Many Scriptures describe in a few words why Christ became a man. I John 4:14 simply says, “The Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.” As we study God’s Word, however, we find there is so much more here than meets the eye at first glance. Let’s observe other passages of Scripture that elaborate on our need of a Savior.

1. John 1:29 records, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” We are told in Hebrews 9:26, “He (Jesus) hath appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” Oh, how we needed Someone to solve our sin problem. After accepting Christ as Savior, we have been delivered from the penalty of sin, are being delivered from the power of sin as we grow in grace becoming more like our Lord and one day we will be delivered from the presence of sin eternally.

2. Colossians 1:14 assures us, “In Whom (Jesus) we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” According to Acts 5:31, God has exalted Jesus, “to give repentance and forgiveness of sins.” When we have sinned against others and God, we experience a heart sickness until we deal with that sin and seek forgiveness. When we do so, our sins are “forgiven, forgotten, forever.”

3. When we turn to Romans 3:9-18, we find a vivid description of mankind without Jesus. Verse 8 concludes that “all the world” is “guilty before God.” The weight of the guilt of our sin before God is almost unbearable, but God provided the remedy. Isaiah 53:11 tells us that God’s “righteous servant (Jesus)” would “justify many” for He would bear their iniquities. To “justify” means to pardon and cleanse from guilt. Justified–” just – as -if – I’d” never been guilty.

4. Hebrews 2:14-15 addresses the fear of death mankind experiences without a Savior. This passage tells us Jesus came to earth that “He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” There is no bondage like fear and surely no fear like that of facing eternal death apart from God, but Jesus gives eternal life. Ronny Hinson wrote the song that fits so well here, “Lock me up in prison and throw away the key. Take away the vision of these eyes that now can see. Deprive me of the food I eat and even bind my hands and feet. But as long as I know Jesus, I can still go free.”

5. Finally, we go to Matthew 11:28-30, “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” There is no rest for the soul in this life until that soul has found the Savior. He is available to every one of us as He invites us, “Come unto Me.” Our greatest need was a Savior and God met that need with the event we celebrate each Christmas – the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. May you accept His invitation from Matthew 11 if you have not done so already. A blessed Christmas season to all.

— Randy Zinn is pastor of Russell Missionary Baptist Church, Russell, Ark.;

formerly of Okmulgee.