Luke the physician shared how a male child was born to Joseph and Mary, and afterward “there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ...”, and in chapter two and verse fourteen of his book Luke shares how the angels said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace” where we read:
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
The verse reads, “Glory to God in the highest, ...” Luke began with the words, “Glory to God” or “splendor, brightness, magnificence, excellence, preeminence, dignity and grace be toward the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “in the highest” which means “within the most high regions or places which denotes the Supreme God”. Luke shared how the “angels” praised God by declaring “splendor, brightness and preeminence” to Him who is the “Supreme God” and dwells in the “most high” places.
The verse continues, “... and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke added the words, “and on earth peace” which means “and upon the arable main land, ground, country, territory or region there would be security, safety, prosperity, felicity and harmony”, “good will” or “kindly intent, benevolence, delight, pleasure and satisfaction” “toward men” which means “with people both male and female”. Luke shared how the “angels” continued their praise by declaring “peace, kindly intent and benevolence” upon all people.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the coming of Jesus the Messiah was meant to bring “peace” and “good will” upon the earth. Because there is often “contention, fighting, strife and war” among people, the world was in need of “peace”, and because there was “ill-will, animosity and transgressions” among people, there was a need for “kindly intent and benevolence”. Jesus, the Messiah, demonstrated to mankind how these two benefits were possible through a relationship with Him. God's offer of “peace” and “good will” to people was now available, and those who are wise will not only consider the “fighting” and “transgressions” of mankind, but also be mindful of the “Supreme God's” offer to intervene with “tranquility and kindly intent”.
Next time Luke shares how the shepherds say, “let us now go even unto Bethlehem”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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