Luke 2:8-14
Suggested further reading: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
The birth of a king’s son is normally an occasion of great public rejoicing. But the announcement of the birth of the Prince of peace was made privately, at night, and without the usual public fanfare.
The news that Christ was born came first to shepherds—to those who were considered among the lowest of classes! Note, this great news was not first announced to priests and rulers, or to scribes and Pharisees—but to the working poor. Such is the ways of God.
The lack of socio-economic status does not restrict anyone from receiving God’s blessings. Because honest work is honorable, the laborer is not beyond God’s favor. Moses was keeping sheep, and Gideon was threshing wheat, and Elisha was ploughing when they were each honored by direct call and revelations from God. The weak of the world are often called before the mighty. The last are often first and the first last.
The angel, in announcing Christ’s birth to the shepherds, uses the most remarkable language. The great promise made to Eve in Genesis 3 is about to be fulfilled after 4,000 years—and it was good news to all, Jew and Gentile. The head of Satan was about to be crushed. Liberty was about to be proclaimed to the captives of sin, depravity, destruction, and death. The mighty truth is soon to be proclaimed that God could be just, and yet, for Christ’s sake, justify the ungodly. Salvation, long prophesied in types and symbols, is now to come face to face with us! The true knowledge about God was no longer limited to the Jews, but to be offered to all. If this was not “good news”, then there is no meaning to the term!
Lanny Tanton is the Pastor at The Bible Church of the Lakes in Horseshoe Bay, Texas – just outside of Marble Falls. Pastor Tanton welcomes you to our website and hopes that you’ll enjoy reading these insightful blog posts. Please contact us if you have further questions!!
