The words "save" and "salvation" have become Christian code for going to heaven when you die. This is not true. Let me explain salvation according to God's Word.
Lord Jesus began His earthly ministry after His victory over Satan's temptation in the wilderness. As an aside, whenever we receive a great spiritual blessing from God, such as the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we can expect Satan to attack us. Lord Jesus went to Nazareth to speak in the synagogue. He quoted from Isaiah 61:1-3. (Luke 4:18)
“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me,because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
The "good news" is liberty to captives, sight to the blind (including spiritually blind) and release to the oppressed. The "year of the Lord's favour" refers to the "Jubilee". This year was intended to restore the people of Israel to their place before they got themselves into trouble. Debts were cancelled, slaves were set free and lands were restored to their original owners. Leviticus 25 describes God's requirements for Jubilee, which means "The year of release".
Lord Jesus was talking about the here and now, not some blessed time after this life is over. He was talking about the Kingdom of God, here and now, for all who would believe and receive Him. Christians seem intent on living in the past or putting much off into the future. For example, Psalm 23 is a favourite at funerals. Yet it is the psalm of Life, not death! We shall not want in this life, we are lead in the righteous paths in this life and God's enemies are on earth not in heaven. We go through a dark valley at times. It may seem hopeless. But it is just a shadow of death. Shadows have never harmed anyone.
The word salvation needs to be thought of as deliverance. Then it starts to make more sense. People are captive to sin, bad habits, bitterness and resentment, unforgiveness and self loathing. People are oppressed by circumstances and also by demons. People have made really bad choices and lost much as a result. God, in his great love, wants to restore us to enjoy the great salvation that Lord Jesus bought for us with His blood.
Lord Jesus began His earthly ministry after His victory over Satan's temptation in the wilderness. As an aside, whenever we receive a great spiritual blessing from God, such as the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we can expect Satan to attack us. Lord Jesus went to Nazareth to speak in the synagogue. He quoted from Isaiah 61:1-3. (Luke 4:18)
“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me,because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
The "good news" is liberty to captives, sight to the blind (including spiritually blind) and release to the oppressed. The "year of the Lord's favour" refers to the "Jubilee". This year was intended to restore the people of Israel to their place before they got themselves into trouble. Debts were cancelled, slaves were set free and lands were restored to their original owners. Leviticus 25 describes God's requirements for Jubilee, which means "The year of release".
Lord Jesus was talking about the here and now, not some blessed time after this life is over. He was talking about the Kingdom of God, here and now, for all who would believe and receive Him. Christians seem intent on living in the past or putting much off into the future. For example, Psalm 23 is a favourite at funerals. Yet it is the psalm of Life, not death! We shall not want in this life, we are lead in the righteous paths in this life and God's enemies are on earth not in heaven. We go through a dark valley at times. It may seem hopeless. But it is just a shadow of death. Shadows have never harmed anyone.
The word salvation needs to be thought of as deliverance. Then it starts to make more sense. People are captive to sin, bad habits, bitterness and resentment, unforgiveness and self loathing. People are oppressed by circumstances and also by demons. People have made really bad choices and lost much as a result. God, in his great love, wants to restore us to enjoy the great salvation that Lord Jesus bought for us with His blood.
