Saturday, December 17, 2016
THE GOSPEL--OUR OASIS ON THE ROAD TO HEAVEN (6)
Isaiah 35:10 "And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away."
EVERLASTING JOY AND GLADNESS
We have here another beautiful description of those who, by faith, drink deeply at the oasis of the gospel. Whatever their earthly condition, believers--the ransomed of the LORD--know that the blood of Jesus, the Lamb for sinners slain, cleanses them from all sin. With Him as their Deliverer, they travel confidently along the road which leads to the everlasting joys of heaven where "they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away."
In John Bunyan's book Pilgrim's Progress Mr. Christian encountered a number of unsavory characters along the road on his journey to heaven. Yet he also came upon "Mr. Evangelist" who proclaimed the gospel of the Savior to him. As a result, the sin-burdened man received encouragement to walk day by day the way of faith and trust in Christ until he safely reached the Heavenly Zion.
This Advent/Christmas season and always, let us pray to be "Mr. or Mrs. Evangelist," sharing the Christmas gospel with other weary travelers who with us might quench their sin-weary, thirsting souls at the oasis of the gospel.
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"Behold, I freely give The living water; thirsty one, Stoop down and drink and live."
I came to Jesus, and I drank Of that life-giving stream;
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived, And now I live in Him.
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"I am this dark world’s light. Look unto Me; thy morn shall rise And all thy day be bright."
I looked to Jesus, and I found In Him my star, my sun;
And in that light of life I'll walk Till trav'ling days are done.
(Lutheran Service Book, 699:2-3)
