Substitute

Jesus was the Son of God (fully God) and the Son of Man (fully man). In being man, he lost none of his deity; in being God, he lived in full humanity. These truths make Jesus the only One who could die for humanity’s sin. He was sinless—the only One who did not have to pay for his own sins; he was man—the only One who could die as our sinless substitute.

Jesus and his disciples were in the area of Caesarea Philippi when he asked them what people were saying about him. What was the word on the street? The disciples told him that some believed he was John the Baptist; others said he was Elijah, and still others thought that he was Jeremiah or one of the prophets. Then Jesus asked the most important question:

God’s grace is amazing! He gives us what we don’t deserve. He offers the free gift of grace without conditions or strings attached. And it all started with his grace in the garden.

As we enter a new year, remember that Jesus is our Savior. Let’s keep our focus on him. 

Jesus is the one way to God. He provided the only way by dying for our sin on the cross.

My relationship with God is secure, and my final home is in heaven, but I am not there yet. The penalty of sin is gone, but the propensity to sin remains.

Jesus, Son of God and Son of Man, is the only way that sinful man can have an eternal relationship with the holy God.

His death paid the penalty for our sin. Through the Son of God and only through the Son of God can we have everlasting life. 

Jesus voluntarily went to the cross to die for your sins, to pay sin’s penalty as your substitute. He provided the way—the only way—to have an eternal relationship with God. Jesus is, indeed, “the Lord saves.”