The Role Of Savior


The other night we watched On Her Majesty’s Secret Service featuring Bond, James Bond.  This is an interesting entry in the Bond franchise:  first, because Bond gets married in the film and second, because it featured George Lazenby in his only appearance as Bond.  To me, there is only one genuine James Bond (Roger Moore), but in reality over a half a dozen men have appeared in the role.  Depending upon your age and your personality, you probably have your own favorite. 
The reason for this movie trivia is to make a point about “roles”.  In many situations multiple people can fill the same role.  Even one of the most particular roles in our nation, our president, has featured over three dozen men who have occupied the position.  Yet, there is one role that is so unique that it can only be occupied only one – our Savior.  The role of Savior is a blend of two characteristics often described as God incarnate.  In essence: 
Our Savior is God:  The proclamation of Jesus being God goes all the way back to His ministry on earth where He established the connection between Himself and the Father (John 14:9).  Yet, the definitive discussion on this may come from the Apostle Paul.  After praising Jesus as the Redeemer and Forgiver he observed, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1: 15-17).  Jesus is often referred to as the “Son of God”, but that does not diminish His place as being Deity.
Our Savior was a man:  The other unique thing about the nature of Jesus is that He came to earth and lived the life of a human.  This was such a hot topic of discussion in the early church that the Apostle John settled the debate quite succinctly, “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.” (I John 4:2-3).  Jesus’ humanity is important to Christianity for several reasons.  One, it shows that Jesus is able to understand and empathize with what we experience in our own lives.  Additionally, it is vital to believe that Jesus lived His fleshly life without sin; therefore, He is uniquely qualified be the perfect sacrifice to appease God’s disdain for man’s iniquity (Hebrews 4:15). 
Understanding Jesus’ nature is important, but allowing Him to be Lord of our lives is vital!  Do we have the faith in Him to be obedient?

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