As part of the Christian walk, life with God as a child adopted into His kingdom, and a bond servant to Christ, I am called to walk by faith, not by sight. If I could see t he road ahead, my destination, the culmination of God’s plan, I would not be walking by faith, but rather by sight.
But God has not left me without road signs, reminders. He has given me His Word, songs, hymns, creeds and personal testimonies, such are the billboards which placard my journey with God. One such billboard message comes to mind as I sit with God today. JESUS SAVES! This two-word saying, which some might call “a tired cliche” or “meaningless Christianese” has multiple messages of encouragement for me.
If “Jesus saves,” it follows that Jesus is a Savior. He must, therefore, have all the job qualifications a Savior should have. He must have much more power than the powers from which I need saving. As a Savior, He must have more authority than the authorities that hold me or threaten me. As a Savior, He must have superior wisdom and understanding than that which I possess to see the way through trouble or out of trouble or know when to wait for trouble to flee. He must have power over death–my most heinous foe. In short, a Savior must be a God among gods, able to save me from other gods and idols as well as men and demons. He must be the One true and almighty God, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen–LORD of lords. And so He is, my King, Jesus. He alone is my Savior.
“Jesus saves” also speaks of His willingness to save. This is good news because it means I can offer to those needing saving, asking for salvation–the willing one, Jesus. He saves because He is in the business of saving. It is His offer to me, to us. For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that we might be saved.
“Jesus saves” necessarily implies a need to be saved. If the need wasn’t real, why would it even be important to say or billboard, “Jesus saves?” But it is necessary. It is urgently necessary to be saved, for it is appointed a man once to die and then the judgment. Jesus saves me from that–Judgment–the wrath of a holy God against a sinful humanity.
“Jesus saves” is also a reminder to me that I am no one’s savior. Jesus saves–not me. He alone has the words of eternal life. His blood alone atones for my sun. His sacrifice alone satisfies the requirements of the law, provides the price of redemption. For by grace I have been saved through faith and that not of myself–it is the gift of God. There is no other name given under heaven by which we may be saved.
“Jesus saves” gives hope. I may be lost or a dear friend or loved one may be lost, but Jesus saves. He will seek out the lost. He sought me out. He chased after me when I had nothing of worth to offer and had spent His inheritance in ungodly living, treading His commands underfoot like so much straw and dirt. But “Jesus saves” brings me hope. I look to Jesus author and finisher of faith in me and in others. If a good work was done in someone’s life, no matter how early or what has transpired since, Jesus will save. He will finish the work that He has begun. I can hope, have a certain expectation of good, in that.
Don’t disregard those road signs, those placards in your life. God is near. Look up. Your redemption is near.
Rooted and Grounded 