All Means All

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”- Luke 2:8-14

This morning I want us to meditate on the significance of the word, “all.” On the surface, we find no difficulty comprehending its meaning. For all clearly means the whole amount, quantity or extent of, while also conveying the notion of being completely take up with, given to, or absorbed by.

When we move from comprehension to application, however, the word all suddenly becomes a perplexing enigma against which we struggle if not outright resist at times. We quickly look to amend all’s demands for everybody and everything. Perhaps it comes from some vain effort to preserve some measure of self.

Thanks be to God that the angel here in the birth story of Jesus makes no such distinctions. In both comprehension and application, all means all. For the good news of Christ’s birth causes great joy not just for you and me, but for all the people.

The apostle, John, dedicates much of his writing to reinforcing this truth that God does not sever meaning from application when it comes to meeting the definition of all. One of our most familiar verses is John 3:16-17, “16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

Notice that the verse does not read, “...for God so loved only Americans that he gave his one and only son…” Though all countries have a natural tendency to value its citizens’ lives about the lives of people dwelling in the other countries, John 3 declares that God makes no such distinctions. Whether one resides in a free country like America or lives in a totalitarian state like Iran, God wants all to come to know Christ and take hold of the salvation therein. For God doesn’t just love Americans or Iranians, God so loves the world.

Then later in John 6:51, we hear Jesus say,”...51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

Observe that the verse does not read, “...this bread is my flesh, which I will for the life of those with phenomenal hygiene free of body odor and tooth decay...” Though all of us have retreated from the poor stench of another, John 6 asserts that God does not withdraw from such horrid odors. Rather than evading the unpleasant smell of another, God took on the stench of man by becoming one of us.

There is this misconception that Jesus smells like fresh flowers all year around, but there was no deodorant or body wash to combat the oppressive desert heat. If you’ve ever been in a boys cabin on the last day of church camp, then you have a good idea of what Jesus smelled like most of the time. Whether clean or dirty, God wants all to encounter Christ and know the resurrection therein. For Christ didn’t just give his life for the clean and fragrant, but Christ gave his life for the world.

Finally in 1 John 2:1-2, he writes, “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

See that the verse does not read, “...He is the atoning sacrifice only for those who think alike and never disagree…” Though human beings have parted company over the slightest dispute, 1 John 2 affirms that God’s love does not separate itself from those who separate from him. Whether one pursues unity or manufactures discord, God wants all to meet Christ and know the reconciliation therein. For Christ is no the atoning sacrifice only for those who believe themselves in the right, Christ is the atoning sacrifice for the world.

So this Christmas season may we resist the temptation to qualify all’s mandate for everybody and everything. May we seek to value all human life no matter what flag he or she lives under. May we embrace all of God’s children regardless of their odor. May we love all our brothers and sisters whatever the disagreement.

For this how Christ lived, this how Christ died. Knowing deep in his heart that no matter the person, no matter the circumstance...ALL MEANS ALL.

CJE