipped a child, and that child was God. Isaiah 9:6 says, “Unto us a child is born...and his name shall be called...The mighty God.” The child found by the magi was called the mighty God. The wise men worshipped Him and they offered to Him gold, frankincense, and myrrh (v. 11
18我们需要知道黄金、乳香和没药的意义。在圣经的豫表上，黄金表征神圣的性情。这指明孩童耶稣有神圣的性情，祂是神圣的。乳香表征复活的馨香。按照我们天然宗教的头脑，耶稣的复活是在祂死后。然而，在耶稣受死以前，祂就告诉马利亚和马大，祂是复活，祂是生命。（约十一25。）因此，甚至在祂受死之前，祂就是复活。基督活在地上的生命乃是复活的生命。路加二章五十二节告诉我们，甚至在祂的童年时代，祂就是神与人的喜爱。那不是天然的东西，乃是复活的生命。路加二章的记载启示那孩童是特别的孩童。祂是独特的孩童，因为祂是在复活里的孩童。祂整个人的生命与生活都有复活的馨香、甜美。死不能拘禁祂，甚至不能摸著祂。祂不只是生命，祂也是复活。
18We need to know the meaning of the gold, the frankincense, and the myrrh. In the typology of the Bible, gold signifies the divine nature. This indicates that the child Jesus had the divine nature. He was divine. Frankincense signifies the fragrance of resurrection. According to our naturally religious mentality, the resurrection of Jesus came only after His death. However, before He died, Jesus told Mary and Martha that He was the resurrection and the life (John 11:25). Thus, even before He died, He was the resurrection. The life Christ lived on this earth was a life of resurrection. Luke 2:52 tells us that even in His childhood He found favor with God and man. That was not something natural; it was the life of resurrection. The record in Luke 2 reveals that the child was an extraordinary child. He was a unique child because He was a child in resurrection. In His entire human life and living there was the fragrance, the sweetness of resurrection. Death could not hold Him or even touch Him. Not only was He the life—He was resurrection
19没药表征死，也表征死的馨香。在人类中间，死并无馨香。然而，在耶稣身上，却有死的馨香。
19Myrrh signifies death and also the fragrance of death. Among the human race, death has no fragrance; however, with Jesus there was the fragrance of death
20星象家献上黄金、乳香和没药的时候，我不信他们知道所献礼物的意义。他们必定是受了圣灵的感动而献上礼物。他们献上黄金、乳香和没药，表征孩童耶稣有神圣的性情；祂的生命是复活的生命，满了乳香的馨香；祂的生命也满了死的馨香。
20When the wise men presented the gold, the frankincense, and the myrrh, I do not believe they knew the meaning of the gifts they offered. They surely offered their gifts under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. They presented gold, frankincense, and myrrh, signifying that the child Jesus had the divine nature; that His life would be a life of resurrection, full of the fragrance of frankincense; and that His life would be full of the fragrance of death
21耶稣十二岁的时候，和父母同去耶路撒冷。（路二42。）因为祂有负担看看百姓在祂父的家－圣殿－里作甚么，所以在节期之后，祂留在耶路撒冷。（路二43。）马利亚和约瑟不了解祂。他们寻找祂，最终在殿里找到了。（路二44～。）就一面说，马利亚责备了祂。我若是耶稣，我会责备她。我会回击说，『你不知道我在这里作甚么事么？你为甚么来搅扰我？』我们若读路加的叙述，就会看见耶稣的确向他们说了一些话。祂说，『岂不知我必须以我父的事为念么？』（路二49。）祂说了这话以后，就同他们下去，同他们回到拿撒勒。那对祂是真正的杀死。祂的意愿被杀死，而在那个杀死里，我们能闻到没药的香气。这不是乳香的馨香，乃是没药的馨香之气。
21When Jesus was twelve years old, He went to Jerusalem with His parents (Luke 2:42). Because He was burdened to see what people were doing in His Father’s house, the temple, He stayed in Jerusalem after the feast (Luke 2:43). Mary and Joseph did not understand Him. They looked for Him and eventually found Him in the temple (vv. 44-48). In a sense, Mary rebuked Him. If I had 48 been Jesus, I would have rebuked her. I would have fought back and said, “Don’ty ou know what I’m doing here? Why do you come to bother Me?” If we read Luke’s account, we shall see that Jesus did say something to them. He said, “Did you not know that I must be in the things of My Father?” (v. 49). After He said this, He went along with them and returned with them to Nazareth. That was a real killing to Him. His intention was killed, and in that killing we can smell myrrh. That was not the fragrance of frankincense; it was the sweet aroma of myrrh.
22我们若读四福音书（耶稣的传记），就会看出在耶稣的一生里，黄金、乳香和没药是随处可见的。祂总是活复活的生命，并且一直在十字架的杀死之下。祂不是等到三十三年半过去后，才上十字架被钉死。终其一生，祂一直被钉在十字架上。因此，祂不只有复活的馨香，也有十字架甜美的没药。
22If we read the four Gospels, the biographies of Jesus, we shall see that in the life of Jesus the gold, the frankincense, and the myrrh were very prevalent. He was always living the resurrection life, and He was constantly under the killing of the cross. He did not wait until thirty- three and a half years had passed before He went to the cross to be crucified. Throughout His whole life He was continually being crucified on the cross. Thus, He had not only the fragrance of resurrection, but also the sweet myrrh of the cross.
23星象家在伯利恒寻见了君尊的孩童耶稣。弥迦书五章二节告诉我们，伯利恒『在犹大诸城中为小。』祂出生在这样卑微的城，在这样低微的环境中。然而，由于来自那星的异象，星象家对这君尊的孩童备致崇敬，并不在意那地方。因此，他们向祂献上三项宝贵的东西。每项都表征主耶稣的性情与生命宝贵的元素。在四福音书的每一页，我们几乎都看见主人性的宝贵，祂复活生命的馨香，以及祂牺牲之死的馨香之气。甚至在早期，主出生不久之后，星象就作了这样一件适当的事。这正符合主的性情与生命。他们的奉献必定是受了圣灵的感动。
23The wise men found the kingly child Jesus in Bethlehem, which Micah 5:2 tells us is “little among the thousands of Judah.” He was born in such a humble town in such lowly circumstances. However, due to the vision that came through the star, the wise men paid their full respect to the kingly child, not caring about the place. Therefore, they offered to Him the three precious items. Each of these items signifies some precious element of the Lord Jesus’ nature and life. In nearly every page of the four Gospels, we see the preciousness of the Lord’s humanity, the fragrance of His resurrection life, and the sweet aroma of His sacrificial death. Even in the early days, soon after the Lord’s birth, the wise men did such an appropriate thing. It exactly suited the Lord’s nature and life. Their offering was certainly presented under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit
24星象家献上的这些珍宝，可能提供了主从犹太往埃及，又从埃及往拿撒勒所需要的路费。星象家的敬拜与奉献的确成就了一些事。
24It may be that these precious treasures offered by the magi provided for the Lord’strip from Judea to Egypt and from Egypt to Nazareth. The worship and offering of the wise men truly accomplished something
（五） 受神警告从别的路回去
5) WARNED BY GOD TO RETURN ANOTHER WAY
25星象家寻见了基督，敬拜了祂，向祂献上了这些珍宝之后，就受到神的警告，从别的路回去。（太二。）别的路（不是原路）才是正路。每当我们寻得基督，遇见基督的时候，我们总会受到指示不要回到原路。寻得基督并遇见基督，总是把我们转到别的路上。
25After the wise men had found Christ, had worshipped Him, and had offered Him these precious treasures, they were warned by God tore turn another way (v. 12). This other way, not 12 the original way, was the right way. Whenever we find Christ and meet Him, we are always told not to return to the original way. Finding Christ and meeting Him always turns us to another way.
26今天的情形正是这样。我们有圣经，基督也来了，但我们怎能找著祂？基督的原则不是藉著圣经。虽然圣经有帮助，但基督的原则是藉著活星，就是属天的异象。
26The situation today is exactly the same. We have the Bible, and Christ is coming, but how shall we find Him? The basic principle is not with the Bible. Although the Bible helps, the basic principle is with the living star, the heavenly vision
27现在我们必须看见，我们如何能有这星，如何能有这属天的异象？圣经告诉我们，这活星就是基督。圣经曾豫言基督是星。（民二四17。）祂来是星，（太二，）祂一直是星。（启二二16。）祂正在照耀。我们如何能有基督作星？按照彼后一章十九节，星是与圣经相联的。彼得告诉我们，要留意『申言者更确定的话。』我们若留意这确定的话，我们里面的天就会发亮，并且晨星要在我们心里升起。留意确定的话，就是注意活的话。不是仅仅读这话，乃是进入这话，直到有东西1:19在我们里面升起。我们可以称之为天亮或晨星。彼后一章十九节的晨星，希腊文是phosphoros，是指一种光体－磷。一块能在暗中发光。基督是真正的磷，照耀在今日的黑暗中。然而，除非你留意主的话，这话就不能照耀你。你必须留意，直到你里面有东西开始照耀你。这个照耀会成为你心中的磷。然后你会有晨星。你会像星象家一样，从天上有东西要照耀你。
27Now we must see how we can have this star, how we can have this heavenly vision. The Bible tells us that the living star is Christ. It was prophesied that Christ would be the star (Num. 24:17), He came as the star (Matt. 2), and He remains as the star (Rev. 22:16). He is shining. How can we have Christ as the star? According to 2 Peter 1:19, the star is associated with the Bible. Peter tells us to take heed to the “prophetic word made more firm.” If we take heed to this sure word, something within us will dawn, and the daystar will arise in our hearts. To take heed to the sure word is to pay attention to the living Word. It is not just to read the Word; it is to enter into the Word until something arises within us. We may call this the dawn or the daystar. In 2 Peter the daystar is actually the morning star. The word in Greek is phosphoros, a light-bearing substance. A piece of phosphorus can shine in darkness. Christ is the real phosphorus shining in today’s darkness. However, the Word cannot shine over you unless you take heed to it. You must take heed until something begins to shine within you. That shining will become the phosphorus in your heart. Then you will have the daystar. You will be like the wise men, and something from the heavens will shine over you.
28基督是星。圣经说，跟从基督的人也是星。启示录一章二十节告诉我们，所有在正当召会生活中带头的人都是星。他们是星，因为他们是发光的人。但以理十二章三节说，义人必发光如星；那使多人归义的，就是使人从错路转到正路上的，必发光如星。
28Christ is the star. The Bible says that the followers of Christ are stars also. Revelation 1:20 tells us that all the leading ones in the proper church life are stars. They are stars because they are the shining ones. Daniel 12:3 says that the righteous will shine like stars. Those who turn others to righteousness, who turn them from the wrong way to the right way, will shine like stars
29今天要得著照耀你的星，只有两条路。按第一条路，你必须来到确定的话跟前，将你的全人－你的口、你的眼、你的心思、你的灵、和你的心－向这话敞开，直到你里面有东西升起，并且照耀你。那就是基督。第二条路是要来到发光的圣徒跟前，就是到跟从基督的人跟前。你若来到他们跟前，你就要得著光。你也要得著一些引导，因为他们要引导你到基督所在的地方。
29Today there are only two ways to have the star shining over you. According to the first way, you must come to the sure Word and open up your whole being to the Word— your mouth, your eyes, your mind, your spirit, and your heart— until something rises up in you and shines over you. That is Christ. The second way is to come to the shining saints, the followers of Christ. If you come to them, you will receive light. You also will receive some leading, for they will lead you to the place where Christ is
30这两条得著那星的路都与那灵和召会相联。启示录二十二章十六节说主耶稣是晨星，紧接著下一节就说，『那灵和新妇说...。』这证明主耶稣这晨星与那灵和召会（就是新妇）相联。启示1:20录三章一节说主耶稣有七灵和七星，启示录一章二十七节说七星就是众召会的使者，就需要那灵和召会。凭著那灵，藉著召会，很容易会得著属天的异象，叫我们寻见基督，并将我们的珍赏献给祂。
30Both ways of having the star are linked to the Spirit and the church. Immediately after Reve lation 22:16, which says that the Lord Jesus is the morning star, the following verse says, “And the Spirit and the bride say....” This proves that, as the morning star, the Lord Jesus is linked to the Spirit and to the church, which is the Bride. Reve lation 3:1 says that the Lord Jesus has the seven Spirits and the seven stars, and Revelation says that the seven stars are the angels of the churches. These verses show that the stars are linked not only to the Spirit, but also to the churches. If we would have the living star or the living stars, we need the Spirit and the church. By the Spirit and through the church, it will be easy to have the heavenly vision so that we may find Christ and render our appreciation to Him.
ｂ.逃往埃及
b. Fleeing to Egypt
31基督在伯利恒被寻见。寻见基督造成了麻烦。神用这麻烦将幼童耶稣从伯利恒带到埃及。（太二～18。）何西阿十一章一节豫言，耶稣要从埃及被召出来。没有耶稣在伯利恒被寻见后所发生的麻烦，祂就没有机会逃往埃及。
31Christ was found in Bethlehem. This discovery of Christ created trouble. God used this trouble to bring the young child out of Bethlehem to Egypt (Matt. 2:13-18). Hosea 11:1 prophesied that Jesus would 13 be called out of Egypt. Without the trouble that occurred after Jesus was found in Bethlehem, there would have been no occasion for Him to flee to Egypt.
32这非常有意义。星象家犯了很大的错误，但他们的错误给神机会应验祂的豫言。但不要故意犯错，那是不灵的。要尽所能的把事情作对。然而，不论你多么努力要对，至终你会像星象家一样犯了大错。绝不要说，『让我们作恶以成善罢。』你若作恶，不会成善。然而，你若尽力要对，却仍犯错，那个错会给神机会完成祂的目的。
32This is very meaningful. The wise men made a great mistake, but their mistake offered God the opportunity to fulfill His prophecy. But do not make mistakes purposely. That will not work. Try your best to do things right. Nevertheless, no matter how hard you try to be right, eventually you will make as big a mistake as the wise men did. Never say, “Let us do evil, that good may come.” If you do evil, good will not come. However, if you try to be right but still make a mistake, that mistake will offer God a chance to fulfill His purpose
33因著约瑟带著马利亚和耶稣逃往埃及，幼童耶稣就逃避了头一次的殉道，就由星象家的错误所造成的殉道。撒但总是很忙，等候机会造成殉道。然而，神是主宰一切的，甚至主宰了撒但，以保守祂所亲爱的人脱离仇敌的诡计。因著神主宰的权柄，年幼的耶稣蒙了保守。
33Because Joseph fled with Mary and Jesus into Egypt, the young child Jesus escaped the first martyrdom, the martyrdom caused by the mistake of the wise men. Satan is always busy, waiting for an opportunity to cause martyrdom. However, God is sovereign over all, even over Satan, to preserve His dear ones from the enemy’s wiles. By God’s sovereignty the young Jesus was preserved
ｃ.长在拿撒勒
c. Raised in Nazareth
34在这里我需要陈明一点历史。虽然你们知道这个故事，但你们还需要更多的光。马利亚是在拿撒勒怀孕的。（路一26～27，31。）然而，按照弥迦书五章二节的豫言，基督必须生在伯利恒。在神主宰的安排下，该撒亚古士都勒令罗马帝国举行首次户口普查。（路二1～3。）这迫使众人各归本地。马利亚与约瑟被迫回到他们的家乡伯利恒。他们到达伯利恒后，婴孩耶稣立刻出生了。星象家的错误引起了希律王的憎恨和妒忌，他恼怒一个君尊的婴孩已出生了。然后约瑟在梦中得了引导，要带孩子到埃及。（太二13～15。）这使神能以应验何西阿十一章一节的豫言。希律死后，约瑟又在梦中得著主的话，要回到圣地。（太二19～20。）约瑟回来，知道希律之子亚基老当政，就怕留在伯利恒附近的地区。因此，他往拿撒勒去，就是耶稣生长的地方。（太二21～23。）为这缘故，耶稣称为拿撒勒的耶稣。
34At this point I need to present a little history. Although you know the story, you may still need more light. Mary conceived a child in Nazareth (Luke 1:26-27, 31). According to the prophecy in Micah 5:2, however, Christ had to be born in Bethlehem. Under God’ss ove reign arrangement, Caesar Augustus ordered the first census of the Roman Empire (Luke 2:1-7). This forced all the people to return to their native places. Mary and Joseph were forced to return to Bethlehem, their hometown. Immediately after they arrived in Bethlehem, the child Jesus was born. The mistake of the magi aroused the hatred and jealousy of King Herod, who was angered that a kingly child had been born. Then Joseph received guidance in a dream to take the child to Egypt (Matt. 2:13-15). This enabled God to fulfill the prophecy of Hosea 11:1. After Herod had died, Joseph received word in another dream to return to the Holy Land (vv. 19-20). When Joseph had returned and had learned that Archelaus, the son of Herod, was in power, he was afraid to remain in the territory around Bethlehem. Therefore, he went to Nazareth, where Jesus was raised (vv. 21-23). For this reason Jesus was called Jesus of Nazareth.
35这一切有甚么意义？这是说，当耶稣生在人类中，祂是以有点隐藏、不公开或不显明的方式出现。有时我甚至用『诡秘』这辞描写事。人人都称祂为拿撒勒的耶稣，因祂是拿撒勒人。但圣经说基督要生在伯利恒。基督出生的隐秘方式，把所有的宗教徒都搞糊涂了。当腓力遇见耶稣的时候，他领悟耶稣就是弥赛亚。于是腓力去找拿但业，说他已经遇见弥赛亚了，又说祂是约瑟的儿子，是拿撒勒人。拿但业立刻就说，『拿撒勒还能出甚么好的么？』（约一45～46。）腓力向拿但业报错了消息么？很难说。腓力只晓得耶稣是约瑟的儿子，是拿撒勒人。虽然耶稣是从拿撒勒来的，是拿撒勒人，但祂不是生在拿撒勒，乃是生在伯利恒。这把拿但业搞迷糊了。然而，腓力没有和他争辩，他只说，『你来看。』（约一46。）
35What does all this mean? It means that when Jesus was born into the human race, He appeared in a way that was somewhat hidden, in a way that was not open or evident. Sometimes I have even used the word “sneaky” to describe it. Everyone called Him Jesus of Nazareth, for He was a Nazarene. But the Bible said that Christ would be born in Bethlehem. The hidden way of Christ’s birth bothered all the religious people. When Philip met Jesus, he realized that Jesus was the Messiah. Then Philip went to Nathanael and told him that he had met the Messiah and that He was the son of Joseph, a man of Nazareth. Immediately Nathanael said, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:45-46). Did Philip give Nathanael the wrong information? It is difficult to say. Philip only knew that Jesus was the son of Joseph and that He was a Nazarene. Although Jesus was from Nazareth and was a Nazarene, He had not been born in Nazareth, but in Bethlehem. Nathanael was troubled. However, Philip did not argue with him; he simply said, “Come and see” (John 1:46
36在另一个场合，已经认识耶稣的尼哥底母，想要为耶稣与法利赛人争辩。法利赛人问他说，『难道你也是出于加利利么？』（约七52。）加利利是外邦人的地区，圣经说：『外邦人的加利利。』（太四15。）法利赛人似乎对尼哥底母说，『你是出于加利利么？我们知道耶稣是出于加利利，但加利利没有出过申言者。』表面看来，耶稣是出于加利利，出于拿撒勒；实际上祂是生在伯利恒。那就是祂以有点隐藏且秘密的方式向百姓显现。
36On another occasion, Nicodemus, who had come to know Jesus, tried to argue with the Pharisees concerning Him. The Pharisees asked him, “ Are you also from Galilee?” (John 7:52). Galilee was a Gentile region, and the Bible says “Galilee of the nations” (Matt. 4:15). The Pharisees seemed to say to Nicodemus, “ Are you from Galilee? We know that Jesus came out of Galilee. But out of Galilee there comes no prophet.” Apparently, Jesus was from Galilee, from Nazareth; actually, He was born in Bethlehem. That was His somewhat hidden and secret way of appearing to people
37今天的原则也是一样。我请你们看看帐幕的豫表。帐幕盖著粗陋坚韧的海狗皮，外表看起来不很吸引人。然而，里面却是细麻、金子和宝石。召会属灵的原则也是一样。不要从外表看召会，你需要进到召会里面。使徒保罗若来访问你，我确信你会很惊讶。你会问说，『你是保罗弟兄么？我以为使徒保罗像发光的天使，但你是谁？你不过是个其貌不扬的小人物。』
37The principle is the same today. I refer you to the type of the tabernacle. The tabernacle was covered with rough, tough badgers’ skin; outside, it did not appear to be very attractive. Inside, however, was fine linen, gold, and precious stones. The spiritual principle of the church is the same. Do not look at the church from the outside. You need to come inside the church. I am sure that if the Apostle Paul would come to visit you, you would be surprised. You would ask, “Are you Brother Paul? I thought that the Apostle Paul would be like a shining angel. But what are you? You are just a small man without a comely appearance.”
38我们绝不该显扬自己，也绝不该按著外貌认人。我们必须按著里头的灵认人。耶稣外表是拿撒勒人，但他里面有黄金、乳香和没药。祂里面有神的荣耀。林后五章十六节说，我们不该按外貌认基督或认人。我们必须辨识基督内在的实际。
38We should never make a display of ourselves; neither should we ever know others according to the outward appearance. We must know them according to the inward spirit. In appearance, Jesus was a Nazarene, but within Him there was gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Within Him there was the glory of God. Second Corinthians 5:16 says that we should not know Christ or any man after the outward appearance. Rather, we must discern the inward reality of Christ
39今天我们必须守住这原则。要寻得基督，我们必须有发光的星。我们不可按著外貌，而必须按著里面的所是。你若要认识召会或圣徒，不要被外貌弄糊涂。不要高估任何外面的东西，如高大的教堂、宽大的礼拜堂或管风琴。把这一切都忘了罢！耶稣没有甚么显著的外表。祂是小小的拿撒勒人，生长在称为『外邦人的加利利』省，成长于受人藐视的城－『拿撒勒还能出甚么好的么？』但你若『来看，』并且进到祂里面，你就必珍赏祂，并且被祂抓住。照样，你需要进到召会里，并与召会同处一段时间。你若这样作，就会寻得宝贵的东西。对于寻求的圣徒，原则也是一样。他们越寻求主，就越隐藏自己对属灵之事的经历。你需要到他们那里去，与他们同处。然后你才会进入他们里面，寻得他们里面的丰富。你会看见乳香、没药、以及许多其他的珍宝。然后你要被吸引、被抓住。这就是寻得基督，珍赏祂一切所是并一切宝贝（黄金、乳香和没药）的路。马太二章二十三节说，『祂必称为拿撒勒人。』有人猜测『拿撒勒人』这辞是指民数记六章二节的『拿细耳人。』另有人猜测这是指以赛亚十一章一节的枝子（希伯来文是netzer，奈则尔）。但我认为我们不需要猜测那么多。我们知道耶稣按外表是拿撒勒人。这是申言者所说的。
39We must keep this principle today. In order to find Christ, we must have the shining star. We must not go according to the outward appearance, but according to what is within. If you would know the church or the saints, do not be bothered by the outward appearance. Do not give any value to outward things, such as huge cathedrals, large church buildings, or pipe organs. Forget all that. Jesus had nothing outstanding outwardly. He was a little Nazarene, One who grew up in a province that was called “Galilee of the nations” and who was raised in a city despised by people — “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” But if you “come and see” and get into Him, you will appreciate Him and be caught by Him. Likewise, you need to come into the church and stay with the church for sometime. If you do, you will find something precious. The same is true with the seeking saints. The more they seek the Lord, the more they hide their experiences of spiritual things. You need to go to them and stay with them. Then you will get into them and find the riches that are within them. You will see the frankincense, the myrrh, and many other precious treasures. Then you will be attracted and caught. This is the way to find Christ and to appreciate all He is and all His precious items, the gold, the frankincense, and the myrrh. Matthew 2:2 3 says, “He shall be called a Nazarene.” Some have guessed this word Nazarene refers to “Nazari te” in Numbers 6:2. Others have guessed that it refers to the Hebrew word for branch, netzer, in Isaiah 11:1. But I do not think that we have to guess that much. We know that in appearance Jesus was a Nazarene. This was spoken by the prophets.