Word of Encouragement (12/24/2020)
Luke 2:14
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.”
The angels appeared to the unlikeliest of men to make the announcement about the birth of Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah—some shepherds in the field. Why to these men? Was it because Jesus was supposed to be the Good Shepherd? Possibly. But equally possible was because they were lowly people, neither rich nor powerful. They had to spend many nights away from the comfort of their homes, keeping watch over the sheep through the night, as they were doing the night the angels appeared. Consider also the angelic message: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger” (vv. 2:11-12). Christ the Lord was born in a stable, laid in a manger! He came in humility so that the humblest and lowliest of people like the shepherds can greet Him and worship Him and receive His salvation.
After the announcement, a host of the heavenly angels appear and sing this Christmas hymn. Though short, this song sings of the cosmic significance of Jesus’ birth: glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among men. Jesus’ birth concerns both God and men, the highest of the heavens and the (lowest) of the earth.
Jesus’ birth brings glory to God in the highest. God is all-glorious in Himself. God has done glorious things throughout history, starting with the creation of the heavens and the earth in the beginning. But it is no exaggeration to say that God is most glorified in our redemption, which Jesus’ birth signifies. You see, God is glorified in the judgment of sinners, by which He shows His justice, even though He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezek. 33:11). But God takes great pleasure in redeeming His people, showing “the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:7). He delights in saving you and loving you and caring for you!
Jesus’ birth brings also “peace among men with whom he is pleased.” He is the Prince of Peace, who brings peace between God and His people: “...since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1). But He also brings peace among men: “For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility” (Eph. 2:14-16). This peace cannot be broken because it was not established by our initiative or efforts but by the irrevocable reality of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The peace we have in Christ transcends whatever common things we share socially, ethnically, politically, or in any other worldly interests. If we should ever get into conflict, we should give up our pride and selfishness in submission to Christ and reaffirm the indestructible peace we share in Him because of Him. How can we continue to fight with those, who have peace with God as we do? (The only exception is, of course, when one party denies Christ and the essential truths of Scripture.)
But we are reminded that not all will be able to experience peace with God and peace with others; Only those “with whom he is pleased” will. It is by grace we are saved, not by our works (Eph. 2:8-9); “he chose us in him before the foundation of the world..., [and] predestined [us] according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will” (Eph. 1:4, 11). We have nothing to boast but join with the heavenly chorus and sing, “Glory to God in the highest!” May this be the song and confession of your heart during this Christmas season!