Luke 2:7-14 And she [Mary] brought forth her firstborn Son [Jesus], and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Pastor Herk continues: Another term that the angel of the Lord used was “is Christ”. Christ mis not Jesus’ last name, but a title. The Greek word for Christ is “Christos”, which literally means “anointed”. The 1828 Webster’s dictionary adds: Christ is an appellation given to the Savior of the World, and synonymous with the Hebrew Messiah. Christ was the coming king whom the Jews expected to be the Savior of their nation and the author of their highest felicity. Jesus, the Christ was [and is] the Messiah, the Son of God. This baby born in a manager and announced by the angels was the fulfillment of God’s long-standing to send a King in the line of David. It was all about love.
Still another term used by the angel was “Lord”. The Greek word for “Lord” is “Kyrios”, meaning he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord. This title is given to: God, the Messiah. Webster’s adds that, in Scripture, the word “Lord” is defined as the Supreme Being; Jehovah. When Lord, in the Old Testament, is printed in capitals, it is the translation of JEHOVAH, and so might, with more propriety, be rendered. The word is applied to Christ, Ps. 110. Col. 3. and to the Holy Spirit, 2 Thess. Jesus Christ is called the Lord of glory and Lord of lords. Acts 10:36 states, “This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.” When we proclaim Jesus as Lord, we are saying that Jesus is God incarnate, God the Son of the Trinity in the flesh and that separates us from other religions. The arrival of Jesus on earth proclaimed by the angels is Good News because He is Savior, Christ and Lord together at the same time.
Luke tells us, And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Peace on earth, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ – the Prince of Peace, and so fearing nothing from God and content with their earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is. The Savior of the world, who will pay an atoning redemption for the sins of mankind and make peace with God and eternal life has come into the world. The product is “goodwill towards men”, kindly intent, benevolence, delight, pleasure, satisfaction and giving glory to God in the highest. The shepherds were blessed with the good tiding of great joy that the Good Shepherd was here.
In John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” God proven the way to redemption, salvation, reconciliation and eternal life in Christ. John 3:36 clarifies, “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” Jesus is the one and only way out of Hell and into Heaven. Either, Jesus pays for our sins or we do. It is possible for there to be peace among those who repent of sin and accept Christ as Savior and Lord. The Greek for the word “men” in the term “goodwill towards men” is “anthrōpos” with reference to the two-fold nature of man, the corrupt and the truly Christian man, conformed to the nature of God. Romans 5:1-2 confirms, “Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” What God has done for us is glorious!
Let’s continue Pastor Herk’s message on the great joy of Jesus in the next post.
In Christ, Brian
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