Good morning. When we hear the word ”savior” we typically have a very tight frame of reference which comes to mind. We think of Jesus, for He is our Savior. That is true, and that is a fitting use of the word. However, the word savior in the Greek language in which the New Testament was written as well as it’s equivalent in Hebrew and other ancient languages was used differently.
In ancient languages, the word savior was first of all used as a military reference. The “savior” referred to an individual who personally turned the tide of battle; whose presence and actions saved the day; whose heroism and courage secured victory from what would have been defeat.
The word was used in the Old Testament to refer to the mighty men of King David, for God had empowered them to accomplish the impossible in battle and many times their courage turned the tide in favor of their King. The word savior was used by Alexander the Great when he described Ptolemy, Alexander’s general and personal friend, when he came to Alexander’s rescue at the Battle of Issus. Alexander would have died, and the battle lost but for Ptolemy’s heroic actions.
We too, each and every one of us, need a savior. Our battle is lost, our lives are forfeit without the heroic intervention of God’s Chosen One, our Savior Jesus.
From the moment of His birth, Jesus was declared to be our Savior: for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
The apostle Paul testified of Jesus in Acts 13:22-23: God raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’ Of this man’s offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised.
Jesus Himself made the point of the need for a savior to come to the rescue when He defended the salvation of Zacchaeus the tax collector: Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”Luke 19:9-10
Historically, the use of the word savior described a sense of urgency, of desperation, of need and of danger. This describes the condition we all find ourselves in. We are in urgent need, desperate need, because we face an enemy and a battle that we cannot win alone. We need a Savior. We need a hero. We need intervention by one who is courageous and capable. We need Jesus.
Jesus, the Anointed One of God, He alone is willing, and He alone is able. Whatever you face today, Jesus is ready to be your hero.
Vern