Deliverer and Rescuer

Jesus has many names, titles, and roles: Messiah, Good Shepherd, Master, Alpha & Omega, The Vine, The Anointed One, Savior, King, Redeemer, etc.

For the past few weeks, I’ve been thinking about Jesus Christ as Deliverer and Rescuer. Jesus is the Deliverer of mankind because He rescues all from the bondage of death and the repentant from the penalties of sin.

The word “deliverer,” in Hebrew, means “to cause to escape; to carry away safely.” The Savior “causes us to escape and carries us away safely,” delivering us from the evil one.

The scriptures are full of examples of how the Lord has delivered his children:

He delivered Abraham from the pagan priests.

He delivered Isaac from Abraham with a ram. 

As a type of Christ, Moses delivered the children of Israel from Egypt.

The Passover, signified the delivery of the firstborn sons of the Israelites. 

Moses raised up a brazen serpent in the wilderness, which, if the people looked on they were healed.

Daniel in the lion’s den was delivered from the lions.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were delivered from the fiery furnace. 

Esther and the Jews were delivered from Haman’s decree.

Naomi and Ruth were delivered by Boaz, a type of Christ. 

The Lord delivered Jonah from the belly of the whale.

The Lord delivered Noah and his family from the great flood. 

Joseph was delivered from Potiphar and from prison to become second in command to Pharoah.

David was delivered from Goliath because of his trust in the Lord. 

Peter was rescued from sinking into the water.

The Lord delivered Peter and John from prison. Also Paul.

In performing his many miracles, Jesus delivered people from the effects of mortality: diseases, demonic possession, the blind, the deaf, the lame. 

The Lord delivered the family of Lehi from the destruction of Jerusalem.

He delivered Nephi from his older brothers. 

Alma and Amulek from prison.

The Nephites when they fought in the strength of the Lord.

The believers from those who sought their lives. 

And when he visited the Nephites at the temple in Bountiful, he again performed many miracles, delivering them from their afflictions and infirmities. 

In the latter days, the Lord delivered Joseph Smith by preserving his life so he could begin ushering in the restoration of the Gospel. 

He delivered the saints by guiding them across the plains to the Salt Lake Valley. 

But sometimes, the Lord doesn’t promise deliverance. 

Paul had a thorn in the flesh, and he prayed multiple times for it to be removed, but it wasn’t. 

Abinadi was burned and not rescued.

Many Anti-nephi-lehies were killed at the hands of the Amulonites and Amalakites. 

The original 12 apostles of Christ each were martyred for what they believed. 

Some of the pioneers in the handcart companies didn’t make it to the valley. 

Christ may not always give physical deliverance, but He offers deliverance from physical and spiritual death, through the power of His atonement. 

In today’s world, we are also looking for a deliverer. We are looking for a superhero to rescue us from disasters & villains. Why do you think the DC and Marvel movies are so popular?

Christ still delivers us today. Not so much from villains and disasters. But . . . 

From our natural man tendencies.

From addictions.

From the pain of past mistakes, bad choices.

From the hands of the adversary.

From the bondage of sin. 

He delivers us from the consequences of false information that can come to us from other people. 

As a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, Christ delivers us from those who would destroy us. 

He delivers me from my perfectionistic tendencies. 

 To be continued . . . with Part 101.