Week 49—Saturday Romans 10:6-9
Romans 10:6-9
Week 49—SATURDAY
JESUS IS SAVIOR, THEREFORE “JESUS IS LORD”
The last two statements about the Son bring us to an amazing climax: Sixth, “when he had brought about the purgation of sins.” Before Jesus takes his seat “at the right hand of Majesty on high” the last emphasis as to the purpose of his coming was not to be an Example, a Teacher, a Healer, a Guide but to be a Savior, a Redeemer. And if he doesn’t save us now—doesn’t save us now from sin—he doesn’t save us from anything. He doesn’t save us from hell, nor to heaven unless he saves us from sin now.
I see now, what I didn’t see then, that it was an accurate leading that led me to preach my first sermon as a missionary when I landed in Lucknow fifty-five years ago on the text: “Thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21, KJV). Not “in their sins” as neo-orthodoxy would imply, but “from their sins” as the New Testament teaches. And this has been “brought about”—not promised, but accomplished, “it is finished.” It now awaits my acceptance. He saves me to the degree I allow him. And he does it now, not in some future purgatory. The only purgatory known in the New Testament is the blood of Jesus Christ. And here is an essential difference between the purpose of the coming of the Incarnation as described in the Bhagavad-Gita: “to punish the wicked and to establish righteousness.” Jesus did not come to punish the wicked but to save the wicked. He is the Divine Redeemer not the Divine Executioner.
Then the writer comes to the climax of climaxes: Seventh, “He took his seat at the right hand of Majesty on high.” He is at the place of final authority. He has the last word. He is the Omega. So with the most astonishing accuracy and succinctness, the early Christians summed up their faith in these words, “Jesus is Lord.”
O Jesus, you are Lord, not by appointment but by accomplishment. Your Word is now the last word because it is the Word become flesh. You staggered under a cross to your throne. We thank you. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: Let my affirmation be in the face of everything: “Jesus is Lord.”