Title: Good News / Luke 2:8-14
There are many stories of joy and sorrow in the world, such as legends, ancient novels, modern novels, and secrets. However, the story that can be picked the best among the many stories is the story of Christmas. This Christmas story is timeless and timeless, an amazing story that you won't get tired of hearing over and over again.
The story begins with the fact that 2005 years ago, the Savior Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, the land of Judea. At that time, almost all of the region was under the control of the Roman Empire, which rested on the weary shoulders of millions of slaves. The state, society, and religion were engulfed in formalism and infidelity, and religious leaders were engaged in injustice and evil deeds. The people suffered from political, economic, as well as religious suffering. It was a dark world full of sorrow and despair. At this time, Jesus, the hope of the world and the gospel of all mankind, came to this earth. He came to this world to save us human beings who are perishing and have no choice but to die forever.
From that time on, the really good news began to spread that “God is with us”. In a world of sorrow, joy shone, hope in a world of despair, and light of light in a world of darkness. So why is this story called good news, tidings of joy and hope? And why does it still touch the hearts of so many people? We would like to review its meaning through the text.
Because it is the news of salvation and healing.
The text says, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, who is Christ the Lord” (verse 11). Jesus, the Son of God, came into this world not to be exalted or to judge the world, but to save the world. Jesus came to deliver us from death and hell from sin and perdition. Man could not but die under sin and could not become the children of God, but Jesus came to take away the debt of our law by bearing the burden of all our sins and bearing the cross.
Jesus came to this earth to become our guarantor and the propitiation sacrifice between us and God. Jesus made it possible for us to call God “Abba, Father” and to be the Provider of spiritual food, giving joy to the heart (John 16:22), righteousness to the soul (Romans 4:25), and a life-giving Spirit to our spirit and spirit. You made your soul fat. From sin, from disease, from the devil, from the law, from death, freedom to the captives and release to the prisoners. He has given light in our darkened history, equality in our oppressive history, and justice in our crooked history. He also cured all diseases. In this way, Jesus is the sun of the world and came as light in a dark world. He came to give love to a world of hatred, trust to a world of distrust, peace to a world of anxiety, and hope to a world of despair. This is why the Christmas story is good news for us.
Because it is the news of a blessed life and blessing.
Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Jesus came to give the abundance of life as well as everything as a bonus to God-centered people. During the three and a half years of symbiosis, Jesus fed those who were with the Lord. He gave them miracles and blessings. You have given me peace. This is not just a story limited to the time of Jesus.
Therefore, we must spread this good news to all the people of the world.
In today's text, the angels said, "Behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will come to all the people" (Text 10). The news that Christ was born is a message that will come to all the people. This means that we must preach the gospel unconditionally whether we hear the gospel or believe it or not.
Although Jesus came as a Jew, He did not come as the only Savior of the Jews. He came as the Savior of all peoples. Jesus Christ came as the hope of all mankind and the Savior of all peoples in the world. Although this story tells of an event that took place in the corner of a manger in the small city of Bethlehem, this is a historical event that must be disclosed to all people. This is good news for all mankind. Because this news is an event that must be preached to all the people, the Bible says, "Preach the word in season and out of season", "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15), It says to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). Therefore, regardless of race, country, language, religion, ideology, or ideology, this news must be delivered. Whatever family and occupation, gender and age, knowledge and class, it must be passed on.
This story is good news that everyone should hear, regardless of whether they are healthy or disabled, healthy or sick, rich or poor, noble or lowly, happy or unhappy (Colossians 3:11). The birth of Jesus is significant news about life and death, happiness and unhappiness, eternal life and hell for all mankind. So, since the news of the first Christmas was announced to the shepherds who were tending their sheep in the fields of Bethlehem, this joyous message has been transmitted across time and place.
Therefore, we must inform. We must tell our neighbors by word, deed, and love. Because spreading this good news is to glorify God, to please Christ who was born, and to make the meaning of Christmas worthwhile. On the day when the children who will be destroyed become children of God, when we all receive Jesus Christ in our hearts, glory will come to heaven and peace to earth. Let's restore the meaning of Jesus' coming to this earth and glorify God by sharing this good news and the good news of life to the world.