HIS GOSPEL IS PEACE DAY 12

DECEMBER 12, 2024

Luke 2:14

Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on
whom his favor rests.

The first and earliest mention of God's "good will or good pleasure" in Luke's gospel was on the night Jesus was born, when “a multitude of the heavenly host” praised God and sang, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14).

Those who heard the song were not the high and mighty but the humble and lowly: shepherds. This is not because the lowly of this world are especially deserving of God’s good pleasure. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  Rather, I believe they are singled out because God’s way of working in this world is to bring all of us low, to diminish us, to empty us of ourselves, that we might receive in humble faith his good pleasure toward us in his Son, who fills us and enriches us with himself. John the Baptist put it well, I must decrease that he might increase." As the mother of Jesus sang, “He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate” (Luke 1:52).


“Glory to God in the highest heaven,” the angels sang, for he alone is worthy of glory.

And how does God show his glory? In sending His favor and goodwill, the Father's glory from the highest heavens comes down to earth through Jesus, a flesh-and-blood baby born into humble conditions, to grant us peace. Peace in Jesus is not simply the absence of conflict or fear, but the fullness of love. This fullness of love fills us when we are brought down from our mighty thrones and emptied of self. The fullness of love, the Bible talks about draws us into the life of God so that we might be the children of God. 

The good pleasure, the favor of our God, rests upon us as we rest in Jesus, born for us that we might be reborn in him; this is true peace.

So, today we hear the invitation “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29)