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Son of God and Son of Man

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“The holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:35

“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28

People spend a lot of time, money and effort to get a title after their name. Masters, doctorates and other post-graduate programs are in high demand. The appeal is understandable. Titles such as Doctor, Professor and a host of others provide opportunities to better ourselves and our circumstances.

There was one who had the highest of all titles already at his birth. The Bible describes it this way: “The holy one to be born will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35). Jesus is holy. He is the true Son of God. The titles “Holy One” and “Son of God” indicate that all power, wisdom and authority belonged to Jesus at birth because as true God he possessed them from eternity. His name is above every name and over every title and authority that can be given.

But that did not stop Jesus from seeking another title. This one was decidedly a step down. It did not require a four-year graduate program or many evening classes. Rather, it required humble service. The Bible teaches, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). Jesus, who took the title Son of Man, did not come from heaven to earth to be waited on hand and foot. Rather, he came to take up our cause and to die a humble death on the cross—a death that should have been ours.

Give thanks that out of love for us, the one with the title Son of God was also willing to take the title Son of Man, in order to die for us on the cross. Our Savior Jesus is both true God and true Man. He is the perfect Savior we desperately needed—one who is holy and lived in our place and one whose innocent death counted for the whole world. Because Jesus loved us enough to do that for us, now through faith in him we have been given a new title as well: Child of God! Bear that title proudly and live your life for the One who gave it to you.

Oh God, Our Savior

Savior

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“Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake” (Psalm 79:9).

Help! It’s a simple word, and yet very difficult to say. It’s an admission of vulnerability, isn’t it? And nobody wants to be considered vulnerable. Help! It’s admitting that you just can’t get yourself out of whatever predicament, trouble or situation you’re in. You need someone to come and save you. So you have to swallow your pride, display some humility and admit that you can’t do it. You need help.

The man who wrote Psalm 79 was named Asaph. He lived almost 3000 years ago. He needed help, and so did everyone around him. Foreign nations had invaded his homeland of Israel and were trashing God’s reputation. God’s believers in that country needed help. So they went to God.

They knew they had not done anything to earn God’s help. In fact, part of the reason they needed help was because of their disobedience against God and his will. But they still turned to God because of his reputation: he is the God of salvation. They knew that God is in the business of helping. In fact, not only does he give help freely but he specializes in it. Only God could help them out of their difficulties in life. Only God could save them from their greatest difficulty—their sin. And they weren’t disappointed. God did save them from their enemies, but more importantly, he forgave their sin. That’s his reputation. He is the Savior.

God has the same reputation today. He is our Savior. That’s why God sent his Son into our world, an event we celebrate every Christmas. We needed God’s help desperately. We were separated from God. We had sinned. And we couldn’t help ourselves to get rid of our guilt. But God sent us a Savior. He forgives all our sin. What an astounding gift our Savior Jesus Christ is! God is in the business of helping. That is his reputation.

God is your Savior. You can call on him for help and deliverance. He promises his forgiveness and love. He will help you out of trouble. Call on your Savior for strength to carry your burdens. Look to your Lord Jesus for help. He, and he alone, can save you and help you. He, and only he, is your Savior.