Jesus Saves

This hymn meditation reminds us of the fundamentals of salvation and the good news that it is a gift available to all who take up their cross and follow Jesus.

In 2011, we were members of East Cooper Baptist Church in Charleston, South Carolina. I was blessed with the opportunity to sing “last chair” tenor in their choir. It was a wonderful experience for me and a challenging one for Dean, the Worship pastor. We rehearsed through the fall of that year in preparation for our annual Christmas concert. One of the songs we presented was “Jesus Saves” by Travis Cottrell. I was not familiar with this worship song until we began preparing it for the concert.

Immediately, I felt the power of worship in this great praise hymn. I hope you enjoy listening to one or both of the versions available through the links below. In this meditation, we will focus on that great theme. . . Jesus Saves.

Let’s take a closer look at the great biblical truths contained in the lyrics and then we will relate them to biblical passages.

Truth conveyed through imagery

Cottrell begins the first verse with these amazing words: “Hear the heart of heaven beating; Jesus saves, Jesus saves.” This is a dramatic way of describing how Jesus’ ministry is the heart beat of heaven. . . it is at the very core of heaven. This is why the “host of angels sing, ‘Glory to the newborn King’.” In verse two we find the humblest of hearts “adore Him.” And, the “wisest bow before Him.” Verse three describes several of the major events in His life and our salvation. They are as follows.

1. He came to live on earth and share our sorrows.
2. He bears our burdens in death
3. He accomplishes our salvation on the cross . . . it is done!
4. We are redeemed by His blood.
5. The empty tomb is evidence that Jesus saves.

Verse three is followed by some of the wonderful results of Jesus saving us.

We experience freedom from sin. . . those chains are falling off. We see the light as in the dawn of a new day. This light brings hope and truth. And, God is making us new!

In verse four, the redeemed sing forever about this free gift of salvation which has come by grace through faith in Him. What a wonderful message about salvation!

Now let’s review the fundamentals of our salvation by looking at three very basic questions. These will be a simple review for most of us. . . but we are admonished to make our calling and election sure! So, some review is appropriate.

Fundamental questions of salvation

First, what am I saved from? If I am to be saved, I must be saved from something. . . what? In a word, it is Hell. This is fundamental. But, let’s see how Jesus answers this question. In Matthew chapter 7 Jesus teaches about the way to heaven with the following words.

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Matthew 7:13-14

So, based on this teaching, we must be saved from “destruction.” In Matthew chapter 25, Jesus tells several parables about the kingdom of heaven. In the parable about the talents, He describes “throwing the worthless servant outside, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” In that same chapter He tells the parable of the sheep and the goats. He concludes with this statement.

Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.

Matthew 25:46

Now there are many more passages that answer this question. But from this representative sample, we can conclude that we need to be saved from destruction which is eternal punishment characterized by weeping and gnashing of teeth. This state is also described by Jesus as a permanent separation from God and the saints He has adopted for eternal life. I draw this conclusion from the story Jesus told about the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19 – 31.

Second, how does Jesus save me? Again this subject is covered quite often throughout scripture. But, let’s look at what Jesus and Paul have to say about this critical question. In Mark chapter 1, Jesus is beginning His ministry and He makes this statement.

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!

Mark 1:14-15

Jesus tells us to repent and believe. Elsewhere in the Bible we find that repentance and belief come from God’s work in us through the Holy Spirit to give us a new heart. . . a heart that is responsive to Him. This is called regeneration. . . born again! The idea of belief is basically faith. We can see this in our next passage from Paul in Ephesians chapter 2.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.

Ephesians 2: 1-9

This passage teaches us that we are all in need of salvation and that it comes from God based on His marvelous grace through faith in Jesus. This is made clear in the following passage from Peter’s speech before the religious leaders and teachers of the law, recorded by Luke in Acts 4:8 – 12.

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is
‘the stone you builders rejected,
             which has become the cornerstone.’

 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.

Acts 4: 8-12

Peter is very clear that it is through Christ alone that anyone can be saved!

Third, to what are we saved? If we are rescued (saved) from something, then it follows that we are rescued (saved) to something. . . a new or different state. Again, this is fundamental. Many would say heaven. Let’s take a look at some words from Jesus. In John chapter 17:1b – 3, Jesus is on the way to His death and He prays the “high priestly prayer.” In that prayer we find these words from Him as He is preparing to return to the Father.

Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

John 17: 1-3

So, Jesus saves us from destruction, damnation and hell to eternal life. And, this eternal life is defined as knowing God and Him (Jesus). Importantly, the main features of this state are not the “streets of gold” or golf courses where we make a hole in one on every shot. It is not even being reunited with saintly family members who have gone before us. But, it is being with God our Father and His Son, who will then call us brother. And, it is forever enjoying and praising them.

One final important thought from Hebrews chapter 2:1 – 4. I often think about this passage. I hope and pray that you will join me in studying the following passage and thinking about how it applies to our daily lives.

We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

Hebrews 2: 1-4

The author of Hebrews reminds us that this great salvation (Jesus Saves) is true. . . announced by Jesus, witnessed by those who heard it from Him, and confirmed by God’s signs, wonders, miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit. We must not ignore it. We must not take it for granted. We must not treat it lightly. But, we must pay careful attention to the good news that “Jesus Saves”!

Closing Prayer

God help me to not drift away! Amen.