Fear Not!
Luke 2:1-20
Merry Christmas! On most Sundays, I preach verse-by-verse through books of the Bible. In our study of the Gospel of Matthew, we are halfway through chapter 10. In last week’s lesson as Jesus sent His disciples out to preach the gospel of the Kingdom, He told them three times “Do not fear”.
We live in a very fearful world. Our minds are often filled with worries and fears. We fear national instability and the potential for war. We fear the very real possibility of economic collapse. We fear what kind of world our children are inheriting. We are concerned for their future. People are even caught in the grip of their fears during the Christmas season—a time that should be joyous, happy, and Christ-centered.
Such fears are nothing new in the history of mankind. Fear has been a part of human existence since the fall of man in Genesis 3. At the time of the birth of Christ fear abounded among the Jews. Luke gives us the setting in Luke 2:1, “And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.” Their Roman oppressors were conducting a census in order to raise already high taxes. Matthew tells us it was also “in the days of Herod the king” (Matt. 2:1) a murderous, paranoid despot. There was much political upheaval, and the possibility of a bloody war was very real.[1]
And into these fearful times, both Matthew and Luke, in their birth narratives, record angels bringing the same comforting words, “Do not be afraid” (Matt. 1:20; Luke 1:13, 30; 2:10). Four times we have “Do not be afraid”— to Zechariah, to Joseph, to Mary, and to the shepherds. The old King James Version puts it this way: “Fear not!”
Today, as we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, we want to remember that the message of that Christmas resounded with: “Fear Not.” So I would like us to think about that phrase “Fear not!” for the next few minutes as we consider the Christmas Story.
What was the source of their fear? Certainly, having an angel show up out of nowhere was itself terrifying. Throughout the Bible, angels are represented more commonly as mighty warriors than mild princesses, which I’m sure caused some amount of fear. But I think their words, “Fear Not!” were meant to do more than just alleviate the fear of their presence. Their encouragement, instead, has everything to do with the promise and power of God’s presence with and for them. It has everything to do with the coming of the Savior, Jesus Christ.
Fear Not, God Has Heard Your Prayer (Luke 1:13)
In Luke 1, the angel Gabriel visited Zechariah as he was serving as a priest in the temple in Jerusalem. In Luke 1:13, the angel said, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard.” The angel then explained that God was not only going to answer Zechariah’s personal prayer for a son but also the prayers of all the people. Zechariah and his barren wife Elizabeth had endured a lifetime of shame and difficulty but the people of Israel had endured centuries of sin, suffering, and shame. Now, the angel said, “Fear Not!” God has heard your prayers and is preparing to bring you salvation.
Fear Not, God Gives You Grace (Luke 1:30)
Later in Luke 1, Gabriel also appeared to Mary, saying, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God” (Luke 1:30). He went on to explain how Mary, a virgin, would give birth to “the Son of the Highest” (Luke 1:32), the “Holy One” (Luke 1:35), who is “the Son of God” (Luke 1:35). This Son would fulfill God’s promises to His people and would build a kingdom that wouldn’t end (Luke 1:33). God would bring His Son into the world through Mary, demonstrating His grace to her and His mercy to those who fear Him (Luke 1:50).
Fear Not, God Is With You (Matthew 1:20)
In Matthew 1:20, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.” Joseph was struggling with what was the right thing to do about Mary’s unexpected pregnancy. The angel assured Joseph that things were not as they appeared. God is with them in fulfillment of the prophecy to bring a Savior from sin.
Fear Not, God Sends a Savior (Luke 2:10)
Then, in Luke 2:10, in the fields outside Bethlehem, an angel appeared to shepherds in the darkness of night and said, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.” The good news was that “there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). And then the angel provided instructions on how to find Him (Luke 2:12). After a chorus of angels praised God, the shepherds headed to Bethlehem to find the baby just as the angel said, and they “returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen” (Luke 2:20).
All four times when the angels tell them, “Fear Not!”, the reason given to not be afraid is the coming of the Messiah, the King, the Lord who will save His people. Let’s look a little more closely at the announcement to the shepherds in Luke 2.
Luke writes, “Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.” (Luke 2:8). On the hills outside of Bethlehem, shepherds are living out in the fields doing what shepherds do, keeping watch over their flock. Luke then writes, “And Behold …”, suddenly, unexpectedly, out of nowhere, “an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them …” The “glory of the Lord” refers to the majesty and splendor accompanying God’s presence. The nation of Israel had experienced the glory of the LORD when He manifested Himself to them at Sinai (cf. Ex 16:7; 24:16-17; 40:34-38). The glory of the LORD filled the temple at its dedication (1 Kings 8:11; 2 Chr. 7:1-3). The prophets promised the glory of the LORD would be revealed in the Messiah (Isaiah 35:2; 40:5; 60:1; Hab. 2:14). The glory of God expresses all that He is in His Being and in His nature, character, power, and acts. The Lord’s glory shone all around these lowly shepherds.
How did they react to this astonishing event? Luke says, “and they were greatly afraid” (Luke 2:9). Imagine how frightening the shepherd’s experience would have been. They had been sitting in the dark night, perhaps with only the light of a flickering fire, when suddenly the sky lit up like noontime! Add to that the sudden appearance of the angel. It was enough to scare anyone![2]
As we said last week when we studied Matthew 10, to fear the Lord is a good thing. Proverbs says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom…” (Pro 9:10) and “The fear of the LORD leads to life….” (Pro. 19:23). In this case their fear of the Lord prepared them to hear the word of the Lord.
The Good News of Great Joy (Luke 2:10-11)
Luke 2:10 says, “Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.”” The angel tells them to stop being afraid because “I bring you good tidings of great joy.” He used the word that means “to proclaim the good news”—literally, “I evangelize to you great joy!” In the New Testament, this word most often refers to proclaiming the good news of the coming Kingdom of God and salvation through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
This good news replaces their “great fear” with “great joy”. Is this not what the “Good News” brings to our hearts? Before we receive the gospel we have great fear of death and judgment, but then someone proclaims the gospel to us, we receive it, and our great fear is turned into great joy. Oh yes, we still have (or should have) a holy fear of the Lord, but it is no longer the fear of eternal punishment or banishment! Now, as believers, it is a fear, that we might displease, our loving Heavenly Father Who has called us His children.
J.C. Ryle wrote about the good news:
We need not wonder at these words. The spiritual darkness which had covered the earth for four thousand years, was about to be rolled away. The way to pardon and peace with God, was about to be thrown open to all mankind. The head of Satan, was about to be crushed. Liberty was about to be proclaimed to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind. The mighty truth was about to be proclaimed — that God could be just, and yet, for Christ’s sake, justify the ungodly. Salvation was no longer to be seen through types and figures — but openly, and face to face. The knowledge of God was no longer to be confined to the Jews — but to be offered to the whole Gentile world. The days of heathenism were numbered. The first stone of God’s kingdom was about to be set up. If this was not “good tidings” — then there never were tidings that deserved the name.[3]
This good news of great joy “will be to all people” (Luke 2:10). The word “people” is laos, which refers first to the whole nation of Israel (Luke 1:68; 7:16; 19:47; 21:23; 22:66; 23:5, 14). But the promise of salvation is not for them only. Praising God after seeing the baby Jesus in the temple, Simeon said, “30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation 31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, 32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” (Luke 2:30-32).
In Luke 2:11, the angel then announced the content of this joyous good news, “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
The good news the angel announces to them is the birth of a child. He is human. He was born. He did not descend from the sky. In fact, the angel gives them a sign to look for in Luke 2:12 “And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” Jesus was conceived miraculously in Mary’s womb, was born, grew, and developed just like any human child. This is the wonder of the incarnation. As a man, the representative of the human race, He could bear the sins of men.
The timing of this gospel event is “this day” or “today”. That word occurs eleven times in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 2:11; 4:21; 5:26; 12:28; 13:32-33; 19:5, 9; 22:34, 61; 23:43) and nine times in Acts. It signifies the dawning of the era of messianic salvation and the fulfillment of the plan of God.[4]
The place of the birth is “in the city of David”. The city of David is Bethlehem, as Luke has just shown in Luke 2:4. The king’s name and his ancient home recall all the Messianic promises made to David.[5] The promise of a son of David who would reign on his throne forever in righteousness is fulfilled in the birth of this child this day. Micah prophesied, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.” (Micah 5:2).
The angel then announces three titles belonging to this child. First…
He is the Savior.
A Savior, not a Judge; One who would deliver His people, not destroy them.[6] Jesus’ very name is essentially a synonym for Savior because Jesus means “the Lord saves”, as the angel said to Joseph in Matthew 1:21, “… you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” In Luke 1:47, Mary herself declared “And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.” Mary called God her Savior and now the angels give God’s title of Savior to this Baby. In Luke 1:68-69, Zechariah prophesied, “68 Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people, 69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David.” The LORD God speaks in Isaiah 45:21 saying, “And there is no other God besides Me, A just God and a Savior; There is none besides Me.” The Bible is clear: God is the only Savior; Jesus is our Savior; therefore, Jesus is God. In Titus 2:13 Paul calls Him “our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
The second title the angel announces is…
He is the Christ.
Christ is the translation of the Hebrew word “Messiah”. Both Christ and Messiah mean the “anointed one”. It means that God the Father sent and anointed Jesus for His mission of salvation. In the Old Testament, priests, prophets, and kings were anointed and all these offices were fulfilled in Christ Jesus (King = Rev 17:14, Rev 19:16, Lk 1:32-33, Priest = Heb 3:1, 1 Ti 2:5, Prophet = Heb 1:1-2). Jesus was anointed as Prophet to preach the gospel, as Priest to offer sacrifice for sins, and as King to reign. He alone is able to reconcile sinful people to God through His life, His sacrificial death, and His resurrection.
He is Savior; He is Christ; and the third title the angel announces is…
He is Lord.
The Greek word is kurios meaning one who is sovereign and possesses absolute authority, absolute ownership, and uncontested power. In the Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures, kurios is almost 7000 times to designate the personal, sacred name for God “YaHWeH”. Luke has already used kurios eighteen times in Luke 1 and 2 to refer to God. Just a few verses later, in Luke 2:22-24 when Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem kurios is used four more times to refer to God. The baby in the manger of Bethlehem is none other than the Lord God in human flesh! “Lord” is not merely a title, but it calls for us to willingly, reverently, and obediently bow down to Jesus Christ as Lord. It is the confession of our salvation “Jesus is Lord” (Rom. 10:9; Phi. 2:11) and the way we live as Christians.
As God in human flesh, Jesus Christ is unique in all the world. He alone qualifies to be the Savior of the world and Lord over all.
Jesus did not come as a nice man offering a new philosophy about life. He did not come as a great moral teacher, giving some interesting tips and helpful insights on how to live a happy life. He came as the Savior! The only people who need a Savior are those in great peril. Even though you may not be aware of it, without Jesus as your Savior, you are lost, under God’s judgment! If you die without Him as your Savior, you are eternally lost!
That is a fearful thought. But fear’s hold has been broken in those of us who believe the angel’s words: “Fear not … for a Savior is born to you — Christ the Lord!” Nothing could remove our fear and bring more joy!
Hebrews 2:14-15 says,
14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Heb. 2:14-15)
God brings salvation to Adam’s fallen race by taking human flesh on Himself, yet without sin. Then, as our sinless substitute, He bore our sin on the cross to satisfy the righteous justice of God, so that God may be both “just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Rom. 3:26). Through His death and resurrection Jesus conquered the devil, destroyed death, and set us free from bondage to sin and fear.
The only way to be released from the fear of death and the bondage of sin is to receive Jesus Christ, believe in Him, and confess He is Lord. Salvation is God’s gift to you. Fear Not! Receive God’s gracious gift today—there is born to you, today, a Savior, Christ the Lord.
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[1] Chris Noland, The “fear not’s” of Christmas, https://chrisnoland.org/2016/12/06/the-fear-nots-of-christmas/
[2] Steven Cole, The Joy of Christmas (Luke 2:10-11), https://bible.org/seriespage/christmas-1999-joy-christmas-luke-210-11
[3] J.C. Ryle, Comments on Luke 2, https://www.gracegems.org/Ryle/l02.htm
[4] Net Bible Notes, https://netbible.org/bible/Luke+2#
[5] R. C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of St. Luke’s Gospel (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House, 1961), 132.
[6] Steven Cole, The Simplicity Of Christmas (Luke 2:8-20), https://bible.org/seriespage/christmas-1992-simplicity-christmas-luke-28-20
