Ministry in Word

Two Elderly Faithful
两位信实的老人

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.”

The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
在耶路撒冷有一个人，名叫西面；这人又公义又虔诚，素常盼望以色列的安慰者
来到，又有圣灵在他身上。他得了圣灵的启示，知道自己未死以前，必看见主所
立的基督。他受了圣灵的感动，进入圣殿，正遇见耶稣的父母抱着孩子进来，要
照律法的规矩办理。西面就用手接过他来，称颂神说：主阿！如今可以照你的
话，释放仆人安然去世；因为我的眼睛已经看见你的救恩─就是你在万民面前所
预备的：是照亮外邦人的光，又是你民以色列的荣耀。
孩子的父母因这论耶稣的话就希奇。西面给他们祝福，又对孩子的母亲马利亚
说：这孩子被立，是要叫以色列中许多人跌倒，许多人兴起；又要作毁谤的话
柄，叫许多人心里的意念显露出来；你自己的心也要被刀刺透。
又有女先知，名叫亚拿，是亚设支派法内力的女儿，年纪已经老迈，从作童女出
嫁的时候，同丈夫住了七年就寡居了，现在已经八十四岁，并不离开圣殿，禁食
祈求，昼夜事奉神。正当那时，他进前来称谢神，将孩子的事对一切盼望耶路撒
冷得救赎的人讲说。

Luke 2:25-38
路加2:25-38
It was after the first Christmas that these two rarely spoken of characters appeared in the Gospel of Luke. They were two very old persons living a life secluded from the world but connected intimately with the Lord. They were both finishing well in their walk with God, being in steps with the Spirit, and they encountered Christ Jesus. Let's look at some characteristics of Simeon and Anna’s life and their encounters with the Christ Child.
那是在第一个圣诞後这两位很少被提及的角色出现在路加福音中。他们是两位年
纪老迈的人过着与世分隔但又与主密切的生活。他们在与神同行中正完美地与灵
同步结束，而他们与基督耶稣相遇。让我们察看西缅和亚拿生命的一些特色和他
们与孩童基督的相遇。

SIMEON WAITING FOR THE CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL
西缅盼望以色列的安慰者

The Holy Spirit was upon Simeon, thereby he received a revelation that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. He had been living in the faith in this revelation since and had been patiently waiting for the promised encounter with Christ. – Do we wait patiently for God to fulfill His promises to us? Simeon waited patiently for the first coming of Christ; do we wait patiently for His second coming?
圣灵在西缅身上，藉此他得到启示知道自己未死以前，必看见主所立的基督。从
此他一直生活在此启示的信心中，和耐心地等候所应许与基督的相逢。-- 我们是否
耐心地等候神来实现他对我们的应许呢？西缅耐心地等候基督的初临；我们是否
耐心地等候他的再临呢？

Simeon was obedient to the leadership of the Spirit, coming into the temple at that particular moment not knowing what to expect. That was when Mary and Joseph brought in the baby Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law. Simeon submitted to God’s guidance without question or hesitation. – Do we question God’s instruction for us or do we act on it immediately? Are we willing to be led by the Spirit?
西缅服从圣灵的带领，在那一时刻进入殿中，仍不知道是什麽一回事。那时马利
亚和约瑟抱着孩子耶稣进来，要照律法的规矩办理。西缅顺服神的指引，并无疑
问或犹豫。-- 我们是否质疑神给我们的指示，抑或会马上执行呢？我们是否愿意接
受圣灵的带领？

Simeon was content with the Spirit’s promise. He took the Christ child up in his arms and blessed God. He said, “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.” His sole purpose of living was satisfied. – What is the purpose of our life? Do we live for God or live for ourselves?
西缅满足于圣灵的应许。他就用手接过孩童基督来，称颂神说：「主阿！如今可
以照你的话，释放仆人安然去世。」他活在世上的唯一目的已达到了。-- 我们活着
的目的是什麽呢？我们为神而活抑或为我们自己而活呢？

Simeon was in tune with the Spirit, he recognized the work of Christ was to be the salvation of mankind, Jews and Gentiles included. – Is our spirit aligned with the Spirit? Do we recognize the work of Christ’s Spirit in us and others?
西缅是与圣灵一致，他认出基督的工作是要成为世人的拯救，包括犹太人与外邦
人。-- 我们的灵是否与圣灵调整一致呢？我们能否认出基督的灵在我们和别人身上
的工作呢？

Simeon was a tool of the Spirit to bless Mary and Joseph, speaking words of prophecy about the Christ Child and encouragement to His earthly parents. – Are we an instrument of God to participate in His work?
西缅是圣灵的工具来祝福马利亚和约瑟，向他们预言关乎孩童基督的事和鼓励他
地上的父母的话。-- 我们是否神的器皿来参与他的工作？

ANNA WORSHIPING DAY AND NIGHT, PRAYING AND FASTING
亚拿禁食祈求，昼夜事奉神

Anna lived a Spirit led life in spite of her unfortunate circumstance. Unlike Simeon, Anna did not know she would see Christ in her life time. But she must have prayed for God’s salvation constantly, and she lived with the expectation of her prayers to be answered.
虽然她有不幸的遭遇，亚拿过着一个圣灵所带领的生活。不像西缅，亚拿并不知
道她会在她有生之年见到基督。但她一定是不断地为神的拯救祈求，而她经常带
着她的祷告得应允的盼望。

Anna lived a faithful life dedicated to God. She never left the temple, but worshiped Him by prayer and fasting. She was very much devoted to and focused on the Lord. – Do we devote our life faithfully to God?
亚拿过一个献给神的忠心生活。她从不离开圣殿，以祷告和禁食来敬拜他。她非
常认真献身与主和注目在主身上。-- 我们是否忠心地向神献身呢？

Anna was content to be in the role God wanted her to be, a widow and a little known prophetess. For 84 years she was serving God in the power of His Spirit. This was the secret of the longevity of her service. – Are we content with where God has placed us? Are we serving God in His power or in our power?
亚拿满足于神要她当的角色，就是当寡妇与女先知。八十四年来她以神的灵的力
量来事奉神。这就是她服事能长久的秘密。-- 我们是否满足于神放置我们的位置
呢？我们事奉神是凭他的力量抑或我们的力量呢？

Anna was sanctified by the Spirit, without harboring any bitterness on her 7 short years of marriage and lengthy widowhood, but looking to the Lord for consolation. She saw Christ because her heart was kept pure by the Spirit. – Are we looking at our circumstances or looking at our Lord? Are we seeking solution from our Lord?
亚拿被圣灵分别为圣，没有为她短短七年的婚姻及悠长的寡妇生活留下任何苦
毒，而是向主求安慰。因为圣灵保守她的清心她看到基督。-- 我们把目光放在我们
的处境上抑或在我们的主身上？我们是否向主求解决困难的方法？

Anna dedicated her only resource to the Lord. She spent all her time praying and fasting. She must have been praying fervently for the coming of the Messiah and the salvation of the people. – Do we give to the Lord out of our surplus or out of our lack? Do we dedicate our resources to the Lord?
亚拿献她唯一的资源给主，她用她所有的时间去祷告和禁食。她一定很热切为救
主的降临和世人的拯救祈求。-- 我们是从我们所剩余中奉献给主抑或从我们的不足
中奉献给主？我们是否奉献我们的资源给主？

Anna was guided by the Spirit to come up to the Christ Child at the right moment, and she immediately recognized the Christ Child as the answer to her prayers, and she gave thanks to God. – Do we keep our eyes open for God’s answers to our prayers? Do we thank God for the answered prayers regardless of whether they are what we expected?
亚拿被圣灵引导在正好的时刻来到孩童基督面前，她马上认为孩童基督是神应允
她的祷告并且感谢神。-- 我们是否留心注意神对我们祷告的回应？我们是否感谢神
回应我们的祷告，不管它是否如我们所望的？

Anna readily shared about the Christ Child with others. She must have had some
revelations by the Spirit about Jesus, and she fulfilled her role as a prophetess to tell “all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” – Have we known Christ? Do we share Christ with others?
亚拿准备好来与别人分享孩童基督。她一定得到圣灵一些关乎耶稣的启示，而她
履行她女先知的角色「将孩子的事对一切盼望耶路撒冷得救赎的人讲说。」-- 我们
已经认识基督吗？我们与别人分享基督吗？

PONDER AND LISTEN
思量和聆听
During this Christmas season, let’s ponder upon these characteristics of Simeon and Anna’s life and allow the Spirit speak to us personally.
在这个圣诞的时候，让我们思考西缅和亚拿生活的特色和让圣灵亲自向我们说
话。

Tom and Tehwan Tso
仲谋与德菀

“The outcome of your faith is the salvation of your souls.” 1Peter 1:9
“信心的果效， 就是灵魂的救恩” 彼得前书1：9