On the staircase wall as you enter into the Jewish Museum in Riga, Latvia, there is a large display entitled, “Saviours of the Jews at Riga.” It is dedicated to a number of ordinary citizens who hid Jewish people in their homes to save them from the Nazis during the years of World War II. If you looked closely at this display, you would see that these people came from various walks of life, both male and female, and that it cost many of them their lives.
These brave folks deserve the title of “saviour,” because they helped save others who almost certainly would have perished in the Occupation. They are examples of extreme courage and compassion and deserve to be honored.
Another Saviour
It is good to know such inspiring stories, but there is another Saviour who everyone in this world ought to know. This Saviour left His wonderful home above and came to save those who were held by an enemy’s hostile power. This hostile power has marked out men and women for eternal death.
This world is a place where sin and corruption cause tremendous turmoil. Because of sin, every person in this world needs the Saviour. “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)). A Saviour is needed, because men and women in their own strength cannot escape the hold that sin has on their lives.
To deliver sinners from the power of sin, the Lord Jesus let Himself be nailed to Calvary’s cross. He died in the place of sinners, so that sinners might have a way to be forgiven and receive the gift of eternal life.
Here are three, all-important reasons why you should believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation:
First, the salvation He offers is an everlasting salvation. It will outlast this life and never end for all eternity. This is the kind of Saviour we need, because these souls of ours will never go out of existence. Those who turn to God for salvation will live forever in heaven, while those who never turn from their sin will end up in the horrors of hell. From the Bible we learn that hell is a place of intense suffering that will never end. It is a place where death never dies — a place to be avoided at all cost. If you would avoid hell, then come believing to Christ and make Him your Saviour. “There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:1212Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)).
Second, the Lord Jesus is able to save anyone who comes to Him. The heroes listed in the Latvian museum had limits as to what they could do. The Lord Jesus can do this because He is more than just a man. He is both man and God in the same person. As man He could suffer death. As God, His death has an infinite power to save. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:77The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. (John 1:7)).
Third, the Lord Jesus is the only One who can deliver us from our great enemy. The hostile enemy power that tries to lead people to eternal death is Satan. He is an angel — a spirit with immense power. He rebelled against God and is filled with hatred for God and God’s interests. He does all he can to keep as many as possible in the dark about spiritual truths. His goal is to have them miss out on God’s greatest blessing. The Lord Jesus is the only One who can deliver sinners from Satan’s power.
The men and women listed as the saviours of the Jews in Riga on the museum display rightly deserve to be honored. The Lord Jesus deserves not only honor, but the worship and love of every heart, for what He has done on the cross. Don’t spend another day in the darkness of sin. Come to the Lord Jesus and receive the everlasting salvation He offers today!
The Life on the Cross Matters will tell you much more about the only true Saviour.