Greetings!
The Scripture says that in His incarnation the Lord of glory (1 Cor. 2:8) “emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and [was] made in the likeness of men” (Phil. 2:7). All the adjectives and exclamations in language could never say enough about that reality. Yet, paradoxically, history’s most notable birth happened under the most obscure, nondescript, humble circumstances imaginable—Jesus was born in the place where the animals of those staying in a public shelter were kept. No one in the sleepy little village of Bethlehem realized the significance of what had happened, except, to a certain degree, the Child’s parents. But that was about to change; the silence regarding the Savior’s birth would be broken in a most supernaturally dramatic way.
I pray you will be challenged, convicted, encouraged, and blessed by today's devotional to the glory of God.
FOR TODAY, UNTO YOU IS BORN A SAVIOR
Part 5
The announcement of the birth of Jesus Christ heralds the greatest good news that the world has ever heard. From the narrative of that announcement and its aftermath, five truths about the good news emerge: (1) the proclamation of the good news, (2) the pervasiveness of the good news, (3) the person of the good news, (4) the purpose of the good news, and (5) the picture of the good news.
THE PURPOSE OF THE GOOD NEWS
Luke 2:13-14 (NASB)
13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."
While the "angel" was speaking to the shepherds something even more amazing took place. "Suddenly" (cf. Luke 2:9; Mal. 3:1; Mark 13:36; Acts 2:2; 9:3; 1 Thess. 5:3) "there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host." How many of the millions of holy angels (“myriad” is the Greek word for 10,000, the highest number for which there was a word, hence the use of the expression “myriads of myriads” to indicate more [Rev. 5:11]) appeared is not revealed, but the term "multitude" signifies a large group. The appearance of so many angels at once is unprecedented in Scripture.
These angels were doing what angels constantly do, "praising God" (cf. Rev. 7:11-12).
- Revelation 5:11-12 (NASB)
-
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing."
All heaven broke loose with rejoicing at the birth of the Son of God. The angels knew Him as the second person of the Trinity before His incarnation, where they saw His ineffable glory. They understood that the fall had transformed the human race into sinful rebels against God, but they also knew that God had provided a way of salvation for man. Their deep concern for the salvation of sinners causes there to be “joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10). The angelic chorus of praise reflects the transcendent pinnacle of all thought and action; the highest of all truths; the supreme reason for all that exists—the glory of God.
The ultimate purpose of the good news of salvation is to save sinners so they can join the angels in glorifying God.
The angels ascribed "glory to God in the highest;" that is, heaven. "On earth," the lowest place in comparison with heaven, they proclaimed "peace among men with whom He is pleased." The "peace" of which the angels spoke is the peace with God that results from salvation (cf. Acts 10:36).
- Romans 5:1-2 (NASB)
-
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.
- Romans 5:1-2 (AMP)
-
THEREFORE, SINCE we are justified (acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through faith, let us [grasp the fact that we] have [the peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). 2 Through Him also we have [our] access (entrance, introduction) by faith into this grace (state of God's favor) in which we [firmly and safely] stand. And let us rejoice and exult in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God.
- Romans 5:1-2 (NLT2)
-
1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
Through faith in the Messiah, the “Prince of Peace” God and sinners are reconciled (Eph. 2:16.
- Romans 5:10 (NASB)
-
For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
- 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (NASB)
-
Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
- Colossians 1:19-20 (AMP)
-
For it has pleased [the Father] that all the divine fullness (the sum total of the divine perfection, powers, and attributes) should dwell in Him permanently. 20 And God purposed that through (by the service, the intervention of) Him [the Son] all things should be completely reconciled back to Himself, whether on earth or in heaven, as through Him, [the Father] made peace by means of the blood of His cross.
The "peace" of which the "angels" spoke is only for "men with whom [God] is pleased." That does not, of course, mean that He gives salvation to those who please Him by their good works, since salvation is “not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph. 2:9). The Greek text literally reads, “men of His good pleasure.” As one commentator explains,
-
“The phrase means ‘those upon whom God’s will/favor rests’, and expresses the thought of God’s free choice of those whom he wills to favor and save”
Salvation peace belongs to those to whom God is pleased to give it; it is not a reward for those who have good will, but a gracious gift to those who are the objects of God’s good will.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you so much for the good news of the gospel,
that You sent Your beloved Son,
the Savior of the world,
to redeem sinners.
Thank You Father,
For Your good news that produces great inexpressible and full joy
in us, joy that is reserved for those of us whose past, present,
and future sins have been forgiven, through our
believing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,
the Savior of the world.
Amen.
Proverbs 22:19 (NASB)
So that your trust may be in the LORD, I have taught you today, even you.
Amen.
