The Mission of Jesus: Seeking and Saving the Lost Luke 19:10
Introduction:
Today, we turn our attention to a profound declaration made by Jesus in Luke 19:10, which encapsulates His divine purpose and mission. This verse reveals the heart of our Saviour, who came into the world not only to teach and heal but ultimately to seek and save the lost.
Luke 19:10 (NLT): "For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost."
In this concise yet powerful statement, Jesus unveils His mission on earth—to actively pursue and rescue those who are spiritually lost and in need of salvation.
Point 1: The Nature of the Lost
To comprehend the significance of Jesus' mission, we must first understand who the "lost" are according to Scripture.
Spiritual Blindness: The lost are those who wander in spiritual darkness, unable to see the truth of God's love and grace.
2 Corinthians 4:4 (NLT): "Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God."
In 2 Corinthians 4:4, the apostle Paul highlights the spiritual blindness that affects those who do not believe in Christ. This verse reveals the influence of the enemy (Satan) in obscuring the truth of the gospel from unbelievers. The "god of this world" seeks to keep people in darkness, preventing them from seeing and understanding the glorious message of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Sinful Condition: The lost are ensnared by sin and its consequences, separated from God's presence and in need of redemption.
Romans 3:23 (NLT): "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard."
Romans 3:23 succinctly declares the universal reality of sin. It underscores the human condition—every individual, without exception, is guilty of sin and falls short of God's perfect standard. This verse sets the stage for understanding the need for redemption and salvation provided by Christ.
Estranged from God: The lost are those who have strayed from the path of righteousness, lacking a personal relationship with their Creator.
Isaiah 53:6 (NLT): "All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all."
Isaiah 53:6 foreshadows the sacrificial work of Christ on the cross. It depicts humanity's waywardness and rebellion against God's will, likening us to wandering sheep. Despite our disobedience, God demonstrates His love and mercy by placing our sins upon Jesus, who becomes the atoning sacrifice for all.
Point 2: The Mission of Seeking
Jesus' mission of seeking the lost reflects His compassionate nature and relentless pursuit of humanity.
Active Pursuit: Jesus initiates the search for the lost, demonstrating God's initiative in reaching out to humanity.
Matthew 18:11-14 (NLT): "For the Son of Man came to save those who are lost. If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away."
In Matthew 18:11-14, Jesus illustrates His mission as the Good Shepherd who seeks out the lost sheep. This parable conveys the heart of God for those who have strayed from His fold. Jesus' mission is one of pursuit, restoration, and rejoicing over the repentant sinner.
Personal Engagement: Jesus engages with individuals considered lost by society, demonstrating the inclusive nature of His mission.
Luke 15:1-7 (NLT): "Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them! So Jesus told them this story: 'If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it?'"
Luke 15:1-7 presents another parable of the lost sheep, emphasizing God's relentless pursuit of those who are spiritually lost. Jesus' association with sinners reflects His mission to seek and save the lost, demonstrating God's inclusive love and grace.
Divine Compassion: Jesus' pursuit of the lost is motivated by divine love and a desire for reconciliation.
John 3:16 (NLT): "For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."
John 3:16 encapsulates the essence of the gospel—the sacrificial love of God demonstrated through the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. Belief in Jesus leads to eternal life, highlighting the central role of faith in receiving God's salvation.
Point 3: The Salvation Offered
The ultimate aim of Jesus' mission is to bring salvation and restoration to those who are lost.
Billy Graham once stated, "God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, 'I love you.'"
Redemption and Forgiveness: Jesus offers the gift of salvation through His sacrificial death and resurrection.
Ephesians 1:7 (NLT): "He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins."
Ephesians 1:7 celebrates the redemptive work of Christ, who purchased our freedom from sin through His sacrificial death on the cross. This verse underscores the lavish grace and forgiveness extended to believers through the blood of Jesus.
New Life in Christ: Those who respond to Jesus' call are transformed and brought into a new relationship with God.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT): "This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!"
2 Corinthians 5:17 highlights the transformative power of salvation. Through faith in Christ, believers experience spiritual renewal and a profound change in identity. The past is washed away, and a new life—a life rooted in Christ—begins.
Eternal Hope: Jesus' mission extends beyond this life, offering the hope of eternal life to all who believe in Him.
John 10:28 (NLT): "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me."
In John 10:28, Jesus assures believers of the security of their salvation. Those who belong to Him receive the gift of eternal life, safeguarded by His unfailing love and power. This verse offers comfort and assurance to all who trust in Jesus Christ.
Application:
These verses collectively reveal the depth of God's love and His redemptive plan for humanity. Jesus Christ is the answer to humanity's sin and separation from God. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus offers forgiveness, reconciliation, and eternal life to all who believe in Him.
Jesus' declaration in Luke 19:10 encapsulates the heart of the gospel message—God's relentless pursuit of humanity and His desire to save the lost. This truth carries profound implications for believers today.
Charles Spurgeon remarked, "God's mercy is so great that you may sooner drain the sea of its water, or deprive the sun of its light, or make space too narrow, than diminish the great mercy of God."
Call to Action:
Acknowledge Sin: Recognize the reality of sin in your life and the need for a Savior.
Receive Salvation: Embrace the gift of salvation offered through Jesus Christ by placing your faith in Him.
Share the Good News: Share the message of God's love and salvation with others, inviting them to experience the transformative power of Christ.
Personal Reflection: Take time to reflect on your own spiritual journey. Are there areas of your life where you have felt lost or distant from God?
Intercession: Pray for those who are spiritually lost and in need of salvation. Ask God to use you as a vessel of His love and truth.
Proclamation of the Gospel: Share the message of salvation with others, inviting them to encounter the transforming power of Jesus Christ.
In conclusion, Luke 19:10 reminds us of the profound love and compassion of our Saviour, who came to seek and save the lost.
The other passages we have considered emphasise the foundational truths of the Christian faith—the reality of sin, the sacrificial love of Christ, and the promise of eternal life through faith. May we respond to God's invitation with faith and obedience, knowing that He seeks to save the lost and reconcile us to Himself.
May we embrace this truth and respond with gratitude and obedience, knowing that we too are recipients of God's amazing grace and mercy.
