Jesus, Savior and Punisher
John 3:16-19
By Ysrael De la Cruz

If Jesus lived in our society today, they would have cancelled him already. For his teaching and views would offend the masses; his teachings would go against the culture and norms of society. He would be accused of demanding people to change in a society that says, there is nothing wrong with you, you can be whoever you want to be. Therefore, if Jesus came to America to preach and teach as he did two thousand years ago, he would be cancelled here.
People in Jesus’ days had the wrong idea about him, just like in our society today. For ages people have wrestled with the question: Who is Jesus? In order to have the right view or perspective about Jesus, we must examine his claims, his teachings. We must look at how he is described in the Bible.

Paradox (Oxford dictionary) a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true.
-a situation, person, or thing that combines contradictory features or qualities

Webster (something (such as a situation) that is made up of two opposite things and that seems impossible but is actually true or possible.
-Someone who does two things that seem to be opposite to each other or who has qualities that are opposite.
-One person or situation or action having seemingly contradictory qualities or phases.
When you examine the Bible, you clearly see Jesus is a paradox (Jesus being someone who seems to have contradictory qualities or phases).
For instance, He is known as the Lion and the Lamb. Rev.5:5-6 (paradox) How can he be both?
-God and man (john 1:1, 14)
-First and the last (Rev.1:17; 2:8)
-Life and death (Rev.1:18)
-Building stone and stumbling stone (1 Pet.2:6-8)
-Savior and Punisher (John 3:16-19)

John 3:16-18
Jesus the Savior: God showed his love for the world in giving it a Savior.
God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son so that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. Jesus saves those who believe in him.
He wasn’t sent into the world to condemn but to save the world. (v.17)
-Whoever believes in him is not condemned (judged) v.18

-Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. John 3:36

Matthew 1:21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
The name Jesus (Yeshua) means Yahweh saves. Jesus is the Savior. But he is also the Punisher.

John 3:18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. (ESV)

If you believe in him you are saved, if you do not believe in Jesus you are not saved, but condemned. Jesus is the dividing line between salvation and damnation
He is the Savior for those who believe, but he is also the Punisher for those who don’t believe.
-By not believing in him a person remains condemned. (v.18)
-Those who don’t believe in Jesus will experience God’s wrath. (v.36)

John 5:22 For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son,
John 5:27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.
Acts 17:31 For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.”
Rev.19:11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.

Jesus is both Savior and Judge or punisher. He is the Savior for those who believe in him. But he is the judge for those who reject him.
Salvation is for everyone, but God said that one must believe or trust Jesus in order to be saved; not believing in Jesus makes a person condemned already.

It boils down to what are you going to do with Jesus? To you, he will be either the Savior or your Punisher.
Jesus is the diving line of where you will spend eternity.
Those who have trusted Jesus as Lord and Savior; those who have believed in his work of redemption accomplished for us don’t have to experience God’s judgment.
There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Rom.8:1
When Jesus comes back to this world he is not coming as a Lamb, but as a Lion.
He is not coming as the Savior; he is coming as the King of kings and Lord of all.
It is my prayer that you are ready to receive the King, if you are not, then get ready today by trusting him for salvation.