I AM Week 4: Jesus is Our Savior

WEEK 4 LESSON OUTLINE BIBLE John 3:16–17; John 11:17–44; Galatians 2:20 WHAT? When we find ourselves in a difficult spot, we often look for help to get out of it. This could be as small as when we don't know the answer to a test or something difficult like the consequences of a decision you made. At times, it is easy to admit we need to be rescued. So much of the time, we celebrate independence, strength, and the do-it-yourself mentality. Thinking we need a hero is hard. The truth is we all make mistakes and get into trouble — and when we do, how do we get back on track? What do we do when the life we long for, God's best life for us, seems impossible? We need someone to rescue us. SO WHAT? There were many moments when Jesus told us things about himself that would qualify him as someone who could rescue us. We read on of those stories in John 11:17–44. Mary and Martha's brother, Lazarus, were friends with Jesus, and maybe they thought being a friend of Jesus meant they'd never have to suffer or get sick! However, to their disappointment, Jesus didn't make it on time, and Lazarus died. Jesus comes to the rescue in a way no one was prepared for. He used his voice to raise Lazarus from the dead. He opened his mouth and said, "Lazarus, come out!" Jesus is a rescuer who can save us from death. In John 3, we see that Jesus envisioned his whole life as someone who can rescue the whole world.

John 3:14–17 NIV

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Jesus came to heal us at the deepest levels of our pain today by saving us in the here and now. The Bible says that Jesus came to save us so we can have eternal life, and last time I checked, eternity includes the present moment. In the same way, Jesus responded to the people in the Bible. He also offers you the same love. We can be saved by the voice of Jesus calling to us. You can trust him with everything you are going through. We can know that no matter what happens, we can experience salvation here and into eternity because

Jesus is our savior.

Galatians 2:20 NIV

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

NOW WHAT? Here are a few ways that you can remember that Jesus' voice is at work to save us:

TRUST JESUS IS THERE:

Through spending time with Jesus in prayer, reading the Scriptures, and sharing with others what we feel he is up to, we can learn to trust him even if we can't sense his presence.

HAVE FAITH JESUS IS WORKING:

Jesus does not want the pain, brokenness, and death that is happening to you. In prayer this week, ask Jesus to show you how he is at work to save you.

BELIEVE JESUS LOVES YOU:

Even when it doesn't feel like it, Jesus is at work to save you because he loves you. There is new life on the other side of hard moments. Spend a few moments this week listening to the voice of Jesus telling you how loved you are. When we hear the voice of Jesus tell us who he is in his own words, it can be pretty transformative. This week you can begin to trust that

Jesus is our savior.