Receive the Greatest Gift

The angel said to them, “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.” (Luke 2:10-11)

During election times, some American politicians express their love for Jesus to seduce the evangelical electorate into voting for them. One candidate declared that he considered Jesus as his philosopher, and that statement no doubt gave him the vast majority of the evangelical vote. But we do not read in the Bible that Jesus was known as a philosopher. Philosophers are commonplace. Imagine what would have happened to this man had he said and confessed, “Jesus Christ is my Savior and Lord. I obey, worship, and serve him.”

The gospel of Luke tells us in the first two chapters about the person of Jesus Christ and his birth. Throughout the world Christmas is celebrated as a time of great joy with people getting together to eat and drink and give presents to each other. Most people have no clear idea of the significance of this season. It is another holiday to celebrate. But Christmas points to the greatest event in history-the incarnation of Jesus Christ.

History cannot be understood without the biblical revelation of creation, fall, and redemption. God triune, who existed from all eternity, alone is self-existing, self-sufficient, , infinite, personal Being. God created the worlds and all in them, including humans, and permitted sin to enter the world. When Adam and Eve sinned, all creation fell and became subject to God’s wrath.

But God also has a plan of redemption for man and the cosmos. This redemption is accomplished through a man, Jesus Christ, the second Person of the holy Trinity. Because of sin, man must die, for “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). It is not negotiable. Only a man can redeem sinful men by dying their death, but such a redeemer must also be sinless and infinite to redeem all elect sinners of the world. Our redeemer, therefore, must be God-man.

The Old Testament promised such a man would redeem us by defeating and destroying the devil, the enemy of all good. In the proto-euangelion of Genesis 3:15, we read that the seed of the woman will crush the head of the serpent. Genesis 22:18 tells us this man will be the seed of Abraham in whom all the families of the earth will be blessed. Second Samuel 7 tells us he is the Son of David, an everlasting King. Isaiah tells us he will be the son of a virgin (Isa. 7:14) and a son given by God (Isa. 9:6), upon whose shoulders will be the government of the world. Luke 1:26 reveals to us that this seed of the woman is the son of virgin Mary. John tells us, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1, 14).

In his Son, God sent the greatest gift for sinners like us. So Paul exclaims, “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Cor. 9:24). The greatest event in all human history is the coming of a Savior from heaven to earth. Without his coming, there is no meaning to history. Jesus came into the world to save the world from divine destruction.

The Place and Time

In Bethlehem in a cave where cattle were kept, the virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus. What is the significance of this incarnation of God’s Son? The incarnation “is the conjunction in one person of all that belongs to Godhead and all that belongs to manhood. . . . [It] means that he who never began to be in his specific identity as Son of God, began to be what he eternally was not. . . . The infinite became the finite, the eternal and supratemporal entered time and became subject to its conditions, the immutable became the mutable, the invisible became the visible, the Creator became the created, the sustainer of all became dependent, the Almighty infirm . . . [in sum], God became man.”¹ Anyone who denies the incarnation is an antichrist (1 John 4:2-3).

The Son did not come to indwell a human being as the Holy Spirit does, nor did he take the place of a human soul. The Son took to himself a human soul and body. The Son became the man Christ Jesus and his manhood is permanent. Because he was sinless, he obeyed God actively and passively, vicariously and representatively. Hence, Paul could say for our eternal comfort and joy, “Christ died for our sins and was raised for our justification” (Rom. 4:25).

The virgin Mary delivered the baby in the Bethlehem cave in Joseph’s presence during the reign of Caesar Augustus in Rome. Augustus was the grand-nephew of Julius Caesar, who adopted him so that he became heir to the throne. Known as Augustus Julius Caesar Octavianus, he ruled for fifty-seven years (43 B.C.-14 A.D) and was the sole ruler of the Roman empire from 27 B.C. to 14 A.D. Jesus was born around 7 B.C., before the death of Herod the Great in 4 B.C.

It was a time of Roman peace, the Pax Romana, established by Rome’s conquest of all her enemies. Caesar Augustus was called savior, and many recognized him as divine son of God, as the Myrian inscription describes him: “Divine Augustus Caesar, son of a god, Imperator of land and sea, the benefactor and savior of the whole world”² This Caesar Augustus gave an order that all the world should be registered for purposes of taxation and military service. Thus, Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem from Galilee to register.

But Caesar Augustus is under the Sovereign God of the Bible. All these events occurred because it was the Sovereign God’s will that the Savior should be born in Bethlehem, the city of David, as revealed in Micah 5:2 seven hundred years before Caesar Augustus’ order went out. All this happened to redeem a fallen world: “God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons” (Gal. 4:4-5).

The Celebrants

In Luke 2 God himself celebrated the birth of Jesus. The news of Christ’s birth was not sent to Herod the Great, the Sanhedrin, or Emperor Caesar Augustus. None of them was invited to celebrate the first Christmas. Ignoring the centers of power, God invited some poor shepherds of Bethlehem who were watching their sheep by night. Shepherds belonged to the bottom of society. Like publicans, they were the pariahs and untouchables of the day. They were unclean because they could not keep the ceremonial laws. Because they were seen as thieves and liars, they were forbidden to give witness in a court. Yet God invited these who were considered great sinners to hear the gospel and celebrate the birthday of his Son.

This is always the way of God. God gave the greatest honor of becoming the mother of our Lord to a thirteen-year-old virgin who came from a poor, undistinguished family. Mary herself spoke of this: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed” (Luke 1:46-48). So also he chose the most undeserving shepherds to hear the gospel and celebrate and proclaim the birth of Jesus. Our God feeds the hungry, but he sends the rich away empty; he lifts up the humble and puts down the arrogant; he gives grace to the humble and opposes the proud; he justifies the ungodly and condemns the self-righteous.

We read about this way of God throughout the Scriptures. James says, “Listen, my dear brothers: Has God not chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?” (James 2:5). Paul tells the same story: “Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-and the things that are not-to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him” (1 Cor. 1:26-29). If we have not submitted to this Jesus Christ, it is because we are rich and arrogant. But God sends the rich empty away and puts down the proud. He rejects the mighty.

The mighty of Bethlehem rejected this Savior. John writes, “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him” (John 1:11). The mighty reject him and he rejects the mighty. If we have not bowed down to this Jesus Christ, then we are mighty, self-righteous, arrogant, and rich. We are saying, “Return to sender. We reject the gift of God’s Son and exchange the knowledge of the gospel for that which is evil and a lie.”

There was no room for the Son of David in Bethlehem, so the angel came to the shepherds by night. When we read the gospel account carefully, we see that God himself, with his entourage of a multitude of angels, came to the celebration: “The glory of the Lord shone around them” (Luke 2:9). There was the annunciation of the Lord to the poor, wretched, unclean shepherds. When God speaks to sinners, whether through an angel or directly, we are filled with great fear. We read this of Zechariah and Mary, and now of the shepherds. Why this great fear? Because God is holy. Isaiah confessed when he saw God’s glory, “I am undone. I am sinful. I must die” (cf. Isa. 6). How can a sinner stand in the glory of God’s presence?

The Remedy for Fear

These shepherds were terrified with great fear (Luke 2:9). How can we be delivered from our great fear of eternal death? The only remedy is hearing and believing the gospel. The happiest person on earth is a Christian. He alone has reason to rejoice with great joy.

We need to hear the gracious gospel, which the shepherds heard first: “Fear not! You shall not die eternally. You shall not go to hell and experience God’s wrath. Someone else shall die and go to hell in your place. This One who is born will suffer and die in your place as your representative. He is your mediator, atonement, and high priest. Do not be afraid; I bring you, for your benefit, good news of great joy.”

Instead of great fear, there is now good news of great joy spoken to the shepherds. We also must hear and believe this good news, that we may experience everlasting joy. Through this Son, the wrath of God, death, and fear is gone. Our hell is taken away.

Who Is This Baby?

This good news of great joy is about an infant born in Bethlehem, the Son of God wrapped in flesh and wrapped in used strips of clothing, lying in a cattle-feeding trough. What a contrast! Who is this baby? Certainly not a mere philosopher. We are all philosophers, but the philosophy of most is that of the fool who said in his heart, “There is no God” (Ps. 14:1). But this one is no philosopher. Yes, he is a human being who entered history. To Mary the angel revealed that her son is Jesus: “You are to give him the name Jesus” (Luke 1:31). Jesus means “Jehovah is salvation.” The fulfillment of God’s promise has come in Jesus, the one who saves God’s people from their sins. This baby is Jesus, the only Savior of the whole world.

Moreover, it was revealed to Mary that this One is the Son of the Most High, which means he is the second Person of the Trinity, God himself in human flesh. (PGM) This is not the description of a mere philosopher. Away with all such notions of this Jesus, who is God himself!

Additionally, the angel Gabriel declared to Mary that this child is the eternal King of the house of David, in fulfillment of God’s covenant with David (2 Sam. 7:16) and the Isaianic prophecies (Isa. 6, 7, 9, 11). He is the eternal King who conquers all enemies and rules his people beneficently. His people will submit to him, be subject to him, confess him, serve him, and sing his glorious praise. He will not tolerate any enmity in his kingdom, and his kingdom has no end.

Mary was also told that this one is the Holy One. Jesus was sinless; thus, he alone was fit to be our Savior and atonement. Paul writes, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21).

Now to the shepherds the angel also reveals that this homeless infant wrapped in used clothing and lying in a cave in a cattle trough is the Savior. Caesar Augustus cannot save anyone or give them peace. He can proclaim himself savior, but that does not mean anything. Jesus alone can give peace and joy as no one else can. Do not call him philosopher; he is Savior.

Why do we need a Savior? Because we are fallen, guilty sinners, under God’s wrath, and we must die unless someone else takes the guilt of our sins and dies our eternal death. All have sinned, including the virgin Mary; we all need a Savior. The shepherds of Bethlehem represent all elect sinners. To them God announced that he has sent a Savior-his greatest gift to mankind. In him we receive grace and salvation.

We need grace. The angel greeted Mary, “Rejoice, you who are filled with grace” (Luke 1:28, author’s translation). She is not the source of grace, but one who received grace to the full. Why should Mary rejoice? Because she was filled with grace and found grace with God. We see the same expression used of Noah, Zechariah, and the shepherds: they found grace with God. We need grace, for salvation is by grace.

In Luke 1:30 we read, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found grace with God” (author’s translation). The antidote to our great fear is receiving the gospel of God’s everlasting grace. The Old Testament promised a Savior. Isaiah pictures Yahweh as Savior of his people. This Yahweh now we see as Jesus. Salvation is found in no one else in the whole universe. Jesus is the only Savior of the world-the Savior of Jews, Muslims, Christians, atheists, and everyone else. There is no other savior. Everyone must repent and believe in this Savior to be saved.

This is good news of great joy, good news that gives great joy, not just for some people, but for all the people. No wonder the Samaritansn confessed that Jesus is the Savior of the world. In the seed of Abraham, Jesus Christ, all the families of the earth are blessed. John writes, “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).

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). Today! No more do we need to look for the fulfillment of God’s promise of a Savior. Christ has come. He is born today. We have a Savior in whom every promise is fulfilled. Today is the day of fulfillment, celebration, salvation, and great joy. We are blessed because we live today, and that today will continue until Jesus comes again. Paul writes, “Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2). To Zacchaeus Jesus said, “Today salvation has come to this house” (Luke 19:9) and to the thief who confessed him on the cross Jesus declared, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). Let us praise God for today. Today is your day of salvation, but your “today” will end when you die. I beseech you in the name of Jesus Christ to receive him and be saved today.

This infant wrapped in flesh and used clothes, lying in a trough, is none other than Christ, the promised Messiah. He is the Anointed One, equipped and qualified to be the Prophet, Priest, and conquering King. John says he was filled with the Holy Spirit without measure (John 3:34). He is the promised deliverer for people to deliver them from their guilt and misery and death and slavery. He himself said in Luke 4:18, citing Isaiah 61, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, for he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Are you the poor? Then good news is preached to you. Are you a prisoner? He will set you free. Are you blind? He gives sight to the blind. Are you oppressed of the devil? He shall release you from your oppression and set you free. If the Son sets you free, you are free indeed. It is he who proclaims the year of the Lord’s favor, that is, the year of the Lord’s grace. Rejoice greatly, you poor, you prisoners, you oppressed, you blind, you deaf, you dead. Do not be afraid. Rejoice!

This helpless, dependent, poor infant is also Lord. That means he is God, Yahweh. He is Creator God, Redeemer God, and covenant Lord. He is all-sovereign; all things are put under his feet.

Good News! The Lord Has Come!

What was the message of the angel? The Lord has come. The King has come. The Savior has come. The Messiah has come. Let us bow down before him, surrender to him, and serve him. This is good news of great joy! Isaiah predicted this news:

You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!” See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young (Isa. 40:9-11).

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the Lord returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes. Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God (Isa. 52:7-10).

After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities (Isa. 53:11).

This One brings glory to God in the highest. That is what the angels are singing. He will honor God the Father with complete trust and obedience, and God’s purpose will prosper in his hand. He will do all things for God’s glory, including dying on the cross to fulfill God’s purpose of saving sinners justly. Jesus prayed to the Father, “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do” (John 17:4). No other human being could so glorify God, but Christ did. Glory to God in the highest!

Adam and all his fallen descendents have dishonored God, but Jesus came to glorify God, and he accomplished that purpose. So the angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest,” meaning this infant would bring glory to God. He also will, finally, bring peace on earth. He does so by bringing peace between God and sinners. God and sinners were reconciled by the cross upon which Jesus died. So Jeremiah calls him, “The Lord is our Righteousness” (Jer. 23:6), and Micah says of this ruler born in Bethlehem, “He will be their peace” (Micah 5:5). Not only does he bring about peace between God and man, but he also brings peace between man and man. A husband and wife can live together in love, without divorce. We can have a community of believers who will love one another and lay down their lives for one another. It is all because of this infant who would die on the cross for the sins of the world.

The angel brought the good news to the shepherds. Now we and all true ministers preach the same good news, which Jesus and his apostles preached. Behold, your Savior, Christ the Lord. The Bible says salvation is of the Lord; salvation is of the Jews. Salvation comes to us by Jesus the Jew, who was crucified, risen, and is reigning.

How Shall We Respond?

What should be our response to this good news? We should believe it. Mary believed. When the angel came to her, she responded, “I am the Lord’s slave. . . . May it be to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38, author’s translation). Mary trusted God for everything. What about the shepherds? They believed. Luke 2:15-20 describes how they hurried to Bethlehem, searched for the baby, found him, and published the message: “This baby is our Savior, our Christ, our Lord, who destroys all our fears and grants us great joy. He is the great liberator.” They surrendered to this Jesus and worshiped him.

Mary was a sinner who trusted in her Son, the Savior. Elizabeth also trusted in this infant while he was still in Mary’s womb. When Mary came to her, she said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!³ But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:42-43). She confessed the infant in the womb of Mary to be her Lord.

What should be our response to grace? Believe and receive the Savior. In Romans 10 Paul speaks about the necessity of a preacher called by God to preach the gospel, for faith comes by hearing the gospel, and we must believe the gospel to be saved. We must confess with our mouths Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised him from the dead, and we will be saved. We must call upon the name of the Lord.

There are only two responses to the gospel message when it comes to us: We can either receive or write on it, “Return to sender.” We will either surrender, believe, worship, and receive him as Lord and Savior, or continue in our rebellion, unbelief, and enmity. But by all means, do not see Jesus as a philosopher, but confess him as Savior, Christ the Lord. We must also be aware that this Jesus is the judge. He has come into the world as the stone not cut by human hands whose purpose is to destroy all powers of the world that oppose God’s kingdom (cf. Dan. 2). This stone will fall on all rebels who oppose God. Stop your rebellion, fall down and kiss the Son, believe in him, and receive the grace of God. Surrender and be saved; oppose and be destroyed. Who can stand the wrath of the Lamb? I plead with you to receive God’s indescribable gift, our Lord Jesus Christ, who, though rich, for our sakes became poor so that we, through his poverty, might become rich.

I received this gift long ago, but I am still unwrapping it. Jesus makes me happy every day. Do not give me stuff, but tell me about Jesus, the Savior, Christ the Lord. It is my prayer that he also be your Savior, your Christ, your Lord today.

¹ John Murray, Collected Writings of John Murray: Volume Two, Select Lectures in Systematic Theology (Edinburgh: 1977, Banner of Truth Trust), 133, 132.

² Joel B. Green, The Gospel of Luke, New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids: 1997, Eerdmans), 125.

³ The literal meaning is “Blessed is the fruit of your womb.”