Good News of Great Joy

Luke 1:57-2:20

Key Verse 2:10

“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.’”

This passage explains why the birth of Jesus is good news of great joy that will be for all people. 

Read 1:57-66. People tried to name the son after his father Zechariah, and yet the son ended up getting the name John. What does this episode indicate about the work of God?

** God is living and active. In each generation he works to fulfill his will, that is, to save all who believe in Jesus. He prepares and trains his servants such as Elizabeth and Zechariah. He found them worthy of receiving the blessing of producing a son whose mission is to go before the Lord. And according to his plan he works to save people in each generation, performing miracles. 

In our own generation he does the same thing. He finds someone worthy. He prepares and trains his servants. Through them he fulfills the purpose of his will. 

This observation teaches us that we must not lose hope on this generation. Rather we need to look up to the Lord God, and live by faith in him. 

Read 1:67. When did Zechariah prophesy? Who enabled him to prophesy? What does this event tell us about: 1) the work of the Holy Spirit; and 2) the work of God through his servants (Jesus Christ and John the Baptist)?

** The word “then” corresponds to the time when Zechariah fully repented (of his doubt) and proved his faith in the Lord by actually obeying the angel’s instruction to name the boy John. Read 1:18-20. 

** The Holy Spirit is the director of God’s work of salvation. He sees everything in advance, proclaims the work to be done in advance, and he ensures that the work is done as prophesied. To him, the work he says is going to happen is as good as already being fulfilled. Thus the work to be done by Jesus is described in a present perfect tense. 

** The work of God to be done by Jesus and his forerunner is spiritual in nature. It is done not by man’s might or wisdom, but by God’s Spirit. 

Read 1:68-80 and compare it with Luke 2:10. How are the two passages related? 

** The former is an exposition of the latter. 

In God’s mind, the former is as good has having already taken place. But to us, it is to be experienced in the generations to come, following the birth of Jesus. 

The former took place first, the latter later, but the order of the time of occurrences is the opposite, that is, Jesus was born first, then what was prophesied is to unfold in reality. 

Now, the former explains the reason why the latter is such (good news of great joy for all people). 

The reasons are explained first in general and then in specific terms.

In general: the God of Israel has come, therefore redemption has arrived. 

In specific: 1) to show his mercy; 2) to remember his covenant; 3) to rescue us from our enemies; and 4) to enable us to serve the Lord without fear and in righteousness all the days of our life.

These four points give us four-fold joy.

Consider the joy of:

being shown mercy

coming to the covenant relationship

being rescued from all enemies

serving the Lord all of our days

Had God not shown his mercy all of us could have been destroyed long a time ago, for we all rebelled and became useless. 

A covenant is different from a contract in that while the basis of a contract is selfish interests, the basis of covenant is selfless and sacrificial love. So the covenant lasts forever, giving life to those who come to the covenant relationship, whereas a relationship based on a contract breaks down, causing wounds and scars.

Jesus is going to save us from the hands of all of our enemies. There are 16 categories of enemies listed in Romans 8:33-39. 

Nothing gives more joy than serving the Lord. Example: angels (they are a joyful bunch that they shout for joy daily in the heavenly realms.) 

Now, John the Baptist serves as the prime example of the way to spread the good news. 

Note that he was: 1) to prepare the way for the Lord; and 2) to give the knowledge (of salvation)

The fruit will be for the rising sun (Jesus): 1) to shine on those sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death; and 2) to guide their feet to the path of peace.

 

Read 2:1-7. How did the Savior end up being born in a manger in Bethlehem? What does this event show us about the work of salvation? 

** The Lord God orchestrated the people and events in such a way that the prophecy that the savior is to be born in Jerusalem would be fulfilled. 

** The Lord God faithfully works to fulfill his plan of salvation, all in accordance with the Scriptures. 

Read 2:8-14. What does this passage further tell us about the reason(s) why the birth of Jesus is good news of great joy for all people?

** 1) He is the Savior

2) He is the Christ (the messiah designated to restore God’s kingdom for his children) Jesus is like Boaz who made the life of Ruth full. Before Ruth met Boas her life remained empty. But upon her marriage with Boaz, she became full. Fallen men are like Ruth. But Jesus came to adopt us as his bride, so we would be made rich, as rich as God himself. 

3) Glory in the highest, meaning the birth of Jesus makes the glory (God’s essential character) be fully known in its highest degree or dimension.

4) Peace to all men (not just political but spiritual). 

Read 2:15-20. What did the shepherds do? What can we learn from them? 

** They went and worshiped; they then spread the good news. 

** They worked like living angels who spread the good news to those who are sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death. 

The end.

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