Jesus is the best Savior

“Jesus is the best Savior.” I can’t remember what led to that statement, but it was a conversation with Hannah, my 4 year old. I was trying to sum something up for her to understand, and the Spirit summed something up for me to understand too. 

Jesus is the best Savior. Next to all the others, “far away mom, those saviors think they are the most high god, but they aren’t. Jesus is.” 

But you know what? When I was little I thought idolatry was far away too. But now I know it's not. It’s in my living room, in my heart. He’s not just the best far away, next to gods I know nothing of. He’s the best here too. Next to gods that draw my soul in tender places and compel my need for safety or wholeness irresistibly. 

A great job for my husband? A healthy body? Scrolling on a screen? A full fridge of the best ingredients? Family harmony? Knowing we’re insured for this or that? My lower back not hurting? A clean, finished home? A tendency to find satisfaction in self-belittling? My crippling fear of man? 

Yes. Even with these — He’s the best Savior. He’s the first and the last and the best and the highest. He’s all my soul could ever need and more. These other things are like bandaids on my endless craving for more — He is salve on deep wounds and water for my thirst and bread for my hunger. He’s not just a crutch, He’s my wheelchair. He’s everything. Because when I don’t have these things, I find Him — steady, loving, sure — exactly the same as He was the day I met him and every day before or after. 

They may draw my soul, but He fills it. They may promise rest, but He delivers it. These may suggest holiness, but He makes me holy and whole. 

Yes, Hannah. He’s the best Savior. 
“But about the Son he says,
‘Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;
a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
by anointing you with the oil of joy’” (Hebrews 1:8-9).