Jesus offers salvation in three dimensions:

1. Salvation from cosmic evil where we learn from the story of the “Cure of the Demoniac” (Lk. 4:33-37)

In this story, take note of the following:

- a man was possessed by an evil spirit.

- only the evil spirit (demon) recognized Jesus as the Holy One of God
- Jesus commanded the evil spirit to be quiet and come out of the body of the man in which the
evil spirit obeys Jesus.
- Jesus cast out the evil spirit from the possessed man because he speaks with authority. The
same with the movie “The Exorcism of Emily Rose” where Fr. Richard Moore ask the authority
from his Archdiocese to perform the exorcism. No one is authorized to perform the exorcism
until authorized by the Church. Jesus authority to cast out demon was coming from the Father.
- despite the amazement that the people saw on what happened to the possessed man, they
never recognized who Jesus is. They only know that he is just a son of the carpenter or just a
prophet.

2. Salvation from Socio-political Oppression where we learn from the story of “The Faithful Man of
Jericho” (Mk. 10:46-52)

- blindness is a common disease in Biblical times

- Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus is a blind man who waited for Jesus for he heard that the Messiah is

going to come to offer salvation.

- Jesus happened to pass by Jericho, a great city of trade and business.

- blind people are not allowed to enter the city or town because they are considered eyesores to the

society. That is why they are politically oppressed by the people especially the rich are allowed only

to stay by the road or city gate.

- as Jesus was passing by the road, Bartimaeus heard Jesus and since he could not come to him, he

cried out at the top of his voice, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.” Bartimaeus acknowledged

Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah.

- Bartimaeus was prevented by the people and the disciples of Christ, but he was so persistent in

calling upon Jesus. So when Jesus heard his voice, he stopped and ask his disciples to call him.

Bartimaeus came to Jesus and ask him what he want. Jesus knew that Bartimaeus wanted to regain

His eyesight.

- Jesus did not make any miracle to heal Bartimaeus. It was the faith of Bartimaeus who made him

well. “Jesus told him, “Go your way, your faith has saved you.” In this story, faith is confident trust in

the Lord and in the healing power of Jesus. Because of Bartimaeus persistence and faith in Jesus, he
 was able to regain his sight.

3. Salvation from Life’s-meaninglessness where we learned from the story of Zacchaeus (Lk. 19:1-10)

The Story of Zacchaeus has four stages.

Stege 1 – Zacchaeus was a wealthy chief tax collector but was not a happy man.

- he was hated by the people because of his excessive taxation (corrupt)

- he is alone, having no friend.

- he heard about Jesus passing by Jericho and wanted to see him.

Stage 2 – Zacchaeus was of small stature and he could not see Jesus because of the crowd.

- he was afraid to join with the crowd because he might be trampled down because he cheated

them.

- he saw a sycamore tree, ran ahead and climbed in order to see Jesus.

- when Jesus reached the place, he looked up and saw Zacchaeus. He said to him, “Zacchaeus,

come down quickly for I am going to dine in your house.” Zacchaeus found a new friend,

Jesus.

Stage 3 – Zacchaeus realized his wickedness and made an atonement (amendment) to Jesus. “Lord, half

of my possessions, I will give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay him four-

fold. This is like an act of penance that the priest gives us whenever we go to confess our sins.

Expiation – is an act of atoning or making up of the harm done caused by sin.

Stage 4- Zacchaeus receives salvation from Christ. “Today salvation has come to this house because this

man is also a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what

was lost.”

Lost – means “one who is in the wrong place.”

- Zacchaeus was able to reconcile himself with the people who hated him. His life is now

meaningful after he received salvation from Christ.