”But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying.”

Note here:

  • All three Persons of the Trinity are involved in our salvation;
  • Paul has no doubts as to the identity of Jesus (compare verses 4 and 6, where God is our ”Saviour” and so is Jesus

This is one of Paul’s ”trustworthy” sayings, and in it we find his comment about ”the kindness and love of God our Saviour” appearing. How did His kindness and love ‘appear’? The answer is in the Incarnation; in Jesus. As Michael Green says, ‘Jesus is the window into God.’ We especially see God’s love and kindness in Jesus humbling Himself to become a slave, and going to the Cross to ‘wash’ the feet of His disciples (See John 13/Phil.2:1-11).

” But when God, our kind and loving Saviour God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Saviour Jesus poured out new life so generously. God’s gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there’s more life to come—an eternity of life! You can count on this.” (‘The Message’).

This is the message of Christmas according to Titus, and it makes for a very happy Christmas (and a wonderful new year!) if we believe.

Let’s never forget that ‘He was born to die.’ Let us joyfully add, ‘that we might live.’