Previous Lesson -- Next Lesson
2. The Savior of the World and His Completion of Salvation on Earth
The Angel of the Lord commanded Joseph and Mary to name their Son, born of God's Spirit, “Jesus”, “for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:31). The name “Jesus” means “Yahweh helps”, “Yahweh saves”, “Yahweh is victor!” The Son of Mary was born to save all who would accept His salvation. His birth, life and death contain no political program for the welfare of a state, but accomplish the salvation of repentant people, who are saved from all of their sins, both known and unknown. The salvation of Jesus Christ is a spiritual salvation, through which He cleanses and establishes a spiritual people for His spiritual kingdom (John 18:36-37). The name “Jesus” contains the power of God for the realization of this wonderful program of salvation.
The Savior's Arrival in Our World: The Angel of the Lord, in glorious light appearing, broke through the darkness of Bethlehem's hills, and commanded the terrified shepherds: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you tidings of great joy which will be to all people.” (Luke 2:10) The Christmas Oratorium from J.S. Bach is a modest echo of this great joy and jubilation, revealed by the angel at the turn of the age. The previously prophesied Prince of Peace had finally come. As the guarantor of a continuous world peace, He bore the same honorable title as the Emperor Augustus, “Savior”. But Jesus was much more than Augustus! He was, and is, “the Lord” in person (Isaiah 9:5-6; 40:11). God became man, that corrupted men could be justified, sanctified and blessed by His Divine nature. In the Newborn lay salvation concealed for the entire world.
Jesus' Assumption of Office: John recognized that when the sinless Jesus, against the will of the Baptist, carried through His baptism in the muddy waters of the Jordan (Matthew 3:13-17), that the Son of Mary was not being baptized for His own sins. Instead, as representative for all of mankind, He was taking their guilt and unrighteousness upon Himself.
For this reason, as sign of His humble authority, heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit, coming in the form of a dove, descended to alight upon Him. For this reason, God spoke the decisive sentence: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17) For this reason, the Baptist could do nothing more than cry out. “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29-34)
The assembly of the chosen picked up on this testimony when they unanimously confessed: “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:10) Without the substitutionary atonement of Jesus there would be salvation for no one. His baptism represents the Savior of the World's assumption of office.
The Substitutionary Sacrifice of Jesus: When Jesus spoke at night to Nicodemus, member of the Sanhedrin (high council), He said: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:14-15) Jesus, who was tempted even as we are, yet remained without sin, was made to be sin for us (thereby resembling the serpent), that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15). Jesus assured His disciples: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).
In implementing Holy Communion Jesus explained to His disciples the goal of His sacrifice: While they ate Jesus took the bread, gave thanks, broke it, and distributed it to His disciples, saying: “Take, eat, this is My body.” Following the evening meal with bitter herbs… He took the cup, gave thanks, and passed it to them saying: “Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”' (Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26). Just as the bread and wine enter into our body and become strength for us, so Jesus wants to dwell in and continue in us. Through His indwelling us communion between God and man is realized. The prerequisite is our cleansing from all sin through the blood of the covenant offering. Salvation means intimate fellowship with God, on the basis of forgiveness for our sins (Ephesians 3:14-21; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5-6).
The Intercessory Prayer of Jesus: The first word Jesus spoke on the cross was His intercessory prayer as high priest for all sinners: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34) In His agony the Son of God did not pray for relief from His own pain, but revealed, as Savior, His unending love for all sinners. The Father answered the prayer of His Son! Jesus' atoning sacrifice brought justification for all who take hold of Him in faith. Therefore, in authority He can say today: “Son (daughter), be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you” (Matthew 9:2, 22; Mark 5:34; Luke 8:48).
When one of the two men crucified with Jesus heard Him praying, and not cursing, he openly declared that he and the other deserved their punishment. Nevertheless, he asked the King with the crown of thorns: “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom”. He answered him immediately: “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43) The criminal to His right was perhaps the only person Jesus could concretely save before He died. His disciples had all abandoned Him and fled.
The criminal on the cross was not justified through his good works, but alone through his repentance and faith. He became an example for all of those who are saved. Salvation is the crucified One's gift of mercy to sinners.
The Victory of Jesus Christ on the Cross: After Christ's six hours of torture on the cross, He cried out: “It is finished!” (John 19:30) What was finished? Salvation for the entire world was completed on the cross!
With His atoning death, Jesus stilled the wrath of God coming upon all men. Since then, we are reconciled with the Holy God.
All of the legal demands of the law were met in Jesus' substitutionary death of atonement. Jesus atoned for the sins of all sinners on the accursed cross. “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)
Satan had tried to entice Jesus to sin. But Jesus loved His enemies, and kept firm faith in His Father, even though He had been abandoned by Him. In death He did not abandon hope. Since then Satan no longer has right to bring accusation against believers in Christ.
Christ is Victor over the wrath of God, over our sins, and over Satan's cunning and power. These objective facts of salvation were completed for all men through the death of Jesus on the cross. Jesus need not die again for Moslems and Jews. His substitutionary death is valid for all. The Catholic priest, Boos, spoke out of his Evangelical understanding: “The totally ignorant world is redeemed, and doesn't know it – or doesn't want to know it!”
The Resurrection of Jesus Confirms the Completion of Salvation: Jesus rose from the dead Sunday morning. Appearing the same evening to His frightened, “run away” disciples, He immediately offered them the peace of God. He did not force them into submission and acceptance of peace conditions, as in Islam, but made it their free decision whether or not they would receive His salvation.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the divine seal upon the completion of His salvation. Since Jesus rose from the dead we know for certain:
Jesus is holy and sinless. If in His life on earth He had had but a single sin in word, work, thought or intent, death would have reigned over Him. But Jesus rose, and has passed through death. His sinlessness, holiness and deity have become visible therein.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ also means that God accepted the expiatory sacrifice of His Son. Jesus did not fail, like some mockers say, but reconciled the world to God. His sacrifice possesses eternal validity, and opens the way to God for all justified sinners.
Jesus lives! He is not dead. He exists even today. We have a living Lord and Savior! Mohammed, on the other hand, is dead, and is in the meantime waiting for the final judgment. Therefore, it is incumbent upon all Moslems, when mentioning his name, to pray peace upon him (Sura al-Ahzab 33:56) Jesus, as our High Priest, is praying for us, and represents us before the Father.
The overcoming of all evil forces by the Lamb of God brought about a comprehensive justification by grace, with complete forgiveness for all our sins.
Dr. Martin Luther authoritatively formulated the secret of salvation in his catechism: I believe that Jesus Christ is my Lord, who redeemed me, lost and condemned man that I am, purchased and won from all sin, death and Satanic power. Not with gold or silver, but with His costly, holy blood, by his innocent suffering and death, that I might be His own, live with Him in His kingdom, serve Him in eternal righteousness, innocence and salvation, rise from the dead like He, to live and reign in eternity. That is assured truth!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we thank You and we praise Your Son for His love, because He took away our sins and bore Your just punishment in our place. We magnify You for His resurrection from the dead and His return to You in glory. We worship You and Your Holy Lamb because He accomplished the salvation and He accomplishes it in us through faith. Help our friends and our enemies to recognize and accept Your free redemption prepared to them as well.
QUESTION:
- What does “salvation” mean for you?