You Will Be Redeemed

Isaiah 52:1-3 Awake, awake, O Zion, clothe yourself with strength. Put on your garments of splendor, O Jerusalem, the holy city. The uncircumcised and defiled will not enter you again. 2 Shake off your dust; rise up, sit enthroned, O Jerusalem. Free yourself from the chains on your neck, O captive Daughter of Zion. 3 For this is what the Lord says: “You were sold for nothing, and without money you will be redeemed.”
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Luke 1:49-50 (Mary said) “For the Mighty One has done great things for me - holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.” 
 
ARE you awake, church, to proclaim God’s salvation? Are you rejoicing the Mighty One has done great things for you? Isaiah’s and Mary’s words call us to attention. They call us to action, to step into the joy of Jesus’ redemption. God wants you to readily pursue the salvation he has graciously given to you.
   Be of a mind this Christmas season to purposefully celebrate Jesus’ first coming. Advent is to remember God’s salvation promise has come true in Jesus’ birth. And this season is a time to remember God’s promises to send Jesus once more to redeem the world. We hear this often, and we must treasure it in our hearts, for God’s salvation is a most precious and wondrous gift.
   From Genesis through Malachi the Lord God promises he will redeem the entire world from the sin in the Garden of Eden. And the New Testament affirms God fulfilled his promise. Rejoice at Christmas time to know, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)
   And rejoice that one day evil will be gone forever from the eternal city Jerusalem, “O Jerusalem, the holy city. The uncircumcised and defiled will not enter you again.” The uncircumcised are those whose hearts remain stone against the Lord. These unfaithful will be judged. The new Zion, home to the church, will be redeemed and safe forevermore.
   Mary’s Spirit-inspired words are good words for you, too, as you affirm Jesus’ salvation. “The Lord has done mighty things for me” are joyful, worshipful words. How magnificent and mighty God is to save you. How glorious to have treasure in your heart, “He has done this for me.” As you confess Jesus as your Lord, affirm God’s salvation in your own heart. Praise the Lord for his ongoing work in your life. Then speak to others and tell them the Lord’s will is to do mighty things for them.
   Then Mary’s words point to the future. “His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.” God’s gracious mercy is his salvation. With grace and love, he forgives and redeems you into his holiness. He teaches you that his sovereign authority establishes your life out of sin and builds you into his holiness. Spirit-empowered faith circumcises sin from your heart. With mourning, you recognize your sin was so deep, only Jesus’ death and resurrection could lift you high into God’s mercy. In joy you know without money you will be redeemed because Jesus has paid the costly price.
   Remember, unto you a son has been given; unto you a child has been born. God is redeeming the world just as he has promised. One day you will be one with heaven.
 
Prayer: Your great mercy has come to my soul, Lord. I praise you for your majestic love to welcome generations into you holy city. Amen.