From the Pastor’s Study 9/17/23
In baseball, often a relief pitcher or a “closer” is brought in to pitch in the late innings of a close game. If he successfully gets the opposing team out without giving up the lead and his team wins, he is credited with “a save.”
In the fire departments I serve as chaplain, occasionally we speak of “a save.” Sometimes at an emergency scene, rescue workers are able to use their skills and training to save a life that would otherwise be lost. Sometimes a fire is contained and extinguished, and someone’s house is saved. “We had a great save the other night.”
A church in a neighboring town has “Jesus saves” displayed in large letters on an exterior wall facing the road. To the members of this church, and to many who pass by who are Christians, this concise statement is readily understood. However, there are doubtless those who read this as they drive by and wonder what it means. “Jesus saves from what?” “Jesus saves who?” A few may even harbor some small resentment as they consider the message, thinking for instance, “I prayed for my mother when she had cancer, and still she died. Does Jesus really save?”
The third book in the New Testament, the Gospel of Luke, introduces us to some characters connected with the birth and youth of Jesus. Simeon was evidently a man of great age. But he knew he could not die – at least not until God fulfilled a promise He had made to him. Simeon had been told by the Almighty that he would live until he saw the Lord’s Christ, the long-awaited Messiah.
The fateful day arrived at last. Joseph and Mary brought their newborn son, Jesus, into the temple to offer the prescribed Jewish sacrifice for Him. God prompted Simeon to enter the temple at just the right moment. This small child was the fulfillment of not only God’s promise to Simeon, but of hundreds of promises found throughout the Old Testament. Simeon took the child in his arms saying, “Lord, now lettest thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation.” (Lk. 2:29, 30)
What did Simeon mean when he said, “thy salvation?” To many of the faithful in first century Israel, salvation meant deliverance from the oppression of the conquering Romans. It meant liberty. To others in every age salvation means to be rescued from themselves. Those ensnared in addiction and sinful habits know what it means to hope for salvation. There is salvation from guilt. Some are keenly aware of their blameworthiness. An unrelenting conscience accuses of wicked deeds, words, and thoughts. Can I ever be forgiven? There is the universal fear of death. Is there life beyond the grave? Can we be rescued from the darkness?
When Simeon saw Jesus, he offered an inspired prayer of thanksgiving. Unafraid of death, of condemnation, of the power of sin, he rejoiced because he was witness to the Lord’s provision of salvation – from it all. By Jesus’ death and resurrection, there is forgiveness, victory, and everlasting life. For all the things from which we need to be saved, Jesus is the Savior.
And He is not just the Savior from sin and death. He is the Savior of all people. “A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.” (Lk. 2:32) Regardless of race, age, or social status, Jesus Christ is appointed and empowered by God to be the Savior for everyone.
Yet, sadly, He is also a Savior “which shall be spoken against.” (Lk. 2:34) Jesus is a sufficient Savior for all people, but an efficient Savior only for those who believe. Christ will not save those who reject Him, who think they have no need of salvation, that they can save themselves, or that salvation comes from some other source.
Simeon is a model for each of us. He was “just and devout” (Lk. 2:25), yet he was waiting eagerly for the comfort of the Savior. For the elderly and the young; for the religious and the ungodly; for the esteemed among men and the outcasts of society, Jesus is salvation. The gospel of Jesus Christ is “the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.” (Rom. 1:16)