By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

A Determined Savior!

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“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst.”
1 Timothy 1:15 New International Version

Our brave firefighters pull off many amazing rescues – removing trapped people from burning buildings, smashed cars, and flooded rivers.  The rescuers risk their lives to save helpless humans in great peril.  Sometimes they even give up their lives in the rescue attempt.

But this is the most amazing rescue attempt of all of history: God’s Son became flesh and died upon a cross to save you and me from our sin.  Jesus in His sacrifice on the cross saved us not only from earthly death,  but from eternal death.  He saved us from the trapped place of eternal punishment for our sin and gave us eternal life.

He did this, not because we were deserving of rescue because of our goodness, but He saved us because of His compassion and love and kindness and mercy.  Saint Paul in the verse above states that he was “the worst” of sinners.  He of all people deserved to be cast into hell for persecuting God’s people and speaking against the Lord Jesus.

But thank God that Jesus did not come to save the righteous, but the unrighteous!  He came to heal the sick, not those who were well!  He came to set free the captive and give sight to the blind and make the lame to walk.  In other words, He came for all sinners.  And His salvation is free for all who would admit they need a Savior.

Imagine a man in a burning building who refuses to be rescued because he can save himself!  An insane idea, but one that we often parallel in our lives by refusing the salvation offered to us by our Savior and Rescuer Jesus.  Go ahead, call out to Jesus for rescue, He will come and save you!

Lord, I admit that I am a sinner and need You to rescue me.  Forgive me my sins for Jesus sake.  Thank you for sending me a Savior and Lord!  Amen!

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado