“There would be no Christmas celebration without Jesus’ cross of death followed by His resurrection coronation.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – December 19, 2022
They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.” John 4:42
Jesus Christ is so much more than a good man, a wise teacher, a compassionate healer, a servant leader, and a historical person who transformed civilization to become much, much better over the past 2,000 years. Jesus Christ was and is the Savior of the world! Human beings suffer from a spiritual disease…the prefix dis means “opposite”, so unforgiven sin is a life without ease. But God…but God sent His beloved son Jesus, on a mission to reveal the Father and to die for the sins of each individual in the world. Faith in Jesus Christ as Savior forgives and heals sin’s dis-ease. Have you personally appropriated total trust in Jesus Christ as the Savior of your sins?
Jesus, with clarity and compassion, personally explained to a shame-filled woman how much she was loved by God. Warmly and wisely the Savior of the world illustrated to this worldly woman how belief in Him was like cool, clear water for her parched soul, quenching her desires for an authentic love experience. A distorted love with six men had left her feeling ashamed that her situation was hopeless and unredeemable, defined by her many sins. Yet, Jesus went out of His way to make a way for her…a way of love…a way of forgiveness…a way of healing…a way of hope…a way forward by faith in Him as her Savior. Swept up by the arms of redeeming love, she ran home…free…free from sin, and free to be the beautiful, beloved daughter of her King!
“Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did” (John 4:39).
Oswald Chambers, with his prophetic pen, clarifies the essential experience of engaging in a personal relationship with Jesus as Savior to qualify as a child of God. “The New Testament example of the Christian experience is that of a personal, passionate devotion to the Person of Jesus Christ. Every other kind of so-called Christian experience is detached from the Person of Jesus. There is no regeneration—no being born again into the kingdom in which Christ lives and reigns supreme. There is only the idea that He is our pattern. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is the Savior long before He is the pattern. Today He is being portrayed as the figurehead of a religion— a mere example. He is that, but He is infinitely more. He is salvation itself; He is the gospel of God!” Chambers clarifies Jesus’ role in the life of a believer…He is your Savior!
Make sure your sentimental feelings toward the beautiful baby in the manager have been converted into faith in Jesus Christ’s cruel, ugly death on the cross as the Savior of your sins. There would be no Christmas celebration without Jesus’ cross of death followed by His resurrection coronation. Gratefully, He came into the world as an innocent child to save a guilty world. Gifts were given to the baby in honor and worship so that one day the baby would grow up to become a man who gave His life as a gift to ransom many. He was born in an animal stable so one day you can live in your heavenly Father’s home. Jesus, Savior of the world…is He your Savior?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I totally trust Jesus as my personal Savior, through Christ’s love, and in Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
Perhaps over Christmas, you could read this devotional out loud to your family and discuss it.
Related Reading
Luke 2:11, 19:10; Acts 13:23; 1 Timothy 1:15; Titus 2:13
Additional verses on Jesus as Savior
Worship Resource
North Point Worship ft. Brett Stanfill: Jesus Our Savior
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