and the angel said to them, “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]
good news.
good news … of great joy.
good news of great joy … for all the people.
three reminders today on christmas eve that i, that we need to hear from the Spirit of God.
1) Jesus, the son of God, came to earth to save sinners like you and i from the wrath of God, to save us who had no hope to escape God’s judgment. this is really good news! remember, you once were hopelessly separated from God and under great judgment, but fear not, Jesus has come to save you.
2) Jesus came to earth to save sinners like you and i so we could be with God and know his joy! he did not come just save us, just to remove his wrath. no! he came to make us right with God – so we could be with God – so we could be in the presence of God and his joy! that is really good news!!! remember, you were once separated from God looking for joy in anything and everything but God. but good news, great joy has come to you in Jesus.
3) Jesus came to earth to save – and this good news is for all people. not for the good. apart from God’s presence in us, none of us are good. not for the deserving, for none are deserving. not for the lovely, or the beautiful, or those born in the right land, with the right skin color, or the right parents. no. Jesus stepped out of heaven, put on flesh and blood, and was born of a virgin girl. he walked 33 years in perfect obedience to his Father and then suffered the full weight of his Father’s wrath for your sin. and then, he rose from the grave proving sin and death were subject to his power. giving hope to all people that there is a God who came to save all who would trust their sinful souls to Jesus. this good news – is for all people! remember, there are many across the globe who have not heard this good news. who will bring this message? pray for many more people to be sent – people like you and i. remember, there are many in our neighborhoods, and maybe even our own homes, who do not know Jesus as Savior and Lord. today, we get to bring the message of the angel. and, it is 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.
~ john ryan