“I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” Luke 2:10b
When Jesus was born, an angel appeared to some shepherds who were keeping their sheep in a nearby field. The angel said to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” (Luke 2:10)
We all like to hear good news. There is a sale at our favorite store. Our name has been drawn, and we have won a prize. He asked her if she would marry him, and she said yes. After a check-up with the doctor, he pronounces we are in excellent health. Good news! Glad tidings that make our hearts leap within us for pleasure.
The gospel--the story of Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection--is the greatest good news we could ever hear. Why is that so? One Sabbath Jesus was in His home town of Nazareth. He attended the synagogue and was asked to read the Scripture for the day. He was handed the scroll of Isaiah, and he read these words, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted and to announce that captives shall be released and the blind shall see, that the downtrodden shall be freed from their oppressors, and that God is ready to give blessings to all who come to him.” Luke 4:18-19
When Jesus was on earth, He healed people with many infirmities. Some who were blind could see, and some who were lame could walk. Some who were brokenhearted because of the sickness or death of a loved one were elated when the sick were healed or the dead were raised. These are some of the physical ways Jesus fulfilled that Scripture.
However, Jesus fulfilled that Scripture in spiritual ways that impacted all of mankind, not just a few people. Without Jesus, we are poor, wretched sinners, unable to save ourselves. We are captives to sin, blind to the truth of God’s grace, brokenhearted because of our separation from God by a chasm that we are unable to span. The good news is that, when we accept Jesus as Savior, we are freed from the penalty and the power of sin over us. Our spiritual eyes and understanding are open to God’s truth. Our hearts are filled with the Holy Spirit--with God’s love and joy and peace. Now, that’s the best news anyone could possibly hear!
Father, thank You for sending Jesus so we could know for ourselves the best news of salvation. Amen.
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