Good News – Salvation Has Come!
The angel told the shepherds that good news of great joy had come, and the angel then announced the good news: “Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:11 NIV11)
It all comes down to the salvation which Jesus offers. When the angel appeared to Joseph to explain all of this to him, he said to Joseph: “Do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”” (Matthew 1:20–21 NIV11)
The good news, the best news of all… is that this little one who was born was brought to earth as our Saviour.
One of my favourite carols says:
Silent night, holy night, shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing alleluia
Christ the Saviour is born! Christ the Saviour is born!
Savior's Arrival: Liberation and Renewal in Christ
Christmas isn’t Christmas unless we are celebrating Christ the Saviour of the world.
Is Christ Saviour to you? You see, if Jesus was just a great moral teacher, there would be no need for angel fanfare and the like. If Jesus was just a good man who gave himself up to be a martyr, he would not be worthy of worship.
But Jesus was more than that. Jesus is more than that… Jesus is the Saviour.
Listen to how Paul put it years later: “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:3–7 NIV)
Notice the pattern:
- We were enslaved to sin and hatred, a terrible way of life
- But the SAVIOUR came, and delivered us from these things in His mercy
- He washed us (so no more guilt)… He renewed us (so, no more living in chains)
Embracing Salvation: Finding Peace and Joy in Jesus
The good news was that all people can find mercy and forgiveness from God and freedom from their old lives of shame.
This Jesus would provide that for us. He would end up going all the way to a cross in our place, dying our death. He would end up being raised from the dead, conquering death and proving himself to be the true Messiah.
The Saviour offers you freedom from guilt, and a new life of freedom and holiness, and what peace and joy come when we live life this way! Have you placed your faith in Him? Have you surrendered to Him and given yourself over to His saving grace?
Salvation has come! Instead of God’s punishment, we can enjoy God’s peace and joy, if we have been saved by the Saviour.
Maybe today’s your day. Don’t end this day without Him as your Saviour! Without embracing the good news and calling on Jesus to save you! Don’t reject the peace and joy he offers because you reject his salvation.
Say ‘yes’. Receive Him and stop running. Today’s the day.
A great tool for sharing the faith is the analogy of the drowning man.