Good News For Shepherds And Other Sinners

By: Dr. Amor Robles Adela

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11

​The world has been waiting for the birth of the Savior, and finally the hour arrived, Christ was born in a stable, a place where animals were kept.  The stable was probably a cave and the manger a feeding trough for animals.  The birth of the Savior, the greatest event in history, occurred in the most humble of circumstances.  The sounds and the smells of the stable was very evident. There was no attending doctor but a doctor was chosen to tell the story, Dr. Luke. Sounds amazing! Jesus was the King of kings, but he was neither born nor did he live like a king in this life.  God’s people are kings and priests, but in this life we must be as he was-humble and simple.
At his birth, the first to know are the humble shepherds. How fitting that the Lamb of God was born in a manger. “Do not be afraid”. These good words always are in the vocabulary of angels. The shepherds were afraid, but we know that this fear has been stalking men through the centuries since- Abraham’s lying about Sarah; Jacob being afraid of Esau; Moses being afraid of Pharaoh and Israel being afraid to enter the Promised Land.  But Jesus’ mission would move through the area He travelled dispelling fear like the fear of the disciples in the storm, blind Bartimaeus’ fear that he would never see, the ten lepers’ fear that they would never be with their families and Mary and Martha’s fear that they would never see Lazarus again.  This Christmas  we have  lots of fear in our lives like the condition of our deteriorating health, the crisis we are having in our family, the negative conditions of the world, the increasing collapse of the economy and the different issues we are facing in our lives.  In times like these, we are to be reminded that faith is the opposite of fear; if we are walking in fear, it will paralyze our faith.  But if we walk and live by faith, fear has no place in our lives.  Remember that in our Christian life, we have been saved by faith and kept by faith.
“I bring you good news of great joy...” Why this joy?  First, because the Savior has been born. At his birth, Jesus is called “a Savior.” As Savior, he has come to deliver us from sin, Satan’s domain, the ungodly world, fear, death and the condemnation of our transgressions.  The Savior is also “Christ the Lord.” He has been anointed as the Messiah of God and the Lord who rules over his people. Second, because the Scripture has been fulfilled and lastly, because Christ is Lord.  This Christmas and even today, when we come to Him we will have also that kind of joy the world cannot give.  Just trust Him.
“...that will be for all the people.” For sure this is the beginning of evangelism.  Since all need this Savior because the Bible declares that all are sinners. In Romans 3:23 the Scriptures declare that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  And the good news is this-“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.  It is very clear then that Christ died for all.  And, therefore, He is available to all people.  We will notice the actions of the shepherds-“when they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child...” We also are to be going with the good news and not to sit and soak on the way to heaven.
Remember, God meets us where we are. So, let us come to Jesus with our sins and fears and be saved. LET US TELL THE GOOD NEWS TO ALL!  “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; HE IS CHRIST THE LORD .”