The “Good News”

[B]ut the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, because I am here announcing to you Good News that will bring great joy to all the people. This very day, in the town of David, there was born for you a Deliverer who is the Messiah, the Lord.” – Luke 2:10-11 (CJB)

The Greek word is “euaggeliz” (yoo-ang-ghel-id'-zo). …What Greek word, you might be asking yourself right about now? The Greek word from which the English words “good news” cited above from Luke 2 (specifically verse 10) derive from. (In fact, “euaggeliz” is the word where we get the English word “evangelize” from.) Strong’s Greek Dictionary states the following in relation to the definition of this word, euaggeliz: “to announce good news (“evangelize”) especially the gospel: - declare, bring (declare, show) glad (good) tidings, preach (the gospel)”; or as Thayer’s Greek Definitions state concerning this word: “to bring good news, to announce glad tidings …  in the NT used especially of the glad tidings of the coming kingdom of God, and of the salvation to be obtained in it through Christ, and of what relates to this salvation”.

So with these things above in mind about this word “euaggeliz” let us think about a few things for a moment in relation to this proclamation given by the angel to these shepherds “living out in the fields” (v. 8):

 1. According to the angel, the “good news”/“glad tidings” (in essence, THE “Gospel”) was being proclaimed to these shepherds at this time.

 2. This “good news,” according to this angel once again, was a message of “great joy” (…not a message that is discouraging or ‘somber,’ mind you).

 3. This “good news” was a message intended for “ALL people” (NKJV).

 4. And the essence of the proclamation of this “good news” had to do with the birth of “a Deliverer who is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Or as the NASB simply states, “…a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”)

As the angel had told Joseph prior to this event described for us concerning the actual birth of Jesus in the little town of Bethlehem, His (Jesus’) name would be called “Jesus”. …Why? “…[F]or He will save His people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21); He would, as John the Baptist proclaimed about Him years later, “take away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). (And by doing so, no less, “tak[ing] away the sin of the world,” that is, “save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him” [Heb. 7:25a].)

What “good news”! …No, better yet, what GREAT News! it is to know that we have a Savior who loves us enough to come to this earth and become one of us, die in relation to our sins, and ever live to make intercession for us [Heb. 7:25b]! As the author of Hebrews simply states concerning this reality:

We are people of flesh and blood. That is why Jesus became one of us. He died to destroy the devil, who had power over death. But he also died to rescue all of us who live each day in fear of dying. – Hebrews 2:14-15 (CEV)

With all these things in mind, truly, as the angels proclaimed that night in the fields to the shepherds:

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14)

May our life song of praises and worship to our mighty and worthy God express such joy as the angels did on that faithful night with the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

James has served as a teacher, speaker and local church elder. He has an ongoing desire to encourage others by sharing the truly good news of Jesus Christ with them; ultimately bringing honor and glory to God. He may be personally contacted at: [email protected].