QT 02/04/2026 Thu. Luke 1 Young and Old, Male and Female — All Shall Praise and Be Blessed by the Coming of the Son of God 无论老少、男女——人人都将因上帝之子的降临而赞美并蒙福

QT 02/04/2026 Thu. Luke 1 Young and Old, Male and Female — All Shall Praise and Be Blessed by the Coming of the Son of God
READ http://www.esv.org/luke1

The first chapter of Gospel of Luke introduces the coming of the Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Through different people—young and old, men and women—we see that God’s salvation is for all. Each person encounters God’s grace and responds with joy, praise, and faith.

Even the temple setting at the beginning points forward to Christ’s saving work. “And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.” (Luke 1:11)

The appearance of the angel beside the altar reminds us of the sacrificial system of Israel. Yet this system ultimately points to Jesus Christ, who would come as the true and final High Priest, offering the perfect sacrifice for His people.

(1) An Old Barren Woman Receives Joy: Elizabeth

Elizabeth and her husband Zechariah were described as righteous before God, yet they suffered the sorrow of childlessness. “But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.” (Luke 1:7)

In the culture of that time, barrenness often carried shame. Yet God intervened in His mercy. Elizabeth conceived and testified: “Thus the Lord has done for me… to take away my reproach among people.” (Luke 1:25)

God turned her sorrow into joy. This reminds us that God sees the suffering of His people and acts in His perfect time.

(2) A Young Maiden Praises the Lord: Mary

Mary’s response to God’s promise is one of the most beautiful songs in Scripture, traditionally called the Magnificat.

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” (Luke 1:46–47)

Though young and humble, Mary recognises the greatness of God’s mercy. Her song celebrates how God lifts the humble, fulfills His promises, and shows faithfulness to His people. Her praise teaches us that true blessing leads to worship.

(3) A Young Male Leaps for Joy: John the Baptist

Even before his birth, John responds to the presence of Christ. “For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” (Luke 1:44)

John’s joy anticipates his future mission: preparing the way for the Lord. Even in the womb, he rejoices at the coming of the Messiah.

(4) An Old Man Blesses the Lord: Zechariah

When his speech is restored, Zechariah bursts into prophetic praise.

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people.” (Luke 1:68)

Zechariah recognizes that God’s promises are being fulfilled. His son, John, will prepare the way for the Saviour who brings forgiveness and salvation.

Application

In this chapter we see a remarkable picture:

• An old woman receives joy.
• A young woman offers praise.
• A young child leaps with joy.
• An old man proclaims blessing.

Young and old. Male and female. All respond to the coming of Jesus Christ. The message of Gospel of Luke is clear: God’s salvation is for everyone.

All who come to Christ can be blessed, and all who are blessed should respond with praise, faith, and service in God’s kingdom.

Reflection Question: Are you willing to come to Christ, receive His blessing, and commit all that you are to the service of His kingdom?

Prayer

Heavenly Father. We praise You for Your wisdom, mercy, and faithfulness revealed in the coming of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You for the way You work through people of every age and circumstance—young and old, men and women—to accomplish Your saving purposes.

Father, just as You showed grace to Elizabeth in her waiting, give us patience to trust in Your perfect timing. As Mary magnified You with humble faith, teach our hearts to praise You in every season of life. As John rejoiced at the presence of the Saviour, fill us with joy in Christ. And like Zechariah, open our lips to proclaim Your goodness and salvation.

Lord, help us to remember that all blessings come from You. Turn our hearts away from pride and self-reliance, and lead us into humble service in Your kingdom. May our lives magnify You, and may our words and actions point others to Your Son.

Grant us willing hearts to follow You, faithful spirits to serve You, and joyful voices to praise You. We ask all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son and our Saviour. Amen.

QT 02/04/2026 星期四. 路加福音 1 无论老少、男女——人人都将因上帝之子的降临而赞美并蒙福
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/luk/1/

《路加福音》第一章介绍了上帝之子耶稣基督的降临。通过不同的人——无论老少、男女——我们看到，上帝的救恩是为所有人预备的。每个人都遇见了上帝的恩典，并以喜乐、赞美和信心作出回应。

就连开篇的圣殿场景，也预示着基督的救赎工作。“有主的使者站在香坛右边，向他显现。”（路加福音 1:11）

天使在香坛旁显现，使我们想起以色列的献祭制度。然而，这一制度最终指向耶稣基督——祂将作为真正且最终的大祭司降临，为祂的子民献上完美的祭物。

(1) 一位年迈的寡妇得享喜乐：以利沙伯

经文描述以利沙伯和她的丈夫撒迦利亚在神面前是义人，然而他们却承受着无子的痛苦。是他们 “只是没有孩子，因为以利沙伯不生育，二人又都上了年纪。”（路加福音1:7）

在当时的文化背景下，不孕常被视为耻辱。然而，神以祂的怜悯介入其中。以利沙伯怀孕后作见证说：“主在眷顾的日子，这样看待我，要把我在人间的羞耻除掉。”（路加福音1:25）

神将她的悲伤化为喜乐。这提醒我们，神看见祂子民的苦难，并会在祂完美的时机采取行动。

(2) 一位年轻女子赞美主：马利亚

马利亚对上帝应许的回应，是圣经中最美丽的诗歌之一，传统上被称为《尊主颂》。

“马利亚说：“我心尊主为大，我灵以　神我的救主为乐”（路加福音 1:46–47）。

虽然年轻且谦卑，玛利亚却认识到上帝怜悯的伟大。她的歌颂了上帝如何提拔谦卑的人，如何成就祂的应许，并向祂的子民显明信实。她的赞美教导我们，真正的祝福会引向敬拜。

(3) 少年欢跃：施洗约翰

甚至在出生之前，约翰就对基督的临在作出了回应。“你看，你问安的声音一进我的耳朵，我腹中的胎儿就欢喜跳跃。”（路加福音 1:44）

约翰的喜乐预示了他未来的使命：为主预备道路。即使在母腹中，他也因弥赛亚的降临而欢喜。

(4) 一位老人称颂主：撒迦利亚

当他的口舌恢复时，撒迦利亚便爆发出先知性的赞美。

“主，以色列的　神，是应当称颂的，因他眷顾自己的子民，施行救赎”（路加福音 1:68）。

撒迦利亚认识到上帝的应许正在实现。他的儿子约翰，将为那位带来赦免与救恩的救主预备道路。

应用

在本章中，我们看到一幅非凡的画面：

• 一位老妇人满心喜乐。
• 一位年轻女子献上赞美。
• 一个幼童欢欣雀跃。
• 一位老人宣告祝福。

无论老少，无论男女，所有人都对耶稣基督的降临作出了回应。《路加福音》的信息非常明确：上帝的救恩是为所有人预备的。

凡来到基督面前的人都能蒙福，凡蒙福的人都应当以赞美、信心和在神国度的服侍来回应。

反思问题：你愿意来到基督面前，领受祂的祝福，并将你的一切献上，服侍祂的国度吗？

祷告

天父。我们因祢在祢的儿子——我们的主耶稣基督降临中所显明的智慧、怜悯和信实而赞美祢。感谢祢通过各个时代、各种处境中的人——无论老少、男女——来成就祢的救赎计划。

天父，正如祢在伊丽莎白等候时向她施恩，求祢赐给我们耐心，使我们信靠祢完美的时机。正如马利亚以谦卑的信心尊崇祢，求祢教导我们的心在人生的每个阶段都赞美祢。正如约翰因救主降临而欢喜，求祢使我们因基督满有喜乐。也求祢像开启撒迦利亚的口一样，开启我们的口，宣告祢的良善与救恩。

主啊，求祢帮助我们铭记，一切恩典都源于祢。求祢使我们的心远离骄傲与自恃，引领我们谦卑地服侍在祢的国度中。愿我们的生命尊崇祢，愿我们的言语与行为引导他人归向祢的儿子。

求祢赐给我们甘心跟随祢的心，忠心事奉祢的灵，以及欢欣赞美祢的声音。这一切，我们都奉祢的儿子、我们的救主耶稣基督的名求。阿们。