The Saviour: a talk by Jo Bray

In this message from our Behold Christmas series, Jo invites us to pause and take a fresh look at one of the most powerful names of Jesus: Saviour.

Beginning with everyday moments of being “saved”, Jo draws us into the deeper, life-changing reality of what it means that Jesus came to save us. This is not a distant or theoretical hope, but Emmanuel, God with us: present, personal, and active in our lives today.

We explore the meaning behind Jesus’ name (which means “The Lord is salvation”) and shows that salvation is more than forgiveness, it’s restoration. Jesus didn’t come simply to modify behaviour, but to bring us back to our original design: sons and daughters living in fellowship with the Father.

You’ll hear how Jesus saves us from sin and also into something: wholeness, identity, purpose, and life in His presence. Drawing from Luke 2, Matthew 1, Isaiah 9, and a panoramic view of salvation in Ephesians 1, Jo unpacks the “every spiritual blessing” available to us in Christ: freedom from shame, redemption, adoption into God’s family, and a hope-filled future.

Salvation isn’t just a concept, it’s an encounter with Jesus, our Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

Key themes:
• Emmanuel: God with us, now
• The meaning and purpose of Jesus’ name
• Salvation as a gift, personal and offered “to you”
• Saved from sin, saved into relationship and fullness
• Adoption, identity, inheritance, and hope
• Salvation flowing into everyday life: strength, peace, courage, freedom

Our prayer is that as you watch, you’ll behold Jesus not only as the Saviour of the world, but as your Saviour, leading you into the life He made for you.