The Joy of Salvation

The arrival of the Messiah, or Christ, was a greatly anticipated assurance that God would save God’s people from the Empire. In Matthew 2:1-2, we learn that after seeing the star that signaled the coming Messiah, wise men traveled to Jerusalem to see the Savior and celebrate what God was doing in the life of Israel. Before entering the place where the Christ child was, the wise men experienced joy like never before. When actually in the presence of the child, perceiving God’s plan of salvation before their eyes, the wise men lavishly worshipped, generously bringing themselves and their gifts before God.

The news of the Messiah did not invoke worship for everyone; King Herod, whose power and position were in jeopardy, devised a scheme to thwart God’s plan of salvation using the wise men as pawns. What I find remarkable is that after being in the presence of the Christ child, the wise men heard from God in a dream. They did not return to King Herod as instructed, rather they discerned the will of God and went back home by another road.

Salvation is an invitation for all to come to Christ, an invitation to experience the overwhelming joy of knowing and being known by God. In the presence of the Savior, we are transformed, bringing ourselves and our gifts to the one who saves us from sin and eternal death. Because Christ has come and will come again, like the song that we sing, believers will not leave here like we came in Jesus name, but will live with joy, worship in spirit and in truth, offer our gifts to the service of the Kingdom, and obey the voice of God.

For the wise men, this was a one time event. For the believer, anticipating Christ’s return, this is a lifestyle of worship, discernment, obedience, and transformation.

Growing in Christ

Pastor Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah