. . . the Father has sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world 1 John 4:14 (NIV)

The thrust of Lent and the purpose of Easter is summed up in this: “. . . that the Father sent His Son to be the Saviour of the world” (1 John 4:14). “Saviour” from the Greek soter means one who delivers, preserves or saves. The Bible says, “Salvation is found in no one else (i.e. Jesus Christ) for there is no other name given under heaven by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Consider this acrostic:

Sacrifice: God’s great plan of salvation, for a sin sick world, was to send His One and only Son to voluntarily relinquish His life so that we might have life (cf. Hebrews 9:26).

Advocate: Christ is the believer’s advocate, seated at the right hand of God the Father’s throne of grace (cf. Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1).

Victor: Christ was victorious over sin and death and Hell. The cross could not keep Him and the grave could not defeat Him (cf. Isaiah 25:8; 1 Corinthians 15:54-57).

Ideal: Jesus is more than enough, the perfect example of the abundant life. In principle and practice Jesus is without equal (cf. 1 Peter 2:21-24).

Overcomer: “In a world of invertebrate theology, jellyfish morality, see-saw religion, India-rubber convictions, somersault philosophy, and a psychology that tells us what we already know in words we don’t understand” (Robert G. Lee) we can live confidently because Jesus has overcome the world (cf. John 16:33).

Universal: Christ’s offer of salvation extends to the whole world. His mission is unequivocally universal. He’s the Saviour for the Eastern and Western peoples. He’s the Saviour for everyone in the Northern and Southern hemispheres. He has no prejudice and wants all to be saved (cf. Isaiah 45:22; 1 John 4:14; 2 Peter 3:9).

Rewarder: “He rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). Christ delivers us from the kingdom of darkness; presents us before God as holy, blameless, and beyond reproach; sets us free by the truth; keeps us safe from the evil one; makes us joint heirs with Himself. He frees us from all condemnation, conforms us to His image and blesses us with every spiritual blessing. He’s the One who protects, empowers and gives us peace. And He’s the One who makes us citizens of Heaven and guarantees our eternal security.