And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Jesus means “The Lord saves.” Matt 1:21
And there is salvation in and through no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved. Acts 4:12
Great teacher, compelling historical figure, Babylon's invention, take your pick.
As for me, I reflect on one thing this time of year, "He will save his people from their sins". For people only interested in the ethical teachings of Jesus or the political aspects of His life, this might not mean much but for a man who needs saving, this means everything. This man can save me and I need saving. I need to be rescued, not only from danger outside of myself but from the corruption that arises from within.
I am happy that Jesus means " The LORD saves" not man will save. This is comforting and liberating to me for several reasons. If you have ever struggled to be a better person than you are, more unselfish in your actions, more pure in your thoughts and desires but somehow you kept falling short, imperfect still, then this should be comforting. The man, the person Jesus, makes a bold claim, He will save you!
I am grateful that the message about Jesus is in sharp contrast to other views that tell me my good works will be my salvation.My ideas, the number of my moral actions, the people and places I serve, the funds I give etcetera, will remove the nagging feeling, the true feeling, that I am not intrinsically good and perfect.
The Truth is, secretly I always knew. I knew whenever I hurt somebody I claimed to love, whenever I was less than honest. Whenever I felt hostility towards my fellow man.
So, in the midst of the family gatherings, friendly interactions, food and travel,I remember that it is GOD who does the saving. I cannot and couldn't save myself from the pride that caused me to be stubborn or to demean or hurt others by my words and actions. I could not save myself from the "me, myself and I" syndrome. I could not save myself from the multiple dangers to soul and body on the roads this past year, but God gave grace.
I am grateful then, not for a historical figure, or a story or a concept about a GOD who became like one of us, I am grateful that the person, called Jesus is my savior.
