A BRIEF LOOK AT SOME OF THE KEY WORDS IN THE BIBLE
Bible Corner - No. 23 SALVATION
Salvation is a word that takes us to the heart of both the Jewish and Christian religions and is particularly appropriate to the Christmas season.
Life in Old Testament times was full of dangers and people longed for freedom from oppression from tribal chiefs, petty kings and imperialist rulers intent on land-grabbing and/or territorial expansion. They wanted the chance to get on with their lives and any local or national figure who could give them a bit of breathing space might be hailed as a saviour/deliverer (Judges 2:18, 6:14; Nehemiah 9:27). It was also recognised that it was God who had raised up such men and that he was therefore Israel's primary Saviour (Psalm 68:19-20). Moreover, in time the emphasis of salvation moved away from its physical aspects towards moral and spiritual deliverance and the realisation that 'total salvation' could only be found in the establishment of God's kingdom at the end of the present age.
The focus on Jesus as the Saviour/Deliverer appointed by God to bring in the Kingdom is central to the events surrounding his birth (Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:69, 76-77, 2-11). However, the emphasis shifts away from future salvation (although that is still there - see Matthew 6:10; Romans 13:11; 1 Peter: 1:5) to salvation here and now through the forgiveness of sins (Luke 19:9-10; Ephesians 2:4-5). Christmas is the beginning of God's greatest salvation event!
Hark, the glad sound the Saviour comes,
the Saviour promised long:
Let every heart prepare a throne
and every voice a song
(Philip Doddridge).
Howard Rady
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