“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people”
~ Luke 2:10
Superlative language has lost some of its meaning in our day. Many events do not warrant the language that is being used. For example, social media is full of photos of the ‘best’ meal ever, or the ‘happiest’ or ‘most amazing’ day or vacation. Or rather than just disagree with an opposing political party, it is labeled ‘Marxist’ or ‘Fascist’.
But we should not assume that God or His messengers speak in the superlative in this same flippant way. Instead, we should listen and learn what they are telling us. When the angel appears to the shepherds in Luke 2, he uses superlative language with them. We should expect this, however, since the angel is speaking about the most amazing event in the history of the universe—the Son of God had been born.
There are three important superlatives here that express how glorious this moment really was.
First, the angel tells the shepherds that he brings good news. The work in greek is euanggelidzo—to proclaim good news—to preach the Gospel. The angel wants the shepherds to know that the event of that night in Bethlehem is the best news they could possibly hear. What better news than that a Savior has been born who will deal with the problem of sin that has plagued the world since the beginning.
The second superlative is ‘great joy’ (megalen charan in Greek). The Gospel message of the coming of the Messiah, the Savior, will bring great joy. More than any other event, the birth of Christ is the entrance of great joy for those who know Him. In Him, sinners are restored to a knowledge of and communion with the glory of God. God is light and life and joy, and Jesus has come to bring that joy to sinners through forgiveness of their sin.
The final superlative is ‘all the people’. The angel tells the shepherds that this Gospel of great joy will be for all of Israel. The birth of the Savior was an offer to all the people of Israel. Every man woman and child in Israel could receive this good news, and be filled with great joy!
Luke’s Gospel account tells us that the nation didn’t receive Him. They didn’t believe the good news, and they didn’t experience the great joy of the Gospel. Instead, they rejected Him and crucified Him.
The superlative message remains unchanged, but the audience has expanded. The Gospel of the Savior that brings great joy is for all, Jew and Gentile. This is the most amazing truth in all of history!
