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Ring of Truth provides 366 daily ‘proofs’ that the Bible is consistent throughout from Genesis to Revelation, and relevant for our lives today!
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Luke 2:10
“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you ‘Good News’ of great joy that will be for all the people.’”
Not just to Jews.
I love Luke’s record of Jesus’ life because he starts off declaring where he is coming from. Many had tried to bring an account of the life and times of Jesus the Messiah, so Luke decided to ‘see for himself’. He came to the irrefutable conclusion that what the eyewitnesses had revealed was the truth – It is historical evidence.
He told Theophilus that the record that followed was trustworthy and verified all that he had already been taught. ‘You are not being hoodwinked or conned – this is truth. Eyewitnesses have substantiated the facts.’
No wonder Jesus remarked, “You will know the Truth, and the TRUTH will set you free” (John 8:32). Only truth does that. Lies can’t - all they do is complicate life and create stress and bondage. You have to try and remember lies because they often change in the telling. Truth remains constant. “You don’t have to ‘remember’ truth.”
Interestingly enough, it was thought that Luke was wrong in stating that “Lysanias (was) tetrarch of Abilene” (Luke 3:2), because the only reference to a Lysanias that had been found was of a much later date. Subsequent excavations and coin discoveries, however, have proved Luke right. I’m not really surprised, are you? After all he was there.
Luke records for us Mary’s song, otherwise known as, ‘the Magnificat’ (see Luke 1:46-55). It is a wonderful expression of humble praise and worship, which gives us an insight into the sort of girl Mary was. She had no expectation of worship or high office. All she did was to recognise the incredible grace of God to her. Why not pause and read it now?
She may well have inspired Paul when he wrote, “I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship” (Romans 12:1). That is exactly what Mary had done. She had given her “body” as a “living sacrifice to God” – and what a sacrifice it was, and with what immense implications and ramifications. Our lives can be equally significant if, like Mary, we give our bodies to God as a living sacrifice, and allow Him to work in and through us.
Why did God choose to give His message by the angels to shepherds? Yes, they were the poor and less educated. But I believe there was a spiritual picture too. God always recognises the ‘shepherds’ of His people and constantly seeks to give them His message for His flock.
Usually, throughout Scripture, when people meet angels they are afraid. These shepherds were no different. So the angel prefaced his message with “Do not be afraid!” (Luke 2:10.)
What was the ‘Good News’ of great joy? “Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.”
It is a message everyone in the whole world desperately needs to hear. Why not plan now to tell it to someone who has never heard it, especially over Christmas? (If not today?)
Never forget it was a message of great joy and it is – The greatest Message ever given to Mankind.
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