by Robert C. Veil, Jr.
And we have beheld and bear witness that the Father hath sent the Son to be
the Savior of the world, (1 John 4:14).
When our Lord’s apostles were first selected by him, they could have had no idea what
marvelous experiences awaited them. In demonstration after demonstration, they witnessed God
among men. They came to see who and what God is, and to appreciate how great a Savior is Jesus
Christ. As He lovingly labored with them over that intensive three-year period, surely they were
led to exclaim many times, to themselves and outwardly, “Oh, what a Savior!”
They saw Jesus rescue victims from the ravaging effects of physical disease. In the house of
Simon and Peter, He sympathetically cured Peter’s mother-in-law of a cruel fever (Mark 1:31). A
leper so tortured that he begged Jesus at his feet, He healed with compassion and without prejudice,
(Mark 1:40-42). A paralytic so desperate his bearers tore open the roof of the house to lower him
to Jesus, He cured on the spot, (Mark 2:11). A pitiful man with a withered hand (Mark 3:1-6),
many with various plagues or scourges (Mark 3:10) they watched Him heal with amazement. On
and on went the miracles of healing: Blood-borne illnesses (Mark 5:25-34), the deaf & dumb (Mark
7:31-37), the blind (Mark 8:22-26; 10:46ff), those with epilepsy or seizures (Mark 9:14ff), etc.,
etc. They must have repeatedly exclaimed, “Oh, What a Savior!”
But the healing by this Savior of physical diseases was not the end, for they also watched
Him cure countless mental illnesses, and cast out demons of various kinds. There could be no
doubt that this Savior can cast out even the most destructive demons, like immorality, alcohol and
other drugs, profanity, gossip and slander, doubt, fear, even unfaithfulness. Imagine one who can
once and for all bring a merciful end to all these miseries. “Oh, What a Savior!”
His apostles also saw him completely dominate the forces of nature, protecting and saving
people from horrific storms, starvation, and other oppressions of life. Imagine having someone in
your company who can peacefully sleep in the boat during the storms of life, who casually fed a
crowd of 5,000 people, turning a panic into a touching, lifelong memory. “Oh, What a Savior!”
As His apostles gradually came to understand who they were dealing with, they were
eventually prepared to affirm the truth uttered by the Roman soldier at the cross, “Truly, this was
the son of God!” (Matthew 27:54). Or, as “doubting Thomas” would finally acknowledge to Jesus
Himself, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28).
Friends, even above the Savior’s compassionate and non-prejudicial healing of physical and
mental diseases all around Him, and His command over demons and nature, He ultimately
demonstrated His command over sin and death itself. He raised Lazarus from the dead by the
power of His word alone, (John. 8:17-44). Seeing this miracle must have been almost
overwhelming to His apostles. After all, isn’t the power over sin and death what man needs most
of all? It is the single biggest challenge of life. Imagine their amazement when Jesus Himself arose
from the dead! They saw this Savior achieve final victory over death itself.
And that is the thing that we need to address, if we accomplish nothing else in this short life!
When His apostles saw Him do it, they must have realized they could do it too—through Him!
“And we have beheld and bear witness that the Father hath sent the Son to be the Savior of the
world,” (1 John 4:14). Oh, what a Savior!
Will you allow Jesus Christ to be that wonderful Savior to you? Will you humbly
acknowledge your need, and obey Him today? In the words of the 1948 Marvin Dalton classic…
Once I was straying in sin’s dark valley. No hope within could I see. They searched through
Heaven, And found a Savior To save a poor lost soul like me. Oh, what a Savior, Oh hallelujah!
His heart was broken on Calvary. His hands were nail-scarred, His side was riven, He gave His
life-blood for even me!
