Season of Good News
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom, there shall be no end- Lk.1:30-33
Mary a virgin young woman who lives in Nazareth more than 2000 years ago received the good news that she was going to conceive and give birth to the savior of the world, Jesus. God sent angel Gabriel to offer this good news to Mary. This good news made Mary to experience the impossible, for never was it mentioned that a virgin conceived without a man. This good news takes Mary from obscurity to limelight. She became the mother of Jesus, the savior of the world. This good news changed the world forever. I strongly believe that someone in this season of good news will have a testimony of change of status and levels, and everything that may look impossible will become possible to you and your world will change forever in Jesus name.
Six months before Mary received this good news, Zachariah and Elizabeth also received a good news. Zachariahs a priest and Elizabeth, his wife, had no child, and it was medically impossible for them to have a child because they were very old (Luke 1:7), but Zachariah while performing his priestly duties in the temple received good news from God’s angel. The angel said to him in Luke 1: 13-14 “But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness, and many shall rejoice at his birth. Even when Zachariahs and Elizabeth had given up hope of having their prayers answered and having a child, they received good news that their prayers have been answered and that they will have a man-child. They eventually had a son John the Baptist who Jesus called the greatest prophet in the Old Testament (Luke 7:28). In this season of good news, I declare that someone long-delayed prayer will be answered suddenly and speedily in Jesus name and someone who is barren (physically, spiritually, financially, emotionally, etc.) becomes fruitful in Jesus name.
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the angel of God appeared in the night to the shepherds who were watching their flocks in the field with good news. The Bible says in Luke 2: 10-11 “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord”. The shepherd received the greatest good news that the Savior was born. It was a good news of great joy to all the people. This good news made the shepherd be the first that knew that Jesus was born and they were the first people to visit Jesus where he was born in the manger. The shepherd had a face to face lifetime encounter with Jesus. In this season of good news, I declare that God good news will locate you and bring you face to face with divinity (Jesus) for an encounter of a lifetime in Jesus name.
Some attributes can provoke God’s good news. Some of them are in our bible references above;
- Purity. Purity which also means holiness. To be a virgin is to be pure and Mary was one (Lk.1:26-27), and this set her apart for God. Purity has a way of attracting God because God is pure or holy God. Mary was able to receive the good news of being the mother of Jesus because of her purity. As you live a life of purity, God’s good news will locate you in Jesus name.
- Service to God. Zacharias continued to serve God, and perform his duties as a priest despite his personal and family challenges of old age and not having a child. He was not discouraged from serving God. It was while in his place of service to God that God gave him the good news. Are you discouraged in serving God? Be like Zacharias, refused to be discouraged and God will visit you.
- Diligence in life assignments. The shepherd kept watching over their flock even when it was night (Luke 2:8). Although it was night and possibly all the sheep were at sleep they were awake keeping watch over the sheep. They also denied themselves sleep in other to watch their flock. God good news comes to the diligent, those who are faithful in doing what God has called them to do.
In this season of Christmas, It is important to know that Jesus “The Good News” is still giving good news to as many that come to him. Jesus good news to Lazarus sisters was” your brother will rise again (Jn.11:23)”. Jesus good news to Jarius was “the damsel is not dead but sleepeth (Mark. 5:39b). Jesus good news to the woman with the alabaster box is “Thy sins are forgiven”(Luke 7:48) … etc.
To those who have not received Jesus into their heart, the good news is that Jesus is waiting for you with his outstretched arms. This month is our “Season of Good News,” rejoice and be glad!
Dayo and I wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR… Pastor Tope Dosumu