Good news is meaningful and welcome when we’re suffering from bad news.
The last two weeks, this blog talked about the trouble in the world (What is Happening in the World?) and about death (Sudden Death). Sin abounds. Rejection of the Almighty, Creator God is rampant. Eternal condemnation awaits those who spurn God’s Savior.
Next Sunday, though, is Christmas!
Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11)
As we prepare for Christmas, we need to see the glorious, awesome, stupendous, eternal good news in light of the enormity of the bad news. The more we understand the depth of sin, the more wonderful is the good news of God sending a Savior.
People need to know about the bad news before they know they need good news. They need to know they are sinners subject to the wrath of God before they know they need a Savior.
That is why God sent John the Baptist to make ready the way of the LORD (Matthew 3:3). Repent! John the Baptist said “Repent!” And he didn’t hold back, calling the Pharisees and Sadducees “you brood of vipers.” (Matthew 3:7)
For those of us who are believers (praise God!), we also need the good news of the power of the Savior, the good news of our indwelling Holy Spirit. We see the sin in ourselves and have both the desire and the ability, through our Lord, increasingly to walk in a manner worthy of Him. That is good news indeed!
Rejoice!
