Luke 2:8-14
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.””
Luke 2:8-14 NIV
Incredibly, when the angel of God announced the birth of God's Son, the King, God gave His location to the shepherds as "lying in a manger." Luke wants us to grasp three powerful truths in this simple description.
God tapped into the long line of imagery that ties him and his work to shepherds. Even though shepherds were not respected in Jesus day, God announced the birth of His Son to them first. This announcement is part of Luke's emphasis on God's desire to reach all kinds of people across every stratum of life. The Savior entered the world in humble circumstances, born to an ordinary and otherwise unnoticeable family.
The grand and the forgotten, the glorious and the abandoned, those who have the promise and those who are hopeful are all combined into God's story of love, grace, and salvation.
The needle that sews this tapestry of grace is God's love. His thread is the Holy Spirit. His good news is that Jesus, God's Son and our Savior, has arrived at a location we can all find, knocking on the door of our hearts.
What a glorious sight those shepherds must have encountered that night when the angel of the Lord suddenly appeared before them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them as they tended their little flocks of sheep, on those dark hills encircling the little town of Bethlehem.
No wonder the Bible records that they were sore afraid. But what a great consolation to hear the angel's comforting words, and receive his uplifting reassurance that He had come to bring good tidings of great joy, for all the people.
What an exquisite sound must have greeted their ears, when that immense celestial chorus joined that angelic messenger, as the entire host of angels lit up the night sky, and broke forth into their thrilling song of rejoicing, "glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men - with whom God is pleased."
This message of goodwill to all men, is particularly remembered when we celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus, and recall the beautiful story of a young virgin and her espoused husband, who were entrusted with the upbringing of God's only begotten Son Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh.
But the true message that was shared on that Bethlehem hillside, was that these good tidings which spoke of joy to mankind and peace on earth were for a particular group of people. The good tidings of great joy and lasting peace about which the angels sang, were for men of goodwill, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men - the men, with whom God is pleased.
Peace on earth to people who enjoy God's favour." We read that on earth there will be peace... among men of goodwill. God has promised peace to men with whom the Lord is well-pleased, those that are saved by grace through faith in Christ
Let us join with that angelic chorus, and tell souls that are dead in their sins the truth. Let us tell all who are at enmity with God, the good news of the gospel of grace that Christ died for their sins, and rose again so that all who believe on Him would not perish, but receive peace with God and be granted the peace of God in their heart.
Only those that have been saved by grace, will be among the joyful congregation that witnesses the Prince of Peace, when He comes to set up His everlasting Kingdom when peace on earth will be governed in righteousness, and Jesus is crowned King of kings and Lord of lords!!!
Father thank You for this day and that we have peace with God, and as Your born-again children, that we have received Your goodwill and grace, not only in this age but in the ages to come. Lord let Your abundant blessings flow over my friend and family today. Lord thank You that because we are positioned in You and clothed in Your righteousness, are identified with You. Lord thank You we have found favour in Your sight, and the peace of God in our hearts. Lord we know that without You there is nothing we could have done to warrant peace with You, for we acknowledge that we are a sinner, deserving of death but glory to God in the highest, that peace has been granted to men with whom You are pleased. Lord use my friend to be someone’s blessing today.
Father, we love You. Amen !
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