Advent Season
(Anticipating the Birth of Jesus)
28 Names of Jesus | December 30, 2020
Name #27: “Savior” (Luke 2:1 – 20)
“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!’” (Luke 2:8 – 14)
Less than a week ago, we celebrated Christmas. We gathered around family and celebrated the birth of our Savior and reflected on the sacrifice He made for all of mankind. When we look back at how Jesus entered this world, it reminds us that He did not come in any special way, even though it was miraculous. Jesus, born of a virgin, in the small town of Bethlehem, the city of David. The first people outside of Joseph and Mary to be told of the Savior’s birth was a group of shepherds who were nearby. Can you imagine being one of those shepherds? One moment you are just lying around watching a bunch of sheep, when all of a sudden an angel appears out of nowhere! The Bible says that they were filled with “great” fear. I would think so! But their fear soon subsided when the message was delivered that the Savior was born. What incredible news! Then the shepherds witnessed several angels praising God, and they soon left their sheep and went to go see the baby. I can just imagine the excitement and the conversations that must have taken place as they were headed back to their flock. I wonder how many people believed them when they shared and how many people thought they were making things up. How could a baby be the Savior? This baby was the Savior because he was going to be the perfect sacrifice.
If we look in the Scriptures, it is clear that Jesus was, in fact, the Savior. Exodus 12 describes the Passover lamb and 1 Corinthians 5:7 states that Christ was the final Passover lamb. John 19:31 – 36 says that Jesus’ bones were not broken, just like the Passover lamb. In Matthew 26:28, Jesus told His disciples that His blood was going to be spilled so that others could have their sins forgiven. Numbers 21 mentions a bronze snake that was erected to heal the people and John 3 says that Jesus would be lifted up just like that snake. Even the fact that the Savior would not be defeated by death is mentioned in Psalm 118:17 – 18. These are just a few verses that show how Jesus would fulfill the requirements of being the Savior of the world, and there are many more.
So, what are you going to do with this proof that Jesus, who was once a newborn baby lying in a manger, turned out to be the Savior of the world? Hopefully, if you have not already, you will recognize God’s love and sacrifice for you, repent of your sins, and turn to Him for salvation. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). There is only one way to heaven, and that is by putting your faith and trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As we end this year and prepare to begin the next, I challenge you to daily remind yourself what our Savior went through so that we would have the opportunity to spend eternity with Him in heaven. Then, share with others about His sacrifice so that they, too, can enjoy eternity with Him!
Pastor David Guenin