December 20 , 2000

Reading: Luke 2:8-20

 

“An angel of the Lord stood before them” (9)

 

This is the time of the year when we give thanks to God especially for the birth of our Savior, He who came to “save His people from their sins” (Matt: 1:21). Not only was this the message that God had for His people but it is the same message that we have been given the responsibility to share with the world. One of the gifts God has given to the church for the purpose of sharing the gospel is that of the Evangelist and the angel who visited the shepherds is a wonderful example of this ministry.

 

1)     He curbed their fears, “Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid’” (10). So many people live in fear of the unknown, they are afraid to die because they do not know what lies beyond the grave. Though many will claim to not fear death they will do everything in their power to avoid it.

2)     He brought good news, “I bring you good tidings of great joy” (10). The Greek word translated here as ‘tidings’ is the same word that is translated elsewhere as ‘evangelist’. The work of the evangelist is to announce good news.

3)     He introduced Jesus, “For there is born to you this day …a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (11). The ministry of the evangelist is to introduce Jesus to those who live in fear; to those who, without knowing Him, will die without having their sins forgiven and will suffer the consequences of sin which is spiritual death.

4)     He told them where Jesus could be found, “There is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior” (11). Jesus could only be found in one place and so it is today. Jesus Himself said, “I am the Way, No man can come to the Father but by Me” John 14:6. There is no other way whereby we may be saved. To find Jesus the shepherds had to go where He was. The only way to salvation and the forgiveness of sins is through Jesus.

5)     His message brought praise and glory to God. Both a multitude of angels (13) and the shepherds (20) praised God and glorified Him (14,20). When the message of God is proclaimed it is always accompanied with praise and will always bring glory to God.

6)     His message was effective, “The shepherds said one to another, ‘Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger” (15,16). Seeing the effectiveness of his message often rewards the evangelist. There are times, however, when they are not immediately effective, but He can take comfort and strength in the words found in Isaiah, “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish what I please” Is: 55:11.

7)     The shepherds became evangelists, “Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this child” (17). There can be no greater joy or sense of fulfillment for the evangelist than when he sees those who received his message go and tell others. The message of Jesus Christ is self-propagating.

In a very real sense we are all called to be evangelists, to preach the gospel to a lost world, to “bring good tidings of great joy”.