John 1:6-8
“There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.” （John 1:6-8）
有一个人、是从神那里差来的、名叫约翰。这人来、为要作见证、就是为光作见证、叫众人因他可以信。他不是那光、乃是要为光作见证。（约1:6-8）
I. Introduction （引言）
According to the apostle John, in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God, the creator, the Life and the true light, “The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood （or, overcome） it.” （John 1:5）
根据使徒约翰的记载：太初有道、这道就是神， 是造物主，是生命与真光。
“光照在黑暗里、黑暗却不接受光。” （约1:5）
And later on, in John 1:9, it continues saying, “The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.” So, John 1:9 was perfectly connected to John 1:5 in the stream of the flow.
在这之后， 约翰福音1：9，继续写到：“那光是真光、照亮一切生在世上的人。”这里完美衔接约翰福音1：5.
Then the question arises: why John 1:6-8 was there? It looks like a parenthesis and a kind of interruption.
那么就有了问题： 约翰福音1：6-8的目的在何？看起来像是一个突兀的插入。
Remember the purpose of the gospel of John, “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” （John 20:31）
约翰福音的写作目的是“但记这些事、要叫你们信耶稣是基督、是神的儿子。并且叫你们信了他、就可以因他的名得生命。”（约30:31）
To serve as the proof and evidence, the author of the gospel of John recorded seven miracles and seven ‘I Am’ statements of Jesus Christ. In addition, he also provides seven personal witnesses, among whom John the Baptist was the first and the most important witness.
作为证据，约翰福音的作者记录了耶稣基督的七个奇迹和七个“我是”的陈述。此外，他还提供了七个证人，其中施洗者约翰是第一位也是最重要的证人。
II. The identity of John the Baptist （施洗约翰的身份）
“There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John.”（John 1:6）
“有一个人、是从神那里差来的、名叫约翰。” （约1:6）
The gospel of John begins with a unique theological prologue, it traces the Word far back even before the universe, the time and the space came into being.
约翰福音以独特的神学序幕开始，追溯到早在宇宙，时间和空间出现之前。
In the very beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God, He was the creator of all things, and Life was in Him, and He was the source of the Light. All these concepts, the Word, the Creator, the Life, the Light, once put together, it clearly reveals the divine nature of the Word---He is the almighty God. （John 1:1-5）
太初有道、道与神同在、道就是神。他是万物的创造者，生命在他里面，他是光的源头。所有这些概念，包括道，造物主，生命，光，放在一起，就清楚地揭示了道的神性-- 他是全能的上帝。 （约1：1-5）
When it comes to John 1:6, “a man” came into the scene: “there came a man.” （John 1:6）
到约翰福音1：6 “有一个人” “一个人”进入了场景中。（约1：6）
It forms a sharp contrast, the author of the gospel of John shifts his focus from the Divine Word now to a mere man, whose name was John, not the apostle John, who was the author of this gospel, but John the Baptist, he came as the witness for the Word, namely Jesus Christ.
这形成了鲜明的对比，约翰福音的作者将他的重点从有神性的道转移到一个单纯的人，这个人的名字叫约翰，而不是使徒约翰。使徒约翰是约翰福音的作者。施洗约翰是作为道的见证者，即耶稣基督的见证人。
Who was this man John the Baptist?
这个施洗约翰是谁？
He was not an ordinary man; he was a very special man “who was sent from God” directly---John the Baptist was the very unique witness for Jesus Christ and a very powerful servant of God. His name was given by angel even before his birth---John---the grace of God, which was very fitting, for he was chosen by God to be the prophet and the forerunner of Christ.
他不是一个普通人。他是一个非常特殊的人，“直接由上帝差遣来的”-- 施洗约翰是耶稣基督的特殊见证，也是神所差派的一位大有能力的仆人。甚至，在他出生之前，天使就赋予了他的名字。 “约翰”-即神的恩典，用在约翰身上恰如其分，因为他被神选为基督的先知和先行者。
A. His coming was prophesied （旧约的预言）
“The story of John the Baptist stretches back hundreds of years （750 years） before Christ. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Isaiah the prophet of God prophesied about a special person who would arrive on the scene to prepare hearts of Israel to receive their Messiah.” （David Welch）
“施洗约翰的故事可以追溯到基督之前的数百年（750年）。在圣灵的启发下，上帝的先知以赛亚预言了一个特殊的人将会出现，他会准备以色列人的心接受弥赛亚。”（大卫·韦尔奇）
“A voice of one calling: ‘In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.’” （Isa 40:3-5）
有人声喊着说：在旷野预备耶和华的路 ，在沙漠地修平我们神的道 。一切山洼都要填满，大小 山冈都要削平；高高低低的要改为平坦，崎崎岖岖的必成为平原。耶和华的荣耀必然显现；凡有 血气的必一同看见；因为这是耶和华亲口说的。（赛 40:3-5）
The book of Isaiah is divided in two major parts: the first part of the first 39 chapters pronounces the message of judgment for the sin of the nation of Israel; the second part of the latter 27 Chapters declares the message of Comfort of the Redeemer for His people.
以赛亚书分为两个主要部分：第一部分即前39章宣告了审判以色列国有罪的信息。第二部分即后27章是一个令人心得安慰的信息即主为他子民预备救赎 。
So the second half begins with these words: “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.” （Isa 40:1）
Yet the comfort message starts with a voice calling in the desert, “Prepare the way for the Lord.” （Isa 40:3）
因此，下半部分的开头是：“你们的神说 ： 你们要安慰，安慰我的百姓 。”（赛40：1）
然而，这安慰的信息始于旷野中呼唤的声音，“为耶和华预备道路”（赛40：3）。
When John the Baptist came into the scene, the gospel authors Matthew, Mark and Luke, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, unanimously declare that John the Baptist fulfilled the prophesy of the book of Isaiah.
当施洗约翰出现时，福音书的作者马修，马可和路加在圣灵的启示下一致宣告施洗约翰应验了以赛亚书的预言。
“In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.’ This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: ‘A voice of one calling in the desert, Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’” （Matt 3:1-3）
那时 ，有施洗的约翰出来 ， 在犹太的旷野传道 ，说：“天国近了 ，你们应当悔改！”这人就是先知以赛亚所说的。他说：“在旷野有人声喊着说：预备主的道，修直祂的路！”（太3：1-3）
In addition to the book of Isaiah, the book Malachi also recorded the prophesy concerning John the Baptist. “See, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to His temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty.” （Mal 3:1）
除了以赛亚书之外，玛拉基书还记录了有关施洗约翰的预言。“万军之耶和华说： “我要差遣我的使者在我前面预备道路。你们所寻求的主必忽然进入他的殿；立约的使者，就是你们所仰慕的， 快要来到 。”（玛 3：1）
And the book Malachi ends with this prophecy concerning the Lord’s messenger, that is John the Baptist. “See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse." （Mal 4:5-6）
玛拉基书以关于主的使者，即施洗约翰的预言结尾。“看哪，耶和华大而可畏之日未到以前，我 必差遣先知以利亚到你们那里去。他必使父亲的心转向儿女，儿女的心转向父亲，免得我来咒诅遍地 。”（玛4：5-6）
Notice the uniqueness of John the Baptist, who else in human history was prophesied 750 years ahead before he came into the world? Who else in human history will be called the very messenger of the Lord God? Who else has such a privilege and honor to be the forerunner for Jesus Christ the Savior of the world?
请注意施洗者约翰的独特性，在人类历史上还有谁在他来到世界前750年就被预言过？人类历史上还有谁被称为上帝的使者？还有谁有幸成为救世主耶稣基督的先锋呢？
Therefore, Jesus Christ ever commented on His forerunner John the Baptist, “Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist.” （Matt 11:9-11）
因此，耶稣基督曾这样评价他的先行者施洗约翰。“你们出去究竟是为什么？是要看先知么？我告诉你们，是的，他比先知大多了。经上记着说：我要差遣我的使者在你前面预备道路，所说的就是这个人 。我实在告诉你们，凡妇人所生的，没有一个兴起来大过施洗约翰的；然而天国里最 小的比他还大。”（太11：9-11）
B. His birth was foretold （出生的预告）
Luke 1 gives the significant background of John’s family, his father Zechariah was a priest, his mother Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. “Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly. But they were childless, because Elizabeth was barren.” （Luke 1:6-7）
路加福音1章讲述了约翰一家人的重要背景，他的父亲撒迦利亚是一位牧师，他的母亲伊丽莎白也是亚伦的后裔。“他们二人在神面前都是义人，遵行主的一切诫命礼仪，没有可指摘的，只是 没有孩子；因为以利沙伯不生育，两个人又年纪老迈了。”（路1：6-7）
Once when it was Zechariah’s turn to serve as priest in the Temple, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. …he will be great in the sight of the Lord, …and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. …And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous--to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." （Luke 1:13-17）
当撒迦利亚轮到圣殿中担任祭司时，耶和华的使者向他显现，“撒迦利亚，不要害怕，因为你的祈祷已经被听见了。你的妻子以利沙伯要给你生一个儿子，你要给他起名叫约翰 。 …… 他在主面前将要为大，…… 从母腹里就被圣灵充满了。…… 他必有以利亚的心志能力，行在主的前面，叫为 父的心转向儿女，叫悖逆的人转从义人的智慧，又为主预备合用的百姓。”（路1：13-17）
Notice that the angel’s declaration also pointed back to the prophecy of Malachi 4:5-6, John the Baptist will have the spirit and power of the prophet Elijah, to prepare the way for the Lord.
请注意，天使的宣言也指出了玛拉基书4：5-6的预言，施洗约翰将拥有先知以利亚的精神和力量，为主做准备。
“John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.” （Matt 3:4）
“这约翰身穿骆驼毛的衣服，腰束皮带，吃的是蝗虫、野蜜。”（太3：4）
John the Baptist was unique in every way: He was filled with the Holy Spirit even when he was in his mother’s womb. When he started his ministry, his lodging place was rough in the desert, his diet was as simple as locusts and honey, his dress was unconventional of camel’s hair, yet his message was powerful urging the Israelites to repent from their sins, his boldness was confrontational like his predecessor Elijah that he even boldly stood up against the king Herod which eventually costed him his life.
施洗约翰在各个方面都是独一无二的：在母腹中，就被圣灵充满。当他开始服事时，他住在旷野，吃蝗虫和野蜜，穿骆驼毛的衣服，但是他的信息却强有力地敦促以色列人从罪恶中悔改，他的勇气如先知以利亚一般，他甚至大胆地对抗希律王，尽管这最终使他丧命。
III. The Mission of John the Baptist （施洗约翰的使命）
“He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.” （John 1:7-8）
“这人来、为要作见证、就是为光作见证、叫众人因他可以信。他不是那光、乃是要为光作见证。”（约1：7-8）
A. John testified concerning the Light（为光作见证）
All the four gospels begin with or include John’s ministry. （Matt 3:1-3; Mark 1:1-4; Luke 1:11-17; 57-79; 3:2-6; John 1:6-8）
四本福音书都始于或包括了约翰的事工。
“The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written in Isaiah the prophet: ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way’—a voice of one calling in the desert, Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’ And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” （Mark 1:1-4）
“神的儿子、耶稣基督福音的起头、正如先知以赛亚书上记着说、『看哪、我要差遣我的使者在你前面、预备道路.在旷野有人声喊着说、预备主的道、修直他的路。』照这话、约翰来了、在旷野施洗、传悔改的洗礼、使罪得赦。”（可1：1-4）
After 400 years silence, God sent a voice in the wilderness to pave the way for the Christ.
沉默400年后，上帝在旷野发出声音，为基督铺平了道路。
According to Mark, the beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ, starts with John’s preaching a baptism of repentance of sins.
根据马可福音，关于耶稣基督的福音始于约翰宣讲悔改的洗礼。
It is the same with the gospel of John, when it comes to the account of Jesus ministry on earth, it begins with the ministry of John the Baptist.
约翰福音也是一样，当谈到耶稣在地上的事工时，它始于施洗约翰的事工。
The apostles Peter and Paul also affirmed this remark. When the apostles cast lots to choose one to take over the apostolic ministry in the place of Judas, Apostle Peter insisted that the qualification for this apostolic position is to be always with them and to be a witness of Jesus’ resurrection, beginning from John’s baptism.
使徒彼得和保罗也证实了这一说法。当使徒们抽签选择替代犹大的新使徒时，使徒彼得坚持认为，这位新接任的使徒应该是从约翰受洗开始就与他们同在，并成为耶稣复活的见证人 。
“Therefore, it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from John's baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection." （Acts 1:21-22）
“所以主耶稣在我们中间始终出入的时候、就是从约翰施洗起、直到主离开我们被接上升的日子为止、必须从那常与我们作伴的人中、立一位与我们同作耶稣复活的见证。”（使1:21-22）
Paul preached at the synagogue of Pisidian Antioch, “Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel.” （Acts 13:24）
保罗在比西甸安提阿犹太教堂传道，“在他没有出来以先、约翰向以色列众民宣讲悔改的洗礼。”（使徒行传13：24）
The word “witness,” was used in gospel of John for 47 times, 14 times as noun for witness, 33 times as verb to testify.
在约翰福音中，“见证”一词被使用了47次，作为“见证人”的名词被使用14次，作证动词被使用33次。
What did John the Baptist testify? He testified concerning the Light, Jesus Christ.
施洗约翰写了什么见证？他见证了光，即耶稣基督。
“John testifies concerning Him. He cries out, saying, ‘This was He of whom I said, He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’” （John 1:15）
“约翰为祂作见证、喊着说、这就是我曾说、那在我以后来的、反成了在我以前的.因祂本来在我以前。”（约 1：15）
“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, A man who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me. I myself did not know Him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that He might be revealed to Israel.” （John 1:29-31）
“次日、约翰看见耶稣来到他那里、就说、看哪、神的羔羊、除去世人罪孽的。这就是我曾说、有一位在我以后来、反成了在我以前的。因祂本来在我以前。我先前不认识祂。如今我来用水施洗、为要叫祂显明给以色列人。”（约 1：29-31）
“Then John gave this testimony: ‘I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on Him. I would not have known Him, except that the One who sent me to baptize with water told me, The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is He who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.” （John 1:32-34）
“约翰又作见证说、我曾看见圣灵彷彿鸽子、从天降下、住在祂的身上。我先前不认识祂。只是那差我来用水施洗的、对我说、你看见圣灵降下来、住在谁的身上、谁就是用圣灵施洗的。我看见了、就证明这是神的儿子。”（约 1：32-34）
“So that through him all men might believe.” （John 1:7）
“叫众人因他可以信。” （约 1：7）
“Believe” is the key word in the gospel of John, it appears 98 times, in accordance with the gospel’s clear theme: by believing in Him you may have eternal life.
“信”是约翰福音中的关键词，按照福音的明确主题---“信耶稣，得永生”，“信”出现了98次 。
As the forerunner of Jesus Christ, John the Baptist’s testimony is true and powerful. The huge crowds came to John as the results of his preaching and baptism.
作为耶稣基督的先行者，施洗约翰的见证是真实而有力的。约翰的讲道和洗礼吸引了大批群众。
“People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.” （Matt 3:5-6）
“那时、耶路撒冷和犹太全地、并约但河一带地方的人、都出去到约翰那里。 承认他们的罪、在约但河里受他的洗。”（太3：5-6）
John the Baptist’s testimony continued after his death, even after Jesus’ resurrection.
施洗约翰的见证在他死后，甚至到耶稣复活后，仍在继续。
“While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’ They answered, ‘No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.’ So Paul asked, ‘Then what baptism did you receive?’ ‘John's baptism,’ they replied. Paul said, ‘John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.’ On hearing this, they were baptized into the Name of the Lord Jesus.” （Acts 19:1-5）
“亚波罗在哥林多的时候、保罗经过了上边一带地方、就来到以弗所。在那里遇见几个门徒。问他们说、你们信的时候、受了圣灵没有。他们回答说、没有、也未曾听见有圣灵赐下来。保罗说、这样、你们受的是什么洗呢。他们说、是约翰的洗。保罗说、约翰所行的是悔改的洗、告诉百姓、当信那在他以后要来的、就是耶稣。他们听见这话、就奉主耶稣的名受洗。”（使19：1-5）
This happened long after John the Baptist’s death, even the believers in Ephesus had some misunderstanding about John’s baptism, at least you can see the significance of John’s ministry.
这发生在施洗约翰死后很久，以弗所信徒对约翰的洗礼有一些误解，但至少你可以由此看到约翰事工的影响力之大。
And John 10 presents a marvelous summary about John the Baptist’s ministry. “And many people came to Him. They said, ‘though John never performed a miraculous sign, all that John said about this man was true.’ And in that place many believed in Jesus.” （John 10:41-42）
约翰福音10章对施洗约翰的事工做了精彩的总结。“有许多人来到他那里。他们说、约翰一件神迹没有行过.但约翰指着这人所说的一切话都是真的。在那里信耶稣的人就多了。”（约10：41-42）
B. John himself was not the light （他不是那光）
“He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.” （John 1:8）
“他不是那光、乃是要为光作见证。”（约 1：8）
John knew his identity, he knew who he is, and he knew what his mission is, he pointed people to Jesus Christ, never drew people’s attention to himself.
约翰知道他的身份，知道他是谁，知道他的任务是什么，他将人们指向耶稣基督，从未引起人们对他自己的注意。
John was a lamp, but he was not the light. “John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.” （John 5:35）
约翰是灯，不是光。“约翰是点着的明灯。你们情愿暂时喜欢他的光。”（约5：35）
After 400 years silence, the people of Israelite suddenly heard the voice from God, they were overwhelmed.
在沉默了400年之后，以色列人民突然听到了上帝的声音，他们不知所措。
“The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ.” （Luke 3:15）
“百姓指望基督来的时候、人都心里猜疑、或者约翰是基督。”（路 3：15）
“Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ." They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No." Finally, they said, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, Make straight the way for the Lord."” （John 1:19-23）
“约翰所作的见证、记在下面。犹太人从耶路撒冷差祭司和利未人到约翰那里、问他说、你是谁。他就明说、并不隐瞒。明说、我不是基督。他们又问他说、这样你是谁呢、是以利亚么。他说、我不是。是那先知么、他回答说、不是。于是他们说、你到底是谁、叫我们好回覆差我们来的人。你自己说、你是谁。他说、我就是那在旷野有人声喊着说、修直主的道路、正如先知以赛亚所说的。（约1：19-23）
“He is the One who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” （John 1:27）
“就是那在我以后来的、我给他解鞋带、也不配。” （约1：27）
“I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of Him. …He must become greater; I must become less.” （John 3:28;30）
“我不是基督、是奉差遣在他前面的…… 他必兴旺、我必衰微。” （约3：28；30）
He faithfully testified about Jesus Christ, he even let his own disciples turn to follow Jesus. “The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.” （John 1:35-37）
他如实地为耶稣基督作见证，甚至让自己的门徒跟随耶稣。“再次日、约翰同两个门徒站在那里。他见耶稣行走、就说、看哪、这是神的羔羊。两个门徒听见他的话、就跟从了耶稣。” （约1：35-37）
John was such a humble man, while all the people thought about him being the Christ, he did not draw people’s attention to himself, he was so faithful to God who sent him, he was so faithful to his calling to prepare the way for the Christ. While people thought that if he was Christ, he said that “I was not worthy to untie” the thongs of His sandals. “He must increase, but I must decrease.” （John 3:30 ESV）
约翰谦虚，当所有人都认为他是基督时，他没有引起人们的注意，他对差派他的上帝如此忠实，对他为基督铺路的呼召也如此忠实。当人们认为他是基督时，他说“我不配为他解鞋带”。 “他必兴旺、我必衰微。”（约翰福音3:30 ESV）
Yet when he faced the sinful men, he never compromised to confront their sinfulness. “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” （Matt 3:7-8） He boldly condemn the evil deed of king Herod and did not shrink back even it would cost his own life.
What a humble and faithful man of God.
然而，当他面对这些人时，他从未妥协指证他们的罪恶。 “毒蛇的种类、谁指示你们逃避将来的忿怒呢。你们要结出果子来、与悔改的心相称。”（太3：7-8）他大胆地谴责希律王的邪恶行为，甚至不惜牺牲自己的生命也从不退缩了。
真是一个谦卑忠实于上帝的仆人。
IV. Conclusion（结语）
John, was the faithful witness for Jesus Christ. We are also called to be the witnesses for Christ.
约翰是耶稣基督的忠实见证者。我们也被呼召成为基督的见证人。
“And repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, …You are witnesses of these things.” （Luke 24:47-48）
“并且人要奉他的名传悔改赦罪的道、从耶路撒冷起直传到万邦。你们就是这些事的见证。”（路24：47-48）
“你们的光也当这样照在人前、叫他们看见你们的好行为、便将荣耀归给你们在天上的父。”（太 5：16）
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” （Acts 1:8）
“但圣灵降临在你们身上、你们就必得着能力.并要在耶路撒冷、犹太全地、和撒玛利亚、直到地极、作我的见证。”（使1：8）
Nothing is impossible with God, yet amazingly, He is willing to use the mortal man to work with Him, He uses human witness to testify His wonderful deeds and works.
上帝是无所不能的，但令人惊讶的是，他愿意用凡人与他一起工作，他用人的见证来证明自己的奇妙大能和工作。
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” （Rom 10:14-15）
“然而人未曾信他、怎能求他呢？未曾听见他、怎能信他呢？没有传道的、怎能听见呢？若没有奉差遣、怎能传道呢？如经上所记、『报福音传喜信的人、他们的脚踪何等佳美。』”
John the Baptist was a lamp, he burned himself to give light, yet when people came to him, he told them that he was not the Light, and he pointed the crowds to Jesus Christ the only true Light.
施洗约翰是一盏灯，他燃烧自己发光，但是当人们来找他时，他告诉他们，他不是真光，不是光的源头，他把人群指向唯一真光 -- 耶稣基督。
So the Lord commands us to be the bearer of His Light. “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” （Matt 5:16）
所以主命令我们成为他圣光的承载者。“你们的光也当这样照在人前、叫他们看见你们的好行为、便将荣耀归给你们在天上的父。”（马太5：16）
At the end of his ministry, John was beheaded by king Herod because of the very sin against which he continuously preached. He was faithful to the calling and mission which God has assigned for him. We surely believe that God will award His servant greatly in heaven, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” （Matt 25:21）
在约翰传道工作的末期，约翰因指出希律王所犯的罪而被斩首。他忠于上帝赋予他的召唤和使命。我们肯定相信上帝会在天上极大地赏赐他的仆人：“做得好，善良忠实的仆人！” （马太25：21）
In the end let’s meditate these questions and apply these meditations in our daily walking with the Lord:
Am I a truthful witness and servant of Jesus Christ?
Am I faithful to God’s calling like John the Baptist?
Am I a light bearer and shining in this dark world?
Am I willing to sacrifice for the sake of the gospel?
最后，让我们思考这些问题，并在我们每天与主同行时付诸于实践：
我是耶稣基督的真实见证和仆人吗？
我像约翰一样忠于上帝的呼召吗？
我是光明的承载者，在这个黑暗的世界中发光吗？
我愿意为福音牺牲吗？
Praise the Lord!