Good News
“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Luke 2.10-11
As I was sitting down to write this devotional, I received an SMS message on my cell phone announcing the birth of our granddaughter, Rose Leanne. The birth of any child is always good news. There hugs all around, glasses raised, pictures shared on Facebook with accompanied “likes” and congratulatory comments, and beaming smiles on the faces of proud parents and grandparents alike. Yet, the celebrants are restricted to a close circle of family and friends. The rest of the world just passes by, unaware that any significant event has occurred. Not so with the birth of Jesus. Angels were sent to announce His arrival. Signs were seen in the heavens. A star was especially designed to lead wise men from distant lands to the place of His birth. The good news of this baby’s birth was not for just a few, but, as the angel said, it was good news of great joy for all people.
The birth of Jesus is Good News for those who walk in darkness. Before birth there is darkness. Before creation there was darkness. Isaiah spoke of the day when those who walk in darkness would see a great light. Jesus came as the light of the world. In the dark, one stumbles and falls. Without light, one cannot find his way. He is as the walking dead; without direction or purpose. When the light is turned on, people wake up. They can see and understand, what before was an enigma. The Bible says that God is Light and in Him is no darkness nor shadows. (I John 1.5) The light became flesh, God incarnate, and the darkness had to flee.
The birth of Jesus is Good News for the sinner. Jesus came to save us from our sin. Sin separates us from God eternally. Sin is the spiritual condition of all of us. It is the stubborn doing of our own thing that results in death and eternal damnation. Jesus’s birth gave hope to all mankind. Instead of an eternity in hell there is forgiveness and eternal life. Jesus not only provided a way to have a better life here on earth, but provided a way to relate to God the Father. Sin had closed the door to God, but Jesus opened the door. There is no other Way, no other Truth and no other Door, but Jesus.
The birth of Jesus is the beginning of the Kingdom of heaven here on earth. Jesus was born as a king. The wise men knew this through their interpretation of the star that they followed to the place of His birth. The prophets foretold the coming of a king and King Herod feared it. Before His birth, the kingdom of darkness ruled over mankind; all were slaves to the enemy’s desires. The King of Heaven came to set the captive free. He came to establish order and peace. Jesus came to recover what had been lost; to regain control over this part of His creation. He is a Sovereign king and His will is the only will to be obeyed. In the Kingdom of God there is no democracy, no self-rule, nor is there any place for various opinions. His kingdom is perfect and He rules in righteousness, peace and joy through the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14.17) By faith, you can enter into this Kingdom of God’s love. By receiving Jesus as your Lord and Savior, the door will opened to you.
Scriptures to meditate on:
Luke 2.1-21; Mat. 2.1-12; Is. 9.2-7; John 3.16-17; 8.12; I Tim. 1.15