Late this week, the world was saddened by the death of metal rocker Ozzy Osbourne. The once prince of darkness fell from the rock Mountain in the 70s over his substance abuse and erratic behavior.
Afterwards, the rock legend still experienced tremendous success as a solo artist. That is, until he was humbled by health problems, including Parkinson’s disease. The story of Ozzy Osbourne and other celebrities who die way too soon is a harsh reminder that this world and life are temporary:
- Greedy
- Prideful
- Corrupt
The saddest part of Ozzy’s story is he didn’t realize until late in life how temporary this life is. He didn’t understand that fame and success don’t last long. Most people don’t understand we will take nothing from this life with us when we die (Job 1:21-22, 1 Timothy 6:7).
Death always reminds us how fragile this life is and why we must use our time wisely (Psalm 90:12). It reminds us earthly greatness won’t matter after this life is over. We can be certain that this world will end one day, and that’s why we need a Savior (John 3:16, 2 Peter 3:10).
What Is a Savior
We each understand the need to save money and things, but those only benefit us in this temporary kingdom. There are more important things that need to be saved and focused on.
Save means, “To deliver or rescue from harm, or to protect from injury or destruction; preserve.” Over the last few months, it has become clear than ever how temporary this world is and that no one or a political party can save it.
We desperately need to return to the only One who can save it and us—God (Acts 4:12). That is why the Bible has a lot to say about getting saved and our true Savior (John 3:5, Romans 10:9-10).
The Bible warns us against trusting ourselves and idols to save us (Isaiah 64:6, Galatians 2:16, Ephesians 2:8-9). It tells us the danger of hoping in things and false idols (1 Timothy 6:17, Hebrews 13:5, 1 John 2:15-17).
The apostles remembered their Jewish education about why we need a Savior and where our hope comes from.
Moshia’
The Torah tells us the world is corrupt and fallen, the world needs a savior to save it from destruction (Genesis 6:5). The first Adam’s disobedience in the garden was the first step towards the downfall of this temporary kingdom (Genesis 3:3-24).
God promised to send the world a Savior who would defeat Satan and restore the relationship with Himself (Genesis 3:15). One of the Hebrew words in the Old Testament for Savior is moshia’, and it can also mean “Deliverer or rescuer,” depending on the context it is used in. And it is also one of the Hebrew names for God used in Judaism.
The Torah tells us the Messiah will come from Abraham’s lineage and His kingdom will never end (Genesis 12:3, 2 Samuel 7:12-16). That’s why Judaism emphasizes God’s role as a Savior and their connection to the Messiah (Deuteronomy 12:39, Isaiah 43:11, Hosea 13:4).
Part of the Abrahamic covenant was for God to protect and save Israel from other nations and the evil of this fallen world (Genesis 12:1-20; 17:4-8):
- Land of their own
- Protection
- Prosperity
- Descendants
- Messianic promise
The New Testament begins with God fulfilling God’s covenant with Israel by Him sending them a Savior (Matthew 1:1-18). The second Adam came to save us all from the mistake of the first Adam choosing this temporary kingdom over God and His Kingdom (Genesis 3:6-7).
Jesus did not come to make us rulers over this falling and temporary kingdom; He came to separate and save us from it (Matthew 10:34). He promised to be with us in our trials, not to spare His people from hardships (Matthew 28:20, John 16:33).
Our Lord and Savior told his captor followers because they belong to God, they will face hardship and death in this life (Matthew 10:22, John 15:18-19).
Malcolm Jamal Warner
In other sad news this week, Bill Cosby Show star Malcolm Jamal Warner tragically drowned in Costa Rica over the weekend. Despite his success and fame, the actor was open about his faith and trust in God.
Could God have saved him, certainly, since we serve a God who controls the weather and the seas (Job 38:8-11, Psalm 148:8, Nahum 1:3)? Michael Jamal Warner’s death reminds us that for God’s people, this world is not our permanent home. This kingdom is corrupt and fallen, and that is why God will destroy it one day:
- Jealous
- Prideful
- Unloving
- Greedy
But for God’s people, we have a greater hope and purpose that this world cannot give us (2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Hebrews 6:19, 1 Peter 1:3-5). Jesus and the New Testament writers reminded God’s people of the future eternal kingdom that hell cannot prevail against (Matthew 6:19-21, Hebrews 1:1, 2 Peter 3:13).
One day God will save His people and take them home to a perfect Heaven (John 14:3, 1 Corinthians 15:52). God’s people need to remember that only God is our Moshia’!
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