智者出东方 Wise Men from the East 马太福音（Matthew）2:1-12 华欣牧师 Rev. Gary Hua

伯利恒的圣诞教堂 圣婴诞生之地 Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem The spot where Jesus is believed to have been born

圣诞故事三部曲； The Three Movements of the Christmas Story 序曲：一个宣告 – 预报救主圣灵感孕 （路加福音第1章） Overture: One proclamation – Announcing the conception by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1) 高潮：两重欢呼 – 天使牧童齐声赞美 （路加福音第2章） Climax: Two acclamations – Angels and shepherds praising God (Luke 2) 尾声：三样礼物 – 东方博士千里朝拜 （马太福音第2章） Finale: Three gifts – Wise men from the east came to worship (Matthew 2)

2:1当希律王的时候，耶稣生在犹太的伯利恒。有几个博士从东方来到耶路撒冷，说：2「那生下来作犹太人之王的在那里？我们在东方看见他的星，特来拜他。」 3希律王听见了，就心里不安；耶路撒冷合城的人也都不安。 2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2:2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 2:3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;

4他就召齐了祭司长和民间的文士，问他们说：「基督当生在何处？」5他们回答说：「在犹太的伯利恒。因为有先知记著，说：6犹大地的伯利恒啊，你在犹大诸城中并不是最小的；因为将来有一位君王要从你那里出来，牧养我以色列民。」 2:4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 2:5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 2:6 “’And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

7当下，希律暗暗的召了博士来，细问那星是什麽时候出现的，8就差他们往伯利恒去，说：「你们去仔细寻访那小孩子，寻到了，就来报信，我也好去拜他。」 9他们听见王的话就去了。在东方所看见的那星忽然在他们前头行，直行到小孩子的地方，就在上头停住了。 2:7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 2:9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.

10他们看见那星，就大大的欢喜；11进了房子，看见小孩子和他母亲马利亚，就俯伏拜那小孩子，揭开宝盒，拿黄金、乳香、没药为礼物献给他。 12博士因为在梦中被主指示不要回去见希律，就从别的路回本地去了。 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 2:11 And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 2:12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

What great wisdom was displayed by the wise men from the east? 东方博士展示出了什么样的大智慧？ What great wisdom was displayed by the wise men from the east?

一、探究上帝的话语 Studying God’s words 知识就是力量(?) - 英国哲学家弗兰西斯培根 “Knowledge is power” – Sir Francis Bacon, English philosopher

一、探究上帝的话语 Studying God’s words 得智慧、得聪明的，这人便为有福。因为得智慧胜过得银子，其利益强如精金（箴言3:13-14） Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. (Proverbs 3:13-14) 如果说知识是“知识是结构化的经验、价值、相关信息和专家洞察力的融合，提供了评价和产生新的经验和信息的框架”，那么智慧就是正确使用知识作出恰当判断的能力。 If we say “Knowledge is the integration of structured experiences, values, relevant information and expert insights that provides a framework for evaluating and generating new experiences and information,” then wisdom is the ability to use knowledge to make proper judgment.

一、探究上帝的话语 Studying God’s words “让每一个学生都被清楚教导并被督促认真考虑：学生生活和学习的最终目标是认识上帝、认识耶稣基督（这就是永生—约翰福音17:3），并让每一个学生因此把基督作为一切健全的知识和学习的根基。让每一个人因为明了上主是智慧的源头而暗自祈祷以求努力装备自己，寻求来自上帝的智慧”。 哈佛大学1646年校训 “Let every student be plainly instructed, and earnestly pressed, to consider well the maine end of his life and studies is to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life, Jn. 17:3, and therefore to lay Christ in the bottome, as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and Learning. And seeing the Lord only giveth wisdome. Let every one seriously set himself by prayer in secret to seeke it of him.” Mission Statement of Harvard University, 1646

一、探究上帝的话语 Studying God’s words 追寻救主，而不是逢迎君王 Seeking the Savior rather than making up to a king 着眼未来，而不是只顾当下 Focusing on the future rather than caring only for the present 当希律王的时候，[看哪！]耶稣生在犹太的伯利恒。有几个博士从东方来到耶路撒冷 “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem”

一、探究上帝的话语 Studying God’s words 追寻救主，而不是逢迎君王 Seeking the Savior rather than making up to a king 着眼未来，而不是只顾当下 Focusing on the future rather than caring only for the present 有星要出於雅各，有杖要兴於以色列（民24:17） A star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel. (Numbers 24:17) 伯利恒、以法他啊，你在犹大诸城中为小，将来必有一位从你那里出来，在以色列中为我作掌权的；他的根源从亘古，从太初就有（弥5:2） But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from Ancient days. (Micah 5:2) 因有一婴孩为我们而生；有一子赐给我们。政权必担在他的肩头上；他名称为‘奇妙策士、全能的神、永在的父、和平的君’（赛9:6）。 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

二、跟随圣灵的带领Following the guidance of the Holy Spirit 他（大希律）就召齐了祭司长和民间的文士，问他们说：「基督当生在何处？」 And assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he (Herod the Great) inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 他（耶稣）到自己的地方来，自己的人倒不接待他（约1:11） He (Jesus) came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. (John 1:11) 人愚昧不是因为没有知识，人愚昧是因为不相信神的话，不相信神的启示。空有一套关于救主的知识，而没有圣灵的带领也是没有用的。 Human ignorance is not due to lack of knowledge but due to not believing in God’s words and revelations. Having the knowledge about the Savior without the guidance of the Holy Spirit is useless.

二、跟随圣灵的带领Following the guidance of the Holy Spirit 他们听见王的话就去了。在东方所看见的那星忽然[看哪！]在他们前头行，直行到小孩子的地方，就在上头停住了。 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 明星指路，用科学是没法解释的，这是神迹！当人有追求智慧的心，上帝就赐下圣灵引导；当人顺服圣灵的引导，上帝就赐下永生的祝福。 It is impossible to have a scientific explanation of the guiding star. It was simply a miracle! When we seek a heart of wisdom, God gives the guidance of the Holy Spirit. When we obey the guidance of the Holy Spirit, God gives the blessings of eternal life.

二、跟随圣灵的带领Following the guidance of the Holy Spirit 看重启示，而不是依靠经验 Valuing revelations rather than relying on experiences 采取行动，而不是观望犹疑 Taking actions rather than waiting in hesitation 上帝是创造之主，是智慧之源，随从圣灵的带领是人生的真智慧。 God is the Lord of creation and the source of wisdom. True wisdom comes from following the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

圣婴无言，撼动王权；何从何去，一念之间。 三、敬拜基督的尊荣Worshiping the majesty of the Christ 希律王听见了，就心里不安(troubled)；耶路撒冷合城的人也都不安。 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 希腊原文tarraso 英译trouble,指内心深处被强烈搅动而陷入混乱的状态。 大希律是敌基督的预表，代表罪和邪恶的权势； 耶路撒冷代表世界的价值观和思想体系。 耶稣来要震动这个世界，审判这个世界，所以他们被troubled,害怕不安。 The Greek word tarraso (trouble) means that the heart is greatly disturbed into a state of confusion. Herod the Great was the typology of the Antichrist. He represents sin and the power of evil. Jerusalem represents the worldly value system and ideology. Jesus came to shake and judge the world, so they were troubled. 圣婴无言，撼动王权；何从何去，一念之间。 Without words, baby Jesus shook the king’s authority; in a split second a decision was made.

三、敬拜基督的尊荣Worshiping the majesty of the Christ 降卑自己，而不是骄傲拒绝 Humbling ourselves rather than refusing in pride 奉献珍宝，而不是贪恋世界 Offering treasures rather than loving the world

在耶稣基督面前有两条路，每个人必须作出抉择， 沿着大希律王的思路走：一拒绝，二抵挡，三灭亡。 沿着东方智者的思路走：一寻求，二传扬，三敬仰。 There are two roads in front of Christ Jesus, and everyone needs to make a decision 沿着大希律王的思路走：一拒绝，二抵挡，三灭亡。 Follow the reasoning of Herod the Great: refusal, resistance, and destruction 沿着东方智者的思路走：一寻求，二传扬，三敬仰。 Follow the reasoning of the wise men: seeking, proclaiming, and worshiping

智者出东方，千里追星光；乾坤天地小，经史日月长。 高台论救主，小屋献乳香；满载喜讯去，驼铃洒南疆。 Wise men from the east Following a star for thousands of miles The world is small The history is long Chatting about the Savior on high ground Presenting frankincense in a little house Leaving with good news Riding camels all the way home

一、探究上帝的话语Studying God’s words 人生真智慧True wisdom 一、探究上帝的话语Studying God’s words 二、跟随圣灵的带领Following the guidance of the Holy Spirit 三、敬拜基督的尊荣Worshiping the majesty of the Christ 追寻救主，着眼未来，提醒我们好好研读主的话语； Seeking the Savior and focusing on the future will remind us to study God’s words 看重启示，采取行动，督促我们努力完成主的使命； Valuing revelations and taking actions will urge us to carry out the Lord’s commission 降卑自己，奉献珍宝，激励我们竭力追求主的生命。 Humbling ourselves and offering treasures will drive us to pursue life in the Lord

“求你指教我们怎样数算自己的日子，好叫我们得著智慧的心（诗90:12）”。 “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)