The Unexpected Savior

Gary was always joking. I had never heard a serious word come out of his mouth. He majored in Art in the college where I majored in Theater. He was also a published (funny) poet. So, when I told my group of friends that I’d written a script for a play and was about to present it to the producers, I was uncomfortable when I realized that Gary was present. I was horrified when he immediately responded, “Do you have a copy with you? Read it right now.”

I did, and Gary was the only one who sat and listened the whole way through. Afterward he wrote several pages of thoughtful and helpful notes, which we discussed in all seriousness.

You see, I had a set of expectations based on one aspect of my friend’s character. I should have known better. Gary obviously cared about good craftsmanship, and I knew him to be a helpful friend. But I had allowed one thing about him to distract me from this. I'm glad I allowed him to hear it. It not only helped me in that situation, but it taught me a life lesson.

In my daily Bible reading, I am currently in the Old Testament, where there are some unusual stories. It can be difficult, in the genealogies or the battles or the prophecies, to remember that all of scripture ultimately points us to Christ. For instance, Isaiah writes in chapter 45:

“Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, you survivors of the nations! They have no knowledge who carry about their wooden idols, and keep on praying to a god that cannot save.”

Which sounds a lot like the God of the Exodus or Joshua. But just one verse later he says:

“And there is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me. Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.”

He is the only Savior!

God has always been calling us to trust in Jesus Christ, who alone is the Savior, who alone was worthy to atone for all of our sins, who alone is God incarnate, and whose sacrifice alone was sufficient.

The Scripture contains the riches and fullness of the universe. It covers the heights and depths of human existence. It has been preserved for us as God's Word, what He has wants us to know about Himself, and we have the great privilege to study it!

As we do so, I pray that we never lose sight of its real purpose, no matter what we are studying, which is to point us to the gospel of our Savior.