Jesus, the Savior of Mankind

Jesus, the Savior of Mankind 901

Friends, I will tell you an amazing, but true, story. One night, long ago, some shepherds were guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly a bright light shone from heaven. God's angel said, "Don't be afraid. Rejoice! A Savior is born today. You will find Him lying in a manger." Then a great number of God's angels began praising God and saying, "Peace to the world!" So the shepherds left their flocks. They hurried to the village of Bethlehem. There they found Jesus the Messiah, the Savior that God sent, lying in a manger. When they saw this baby born of a virgin girl, they were filled with amazement! They told everyone, "The Savior has come."

When Jesus grew up to manhood, He taught the people about God. Jesus came from Heaven and knows all about God. God made the world and all of us, and He is the only true God. God is holy, but people may fail to give Him the honor that He deserves, or live the way He wants us to live. Jesus told the people, “Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat as well.” We should not take revenge on those who have harmed us, for God has said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” God will punish all who do not turn to Him, do not trust in Jesus, and keep on doing what is evil. God’s punishment will come either in this life or after death. But Jesus teaches us to repay evil by doing good. He told us to do good to our enemies, forgive, and bless those who curse us.

One day Jesus asked, “If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away and becomes lost, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way, your Father in Heaven does not want any people to be lost.” Since God made all the people on earth, they belong to Him. But if anyone follows Satan, he or she is like the sheep that wandered away. Jesus also said, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know Me.” Jesus is called the good shepherd because He came to look for and to save those who are lost from God. Jesus is still seeking and saving lost people.

Jesus also showed that He had great power from God, and showed God’s compassion and mercy. He went about doing good, healing the sick, the blind, and the lame, and even bringing back to life some people who had died.

Many people followed Jesus gladly, but some religious leaders hated Him. Then one night, Jesus allowed wicked men to seize Him. Even though He had never sinned, He was condemned to die as a criminal. By His hands and feet He was nailed to an upright cross. In agony he hung there, suffering. But Jesus' agony of spirit was far greater than His physical pain. God heaped the sins of all mankind on Jesus. Then the punishment for all those sins fell on Jesus. Jesus suffered the shame and punishment for our sins, and He died. Although He was innocent, He paid the full price for all our sins. They buried His body in a tomb.

But listen! On the third day, Jesus came alive from the dead! Many people saw Him and ate with Him. After 40 days, He returned in honor and triumph to Heaven. Friends, Jesus is the ONLY SAVIOR OF THE WORLD. All other religious leaders lie in their tombs to this day. But death did not hold Jesus. God raised Jesus from the dead. He is alive now! Jesus is our good and powerful Savior, and we should trust Him.

Now, by His Holy Spirit, Jesus is here today. He is mighty to save you. At the last judgment, you do not have to be punished for your sins, because Jesus was already punished for you. Today, turn to God. Turn away from your sins. Call on Jesus as your Savior. He will forgive you of all your sins. The Holy Spirit will come into your heart to help you obey and please God. The Holy Spirit will give you the power to resist temptation, sin, and fear. When you die, Jesus will save you from the last judgment, and take you safely to Heaven. There you will live with Him in great joy forever.







(Combined from Behold Jesus and LLL 6)