2015年12月20日
和平盛世 Pax Romana
读经: 以賽亞書9章1-7節
Reading: Isaiah 9:1-7
因有一嬰孩為我們而生，有一子賜給我們，政權必擔在祂的肩頭上。-以賽亞書9章6節
To us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.- Isaiah 9:6
全年读经: 彌迦書1-3章;啟示錄11章
Bible in a Year: Micah 1–3; Revelation 11
沒有人付得起戰爭的代價。有個網站報導指出，目前全球有64個國家正陷於軍事衝突中。我們不知道這些戰爭何時或如何停止。我們盼望和平，但並非以犧牲公義為代價。
耶穌降生於一個看似「和平」的時代，但這和平卻是出於強硬的壓迫。所謂的「羅馬和平盛世」，不過是鏟除異己之後的產物。
在距離羅馬全盛時期的七百多年前，曾有敵人企圖侵略耶路撒冷。正當全城都籠罩在戰爭的陰霾中，上帝卻藉著以賽亞清楚地宣告說：「在黑暗中行走的百姓看見了大光；……因有一嬰孩為我們而生，有一子賜給我們，……祂的政權與平安必加增無窮」（以賽亞書9章2、6-7節）。馬太福音告訴我們嬰孩耶穌的降生，成就了先知以賽亞的預言（馬太福音1章22-23節 ；以賽亞書7章14節 ）。
我們尊崇馬槽裡的小嬰孩，那看似脆弱的嬰孩卻是全能的主，更是「萬軍的統帥」（以賽亞書13章13節，現代中文譯本）。將來有一天，祂「必在大衛的寶座上治理祂的國，以公平公義使國堅定穩固」（9章7節）。唯有和平之君掌權做王，我們才能享有真正的和平盛世。
親愛的天父，我們何等感恩。祢賜下獨生愛子，
因祂從死裡復活，使我們與祢和好。我們感謝祢，
因祂將以和平與公義掌管世界。
上帝的羔羊也是猶大的獅子。
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No one can afford the price of war. One website reports 64 nations are currently involved in armed conflicts. When and how will they end? We want peace, but not at the expense of justice.
Jesus was born during a time of "peace," but it came at the cost of heavy-handed oppression. The Pax Romana ("Roman Peace") existed only because Rome squashed all dissent.
Seven centuries before that time of relative peace, hostile armies prepared to invade Jerusalem. From the shadow of war, God made a remarkable pronouncement. "On those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned," the prophet declared (Isa. 9:2). "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given . . . . Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end" (vv. 6-7). Matthew tells us that Isaiah's prophecy found fulfillment in the Christ-child (Matt. 1:22-23; see also Isa. 7:14).
We adore the tiny baby in the manger scene. Yet that helpless babe is also the Lord Almighty, "the Lord of Heaven's Armies" (Isa. 13:13 nlt). He will one day "reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness" (9:7). Such a regime will be no oppressive Pax Romana. It will be the reign of the Prince of Peace.
Father, we can never sufficiently thank You that Your Son came to bring us peace with You through His death and resurrection. Thank You that He will rule in both peace and righteousness.
The Lamb of God is also the Lion of Judah.