In the fullness of time, the very time that God, Creator of the universe, had purposed to reconcile man to Himself, to bring peace and joy to all the people in the world, He, in His compassionate and loving character, through an Angel, announced the birth of Jesus Christ into the sinful world, a world that is bedeviled with phletora of crisis, catastrophe, war and disaster. The Angel of the Lord came into the city of David, met with the Shepherds who were in the fields keeping watch over their flocks at night. The Angel unexpectedly appeared to them and glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. “But the Angel said to them, do not be afraid. I bring you “Good Tidings” of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the city of David, a Saviour has been born to you, He is Christ the Lord”- Luke 2:10-11.
The angelic expression words of the great event used by the Angel was marvelous and amazing. The words in his announcement “Good Tidings of great Joy”. When we talk about tidings we simply talk about the “news”. Simply put, tidings is the news. According to english dictionary “Tidings” is the “News”. Tidings becomes good tidings when it brings about relief for pains, assurance of better future, soothing the brokenhearted, setting free the captive, providing a way of escape, offering peace and joy. Therefore, good tidings is good news.
In Kings James Bible version, it is “glad tidings” which means
“to tell good news” (Luke 1:19; 8:1; Acts 13:32; The Revised Version (British and American) translations “good tidings.” Good tidings is the news or gospel that gladdens the heart- Luke 2:10.
THE NATURE AND CONDITION OF THE WORLD BEFORE THE ADVENT OF JESUS CHRIST:
Prior to Jesus Christ’s coming to the world, the people were enstranged from God, peace and joy eluded the world. The world knows no peace. There was war, strife, catastrophe, persecution and evil attack, nations were rising against nations, man’s reconcilation to God becomes impossible, man’s relationship with God impaired and severed, there was great famine, no path to access God and peace was elusive.
More importantly, world without Jesus Christ, is world without peace, life without Jesus is life without peace, it is a meaningless, purposeless life, it is a life full of calamity, crisis, disappointment, discouragement, inbalance catastrophe and sins.
Revelation 12: 9 “The great dragon was hurled down; that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him”. It is crystal clear that devil exerts control and authority on everything in the world, he was terribly tormenting the world to the extent that Bible says in Revelation 12: 12b “…..But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury because he knows that his time is short”. During the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, in Luke 4: 6-7, he said to Jesus “I will give you all the authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours”. Devil is using the authority to perpentrate and torment the world. Devil doesn’t allow the world to know peace, not to enjoy peace but instead he give them the opposite of peace which is crisis, war, calamity, persecution, sickness, tears etc.
But because it pleases God to bring peace and joy to the world, He released His only begotten Son to the world for several reasons. The message of the coming of Jesus Christ into this world is indeed “good tidings of great joy”. It is a good tidings because the prince of peace is born, His birth brings peace and joy for all the people in the world.
WHY THE COMING OF JESUS MEANS “GOOD TIDINGS”.
It is important to know that nothing could appease God, not blood of animals (Hebrews 10:4), not even human blood, for Him to forgive sin of mankind. He prepared His only begotten Son to come to the world (John 3:16) to offer Him as a perfect sacrifice for the sin of the world (Hebrews 10:12, 14, Hebrews 9:26, 9: 28, Romans 5:10, 1 Corinthians 5:7). This sin was inputted on all mankind through the sin of disobedience committed by Adam, which is otherwise known as adamic sin (Romans 5: 17-19). The first Adam brought death while the second Adam (Jesus Christ) brought grace and eternal life. As a result of this, death has held people before the Advent of Jesus Christ captive, departed souls before coming of Jesus, Satan denied them access to God, the owner of the soul, Satan held them in the grave, in the Catholic terminology; PURGATORY. That’s why the Catholic Church organised service and prayer for who died, praying for the repose and forgiveness of their sins. Of all the parts of human being, the only one body part precious and belongs to God is the SOUL, the other parts of human body belong to the ground (Ecclesiastes 12: 7-8). It will interest you to know that not all the souls will get back to God, some souls will go to heaven while some will go to hell. It is only those who accept the good tidings of great joy thar will enjoy the joy of eternal life, even to the fullest.
Reasons for Jesus’ Birth:
There are many reasons why His birth was important:
1. He came to reveal God to us (John 1:18). Man could not see God face to face as before in the Garden of Eden, or know who He is. Man was spiritually dead but not physically; no faithful and sincere fellowship with God any more. No intimate relationship with God to the extent that God said he was grief that He created man (Deuteronomy 6:5) afteringen of Eden- Genesis 3: 23-24. Meanwhile, in Genesis 3:15, God made a promise of salvation for the world.
2. To reconcile man to God (Ephesians 2:14-18, 2Corinthians 5:18-21). The coming of Jesus Christ was a good tidings to the people of the world because He came to reconcile us to God, to break the barrier of sin standing in the way to God- John 14:6
3. To destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). This really explains the reason why the birth of Jesus Christ is a good tidings of great joy to all.
4. To make a way for eternal life (1 John 5: 11-13, John 1:4).
5. He came to die for our sins, to make Himself a ransom for our sins (John 1:29).
6. To seek and save the lost (Luke 29:10, 1 Timothy 1:15).
7. To give eternal life to all who believe in Him (John 3:16, John 6:51).
8. To bring good news and to proclaim liberty to the captive (Luke 4:18, Isaiah 61: 1-3).
9. To carry our sorrows and griefs (Isaiah 53: 3-4).
The foregoing are some of the reasons why Jesus Christ came into the world.
JESUS CHRIST, SOURCE OF GREAT JOY:
It is imperative to explain here that Joy and Happiness are two different things, not the same. They have a clearly defined different mien and identity. Biblical joy is a demonstration of faith, hope and trust in all circumstances wether good or bad, believing that God will fulfill His promises. It is a settled assurance that God is God all the affairs of your life, irrespective of the nature of your circumstances (Acts 16: 25-26). In all situations your joy is unshakable but complete and firm (John 15:11). Happiness is a state of being happy. It only occurs when one is enjoying certain privileges or the nature smiles at someone and things work to ones advantage. The moment the advantages turn off, happiness disappeared.
Joy is derived from faith and trust in the Lord. In whatever circumstances, joy of the Lord provides strength (Nehemiah 8:10) and courage that the promise of God will be fulfilled. The word of God in Psalm 16: 11 says in the presence of the Lord there is fullness of joy. Jesus brought us great joy of salvation and eternal life (John 11:25). Jesus Christ said in John 14:1-3 that we should not let our heart be troubled that He is going to the Father to prepare a place for us that He will come and take us to where He is. The joy of eternal life is assured.
A GREAT JOY IS ASSURED:
The good news of great joy can only be experienced in your life if and only if:
1. You have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal saviour.
2. You have solid faith and trust in Him (Psalm 37:3, Hebrews 11:6, John 11:40)
3. You can obey and walk in His commandments (John 14:21).
4. You can meditate in His word, reading and studying the word (Psalm 1: 2-3).
5. You prepare yourself to receive Holy Spirit (John 3: 3-8)
6. You can love God with your body, soul and spirit and thy neighbor as thyself (Matthew 22:37-40)
CONCLUSION.
The main reason why Jesus Christ came to the world is to give us eternal life through our faith and trust in Him, which is provided for us by His grace. No one can enter into heaven without accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and personal saviour. No other way to God except through Jesus Christ (John 14:6, Acts 4:12). Make up your mind today to follow Jesus Christ, for the joy of this world ends in this world while joy of the lord transcends the earth to heaven, it is a complete joy, and it adds no sorrow. Do away with the work of the darkness and you shall have the joy of the Lord.
I pray God to give us the grace to know, love and serve Jesus Christ faithfully and diligently ijn. Amen.
You are blessed for taking time to read this spirit inspired message. I want to believe that you are all blessed with this message.
It is joy.
Comments
Samson Oladokun
November 20, 2023 at 3:25 AM
Hallelujah!!! God bless you, for this awesome writeup.
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CSMC TRUEVINE CHAPEL, MATOGUN, OGUN STATE
Am an estate surveyor and valuer, licenced to practice estate management in Nigeria. Born and bred in Nigeria. Am a trained and ordained Pastor, and presently pastoring a church in Nigeria