Luke: Good News Of Great Joy

"Good news of great joy"
The opening two chapters of Luke’s gospel highlight the faithfulness of God as the Old Testament story – a story awaiting a conclusion for a people awaiting consolation – comes to its climax in Jesus. Jesus is revealed as the fulfilment of Jewish hopes for salvation, an expression of God’s mercy and faithfulness to his promises.

Rooted in history and in the actions of a colonial power whose very presence graphically depicted Israel’s oppression and the sin that caused it, the shepherds hear of good news of a Messiah in Luke 2:1-20. This king will cause great joy not just for all the people (Israel), but ultimately for all people who believe. The true king of the world is not a decree-issuing emperor, but a baby in a manger.