.
● Luke 2:1-12a . . Now it came about in those days that a decree went out
from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This
was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all
were proceeding to register for the census, everyone to his own city.
. . . And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to
Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the
house and family of David, in order to register, along with Mary, who was
engaged to him, and was with child.
. . . And it came about that while they were there, the days were completed
for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her first-born son; and she
wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no
room for them in the inn.
● Luke 2:1-12b. . . And in the same region there were some shepherds
staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an
angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord
shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.
. . . And the angel said to them: Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you
good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the
city of David there has been born for you a savior, who is Christ the Lord.
And this will be a sign for you: you will find the babe wrapped in cloths, and
lying in a manger.
The koiné Greek word for "savior' is soter (so-tare') which means a
rescuer. Most everybody has seen rescuers in action at one time or another,
e.g. Fireman, Cops, Emergency Medical teams, snow patrols, mountain
rescue units, and the Coast Guard. Rescuers typically help people to safety
who are in grave danger and/or distress and completely helpless to do
anything about it.
Just how useful would the savior of Luke 2:8-12 really be if he couldn't
guarantee a fail-safe, sin proof, commandment proof, human-error proof,
God proof rescue from the wrath of God and full time protection from
retribution? He'd be no savior at all; he'd be more like a coach or a manager
than a rescuer.
But if instead, the savior announced by the angel guarantees anybody who
wants it, a completely free of charge, no strings attached, fail-safe, sin
proof, commandment proof, human-error proof, God proof rescue from the
wrath of God, and full-time protection from retribution; wouldn't he qualify
as good news of great joy? I think everyone would have to agree with me
that a savior like that would not only most certainly be good news; but also
cause for celebration.
_
● Luke 2:1-12a . . Now it came about in those days that a decree went out
from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This
was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all
were proceeding to register for the census, everyone to his own city.
. . . And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to
Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the
house and family of David, in order to register, along with Mary, who was
engaged to him, and was with child.
. . . And it came about that while they were there, the days were completed
for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her first-born son; and she
wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no
room for them in the inn.
● Luke 2:1-12b. . . And in the same region there were some shepherds
staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an
angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord
shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.
. . . And the angel said to them: Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you
good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the
city of David there has been born for you a savior, who is Christ the Lord.
And this will be a sign for you: you will find the babe wrapped in cloths, and
lying in a manger.
The koiné Greek word for "savior' is soter (so-tare') which means a
rescuer. Most everybody has seen rescuers in action at one time or another,
e.g. Fireman, Cops, Emergency Medical teams, snow patrols, mountain
rescue units, and the Coast Guard. Rescuers typically help people to safety
who are in grave danger and/or distress and completely helpless to do
anything about it.
Just how useful would the savior of Luke 2:8-12 really be if he couldn't
guarantee a fail-safe, sin proof, commandment proof, human-error proof,
God proof rescue from the wrath of God and full time protection from
retribution? He'd be no savior at all; he'd be more like a coach or a manager
than a rescuer.
But if instead, the savior announced by the angel guarantees anybody who
wants it, a completely free of charge, no strings attached, fail-safe, sin
proof, commandment proof, human-error proof, God proof rescue from the
wrath of God, and full-time protection from retribution; wouldn't he qualify
as good news of great joy? I think everyone would have to agree with me
that a savior like that would not only most certainly be good news; but also
cause for celebration.
_
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