Luke 2:10 says...
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.”
One of the best things to hear someone say is...
“I’ve got some good news for you!”
It’s a statement filled with excitement and anticipation. The person sharing the news is thinking to themselves, “I have a gift for you and I can’t wait to see you open it and realize just how good it is.” It’s great to be on both ends of that statement. It’s nice to give good news and it’s wonderful to receive good news.
Luke 2:10 is my favorite Bible verse. It says 4 things that are very important:
1. Don’t be afraid.
2. There is good news. 3. It's of great joy.
4. It's for all people.
The shepherds in the fields are afraid and understandably so. If I saw an angel suddenly appear, I would probably run home to Momma! But this angel brings reassurance. Isn’t that what God does for us? God reassures when we are filled with fear saying, “don’t be afraid.”
Friends, I’ve got some good news for you. God is with us! We are not alone. God loves us all, each and every one, as precious children. We are always surrounded by God’s love, grace, and care. When we reflect and live into this amazing love it has a habit of flowing in and through us to others. What a remarkable thing! Not only do we get to latch onto this good news, but we get to extend it to others. We get to experience the joy of receiving and giving.
While Luke 2:10 is my favorite verse, my favorite Bible story the Prodigal Son (or better titled The Loving and Gracious Father), is recorded in Luke 15. In this story, a father has two sons. The younger son has the audacity to ask his father for his share of his inheritance while his father is still living. The Bible tells us that the father divides his estate between both of his sons. The younger son leaves home and wastes his wealth through extravagant living. He reaches a point where he is without food and no one gives him anything. He decides to return home to his
father and ask to be given a job as a hired hand. While this younger son is still a long way off, his father sees him and is moved with compassion. The father runs to him; embraces him; and puts the best robe on him, a ring on his finger, and sandals on his feet. He not only welcomes the son home, but he throws a big party! And they cook the fatted calf! It’s an extravagant celebration for this son who was lost and now is found.
Remember though there is another son in this family. The older son is coming in from the field when he hears music and dancing. Someone must have forgotten to tell this son about what was happening. Soon he discovers that his younger brother has arrived home and that his father is celebrating big time. The older son is so upset and angry by this gracious welcome that he he refuses to even walk inside to the party. The father goes out to him and the older son says, “I’ve served you all these years, yet you’ve never given me as much as a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.” (Of course the father gave the older son his share of the inheritance too at the beginning of the story). Then the father again does the most remarkable thing. The father doesn’t get angry or upset with this son. He tells him, “Son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.”
I’ve got some good news for you. God is throwing a party, and we’re all invited! It’s not just any party, but its one with the finest wine, the richest food, a ring put on our finger and sandals on our feet. God says to all of us, “all that I have is yours.” There is so much for us to rejoice about because Jesus Christ provides for us grace, love, forgiveness, healing, peace, joy, wholeness, abundance, life in all its fullness.
What if we approached this new year by reflecting on this good news and then sharing it with others? What if we found ways to love people extravagantly? What if we could embody the same kind of grace the father shows both his sons?
I’ve got some good news for you. We can do these things and we change lives and the world when we do. There is good news of great joy for all people! Thanks be to God! Amen!