THE SUPREMACY OF CHRIST (Part 13).
Luke 2. Verses 8-14 read:
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
The incarnation marked the commencement of the earthly manifestation of the supremacy of Christ. The responses given by different entities to the incarnation confirm the value they attached to it. It was an occurrence of matchless worth. In today’s text, we see three key actors and how they responded to the incarnation. They are the Heavenly Father, the angels, and the shepherds.
The shepherds were in the field, keeping watch over their flocks at night. Suddenly, an angel appeared to them, and immediately, the glory of God shone all around them. From this, we understand that the birth of Christ, the Saviour, initiated the following:
- The release of God’s presence on mankind. This was expressed in the glory that shone around the shepherds. When the supreme one shows up, his glory is released.
- The manifestation of good tidings upon the earth. This was evident in the angel’s message to the shepherds, and by extension, all humanity. The presence of Christ’s supremacy must be accompanied by good tidings.
The sight of the heavenly presence on earth was awesome, and the shepherds were gripped with fear. The angel quickly urged them not to fear because he was sent to bring them tidings of great joy. These tidings defined the new order and era that was to come to the earth. All these manifestations occurred due to the greatness of the child that was born. Yes, a message of hope had to go forth because a child had been born who was bringing hope to the world. The announcement of the angel was explicit. He said that in the town of David, a Saviour had been born, who was the Messiah and Lord. The titles mentioned of Christ reflect his mandate:
- His title, Saviour, points to the redemptive work he would execute for all humanity.
- His title, Messiah, points to the all-surpassing anointing he operated, by which many yokes were broken.
- His title, Lord, reflects his supremacy over all things.
Beloved, the manifestation of divine light and the declarations of the angels to the shepherds, attest to the emergence of the supreme one upon the earth. Yes, the heaven confirmed Christ’s supremacy with divine light, and the angels testified of it with good tidings. As we celebrate Christ’s birth today, may you be a beneficiary of the glorious heavenly light and the angelic tidings of great joy.
SHALOM 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏