Christian teaching

Today, I want to share with you about Jesus and how he is our Savior.

The Scriptures present a dire picture of our condition

That’s because when we sin, there are always consequences. Galatians 6:7 says, talking about sin, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” This is an unfailing law for every person on earth – no exceptions. Paul says, “don’t be deceived” because for some reason we always think that it won’t apply to us. But it does.

Because we have sinned, and apart from God continue to sin, we receive the consequences – God’s judgment.

We like to talk about God’s mercy and we should, but we can’t be afraid to talk about God’s judgment as well, because both are true about God. Let’s look briefly at God’s judgment.
  
1) When we sin, we are given over to the power of Sin. Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to Sin” – John 8:34. Sin (capital “S”) is here seen as a cosmic power that comes to control and enslave us. In other words, we don’t just commit acts of sin, but we are enslaved to Sin. Paul talks about this in Romans 6 and 7. In chapter 7 we see portrayed a person who even wants to stop sinning, but they can’t! They’re enslaved.

Haven’t we all experienced this? I’m not just thinking of drug addiction or compulsive behavior, but sinful habits that we can’t break in the power of our own strength. As we see the futility of our efforts, we should recognize that we are in fact, given over to the power of Sin.

2) Also, because of our sin, we are given over to the power of Satan. In Luke 11:21 Jesus talks about Satan as a “strong man” who captures people and keeps them locked away in his house. And we have experienced being under Satan’s power. Satan is a deceiver, who leads us astray still further into more and more sin and judgment. He causes us misery, sickness, despair and demonic attacks. His goal in all this is to destroy us. As Jesus said, he comes “to steal, kill and destroy” – John 10:10. This leads to the next point –

3) Because of our sin – we are given over to the power of Death. 1 Cor-inthians 15:24 – speaks of Death as a powerful force that rules over us. We know something about this as well. This power causes us suffering; it destroys us a bit at a time in body and soul until we are eternally dead; eternally separated from God.

4) Not only all this, but the creation itself is under these powers as well. Because we are the keepers of the earth, it is affected by our sin. Its destiny is tied to our fate. Romans 8:20-22 talks about how the creation is subjected to futility; it is in bondage to decay; and it is groaning under slavery to these powers.

And we feel the effects of this broken, cursed creation when we experience disasters, sickness and hardship. So we experience the symptoms of our slavery to these powers all the time, we just don’t always understand that it is connected to these powers.

• We experience personal suffering, frustration, pain, brokenness, aging, weakness, mental illness, emotional problems and physical ailments.
• We experience broken relationships, hatreds and evils committed against each other.
• We experience this broken world: natural disasters, misery, lack, having to work hard just to get by.

As we experience all this, stuck as we are, its enough to cause despair. But God is merciful – and that’s where Jesus, our Savior comes in. First, let me share with you the good news that –

Jesus has the power to save us

Lets look at him in action; how Jesus overcame the powers that oppress us. (From here out we will draw from the book of Matthew).

He showed his power over sickness –Matthew 14:35-36 says, “they brought all who were sick to Jesus, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched were healed.”

He showed his power over the forces of nature – Matthew 8:24-27 says, “A windstorm arose on the sea, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but Jesus was asleep. And the disciples went and woke him saying, ‘Lord, save us! We are perishing!’ And Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, you of little faith?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm. The disciples were amazed saying, ‘What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?’”

He showed his power over Satan  – Matthew 9:32-33 says, “a demonized man who was unable to speak was brought to Jesus. And when the demon had been cast out, the one who had been mute spoke; and the crowds were amazed and said, ‘Never has anything like this been seen in Israel!’” He cast out the demon and set the man free – healed and whole. As Jesus says in Matthew 12:29 – he is the one who is stronger than the strong man – Satan, who can bind Satan and set free his captives.

He showed his power over death – Concerning a little girl who died, Matthew 9:23-26 recounts, “When Jesus came to the . . . house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, ‘Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping.’ And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in an took her by the hand, and the girl got up. And the report of this spread throughout that district.” Jesus is more powerful than all the powers that seek to destroy us.

After fully doing all that God wanted, freely offering his life on the cross – God raised him up from the dead and has given him all power and authority. Matthew 26:64 says he sits “at the right hand of Power.” According to Matthew 28:18 he has been given “all authority in heaven and on earth.” Now God has placed him above every power and authority in all of creation. Nothing can defeat him, no power, no evil! And now he can help each one of us wherever we are or whatever our situation might be.

Jesus has the desire to save us

Not only is he able, just as importantly Jesus loves us deeply and wants to set us free. We see that –

He loves those who are needy and we are certainly needy in our slavery. Matthew 9:36 says that “When Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless.” Do you feel harassed and helpless? Jesus has compassion on you as well. Matthew 12:20 describes Jesus as one who would “not break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick.” In other words, he tenderly cares for all who are weak and broken – including us. He cares for all who feel they are on the edge and are about to flicker out.

He came to save sinners – Matthew 9:13 says, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Its why he came to this earth – to make us whole.

He is willing to help us – Matthew 8:2-3 recounts, “A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cured.” In the same way Jesus reaches out to us today and touches us and says – “I am willing to help you.”

Finally, he gave his life to take away our sins. In Matthew 26:28 Jesus said concerning his blood, shed on the cross, “this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” He did what it took to deal with the root problem of our judgment – our sins. And in doing so he paid the ultimate price and provide the ultimate proof of his love for us. He willingly died in our place.

So we see from all this that Jesus is able and willing to save us. He is in the process of saving the whole of creation. No matter what your situation is – know that he can save you too! Will you look to him? Will you call upon him? He can set you free. He can cause you to overcome. And on the final day he will raise you up and make you fully whole, free and at peace. Call on him and he will answer! He will come into your life and begin his work in you.

William Higgins