DECLARING THE GOOD NEWS

Background Passage: LUKE 2:8-20, 36-38

Lesson Passage:LUKE 2:8-20,36-38

BIBLICAL TRUTH: THOSE WHO HEAR AND RESPOND POSITIVELY TO THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS' BIRTH ARE TO DECLARE IT TO OTHERS.

KEY BIBLE VERSE: LUKE 2:17-18

The Christmas tree lights blinked red and green in the corner of the room as we sat down on the couch in front of the fireplace. Our appetites were satisfied by all the holiday treats just eaten. The room was filled with laughter and animated conversation that seemed to fit the holiday spirit. Our hosts for the evening were our home decorator, Ellen, and her husband, Sam. Their living room was packed with couples—neighborhood friends and business associates—who gathered around the couch to hear form their hosts.

In the minutes to follow, Ellen thanked those who came, explaining that their guests that night were very special people in her lives. Then she shared why Christmas was so meaningful to her family. Many in the room were not followers of Jesus, though all were familiar with the Christmas story. What Ellen and Sam did that night was to connect the dots between the Christ child and the purpose for living they found through Him.

Christmas is one of the best times to talk to others about Jesus Christ. The season offers built-in opportunities for Christians to share the true meaning of the Christian faith and how salvation through faith can change someone's life.

What opportunities do you have to “connect the dots” during this Christmas season for someone who is not a follower of Jesus? What opportunities did you miss this Christmas season that may come again next year?

BACKGROUND PASSAGE OVERVIEW

The first announcement of Christ's birth was made not in palaces, mansions, or government meeting rooms, but in a remote pasture to lowly shepherds.. The brightness of God's glory accompanied the angel's announcement, followed by a chorus of angels giving praise to God.

The shepherds did not hesitate, but rushed to Bethlehem to see for themselves what the angel had told them. That the angel declared Christ's birth first to the shepherds was one of many amazing things that Mary stored away in her heart and thought about.

Anna, the prophetess, encountered Mary, Joseph, and the Christ child in the temple complex. Immediately she knew that this Baby was a part of God's redemptive history.

The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem is good news. Other babies may have been born into the world that night, but only One child was God in flesh. Other babies held great promise to influence the world for good, but only One child would save the world from sin. Other babies might one day speak of knowing god, but only One child would be the way to God.

Through the birth of Jesus, the world could know firsthand the love of God. This birth was good news to people trapped in the bondage of sin, the legalism of religion, and the emptiness of life. When the shepherds heard the good news, they told others. So should we.

I STUDY QUESTIONS 1.What was the sign the angel gave to the shepherds? (2:12)
2.after finding the Christ child, what did the shepherds do? (2:17)
3.How did Mary respond to the shepherds' report? (2:19)
4. What did Anna realize immediately upon encountering Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus? (2:38)

RECEIVE GOOD NEWS (LUKE 2:8-14)

Luke 2
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

VERSE 8 ~ Shepherds were taking care of their sheep in the same region as Bethlehem. Their sheep were likely intended as temple sacrifices. As a group, shepherds did not have the best of reputations. Yet the heavenly announcement was made to shepherds rather than to nobility or religious leaders.

Our status in society should never be an excuse to keep the good news quiet. If shepherds were worthy bearers of the good news in God's eyes, then so are we, whoever we may be. Instead of waiting for those who are better communicators, have more influence, or have earned more degrees, God wants each of us to assume responsibility to declare the good news.

VERSE 9 ~ The angel of the Lord is not identified by name. The glory of the Lord is the same shekinah glory that appeared to Moses at the burning bush, to the Israelites in a pillar of fire in the wilderness, to the worshipers in the tabernacle, and to the three disciples on the mountain of transfiguration. The glory blazed in magnificent splendor. No wonder they were terrified.

VERSES 10 11 ~ The first thing the angel told the shepherds was to not be afraid. Why? The announcement they were about to receive was good news and would bring joy to many. All the people (laos in Greek) may refer here to the people of Israel, consistent with the fact that the good news came first to God's chosen people. Savior refers to Jesus' redemptive role as the One who saves from the penalty of sin.

Messiah the Lord is literally Christ Lord, a Greek expression found nowhere else in the New Testament. To the Jews, Christ (“Anointed One”) would be a special Deliverer sent directly from God. Lord is the translation of the Hebrew name for god, Yahweh. Thus, when the angel referred to the Christ child as Lord, he declared Jesus to be Deity, or God in flesh.

VERSE 12 ~ Sign means to mark or an identification that distinguishes something or someone. Knowing that the baby would be lying in an animal's feeding stall gave the shepherds specific information on how to proceed. Later, their discovery confirmed the angel's message. Just as the shepherds needed directions to find Jesus, so may people we know. Note that the angel did not command the shepherds to go to the child. The shepherds did so because they wanted to. Our responsibility is to point others to Christ, just as the angel did. We cannot force or command anyone to seek Christ.

VERSES 13-14 ~ Host may be translated “army.” This army announced peace rather than war. Glory means “honor based on a good opinion.” Every revelation from God of Himself helps us know Him better; then we naturally want to glorify Him more. Jesus' birth is the ultimate revelation of God as He took on human form and is worth of the highest praise.

Peace can come only through the Prince of Peace, Christ. People He favors could also be “recipients of God's grace.” The KJV reads “on earth peace, good will toward men” because it is based on a different manuscript than that used by the Holman CSB.

REPORT GOOD NEWS (LUKE 2:15-18)

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

VERSES 15 -16 ~ Though the angels appeared suddenly, the Greek tense indicates they departed gradually and in full view of the shepherds when they returned to heave. The shepherds left for Bethlehem with a sense of urgency (captured in their words to each other, Let's go). Found implies a very diligent search and discovery process. The shepherds found Mary, Joseph, and the baby just as the angel had said (Literally, “the Mary,” “the Joseph,” and “the baby”).

Notice that the angel told them the good news; then they responded by going to find the baby. Telling the good news is only one step in the process of a person's becoming a follower of Jesus Christ. The hearer must respond in faith to the message. Other shepherds could have heard the angel declare the good news of the Christ child being born that night and might have chosen not to act on what they heard.

VERSES 17-18 ~ Assuming that these shepherds cared for sheep destined for temple sacrifices, they would have traveled soon to Jerusalem as part of their work. There they likely reported what was told them by the angel and what they found in Bethlehem. As this amazing story spread, perhaps Simeon and Anna heard the news and were prepared by the Spirit of God for their later encounters with the Christ child.

What the shepherds did with the good news was natural—they told others, and probably with fervent excitement to anyone who would listen. Though we have no record of it, we can imagine that the shepherds continued to tell about the event all of their lives, passing down the incredible story to their children and grandchildren. For them to have had this experience and not tell others about it would seem odd. Why would they keep such a good news to themselves? Likewise, why would people today who have a life-changing experience with Jesus Christ keep the news to themselves?

PRAISE GOD FOR GOOD NEWS (LUKE 2:19-20)

shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

VERSE 19 ~ The but does not mean that Mary kept quiet, in contrast to the shepherds who praised God. The heavenly announcement to the shepherds and angelic chorus became another memory for Mary to store and ponder. Was treasuring means that Mary continued to keep safe and preserve within her memory what the heard and saw. Some scholars believe Mary was Luke's primary human source for his description of the birth of Jesus.

VERSE 20 ~ What the angel reported on behalf of God to the shepherds was found later to be true. Consequently, the shepherds praised God, the Source of all that had happened. Likewise, every person who exercises faith based on eh promises of God and finds God to be true is compelled within to praise Him.

Forty days after the birth of Jesus, Levitical law required two purification sacrifices for the mother. Mary and Joseph traveled to the temple to satisfy this requirement of the law. In addition to making the required sacrifices, they presented Jesus in the temple, consecrating Him to the service of God. As they walked through the temple complex, they encountered first Simeon (vv.25-35) and then Anna (vv36-38).

THANK GOD FOR GOOD NEWS (LUKE 2:36-38)

36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

VERSES 36-37 ~ All that we know about Anna is found in these few verses. Prophetess is no ordinary distinction. The Jews acknowledged only seven prophetesses (women through whom God chose to give His revelaton), including Deborah (Judg.4:4) and Huldah (2 Kings 22:14). Anna remained unmarried after becoming a widow at an early age, perhaps choosing the single life as an act of devotion.

Since she did not leave the temple complex, she had probably been given a room in one of the temple-hill buildings. Her frequent fastings and prayers were offerings of worship to god. Serving is the same word that describes priests as they prepared the sacrifices as an offering to God. In Christ, all believers are priests. As such, our lives can be offerings of service made to God.

VERSE 38 ~ Anna longed for the coming of the Promised Messiah and the redemption of Jerusalem. When she walked up to Mary and Joseph and their baby, Anna's understanding was enlightened by God so that she recognized the child to be the Christ. This recognition and the good news He represented caused Anna to thank God and to speak about Him to others.

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

Christmas is one of the best times of the year to speak of the good news of Jesus Christ. Are you taking advantage of the built-in-opportunities of the Christmas season to discuss spiritual truth with others? Sometimes the hardest part is getting started. Here are some lead-in questions you might be able to use during the Christmas season with a friend or acquaintance to open a conversation about spiritual truth.

* By any chance, are you looking for a church service to attend on Christmas Eve (or Christmas Day)?

* Many people in the world find purpose in their lives because of Christmas. Did you know that?

* I see that Christmas is a special season of the year for you. Would you mind telling me more about what it means to you?

* Have you ever considered why over two billion people in the world consider the birth of Jesus so important?

* Planes at every airport in the world take off and land based on the date of the birth of Jesus Christ. Have you ever thought about that?

* Did you know that B.C. Means “before Christ” and that A.D.(Anno Domini in Latin) means “in the year of our Lord”?

Show genuine interest, healthy curiosity, and a humble spirit. Be more inclined to listen than talk. Through the conversation that may follow, you could discover a bridge of interest that will help you participate with the Holy Spirit to lead someone to know Jesus Christ personally.