By Kevin Harris, pastor of the Illawarra Community Baptist Church in Wollongong, NSW
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:10-11
‘Which do you want first, the good news or the bad news?’ How do you usually reply?
In this verse the angels are offered good news. The long-awaited Messiah, Saviour and Lord had finally arrived!
How do you usually respond to good news? Are you indifferent? Irritated? Probably not! Most people usually respond to good news with a smile!
How would you respond if I said, ‘Everybody’s invited to KFC tonight; Brother Elliot’s shout’? We’d all rejoice, wouldn’t we? All except for Brother Elliot, perhaps.
We love good news.
So why do people shy away from the gospel or good news of Jesus Christ?
I think I know why.
They’ve been deceived into thinking it’s bad news that Jesus Christ came to save us from sin and it’s penalty.
But that is exactly why He came – to deliver us from sin, to set us free from captivity to sin, to give sight to our blind eyes, to give life to those who are dead, and to forgive the guilty.
But the moment the scales fall from our eyes, and we come to realise just Who that Baby lying in a manger was, and the truth dawns on us why He died on the cross, that is the moment the Christmas story becomes ‘good tidings of great joy’!
Bad news becomes good news!
Father, thank You for the astounding tidings that a Saviour has entered the world. Thank You for providing a Saviour to rescue me from sin’s bondage, and it’s penalty too. There is no better news to my soul than the gospel of Jesus Christ. Rivet my attention on Christ the Lord. Cause my affections to centre on Him this Christmas. I ask this in the Name of the Lord Jesus, Amen.
This article was written by Kevin Harris Dapto pastor of Illawarra Community Baptist Church.