Terror and Comfort: From the Same God

"And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear." Luke 2:9

Angels were mostly known from the Old Testament stories as those who brought the judgment of God against men. Remember the angel who killed 70,000 Israelites due to David's sin of numbering the fighting men? Remember the angel who killed 185,000 Assyrians in one night (2 Kings19:35)? An angel appearing to men in the shining glory of the Lord is nothing but a call to alarm! Then consider that these men were shepherds. Shepherds were at times outcasts. Their job kept them from the religious rituals necessary to remain "clean." They tended to be despised and on the lowest social rung. Could it be that these men had heard over and over how much they deserved God's judgment? The appearing of a glorious angel was NOT good news as far as they knew..."...they were filled with fear."

But the message of this glorious angel was, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a 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.

Expecting the "woe" of judgment, the shepherds instead received "good news." Joy for judgment, the opposite of what they reasonably expected. What turned deserved judgment into delivered joy? "A Savior." But not just any savior, THE SAVIOR, the promised One, "Christ, the Lord." There were many pretending saviors politically and militarily in their day. But this Savior was not sent to lead every Israelite into the realization of their fondest dream: defeat of Rome. This Savior is the Savior who was anointed to "bring good news to the poor...to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and the opening of prison to those who are bound...(Isaiah 61:1). This Savior came to give men like the shepherds what other men said they could never have: favor with God..."peace among those with whom He is pleased" Luke 2:14.

The Savior still turns expected judgment into joyful good news. He still gives outcasts like you and me peace with God. He is still offered to those who live this life on the lowest rung. But ONLY this Savior can do that. Good news is offered ONLY in Him. And it is only offered to those who KNOW they deserve judgment and are therefore suprised by the joy of good news in the Savior.

It is offered to you, to me, to our neighbors, to our extended family...to "all the people."

Terror and comfort from the same God.