Jesus is the One and Only Savior

in ,

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. – John 1:14

People commonly set goals to lose weight and improve fitness. There are various ways they seek to reach that goal. Some strive to improve their diet, either eating smaller portions or switching to healthier foods. Others focus more on exercise, building up their strength or following a cardio workout plan. Picking any or all of those options can help a person reach a weight loss and fitness goal.

There is a certain goal, however, that has only one way to reach it. If the goal that you want to obtain is eternal life in heaven, the one and only way to reach that goal is through Jesus. Jesus is the world’s one and only Savior.

Many people disagree with that. The common thought is that there are many ways to reach the goal of heaven and eternal life. Many consider Jesus to be one option of many.

But Jesus didn’t come to be a path; he came to be the path. Jesus didn’t come to show us how we could obtain heaven by ourselves; he came to show us his glory and to be our Savior.

Goals for reaching a healthier lifestyle are often abandoned. We know how weak we can be. But Jesus is true God who came from heaven. Yes, he became human like us, yet he was without our weaknesses and he was without our sin. His great love caused him to leave heaven and dwell among us. He came to take away our sins by giving his own life as the payment for our sins. Calling us to be his followers by trusting him as our Savior, he freely gives us the gift of heaven and eternal life.

Following Jesus isn’t like so many other goals that we abandon after a brief period of time. To follow him is a goal for our lifetime. Having seen the true beauty and glory of the world’s one and only Savior, we can’t help but want to learn more and grow in the knowledge of Jesus, the world’s one and only Savior.

Jesus seven statements on the cross

Seven statements from the Cross

in ,

During Jesus’ time on the cross, the Bible records seven statements which he made. Each gives us a look into the heart of God.

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). God’s eager desire is to forgive. That’s why Jesus died!

“I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). Spoken to one of the two thieves who were crucified with Jesus, in response to his request to enter heaven. Can you imagine? A man who is being executed has the nerve to ask for forgiveness, to ask for entrance to heaven? Surprising, to say the least. But Jesus’ answer is even more surprising, “Today you will be with me in paradise!” In short, Jesus says, “Yes!” God wants EVERYONE in heaven. That is why he has forgiven everyone through Jesus, no matter how badly they’ve sinned, no matter what they’ve done. It’s never too late. By trusting in Jesus our Savior, we will be with him in paradise.

“Dear woman, here is your son, … Here is your mother” (John 19:26-27). Jesus gave one of his disciples—John—responsibility for Mary, Jesus’ mother, to care for her as if she were his own mother. Your God cares for you; not only in regards to spiritual, eternal matters, but also in regards to the things of this world.

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34). Darkness covered the world as Jesus said this. While on the cross Jesus was suffering the full punishment for sin, which meant that he had to suffer the pains of hell. Indeed God the Father turned his back on God the Son; God punished him fully for all sins. Because Jesus suffered the pains of hell, you and I never need to.

“I am thirsty” (John 19:28). Through all of this, Jesus remained not only true God, but also truly human. So, he understands every aspect of our lives, even down to the little details, like being thirsty.

“It is finished” (John 19:30). The Greek word was used by shopkeepers. They wrote it on an invoice when it was paid in full. So, what “bill” has been “paid?” The bill, the invoice, for your sins, my sins, the sins of the entire world. Jesus paid it—in FULL! Not one sin remains left to be paid. Jesus paid it all. When Jesus died on the cross, he secured the forgiveness of sins for us. But what made that sacrifice so valuable? Jesus lived his life perfectly. He fully obeyed everything God, his Father, wants us to obey. Jesus lived under the laws of God perfectly for us!

“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46). Jesus died in confidence. Because the sins of the world had been paid in full through his complete sacrifice, he could simply entrust himself into the hands of his heavenly Father. His perfect fulfillment of the law is credited to us; his innocent death on the cross assures us of the forgiveness of our sins. Because Jesus paid the price for our sins, when our last day comes, you and I will also be able to close our eyes in confidence.

Easter

Easter

in ,

He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” John 20:15

We like things nailed down. We like the predictable path of life: you’re born, grow up, go to school, work a job, retire, grow old and die. When life doesn’t follow that predictable pattern, it’s frightening. Maybe it’s another reminder that we don’t know as much as we think we do.

Easter is that kind of reminder. It turns things upside down. Followers of Jesus had gone to anoint his body. They understood what death and burial meant. But when they got to his grave, there was no body. They thought they knew Jesus. Now what did they know?

Easter is God’s message to you that things aren’t what they seem. Life is more. Death is more. Jesus’ promises are more. He promised, “Destroy this body and I will raise it.” And he did. He promised, “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.” And he did. He promised, “It is my Father’s will that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” And he will.

If Jesus stayed in the grave, nothing he promised matters because … well, he’s dead. But if he’s alive…in a way, that’s even more frightening. You see, Jesus said, “Be perfect.” And we haven’t been. Maybe that’s why those early followers of Christ were afraid. How could Jesus have anything to do with them?

It’s no wonder, then, that when Jesus met people after his resurrection, the first thing he said was, “Don’t be afraid.” In Hebrew: “Shalom.” Be at peace.

You’ve sinned. Maybe you wonder if God will have anything to do with you. Shalom. Peace. That was Jesus’ message to the women who went to anoint his body, to Mary, to Peter, to Thomas, and it is Jesus’ message to you. “Be of good cheer, your sins are forgiven.”

It might not be what you expect. It turns the world upside down. It turns your world upside down.

Jesus is alive. Because of his resurrection, we too shall live! This is the unexpected but awesome truth of Easter!

Lamb of God

in ,

“Look! The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

In today’s urban society, many people don’t often come into contact with farm animals. So when the Bible describes Jesus as “the Lamb of God,” it’s easy to miss the comfort in this unique name for our Savior.

When John the Baptist pointed to Jesus and said, “Look! The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world,” it would have immediately grabbed the Jews attention. God had commanded the sacrifice of lambs as part of their worship life to teach them that they needed the blood of a substitute to pay for their sins. They couldn’t just make that sacrifice once. They had to offer it again and again because it was imperfect blood offered by imperfect people. They sacrificed animals, lambs that could never really take away their sin.

Sometimes we don’t understand the full magnitude of our sin. Sin isn’t just what we read about in the newspapers. Sin is when parents want the best for their children, but allow other things to become more important. Sin is when spouses want to be loving, but instead put their own needs and desires first. Sin is when teenagers struggle for independence and step over the line of disrespecting their parents and others in authority. Sin is nothing more and nothing less than failing to be the perfect people our perfect God demands of us.

We need the perfect blood of a substitute to take away our sins. Jesus is the only Lamb who could do that because he’s the Lamb of God. He’s the perfect Lamb who never fell short of God’s expectations. He’s the Substitute offered on the altar of the cross. His blood fully pays for the sin of the world. And that means he paid for your sin too! He’s the Sacrifice that enables you to live life without fear of God’s punishment. Jesus is the Lamb who gave you what you could never earn—eternal life and a home with him in heaven.

He Calms Our Fears

in ,

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”… Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him (Luke 5:8,10,11).

Simon Peter and his friends were fishermen when they first knew Jesus. After a long night of catching nothing, they were ready to call it quits. But Jesus told them to put out their nets in the deep water. It was now the hottest and brightest part of the day. A catch of fish seemed even less likely at this point.

The miraculous catch Jesus gave them ripped their nets and caused their boats to sink! Immediately, Peter realized that this wasn’t just another teacher, but the Son of God. When Peter saw God’s power that day, he was filled with fear. More than ever, he felt the big difference between God and himself. He was a sinner and God was not. He was entirely at God’s mercy.

Maybe it was a huge thunderstorm or the power of crashing waves that first made you realize how big God is and how small you are. When we see the awesome wonders of God in this world, sometimes we feel the same way Peter did. Sometimes we conclude that we need to distance ourselves from God because of our sin. He is perfect and we are not. The Bible tells us that God has every right to punish us for all of eternity because of our sin. All of this strikes fear in our hearts. Jesus’ powerful miracles had this same effect on people. But at the same time, his miracles draw our attention to an important fact about our powerful God: he is here to save us. Jesus calms our fears.

Jesus told Peter, “Do not be afraid…” As God’s Son, he wasn’t there to harm Peter. He was there to save him, and that is just what he did when he died on the cross and rose again. Jesus’ words calm our fears as sinners before a holy God. Now, we don’t need to cry, “Away from me, Lord, for I am a sinner!” Instead, in the peace of his forgiveness, we can take the time to set down the nets of our daily work and follow him to something greater in his Word.

Godly Living

in ,

When people die and go to heaven, they enjoy eternal pleasure not because they were good people. They enjoy eternal pleasure because they were confident that Jesus Christ lived not just a good, but a perfect life in their place. When people die and go to heaven, they enjoy eternal pleasure not because they were without sin. They enjoy eternal pleasure because they knew and rejoiced that Jesus Christ suffered the punishment for all their sins.

Jesus died for the sins of the world. Jesus died for you. It’s true! As the Lord gives you confidence that this is true, that Jesus is your Savior, you know that you have eternal life.

Jesus then says to you, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

You may not have grape vines at your house. You do have lamps. You have cords on your lamps. You plug in the cords. Why? You need power from the power plant. The power plant is the vine. Lamp cords are the branches. If a lamp remains connected to the power plant, it will light up a room. Apart from the power plant, a lamp does nothing.

You are a lamp. As a baptized child of the Lord certain that Jesus is your Savior, you are plugged in to the power plant, Jesus Christ. As you remain in Jesus, you will bear much fruit.

Christ’s love in you lights up a room. As you marvel at God’s forgiving love, you long to forgive those who sin against you. As you marvel at Jesus’ patience, you long to be patient with those who test you. As you marvel at Jesus’ gift of trust in him, you long to share the news of Jesus with those who don’t know him, that they also might trust him and be saved. You want them to learn to trust him and be saved too.

As you remain in Jesus, you will bear much fruit.

How can you remain in Jesus, how can you remain “plugged in?”

You can’t. You and I, even as Christians, still have a sinful flesh. If remaining in Jesus were left up to us, we surely would become unplugged.

It is God who works in us both to will and to act in line with his good pleasure. Thank God! He gives us the strength to remain in him.

What tools does God use to keep our love for him strong? He uses the Word of God. Read your Bible often. Use the church directory on this web page to find a place where you can hear the truth. God’s words are living and powerful. They fight off the tricks of the devil.

What tools does God use to keep our love for him strong? He uses our Baptism, which continues to assure us that we are dressed in the beautiful robe of Jesus’ perfection. He uses the Lord’s Supper, where God places on our lips the very tools which won our forgiveness, the body and blood of Jesus.

Jesus is the vine. We are the branches. Remain in him. Read his Word. Rejoice in your baptism. Celebrate his Holy Supper!

Connected to the power station, your lamp will burn brightly.

Disasters

in ,

Jesus said, “When you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.” (Luke 21:31)

Three people were visiting the Grand Canyon—an artist, a pastor, and a cowboy. As they stood on the edge of that massive abyss, each one responded with a cry of exclamation. The artist said, “Ah, what a beautiful scene to paint!” The minister cried, “What a wonderful example of God’s handiwork!” The cowboy mused, “What a terrible place to lose a cow!” The same scene that thrills one person can provoke dread in another.

At one point early in our life, many of us were scared by the concussive boom and sudden flash of fireworks. There still are things that scare adults, but do not have to. What scares you? Jesus lists some major adult scares: “Nation will rise against nation … There will be great earthquakes, famines … Fearful events and great signs from heaven … Men will faint from terror …” (Luke 21:10,26).

Wars, terrorism, and natural disasters are scary. If this life were all there is, then disasters would mean despair. It does not have to be so, Jesus assures us. He reminds us God is in loving control. He calls these events signs. They are birth pains. Those contractions, among the worst of all pain, also signal that a wonderful delivery of new life is near: “When you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near” (Luke 21:31).

Some firecrackers pack the wallop of a stick of dynamite. A toddler feels that blast of energy and is terrified, burying his head in his mommy’s or daddy’s shoulder. Adults know these noises and flashes will not hurt them, and even look up to await the next burst. So Jesus urges us not to dread nor bury our heads at all this world’s bad news, “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near!” (Luke 21:28).

How are you handling the signs of the times? The same Jesus who calmed the furious winds of a storm and rose from the dead, tells us to not panic at the distressing signs in nature and society. He paid the price for all our sins, so we can look forward to his return—the One who judges is also our Savior, Jesus.

Love of Father

in ,

Jesus said, “The son got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him” (Luke 15:20).

He was homeless, smelly, and almost starving to death. But the worst thing was that he knew it was all his fault. He thought his father was cruel and overbearing; there were too many rules. He wanted freedom. He wanted to have fun, but his father was all about responsibility and hard work. So, he asked for his share of the inheritance. He didn’t care about the farm; he just wanted the money. As soon as he got it, he left. He could finally do what he wanted to do. But it didn’t take long and all that money was gone—partying is expensive. Those he thought were his friends left as soon as he ran out of money. He was all alone and miserable. He had two choices, and neither seemed pleasant. He could continue as he was and hope he could scrape enough together each day so that he wouldn’t starve to death, or he could go back home.

He headed for home. He was prepared to grovel, to ask to be just a hired hand on his father’s farm. But he didn’t get the opportunity to do much groveling. As soon as his father saw him coming, he ran out to meet him. He hugged and kissed him, and gave orders for a huge celebration in his honor. The rebellious son had expected a cool reception. He had expected an “I told you so.” Instead he got what he knew he didn’t deserve: a joyous welcome home.

You and I are that young man who rebelled against his father. We have all rebelled against our heavenly Father. We have considered him to be cruel, and overbearing, and having too many rules—someone who doesn’t want us to have any fun. We have all separated ourselves from him and broken his commandments. Our consciences tell us that he is angry, that we deserve whatever pain or suffering comes our way. Could our heavenly Father still love us? Could he still welcome us to his eternal home in heaven?

Jesus’ story about the disobedient son in Luke 15:11-24 is a short story that speaks volumes for our lives. It assures us of God’s love and our heavenly home. Our heavenly Father loves us so much that he punished his obedient Son, Jesus, in our place so that he can welcome us as his dear children and heirs of eternal life. Instead of giving us what we deserve for our rebelliousness, he gives us what we don’t deserve: complete forgiveness in Jesus.

Immanuel

in ,

“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us” (Matthew 1:23).

In 1995 Joan Osborne released the song “One of Us.” Catchy tune. Provocative lyrics. A repeated question: “What if God was one of us … just a slob like one of us?”

I don’t know the songwriter’s intent in asking the question. Was there a searching desire to know the answer? Or was it a commentary on God as he is often portrayed and perceived—a distant god who doesn’t care about the human condition? I don’t know. However, I do know that in the Bible God gives an answer to the song’s question.

God is one of us. Come again? It’s true! God is one of us. In the Bible we are told of a promise God made to become one with the human race: …they will call him Immanuel—which means, God with us. Those words are spoken of Jesus Christ at the time of his birth. The Bible teaches that Jesus is true God and true man at the same time! This is the mystery and miracle of Christmas. This is the mystery and meaning of the special name for Jesus, Immanuel.

Let that thought sink in. God is one of us! Think about it when you’re having a rough day and it seems like nobody cares. Jesus knows and cares because he once lived in our world. In fact, he had it much worse than we do. He was perfectly innocent of all wrongdoing, and yet he suffered humiliation and scorn. He hadn’t hurt anyone or broken a law of God and yet he was sentenced to death.

Jesus died…for no fault of his own. But that’s what he came to do. He was born to die, because our relationship with God is totally messed up otherwise. We have been slobs in the way we’ve lived before God. We deserve his anger for disobeying his commands and living according to our own standards. But Jesus became, not a slob like one of us, but a slob instead of us! He died on the cross in our place. He rose from the dead…in victory.

What if God was one of us? In Christ Jesus he was and truly still is! Through faith in Jesus Christ we have what he came into our world to win—complete forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Look to Immanuel who promises to be your compassionate and powerful companion in this life…and the next!

Prince of Peace

Prince of Peace

in ,

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called…Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

Peace. That is a concept the Bible talks about. Only when the Bible talks about peace, it is referring to something far greater than a peace that we talk about in our lives and in the world. It is referring to peace with God.

So do you have it? Do you have peace with God? Or perhaps a better question is this: Is it even possible for unholy, imperfect, sinful people like we are to have peace with a holy, perfect, and sinless God? After all, God himself demands in his word that, if we are to have peace with him, we must be holy and perfect just like he is. So is peace with God even possible?

It sure is. And not because we are somehow going to become holy and perfect on our own. It is because we have the One who has been holy and perfect in our place. His name is Jesus, the One the prophet Isaiah so aptly calls the “Prince of Peace.” Through his perfect life and innocent death, Jesus removed all of our sins and gave us his perfection. In doing so, the Prince of Peace has given us exactly what our holy and perfect God demands of us. Through faith, we now have peace with God as our personal possession forever.

That is the peace that the Prince of Peace brought you. Jesus brought you peace with God. And that peace will last forever.