Luke 2:14 Context
The Gospel of Luke was written by a Gentile doctor who traveled with Paul on some of his missionary journeys.
Luke wrote the book to Theophilus, who many believe was a wealthy Roman official, in order to give him an account of Jesus’ life and ministry and show the way of salvation.
Luke 2:14 Meaning
Luke chapter 2 is the fullest account of Jesus’ birth story in the Bible.
It begins with an explanation of why Mary and Joseph have to travel to Bethlehem (for tax reasons), and how there is no room for them there. This is why they have to settle into a stable.
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In verse 8, the scene shifts to a field nearby, where shepherds are watching their flocks under the stars. An angel shows up, revealing God’s glory.
This understandably terrifies the shepherds, but immediately the angel reassures them that he has good news for them rather than judgment. He tells them where to find a baby that will be their Messiah and Lord.
The angel is joined by a huge number of other angels, filling the skies with the song we read above. The lyrics of the song they sing can be summarized as:
- God is worthy of all glory; and
- he wishes peace for us.
What a brief but powerful message. How can sinners like us have peace with a glorious, perfect God? That is the question behind the gospel message.
And the first step for the gospel to be fulfilled was for Christ to come in human form, as a baby.
Luke 2:14 Application
God is glorious. God wants peace with us. If we read only the first line, we worship God in terror. If we emphasize only the second line.
we can fall into the trap of not truly acknowledging God’s holiness, which takes away the whole point of being saved from our sins.
But when we put these two things together, they paint a complete picture of a perfect God who also wants to be in a relationship with us.
There is no better news than this! When you’re not at peace, remind yourself that God is on your side.
He wants there to be peace in your mind and heart. The next step is to ask him to help you get there, which can only happen through Christ’s sacrifice for you.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”