Life: reevaluating "Jesus saves"

It is said that Jesus, either being a representative for god or god himself, through dying on the cross as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins, consequently allowed the forgiveness of all our sins. Therefore, in modern reference, “Jesus saved us.” Even more—he is The Savior. But I ask, from what has Jesus saved me? Persecution? Eternal damnation? Demonic influence? Sacrifice? Most Christians I assume would answer All of the above. I understand it to be relative to what we call, the new covenant.

Specifically, and in laymen’s terms I understand it as follows: there was a system in place with rules governing who got into heaven and who didn’t. Particularly, there were certain acts, sacrifices, and works necessary for salvation. Jesus came and changed the rules by dying, ultimately making the “ultimate sacrifice” so that no one had to adhere to all the fancy regulations the old testament speaks of in order to get to heaven. Of course the ten commandments still hold, etc., but there is now an understanding that ritualistic prayer and sacrifice is not necessary for the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus, in essence, did the work for us.

But back to the question at hand. What did Jesus save us from? Or better, I offer, from who did he save us? I’d argue that Jesus (or god) saved us from god’s judgment. He made it easier, then, to gain admittance to heaven. “I am the stuff and the stuff…and the only way to heaven is through me,” I believe is what Jesus said. But who made up the rules in the first place? Who said that it was necessary to have a clean record, forgiven sins, and an impeccable track record of works in order to get to heaven? Who set up that system that we were only recently saved from? Well god of course. Jesus, then, saved us from….god’s own system? Jesus saved us from…god? And if Jesus IS god, then god saved us from….himself?

Often we throw around these religious catch phrases without forcefully examining their meaning. “Jesus saved us,” especially if he IS god, is as silly as me tying you up with a gun to your head saying, “eat this bowl of roaches or I’ll punish you (kill you),” then untying you myself and saying, “Be glad: I saved you.”

Much more to say but interesting question. What and who did Jesus save us from, if not the judgment and/or persecution of the exact god he claimed to be?