The Savior of the World

The Savior of the World--this particular title of Jesus Christ encompasses the whole purpose of the Plan of Salvation, our purpose in this life, and what we can hope to attain in the next life. I have resisted writing this entry because I cannot do even a little justice to this topic in a blog entry. But I can't avoid the most obvious title of the Lord.

Chris has been performing a new song lately. It's not one he wrote; it was written by Jon McLaughlin. It's called, "We All Need Saving." It's a beautiful song and the message really touches my heart. Every single one of us needs saving.

Savior is defined as "a person who saves, rescues, or delivers." Last night, I was feeling completely burdened and overwhelmed with all of my responsibilities. I wrote to my brother complaining a little (maybe a lot). My brother always has a listening ear. He wrote back and offered to take away one of my burdens by doing it for me. His email also reminded me to turn to Christ and let go of my worldly burdens. In some ways, it was a simple thing, but for me, last night, it was a tremendous thing that my brother did. He delivered or saved me from a burden.

I think each of us has experienced having a friend or relative save us from some sort of disaster. No matter how strong and capable we are, we all need saving at one time or another. And when it comes to the matters of eternity, we all need a Savior. There is not one person who can save himself. Gratefully, and as part of God's eternal plan, we have a Savior.

"And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world" (1 John 4:14).

When the Baby Jesus was born, the angel announced it to the shepherds. "I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11).

This is the best news. It's no wonder the angel used the words "great joy." Every person, no matter when or where they lived on the earth, has sinned. We all need saving.

"For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

"But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

"Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

"That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life" (Titus 3:4-7).

Another prophet described our universal, but individual, need for a Savior this way: "Behold, I say unto you, that I do know that Christ shall come among the children of men, to take upon him the transgressions of his people, and that he shall atone for the sins of the world; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

"For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made" (Alma 34:8-9).

I had a teacher who described God as both infinite and intimate. He meant that while God is the God of the whole universe, He is also my Father and I can have a very personal relationship with Him. This is how I view the role of Jesus Christ as our Savior--both infinite and intimate. The infinite scope of His power to save is found in the glory and eternal honor given to Him.

"And this according to the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to whom be all glory, both now and forever. Amen" (D&C 20:4).

"Hear, O ye heavens, and give ear, O earth, and rejoice ye inhabitants thereof, for the Lord is God, and beside him there is no Savior. Great is his wisdom, marvelous are his ways, and the extent of his doings none can find out. His purposes fail not, neither are there any who can stay his hand. From eternity to eternity he is the same, and his years never fail" (Doctrine and Covenants 76:1).

Christ's Atonement is infinite and eternal. And His glory as our Savior is also infinite and eternal.  On the other hand, however big the universe, the Savior's purpose is found in atoning for and saving the individual. And, as followers of Christ everywhere will testify, this power to save is awesome and wonderful. Heavenly Father was motivated by love when He sent His Son to earth for us. Jesus Christ was motivated by love when He fulfilled the Atonement on our behalf.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

Any who wish to partake of Christ's saving power are welcome. "...and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile" (2 Nephi 26:33).

We recognize Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world. I recognize Him as my personal Savior. I recognize my need for Him, my complete dependence on Him, and that only Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has power to save me from my sins, according to my faith and repentance. This is a personal and powerful relationship. Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world--a world in desperate need of saving.