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Matthew 1 v 18. This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.

 

In the birth narratives of Jesus the word ‘Saviour’ crops up frequently. Apart from the verse referred to above, there is the account of the shepherds in Luke 2:11 where they are told “Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you: he is Christ the Lord …”

 

In Luke 2:30 Simeon prays after looking at baby Jesus “for my eyes have seen your salvation.” And in Luke 1:46 Mary prays “… my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour”.

 

So there is no doubt that He was born to save. We are also clearly told he was to save his people from their sins. This is surely the greatest of all blessings for us, but what does that mean?

 

If we conceive of salvation merely in terms of receiving Christ as Saviour and having sins forgiven and nothing more, we miss out on the whole great plan of salvation that includes the total regeneration of the universe and the removal of all things from our environment that cause tears or distress. We cannot as yet conceive how God will do this. But He who is Creator of all things and has the power to contract Himself to the size of a seed in a woman’s womb, has the power to do it all and indeed will do so when Jesus Christ returns.

 

But, however, it does indeed all start for us by receiving Christ as Lord and Saviour and having our sins forgiven. We all carry burdens of guilt, even if we do not always feel conscious of it, for we all subconsciously know that we are rebels against God. God has sent us this extraordinary Saviour, this uncommon King, this God-Man, to be our Saviour; to forgive us, cleanse us and reconnect us to God. He is who your heart needs. Come to Him today.

 

Meditation:

Read Matthew 11:28-30 and ask yourself: “Who is it that gives me such an invitation?” Once you have answered that, the next question is: “How should I respond?”