A celestial light lit up the night as a multitude of the heavenly host filled the sky. The angelic choir sounded forth in a symphony of praises to the Almighty God. They proclaimed with boldness and rejoicing: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14).
What an experience it would have been to behold this wondrous, amazing sight two thousand years ago. What caused these messengers of God to come to earth, bearing a message of peace and good will to mankind? It was the birth of Jesus Christ, the son of the living God.
Thirty years later, upon seeing Jesus, John the Baptist said, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). There is little wonder the angels rejoiced at the coming of the Messiah who would redeem mankind and break the power of sin and death in their lives.
Sin is abounding in the world and it brings grief, guilt, loneliness, bondage, and hopelessness. People’s lives and families are being wrecked by the power of the devil. But, praise God, there is good news! Through the power of Jesus Christ, there is still peace for mankind right now in the midst of a troubled world. Through Jesus Christ the power of sin can be broken and hope and life can take the place of brokenness and death.
“As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country” (Proverbs 25:25). It is refreshing to receive good news during a day of stress and difficulty. There is good news for every troubled soul. It is found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The word gospel means ‘good news’ or ‘glad tidings.’ The good news of the gospel is that Jesus Christ came to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves.
Jesus Christ is still working miracles in people’s lives by restoring and healing those who are spiritually sick. Where there is no way out, Jesus will make a way. Jesus will make the impossible possible.
The first recorded message that Jesus ever preached encapsulates the good news of the gospel: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord” (Luke 4:18-19).
Jesus loves you and the good news of the gospel is still relevant today. Jesus is still in the business of forgiving the sinner and healing the sick. Jesus will minister to every individual who is unhappy, hurting, blind, or bruised. All you need to do is open your heart and cry out to the Lord. He is listening for your cry.
“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). This glorious gospel of hope is for people of every background, of every personality, and of every nation. As we experience the reality of this good news of the gospel, let us be faithful to share it with those around us who are hurting. It is not in what we can do, it is about what Jesus can and will do. Glory to God for the good news of the gospel.
-mws
