Will Jesus Really S A V E Just Anyone?

Would a drowning person accept help? 

We find it quite plainly said that Jesus saves sinners.

Jesus: The Reprieve that Wasn't (Pilate's Question)

The sentence became final. What happens if you look at the four accounts of the moment, and compare them?

Do they tell the same story, even without being identical?

In this post I am examining the four accounts of the critical moment when Jesus became a “dead man walking”.

Jesus: Made SIN (edited 2)

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Those astounding New Testament words are found in 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NRSV). Taking another look there, with the preceding context, we read: God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others.

What we mean is that God was in Christ, offering peace and forgiveness to the people of this world. And he has given us the work of sharing his message about peace. We were sent to speak for Christ, and God is begging you to listen to our message. We speak for Christ and sincerely ask you to make peace with God. Christ never sinned! But God treated him as a sinner, so that Christ could make us acceptable to God (2 Cor 5:18-21, CEV). "Treated him as a sinner"... is that = "made him to be sin"? (See below)

And, why did peace need to be made? How did Christ do what God planned? That is, people having peace with God, through God's forgiveness. The CEV translation says that it was by Jesus being accounted by God a sinner, in fact, Jesus being the sinner, despite him being actually sinless.

Sinless? Sin-remover? Note also from 1 John: You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin (3:5, ESV). He (Jesus the sinless) dealt conclusively with sin, as per the intention. True: It is easy to see sin still exists in the world; it may not be so easy to admit our own culpability.

Another author says: For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, (Titus 2:11, CSB). Salvation for all people; not for a select few. For -> available.

Paul (Apostle of Jesus) puts it thus: For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin,[a] he condemned sin in the flesh, (Romans 8:3, ESV). He (Paul) had himself been a "welded-on" part of the Law approach to getting right with God. He tried very sincerely to diligently keep the rules and to use his energies in God's holy work. He discovered it was as useful as refuse.

Note: "for sin" in some translations is rendered as "to be a sin offering" (NIV).* 

Elsewhere the same Paul said: Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”[a] (Galatians 3:13, NIV). On our account the Christ came under the Law's curse.

Taking yet another aspect, a writer evoked the ancient Scripture to describe what Jesus did:

He personally carried our sins
    in his body on the cross
so that we can be dead to sin
    and live for what is right.
By his wounds
    you are healed.

(I Peter 2:24, NLT). The version sets the text out as poetry, pointing me back to the 53rd chapter of the book of Isaiah.

The ancient sacrificial animal unwittingly carried on its head the sin, the guilt, of the human sinner. (See below.)

I am writing this on "Good Friday". That title is retained, though the significance may escape. When I relocated south I found here that the worthy "Good Friday Appeal" was well established and successful. Perhaps there is a faint connection to suffering; certainly good work comes out of it for children and families. "Good Friday" - "Good for us, Friday"; good for all who will have it, for ever.

Is this a fair representation of what Jesus did by coming? Is this prominent and clear in Jesus' own words, in his claims for the Christ, ie, himself?

The best answer is found by careful reading of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and the other NT writings. (See previous post for a logical reading plan.)

In brief, I note what Jesus said: So Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42-45, NRSV). Surely it is clear Jesus was speaking about himself and them. (There are repeated indications that the followers are needing to change.) The statement is exceptional (apart from Matthew 20:28) and somewhere that final sentence has been called "the Johanine thunderbolt". Nevertheless, it is there; Jesus said it. "A ransom for many." That is what he did. (I wonder what the original hearers thought to hear it thus?)

Not long before his execution and world-changing resurrection, Jesus said: When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak on his own, but he will speak whatever he hears. He will also declare to you what is to come (John 16:13, CSB). It is clear they (the followers) needed to understand more fully. Later it would be different. Up until that time their ideas had been constricted by their religion and culture. They struggled!

Why did they persist, knowing their officials were opposed and many folk were against Jesus? We are told more than once and we know Jesus said to them: “I am the way, the truth, and the life!” Jesus answered. “Without me, no one can go to the Father (John 14:6, CEV).

They, like so many, sincerely wanted to be one with, in tune with, the Father. How that could be for frail and failing humans soon after became clear.

Jesus (alone) was spotless. There were accusations, but not of sin. Everything I have told you is true, and you still refuse to have faith in me. Can any of you accuse me of sin? If you cannot, why won’t you have faith in me? After all, I am telling you the truth. Anyone who belongs to God will listen to his message. But you refuse to listen, because you don’t belong to God (John 8:45-47, CEV). Jesus himself was the guarantor that the message was true. Religious they were; God's they were not.

Jesus says: Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life (John 5:24, NRSV). "Anyone" means anyone. It is possible to skip judgement and pass to life.

I connect with the "Lamb of God". Did Jesus know what it meant for him to be God's Lamb? (More to come on that.) He, Jesus, is our sacrifice. Unlike the involuntary sacrificial system he deliberately offered himself by allowing the powers to do their worst.

Paul says: Now we see how God does make us acceptable to him. The Law and the Prophets[a] tell how we become acceptable, and it isn’t by obeying the Law of Moses. God treats everyone alike. He accepts people only because they have faith in Jesus Christ. All of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. But God treats us much better than we deserve,[b] and because of Christ Jesus, he freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins. God sent Christ to be our sacrifice. Christ offered his life’s blood, so that by faith in him we could come to God. And God did this to show that in the past he was right to be patient and forgive sinners. This also shows that God is right when he accepts people who have faith in Jesus (Romans 3:21-26, CEV). Acceptance with God, who is patient, is definitely open. The cost? Jesus' life's blood was the cost. Was there any other way? Jesus was willing to bear it for the sake of those who become and are his people. He was/is the needed sacrifice.

In God's plan the unjust arrest and disposal of the Nazareth carpenter had far greater significance than anyone knew. Incredible significance. But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification (Romans 4:23-25, ESV). Those who know they trespass God's requirements can also know those requirements were fully met on their behalf by Jesus; the debt cancelled. His being raised from the dead is the proof the problem we had is solved. It is true now, as it was way back then.

 

Returning to the (to us) confronting words for slaves in 1 Peter: For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.
“He committed no sin,
    and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross,[a] so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds[b] you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. (1 Peter 2:19-25, NRSV). To advise slaves would be hard - like it was for those wanting to support the victims of their Nazis. Surely the author would say all followers of Jesus are called to that pattern Jesus set, not just lowly workers. Significant that slaves are given special assurance that their sins had been borne by Jesus. Who cared about slaves? All who belong to Jesus know that their sins went to that cross with him. He went as a lamb goes to its slaughter on the altar.

 

Jesus' loving self-giving saving action even gives the example: and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God (Eph 5:2, CSB).

 

The NT writing we know as Hebrews has a lot to say about sacrifices for sin. The writer tells us about what Jesus did and what Jesus will do. For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Holy Place year after year with blood that is not his own; for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself. And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him (Hebrews 9:24-28, NRSV). The old way had to be "on repeat". In its repetition it said God would forgive and it said the situation was critical. On the contrary Jesus did what he came to do. It was done. He will do what he is coming to do. His promises are certain.

God can change what would otherwise be true; the destiny we can earn for ourselves. Paul encapsulates it this way: This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”[a] (Romans 1:17, NLT). God can and God does. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh (Romans 8:3 ESV). Our law, like their Law, can only do its very best to bring real righteousness to pass. In the hospital as I wrote there were at least two rooms being guarded by police. Hopefully nothing and no one went wrong and the occupants recovered for whatever came next for them. Our community depends on integrity, and needs external constraints. (Some people think we should just be "free". How has that worked out?) God is connected to the inward and true heart; God's power is applied there. As the mercy of God is accepted and lived out things are and can be different.

Some people thought Jesus must be a sinner or an agent of evil. He was not. God sent him "for sin", that is "concerning my sin, and yours" (as in the conservative ESV translation above of Romans 8:3). For our sakes God did treat Jesus as we deserve - see my (incomplete) survey. This was done by God for you and for me. Thanks be to God.

Here is a YouTube presentation of an oldish hymn, "Man of Sorrows" which covers a lot:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzOkVtXPdGk

*The "sin offering" was prominent, even central, in the ancient Jewish religion, as were various animal sacrifices.

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the Israelites, saying: When anyone sins unintentionally in any of the Lord’s commandments about things not to be done and does any one of them: (Leviticus 4:1-2 NRSVUE)

“‘If the whole Israelite community sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the Lord’s commands, even though the community is unaware of the matter, when they realize their guilt and the sin they committed becomes known, the assembly must bring a young bull as a sin offering and present it before the tent of meeting (Leviticus 4:13-14 NIV).

An animal was selected to be slaughtered in response to recognition of God's Law having been transgressed. The picture in Leviticus, chapter 4, is of unintentional or unaware rebellion (sin) being mysteriously made right by the sacrifice of the animal, which became the sin offering. The life of the animal was ended in an ugly, bloody and messy killing. So the sinner could know due judgement was averted and could have guilt removed and be at peace with God. This sacrifice must seem strange to (many of) us today. The document we know as "Hebrews" examines for us the ancient practice (quote above). That writer makes the point that, as commanded, the sacrifice was offered over and over again; that the death of an animal could not bring the worshipper a clean conscience. This contrasts with the once, and only once, and once for all, death of Jesus, the perfect sacrifice.

The ancient Hebrew Leviticus used the same word for "sin" as for the "sin offering". When the text was translated into Greek (LXX), the same "sin" word is used for the offered animal as is used for the "sin" or "sin offering" that later Jesus became. Jesus was not accused of committing sin, but he became sin - for us.

In similar vein, from Paul’s discussion (in Romans) on salvation we find:

The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature.[fn] So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins (Romans 8:3 NLT; NIV above).

Other translations treat the “concerning sin” phrase as simply (?) “for sin” (etc). So, in the NRSVUE: For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and to deal with sin,[a] he condemned sin in the flesh. (The translators allow "sin offering" as an alternative in the margin.)

I might also compare Christ's becoming a curse for us (Galatians 3:13).

Whilst is it not obvious to us (me?), it is clear that God's saving action meant Jesus standing in for sinners (as the offering) to remove judgement. This is strange and unlikely in human thought.

Did Jesus see it this way? In his final hours he gave his followers a solemn remembrance - to eat "his body" given, and drink "his blood" shed, for them! Jesus did this in the context of the Passover animal sacrifice. (Despite the signs of danger, Jesus and his followers had gathered in Jerusalem to participate in that Biblical Jewish practice. They had a sacrificed lamb to share, etc.) Their context was one of being involved in the deliverance portrayed in the Passover remembrance.

Footnote: About 25 years or so later the Romans ended a Jewish uprising and destroyed the Temple (70AD). Then finally, 65 years later, another uprising was conclusively ended with total destruction and the ejection of the Jewish nation from Palestine (135AD). So, somehow the surviving rabbis had to re-interpret the (OT) Law and replace the practice of animal sacrifice - which they did. The descriptions and rules of course remain in the (OT) Law.  

Look again, in another translation, at those words from the opening of this post: For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ (2 Cor 5:21, NLT). This translation gives its interpretation, its answer to the question, how could/did God make Jesus = sin? For our sake, Jesus became our sin offering. Our disobedience was laid on him. He paid the price by his death. No animal sacrifice could bring about the forgiveness of transgressions against God. (The notion of sacrifice to resolve judgement for sin may have resonated even more strongly with those hearers who came from Judaism.) The NLT translation here has interpreted the literal "made sin" (see above). Some other translators put "sin offering" as a marginal alternative.

But not this most recent version: For our sake God made the one who knew no sin to be sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21 NRSVUE). They have retained the plain surface meaning - Jesus was made sin. Evidently it is not possible to definitively say Paul was describing Christ as the ultimate sin offering, the final and complete sacrifice for his people. 

Jesus was not born sin and had not exhibited sinful human nature. As in God's plan the sacrificial animal had become sin, and the former guilty one was made right with God, so Jesus had become sin and we may be made right with God... That is true right now!

"Made right with God" - automatically and universally?

No.

Not automatically; see Jesus' words above and following.

Universal?

Yes, in that all need and all can have salvation. Anyone!

Scripture quotations marked (CEV) are from the Contemporary English Version Copyright © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.

Scripture quotations marked (CSB) are from the Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission.
All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NRSV) are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Note: I retain in the publishers' text where they occur the references [ ] to footnotes, but usually not the notes. You can check footnotes out by viewing the text on-line. Often they are replicated in different translations.
Bible passages accessed via BibleGateway.com

AL 30/01/25

09/02/25

11/02/25

20/02/25

01/03/25

   

HELL! Plus!

News, Good, THE

Yes, window local $2 shop  - December 2019 - does it convey something?

 The Christmas story is called "Good News" by some.

Fairly typical I think, even if creator misunderstands

For one person in particular (John), the welcomed coming of Jesus was (eventually) bad news. It transpired sadly to trigger the evil circumstances of his arrest (and murder). After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee and told the good news that comes from God.[a] He said, “The time has come! God’s kingdom will soon be here.[b] Turn back to God and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:14-15, CEV). John had done his work. The waiting time was over. For all who listen(ed) to Jesus, the new pattern was emerging; a clear way was opened.

Jesus, the unknown messenger, went about telling his own people (his co-religionists) they needed to have a change of mind; to whole-heartedly heed what their Law and Prophets told them of God; to truly understand God and accept his message and to trust God's mercy. The opportunity was there to become children of God. Time for a new start; time for hope. 

Not so long after that Jesus shocked some people by saying: For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me (John 6:38, CSV). Just who exactly did he think he was? Their incredulity could turn into rejection.

Way back on the day of Jesus' birth there had been a good news announcement to a small group of workers or small-holders, insignificant shepherds: And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”[d] Luke 2:8-14, ESV). God intended that people would be able to experience and know his goodwill. A life-changing unremarked happening in the "back-blocks" of Roman Judaea and, at that early stage, probably few heard the good news of great joy. Luke evidently researched the Jesus' birth events; perhaps Mary was his source. (And - there would be no way to collect authentic artefacts from the moment for later treasuring! That would divert from the point.)

Years later Paul summarised the heart of the event: But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.[b] Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,[c] Father.” (Galatians 4:4-6, NIV). The time was right; the consequences were eternal. In the same letter he made it very clear indeed that being adopted into God's family is open to all, not only those labouring under the iron rule of God's Law.

Japan 2019 - Aussie with fried chicken advertising mannekin

A birth may be a welcome happening and cause of celebration - that is the plan! At this long remove from the Christmas event it is a little remarkable that celebrations are in order in many places! After all, the birth is long over! It is part of our inherited European culture of course and such is the strength of the event (or of commercial marketing) that even in lands of different cultures the "season" holds power. Modern variants of celebrations at Christmas are just that, modern. In fact, celebrations may be of celebration! For example, that rather amazing current image re advertising in Japan.

Actually, God demonstrated his love and made mercy readily accessible to all: When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God (Romans 5:6-11, NLT). Paul, the Apostle, is very blunt there. God made it crystal clear in the Son.

Is it therein lies the significance which has ensured the prominence amongst us of the "Season"? So some like to say, or fondly imagine. (I am sceptical of that wishful thinking.)

Good news? That Jesus came; that God's mercy can be accessed freely and directly; that adoption into God's household (kingdom) is available;  that a filial relationship to God is offered to you and to me.

The ancient testimony of John has Jesus' own explanation of the "why":
Then Jesus cried aloud: “Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness. I do not judge anyone who hears my words and does not keep them, for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my word has a judge; on the last day the word that I have spoken will serve as judge, (John 12:44-48, NRSV). There is indeed a day coming, but Jesus came not to judge; to save from judgement.

Who? When we call him Saviour we call him by his name. He came that first time to connect persons in living relationship to God, to open our blind eyes and to save, to divert from our due consequence. Something to celebrate! More important - a timeless reality to accept, take in and trust.

Scripture quotations marked (CEV) are from the Contemporary English Version Copyright © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.


Scripture quotations marked (CSB) are from the Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission.
All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NRSV) are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Note: I retain in the publishers' text where they occur the references to footnotes, but usually not the notes. You can check footnotes out by viewing the text on-line. Often they are replicated in different translations.
Bible passages accessed via BibleGateway.com
Images: self & personal correspondence

Abandoned! Jesus' Solitary Death

Jesus on the cross was abandoned - or was he?

Three Whens

As far as the Jesus events are concerned, the date questions are of his birth, his death and his return.

Be Freed!

Free? or slave? These were crucial person categories in Jesus’ day.  Ordinary people seemed shocked then when Jesus said he could set them free. In John chapter 8 this offer of freedom is made clear.

Kingdom.2

Familiar old words to many. Note - Jesus wanted his friends to request that God's kingdom come.  For what were they asking? What had Jesus/the Gospels to say on the kingdom and its coming?