12月22日

標　　題：預見神的降臨

經　　節：正如先知以賽亞書上所記的話，說：在曠野有人聲喊著說：預備主的道，修直祂的路！……凡有血氣的，都要見神的救恩！（路加福音三章4、6節）

如果想擁有神大能的同在，我們一定要預備自己。施洗約翰是神所差的信使，幫助人們接受人類救主。約翰堅定地傳道，說：「天國近了，你們當悔改！」（馬太福音三：2）當耶穌來到時，那些聽到約翰的信息、預備好自己生命的人認出耶穌，並且離開去跟隨耶穌。這對門徒來說是特別真實的，因為他們的心已經被神預備好了（馬太福音十六：17）。人必須要在神出現之前預備好！

神對人心預備的指示是很明確的：悔改！這包括人的心靈、意志和行為完全的改變，轉向祂。祂是主，你的生命一定要預備好接納祂為你的主。稍有保留就是不足。有些人顯然尚未預備好跟隨耶穌，而錯失了機會（路加福音九：57—62）。在耶穌時代，大部分的宗教領袖並沒有預備好面對祂的降臨。他們知道彌賽亞要來，甚至知道祂要降生于何處（馬太福音二：4—6）。然而，當他們聽到救主已經降臨，卻沒有加入祂，他們更喜歡自己的宗教儀式。

如果你尚未預備好，你也會錯失經歷耶穌的機會。你可能經常參加宗教活動，但是你會錯過神。儘管其他人在敬拜中遇見神，你不會為之所動。當其他人得到神的光照時，你的體驗是一片黑暗的寂靜。宗教活動永遠不能代替一顆在神面前純潔的心。純潔是由悔改而來。讓我們像詩人一樣如此祈禱，求神鑒察我們的心，讓我們知道自己是否有任何惡行需要悔改（詩篇一三九：23—24）。

Preparing for the Presence of God

"Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight...And all flesh shall see the salvation of God." (Luke 3:4, 6)

If we are to receive the powerful presence of God, we must prepare ourselves. John the Baptist was God’s messenger to help people prepare to receive the Savior of the world. John preached unwaveringly: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven at hand!” (Matt. 3:2). Those who heard John’s message and prepared their lives recognized Jesus when He came, and they left all to follow Him. This was especially true of the disciples, whose hearts God Himself prepared (Matt. 16:17). Preparation must precede God’s presence!

God’s instruction for preparation is specific: repentance! This involves a complete change of mind, heart, will, and behavior toward Him. He is Lord, and your life must be prepared to receive Him as your Lord. Anything less is inadequate. Some were obviously unprepared to follow Jesus and missed the opportunity (Luke 9:57–62). The religious leaders of Jesus’ day were largely unprepared for His arrival. They knew the Messiah was coming. They even knew where He would be born (Matt. 2:4–6). Yet when word came that the Savior had been born, they made no effort to join Him, preferring instead their religious ritual.

If you are unprepared, you, too, will miss the opportunity to experience Jesus. You may practice religion, but you will miss God. While others encounter the Lord personally in worship, your heart will remain unmoved. As others receive a fresh word from God, you will experience a painful silence. Religious activity can never substitute for a heart that is pure before Him. Purity comes only through repentance. Pray, as the Psalmist did, that God will examine your heart and reveal your need to repent of your sin (Ps. 139:23–24).