Peace on Earth Towards Men of Good Will…

 

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

"Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"—Luke 2:8-14

This morning I am rejoicing and praising God with the shepherds and the heavenly host for the indescribable gift of Jesus, God’s Son. As I went through the cross-references for verses 10 and 11 and looked more closely at verse 14 I was blessed. Leaving the verses and my findings here for you and praying that you are blessed as well.  Amazing love!

Looking at verse 14 first.

Linguistically, Jon Courson says, the meaning of this first Christmas carol is, “Peace on earth towards men of good will,” toward men who are in God’s will. (emphasis mine)

“This is the will of God,” Jesus said, “that you believe on Him whom the Father hath sent” (see John 6:29). 

If you believe on Him whom the Father hath sent, you will indeed be one who, regardless of what’s happening around you externally, will experience a peace in your heart internally. Jon then urges his readers not to let anyone take that peace from them by implying that they should be doing more or trying harder. Instead, they should say, 

“Thank You, Lord, for the Good News of great joy that unto me is born a Savior. I embrace this, and I thank You for the peace I experience not because of what I’ve done, but because of what You did in coming to earth to die for me.”

“It is finished,” Jesus declared on the Cross (John 19:30). Therefore, all that remains for us to do is to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength in response to the goodness, grace, and lovingkindness He pours out upon us.

Verses 10-11

Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Beloved…the Bible tells the future ahead of time. Fulfilled prophecy is a very important way we can know that God exists and His word is true.  As predicted by the prophet Micah Jesus was born in Bethlehem…the city of David. 

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,

Yet out of you shall come forth to Me

The One to be Ruler in Israel,

Whose goings forth are from of old,

From everlasting."—Micah 5:2

Jesus is not just Israel’s Savior but the whole world’s. 

Cross-references for Verse 10: (Luke 1:30; Genesis 12:3; Isaiah 49:6)

Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 

"Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy

Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end."—Luke 1:30

which will be to all people.

I will bless those who bless you,

And I will curse him who curses you;

And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."—Genesis 12:3 (emphasis mine)

The third promise to Abram (Abraham) in this Scripture finds its ultimate fulfillment in the fact that Jesus Christ became the means of blessing to the world

Galatians 3:8 interprets…

And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, "In you all the nations shall be blessed." So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

Indeed He says,

'It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant

To raise up the tribes of Jacob,

And to restore the preserved ones of Israel;

I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles,

That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.'"

Verse 11  Cross-references (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:21; John 4:42; Matthew 16:15-16; John 11:27; Acts 2:36; Philippians 2:11)

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.—Isaiah 9:6

And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins."—Matthew 1:21

Then they said to the woman, "Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world."—John 4:42

And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.—Matthew 1:16

He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"

Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."—Matthew 16:15-16

She said to Him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world."—John 11:27

"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."—Acts 2:36

and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.—Philippians 2:11