When a celebrated visitor journeys in Palestine it is customary up the roads for his equipage. The rough places, the holes and rents in the road, are made smooth, and the great stones, which the rains have brought down from the hillsides over the paths, are taken away, and they are thus rendered plain. In like manner our effort is to remove obstructions and to make a way in the hearts of our readers for the Savior. We have spoken of the necessity of feeling our lost condition, and of our helpless state by nature, and have done so with the hope that thereby some might be led to prepare in their souls a way for the Lord.
Jesus is the only Savior. None share with Him this glory—none are united with Him in saving sinners. The Scriptures are most express in rendering Him all the honor of salvation, and he who would be saved must first and foremost recognize who it is that saves.
A young man who had been brought up by his father most carefully in ignorance of the Scriptures, so that he had never so much as seen them till he was some twenty-three years of age, was led to desire to know what the Bible is like. He bought an expensive copy of the sacred book, and, on opening it, found that it was comprised of two parts. Not knowing one word of its contents, he thought he would read the shorter part first, and accordingly began the New Testament. He was alone in his bed room, where none could see him poring over the unknown book. Presently he came to these words, " Thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins." As the margin explains, Jesus means SAVIOUR. "There is something wonderful in this book," said the young man, and God by this verse opened his heart to feel his sins, and in due time to find the Savior.
Before Jesus was born into this world Savior was a heaven-given Name that He should bear, and when He was here amongst men He said He was "come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:1010For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10)), for such was His gracious mission. “I am the Door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved" (John 10:99I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (John 10:9)), is His own description of Himself in His saving mercy, so simple and so free has He made salvation for sinners. He is the Door; He is the Way; by Him we enter in and receive the salvation of God-by Him we step into the perfect blessing of salvation.
Ponder over these two texts, which we place side by side:—
None other name—no," JESUS ONLY."
When the sinner begins to believe that Jesus only is the Savior, and that in none other but He is salvation, good progress has been made. The rough places are so far made plain.
We will ascribe in spirit with the redeemed in heaven "Salvation to God...and unto the Lamb." It has pleased God that all should look to Jesus only for salvation, and as Pharaoh said to the famished people of old, “Go unto Joseph," so does God address every needy sinner to Jesus. “Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins." (Acts 5: 31.)
God has very mercifully encouraged us by telling us that the-Lord Jesus "Is able to save." (Heb. 7: 25.) Such an announcement is evidently for the assurance of our hearts. His ability is not questioned in heaven, where He now is, but on this earth where we are. He has died for us, and He lives for us to die no more; He has accomplished the work of salvation, and He is able to save to the uttermost. The helpless and the hopeless find that He is “Mighty to save." And we need a mighty Savior, for we are helpless, and are surrounded with strong foes.
Need we speak of His loving willingness to save.
His coming to this world, His life upon it, His death for sinners, are three unquenchable proofs that He is willing to save. His words of love unfold the willingness of His heart." “I will in no wise cast out “is His assuring comfort to the seeker. While in view of Himself in His death, as the love-gift of God to the world, He says, “For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:1717For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:17).)
Jesus is the only Savior.
Jesus is able to save.
Jesus is willing to save.
All that is needed by the sinner is to go to Him.
“Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee—
O Lamb of God, I come."