Good News? And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11 ESV) The Angels proclaimed that the birth of Jesus was good news of great joy that will be for ALL the people, but not everyone receives this good news as truly good. The shepherds rejoiced at the news, Mary and Joseph were excited and rejoiced, all who heard the story of the shepherds wondered in amazement, but those who were in power and were part of the world system didnt view this miraculous event as something to be celebrated. From the moment of His birth, Jesus was threatened with death! On his eighth day Mary and Joseph took Jesus to be consecrated in the temple as the law required. A prophet named Simeon declared, And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:10-11, 34-35 ESV). What an ominous prophecy! Jesus would cause the rise and fall of many and would be a sign that is opposed! Not only that, Mary would suffer pain and loss because of Jesus. We know now that the sign is the CROSS! To those who receive Jesus Christ the cross is GOOD NEWS! But to those who refuse CHRIST the cross is a scandal and a thing to oppose. Paul puts it this way, For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.(Philippians 3:18 ESV). And, For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” . . . but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18-19, 23-24 ESV) When someone is presented with the good news of Jesus Christ they will respond in one of two ways - they will RECEIVE it gladly and rejoice or they will OPPOSE the news and perceive it as a threat and something to attack. It is foolishness to those who are perishing but power and life to those who believe! Jesuss birth was just the beginning of the GOOD NEWS of God! It was firmly established and FINISHED in the victory of the Cross, and will be fully realized at His return. We live in exciting times. The Lord is still on His throne. He is large and in charge. He wins! Never doubt it! For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:18-19, 27-31 ESV)
Posted on: Wed, 24 Dec 2014 14:49:36 +0000
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