Is Jesus Our Savior?
Aug 29, 2023In nearly every corner of the world today, the name Jesus is widely recognized. The majority of religions place His name at the center of their worship, while others view Him as a significant figure in their spiritual journey. Whichever viewpoint you hold, we have all witnessed the rise of the Jesus movement throughout history. Ask anyone about Jesus, and you'll undoubtedly receive an answer or two about who He is. His character has even been vividly portrayed in movies and television. There are theater plays named after Him as well.
However, the question remains, "Is Jesus truly our savior?" Perhaps the most well-known role attributed to Jesus is that of humanity's savior. The interpretation of His saving actions can differ based on religious beliefs. Some believe He saves people from physical oppression, while others see His role as encompassing much more. Regardless, when addressing the question "Is Jesus our savior?" we need to consider His role in the context of all humanity. What is He saving us from? Can we all collectively call Jesus our savior?
The Jewish Savior
In the history of Israel, the word "Messiah" refers to the awaited King who would liberate the nation from oppression. Most Israelites believed this oppression to be physical. Since they entered the Promised Land, the nation's adversaries have not disappeared; they remain surrounded by formidable nations with no intention other than their downfall.
From the times of the Old Testament, the Prophets, messengers of God, foretold the arrival of the Messiah who would establish a kingdom and overcome all of Israel's enemies. When Jesus Christ appeared, the Jews struggled to believe that He was the one prophesied by these prophets. This disbelief stemmed from their expectation of a warrior-like Messiah who would establish a tangible kingdom and lead the nation of Israel to the desired state of freedom.
"He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him." —John 1:11
For most Jews during Jesus’ time, accepting that He was the One promised by God proved difficult. In the era of Jesus, the Roman Empire held dominion, subjecting the Jewish population to severe oppression. While Jesus performed miracles, such as healing the blind and raising the dead, some hearts remained hardened. Doubts peaked when Jesus was crucified, as some couldn't even fathom the idea that the Messiah would endure such a humiliating and agonizing death during that time.
"but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles." —1 Corinthians 1:23
Nevertheless, a few individuals recognized who Jesus truly is. Through their faith, they understood that He came not to establish an earthly kingdom, but an eternal one. His mission wasn't about achieving a temporary victory over enemies; it was about saving the world from the true enemy, which is evil. Jesus' focus wasn't solely on providing a brief respite from oppression; it was about delivering humanity from the everlasting consequences of sin itself. He didn't arrive to assemble an army; rather, He called upon the marginalized and sinners to follow Him, helping to spread His message of reconciliation. His service wasn't characterized by military power but by the ultimate sacrifice—His own life given on the cross for the salvation of many.
The Savior of the World
Jesus isn't solely the savior of the nation of Israel; He's also our savior. The Scripture tells us that we've all sinned against God. Why? Because none of us are righteous enough to meet God's standards of holiness and righteousness. Perfection is something only He possesses.
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;" — Romans 3:23-24 NASB95
In His justice, God should punish sin—it's the right thing to do. For us, that would mean facing His anger in a place called hell. However, in His mercy, He's given us an undeserved gift known as grace. He sent Jesus to fulfill His plan of saving humanity.
Jesus left His heavenly throne to become a man while remaining truly God, offering hope to us sinners. As the Righteous One of God, He chose to undergo death on the cross to pay the price for our sins. He did this so that those who believed in Him would receive His righteousness and no longer be subject to the penalty of sin.
"He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." — 2 Corinthians 5:21 NASB95
God's gift of salvation isn't exclusive to a particular group; it's accessible to all. Thus, we can confidently declare that Jesus is the savior of the world, embracing all of humanity. He's the One prophesied from the very beginning, back when Adam and Eve sinned before God, destined to free humanity from the grip of sin.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." — John 3:16 NASB95
The world is facing destruction due to its sin, and the only source of hope is the salvation offered by the only begotten Son of God—Jesus. God's gift of salvation is free, yet we must receive it through faith. The Scripture instructs us to believe in Him, which means accepting Jesus and His gift of salvation, without rejecting it. This involves having faith in His name as the Only Begotten Son of God and the Savior of humanity.
My Personal Lord and Savior
You might be coming to this page with the question, "Is Jesus our savior?" Well, the resounding answer to that question is a definite YES. However, the truth is that His saving act can only have an impact on us if we receive it through faith. It's not something that our religion or other people can do on our behalf. It's a choice that each one of us has to make.
Trusting in Jesus is a personal decision that each of us needs to make. Faith comes from within ourselves when we choose to believe in Him. It's the best decision we can make in our lifetime. This choice is about the eternal separation from God or experiencing eternal life with Him. To put it simply, putting our faith in the Son of God is a decision we can't go wrong with.
"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." — John 1:12-13 NASB95
When we believe in Jesus, He becomes not only our Savior but also our Lord. Through our salvation, we are born again. We go from being enemies of God to being reconciled with Him and becoming His children. As sons and daughters of God, our eternity becomes secure. When we leave our earthly lives behind, we will be in the presence of the Father, experiencing His love and favor for all of eternity.
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