My mind has been riveted on a phrase in Luke 2 of
late. After describing how Mary gave
birth to Jesus, the scene shifts in verse 8.
It says, “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” (verse 9). You can understand them being
frightened. They are going about their
duties, and all of the sudden, in the darkness of night, an angel appears. That’s not something that happens on your
work shift every day!
The angel says, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will
be for all people. Today in the city of
David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Look at that again: “I bring you good news of
great joy that will be for all people.” Stop and contemplate the ramifications of these
words. The angel says that the arrival
of Jesus is good news for all
people. Whether you are Jew, Gentile,
American, Chinese, Portuguese, Australian, British, male or female, rich or poor,
the birth of Jesus is good news for you.
Why do I say this?
Look at Luke 2 again; “Today in the city of David a Savior has been born
to you; he is Christ the Lord” (verse 11).
You see, mankind has a dark blight on its soul: sin. Isaiah 53
tells us, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his
own way.” The Bible says, “For all have
sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Further, God is perfectly holy and righteous; he hates sin with a
passion. He finds it repugnant.
But, because of His love for mankind, even in the midst
of our sinful state, God took the initiative to give humanity a salvation plan;
a plan of deliverance; a plan of reconciliation. Romans 5:8 reads, “But God demonstrated his
own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.” 1 John 2:2 tells us that Jesus Christ is “the
atoning sacrifice for sins, and not only for ours but also for the whole
world.” The Bible tells us, “For Christ
died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to
God” (1 Peter 3:18). Jesus is the Savior
of the whole world because He saves people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).
Let the words of Luke 2:10 inspire you to give your life
to Jesus Christ if you haven’t. Luke
2:10: “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.” The
news of Jesus’ birth is for all people because He died for all people. You can say “yes” to Him today. Jesus’ offer is available for you. If you want to place your faith and trust in
Jesus for your forgiveness, salvation, and reconciliation, the Bible says you
can. Romans 10:13 says, “Whoever calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Revelation 22:17 tells us, “Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and
whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.”
Kevin
