Today’s Passage: Luke 2:8-14
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.” — Luke 2:10
Growing up, I made life pretty hard for my mother. During my early years of school, she would get a call or note after the first day with some variation of: “Daniel is a sweet boy, but he just cannot be still or quiet.” There are plenty of reasons why that was true —and still is for the most part—but what I remember most is attempting to catch up on a summer’s worth of news in about 15 minutes before recess. I was just excited to be around the people I loved, and share what was important and new in my life! I’ll be the first to admit, those stories probably weren’t very entertaining to the listeners, but we were locked in the same classroom so they had no choice.
Now for Luke 2. The greatest news that has ever been told is about to be dropped on a group of lowly and unexpecting shepherds. Hear the words of the angel: “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” Not only did God choose to disclose this to a group of dirty sheep herders, He lets them in on the master plan. We may not have seen the sky burst with angels, but we have been given a greater gift in God’s self-revelation, the Bible. This news is not for you alone, but for all people. At this point in this season, we have read some incredible devotions and worshiped together as we look forward to the return of Christ. But there is one thing we cannot forget: we cannot stay silent.
As our King prepared to return to the Father in Matthew 28, He gave us this mission: “‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you’” (Matthew 28:19-20). We have nothing to fear now because our good King has defeated death and hell!
Christian, you have been given the greatest news ever to be proclaimed. It was meant for your own ears to hear it and your own lips to profess, and God intends it for all people. So, for the sake of the world around you … You cannot stay silent.
Prayer
Father, we ask You to give us opportunities to share the gospel of Jesus and give us boldness to proclaim the good news as we follow where You lead us. In Jesus’s name, amen.