Acknowledging Our Savior

Let me begin with a question. If you were helplessly and hopelessly drowning and some man came and saved you by pulling you out of the water…would you find it reasonable and natural to publicly acknowledge and give praise to the man that saved you? What if that man risked his own life to save you from drowning? Would his act of selflessness make you feel even more compelled to publicly acknowledge him for saving you. It seems that this public acknowledgement would be the least one could do after being saved from certain death.

Let me give you a specific real-life example. It was March 2024. A Sysco semi-truck was driving across the George Rogers Clark bridge in Louisville when 3 vehicles slammed together causing the cab of the semi-truck to fall and hang over the edge of the bridge above the cold Ohio River.

The female truck drivers’ name was not released, but the 6-year veteran firefighter’s name was Bryce Carden. Bryce Carden, at the risk of his own life repelled down to the cab of the truck and rescued the female driver from certain death and drowning in the river below. It was an incredible act of heroism that was captured by surrounding camera crews. Carden and the female truck driver both survived the event without any serious injuries.

Now, back to my original question. Would you find it reasonable that the rescued truck driver would want to meet and praise Bryce Carden for saving her from certain death? Can you imagine this truck driver being embarrassed or ashamed to mention Bryce Carden’s name out loud among her friends? That wouldn’t’ make any sense at all.

Luke 12:8-9 (NLT)

“I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels.

9 But anyone who denies me here on earth will be denied before God’s angels.

Jesus is the Savior of the world. Jesus didn’t risk His life to save the world. No, Jesus voluntarily gave up His life on a cross to save the world. Jesus didn’t save us from drowning in the river. No, Jesus saved our souls from eternal suffering in hell. Can you imagine why anyone would be ashamed or embarrassed about the name of Jesus? Can you imagine why anyone would refuse to acknowledge and celebrate Jesus and His true identity as the Savior of the world?

Mark 8:37-38 (NLT)

Is anything worth more than your soul?

38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Who would refuse to acknowledge Jesus as Savior? There can only be one answer. They don’t believe! And because they refuse to believe…they are not saved.

John 4:42 (NLT)

Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world.”

Do you believe? If you do, you will gladly acknowledge Jesus as your Savior!

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper