Why “Jesus Saves”? Like, What’s The Point?

Beyond the Pale regulars know that the idea of salvation, and what it means to be saved, keeps coming up here.  (Meaning I spend way to much time thinking about it 🙂 )

In the last couple years though I’ve had many engaging conversations with great folk, sometimes with Bibles, sometimes over beers, but more often, and notably more rewarding, with a combination of the two.

People have a lot of different ideas about who Jesus is.

• Some think he is the Son of God
• Some think he is a prophet
• Some think he is a great teacher and example
• and some don’t even believe he existed

Whether the 1st century or the 21st century, people are pretty much the same because when Jesus asked Peter the same question, he pretty much got those same answers in Matthew 16:

When Jesus arrived in the villages of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “What are people saying about who the Son of Man is?”

They replied, “Some think he is John the Baptizer, some say Elijah, some Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”

See, little has changed.  Peter is basically saying, “Hey, the people hold you in pretty high regard.  They think you’re like one of the great prophets they always heard about.  You’re doing great!”

But Jesus didn’t let it lie there.  Like all things Christ did, there was a much deeper meaning in his words and actions.

 He pressed them, “And how about you? Who do you say I am?”

Simon Peter said, “You’re the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus came back, “God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn’t get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am.

Here’s the thing.  Jesus seems pleasantly surprised by Peter’s answer. Peter really could have answered like others around him seem to answer; that he was a great teacher, prophet, and all ’round cool dude to hang with.

And you know what?

Jesus would have been OK with that…

It’s funny how less uptight Jesus is when people think he is “just a great moral teacher” than many Christians get when they hear the same.  Jesus’ response to his disciples upon hearing the people’s view of him is not one of indignation or compulsion.  He didn’t exclaim, “What??  They only see me as a prophet??  A good teacher ? Don’t they believe I’m the Son of God? Quick, go convince them I am.  Form a street drama, dance team, evangelism troop, something, ANYTHING, and get them to confess me as the Christ. Don’t they realize they could get hit by a bus (ok, back then maybe a mule & wagon), die in their sins, and spend an eternity separated from God in torment?”

No…

Jesus is way more secure in his identity, and the grace that flows from it, than many of his followers.  What makes Jesus excited about Peter’s proclamation is not a triumphalist satisfaction that he finally “gets it” and comes to see him as God.  Rather it’s the joy that Jesus has, and that he has with all who see him as he really is, in getting to reveal to us who we really are! 

And now I’m going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.

“And that’s not all. You will have complete and free access to God’s kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven.”

Jesus came to show us who God is and what he is really like…and the result is we get to see ourselves who we really are; without the masks and pretentious fronts we tend to wear so effortlessly we often forget we even have them on.  The salvation that flows from that revelation is the understanding that we are his children.  We are not orphans.  What Jesus is saying to Peter he is saying to all those who follow Him.  You are given the power to help make it “on earth as it is in heaven.”  To seal the breech between the two.   And though the gates of hell rage with human slavery, child abuse, war, disease, greed, gossip, Donald Trump, and the Kardashians …

…those things will not win in the end because you have the keys that bring healing and restoration to the world.

When we see who we really are, we are “saved”, “being saved”, and able to bring that “salvation” to the world.

And what if Peter had not seen Jesus as Christ at that moment but “just a good moral teacher”?  Do we really think Jesus would have loved him less?  Or perhaps moved on to another disciple whose heart was more open to the truth! 

I highly doubt it…

No, Jesus would put his arm around Peter, have a meal together and continue to share his life with his friend

As he does, and will continue to do, with everyone!

Peace,

Steve