The Angel's Announcement About Jesus

Week 4 - Day 22

I don't completely understand how it works when an angel gets an assignment to give a message to humans, but I am sure that the words are chosen very carefully to convey the highest purposes of G*d. With that in mind, the angel's announcement to the shepherds about the birth of Jesus would therefore be quite instructive to. "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 L*rd'" (Luke 2:8-11).

"Good tidings of great joy" is the first thing that is said in the angelic announcement. Let that sink in for a moment. The angel did not say, "I bring you news of a teaching that I hope you can follow"; or "I bring you news that Jesus is coming; and, boy, is He mad!" No, the message was, "it's time to celebrate! G*d is doing what you couldn't. He is making a way where there was no way. You are being saved from the curse, rejection, shame, punishment, poverty, and sickness; and from performance-based living. The door is being opened to eternal life, intimacy with the Father, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and so much more. It is incredible, joyous news!"

What is the first thing that people hear from the church? Is it a message of good news or is it a message that is bad news (because it focuses more on what we need to do rather than what Jesus has already done)? Churches that rejoice continually in G*d's goodness will attract people who need hope and are often castaways of religious churches that have a tendency to block grace by legalism and emphasizing the works of the law.

The angel knew something that we must know. if we don't believe we have fantastic news to share, then we need to ask G*d to open our eyes to the greatness of our salvation. And, you know what? He will!

Declaration: I join the angels in declaring good tidings of great joy. I am receiving an increasing revelation of G*d that makes me want to participate in outrageous celebration. The message of Jesus is good news!