GOOD NEWS

THERE WILL BE NO DEVOTIONAL 
ON CHRISTMAS DAY!

… (the Shepherds) 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.”  Luke 2:9b-10

         The sudden appearance of heavenly angels out of nowhere in the darkness of night would have terrified anyone and the Shepherds were no different. The angel assured them that he came in peace by proclaiming that he brought good news, which would undoubtedly be well received by the people.  A Savior had come into the world.  Not a warrior king as the Jews had been expecting, but rather a baby who would grow to be a man over the course of time. Knowing that their Savior and Messiah had come in the form of a baby must have been a disappointment to some, for they wished to be rid of the Roman rule that dominated the area.  In their minds the Messiah would take care of all that.  The Jews were not real keen on waiting.  It just seemed to them that now was the time rather than later. 

         Patience isn’t one of man’s greatest attributes.  We all struggle with the concept of waiting.  We always want to know how long the wait will be.  Faith gives us no answers in this regard except ‘be patient and wait’.  The unwritten footnote is that we are expected to wait as long as it takes.  God always knows exactly what He’s doing. In the interest of spiritual growth we are kept in the dark as to He plans.

         The good news spoken of is, in essence, the Gospel message.  The great joy that this message brings is that the sins of all would be placed on the body of One.  No more would they have to go annually to bring a spotless sacrifice to the High Priest to present before God as a means of covering over their sins from the past year. Now they would be paid for once for all time through the blood sacrifice of Christ.

        Think of it this way: the Old Testament way of forgiveness is like having the word SIN written in indelible marker on a piece of wood, then once a year having white paint brushed over it to conceal it.  The sin is still there, it has just been covered over.  After Christ’s blood sacrifice was made it was like having the word SIN written on a white board, then running an eraser thru the word, removing it from the board.  The sin has been taken away as if it was never there in the first place.  We become JUSTIFIED (Just As If I’d Never Sinned!) That’s the difference!  THAT is the good news of great joy for all the people.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!