Billions of people in the world today are very eager to find lasting joy for themselves and for their families. It seems that money and having freedom financially that could enjoy life in beautiful places in the world and of the excellent taste of life are the things that can truly give them lasting peace and joy. Yes, these things are important and to meet these needs are of great value and could give men the inner peace knowing that there is something good in them that can lead them to freedom and joyous life with their family. But these are temporal and limited in nature, there is one sure truth that can satisfy men of his quest for real joy that money and material things can not buy and this is the free gift of this season, The Real Reason Of This Christmas Celebration - JESUS.
The greatest good news that was announced was heard and received by the shepherds in the town of Bethlehem. The ordinary and common poor men that are weak, low profile, simple and exposed in danger and put even their lives at stakes just to protect their flocks from the wild wolves and ferocious animals. They were also thinking silently and talking as a group whether there is hope that will come for them and their families under the cruel leadership of the Roman Empire.
In Luke 2:10 says, But the angel of the Lord said to them (shepherds) "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". How come that these words of the angel were considered as good news? The shepherds were economically and emotionally in distress and wanted to be freed from these unpleasant situations. These men had some knowledge of the prophecy in the old testament that one day, all the Jewish people will be saved from the tyranny of the Roman Empire. In Isaiah 7:14 says, "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with a child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel". This prophecy was fulfilled after 700 years in the book of Matthew 1:23 that says, "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" which means, God with us".
At first, they were all afraid of the appearance of angel Gabriel to them and can't believed to see an angel but they were surprised to hear the comforting words that they should not be afraid for the good news of great joy has come in the person of Jesus, the savior of the world. They left their flocks and went to Bethlehem to confirm all the things the angel has told them and when they arrived, truly, they saw with their eyes the fulfillment of the promised savior, " ... Jesus because he will save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21.
The shepherds have understood clearly the meaning of a savior as not liberation from the mighty power of the Roman Empire but forgiveness of sin that leads to life. They left the manger filled with new joy and shared this without shame and boldly to all people they met the good news of great joy - Jesus or Immanuel, God with us.
Friends, all of us are in the midst of different issues in life. Some are sick, some are financially in need, some are emotionally disturbed, some have marital and family concerns and others. The promised of a savior has come and he lived a simple life here on earth and died like a criminal and took our place instead we should be hanged and killed on the cross. For the wages of sin is death, both physical and spiritual. We can't do anything to save ourselves from the punishment and power of sin Romans 3:23. But the gift of God is life everlasting Romans 6:23. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 God through Jesus has shown his great love that we might have life and to have this more abundantly but the thief or Satan came here on earth to kill, to steal and to destroy men's relationship with one another John 10:10. Sin is the source of all evils in life both physical and spiritual that will surely lead men to eternal separation from the presence of God, which is hell.
Jesus bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness ; by his wounds you have been healed I Peter 2:24. God is so concern to our souls, but he loves also that all will experience physical healing and wellness in this life. God sent Jesus on earth for our physical and spiritual needs and what we need to do is to accept his free offering of salvation by faith and you and I will receive true forgiveness that will lead and help us to live a new life with true joy. When Jesus saw that the leaders of the Sanhedrin and their followers were about to stone Mary Magdalene to death, he told them, whoever has no sin be the first to stone her. One by one, they thrown their stones to the ground and left Mary and Jesus said to her, your sins were forgiven and sin no more. From that day on, Mary found true joy and meaning in life in Christ Jesus. She followed Jesus's teachings until she died.
What man shall it profit in this life if he loses his soul Matthew 16:26. The gift of God of forgiveness that leads to life is for all and for you. Remember, God loves you so much.
For your suggestions, comments and concerns or if you want to share your personal testimony how you find true joy in your life, this might help others who are in like situation as you had before
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