{"id":17209,"date":"2024-12-12T04:30:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-12T09:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/?p=17209"},"modified":"2024-12-13T11:41:28","modified_gmt":"2024-12-13T16:41:28","slug":"setting-our-affections-on-the-good-news-of-great-joy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/article\/concise\/setting-our-affections-on-the-good-news-of-great-joy\/","title":{"rendered":"Setting our Affections on the Good News of Great Joy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Handel\u2019s ending to Part I of The Messiah<\/em> takes a look at a familiar passage. Handel considers the story in Luke 2:8\u201314 with the angel\u2019s proclamation to the shepherds and the good news of great joy that is provided therein. The refrain sounds over and over again:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cGlory to God in the highest, and peace on Earth, goodwill towards men.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

It is easy at Christmas to read familiar passages, sing familiar songs, and slip into sentimentality as rote or routine. We may even intellectually assent to the truths we hear, but they do not penetrate our hearts with the love and affections that they ought. How can we not fall victim to the temptation to make Christmas-time about us and not our great God? The answer lies in what Handel brings to the fore as \u201cgood tidings of great joy<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The term \u201cjoy\u201d is found often in the Scriptures (193 times in the ESV), but \u201cgreat joy\u201d is not as common.[1]<\/a><\/sup> In the Gospels, for instance, it appears only in the stories of Matthew and Luke concerning Jesus\u2019s birth and again in his resurrection. In the Old Testament, this language is used to describe an instance where God graciously reverses a dire situation by providing what the people need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Nine times in the English Standard Version (ESV): 1 Kings 1:40; 2 Chr. 30:26; Neh. 12:43; Matt. 2:10; 28:8; Luke 2:10; 24:52; Acts 15:3; Jude 1:24.<\/h6>\n\n\n\n

For example, in 1 Kings 1:40, Solomon is established as Israel\u2019s king after significant upheaval and battles for the throne. Second Chronicles 30:26 sees Israel celebrating the Passover in a way that \u201cnothing like this in Jerusalem had been done before\u201d during Hezekiah\u2019s reinstatement of temple worship. Nehemiah 12:43 shows the Israelites sacrificing in the rebuilt temple after returning from exile. In each instance, Israel returns to a state of gladness from a state of continual sorrow due to their sin. If what we see here in Luke, and what Handel sings in The Messiah<\/em>, is akin to these types of reversals, it\u2019s important to investigate what that reversal might be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I believe the key to setting our affections on this text in the proper way relies upon a proper grasp of what the \u201cgood news\u201d is<\/em>. The good news I received at the birth of my sons brought great joy to only a small group of people: me, my wife, and some close family were the only ones to \u201cgreatly rejoice\u201d when my sons were born. The \u201cgood news of great joy\u201d in Luke 2:10, however, is for \u201call the people.\u201d The birth of this son is different than the birth of mine or yours. The question becomes: what could possibly be such good news as to the birth of one human baby boy that it would bring great joy to so many? Using Handel\u2019s text as a starting point in this article, I plan to unpack what the angel proclaims in Luke 2:8\u201314 about the Davidic savior, his divinity, and the peace he brings to his people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Davidic Savior <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first thing we should consider is the identity <\/em>of the child. As Luke 2:11 says, he is described as a savior <\/em>from the city of David<\/em>. A savior implies the need of salvation. Reading Scripture must always consider the audience. The good news here is not being given merely to Mary, Joseph, Herod or the religious leaders. It\u2019s given to common people with their common need in view. In other words, they are standing in as an extension for all the people<\/em>. Who needs a savior? All of us. You, me, everybody.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next, the city of David<\/em> brings in a whole new element. God had risen up \u201csaviors\u201d before. The book of Judges is full of examples where God brings a deliverer to rescue the nation from their dark moments. This savior, though, is different. He\u2019s the one identified with David\u2019s city, and he carries with him promises of more than just a temporary reprieve from sinful repercussions. That savior<\/em> is from of old, from ancient of days. He will rule, but not as a tyrannical despot. He will be a shepherd in the strength of the Lord and in the majesty of the name of Yahweh. He will not just be known to Israel, but shall be great to the ends of the earth. God is realizing and fulfilling his covenant to David that a ruler will be over his house and kingdom before him that will have no end (2 Sam. 7:4\u201316).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lord <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There is a second description as to the child\u2019s identity in that he is Christ the Lord<\/em> (Luke 2:11). <\/em>We are told later in the story that the people \u201cwondered\u201d at what the shepherds told them, and there is little doubt this title had something to do with it (Luke 2:18). The Christ<\/em> was the promised Anointed One who would rescue and redeem Israel. This would not have been particularly difficult to accept. False Christs had arisen in the recent past trying \u201csave\u201d Israel from foreign occupation (Acts 5:36\u201337). Some even succeeded for a short time. Understandably, the nation was waiting for the true<\/em> Anointed One.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What would have been difficult to comprehend was how this human Christ was going to be the divine Lord<\/em>. When the Septuagint\u2014the Hebrew Bible translated into Greek\u2014translates Yahweh <\/em>into Greek, they settled on the word kyrios<\/em>, meaning Lord<\/em>. Although the word could mean \u201cmaster\u201d or \u201csir\u201d (as it is sometimes translated), the Jewish practice settled on using this word to refer to the covenant God of Israel. The baby born here, his identity, was the Anointed One sent to save a people as the covenant God of Israel himself. Although prophesied in the Old Testament that it would work out this way (as Christ proved in Luke 24), this would have caused even the most learned men of the day to \u201cwonder.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Proclaimed Peace <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Third, and finally, we need to consider what the good news that is actually heralded<\/em>. Christmas can too often settle on and only<\/em> celebrate the identity of the child. This is a truly wonderful grace that God provides, but it is only half the story. Simply knowing the facts surrounding the child\u2019s identity will become lost on us unless we fully comprehend what he came to do. The good news, if you caught it, is wrapped up in the simple word \u201cpeace<\/em>\u201d (Luke 2:14). All the people<\/em> with whom God is pleased<\/em> need to be saved<\/em> from something. The peace<\/em> accompanying this child is our key to understanding the desperate condition from which we need saving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I joined the military, the word \u201cenemy\u201d took on a whole new meaning. When a person, group, or nation was designated an \u201cenemy,\u201d my squadron\u2019s mission centered on one thing: the enemy\u2019s destruction. The national security of the United States was so threatened by that particular entity that negotiation and peace was no longer an option. I can\u2019t help but take this concept and apply it to Scripture\u2019s declaration that we were at one time God\u2019s \u201cenemies\u201d (Rom. 5:10). We were party to those \u201craging\u201d against him (Ps. 2:1) and we served his enemy\u2014our father the devil (John 8:44). There is no worse news in all creation than to understand yourself to be the enemy of the one true God. As the Scripture rightly says, \u201cIt is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God\u201d (Heb. 10:31). If there is to be any real, true, lasting joy in our lives, this warring against God must be stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The angel declares peace <\/em>on earth at the pronouncement of the Son\u2019s birth. That word can get convoluted these days. We say and hear things that describe an emotional settledness, like, \u201cGod has given me peace <\/em>over this\/that situation.\u201d Sure, a peace like this should be a part of the Christian life, but it is not quite the \u201cgreat joy\u201d we see described in Luke 2:10. The peace<\/em> in our passage, the peace that brings \u201cgreat joy\u201d is that which stops the war between us and God. And the war does not merely cease\u2014we are invited to the king\u2019s court as his friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The prophecy in Micah 5, which identifies Bethlehem as the place of the messiah\u2019s birth, ends with these words: \u201cAnd he shall be their peace<\/em>\u201d (Mic. 5:5). Likewise, the famous declaration of Isaiah 9:7, that the child born to us and the son given is this: of the \u201cincrease of his government and of his peace there will be no end.\u201d So too, Romans 5:1 says those who have justified by faith have \u201cpeace <\/em>with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.\u201d The prepositions here are important! We don\u2019t merely have peace \u201cin\u201d God\u2014a tranquil, inner satisfaction. We have peace \u201cwith<\/em>\u201d God (Rom. 5:1) in that our eternal destruction is not his intention for us any longer (Rom. 5:9-11). Colossians 1:20 states that Christ reconciled all things to God through himself in that he \u201cmade peace<\/em> by the blood of his cross.\u201d In coming to us as Immanuel, \u201cGod with us,\u201d the Lord Jesus Christ began the work of turning his enemies into sons and daughters of the living God. Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29)!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In this section of Handel\u2019s work, he moves from our text in Luke 2:8\u201314 to one near the end of Jesus\u2019s life and his victory on the cross . He repeatedly commands:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Rejoice O daughter of Zion!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Behold thy king cometh unto thee!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the righteous Saviour, and<\/p>\n\n\n\n

he shall speak peace to the heathen,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He shall speak peace, He shall speak peace, peace,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He shall speak peace unto the heathen. (Zech. 9:9\u201310)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With these words of Scripture in mind, let us go with Handel\u2019s command in view. Let us rejoice not in sentimentality, nostalgia, or even biblically intellectual assents. Instead, let us fall in love all over again with the good news of great joy that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Let us set our affections on the truth that God began the work of peace<\/em> by sending us Immanuel to turn us from enemies into sons.
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How can a familiar gospel passage bring us great joy this Christmas?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":17216,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"How can a familiar gospel passage bring us great joy this Christmas?","_seopress_robots_index":"","inline_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[32,12,1814,38],"tags":[823,187,213,102,1460,58,257,244],"scripture-reference":[],"post_folder":[],"ppma_author":[1678],"class_list":["post-17209","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-article","category-concise","category-december-2024","category-theme","tag-christ","tag-christmas","tag-davidic-covenant","tag-gospel","tag-handels-messiah","tag-lordship-of-christ","tag-messiah","tag-prophets"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/knauss-article-scaled-e1733976025163.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-01-13 11:51:00","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"authors":[{"term_id":1678,"user_id":0,"is_guest":1,"slug":"jim-knauss","display_name":"Jim Knauss","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Knauss.png","url2x":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Knauss.png"},"author_category":"","job_title":"","church_city_state":"","last_name":"","first_name":"","church_site":"","user_url":"","description":"Jim Knauss<\/b> is the Director for Discipleship and Training at Heritage Bible Church in Greer, SC. He holds a BS and MS in Civil Engineering, an MS in Flight Test Engineering, and a MDiv. From the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Prior to Jim\u2019s vocational ministry role, he served as a combat and test fighter pilot with over 3000 flight hours in 25 different aircraft types, 700 of which were in combat. Jim is married to his wife Hannah and they live in the upstate of South Carolina with their two sons."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17209","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17209"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17209\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17270,"href":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17209\/revisions\/17270"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17216"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17209"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17209"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17209"},{"taxonomy":"scripture-reference","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/scripture-reference?post=17209"},{"taxonomy":"post_folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_folder?post=17209"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=17209"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}