Hope. Every person needs it. Thankfully, this Christmas we each can have it. I was sitting and contemplating Christmas one day when I thought of these three incredible angelic sayings that makes all the difference in the world – and ultimately brings us all the hope we need in the world. There is hope this Christmas!
3 Angelic Sayings that Bring Us Hope
For unto us is born this day ~ Luke 2:8-14
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 2:10-14)
The angels divinely reported that Jesus is born. What incredible news! No doubt this is good tidings of great joy for all people.
Jesus entered the world. As the incarnate Christ, He became flesh and dwelt among us. On the night of His birth, the angels took to the air to share the greatest birth announcement in world history. Jesus is born. Prophecy fulfilled. Israel’s Messiah. The Savior of the world.
Now over two thousand years later, we still join the angels in bringing glory to God in the highest.
He is not here, but is risen! ~ Luke 24:1-12
Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ ” (Luke 24:1-12)
The angels also brought incredible news to Mary and others on the Sunday after Jesus’ crucifixion. They arrived after the Sabbath early in the morning in order to better serve the lifeless body of Jesus. However, when they arrived, the grave was empty; Jesus’ body was gone. The women were struck in the heart. Fear. Bewilderment. Shock. Greatly perplexed.
The angels ask one of the greatest questions in history. “Why do you seek the living among the dead?”
The answer is even better: “He is not here, but is risen!”
Praise the Lord for His goodness to all mankind. Jesus lives. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus resurrected from the grave. Death was defeated. The grave left empty; its power robbed.
Jesus was resurrected as the first among many in the future.
This same Jesus will so come in like manner ~ Acts 1:9-11
Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:9-11)
The angels also proclaimed another message which provides incredible hope for all of us as well. At Jesus’ birth, the angels proclaimed His incarnation. After Jesus’ death, the angels proclaimed the resurrection – an empty grave. Both of these proclamations – although full of hope – look backwards. The birth of a Savior. An empty grave. But not this time.
At Jesus’ ascension, the angels proclaimed a future hope. As they stood there looking up into the sky where Jesus had just ascended on a cloud into heaven, the angel proclaims, “This same Jesus… will so come in like manner.” Now, that’s hope.
As bad as it seems around us. When news hits hard. When our circumstances seem overwhelming. In those moments when we are crushed by our own sinfulness and lack of sanctification. In all of these moments, the great news remains the same.
The angels promised Jesus would return! Jesus will reign on earth and then create a new heaven and earth. Forever.
This is hope!
Hope This Christmas!
Friend, the angels bring you great news of hope today. Not on their own authority or because of their own power. They bring you hope because they are messengers of God to us. Three incredible sayings given at just the perfect time to provide hope for the world.
The hope we need! Hope for this Christmas. Hope for every day.
Angels at Walk Through Bethlehem Grace Baptist Church, Bowling Green, KY
KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together
