阅读经文 

当耶稣出生后仅仅六周的时候，一位老人将祂抱在了怀里。从某个角度看，这似乎是一件再普通不过的事情。我们很多人都想这样抱起一个小婴孩——紧紧拥抱那个小生命，聆听他的呼吸声，感受他的温暖，凝视那双明亮而好奇的眼睛。

这位老人对这个柔弱的婴孩抱有很大的希望。祂将成为神的子民以色列的荣耀，地上的万族都藉着祂脱离黑暗。（参创 12:3）祂是从神而来的拯救，这个充满罪恶和哀伤的世界迫切需要着祂的救恩。

这些希望和期待并非凭空出现在老人心中。神的灵一直在他心里说话，给他盼望，应许他将亲眼看到弥赛亚，以色列的王。圣灵催促他时，他就去了圣殿。在那里他刚好看到一个婴孩，虽然只是一个婴孩，但这位老人西面立刻就明白了。他知道神伟大的救赎计划都寄予在这个孩子身上。他知道这个时刻还不会说话和走路的柔弱婴孩将成为这世界迫切需要的答案。而，祂今天仍然是这个世界的答案。

When Jesus was about six weeks old, an old man cradled him in his arms. In some ways that seems such an ordinary thing to do. It's what many of us want to do with a little baby—to hold that bundle of new life close, to hear the breath, to feel the warmth, to gaze into the bright, wondering eyes.

The old man has high hopes for this helpless baby. Somehow this baby will shine with glory in the midst of his own people, Israel. And he will be the way out of darkness for all peoples (Genesis 12:3). He will be salvation from God, salvation so desperately needed in a world of sin and sorrow.

These hopes and expectations did not come to the old man out of nowhere. The Spirit of God had been speaking in his heart, giving him hope that he would see the Messiah, the King of Israel. And when the Spirit prompted him, he went to the temple. And there he saw a baby, just a baby.

But instantly the old man Simeon knew. He knew that God's great rescue plan centered on this child. He knew that somehow this powerless infant, who couldn't talk or walk yet, would be the answer to the world's greatest need. And that child is still the answer today.