讀經:路加福音第一章

默想:馬利亞說:「我心尊主為大;我靈以神我的救主為樂。因為祂顧念祂使女的卑微,從今以後,萬代要稱我有福。」(路1:46-48)

默想一:馬利亞為什麼在婦女中是有福的?因為神使用她,藉著她懷孕生救主耶穌。這在當時對還沒有被迎娶的她是需要信心與勇氣,她顧不得別人的誤解、責難、閒話,反而在聖靈的感動下唱了讚美神(路1:46-55)的詩歌。你如今蒙恩得救,有為主獻上感恩嗎?

默想二:從馬利亞的讚美詩我們看到什麼?雖然她是主耶穌的母親,但她並沒有尊自己為大,反而謙卑地尊還未降生的主耶穌為大。她把人引到對真神的敬拜,而不是對她的膜拜。她承認自己只是卑微的使女,是神使用的平凡人。只有尊主為大的人才能遵行主道;也只有以主為樂的人才能熱心事奉主。

禱告:感謝神,袮為要拯救世人,就道成肉身成為人。我算什麼,救恩竟然臨到卑微的我。求袮提醒我,在作每一件事時,都先問自己「我這樣作是尊主為大嗎?主名得榮耀嗎?」。 主,若我還能用,我願把餘生獻給袮用。奉主耶穌的名禱告。阿們!

Bible Reading: Luke 1.

Insight:  “And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed.”” (Luk 1:46-48)

Insight one: Why is Mary blessed among women? Because God made her to give birth to Jesus the Savior through her pregnancy. At that time, she needed faith and courage since she was not yet married. She disregarded other people’s misunderstanding, reproach, and gossip, but moved by the Holy Spirit and sang praises to God (Luk 1:46-55). You are now saved but have you offered your thankfulness to the Lord?

Insight two: What do we see from Mary’s praise? Although she was the mother of the Lord Jesus, she did not honor herself, but humbly honored the Lord Jesus who had not yet been born. She led people to worship of the true God, not to worship herself. She acknowledged that she was just a humble maid, an ordinary person used by God. Only those who glorify the Lord can keep the Lord’s word; only those who rejoice in the Lord can serve the Lord enthusiastically.

Prayer: Thank God. You became flesh for the sake of saving the world. But who am I? Salvation can even come upon such a trivial person like me. Please remind me, while doing anything, first ask myself, “Do I do this is to glorify the Lord? Has the name of the Lord been glorified?” Lord, if I still can be used, I would dedicate the rest of my life for You. I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus. Amen!

English