3:1–12 John was a preacher of repentance, as was Martin Luther, who often emphasized that we believers must not only sincerely confess our sins but also be certain of forgiveness. Thank God for such preachers. • Almighty God, be merciful to me, a sinner. Burn my chaff, but quench my sinful passions in the daily washing of Holy Baptism. Amen.
3:1-12 约翰是一位讲悔改的传道人，马丁路德也是如此，他经常强调我们信徒不仅要真诚地认罪，而且要确实相信上帝所赐的赦罪。我们要为这样的传道人感谢上帝。- 全能的神啊，请你怜悯我这个罪人。焚烧我的糠秕，在圣洗礼的每日洁净工作中熄灭我有罪的欲望和念想。阿门。
3:13–17 Because Jesus is our substitute, we need not fear God’s wrath and punishment for our sins. We are washed clean by the blood of the Lamb (Rv 7:14), who prepared the waters of Baptism for us. • Lord Jesus, You stood next to sinners in the waters of the Jordan. Stand with me now, and wash away my sins. Amen.
3:13-17 因为耶稣是我们的代赎，所以我们不用再害怕上帝对我们的罪的愤怒和惩罚。我们被羔羊的血洗净了（启 7:14），祂为我们准备了圣洗礼的水。- 主耶稣，你在约旦河水中与罪人同列。现在请站在我身边，洗去我的罪孽。阿们。
4:1–11 The devil tempts Jesus to seek His own glory. Jesus refuses this path to walk the way of the cross. In love, He “did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Php 2:6–8). He did all this for the sake of Israel, who had failed God’s test. He did all this for our sake, because we, too, have failed God’s test. Jesus is our substitute who defeated Satan for us, setting us free from sin, death, and the devil’s power. • Mighty Hero, though devils fill the world, we do not fear because You have won the victory. Amen.
4:1-11 魔鬼引诱耶稣寻求祂自己的荣耀。耶稣拒绝了这条道路，而是踏上了十字架的征途。在爱中，祂”本有神的形象， 不以自己与神同等为强夺的； 反倒虚己， 取了奴仆的形象， 成为人的样式； 既有人的样子，就自己卑微， 存心顺服，以至于死， 且死在十字架上。”（腓2：6-8）。祂所做的这一切都是为了以色列，因为他们在上帝的考验中失败了。祂做了这一切也是为了我们，因为我们也没有通过上帝的考验。耶稣是我们的代赎者，祂为我们打败了撒旦，使我们从罪恶、死亡和魔鬼的权势下获得自由。- 全能者、我们的英雄啊，虽然魔鬼邪灵充满了世界，但我们并不害怕，因为你已经赢得了胜利。阿们。
4:12–25 Isaiah described the sinful state of this world: people walking in darkness and the shadow of death, unable to find their way and lacking the ability to help themselves. Into this black hole comes Jesus, the light of the world. His great light shines first in Galilee, where He calls disciples, teaches, preaches, and heals. His great light continues to shine in our darkness. The good news of God’s reign continues to be sounded in Word and Sacrament. To sinful, hurting people, Jesus gives life, hope, and deliverance. • May Your light shine in us as we share Your Gospel with the world, O Christ, our light. Shine on us and through us. Amen.
4:12-25 以赛亚描述了这个世界的罪恶状态：人们在黑暗和死亡的幽谷中行走，找不到方向和出路，更是缺乏自救的能力。耶稣是世界的光，祂来到这个黑洞里。祂的大光首先照耀在加利利，祂在那里呼召门徒、教导他们、施行传道和医治病人。祂的大光继续照耀在我们的黑暗中。上帝掌权的好消息继续在祂的话语和圣礼中宣扬。对于有罪的、受伤的人，耶稣给予生命、希望和拯救。- 愿你的光照耀我们，使我们与世界分享你的福音，噢基督，我们的光啊，请照耀我们并藉着我们照耀他人。阿们。