Jesus Saves

What did God do when his people were enslaved in Egypt? He sent a rescuer, and he had them celebrate that rescue each year, waiting in faith and anticipation for the ultimate Rescuer who would save them from a more powerful enemy—sin.

Later, Israel’s armies were facing certain defeat as they stood on the opposite side of a valley from the Philistine army and their champion Goliath. It was a hopeless situation. A period of slavery was certain until God brought an unexpected champion to defeat the giant and provide salvation for his people. A promise was made soon after: a greater champion would come from the line of David and provide a greater salvation for God’s people.

In each situation God delivered his people apart from any work on their part. Each time he was foreshadowing the salvation, deliverance, and redemption that would come through his Son Jesus.

This is why Jesus told this woman, “Salvation is from the Jews” (v. 22). He’s not saying only Jews can be saved but that the message of salvation came through the Jews. The Old Testament Jewish Scriptures were God’s way of revealing the promised salvation in Jesus Christ. He’s also referring to God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 12. When God promised Abraham a son, he told him, “All the peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Gen 12:3). From the seed of Abraham, the blessing of salvation would come to all people. Ethnicity, gender, and nationality don’t matter. God’s promise of a worldwide Savior was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Christianity is both inclusive and exclusive. It’s inclusive because the invitation extends to everyone. Everyone, everywhere needs Jesus, and the death of Jesus Christ was enough to save all people from all ages. It’s also exclusive because there’s only one way to be saved. Acts 4:12 says only one name can bring salvation: Jesus Christ. Christianity says Jesus is the only way to God. If you come to Jesus, he will get you home. He is the only road that leads to the presence of God. He is the only door into God’s house. Jesus is the all-sufficient and only Savior we need.

John 4:20-24

When Jesus points out this woman’s sin, her first thought was that Jesus would want her to go to Jerusalem to worship at the temple (v. 20). She thought salvation was something she did, but Jesus instructs her about the true nature of salvation. Salvation is not something we do; it’s something God does for us. He saves us.

Many times verses 23-24 are interpreted as referring to what Christians do on Sunday mornings—how we worship as a congregation. That misses the point. The context of these remarks is not a corporate worship service but an explanation of the gospel to a non-Christian. Notice the words “in Spirit and in truth” in verse 24. In 3:31 John is describing Jesus and points out that Jesus is a reliable witness to what God desires because Jesus has been with God and bears witness to what he’s seen and heard. However, despite the reliability of Jesus, no one receives his testimony.

The one who has accepted his testimony has affirmed that God is true. For the one whom God sent speaks God’s words, since he gives the Spirit without measure. (3:33-34; emphasis added)

To worship God in spirit and in truth means we have received the truth—the testimony about who Jesus Christ is—and we have received the Spirit. Jesus is describing salvation. We turn from the lies and error of this world and embrace the truth about Jesus and receive his Spirit, who then dwells inside each one who believes.

Jesus says in effect, “I have come to bring salvation. True salvation makes people worshipers of God. They have turned from self-worship—vowing allegiance to their own efforts and own desires and own glory—and have knelt in obedience and allegiance to the one true God. The only way people turn from self-worship to God worship, from rebellion to obedience, is by embracing the truth about me and receiving the Holy Spirit. This is the salvation I bring.”

This whole discussion on salvation is set within the context of Jesus’s death. Twice in these verses (4:21, 23) Jesus refers to the “hour.” That “hour” is his death and resurrection. Salvation is not found at the temple but at the cross. It’s not found in religious ceremony but in the Messiah’s death. Salvation from sin and reconciliation with God will only come as she turns from her sin and self-worship and trusts in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus on her behalf. She was hoping her religious experience would be enough. She was trusting in her obedience to her fathers (v. 20), but Jesus makes clear her only hope is coming through him to the Father.

Jesus clearly defines our message; he leaves no room for doubt, no possibility of error, no hesitation or waffling. If we are to understand and share the message of Christianity, we must focus on sin, the Savior, and salvation.

On a trip to Eastern Europe, I entered a cathedral filled with statues and covered in paintings. One painting of Jesus covered by glass stood waist high in the front of the room. A lady went up to it, and with tears in her eyes, she kissed it. Then she bowed, crossed herself, and walked to the back of the room to buy candles. Where she kissed it, the glass was worn down from years of worshipers kissing that glass. Perhaps she hoped going somewhere (the cathedral) and doing something (kissing a portrait) and giving something (money for candles) would save her from her sin.

The message of Christianity is not a bumper-sticker slogan about doing good things or being a better person. The message of Christianity is a call to worship the God of the universe. It’s a call to the soul-expanding, heart-enlarging, world-shaking worship of the God who reigns over all. It’s a call to turn from our sinful rebellion and to be saved from our self-worship by the power of Jesus Christ. John Newton, near the end of his life, summed up the message of Christianity perfectly: “My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior” (cited in Pollock, Amazing Grace, 182).