Offensive words (3) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders said, He saved others, himself he cannot save. If he is the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
Matthew 27:41.42.

Offensive words (3)
The leaders of the people scoffed, saying, "He saved others." Consciously or unconsciously they had said something significant: it was true and characterised the Lord's life. Jesus saved people from their sins and healed their illnesses. The word "saved" covers both meanings.

It could not be denied that He had healed the blind and lame and even raised the dead to life. But He did more: He saved people for heaven, giving them new life. He said, "Your sins are forgiven you" (Mark 2:5), and "I give them eternal life" (John 10:28). It was because He wished to grant people eternal life that He hung there on the cross.

It was not only during His active life on earth that Jesus saved people. Even there on the cross He saved the robber alongside Him (Luke 23:43). And now He offers salvation to all who come to Him.

It was sad that they thought only of "others" and not of themselves. They acknowledged that "others" had needed Him, but they were not personally affected. And it was certainly not the Saviour's fault that they did not obtain salvation, for "God desires all men to be saved" (1 Timothy 2:4), - if only they will respond! For the fulfilment of that wish the Son of God had to die.

If I refuse to come to Him, then I show that I do not want to be saved.

(to be continued on Thursday)

Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 20:14-23 · Revelation 7:9-17