What does "seek and to save the lost" reveal about Jesus' mission? Setting the Scene: Luke 19:1-10 • Jesus passes through Jericho and calls the tax collector Zacchaeus from a sycamore tree. • Unwelcome in polite society, Zacchaeus eagerly receives Jesus into his home. • The crowd grumbles, yet Zacchaeus repents and pledges restitution. • Jesus seals the moment: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10) The Key Phrase Unpacked “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” • seek – deliberate pursuit, not passive waiting. • save – rescue from sin’s guilt, power, and penalty. • the lost – anyone separated from God, regardless of background. • Son of Man – the Messiah prophesied in Daniel 7:13-14, wielding divine authority. What This Reveals About Jesus’ Mission • Purposeful Initiative – He does the searching (Luke 15:4). – Salvation history runs on His timetable (Galatians 4:4-5). • Compassionate Heart – He values one sinner as much as ninety-nine “righteous” (Luke 15:7). • Universal Scope – “Save the world” (John 3:17). – Includes outsiders like Zacchaeus, Samaritans, and Gentiles (Acts 10:34-35). • Sacrificial Means – The Good Shepherd “lays down His life for the sheep” (John 10:11). – “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). • Absolute Authority – Only God can forgive sin; Jesus does so openly (Mark 2:5-7). – His resurrection authenticates His saving power (Romans 4:25). Old Testament Echoes • Ezekiel 34:11-16 – the LORD Himself seeks scattered sheep. • Isaiah 53:6 – we “all like sheep have gone astray,” yet the Servant bears iniquity. • Psalm 119:176 – the psalmist pleads, “seek Your servant,” anticipating a seeking Savior. New Testament Confirmation • Luke 15 – parables of lost sheep, coin, son; each ends in joyous recovery. • John 4 – He seeks the Samaritan woman, transcending ethnic barriers. • 2 Peter 3:9 – He is “patient…not wanting anyone to perish.” How Jesus Seeks and Saves 1. Incarnation – entering our world (John 1:14). 2. Proclamation – announcing the kingdom (Mark 1:14-15). 3. Crucifixion – paying sin’s debt (1 Peter 2:24). 4. Resurrection – conquering death (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). 5. Sending the Spirit – drawing hearts today (John 16:8-11). 6. Commissioning the Church – continuing the search through us (Matthew 28:19-20). Practical Takeaways • Confidence: No one is beyond His reach. • Humility: We were the lost He sought. • Mission: Join His pursuit—proclaim, serve, love. • Gratitude: Worship Him who found and rescued us. |
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