“Fear Not” Luke 2:1-14
Introduction: ESV Hebrews 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
If God is a God of love, why should one be afraid in His presence? We are very quick to speak about the love of God, and that is as it should be. However, love is not the only attribute of God. Some of you may remember a year ago we spoke on the attributes of God. Among the 14 topics we addressed were holiness, righteousness, omnipotence, wrath, and omniscience. Each of these attributes has a way of making us feel less than comfortable. God’s holiness points out my lack of holiness. God’s righteousness highlights my lack of righteousness. God’s omniscience and omnipotence leave me no defense in the face of my imperfections. And God’s wrath leaves me fearful of what might happen. Hence, Hebrews 10:31 is true!
Just take a look at Luke chapter one (1) to see how often fear is the response of those who find themselves in the presence of God or His representatives. See Luke 1:12-15 (Zacharias); 30 (Mary);
65 (neighbors and relatives of Zacharias); 5:10 (Simon Peter). So it should not surprise us that when the angel appeared to the shepherds, they were “greatly afraid.”
There is a good kind of fear and a bad kind of fear. The good kind of fear is sometimes spoken of as respect. There is a desire to do what pleases God and avoid what displeases Him. The bad kind of fear is that which is rightly experienced when one has disobeyed God and done that which we know to be wrong. For example, Adam was not afraid of God when he was in the Garden of Eden; but when he disobeyed God, he ran and hid because he was afraid. If your desire is to do what pleases God, then that is a good kind of fear, or respect. If your desire is to keep a clear conscience before God, then that is a good kind of fear, or respect. If your desire is to be a “vessel for noble use,” then that is a good kind of fear, or respect. If your desire is to receive blessing from God, then that is a good kind of fear, or respect. If your desire is to avoid God’s displeasure and discipline, then that is a good kind of fear, or respect. If your desire is to receive greater heavenly reward, then that is a good kind of fear, or respect.
Back to our passage in Luke. The angel said to the shepherds in Luke 2:10, “Do not be afraid.” There is a natural tendency to be afraid when confronted with the invisible, the unknown, especially when it becomes visible. On this occasion the angel offers the words, “Fear not!” But that is not all he has to say. He goes on to spell out why there is no need for fear. The angel’s announcement is that the long-awaited promised Messiah has finally come. What God’s people have been waiting for has finally been fulfilled. Therefore, that is the reason the tidings are joyful to them and all who looked for His coming.
Further more, the One who has come is called the “Savior.” He is the one who will save them from all dangers, sin, and death. He will provide for all their needs. He is also called “Christ the Lord,” the Anointed One, the Messiah of God who is none other than God Himself.
Luke 2:10 also says that the reason not to fear is because the angel is bringing good news of great joy. Joy is an opposite experience to fear. And one of the great blessings God brings to His people is that of joy. And at times it is spoken of as great joy. Consider the following passages:
ESV John 15:10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
ESV John 16:24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
ESV Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
ESV Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
ESV James 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
ESV Habakkuk 3:17 Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
ESV Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
ESV 1 Peter 1:8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
My friends, at this Christmas season let us not be filled with fear because God desires our good. Rather, let us be filled with joy because joy is the promise that God has given all those who believe Him and long for His appearing.