The Lord Saves
Matthew 1:21
A very renowned, and fairly sound, continental theologian of recent times scolded, or perhaps mildly ridiculed, certain types of Christians who moved quickly to the theme of sin in their doctrinal and preaching priorities. The topic of sin was viewed as a mordant obsession of a particular cast of mind that viewed the Bible simplistically in a legalistic, overly-literalistic, and fundamentalist fashion. Surely there has to be a better “opener” into the understanding of the person of Jesus Christ. Must he not be estimated in a more ennobled and acceptable way than as a dealer with the problem of human evil, and the unpleasantness, discomfort and judgment that attaches to the predicament of our race. Can we not perceive him in a more philosophical manner, as an ethical idealist, or a reformer of human behavior and social conduct? Do we not have to sophisticate Jesus and improve his image for wider approval? Sin is a pretty basic, vulgar topic for consideration, it is commonly supposed. Surely religion should consider matters at a more elevated level that doesn’t result in listeners’ blush.
The evangelist Matthew doesn’t seem to think so, Straight away he defines Jesus the Messiah as the one who “will save his people from their sins” (v21). He doesn’t come to educate or civilize. He comes to rescue the wicked. Immediately, Matthew begins his description of Jesus as the Savior of sinners. The identification is crisp and clear. Salvation through Christ is the divine priority for the very name of Messiah is Jesus – Joshua, God saves.
This is the primary thing to make known about the Son of God born of Mary. Jesus and John the Baptist both began their ministries with the exhortation to “repent for the kingdom of God is near”. His cross is the inevitable and essential message concerning Jesus. “We preach Christ crucified” avers the apostle Paul. Those people whom Jesus came to save stand in need, great need, of the atonement he eventually wrought. Without his sacrifice salvation could not take effect.
Of course, many sublime themes, lines of thoughts, and precious truths, emerge from the saving work of Christ, but he is the embodiment of the glorious fact that God saves. All people need the Savior and must be encouraged to lodge their confidence in him for deliverance from sin and death and for eternal wellbeing. The cross, the substitutionary Savior, sincere repentance and true faith are all ingredients of the true and only apostolic gospel. Its proclamation is indispensable. Every Christian minister is charged to declare it.
How is it, then, that the principal church leaders in our time failed to preach salvation through Christ to the vast audiences that they address at this season of the year (Christmas). As an Anglican it grieves me to observe that many of the archbishops of our communion preach on topics that exclude the facts of the Saviorhood of the Lord Jesus and the call for repentance for sin. The bishop of Rome and the Archbishop of Canterbury can only be charged with gross dereliction of duty. How can the masses of hearers come to salvation through the vacuous orations of these men? RJS
LIGHT in the Darkness 