Day 25, Read Luke 2:11

On this 25^th day let us reflect on Jesus, the “Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Jesus is the Savior.  A “savior” is a deliverer.  Did you know that the Roman Emperor was called “Savior?”  Epictetus, a Greek philosopher, rightly said, “The emperor may give peace from war … he is unable to give peace from passion, grief and envy.  He cannot give peace of heart for which man yearns more than outward peace.”  The philosopher was right.  God rightly says, “I am the LORD.  Beside me there is no Savior” (Isa. 43:11).  

Remember that Gabriel told Joseph to give Mary’s Child the name “Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21).  Sin is what we need to be delivered from.  Sin against God means we are guilty and must pay the penalty of death (Rom. 6:23).  We need a Savior who can pay the penalty for us.  He Himself must not be guilty.  Jesus is that Savior.  By His sinless life He could die in our place.  This was God’s plan.  Hear what God said about Himself: “All flesh shall know, that I the LORD am your Savior, and your Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob” (Isa. 49:26).  The Emperor couldn’t even save himself from sin, much less any of his citizens.  Neither can we save ourselves.  We have a mighty God for our Savior.  He came to pay the price we owed.  His plan is the only one that will work.  There is no other “savior” to whom we can turn.

Jesus is the Christ.  “Christ” is a Greek word that translates the Hebrew word “Mashiyach” which means “Anointed One”.  The Christ or Messiah is God’s “Anointed One.”  God’s special servants, such as Aaron the Priest and David the King, were anointed.  Oil was poured on their heads to indicate they had God’s blessing and authority to serve Him.  The Messiah is God’s Anointed (Psa. 2:2).  He is both King (Psa. 2:6-9; 18:50) and High Priest (Psa. 110:1-4).  Jesus is the Messiah/Christ.  That is what the angels announced.

Jesus is the LORD.  Our English Bibles in the Old Testament refer to God as “LORD” and “Lord”.  LORD is a translation of the name YAHWEH (Ex. 3:13-15).  God tied it to the idea that He is the eternal I AM.  This name is only used for God.  Lord is a term of respect.  It is sometimes used of other important people as well as God.  It recognizes their power and authority.  

Both terms are applied to the Messiah.  The “Branch of David” (the Messiah) is called the LORD our righteousness (Jer. 23:5-6).  King David called the Messiah “my Lord” (Psa. 110:1; Matt. 22:41-46).  Jesus claimed to be the “I AM” (John 8:58).  Most of the people in Jesus’ day were rebellious and refused to recognize Him as “the Lord.”  But His disciples called Him “Lord” (John 20:28).  As a matter of fact all true believers in Jesus will confess Him as “Lord” (Rom. 10:9-10; 1 Cor. 12:3).  What do you say?

A man once asked Paul, “What must I do to be saved?”  Paul’s answer was clear: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved!” (Ac. 16:30-31).