Joy of Salvation
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Joy of Salvation
Zephaniah 3:14-20
Isaiah 12:2-6
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 3:7-18
Christmas is a time to remember the promises of Scripture. When you read the Bible, it is full of promises and what is amazing is how these promises are fulfilled. If you had to sum up the purpose of all of these promises and the purpose of scripture, it all comes back to one thing. The purpose of scripture is salvation. Salvation is the most important focus in all of scripture. God’s promises and prophesies all point this one thing. We are also commanded and compelled through the scriptures to have joy in this salvation. Therefore, being the 3rd Sunday of advent, which is all about joy, the Joy of Salvation will be our focus today.
Zephaniah calls for Jerusalem to sing and rejoice because their punishment will come to an end. Israel abandoned God and forgot about him so they were punished. However, God is not a father who holds on to his anger and he disciplines wisely with just the right amount of harshness and force to get his point across so that we will learn our lesson and then he allows us to move on. This is exactly what he was planning for Israel. God was pointing to a not far off time in which Jerusalem will see and receive salvation. He says, “I will restore your fortunes before your very eyes…” What a great promise of the Lord.
Isaiah also speaks of salvation and how the Lord is our salvation. Isaiah says that “with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” Salvation brings joy and we as followers of Christ should be joyful in the light that we do have salvation. Sure, there may be many things in life that cause us hardship and pain. But one of the side-effects of salvation should cause you is joy. A joy that is beyond all understanding. This joy will bring us through many trials for we shall know that though there may be many trials and struggles in our lives, God is good for he has given us his son whom is our salvation in life. Again, the focus of scripture is salvation. The Bible is the history of the world in how it came to be and even in how it is what it is today. However, in that history all things point to a savior. For some life may seem good or good enough that they are satisfied and they see no reason for salvation. However, others may be struggling and in so much pain that they cannot even bare to live. They have no hope or peace so how can they even have joy. That is why suicide rates are so high in our world today. So many lack the joy of salvation and take their lives for what is the point of living if the do not have any joy in living. Christ brings us joy in living.
All of these promises are leading to one moment of salvation. We read in Luke that the time has come. The people are desperate to understand and to receive salvation. However, many were short sighted and hoping for only the salvation from their gentile occupation. But I believe that some genuinely wanted to know how to be saved from punishment and destruction. The people were coming to John the Baptizer in the wilderness to hear what he had to say. He did not have to seek anyone out. The Spirit led the people to him. People wanted to know how to escape the coming wrath of God. The Jewish leaders came to see what the ruckus was all about. John calls them a brood of vipers. They are not there for salvation for they believe that they already have salvation through the old covenant. They believe that just by being Jews and by most of all being religious leaders, that they are exempt from all wrath. However, John points out that all of them even the teachers of the law are in need of this salvation.
People begin to ask John what they must do differently in life. John tells them very practical things. Don’t lie, cheat, and steal. Be honest with how you do business and don’t be too greedy. Be content with what you have. There were even tax collectors and soldiers feeling conviction and asking John what they must do to receive salvation. They were the worst of the people in Israel in that it was easy for them to get away with these things as they were people of authority. However, it would not matter their profession. They were all guilty of doing wrong and all needed to repent and live differently. The funny thing about living differently though is that joy naturally comes out of you when you can know that you are doing the right thing. Joy should naturally come out of you when you are confident in your salvation. Joy is a byproduct of salvation.
One of the most amazing things about Christmas is about how God gives humanity free will and choice and yet how he works around these choices to fulfill his plans. Years and years before the first Christmas, the prophets prophesied a promise of the Messiah. Not only that, they were very specific that the Messiah would come from David’s line and would be born in the City of David. Think about this. Caeser Augustus had desired to have a Census of his kingdom for the purpose of taxation. It was part of Jewish tradition to return to the home of your ancestors for such events. Since Joseph was from Bethlehem, he would return to Bethlehem with his wife who was with child. Agustus had no idea about any child in Bethlehem for he was not one who worshipped the God of Israel but instead worshipped pagan gods. Yet God used his decisions to bring about his plan to bring his son into the world. If Joseph and Mary were required to be in Bethlehem just one week later then this prophesy would never have been fulfilled. God knew all of these things and appropriated everything at exact time that they needed to be. By doing so he brought about the joy of the world.
We as followers of Christ should be joyous at all times of the year. We should especially be joyous this time of the year. We should be joyous because we already have our salvation. When we believe in the one who was sent as a child to grow up and die on a cross, we have salvation. This is enough reason to have joy for eternity because we know what eternity will bring for us. We shall have an everlasting Joy. Therefore, be joyous this Christmas because our savior reigns. He is Lord forever more. Take joy in the one who baptizes us with the Holy Spirit and fire. Let there be joy for the world this Christmas season. Christ is coming.