\u2193\u3000\u4eca\u65e5\u306e\u300c\u65e5\u82f1\u793c\u62dd\u30e1\u30c3\u30bb\u30fc\u30b8\u539f\u7a3f\u300d\u300c\u304a\u3082\u3061\u304b\u3048\u308a\u300d\u306f\u3053\u3061\u3089\u304b\u3089\u3000\u2193<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
John the Baptist: Pointing People to Jesus
\n\u30d0\u30d7\u30c6\u30b9\u30de\u306e\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\uff1a\u4eba\u3005\u3092\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u3078\u3068\u5c0e\u304f
\nSeptember 28, 2025<\/p>\n
Last Sunday, Pastor Okura gave a message focused on Zachariah and Elizabeth. \u5148\u9031\u306e\u65e5\u66dc\u65e5\u3001\u5927\u5009\u7267\u5e2b\u306f\u30b6\u30ab\u30ea\u30a2\u3068\u30a8\u30ea\u30b5\u30d9\u30c4\u306b\u7126\u70b9\u3092\u5f53\u3066\u305f\u30e1\u30c3\u30bb\u30fc\u30b8\u3092\u8a9e\u308a\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
They are mentioned early on in the Gospel of Luke and are introduced as a couple that is of the priestly line of Aaron. \u5f7c\u3089\u306f\u30eb\u30ab\u306e\u798f\u97f3\u66f8\u306e\u5192\u982d\u3067\u8a00\u53ca\u3055\u308c\u3001\u30a2\u30ed\u30f3\u306e\u796d\u53f8\u306e\u5bb6\u7cfb\u306b\u5c5e\u3059\u308b\u592b\u5a66\u3068\u3057\u3066\u7d39\u4ecb\u3055\u308c\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
It is noted that they were an elderly couple and had no children. \u5f7c\u3089\u306f\u9ad8\u9f62\u306e\u592b\u5a66\u3067\u3042\u308a\u3001\u5b50\u4f9b\u304c\u3044\u306a\u304b\u3063\u305f\u3053\u3068\u304c\u8a18\u3055\u308c\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
However, through God\u2019s intervention, they are given a son in their old age. \u3057\u304b\u3057\u3001\u795e\u69d8\u306e\u4ecb\u5165\u306b\u3088\u3063\u3066\u3001\u5f7c\u3089\u306f\u8001\u9f62\u671f\u306b\u606f\u5b50\u3092\u6388\u304b\u308a\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
Their son, John, also known as \u201cJohn the Baptist\u201d is who we will be looking together at today. \u305d\u306e\u606f\u5b50\u3001\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u3001\u3059\u306a\u308f\u3061\u300c\u30d0\u30d7\u30c6\u30b9\u30de\u306e\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u300d\u3053\u305d\u304c\u3001\u4eca\u65e5\u79c1\u305f\u3061\u304c\u5171\u306b\u5b66\u3076\u4eba\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
Have you ever wondered why you were born into this world at the time you did and are living in the place that you are right now? \u3042\u306a\u305f\u306f\u304b\u3064\u3066\u3001\u306a\u305c\u81ea\u5206\u304c\u3053\u306e\u4e16\u306b\u751f\u307e\u308c\u305f\u306e\u304b\u3001\u306a\u305c\u4eca\u3053\u306e\u5834\u6240\u306b\u751f\u304d\u3066\u3044\u308b\u306e\u304b\u3001\u8003\u3048\u305f\u3053\u3068\u304c\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\u304b\uff1f<\/p>\n
Have you ever wondered how you have come into contact with certain people and now know these people and have a relationship with them? \u306a\u305c\u7279\u5b9a\u306e\u4eba\u3005\u3068\u51fa\u4f1a\u3044\u3001\u77e5\u308a\u5408\u3044\u3001\u95a2\u4fc2\u3092\u7bc9\u304f\u3053\u3068\u306b\u306a\u3063\u305f\u306e\u304b\u3001\u8003\u3048\u305f\u3053\u3068\u306f\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\u304b\uff1f<\/p>\n
These relationships could be intimate or casual, \u306e\u95a2\u4fc2\u306f\u89aa\u5bc6\u306a\u3082\u306e\u3082\u3042\u308c\u3070\u3001\u3055\u3055\u3044\u306a\u3082\u306e\u3082\u3042\u308b\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046\u3057\u3001<\/p>\n
but still you have people in your life that you have come into contact with and know amongst the billions of people in the world. \u3057\u304b\u3057\u305d\u308c\u3067\u3082\u3001\u4e16\u754c\u306e\u4f55\u5341\u5104\u3082\u306e\u4eba\u306e\u4e2d\u304b\u3089\u3001\u3042\u306a\u305f\u306e\u4eba\u751f\u306b\u73fe\u308c\u3001\u77e5\u308a\u5408\u3063\u305f\u4eba\u9054\u304c\u78ba\u304b\u306b\u5b58\u5728\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
Have you ever wondered how you \u201cbump into people\u201d you did not expect to see? \u4e88\u671f\u305b\u306c\u4eba\u3005\u3068\u300c\u5076\u7136\u3001\u51fa\u4f1a\u3046\u300d\u3053\u3068\u306b\u3064\u3044\u3066\u8003\u3048\u305f\u3053\u3068\u306f\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\u304b\uff1f<\/p>\n
Have you ever experienced the amazing blessing of meeting someone at a specific place at a specific time? \u7279\u5b9a\u306e\u5834\u6240\u3068\u6642\u9593\u306b\u8ab0\u304b\u3068\u51fa\u4f1a\u3046\u3068\u3044\u3046\u9a5a\u304f\u3079\u304d\u6075\u307f\u3092\u7d4c\u9a13\u3057\u305f\u3053\u3068\u306f\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\u304b\uff1f<\/p>\n
Yes, there are planned meetings, but there are also so-called \u201cunplanned\u201d meetings.\u3000\u3000\u305d\u3046\u3001 \u8a08\u753b\u7684\u306a\u51fa\u4f1a\u3044\u3082\u3042\u308c\u3070\u3001\u3044\u308f\u3086\u308b\u300c\u8a08\u753b\u3055\u308c\u3066\u3044\u306a\u304b\u3063\u305f\u51fa\u4f1a\u3044\u300d\u3082\u5b58\u5728\u3059\u308b\u306e\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
Several years ago, as in before I was even married, I was in Tokyo and I suddenly had an urge to eat Mexican food. \u6570\u5e74\u524d\u3001\u307e\u3060\u7d50\u5a5a\u3059\u308b\u524d\u306e\u3053\u3068\u3067\u3059\u304c\u3001\u6771\u4eac\u306b\u3044\u305f\u79c1\u306f\u7a81\u7136\u30e1\u30ad\u30b7\u30b3\u6599\u7406\u304c\u98df\u3079\u305f\u304f\u306a\u308a\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
So, I went to a Mexican restaurant called La Jolla. \u305d\u3053\u3067\u300c\u30e9\u30fb\u30db\u30e4\u300d\u3068\u3044\u3046\u30e1\u30ad\u30b7\u30b3\u6599\u7406\u5e97\u306b\u884c\u3063\u305f\u306e\u3067\u3059<\/p>\n
Who did I bump into there? \u305d\u3053\u3067\u8ab0\u306b\u4f1a\u3063\u305f\u3068\u601d\u3044\u307e\u3059\u304b\uff1f<\/p>\n
My best friend from high school.\u00a0 After graduating from high school, I went to UCSD and he went to Harvard. \u79c1\u306e\u9ad8\u6821\u6642\u4ee3\u306e\u89aa\u53cb\u3067\u3059\u3002\u9ad8\u6821\u5352\u696d\u5f8c\u3001\u79c1\u306fUCSD\u3078\u3001\u5f7c\u306f\u30cf\u30fc\u30d0\u30fc\u30c9\u3078\u9032\u307f\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t even know he was in Japan.\u00a0 This was the first time we saw each other after many years. \u5f7c\u304c\u65e5\u672c\u306b\u3044\u308b\u3053\u3068\u3059\u3089\u77e5\u308a\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3067\u3057\u305f\u3002\u5b9f\u306b\u4f55\u5e74\u3076\u308a\u304b\u306e\u518d\u4f1a\u3060\u3063\u305f\u306e\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
Coincidence? \u5076\u7136\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046\u304b\uff1f<\/p>\n
In 1989, I went to Japan to work.\u00a0 I got a job at an export and import trading company. \uff11\uff11\uff19\uff18\uff19\u5e74\u3001\u79c1\u306f\u4ed5\u4e8b\u3067\u65e5\u672c\u3078\u6e21\u308a\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002\u8f38\u51fa\u5165\u5546\u793e\u306b\u5c31\u8077\u3057\u305f\u306e\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
That company then sent me to set up a medical device manufacturing company in Torrance. \u305d\u306e\u5f8c\u3001\u305d\u306e\u4f1a\u793e\u304b\u3089\u30c8\u30fc\u30e9\u30f3\u30b9\u306b\u533b\u7642\u6a5f\u5668\u88fd\u9020\u4f1a\u793e\u3092\u8a2d\u7acb\u3059\u308b\u3088\u3046\u6d3e\u9063\u3055\u308c\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
Growing up in San Diego, I had no desire whatsoever to work in the Los Angeles area. \u30b5\u30f3\u30c7\u30a3\u30a8\u30b4\u80b2\u3061\u306e\u79c1\u306b\u306f\u3001\u30ed\u30b5\u30f3\u30bc\u30eb\u30b9\u5730\u57df\u3067\u50cd\u304f\u6c17\u306f\u5fae\u5875\u3082\u3042\u308a\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3067\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
There, I met Yunike for the first time when I started attending a church in that area. \u305d\u3053\u3067\u3001\u305d\u306e\u5730\u57df\u306e\u6559\u4f1a\u306b\u901a\u3044\u59cb\u3081\u305f\u6642\u306b\u521d\u3081\u3066\u30e6\u30cb\u30b1\u306b\u51fa\u4f1a\u3044\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
Coincidence? \u5076\u7136\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046\u304b\uff1f<\/p>\n
At the beginning of this month, I got to go to Hawaii for the first time in 12 years for the Holiness Conference\u2019s General Assembly. \u4eca\u6708\u521d\u3081\u3001\uff11\uff12\u5e74\u3076\u308a\u306b\u30cf\u30ef\u30a4\u3078\u884c\u304d\u3001\u30db\u30fc\u30ea\u30cd\u30b9\u6559\u56e3\u306e\u7dcf\u4f1a\u306b\u51fa\u5e2d\u3057\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
Yunike and I got to enjoy time together with Duncan and Yuki going around the island of Oahu, before and after the General Assembly. \u7dcf\u4f1a\u524d\u5f8c\u306b\u306f\u30e6\u30cb\u30b1\u3068\u30c0\u30f3\u30ab\u30f3\u3001\u30e6\u30ad\u3068\u4e00\u7dd2\u306b\u30aa\u30a2\u30d5\u5cf6\u3092\u56de\u308a\u3001\u697d\u3057\u3044\u6642\u9593\u3092\u904e\u3054\u3057\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
On one of our excursions, we drove up to the North Shore, which is famous for great surfing, shaved ice, shrimp trucks, and the \u201cHE>i\u201d store.\u305d\u306e\u65c5\u884c\u3067\u306f\u3001\u7d20\u6674\u3089\u3057\u3044\u30b5\u30fc\u30d5\u30a3\u30f3\u3001\u304b\u304d\u6c37\u3001\u30b7\u30e5\u30ea\u30f3\u30d7\u30c8\u30e9\u30c3\u30af\u3001\u305d\u3057\u3066\u300cHE>i\u300d\u30b9\u30c8\u30a2\u3067\u77e5\u3089\u308c\u308b\u30ce\u30fc\u30b9\u30b7\u30e7\u30a2\u307e\u3067\u904b\u8ee2\u3057\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
Anyway, we got to visit with Pastor Jacob Pierce who is the senior pastor of the Sunset Beach Christian Church near the Banzai Pipeline (one of the surfing meccas of the world). \u305d\u3057\u3066\u3001\u4e16\u754c\u6709\u6570\u306e\u30b5\u30fc\u30d5\u30a3\u30f3\u306e\u8056\u5730\u3067\u3042\u308b\u30d0\u30f3\u30b6\u30a4\u30fb\u30d1\u30a4\u30d7\u30e9\u30a4\u30f3\u8fd1\u304f\u306e\u30b5\u30f3\u30bb\u30c3\u30c8\u30d3\u30fc\u30c1\u30fb\u30af\u30ea\u30b9\u30c1\u30e3\u30f3\u6559\u4f1a\u306e\u4e3b\u4efb\u7267\u5e2b\u3001\u30b8\u30a7\u30a4\u30b3\u30d6\u30fb\u30d4\u30a2\u30fc\u30b9\u7267\u5e2b\u3092\u8a2a\u306d\u308b\u6a5f\u4f1a\u3092\u5f97\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
No, we did not go there to go surfing! \u3044\u3044\u3048\u3001\u30b5\u30fc\u30d5\u30a3\u30f3\u3092\u3057\u306b\u884c\u3063\u305f\u308f\u3051\u3067\u306f\u3042\u308a\u307e\u305b\u3093\uff01<\/p>\n
Duncan and Yuki knew Pastor Jacob and that church, because they had helped out with Hume Youth Camps in Oahu in the past. \u30c0\u30f3\u30ab\u30f3\u3068\u30e6\u30ad\u306f\u3001\u904e\u53bb\u306b\u30aa\u30a2\u30d5\u5cf6\u3067\u30d2\u30e5\u30fc\u30e0\u30fb\u30e6\u30fc\u30b9\u30ad\u30e3\u30f3\u30d7\u3092\u624b\u4f1d\u3063\u305f\u3053\u3068\u304c\u3042\u308a\u3001\u30b8\u30a7\u30a4\u30b3\u30d6\u7267\u5e2b\u3068\u305d\u306e\u6559\u4f1a\u3092\u77e5\u3063\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
However, for Yunike and me, this was the first time we were meeting with Pastor Jacob at that church. \u3057\u304b\u3057\u3001\u30e6\u30cb\u30b1\u3068\u79c1\u306b\u3068\u3063\u3066\u3001\u305d\u306e\u6559\u4f1a\u3067\u30b8\u30a7\u30a4\u30b3\u30d6\u7267\u5e2b\u306b\u304a\u4f1a\u3044\u3059\u308b\u306e\u306f\u521d\u3081\u3066\u306e\u3053\u3068\u3067\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
Well, here is where it gets really interesting. \u3055\u3066\u3001\u3053\u3053\u304b\u3089\u304c\u672c\u5f53\u306b\u9762\u767d\u3044\u3068\u3053\u308d\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
While we were visiting with Pastor Jacob, we found out that a couple that we knew was coming in from the U.S. mainland that day to the church. \u30b8\u30a7\u30a4\u30b3\u30d6\u7267\u5e2b\u3068\u8a71\u3092\u3057\u3066\u3044\u308b\u6700\u4e2d\u3001\u79c1\u305f\u3061\u304c\u77e5\u3063\u3066\u3044\u308b\u3042\u308b\u592b\u5a66\u304c\u305d\u306e\u65e5\u3001\u30a2\u30e1\u30ea\u30ab\u672c\u571f\u304b\u3089\u6559\u4f1a\u306b\u6765\u308b\u3053\u3068\u3092\u77e5\u308a\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
This couple was someone that all of us knew, because we were together in Japan in the summer of 2023, serving at the English Camp in Tokyo with Burton and Kat Sue.\u3053\u306e\u592b\u5a66\u306f\u79c1\u305f\u3061\u5168\u54e1\u304c\u77e5\u3063\u3066\u3044\u308b\u4eba\u305f\u3061\u3067\u3001\u3068\u3044\u3046\u306e\u3082\u79c1\u9054\u306f\uff12\uff10\uff12\uff13\u5e74\u306e\u590f\u306b\u65e5\u672c\u3067\u4e00\u7dd2\u306b\u904e\u3054\u3057\u3001\u30d0\u30fc\u30c8\u30f3\u3068\u30ad\u30e3\u30c3\u30c8\u30fb\u30b9\u30fc\u3068\u5171\u306b\u6771\u4eac\u306e\u82f1\u8a9e\u30ad\u30e3\u30f3\u30d7\u3067\u5949\u4ed5\u3057\u3066\u3044\u305f\u304b\u3089\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
Blaze and Rachel McEntee serve at a church in Escondido, but it was the first time we were seeing them again since we ministered together in Japan. \u30d6\u30ec\u30a4\u30ba\u3068\u30ec\u30a4\u30c1\u30a7\u30eb\u30fb\u30de\u30c3\u30b1\u30f3\u30c6\u30a3\u30fc\u592b\u59bb\u306f\u30a8\u30b9\u30b3\u30f3\u30c7\u30a3\u30fc\u30c9\u306e\u6559\u4f1a\u3067\u5949\u4ed5\u3057\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u304c\u3001\u65e5\u672c\u3067\u5171\u306b\u5949\u4ed5\u3057\u3066\u4ee5\u6765\u306e\u518d\u4f1a\u3067\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
Here are pictures of our time together in Japan and then once again in Hawaii. (Photos 1 and 2) \u3053\u3061\u3089\u304c\u65e5\u672c\u3067\u306e\u6642\u9593\u3068\u3001\u305d\u306e\u5f8c\u30cf\u30ef\u30a4\u3067\u518d\u3073\u4f1a\u3063\u305f\u6642\u306e\u5199\u771f\u3067\u3059\u3002\uff08\u5199\u771f1\u30682\uff09<\/p>\n
Coincidence? \u5076\u7136\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046\u304b\uff1f<\/p>\n
One more special encounter. \u3082\u3046\u4e00\u3064\u7279\u5225\u306a\u51fa\u4f1a\u3044\u304c\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
On the Sunday after the General Assembly, Yunike and I had the blessing of attending the ninth anniversary worship service of the Selah Praise house church. \u7dcf\u4f1a\u304c\u7d42\u308f\u3063\u305f\u65e5\u66dc\u65e5\u306b\u3001\u30e6\u30cb\u30b1\u3068\u79c1\u306f\u30bb\u30e9\u8cdb\u7f8e\u5bb6\u5ead\u6559\u4f1a\u306e\uff19\u5468\u5e74\u8a18\u5ff5\u793c\u62dd\u306b\u51fa\u5e2d\u3059\u308b\u6075\u307f\u3092\u3044\u305f\u3060\u304d\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
This ministry is lead by Pastor Yuji and Mrs. Chieko Nakamura.\u00a0 Pastor Nakamura is a retired Nichigo pastor of the Holiness Conference. \u3053\u306e\u30df\u30cb\u30b9\u30c8\u30ea\u30fc\u306f\u4e2d\u6751\u96c4\u53f8\u7267\u5e2b\u3068\u5343\u6075\u5b50\u592b\u4eba\u304c\u30ea\u30fc\u30c9\u3057\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002\u4e2d\u6751\u7267\u5e2b\u306f\u30db\u30fc\u30ea\u30cd\u30b9\u6559\u56e3\u306e\u5f15\u9000\u3057\u305f\u65e5\u8a9e\u7267\u5e2b\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
It is a unique worship service, in that it is done on Zoom. \u305d\u308c\u306f\u3068\u3066\u3082\u30e6\u30cb\u30fc\u30af\u306a\u793c\u62dd\u3067\u3001\u30ba\u30fc\u30e0\u3067\u884c\u308f\u308c\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
So, Pastor Nakamura and his wife, along with a bassist and his wife, meet in the living room of the Nakamura\u2019s house, while others join in on Zoom. \u4e2d\u6751\u7267\u5e2b\u3054\u592b\u59bb\u3068\u30d9\u30fc\u30b7\u30b9\u30c8\u3068\u305d\u306e\u5965\u69d8\u304c\u4e2d\u6751\u5b85\u306e\u30ea\u30d3\u30f3\u30b0\u306b\u96c6\u307e\u308a\u3001\u4ed6\u306e\u53c2\u52a0\u8005\u306f\u30ba\u30fc\u30e0\u3067\u53c2\u52a0\u3059\u308b\u306e\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
On that day, we joined them in that living room. \u305d\u306e\u65e5\u3001\u79c1\u305f\u3061\u306f\u5b9f\u969b\u306b\u305d\u306e\u30ea\u30d3\u30f3\u30b0\u306b\u540c\u5e2d\u3057\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
Well, here is where it gets really interesting. \u3055\u3066\u3001\u3053\u3053\u304b\u3089\u304c\u672c\u5f53\u306b\u8208\u5473\u6df1\u3044\u70b9\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
While different people were joining the worship service by Zoom, we noticed that the Tucson church joined as well. \u69d8\u3005\u306a\u4eba\u3005\u304c\u30ba\u30fc\u30e0\u3067\u793c\u62dd\u306b\u53c2\u52a0\u3059\u308b\u4e2d\u3001\u30c4\u30fc\u30bd\u30f3\u6559\u4f1a\u3082\u540c\u69d8\u306b\u63a5\u7d9a\u3057\u3066\u3044\u308b\u3053\u3068\u306b\u6c17\u3065\u3044\u305f\u306e\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
They were joining in as a church group, so we could see them sitting in pews of a church sanctuary in Tucson, Arizona. \u5f7c\u3089\u306f\u6559\u4f1a\u30b0\u30eb\u30fc\u30d7\u3068\u3057\u3066\u53c2\u52a0\u3057\u3066\u3044\u305f\u306e\u3067\u3001\u30a2\u30ea\u30be\u30ca\u5dde\u30c4\u30fc\u30bd\u30f3\u306e\u6559\u4f1a\u5802\u306e\u5e2d\u306b\u5ea7\u3063\u3066\u3044\u308b\u5f7c\u3089\u306e\u59ff\u304c\u898b\u3048\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
Next thing we knew, one of the Tucson church leaders says, \u201cToday, we have a student from San Diego who is with us for the first time.\u201d \u3059\u308b\u3068\u7a81\u7136\u3001\u30c4\u30fc\u30bd\u30f3\u306e\u6559\u4f1a\u30ea\u30fc\u30c0\u30fc\u306e\u4e00\u4eba\u304c\u3053\u3046\u8a00\u3044\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002\u300c\u672c\u65e5\u306f\u30b5\u30f3\u30c7\u30a3\u30a8\u30b4\u304b\u3089\u521d\u3081\u3066\u53c2\u52a0\u3057\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3063\u3066\u3044\u308b\u5b66\u751f\u304c\u3044\u307e\u3059\u300d<\/p>\n
And then, guess who walks up to the camera?\u00a0 \u305d\u3057\u3066\u3001\u30ab\u30e1\u30e9\u306b\u5411\u304b\u3063\u3066\u6b69\u307f\u5bc4\u3063\u3066\u304d\u305f\u306e\u306f\u8ab0\u3060\u3068\u601d\u3044\u307e\u3059\u304b\uff1f<\/p>\n
The student on the other side says, \u201cHi, I\u2019m Matthew Stokes.\u201d\u5411\u3053\u3046\u5074\u306b\u3044\u305f\u5b66\u751f\u304c\u300c\u3053\u3093\u306b\u3061\u306f\u3001\u30de\u30b7\u30e5\u30fc\u30fb\u30b9\u30c8\u30fc\u30af\u30b9\u3067\u3059\u300d\u3068\u8a00\u3063\u305f\u306e\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
Two people from the same church in different states seeing each other in the same worship service that each one is attending for the first time. \u7570\u306a\u308b\u5dde\u306b\u3042\u308b\u540c\u3058\u6559\u4f1a\u306e\u4e8c\u4eba\u304c\u3001\u305d\u308c\u305e\u308c\u521d\u3081\u3066\u53c2\u52a0\u3057\u305f\u793c\u62dd\u3067\u9854\u3092\u5408\u308f\u305b\u305f\u306e\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
Coincidence? \u5076\u7136\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046\u304b\uff1f<\/p>\n
If we believe that God is sovereign, that is He is in control of all things, and that He is good, then we can say that there are no coincidences in our life that are a blessing to us. \u3082\u3057\u795e\u69d8\u304c\u4e3b\u6a29\u8005\u3067\u3042\u308a\u3001\u4e07\u7269\u3092\u652f\u914d\u3057\u3001\u5584\u306a\u308b\u304a\u65b9\u3060\u3068\u4fe1\u3058\u308b\u306a\u3089\u3001\u79c1\u305f\u3061\u306e\u4eba\u751f\u306b\u304a\u3051\u308b\u795d\u798f\u3068\u306a\u308b\u51fa\u6765\u4e8b\u306b\u5076\u7136\u306f\u5b58\u5728\u3057\u306a\u3044\u3068\u8a00\u3048\u308b\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046\u3002<\/p>\n
We can see our lives and our relationships as being a part of God\u2019s perfect plan and time. \u79c1\u305f\u3061\u306e\u4eba\u751f\u3068\u4eba\u9593\u95a2\u4fc2\u306f\u3001\u795e\u306e\u5b8c\u74a7\u306a\u8a08\u753b\u3068\u6642\u306e\u4e00\u90e8\u3067\u3042\u308b\u3068\u6349\u3048\u308b\u3053\u3068\u304c\u3067\u304d\u308b\u306e\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
We live right now, where we are, with the people around us, according to God\u2019s plan and perfect time. \u79c1\u305f\u3061\u306f\u4eca\u3053\u306e\u77ac\u9593\u3001\u3053\u306e\u5834\u6240\u3067\u3001\u5468\u56f2\u306e\u4eba\u3005\u3068\u5171\u306b\u3001\u795e\u306e\u8a08\u753b\u3068\u5b8c\u74a7\u306a\u6642\u306b\u5f93\u3063\u3066\u751f\u304d\u3066\u3044\u308b\u306e\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
Therefore, let us be thankful for the life that we have and the place that He has planted us, and enjoy our time with the people that God has brought into our lives. \u305d\u308c\u3086\u3048\u3001\u79c1\u305f\u3061\u304c\u4e0e\u3048\u3089\u308c\u305f\u547d\u3068\u3001\u795e\u304c\u79c1\u305f\u3061\u3092\u7f6e\u3044\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3063\u305f\u5834\u6240\u306b\u611f\u8b1d\u3057\u3001\u795e\u304c\u79c1\u305f\u3061\u306e\u4eba\u751f\u306b\u5c0e\u3044\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3063\u305f\u4eba\u3005\u3068\u904e\u3054\u3059\u6642\u3092\u697d\u3057\u307f\u307e\u3057\u3087\u3046\u3002<\/p>\n
The timing of John the Baptist\u2019s birth was according to God\u2019s perfect plan and time. \u30d0\u30d7\u30c6\u30b9\u30de\u306e\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306e\u8a95\u751f\u306e\u6642\u671f\u306f\u3001\u795e\u306e\u5b8c\u5168\u306a\u308b\u8a08\u753b\u3068\u6642\u306b\u3088\u308b\u3082\u306e\u3067\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
He was born six months before Jesus Christ was born. \u5f7c\u306f\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u30fb\u30ad\u30ea\u30b9\u30c8\u306e\u8a95\u751f\u306e\u516d\u304b\u6708\u524d\u306b\u751f\u307e\u308c\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
It is no coincidence that he was born right before Jesus Christ was born. \u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u30fb\u30ad\u30ea\u30b9\u30c8\u306e\u8a95\u751f\u76f4\u524d\u306b\u5f7c\u304c\u751f\u307e\u308c\u305f\u306e\u306f\u6c7a\u3057\u3066\u5076\u7136\u3067\u306f\u3042\u308a\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002<\/p>\n
In fact, it is fair to say that John\u2019s life was strongly tied together with Jesus\u2019 life. \u5b9f\u969b\u3001\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306e\u4eba\u751f\u306f\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u306e\u4eba\u751f\u3068\u5f37\u304f\u7d50\u3073\u3064\u3044\u3066\u3044\u305f\u3068\u8a00\u3063\u3066\u3082\u904e\u8a00\u3067\u306f\u3042\u308a\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002<\/p>\n
There was a special bond between the two of them that was ordained by God long before they both entered onto the scene of human history. \u4e8c\u4eba\u306e\u9593\u306b\u306f\u3001\u5f7c\u3089\u304c\u4eba\u985e\u306e\u6b74\u53f2\u306e\u821e\u53f0\u306b\u73fe\u308c\u308b\u305a\u3063\u3068\u524d\u304b\u3089\u795e\u306b\u3088\u3063\u3066\u5b9a\u3081\u3089\u308c\u3066\u3044\u305f\u7279\u5225\u306a\u7d46\u304c\u3042\u3063\u305f\u306e\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
One of the first encounters that John the Baptist had with Jesus was when they were both in their mother\u2019s wombs. \u30d0\u30d7\u30c6\u30b9\u30de\u306e\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u304c\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u3068\u521d\u3081\u3066\u51fa\u4f1a\u3063\u305f\u77ac\u9593\u306e\u4e00\u3064\u306f\u3001\u4e8c\u4eba\u304c\u307e\u3060\u6bcd\u80ce\u306e\u4e2d\u306b\u3044\u305f\u6642\u3067\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
In the Gospel of Luke, it is recorded of how sixth months after Elizabeth became pregnant, \u30eb\u30ab\u306e\u798f\u97f3\u66f8\u306b\u306f\u3001\u30a8\u30ea\u30b5\u30d9\u30c4\u304c\u598a\u5a20\u3057\u3066\u304b\u3089\u516d\u304b\u6708\u5f8c\u3001<\/p>\n
the angel Gabriel was sent from God to the virgin Mary to tell her that she will conceive by the Holy Spirit, Jesus, the Son of God.\u795e\u306e\u5fa1\u4f7f\u3044\u30ac\u30d6\u30ea\u30a8\u30eb\u304c\u51e6\u5973\u30de\u30ea\u30a2\u306e\u3082\u3068\u306b\u9063\u308f\u3055\u308c\u3001\u8056\u970a\u306b\u3088\u3063\u3066\u795e\u306e\u5fa1\u5b50\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u3092\u8eab\u3054\u3082\u308b\u3053\u3068\u3092\u544a\u3052\u305f\u3053\u3068\u304c\u8a18\u3055\u308c\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
Luke also records that Mary went to visit her relative Elizabeth after this, and describes that encounter between the two. \u30eb\u30ab\u306f\u307e\u305f\u3001\u3053\u306e\u5f8c\u30de\u30ea\u30a2\u304c\u89aa\u65cf\u306e\u30a8\u30ea\u30b5\u30d9\u30c4\u3092\u8a2a\u306d\u305f\u3053\u3068\u3001\u305d\u3057\u3066\u4e8c\u4eba\u306e\u51fa\u4f1a\u3044\u3092\u63cf\u3044\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
Luke 1:39-45\uff08\u30eb\u30ab\uff11\u7ae0\uff13\uff19\u7bc0\u2014\uff14\uff15\u7bc0\uff09<\/p>\n
39\u00a0<\/sup>At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,\u00a040\u00a0<\/sup>where she entered Zechariah\u2019s home and greeted Elizabeth.\u00a041\u00a0<\/sup>When Elizabeth heard Mary\u2019s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.\u00a042\u00a0<\/sup>In a loud voice she exclaimed: \u201cBlessed are you among women,\u00a0and blessed is the child you will bear!\u00a043\u00a0<\/sup>But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord\u00a0should come to me?\u00a044\u00a0<\/sup>As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.\u00a045\u00a0<\/sup>Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!\u201d 39<\/sup>\u305d\u306e\u3053\u308d\u3001\u30de\u30ea\u30e4\u306f\u7acb\u3063\u3066\u3001\u5927\u6025\u304e\u3067\u5c71\u91cc\u3078\u3080\u304b\u3044\u30e6\u30c0\u306e\u753a\u306b\u884c\u304d\u300140<\/sup>\u30b6\u30ab\u30ea\u30e4\u306e\u5bb6\u306b\u306f\u3044\u3063\u3066\u30a8\u30ea\u30b5\u30d9\u30c4\u306b\u3042\u3044\u3055\u3064\u3057\u305f\u300241<\/sup>\u30a8\u30ea\u30b5\u30d9\u30c4\u304c\u30de\u30ea\u30e4\u306e\u3042\u3044\u3055\u3064\u3092\u805e\u3044\u305f\u3068\u304d\u3001\u305d\u306e\u5b50\u304c\u80ce\u5185\u3067\u304a\u3069\u3063\u305f\u3002\u30a8\u30ea\u30b5\u30d9\u30c4\u306f\u8056\u970a\u306b\u6e80\u305f\u3055\u308c\u300142<\/sup>\u58f0\u9ad8\u304f\u53eb\u3093\u3067\u8a00\u3063\u305f\u3001\u300c\u3042\u306a\u305f\u306f\u5973\u306e\u4e2d\u3067\u795d\u798f\u3055\u308c\u305f\u304b\u305f\u3001\u3042\u306a\u305f\u306e\u80ce\u306e\u5b9f\u3082\u795d\u798f\u3055\u308c\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u300243<\/sup>\u4e3b\u306e\u6bcd\u4e0a\u304c\u308f\u305f\u3057\u306e\u3068\u3053\u308d\u306b\u304d\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u308b\u3068\u306f\u3001\u306a\u3093\u3068\u3044\u3046\u5149\u6804\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046\u300244<\/sup>\u3054\u3089\u3093\u306a\u3055\u3044\u3002\u3042\u306a\u305f\u306e\u3042\u3044\u3055\u3064\u306e\u58f0\u304c\u308f\u305f\u3057\u306e\u8033\u306b\u306f\u3044\u3063\u305f\u3068\u304d\u3001\u5b50\u4f9b\u304c\u80ce\u5185\u3067\u559c\u3073\u304a\u3069\u308a\u307e\u3057\u305f\u300245<\/sup>\u4e3b\u306e\u304a\u8a9e\u308a\u306b\u306a\u3063\u305f\u3053\u3068\u304c\u5fc5\u305a\u6210\u5c31\u3059\u308b\u3068\u4fe1\u3058\u305f\u5973\u306f\u3001\u306a\u3093\u3068\u3055\u3044\u308f\u3044\u306a\u3053\u3068\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046\u300d\u3002<\/strong><\/p>\nTwo specially chosen women of God with two specially chosen babies in their wombs. \u3000\u795e\u69d8\u306b\u9078\u3070\u308c\u305f\u4e8c\u4eba\u306e\u5973\u6027\u304c\u3001\u305d\u308c\u305e\u308c\u306e\u80ce\u5185\u306b\u9078\u3070\u308c\u305f\u4e8c\u4eba\u306e\u5b50\u3092\u5bbf\u3057\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
John leaped for joy in hearing the voice of the mother who carried Jesus in her womb. \u3000\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u3092\u80ce\u5185\u306b\u5bbf\u3057\u305f\u6bcd\u306e\u58f0\u3092\u805e\u3044\u305f\u6642\u3001\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306f\u559c\u3073\u306e\u3042\u307e\u308a\u80ce\u5185\u3067\u8df3\u306d\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
After John was born, his father Zachariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied. \u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u304c\u751f\u307e\u308c\u305f\u5f8c\u3001\u7236\u30b6\u30ab\u30ea\u30e4\u306f\u8056\u970a\u306b\u6e80\u305f\u3055\u308c\u3001\u9810\u8a00\u3057\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
Included in his prophecy was the work that his son would do in relationship to the Lord Jesus. \u305d\u306e\u9810\u8a00\u306b\u306f\u3001\u606f\u5b50\u304c\u4e3b\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u3068\u306e\u95a2\u4fc2\u306b\u304a\u3044\u3066\u6210\u3057\u9042\u3052\u308b\u50cd\u304d\u304c\u542b\u307e\u308c\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
Luke 1:76-79\uff08\u30eb\u30ab\uff11\u7ae0\uff17\uff16\u7bc0\u2014\uff17\uff19\u7bc0\uff09<\/p>\n
76\u00a0<\/sup>And you, my child, will be called a prophet\u00a0of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him, 77\u00a0<\/sup>to give His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, 78\u00a0<\/sup>because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun\u00a0will come to us from heaven 79\u00a0<\/sup>to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.\u201d 76<\/sup>\u5e7c\u306a\u5b50\u3088\u3001\u3042\u306a\u305f\u306f\u3001\u3044\u3068\u9ad8\u304d\u8005\u306e\u9810\u8a00\u8005\u3068\u547c\u3070\u308c\u308b\u3067\u3042\u308d\u3046\u3002\u4e3b\u306e\u307f\u307e\u3048\u306b\u5148\u7acb\u3063\u3066\u884c\u304d\u3001\u305d\u306e\u9053\u3092\u5099\u3048\u300177<\/sup>\u7f6a\u306e\u3086\u308b\u3057\u306b\u3088\u308b\u6551\u3092\u305d\u306e\u6c11\u306b\u77e5\u3089\u305b\u308b\u306e\u3067\u3042\u308b\u304b\u3089\u300278<\/sup>\u3053\u308c\u306f\u308f\u305f\u3057\u305f\u3061\u306e\u795e\u306e\u3042\u308f\u308c\u307f\u6df1\u3044\u307f\u3053\u3053\u308d\u306b\u3088\u308b\u3002\u307e\u305f\u3001\u305d\u306e\u3042\u308f\u308c\u307f\u306b\u3088\u3063\u3066\u3001\u65e5\u306e\u5149\u304c\u4e0a\u304b\u3089\u308f\u305f\u3057\u305f\u3061\u306b\u81e8\u307f\u300179<\/sup>\u6697\u9ed2\u3068\u6b7b\u306e\u9670\u3068\u306b\u4f4f\u3080\u8005\u3092\u7167\u3057\u3001\u308f\u305f\u3057\u305f\u3061\u306e\u8db3\u3092\u5e73\u548c\u306e\u9053\u3078\u5c0e\u304f\u3067\u3042\u308d\u3046\u300d\u3002<\/strong><\/p>\nHere, it is clearly stated of John\u2019s ministry as a prophet of God. \u3053\u3053\u306b\u306f\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u304c\u795e\u306e\u9810\u8a00\u8005\u3068\u3057\u3066\u306a\u3059\u50cd\u304d\u306b\u3064\u3044\u3066\u660e\u78ba\u306b\u8ff0\u3079\u3089\u308c\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
He was to go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him. \u5f7c\u306f\u4e3b\u306b\u5148\u7acb\u3063\u3066\u884c\u304d\u3001\u4e3b\u306e\u9053\u3092\u5099\u3048\u308b\u4eba\u3067\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
And when we see John next as a grown adult, we see him fully engaged in his ministry of preparing the way for Jesus. \u305d\u3057\u3066\u6b21\u306b\u6210\u9577\u3057\u305f\u5927\u4eba\u3068\u3057\u3066\u306e\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u3092\u898b\u308b\u3068\u3001\u5f7c\u306f\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u306e\u9053\u3092\u5099\u3048\u308b\u50cd\u304d\u306b\u5b8c\u5168\u306b\u5f93\u4e8b\u3057\u3066\u3044\u308b\u59ff\u3092\u898b\u308b\u3053\u3068\u304c\u3067\u304d\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
Luke 3:3-6\uff08\u30eb\u30ab\uff13\u7ae0\uff13\u7bc0\u2014\uff16\u7bc0\uff09<\/p>\n
3\u00a0<\/sup>And he came into all\u00a0the district around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins;\u00a04\u00a0<\/sup>as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, \u201cThe voice of one crying in the wilderness, \u2018Make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight. 5\u00a0<\/sup>\u2018Every ravine will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be\u00a0brought low; the crooked will become straight, and the rough roads smooth; 6\u00a0<\/sup>and all\u00a0flesh will\u00a0see the salvation of God.\u2019\u201d 3<\/sup>\u5f7c\u306f\u30e8\u30eb\u30c0\u30f3\u306e\u307b\u3068\u308a\u306e\u5168\u5730\u65b9\u306b\u884c\u3063\u3066\u3001\u7f6a\u306e\u3086\u308b\u3057\u3092\u5f97\u3055\u305b\u308b\u6094\u6539\u3081\u306e\u30d0\u30d7\u30c6\u30b9\u30de\u3092\u5ba3\u3079\u4f1d\u3048\u305f\u30024<\/sup>\u305d\u308c\u306f\u3001\u9810\u8a00\u8005\u30a4\u30b6\u30e4\u306e\u8a00\u8449\u306e\u66f8\u306b\u66f8\u3044\u3066\u3042\u308b\u3068\u304a\u308a\u3067\u3042\u308b\u3002\u3059\u306a\u308f\u3061\u300c\u8352\u91ce\u3067\u547c\u3070\u308f\u308b\u8005\u306e\u58f0\u304c\u3059\u308b\u3001\u300e\u4e3b\u306e\u9053\u3092\u5099\u3048\u3088\u3001\u305d\u306e\u9053\u7b4b\u3092\u307e\u3063\u3059\u3050\u306b\u305b\u3088\u300f\u30025<\/sup>\u3059\u3079\u3066\u306e\u8c37\u306f\u57cb\u3081\u3089\u308c\u3001\u3059\u3079\u3066\u306e\u5c71\u3068\u4e18\u3068\u306f\u3001\u5e73\u3089\u306b\u3055\u308c\u3001\u66f2\u3063\u305f\u3068\u3053\u308d\u306f\u307e\u3063\u3059\u3050\u306b\u3001\u308f\u308b\u3044\u9053\u306f\u306a\u3089\u3055\u308c\u30016<\/sup>\u4eba\u306f\u307f\u306a\u795e\u306e\u6551\u3092\u898b\u308b\u3067\u3042\u308d\u3046\u300d\u3002<\/strong><\/p>\nJohn\u2019s message was a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. \u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306e\u30e1\u30c3\u30bb\u30fc\u30b8\u306f\u3001\u7f6a\u306e\u8d66\u3057\u306e\u305f\u3081\u306e\u6094\u3044\u6539\u3081\u306e\u6d17\u793c\u3067\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
This was according to the Old Testament prophecy found in the Book of Isaiah, specifically 40:3-5. \u305d\u308c\u306f\u65e7\u7d04\u8056\u66f8\u306e\u30a4\u30b6\u30e4\u66f8\u3001\u7279\u306b\uff14\uff10\u7ae0\uff13\u7bc0\u304b\u3089\uff15\u7bc0\u306b\u3042\u308b\u9810\u8a00\u306b\u57fa\u3065\u3044\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
John\u2019s role was to make ready the way of the Lord; to prepare a straight path for the coming Christ. \u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306e\u5f79\u5272\u306f\u3001\u4e3b\u306e\u9053\u3092\u6574\u3048\u308b\u3053\u3068\u3001\u3059\u306a\u308f\u3061\u6765\u308b\u3079\u304d\u30ad\u30ea\u30b9\u30c8\u306e\u305f\u3081\u306b\u307e\u3063\u3059\u3050\u306a\u9053\u3092\u5099\u3048\u308b\u3053\u3068\u3067\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
It meant preparing the hearts of the people, so that their hearts would be ready; have a clear path to receiving the Christ. \u305d\u308c\u306f\u4eba\u3005\u306e\u5fc3\u3092\u6574\u3048\u3001\u5f7c\u3089\u306e\u5fc3\u304c\u5099\u3048\u3089\u308c\u3001\u30ad\u30ea\u30b9\u30c8\u3092\u53d7\u3051\u5165\u308c\u308b\u305f\u3081\u306e\u660e\u78ba\u306a\u9053\u3092\u6301\u3064\u3088\u3046\u306b\u3059\u308b\u3053\u3068\u3067\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
John spoke in the manner of the Old Testament prophets that spoke with authority and pointed out the need for a repentant heart that manifested itself in a changed life. \u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306f\u65e7\u7d04\u306e\u9810\u8a00\u8005\u305f\u3061\u306e\u3088\u3046\u306b\u6a29\u5a01\u3092\u3082\u3063\u3066\u8a9e\u308a\u3001\u6094\u3044\u6539\u3081\u305f\u5fc3\u304c\u751f\u6d3b\u306e\u5909\u5316\u3068\u3057\u3066\u73fe\u308c\u308b\u5fc5\u8981\u6027\u3092\u6307\u6458\u3057\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
Luke 3:7-9\uff08\u30eb\u30ab\uff13\u7ae0\uff17\u7bc0\u2014\uff19\u7bc0\uff09<\/p>\n
7\u00a0<\/sup>So he\u00a0began<\/em>\u00a0saying to the crowds who were going out to be baptized by him, \u201cYou brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?\u00a08\u00a0<\/sup>Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance, and\u00a0do not begin to say\u00a0to yourselves, \u2018We have Abraham for our father,\u2019 for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham.\u00a09\u00a0<\/sup>Indeed the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; so\u00a0every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.\u201d 7<\/sup>\u3055\u3066\u3001\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306f\u3001\u5f7c\u304b\u3089\u30d0\u30d7\u30c6\u30b9\u30de\u3092\u53d7\u3051\u3088\u3046\u3068\u3057\u3066\u51fa\u3066\u304d\u305f\u7fa4\u8846\u306b\u3080\u304b\u3063\u3066\u8a00\u3063\u305f\u3001\u300c\u307e\u3080\u3057\u306e\u5b50\u3089\u3088\u3001\u8feb\u3063\u3066\u304d\u3066\u3044\u308b\u795e\u306e\u6012\u308a\u304b\u3089\u3001\u306e\u304c\u308c\u3089\u308c\u308b\u3068\u3001\u304a\u307e\u3048\u305f\u3061\u306b\u3060\u308c\u304c\u6559\u3048\u305f\u306e\u304b\u30028<\/sup>\u3060\u304b\u3089\u3001\u6094\u6539\u3081\u306b\u3075\u3055\u308f\u3057\u3044\u5b9f\u3092\u7d50\u3079\u3002\u81ea\u5206\u305f\u3061\u306e\u7236\u306b\u306f\u30a2\u30d6\u30e9\u30cf\u30e0\u304c\u3042\u308b\u306a\u3069\u3068\u3001\u5fc3\u306e\u4e2d\u3067\u601d\u3063\u3066\u3082\u307f\u308b\u306a\u3002\u304a\u307e\u3048\u305f\u3061\u306b\u8a00\u3063\u3066\u304a\u304f\u3002\u795e\u306f\u3053\u308c\u3089\u306e\u77f3\u3053\u308d\u304b\u3089\u3067\u3082\u3001\u30a2\u30d6\u30e9\u30cf\u30e0\u306e\u5b50\u3092\u8d77\u3059\u3053\u3068\u304c\u3067\u304d\u308b\u306e\u3060\u30029<\/sup>\u65a7\u304c\u3059\u3067\u306b\u6728\u306e\u6839\u3082\u3068\u306b\u7f6e\u304b\u308c\u3066\u3044\u308b\u3002\u3060\u304b\u3089\u3001\u826f\u3044\u5b9f\u3092\u7d50\u3070\u306a\u3044\u6728\u306f\u3053\u3068\u3054\u3068\u304f\u5207\u3089\u308c\u3066\u3001\u706b\u306e\u4e2d\u306b\u6295\u3052\u8fbc\u307e\u308c\u308b\u306e\u3060\u300d\u3002<\/strong><\/p>\nWhen some of these people he was speaking to, began wondering if John was the Christ, he made it clear that he was not. \u5f7c\u304c\u8a71\u3057\u3066\u3044\u305f\u4eba\u3005\u306e\u3046\u3061\u3001\u4f55\u4eba\u304b\u304c\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u304c\u30ad\u30ea\u30b9\u30c8\u3067\u306f\u306a\u3044\u304b\u3068\u7591\u3044\u59cb\u3081\u305f\u6642\u3001\u5f7c\u306f\u81ea\u5206\u304c\u305d\u3046\u3067\u306f\u306a\u3044\u3053\u3068\u3092\u660e\u3089\u304b\u306b\u3057\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
Luke 3:15-17\uff08\u30eb\u30ab\uff13\u7ae0\uff11\uff15\u7bc0\u2014\uff11\uff17\u7bc0\uff09<\/p>\n
15\u00a0<\/sup>Now while the people were in a state of expectation and all were\u00a0wondering in their hearts about John,\u00a0as to whether he was\u00a0the Christ,\u00a016\u00a0<\/sup>John answered and said to them all, \u201cAs for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you\u00a0with the Holy Spirit and fire.\u00a017\u00a0<\/sup>His\u00a0winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with\u00a0unquenchable fire.\u201d 15<\/sup>\u6c11\u8846\u306f\u6551\u4e3b\u3092\u5f85\u3061\u671b\u3093\u3067\u3044\u305f\u306e\u3067\u3001\u307f\u306a\u5fc3\u306e\u4e2d\u3067\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306e\u3053\u3068\u3092\u3001\u3082\u3057\u304b\u3057\u305f\u3089\u3053\u306e\u4eba\u304c\u305d\u308c\u3067\u306f\u306a\u304b\u308d\u3046\u304b\u3068\u8003\u3048\u3066\u3044\u305f\u300216<\/sup>\u305d\u3053\u3067\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306f\u307f\u3093\u306a\u306e\u8005\u306b\u3080\u304b\u3063\u3066\u8a00\u3063\u305f\u3001\u300c\u308f\u305f\u3057\u306f\u6c34\u3067\u304a\u307e\u3048\u305f\u3061\u306b\u30d0\u30d7\u30c6\u30b9\u30de\u3092\u6388\u3051\u308b\u304c\u3001\u308f\u305f\u3057\u3088\u308a\u3082\u529b\u306e\u3042\u308b\u304b\u305f\u304c\u3001\u304a\u3044\u3067\u306b\u306a\u308b\u3002\u308f\u305f\u3057\u306b\u306f\u3001\u305d\u306e\u304f\u3064\u306e\u3072\u3082\u3092\u89e3\u304f\u5024\u3046\u3061\u3082\u306a\u3044\u3002\u3053\u306e\u304b\u305f\u306f\u3001\u8056\u970a\u3068\u706b\u3068\u306b\u3088\u3063\u3066\u304a\u307e\u3048\u305f\u3061\u306b\u30d0\u30d7\u30c6\u30b9\u30de\u3092\u304a\u6388\u3051\u306b\u306a\u308b\u3067\u3042\u308d\u3046\u300217<\/sup>\u307e\u305f\u3001\u7b95\u3092\u624b\u306b\u6301\u3063\u3066\u3001\u6253\u3061\u5834\u306e\u9ea6\u3092\u3075\u308b\u3044\u5206\u3051\u3001\u9ea6\u306f\u5009\u306b\u7d0d\u3081\u3001\u304b\u3089\u306f\u6d88\u3048\u306a\u3044\u706b\u3067\u713c\u304d\u6368\u3066\u308b\u3067\u3042\u308d\u3046\u300d\u3002<\/strong><\/p>\nIt is very clear from this passage of Scripture that John fully understood who he was in relationship to the Christ. \u3053\u306e\u8056\u66f8\u306e\u7b87\u6240\u304b\u3089\u3001\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u304c\u30ad\u30ea\u30b9\u30c8\u3068\u306e\u95a2\u4fc2\u306b\u304a\u3044\u3066\u81ea\u5206\u304c\u8ab0\u3067\u3042\u308b\u304b\u3092\u5b8c\u5168\u306b\u7406\u89e3\u3057\u3066\u3044\u305f\u3053\u3068\u304c\u660e\u3089\u304b\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
It is also clear that John knew that Jesus was the Christ. \u307e\u305f\u3001\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u304c\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u304c\u30ad\u30ea\u30b9\u30c8\u3067\u3042\u308b\u3053\u3068\u3092\u77e5\u3063\u3066\u3044\u305f\u3053\u3068\u3082\u660e\u3089\u304b\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
Matthew 3:13-17\uff08\u30de\u30bf\u30a4\uff13\u7ae0\uff11\uff13\u7bc0\u2014\uff11\uff17\u7bc0\uff09<\/p>\n
13\u00a0<\/sup>Then Jesus arrived\u00a0from Galilee at the Jordan\u00a0coming<\/em>\u00a0to John, to be baptized by him.\u00a014\u00a0<\/sup>But John tried to prevent Him, saying, \u201cI have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?\u201d\u00a015\u00a0<\/sup>But Jesus answering said to him,\u00a0\u201cPermit\u00a0it<\/em>\u00a0at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us\u00a0to fulfill all righteousness.\u201d\u00a0Then he permitted Him.\u00a016\u00a0<\/sup>After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and\u00a0he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove\u00a0and<\/em>\u00a0lighting on Him,\u00a017\u00a0<\/sup>and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, \u201cThis is\u00a0My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.\u201d 13<\/sup>\u305d\u306e\u3068\u304d\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u306f\u3001\u30ac\u30ea\u30e9\u30e4\u3092\u51fa\u3066\u30e8\u30eb\u30c0\u30f3\u5ddd\u306b\u73fe\u308c\u3001\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306e\u3068\u3053\u308d\u306b\u304d\u3066\u3001\u30d0\u30d7\u30c6\u30b9\u30de\u3092\u53d7\u3051\u3088\u3046\u3068\u3055\u308c\u305f\u300214<\/sup>\u3068\u3053\u308d\u304c\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306f\u3001\u305d\u308c\u3092\u601d\u3044\u3068\u3069\u307e\u3089\u305b\u3088\u3046\u3068\u3057\u3066\u8a00\u3063\u305f\u3001\u300c\u308f\u305f\u3057\u3053\u305d\u3042\u306a\u305f\u304b\u3089\u30d0\u30d7\u30c6\u30b9\u30de\u3092\u53d7\u3051\u308b\u306f\u305a\u3067\u3059\u306e\u306b\u3001\u3042\u306a\u305f\u304c\u308f\u305f\u3057\u306e\u3068\u3053\u308d\u306b\u304a\u3044\u3067\u306b\u306a\u308b\u306e\u3067\u3059\u304b\u300d\u300215<\/sup>\u3057\u304b\u3057\u3001\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u306f\u7b54\u3048\u3066\u8a00\u308f\u308c\u305f\u3001\u300c\u4eca\u306f\u53d7\u3051\u3055\u305b\u3066\u3082\u3089\u3044\u305f\u3044\u3002\u3053\u306e\u3088\u3046\u306b\u3001\u3059\u3079\u3066\u306e\u6b63\u3057\u3044\u3053\u3068\u3092\u6210\u5c31\u3059\u308b\u306e\u306f\u3001\u308f\u308c\u308f\u308c\u306b\u3075\u3055\u308f\u3057\u3044\u3053\u3068\u3067\u3042\u308b\u300d\u3002\u305d\u3053\u3067\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306f\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u306e\u8a00\u308f\u308c\u308b\u3068\u304a\u308a\u306b\u3057\u305f\u300216<\/sup>\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u306f\u30d0\u30d7\u30c6\u30b9\u30de\u3092\u53d7\u3051\u308b\u3068\u3059\u3050\u3001\u6c34\u304b\u3089\u4e0a\u304c\u3089\u308c\u305f\u3002\u3059\u308b\u3068\u3001\u898b\u3088\u3001\u5929\u304c\u958b\u3051\u3001\u795e\u306e\u5fa1\u970a\u304c\u306f\u3068\u306e\u3088\u3046\u306b\u81ea\u5206\u306e\u4e0a\u306b\u4e0b\u3063\u3066\u304f\u308b\u306e\u3092\u3001\u3054\u3089\u3093\u306b\u306a\u3063\u305f\u300217<\/sup>\u307e\u305f\u5929\u304b\u3089\u58f0\u304c\u3042\u3063\u3066\u8a00\u3063\u305f\u3001\u300c\u3053\u308c\u306f\u308f\u305f\u3057\u306e\u611b\u3059\u308b\u5b50\u3001\u308f\u305f\u3057\u306e\u5fc3\u306b\u304b\u306a\u3046\u8005\u3067\u3042\u308b\u300d\u3002<\/strong><\/p>\nThis baptism of Jesus by John was important for John just as much as it was important for Jesus.\u3000 \u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306b\u3088\u308b\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u306e\u6d17\u793c\u306f\u3001\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u306b\u3068\u3063\u3066\u91cd\u8981\u3067\u3042\u3063\u305f\u306e\u3068\u540c\u69d8\u306b\u3001\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306b\u3068\u3063\u3066\u3082\u91cd\u8981\u306a\u3082\u306e\u3067\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
This is because John was able to witness the Spirit of God descending as a dove upon Jesus and hear God\u2019s voice affirming that Jesus was His beloved Son.\u3000\u306a\u305c\u306a\u3089\u3001\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306f\u795e\u306e\u970a\u304c\u9ce9\u306e\u3088\u3046\u306b\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u306e\u4e0a\u306b\u964d\u308a\u308b\u306e\u3092\u76ee\u6483\u3057\u3001\u795e\u69d8\u304c\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u3092\u5fa1\u5b50\u3068\u8a8d\u3081\u308b\u58f0\u3092\u805e\u304f\u3053\u3068\u304c\u3067\u304d\u305f\u304b\u3089\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
Thus, John was better able to prepare the way for Jesus and point people to Jesus even more effectively and confidently.\u3000 \u3053\u3046\u3057\u3066\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306f\u3001\u3088\u308a\u52b9\u679c\u7684\u304b\u3064\u78ba\u4fe1\u3092\u6301\u3063\u3066\u3001\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u306e\u9053\u3092\u5099\u3048\u3001\u4eba\u3005\u3092\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u3078\u3068\u5c0e\u304f\u3053\u3068\u304c\u3067\u304d\u305f\u306e\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
We see this especially in the Gospel of John\u2019s account of the interactions between John the Baptist and Jesus.\u3000\u3053\u306e\u3053\u3068\u306f\u7279\u306b\u3001\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306b\u3088\u308b\u798f\u97f3\u66f8\u306b\u8a18\u3055\u308c\u305f\u6d17\u793c\u8005\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u3068\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u306e\u4ea4\u6d41\u306e\u8a18\u8ff0\u306b\u898b\u3066\u3068\u308c\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
Here is how the apostle John described John the Baptist at the beginning of his Gospel.\u3000 \u4f7f\u5f92\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u304c\u798f\u97f3\u66f8\u306e\u5192\u982d\u3067\u30d0\u30d7\u30c6\u30b9\u30de\u306e\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u3092\u3053\u3046\u63cf\u5199\u3057\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
John 1:6-8\uff08\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\uff11\u7ae0\uff16\u7bc0\u2014\uff18\u7bc0\uff09<\/p>\n
6\u00a0<\/sup>There\u00a0came a man sent from God, whose name was\u00a0John.\u00a07\u00a0<\/sup>He came\u00a0as a witness, to testify about the Light,\u00a0so that all might believe through him.\u00a08\u00a0<\/sup>He was not the Light, but\u00a0he came<\/em>\u00a0to testify about the Light. 6<\/sup>\u3053\u3053\u306b\u3072\u3068\u308a\u306e\u4eba\u304c\u3042\u3063\u3066\u3001\u795e\u304b\u3089\u3064\u304b\u308f\u3055\u308c\u3066\u3044\u305f\u3002\u305d\u306e\u540d\u3092\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u3068\u8a00\u3063\u305f\u30027<\/sup>\u3053\u306e\u4eba\u306f\u3042\u304b\u3057\u306e\u305f\u3081\u306b\u304d\u305f\u3002\u5149\u306b\u3064\u3044\u3066\u3042\u304b\u3057\u3092\u3057\u3001\u5f7c\u306b\u3088\u3063\u3066\u3059\u3079\u3066\u306e\u4eba\u304c\u4fe1\u3058\u308b\u305f\u3081\u3067\u3042\u308b\u30028<\/sup>\u5f7c\u306f\u5149\u3067\u306f\u306a\u304f\u3001\u305f\u3060\u3001\u5149\u306b\u3064\u3044\u3066\u3042\u304b\u3057\u3092\u3059\u308b\u305f\u3081\u306b\u304d\u305f\u306e\u3067\u3042\u308b\u3002<\/strong><\/p>\nJohn the Baptist is described as being a witness to testify about Jesus being the Light, so that people might believe Jesus.\u3000 \u30d0\u30d7\u30c6\u30b9\u30de\u306e\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306f\u3001\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u304c\u5149\u3067\u3042\u308b\u3053\u3068\u3092\u8a3c\u3057\u3059\u308b\u8a3c\u4eba\u3068\u3057\u3066\u63cf\u304b\u308c\u3066\u304a\u308a\u3001\u305d\u308c\u306f\u4eba\u3005\u304c\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u3092\u4fe1\u3058\u308b\u3088\u3046\u306b\u306a\u308b\u305f\u3081\u3067\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
In fact, the apostle John recorded in his Gospel the manner in which he himself was led to follow Jesus through John the Baptist\u2019s testimony.\u3000\u5b9f\u969b\u306b\u4f7f\u5f92\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306f\u81ea\u8eab\u306e\u798f\u97f3\u66f8\u306b\u304a\u3044\u3066\u3001\u30d0\u30d7\u30c6\u30b9\u30de\u306e\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306e\u8a3c\u3057\u3092\u901a\u3057\u3066\u81ea\u3089\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u306b\u5f93\u3046\u306b\u81f3\u3063\u305f\u7d4c\u7def\u3092\u8a18\u9332\u3057\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
John 1:29-37\uff08\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\uff11\u7ae0\uff12\uff19\u7bc0\u2014\uff13\uff17\u7bc0\uff09<\/p>\n
29\u00a0<\/sup>The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, \u201cBehold,\u00a0the Lamb of God who\u00a0takes away the sin of the world!\u00a030\u00a0<\/sup>This is He on behalf of whom I said, \u2018After me comes a Man who\u00a0has a higher rank than I,\u00a0for He existed before me.\u2019\u00a031\u00a0<\/sup>I did not recognize\u00a0Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing\u00a0in water.\u201d\u00a032\u00a0<\/sup>John\u00a0testified saying, \u201cI have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him.\u00a033\u00a0<\/sup>I did not recognize\u00a0Him, but He who sent me to baptize\u00a0in water said to me, \u2018He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him,\u00a0this is the One who baptizes\u00a0in the Holy Spirit.\u2019\u00a034\u00a0<\/sup>I myself have seen, and have testified that this is\u00a0the Son of God.\u201d 35\u00a0<\/sup>Again\u00a0the next day John was standing\u00a0with two of his disciples,\u00a036\u00a0<\/sup>and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, \u201cBehold,\u00a0the Lamb of God!\u201d\u00a037\u00a0<\/sup>The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.\u00a029<\/sup>\u305d\u306e\u7fcc\u65e5\u3001\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306f\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u304c\u81ea\u5206\u306e\u65b9\u306b\u3053\u3089\u308c\u308b\u306e\u3092\u898b\u3066\u8a00\u3063\u305f\u3001\u300c\u898b\u3088\u3001\u4e16\u306e\u7f6a\u3092\u53d6\u308a\u9664\u304f\u795e\u306e\u5c0f\u7f8a\u300230<\/sup>\u300e\u308f\u305f\u3057\u306e\u3042\u3068\u306b\u6765\u308b\u304b\u305f\u306f\u3001\u308f\u305f\u3057\u3088\u308a\u3082\u3059\u3050\u308c\u305f\u304b\u305f\u3067\u3042\u308b\u3002\u308f\u305f\u3057\u3088\u308a\u3082\u5148\u306b\u304a\u3089\u308c\u305f\u304b\u3089\u3067\u3042\u308b\u300f\u3068\u308f\u305f\u3057\u304c\u8a00\u3063\u305f\u306e\u306f\u3001\u3053\u306e\u4eba\u306e\u3053\u3068\u3067\u3042\u308b\u300231<\/sup>\u308f\u305f\u3057\u306f\u3053\u306e\u304b\u305f\u3092\u77e5\u3089\u306a\u304b\u3063\u305f\u3002\u3057\u304b\u3057\u3001\u3053\u306e\u304b\u305f\u304c\u30a4\u30b9\u30e9\u30a8\u30eb\u306b\u73fe\u308c\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u308b\u305d\u306e\u3053\u3068\u306e\u305f\u3081\u306b\u3001\u308f\u305f\u3057\u306f\u304d\u3066\u3001\u6c34\u3067\u30d0\u30d7\u30c6\u30b9\u30de\u3092\u6388\u3051\u3066\u3044\u308b\u306e\u3067\u3042\u308b\u300d\u300232<\/sup>\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306f\u307e\u305f\u3042\u304b\u3057\u3092\u3057\u3066\u8a00\u3063\u305f\u3001\u300c\u308f\u305f\u3057\u306f\u3001\u5fa1\u970a\u304c\u306f\u3068\u306e\u3088\u3046\u306b\u5929\u304b\u3089\u4e0b\u3063\u3066\u3001\u5f7c\u306e\u4e0a\u306b\u3068\u3069\u307e\u308b\u306e\u3092\u898b\u305f\u300233<\/sup>\u308f\u305f\u3057\u306f\u3053\u306e\u4eba\u3092\u77e5\u3089\u306a\u304b\u3063\u305f\u3002\u3057\u304b\u3057\u3001\u6c34\u3067\u30d0\u30d7\u30c6\u30b9\u30de\u3092\u6388\u3051\u308b\u3088\u3046\u306b\u3068\u3001\u308f\u305f\u3057\u3092\u304a\u3064\u304b\u308f\u3057\u306b\u306a\u3063\u305f\u305d\u306e\u304b\u305f\u304c\u3001\u308f\u305f\u3057\u306b\u8a00\u308f\u308c\u305f\u3001\u300e\u3042\u308b\u4eba\u306e\u4e0a\u306b\u3001\u5fa1\u970a\u304c\u4e0b\u3063\u3066\u3068\u3069\u307e\u308b\u306e\u3092\u898b\u305f\u3089\u3001\u305d\u306e\u4eba\u3053\u305d\u306f\u3001\u5fa1\u970a\u306b\u3088\u3063\u3066\u30d0\u30d7\u30c6\u30b9\u30de\u3092\u6388\u3051\u308b\u304b\u305f\u3067\u3042\u308b\u300f\u300234<\/sup>\u308f\u305f\u3057\u306f\u305d\u308c\u3092\u898b\u305f\u306e\u3067\u3001\u3053\u306e\u304b\u305f\u3053\u305d\u795e\u306e\u5b50\u3067\u3042\u308b\u3068\u3001\u3042\u304b\u3057\u3092\u3057\u305f\u306e\u3067\u3042\u308b\u300d\u300235<\/sup>\u305d\u306e\u7fcc\u65e5\u3001\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306f\u307e\u305f\u3075\u305f\u308a\u306e\u5f1f\u5b50\u305f\u3061\u3068\u4e00\u7dd2\u306b\u7acb\u3063\u3066\u3044\u305f\u304c\u300136<\/sup>\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u304c\u6b69\u3044\u3066\u304a\u3089\u308c\u308b\u306e\u306b\u76ee\u3092\u3068\u3081\u3066\u8a00\u3063\u305f\u3001\u300c\u898b\u3088\u3001\u795e\u306e\u5c0f\u7f8a\u300d\u300237<\/sup>\u305d\u306e\u3075\u305f\u308a\u306e\u5f1f\u5b50\u306f\u3001\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u304c\u305d\u3046\u8a00\u3046\u306e\u3092\u805e\u3044\u3066\u3001\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u306b\u3064\u3044\u3066\u884c\u3063\u305f\u3002<\/strong><\/p>\nIt mentions in this passage of Scripture, two disciples of John the Baptist, that when they heard that Jesus was the Lamb of God, they followed Jesus.\u3000 \u3053\u306e\u8056\u66f8\u7b87\u6240\u3067\u306f\u3001\u30d0\u30d7\u30c6\u30b9\u30de\u306e\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306e\u4e8c\u4eba\u306e\u5f1f\u5b50\u304c\u3001\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u304c\u795e\u306e\u5c0f\u7f8a\u3067\u3042\u308b\u3068\u805e\u3044\u305f\u6642\u3001\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u306b\u5f93\u3063\u305f\u3068\u8a18\u3057\u3066\u3044\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
Later it is recorded that one of these disciples was Andrew, while the other unnamed disciple was the apostle John who recorded these things.\u3000 \u305d\u306e\u5f8c\u3001\u3053\u306e\u5f1f\u5b50\u305f\u3061\u306e\u3046\u3061\u306e\u4e00\u4eba\u306f\u30a2\u30f3\u30c9\u30ec\u3067\u3042\u308a\u3001\u3082\u3046\u4e00\u4eba\u306f\u3001\u3053\u308c\u3089\u306e\u3053\u3068\u3092\u8a18\u9332\u3057\u305f\u4f7f\u5f92\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u3067\u3042\u3063\u305f\u3068\u8a18\u3055\u308c\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
Because John the Baptist truly knew he was called by God to be a witness to point people to Jesus, \u30d0\u30d7\u30c6\u30b9\u30de\u306e\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306f\u3001\u81ea\u5206\u304c\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u3092\u4eba\u3005\u306b\u6307\u3057\u793a\u3059\u8a3c\u4eba\u3068\u3057\u3066\u795e\u306b\u53ec\u3055\u308c\u305f\u3053\u3068\u3092\u771f\u306b\u77e5\u3063\u3066\u3044\u305f\u305f\u3081\u3001<\/p>\n
he understood what he was to do and when his work was completed.\u3000\u81ea\u5206\u304c\u4f55\u3092\u3059\u3079\u304d\u304b\u3001\u305d\u3057\u3066\u81ea\u5206\u306e\u4ed5\u4e8b\u304c\u3044\u3064\u5b8c\u4e86\u3059\u308b\u304b\u3092\u7406\u89e3\u3057\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
As Jesus\u2019 public ministry grew more and more, John the Baptist\u2019s own disciples asked him about this.\u3000\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u306e\u516c\u306e\u5ba3\u6559\u6d3b\u52d5\u304c\u307e\u3059\u307e\u3059\u76db\u3093\u306b\u306a\u308b\u306b\u3064\u308c\u3066\u3001\u6d17\u793c\u8005\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306e\u5f1f\u5b50\u305f\u3061\u306f\u3001\u3053\u306e\u3053\u3068\u306b\u3064\u3044\u3066\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306b\u5c0b\u306d\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
Here is how he responded.\u3000 \u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306f\u6b21\u306e\u3088\u3046\u306b\u7b54\u3048\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
John 3:27-36\uff08\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\uff13\u7ae0\uff12\uff17\u7bc0\u2014\uff13\uff16\u7bc0\uff09<\/p>\n
27\u00a0<\/sup>John answered and said, \u201cA man can receive nothing unless it\u00a0has been given him from heaven.\u00a028\u00a0<\/sup>You yourselves\u00a0are my witnesses that I said, \u2018I am not the\u00a0Christ,\u2019 but, \u2018I have been sent ahead of Him.\u2019\u00a029\u00a0<\/sup>He who has the bride is\u00a0the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom\u2019s voice. So this\u00a0joy of mine has been made full.\u00a030\u00a0<\/sup>He must increase, but I must decrease. 31\u00a0<\/sup>He who comes from above is above all,\u00a0he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth.\u00a0He who comes from heaven is above all.\u00a032\u00a0<\/sup>What He has seen and heard, of that He\u00a0testifies; and\u00a0no one receives His testimony.\u00a033\u00a0<\/sup>He who has received His testimony\u00a0has set his seal to\u00a0this<\/em>, that God is true.\u00a034\u00a0<\/sup>For He whom God has\u00a0sent speaks the words of God;\u00a0for He gives the Spirit without measure.\u00a035\u00a0<\/sup>The Father loves the Son and\u00a0has given all things into His hand.\u00a036\u00a0<\/sup>He who\u00a0believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who\u00a0does not\u00a0obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.\u201d 27<\/sup>\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306f\u7b54\u3048\u3066\u8a00\u3063\u305f\u3001\u300c\u4eba\u306f\u5929\u304b\u3089\u4e0e\u3048\u3089\u308c\u306a\u3051\u308c\u3070\u3001\u4f55\u3082\u306e\u3082\u53d7\u3051\u308b\u3053\u3068\u306f\u3067\u304d\u306a\u3044\u3002 28<\/sup>\u300e\u308f\u305f\u3057\u306f\u30ad\u30ea\u30b9\u30c8\u3067\u306f\u306a\u304f\u3001\u305d\u306e\u304b\u305f\u3088\u308a\u3082\u5148\u306b\u3064\u304b\u308f\u3055\u308c\u305f\u8005\u3067\u3042\u308b\u300f\u3068\u8a00\u3063\u305f\u3053\u3068\u3092\u3042\u304b\u3057\u3057\u3066\u304f\u308c\u308b\u306e\u306f\u3001\u3042\u306a\u305f\u304c\u305f\u81ea\u8eab\u3067\u3042\u308b\u300229<\/sup>\u82b1\u5ac1\u3092\u3082\u3064\u8005\u306f\u82b1\u5a7f\u3067\u3042\u308b\u3002\u82b1\u5a7f\u306e\u53cb\u4eba\u306f\u7acb\u3063\u3066\u5f7c\u306e\u58f0\u3092\u805e\u304d\u3001\u305d\u306e\u58f0\u3092\u805e\u3044\u3066\u5927\u3044\u306b\u559c\u3076\u3002\u3053\u3046\u3057\u3066\u3001\u3053\u306e\u559c\u3073\u306f\u308f\u305f\u3057\u306b\u6e80\u3061\u8db3\u308a\u3066\u3044\u308b\u300230<\/sup>\u5f7c\u306f\u5fc5\u305a\u6804\u3048\u3001\u308f\u305f\u3057\u306f\u8870\u3048\u308b\u300231<\/sup>\u4e0a\u304b\u3089\u6765\u308b\u8005\u306f\u3001\u3059\u3079\u3066\u306e\u3082\u306e\u306e\u4e0a\u306b\u3042\u308b\u3002\u5730\u304b\u3089\u51fa\u308b\u8005\u306f\u3001\u5730\u306b\u5c5e\u3059\u308b\u8005\u3067\u3042\u3063\u3066\u3001\u5730\u306e\u3053\u3068\u3092\u8a9e\u308b\u3002\u5929\u304b\u3089\u6765\u308b\u8005\u306f\u3001\u3059\u3079\u3066\u306e\u3082\u306e\u306e\u4e0a\u306b\u3042\u308b\u300232<\/sup>\u5f7c\u306f\u305d\u306e\u898b\u305f\u3068\u3053\u308d\u3001\u805e\u3044\u305f\u3068\u3053\u308d\u3092\u3042\u304b\u3057\u3057\u3066\u3044\u308b\u304c\u3001\u3060\u308c\u3082\u305d\u306e\u3042\u304b\u3057\u3092\u53d7\u3051\u3044\u308c\u306a\u3044\u300233<\/sup>\u3057\u304b\u3057\u3001\u305d\u306e\u3042\u304b\u3057\u3092\u53d7\u3051\u3044\u308c\u308b\u8005\u306f\u3001\u795e\u304c\u307e\u3053\u3068\u3067\u3042\u308b\u3053\u3068\u3092\u3001\u305f\u3057\u304b\u306b\u8a8d\u3081\u305f\u306e\u3067\u3042\u308b\u300234<\/sup>\u795e\u304c\u304a\u3064\u304b\u308f\u3057\u306b\u306a\u3063\u305f\u304b\u305f\u306f\u3001\u795e\u306e\u8a00\u8449\u3092\u8a9e\u308b\u3002\u795e\u306f\u8056\u970a\u3092\u9650\u308a\u306a\u304f\u8cdc\u3046\u304b\u3089\u3067\u3042\u308b\u300235<\/sup>\u7236\u306f\u5fa1\u5b50\u3092\u611b\u3057\u3066\u3001\u4e07\u7269\u3092\u305d\u306e\u624b\u306b\u304a\u4e0e\u3048\u306b\u306a\u3063\u305f\u300236<\/sup>\u5fa1\u5b50\u3092\u4fe1\u3058\u308b\u8005\u306f\u6c38\u9060\u306e\u547d\u3092\u3082\u3064\u3002\u5fa1\u5b50\u306b\u5f93\u308f\u306a\u3044\u8005\u306f\u3001\u547d\u306b\u3042\u305a\u304b\u308b\u3053\u3068\u304c\u306a\u3044\u3070\u304b\u308a\u304b\u3001\u795e\u306e\u6012\u308a\u304c\u305d\u306e\u4e0a\u306b\u3068\u3069\u307e\u308b\u306e\u3067\u3042\u308b\u300d\u3002<\/strong><\/p>\nJohn the Baptist understood that he was not at the center of God\u2019s work of salvation.\u3000\u3000\u3000\u30d0\u30d7\u30c6\u30b9\u30de\u306e \u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306f\u3001\u81ea\u5206\u304c\u795e\u306e\u6551\u3044\u306e\u696d\u306e\u4e2d\u5fc3\u3067\u306f\u306a\u3044\u3053\u3068\u3092\u7406\u89e3\u3057\u3066\u3044\u305f\u306e\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
The Savior was Jesus, and he was Jesus\u2019 attendant like a friend of the bridegroom.\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3000\u6551\u3044\u4e3b\u306f\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u3067\u3042\u308a\u3001\u5f7c\u306f\u82b1\u5a7f\u306e\u53cb\u4eba\u306e\u3088\u3046\u306b\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u306e\u4ed8\u304d\u4eba\u3067\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
John the Baptist also understood the difference between his origin and Jesus\u2019 origin.\u3000 \u3000\u30d0\u30d7\u30c6\u30b9\u30de\u306e\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306f\u307e\u305f\u3001\u81ea\u8eab\u306e\u8d77\u6e90\u3068\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u306e\u8d77\u6e90\u306e\u9055\u3044\u3092\u7406\u89e3\u3057\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
Jesus as the Son of God was from above, that is heaven.\u3000 \u795e\u306e\u5b50\u3067\u3042\u308b\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u306f\u4e0a\u3001\u3059\u306a\u308f\u3061\u5929\u304b\u3089\u6765\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
John the Baptist knew that he himself was a mere mortal chosen by God to testify that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, \u30d0\u30d7\u30c6\u30b9\u30de\u306e\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306f\u3001\u81ea\u5206\u306f\u795e\u306b\u9078\u3070\u308c\u305f\u5358\u306a\u308b\u4eba\u9593\u3067\u3042\u308a\u3001\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u304c\u30ad\u30ea\u30b9\u30c8\u3001\u795e\u306e\u5b50\u3067\u3042\u308b\u3053\u3068\u3092\u8a3c\u3057\u3057\u3001<\/p>\n
so that those who believe Jesus would receive eternal life.\u3000\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u3092\u4fe1\u3058\u308b\u8005\u304c\u6c38\u9060\u306e\u547d\u3092\u53d7\u3051\u308b\u3088\u3046\u306b\u3059\u308b\u305f\u3081\u3067\u3042\u308b\u3053\u3068\u3092\u77e5\u3063\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
Thereafter, John the Baptist was imprisoned for speaking out against king Herod marrying his brother\u2019s wife, and eventually he was beheaded.\u3000\u305d\u306e\u5f8c\u3001\u30d0\u30d7\u30c6\u30b9\u30de\u306e\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306f\u3001\u30d8\u30ed\u30c7\u738b\u304c\u5144\u5f1f\u306e\u59bb\u3068\u7d50\u5a5a\u3057\u305f\u3053\u3068\u3092\u975e\u96e3\u3057\u305f\u305f\u3081\u306b\u6295\u7344\u3055\u308c\u3001\u3064\u3044\u306b\u65ac\u9996\u3055\u308c\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
However, while he was still in prison, he sent to Jesus a question.\u3000\u3057\u304b\u3057\u3001\u7344\u4e2d\u306b\u3044\u305f\u5f7c\u306f\u3001\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u306b\u4e00\u3064\u306e\u554f\u3044\u3092\u9001\u308a\u5c4a\u3051\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
This probably came at a time in his life in which he was in a state of depression like the prophet Elijah had found himself in (1 Kings 19).\u3000 \u3053\u308c\u306f\u304a\u305d\u3089\u304f\u3001\u9810\u8a00\u8005\u30a8\u30ea\u30e4\u304c\u9665\u3063\u305f\u3088\u3046\u306a\uff08\u5217\u738b\u8a18\u4e0a\uff11\uff19\u7ae0\uff09\u3001\u5f7c\u306e\u751f\u6daf\u306b\u304a\u3044\u3066\u6182\u9b31\u306a\u72b6\u614b\u306b\u3042\u3063\u305f\u6642\u671f\u306e\u3053\u3068\u3067\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
Matthew 11:2-6\uff08\u30de\u30bf\u30a4\uff11\uff11\u7ae0\uff12\u7bc0\u2014\uff16\u7bc0\uff09<\/p>\n
2\u00a0<\/sup>Now when\u00a0John,\u00a0while imprisoned, heard of the works of Christ, he sent\u00a0word<\/em>\u00a0by his disciples\u00a03\u00a0<\/sup>and said to Him, \u201cAre You\u00a0the\u00a0Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?\u201d 4 <\/sup>Jesus answered and said to them,\u00a0\u201cGo and report to John what you hear and see:\u00a05\u00a0<\/sup>the<\/em>\u00a0blind receive sight\u00a0and\u00a0the<\/em>\u00a0lame walk,\u00a0the<\/em>\u00a0lepers are cleansed and\u00a0the<\/em>\u00a0deaf hear,\u00a0the<\/em>\u00a0dead are raised up, and\u00a0the<\/em>\u00a0poor have the\u00a0gospel preached to them.\u00a06\u00a0<\/sup>And blessed is he\u00a0who\u00a0does not\u00a0take offense at Me.\u201d 2<\/sup>\u3055\u3066\u3001\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306f\u7344\u4e2d\u3067\u30ad\u30ea\u30b9\u30c8\u306e\u307f\u308f\u3056\u306b\u3064\u3044\u3066\u4f1d\u3048\u805e\u304d\u3001\u81ea\u5206\u306e\u5f1f\u5b50\u305f\u3061\u3092\u3064\u304b\u308f\u3057\u3066\u30013<\/sup>\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u306b\u8a00\u308f\u305b\u305f\u3001\u300c\u300e\u304d\u305f\u308b\u3079\u304d\u304b\u305f\u300f\u306f\u3042\u306a\u305f\u306a\u306e\u3067\u3059\u304b\u3002\u305d\u308c\u3068\u3082\u3001\u307b\u304b\u306b\u3060\u308c\u304b\u3092\u5f85\u3064\u3079\u304d\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046\u304b\u300d\u30024<\/sup>\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u306f\u7b54\u3048\u3066\u8a00\u308f\u308c\u305f\u3001\u300c\u884c\u3063\u3066\u3001\u3042\u306a\u305f\u304c\u305f\u304c\u898b\u805e\u304d\u3057\u3066\u3044\u308b\u3053\u3068\u3092\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306b\u5831\u544a\u3057\u306a\u3055\u3044\u30025<\/sup>\u76f2\u4eba\u306f\u898b\u3048\u3001\u8db3\u306a\u3048\u306f\u6b69\u304d\u3001\u91cd\u3044\u76ae\u819a\u75c5\u306b\u304b\u304b\u3063\u305f\u4eba\u306f\u304d\u3088\u307e\u308a\u3001\u8033\u3057\u3044\u306f\u805e\u3048\u3001\u6b7b\u4eba\u306f\u751f\u304d\u304b\u3048\u308a\u3001\u8ca7\u3057\u3044\u4eba\u3005\u306f\u798f\u97f3\u3092\u805e\u304b\u3055\u308c\u3066\u3044\u308b\u30026<\/sup>\u308f\u305f\u3057\u306b\u3064\u307e\u305a\u304b\u306a\u3044\u8005\u306f\u3001\u3055\u3044\u308f\u3044\u3067\u3042\u308b\u300d\u3002<\/strong><\/p>\nJohn like many others at that time were waiting with anticipation of the Christ setting them free from the bondage of Roman oppression.\u3000 \u5f53\u6642\u306e\u591a\u304f\u306e\u4eba\u3005\u3068\u540c\u69d8\u306b\u3001\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u3082\u307e\u305f\u3001\u30ad\u30ea\u30b9\u30c8\u304c\u30ed\u30fc\u30de\u306e\u5727\u653f\u3068\u3044\u3046\u675f\u7e1b\u304b\u3089\u5f7c\u3089\u3092\u89e3\u653e\u3057\u3066\u304f\u308c\u308b\u3053\u3068\u3092\u671f\u5f85\u3057\u3066\u5f85\u3061\u671b\u3093\u3067\u3044\u305f\u306e\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
John being imprisoned and most likely in chains must have wondered if he was going to see such freedom in his lifetime.\u3000 \u6295\u7344\u3055\u308c\u3001\u304a\u305d\u3089\u304f\u9396\u306b\u3064\u306a\u304c\u308c\u3066\u3044\u305f\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306f\u3001\u81ea\u5206\u306e\u751f\u6daf\u306e\u3046\u3061\u306b\u305d\u306e\u3088\u3046\u306a\u81ea\u7531\u3092\u898b\u3089\u308c\u308b\u304b\u3069\u3046\u304b\u7591\u554f\u306b\u601d\u3063\u305f\u306b\u9055\u3044\u3042\u308a\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002<\/p>\n
We do not know of how John received Jesus\u2019 reply to his question.\u3000 \u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u304c\u81ea\u5206\u306e\u554f\u3044\u306b\u5bfe\u3059\u308b\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u306e\u7b54\u3048\u3092\u3069\u306e\u3088\u3046\u306b\u53d7\u3051\u53d6\u3063\u305f\u304b\u306f\u3001\u79c1\u9054\u306b\u306f\u308f\u304b\u308a\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002<\/p>\n
However, we do get to hear Jesus\u2019 tribute to John.\u3000 \u3057\u304b\u3057\u3001\u79c1\u9054\u306f\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u304c\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306b\u6367\u3052\u305f\u8cdb\u8f9e\u3092\u805e\u304f\u3053\u3068\u304c\u3067\u304d\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
Matthew 11:7-14\uff08\u30de\u30bf\u30a4\uff11\uff11\u7ae0\uff17\u7bc0\u2014\uff11\uff14\u7bc0\uff09<\/p>\n
Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John,\u00a0\u201cWhat did you go out into\u00a0the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?\u00a08\u00a0<\/sup>But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft\u00a0clothing<\/em>? Those who wear soft\u00a0clothing<\/em>\u00a0are in kings\u2019\u00a0palaces!\u00a09\u00a0<\/sup>But what did you go out to see?\u00a0A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet.\u00a010\u00a0<\/sup>This is the one about whom it\u00a0is written, \u2018Behold, I\u00a0send My messenger\u00a0ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You.\u2019 11\u00a0<\/sup>Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is\u00a0least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.\u00a012\u00a0<\/sup>From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven\u00a0suffers violence, and violent men\u00a0take it by force.\u00a013\u00a0<\/sup>For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John.\u00a014\u00a0<\/sup>And if you are willing to accept\u00a0it<\/em>, John himself is\u00a0Elijah who\u00a0was to come.\u00a015\u00a0<\/sup>He who has ears to hear,\u00a0let him hear.\u201d \u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u306f\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306e\u3053\u3068\u3092\u7fa4\u8846\u306b\u8a9e\u308a\u306f\u3058\u3081\u3089\u308c\u305f\u3001\u300c\u3042\u306a\u305f\u304c\u305f\u306f\u3001\u4f55\u3092\u898b\u306b\u8352\u91ce\u306b\u51fa\u3066\u304d\u305f\u306e\u304b\u3002\u98a8\u306b\u63fa\u3089\u3050\u8466\u3067\u3042\u308b\u304b\u30028<\/sup>\u3067\u306f\u3001\u4f55\u3092\u898b\u306b\u51fa\u3066\u304d\u305f\u306e\u304b\u3002\u67d4\u3089\u304b\u3044\u7740\u7269\u3092\u307e\u3068\u3063\u305f\u4eba\u304b\u3002\u67d4\u3089\u304b\u3044\u7740\u7269\u3092\u307e\u3068\u3063\u305f\u4eba\u3005\u306a\u3089\u3001\u738b\u306e\u5bb6\u306b\u3044\u308b\u30029<\/sup>\u3067\u306f\u3001\u306a\u3093\u306e\u305f\u3081\u306b\u51fa\u3066\u304d\u305f\u306e\u304b\u3002\u9810\u8a00\u8005\u3092\u898b\u308b\u305f\u3081\u304b\u3002\u305d\u3046\u3060\u3001\u3042\u306a\u305f\u304c\u305f\u306b\u8a00\u3046\u304c\u3001\u9810\u8a00\u8005\u4ee5\u4e0a\u306e\u8005\u3067\u3042\u308b\u300210<\/sup>\u300e\u898b\u3088\u3001\u308f\u305f\u3057\u306f\u4f7f\u3092\u3042\u306a\u305f\u306e\u5148\u306b\u3064\u304b\u308f\u3057\u3001\u3042\u306a\u305f\u306e\u524d\u306b\u3001\u9053\u3092\u6574\u3048\u3055\u305b\u308b\u3067\u3042\u308d\u3046\u300f\u3068\u66f8\u3044\u3066\u3042\u308b\u306e\u306f\u3001\u3053\u306e\u4eba\u306e\u3053\u3068\u3067\u3042\u308b\u300211<\/sup>\u3042\u306a\u305f\u304c\u305f\u306b\u3088\u304f\u8a00\u3063\u3066\u304a\u304f\u3002\u5973\u306e\u7523\u3093\u3060\u8005\u306e\u4e2d\u3067\u3001\u30d0\u30d7\u30c6\u30b9\u30de\u306e\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u3088\u308a\u5927\u304d\u3044\u4eba\u7269\u306f\u8d77\u3089\u306a\u304b\u3063\u305f\u3002\u3057\u304b\u3057\u3001\u5929\u56fd\u3067\u6700\u3082\u5c0f\u3055\u3044\u8005\u3082\u3001\u5f7c\u3088\u308a\u306f\u5927\u304d\u3044\u300212<\/sup>\u30d0\u30d7\u30c6\u30b9\u30de\u306e\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306e\u6642\u304b\u3089\u4eca\u306b\u81f3\u308b\u307e\u3067\u3001\u5929\u56fd\u306f\u6fc0\u3057\u304f\u8972\u308f\u308c\u3066\u3044\u308b\u3002\u305d\u3057\u3066\u6fc0\u3057\u304f\u8972\u3046\u8005\u305f\u3061\u304c\u305d\u308c\u3092\u596a\u3044\u53d6\u3063\u3066\u3044\u308b\u3002 13<\/sup>\u3059\u3079\u3066\u306e\u9810\u8a00\u8005\u3068\u5f8b\u6cd5\u3068\u304c\u9810\u8a00\u3057\u305f\u306e\u306f\u3001\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306e\u6642\u307e\u3067\u3067\u3042\u308b\u300214<\/sup>\u305d\u3057\u3066\u3001\u3082\u3057\u3042\u306a\u305f\u304c\u305f\u304c\u53d7\u3051\u3044\u308c\u308b\u3053\u3068\u3092\u671b\u3081\u3070\u3001\u3053\u306e\u4eba\u3053\u305d\u306f\u3001\u304d\u305f\u308b\u3079\u304d\u30a8\u30ea\u30e4\u306a\u306e\u3067\u3042\u308b\u300215<\/sup>\u8033\u306e\u3042\u308b\u8005\u306f\u805e\u304f\u304c\u3088\u3044\u300d\u3002<\/strong><\/p>\nJesus made it very clear that John was a specially chosen prophet of God who was sent to prepare the way for Him.\u3000 \u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u306f\u3001\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u304c\u795e\u69d8\u306b\u7279\u5225\u306b\u9078\u3070\u308c\u305f\u9810\u8a00\u8005\u3067\u3042\u308a\u3001\u5fa1\u81ea\u8eab\u306e\u9053\u3092\u5099\u3048\u308b\u305f\u3081\u306b\u9063\u308f\u3055\u308c\u305f\u3053\u3068\u3092\u3001\u306f\u3063\u304d\u308a\u3068\u793a\u3057\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
Jesus\u2019 reference to John himself being Elijah who was to come, points to the very last words of the Old Testament.\u3000\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u304c\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u81ea\u8eab\u3092\u300c\u6765\u305f\u308b\u3079\u304d\u30a8\u30ea\u30e4\u300d\u3068\u547c\u3093\u3060\u3053\u3068\u306f\u3001\u65e7\u7d04\u8056\u66f8\u306e\u6700\u5f8c\u306e\u8a00\u8449\u306b\u6307\u3057\u793a\u3055\u308c\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
Malachi 4:5-6\uff08\u30de\u30e9\u30ad\u66f8\uff14\u7ae0\uff15\u7bc0\u2014\uff16\u7bc0\uff09<\/p>\n
5 <\/sup>\u201cBehold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. 6 <\/sup>He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse.\u201d 5<\/sup>\u300c\u898b\u3088\u3001\u4e3b\u306e\u5927\u3044\u306a\u308b\u6050\u308b\u3079\u304d\u65e5\u304c\u6765\u308b\u524d\u306b\u3001\u308f\u305f\u3057\u306f\u9810\u8a00\u8005\u30a8\u30ea\u30e4\u3092\u3042\u306a\u305f\u304c\u305f\u306b\u3064\u304b\u308f\u3059\u30026<\/sup>\u5f7c\u306f\u7236\u306e\u5fc3\u3092\u305d\u306e\u5b50\u4f9b\u305f\u3061\u306b\u5411\u3051\u3055\u305b\u3001\u5b50\u4f9b\u305f\u3061\u306e\u5fc3\u3092\u305d\u306e\u7236\u306b\u5411\u3051\u3055\u305b\u308b\u3002\u3053\u308c\u306f\u308f\u305f\u3057\u304c\u6765\u3066\u3001\u306e\u308d\u3044\u3092\u3082\u3063\u3066\u3053\u306e\u56fd\u3092\u6483\u3064\u3053\u3068\u306e\u306a\u3044\u3088\u3046\u306b\u3059\u308b\u305f\u3081\u3067\u3042\u308b\u300d\u3002<\/strong><\/p>\nThus, according to God\u2019s perfect plan and time, John was sent to do the work as a prophet before Jesus was sent, \u3057\u305f\u304c\u3063\u3066\u3001\u795e\u69d8\u306e\u5b8c\u5168\u306a\u308b\u8a08\u753b\u3068\u6642\u306b\u3088\u308a\u3001\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u304c\u9063\u308f\u3055\u308c\u308b\u524d\u306b\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u304c\u9810\u8a00\u8005\u3068\u3057\u3066\u9063\u308f\u3055\u308c\u305f\u306e\u306f\u3001<\/p>\n
so that he might prepare the way for people to repent and believe Jesus.\u3000\u4eba\u3005\u304c\u6094\u3044\u6539\u3081\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u3092\u4fe1\u3058\u308b\u305f\u3081\u306e\u9053\u3092\u5099\u3048\u308b\u305f\u3081\u3067\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
In the hand of God, we too can have a significant part in His overarching work of salvation, which always revolves around Jesus.\u3000 \u795e\u69d8\u306e\u5fa1\u624b\u306e\u4e2d\u306b\u3042\u308b\u79c1\u9054\u3082\u3001\u5e38\u306b\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u3092\u4e2d\u5fc3\u306b\u5c55\u958b\u3059\u308b\u795e\u306e\u6551\u3044\u306e\u5927\u3044\u306a\u308b\u5fa1\u696d\u306b\u304a\u3044\u3066\u3001\u91cd\u8981\u306a\u5f79\u5272\u3092\u62c5\u3046\u3053\u3068\u304c\u3067\u304d\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
We too can prepare the way for people to repent and to believe in Jesus by testifying to the truth concerning Him.\u3000 \u79c1\u9054\u3082\u307e\u305f\u3001\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u306b\u95a2\u3059\u308b\u771f\u7406\u3092\u8a3c\u3057\u3059\u308b\u3053\u3068\u3067\u3001\u4eba\u3005\u304c\u6094\u3044\u6539\u3081\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u3092\u4fe1\u3058\u308b\u305f\u3081\u306e\u9053\u3092\u5099\u3048\u308b\u3053\u3068\u304c\u3067\u304d\u308b\u306e\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
We can be like John the Baptist by pointing people to Jesus and telling them that He is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.\u3000 \u79c1\u9054\u306f\u30d0\u30d7\u30c6\u30b9\u30de\u306e\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\u306e\u3088\u3046\u306b\u3001\u4eba\u3005\u3092\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u306b\u5c0e\u304d\u3001\u300c\u3053\u306e\u304a\u65b9\u306f\u4e16\u306e\u7f6a\u3092\u53d6\u308a\u9664\u304f\u795e\u306e\u5c0f\u7f8a\u3067\u3059\u300d\u3068\u544a\u3052\u77e5\u3089\u305b\u308b\u3053\u3068\u304c\u3067\u304d\u308b\u306e\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
We too can have the attitude of \u201cHe must increase, but I must decrease,\u201d in order to seek Jesus\u2019 kingdom and righteousness above our own ministries and successes.\u3000 \u79c1\u9054\u3082\u307e\u305f\u3001\u300c\u5f7c\u306f\u5fc5\u305a\u6804\u3048\u3001\u308f\u305f\u3057\u306f\u8870\u3048\u308b\u300d\u3068\u3044\u3046\u59ff\u52e2\u3092\u6301\u3061\u3001\u81ea\u3089\u306e\u5949\u4ed5\u3084\u6210\u529f\u3088\u308a\u3082\u3001\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u306e\u5fa1\u56fd\u3068\u7fa9\u3092\u8ffd\u3044\u6c42\u3081\u308b\u3053\u3068\u304c\u3067\u304d\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
Last weekend, I had the blessed opportunity to officiate a celebration of life service.\u3000\u5148\u9031\u672b\u3001\u79c1\u306f\u795d\u798f\u3055\u308c\u305f\u6a5f\u4f1a\u306b\u3001\u8ffd\u60bc\u793c\u62dd\u3092\u57f7\u308a\u884c\u3046\u3053\u3068\u304c\u3067\u304d\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
The family chose for that service, 2 Corinthians 5:1-19 in the New Living Translation as the Scripture Reading.\u3000 \u3054\u907a\u65cf\u306f\u305d\u306e\u793c\u62dd\u3067\u3001\u8056\u66f8\u6717\u8aad\u3068\u3057\u3066\u65b0\u5171\u540c\u8a33\u8056\u66f8\u306b\u3088\u308b\u30b3\u30ea\u30f3\u30c8\u306e\u4fe1\u5f92\u3078\u306e\u624b\u7d19\u4e8c \uff15\u7ae0\uff11\u7bc0\u304b\u3089\uff11\uff19\u7bc0\u3092\u9078\u3073\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
Let me read the first half of that passage.\u3000 \u305d\u306e\u6587\u7ae0\u306e\u524d\u534a\u3092\u8aad\u307f\u4e0a\u3052\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
2 Corinthians 5:1-10\uff08\u7b2c\u4e8c\u30b3\u30ea\u30f3\u30c8\uff15\u7ae0\uff11\u7bc0\u2014\uff11\uff10\u7bc0\uff09<\/p>\n
1 <\/sup>For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.\u00a02\u00a0<\/sup>We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing.\u00a03\u00a0<\/sup>For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies.\u00a04\u00a0<\/sup>While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it\u2019s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life.\u00a05\u00a0<\/sup>God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit. 6\u00a0<\/sup>So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord.\u00a07\u00a0<\/sup>For we live by believing and not by seeing.\u00a08\u00a0<\/sup>Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.\u00a09\u00a0<\/sup>So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him.\u00a010\u00a0<\/sup>For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we<\/strong> deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body. 1<\/sup>\u308f\u305f\u3057\u305f\u3061\u306e\u4f4f\u3093\u3067\u3044\u308b\u5730\u4e0a\u306e\u5e55\u5c4b\u304c\u3053\u308f\u308c\u308b\u3068\u3001\u795e\u304b\u3089\u3044\u305f\u3060\u304f\u5efa\u7269\u3001\u3059\u306a\u308f\u3061\u5929\u306b\u3042\u308b\u3001\u4eba\u306e\u624b\u306b\u3088\u3089\u306a\u3044\u6c38\u9060\u306e\u5bb6\u304c\u5099\u3048\u3066\u3042\u308b\u3053\u3068\u3092\u3001\u308f\u305f\u3057\u305f\u3061\u306f\u77e5\u3063\u3066\u3044\u308b\u30022<\/sup>\u305d\u3057\u3066\u3001\u5929\u304b\u3089\u8cdc\u308f\u308b\u305d\u306e\u3059\u307f\u304b\u3092\u3001\u4e0a\u306b\u7740\u3088\u3046\u3068\u5207\u306b\u671b\u307f\u306a\u304c\u3089\u3001\u3053\u306e\u5e55\u5c4b\u306e\u4e2d\u3067\u82e6\u3057\u307f\u3082\u3060\u3048\u3066\u3044\u308b\u30023<\/sup>\u305d\u308c\u3092\u7740\u305f\u306a\u3089\u3001\u88f8\u306e\u307e\u307e\u3067\u306f\u3044\u306a\u3044\u3053\u3068\u306b\u306a\u308d\u3046\u30024<\/sup>\u3053\u306e\u5e55\u5c4b\u306e\u4e2d\u306b\u3044\u308b\u308f\u305f\u3057\u305f\u3061\u306f\u3001\u91cd\u8377\u3092\u8ca0\u3063\u3066\u82e6\u3057\u307f\u3082\u3060\u3048\u3066\u3044\u308b\u3002\u305d\u308c\u3092\u8131\u3054\u3046\u3068\u9858\u3046\u304b\u3089\u3067\u306f\u306a\u304f\u3001\u305d\u306e\u4e0a\u306b\u7740\u3088\u3046\u3068\u9858\u3046\u304b\u3089\u3067\u3042\u308a\u3001\u305d\u308c\u306b\u3088\u3063\u3066\u3001\u6b7b\u306c\u3079\u304d\u3082\u306e\u304c\u3044\u306e\u3061\u306b\u306e\u307e\u308c\u3066\u3057\u307e\u3046\u305f\u3081\u3067\u3042\u308b\u30025<\/sup>\u308f\u305f\u3057\u305f\u3061\u3092\u3001\u3053\u306e\u4e8b\u306b\u304b\u306a\u3046\u8005\u306b\u3057\u3066\u4e0b\u3055\u3063\u305f\u306e\u306f\u3001\u795e\u3067\u3042\u308b\u3002\u305d\u3057\u3066\u3001\u795e\u306f\u305d\u306e\u4fdd\u8a3c\u3068\u3057\u3066\u5fa1\u970a\u3092\u308f\u305f\u3057\u305f\u3061\u306b\u8cdc\u308f\u3063\u305f\u306e\u3067\u3042\u308b\u30026<\/sup>\u3060\u304b\u3089\u3001\u308f\u305f\u3057\u305f\u3061\u306f\u3044\u3064\u3082\u5fc3\u5f37\u3044\u3002\u305d\u3057\u3066\u3001\u8089\u4f53\u3092\u5bbf\u3068\u3057\u3066\u3044\u308b\u9593\u306f\u4e3b\u304b\u3089\u96e2\u308c\u3066\u3044\u308b\u3053\u3068\u3092\u3001\u3088\u304f\u77e5\u3063\u3066\u3044\u308b\u30027<\/sup>\u308f\u305f\u3057\u305f\u3061\u306f\u3001\u898b\u3048\u308b\u3082\u306e\u306b\u3088\u3089\u306a\u3044\u3067\u3001\u4fe1\u4ef0\u306b\u3088\u3063\u3066\u6b69\u3044\u3066\u3044\u308b\u306e\u3067\u3042\u308b\u3002 8<\/sup>\u305d\u308c\u3067\u3001\u308f\u305f\u3057\u305f\u3061\u306f\u5fc3\u5f37\u3044\u3002\u305d\u3057\u3066\u3001\u3080\u3057\u308d\u8089\u4f53\u304b\u3089\u96e2\u308c\u3066\u4e3b\u3068\u5171\u306b\u4f4f\u3080\u3053\u3068\u304c\u3001\u9858\u308f\u3057\u3044\u3068\u601d\u3063\u3066\u3044\u308b\u30029<\/sup>\u305d\u3046\u3044\u3046\u308f\u3051\u3060\u304b\u3089\u3001\u8089\u4f53\u3092\u5bbf\u3068\u3057\u3066\u3044\u308b\u306b\u3057\u3066\u3082\u3001\u305d\u308c\u304b\u3089\u96e2\u308c\u3066\u3044\u308b\u306b\u3057\u3066\u3082\u3001\u305f\u3060\u4e3b\u306b\u559c\u3070\u308c\u308b\u8005\u3068\u306a\u308b\u306e\u304c\u3001\u5fc3\u304b\u3089\u306e\u9858\u3044\u3067\u3042\u308b\u300210<\/sup>\u306a\u305c\u306a\u3089\u3001\u308f\u305f\u3057\u305f\u3061\u306f\u7686\u3001\u30ad\u30ea\u30b9\u30c8\u306e\u3055\u3070\u304d\u306e\u5ea7\u306e\u524d\u306b\u3042\u3089\u308f\u308c\u3001\u5584\u3067\u3042\u308c\u60aa\u3067\u3042\u308c\u3001\u81ea\u5206\u306e\u884c\u3063\u305f\u3053\u3068\u306b\u5fdc\u3058\u3066\u3001\u305d\u308c\u305e\u308c\u5831\u3044\u3092\u53d7\u3051\u306d\u3070\u306a\u3089\u306a\u3044\u304b\u3089\u3067\u3042\u308b\u3002<\/strong><\/p>\nI had read this passage of Scripture many times before, but as I prepared for that service, I was truly struck by the powerful work of God in those who are given life in Christ.\u3000\u3053\u306e\u8056\u53e5\u306f\u4ee5\u524d\u306b\u3082\u4f55\u5ea6\u3082\u8aad\u3093\u3060\u3053\u3068\u304c\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3057\u305f\u304c\u3001\u305d\u306e\u8ffd\u60bc\u793c\u62dd\u306e\u6e96\u5099\u3092\u3057\u3066\u3044\u308b\u6642\u3001\u30ad\u30ea\u30b9\u30c8\u306b\u3042\u3063\u3066\u547d\u3092\u4e0e\u3048\u3089\u308c\u305f\u8005\u305f\u3061\u306e\u4e2d\u306b\u50cd\u304f\u795e\u306e\u529b\u5f37\u3044\u5fa1\u696d\u306b\u3001\u79c1\u306f\u6df1\u304f\u5fc3\u3092\u6253\u305f\u308c\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n
This passage of Scripture reminds us of the temporary and trying nature of our life here on this earth and the blessings of a life lived with God and an eternity together with Him in heaven.\u3053\u306e\u8056\u53e5\u306f\u3001\u3053\u306e\u5730\u4e0a\u3067\u306e\u79c1\u305f\u3061\u306e\u4eba\u751f\u304c\u4e00\u6642\u7684\u3067\u8a66\u7df4\u306b\u6e80\u3061\u305f\u3082\u306e\u3067\u3042\u308b\u3053\u3068\u3001\u305d\u3057\u3066\u795e\u3068\u5171\u306b\u6b69\u3080\u4eba\u751f\u3068\u5929\u56fd\u3067\u795e\u3068\u5171\u306b\u904e\u3054\u3059\u6c38\u9060\u306e\u795d\u798f\u3092\u79c1\u305f\u3061\u306b\u601d\u3044\u8d77\u3053\u3055\u305b\u3066\u304f\u308c\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
Here, we can see clearly why and how God gives us the ministry of reconciliation to point people to God through Jesus Christ.\u3000 \u3053\u3053\u3067\u3001\u795e\u69d8\u304c\u306a\u305c\u3001\u3069\u306e\u3088\u3046\u306b\u3057\u3066\u79c1\u9054\u306b\u548c\u89e3\u306e\u52d9\u3081\u3092\u4e0e\u3048\u3001\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u30fb\u30ad\u30ea\u30b9\u30c8\u3092\u901a\u3057\u3066\u4eba\u3005\u3092\u795e\u69d8\u3078\u3068\u5c0e\u304f\u306e\u304b\u304c\u3001\u306f\u3063\u304d\u308a\u3068\u793a\u3055\u308c\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
For many of us who are here today, maybe we too are growing weary of our earthly bodies and are longing to go to be with the Lord.\u3000 \u4eca\u65e5\u3053\u3053\u306b\u3044\u308b\u79c1\u9054\u306e\u591a\u304f\u3082\u3001\u3053\u306e\u5730\u4e0a\u306e\u8089\u4f53\u306b\u75b2\u308c\u3001\u4e3b\u306e\u3082\u3068\u306b\u884c\u304f\u3053\u3068\u3092\u5207\u306b\u9858\u3063\u3066\u3044\u308b\u304b\u3082\u3057\u308c\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002<\/p>\n
Yet, we continue to live by faith in Jesus Christ, \u305d\u308c\u3067\u3082\u306a\u304a\u3001\u79c1\u9054\u306f\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u30fb\u30ad\u30ea\u30b9\u30c8\u3078\u306e\u4fe1\u4ef0\u306b\u3088\u3063\u3066\u751f\u304d\u7d9a\u3051\u3001<\/p>\n
knowing that we have a responsibility to share with others the hope and joy of living a life together with God through faith in Jesus Christ.\u3000\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u30fb\u30ad\u30ea\u30b9\u30c8\u3078\u306e\u4fe1\u4ef0\u3092\u901a\u3057\u3066\u795e\u69d8\u3068\u5171\u306b\u751f\u304d\u308b\u5e0c\u671b\u3068\u559c\u3073\u3092\u4ed6\u306e\u4eba\u3005\u3068\u5206\u304b\u3061\u5408\u3046\u8cac\u4efb\u304c\u3042\u308b\u3053\u3068\u3092\u77e5\u3063\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
Jesus Christ died for everyone by going to the cross for our sins, so that those who receive His new life will no longer live for themselves, but will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. (2 Corinthians 5:15) \u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u30fb\u30ad\u30ea\u30b9\u30c8\u304c\u3059\u3079\u3066\u306e\u4eba\u306e\u305f\u3081\u306b\u79c1\u305f\u3061\u306e\u7f6a\u306e\u305f\u3081\u306b\u5341\u5b57\u67b6\u3067\u6b7b\u3093\u3060\u306e\u306f\u3001\u751f\u304d\u3066\u3044\u308b\u8005\u304c\u3082\u306f\u3084\u81ea\u5206\u306e\u305f\u3081\u306b\u3067\u306f\u306a\u304f\u3001\u81ea\u5206\u306e\u305f\u3081\u306b\u6b7b\u3093\u3067\u3088\u307f\u304c\u3048\u3063\u305f\u304b\u305f\u306e\u305f\u3081\u306b\u3001\u751f\u304d\u308b\u305f\u3081\u3067\u3042\u308b\uff08\u7b2c\u4e8c\u30b3\u30ea\u30f3\u30c8\uff15\u7ae0\uff11\uff15\u7bc0\uff09\u3002<\/p>\n
For anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5:17) \u3060\u308c\u3067\u3082\u30ad\u30ea\u30b9\u30c8\u306b\u3042\u308b\u306a\u3089\u3070\u3001\u305d\u306e\u4eba\u306f\u65b0\u3057\u304f\u9020\u3089\u308c\u305f\u8005\u3067\u3042\u308b\u3002\u53e4\u3044\u3082\u306e\u306f\u904e\u304e\u53bb\u3063\u305f\u3001\u898b\u3088\u3001\u3059\u3079\u3066\u304c\u65b0\u3057\u304f\u306a\u3063\u305f\u306e\u3067\u3042\u308b\uff08\u7b2c\u4e8c\u30b3\u30ea\u30f3\u30c8\uff15\u7ae0\uff11\uff17\u7bc0\uff09\u3002<\/strong><\/p>\nOur calling is therefore to encourage others to be reconciled to God, \u79c1\u305f\u3061\u306e\u4f7f\u547d\u306f\u3001\u4ed6\u306e\u4eba\u3005\u304c\u795e\u3068\u548c\u89e3\u3059\u308b\u3088\u3046\u4fc3\u3059\u3053\u3068\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
that is to repent and come to God through believing in Jesus Christ.\u3000\u3059\u306a\u308f\u3061\u3001\u6094\u3044\u6539\u3081\u3001\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u30fb\u30ad\u30ea\u30b9\u30c8\u3092\u4fe1\u3058\u308b\u3053\u3068\u3067\u795e\u306e\u3082\u3068\u306b\u6765\u308b\u3088\u3046\u306b\u5c0e\u304f\u3053\u3068\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21) \u795e\u306f\u308f\u305f\u3057\u305f\u3061\u306e\u7f6a\u306e\u305f\u3081\u306b\u3001\u7f6a\u3092\u77e5\u3089\u306a\u3044\u304b\u305f\u3092\u7f6a\u3068\u3055\u308c\u305f\u3002\u305d\u308c\u306f\u3001\u308f\u305f\u3057\u305f\u3061\u304c\u3001\u5f7c\u306b\u3042\u3063\u3066\u795e\u306e\u7fa9\u3068\u306a\u308b\u305f\u3081\u306a\u306e\u3067\u3042\u308b\uff08\u7b2c\u4e8c\u30b3\u30ea\u30f3\u30c8\uff15\u7ae0\uff12\uff11\u7bc0\uff09\u3002<\/strong><\/p>\nI truly believe that all of us are to prepare the way for others to come to know Jesus.\u3000\u3000\u3000 \u79c1\u9054\u306f\u7686\u3001\u4ed6\u306e\u4eba\u3005\u304c\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u3092\u77e5\u308b\u9053\u3092\u5099\u3048\u308b\u305f\u3081\u306b\u5b58\u5728\u3057\u3066\u3044\u308b\u3068\u5fc3\u304b\u3089\u4fe1\u3058\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
We live right now, where we are, with the people around us, according to God\u2019s plan and perfect time.\u3000 \u79c1\u9054\u306f\u4eca\u3001\u3053\u306e\u5834\u6240\u3067\u3001\u5468\u308a\u306e\u4eba\u3005\u3068\u5171\u306b\u3001\u795e\u69d8\u306e\u8a08\u753b\u3068\u5b8c\u5168\u306a\u6642\u306e\u4e2d\u3067\u751f\u304d\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
Therefore, let us be thankful for the life that we have and the place that He has planted us, and enjoy our time with the people that God has brought into our lives.\u3000\u3067\u3059\u304b\u3089\u3001\u4e0e\u3048\u3089\u308c\u305f\u547d\u3068\u795e\u69d8\u304c\u79c1\u9054\u3092\u7f6e\u304b\u308c\u305f\u5834\u6240\u306b\u611f\u8b1d\u3057\u3001\u795e\u69d8\u304c\u79c1\u9054\u306e\u4eba\u751f\u306b\u5c0e\u3044\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3063\u305f\u4eba\u3005\u3068\u306e\u6642\u3092\u697d\u3057\u307f\u307e\u3057\u3087\u3046\u3002<\/p>\n
And let us point them to Jesus!\u3000 \u305d\u3057\u3066\u5f7c\u3089\u3092\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u69d8\u3078\u3068\u5c0e\u304d\u307e\u3057\u3087\u3046\uff01<\/p>\n
Let us pray. \u304a\u7948\u308a\u3057\u307e\u3057\u3087\u3046\u3002<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u672c\u65e5\u306e\u304a\u3082\u3061\u304b\u3048\u308a
\n\uff12\uff10\uff12\uff15\u5e74\uff19\u6708\uff12\uff18\u65e5<\/p>\n
\u30e1\u30c3\u30bb\u30fc\u30b8\u306e\u4e2d\u3067\u53c2\u7167\u3057\u305f\u8056\u53e5\uff1a\u30de\u30e9\u30ad\u66f8\uff14\u7ae0\uff15\u7bc0\u2014\uff16\u7bc0\u3001\u30de\u30bf\u30a4\uff13\u7ae0\uff11\uff13\u7bc0\u2014\uff11\uff17\u7bc0\u3001 \uff11\uff11\u7ae0\uff12\u7bc0\u2014\uff11\uff14\u7bc0\u3001\u30eb\u30ab\uff11\u7ae0\uff13\uff19\u7bc0\u2014\uff14\uff15\u7bc0\u3068\uff17\uff16\u7bc0\u2014\uff17\uff19\u7bc0\u3001\u30e8\u30cf\u30cd\uff11\u7ae0\uff16\u7bc0\u2014\uff18\u7bc0\u3068 \uff12\uff19\u7bc0\u2014\uff13\uff17\u7bc0\u3001\uff13\u7ae0\uff12\uff17\u7bc0\u2014\uff13\uff16\u7bc0\u3001\u7b2c\u4e8c\u30b3\u30ea\u30f3\u30c8\uff15\u7ae0\uff11\u7bc0\u2014\uff12\uff11\u7bc0<\/p>\n
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