Seek And Save The Lost
God brought to mind the name Seek and Save the Lost when I named this ministry toward the end of 2009. What really caught my attention is that it is biblical and I especially liked the seeking part. There’s something very comforting in knowing that Jesus is seeking the lost. But lately, God has the “save the lost” part standing out to me. Not only is Jesus a seeking God; He also is a saving God. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. The King James Version puts it this way: For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10).
Jesus came to seek and SAVE that which WAS lost. Not only does Jesus seek, but He also saves. Jesus doesn’t just make salvation possible, He saves! The Lord saves and He saves those who were lost. This begs the question: who are the lost? Is every unbeliever the lost? Well, every unbeliever is perishing. All unrepentant sinners are headed for Hell in their unregenerate state. But is every human being the lost that Jesus is talking about in Luke 19:10? No, they are not. In Luke 5:32, Jesus says: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Please notice that Jesus said that He came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
To the religious leaders that He was talking to, they weren’t righteous. (There is none righteous, no not one Romans 3:10). But the religious leaders that Jesus was talking to were self-righteous people. They thought that their good works were enough to please God. But those religious leaders were wrong. None of us are righteous. None of us can work our way to Heaven. We cannot earn salvation in any way, shape or form. God resist’s the proud; but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).
Jesus Isn’t Saving Self-Righteous People
So Jesus isn’t seeking and saving self-righteous people. No, the Lord seeks and saves the lost. The lost being those who recognize that they are sinners and that there’s nothing that they can do to save themselves. Take for example, Zacchaeus, who the Lord spoke directly to right before He said that He came to seek and save that which was lost. Please listen to Luke 19:1-10: And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press (crowd), because he was little of stature (or short).
And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at your house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, for so much as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Face To Face With Jesus
Do you see how Zacchaeus came face to face with Jesus Christ the Lord and Zacchaeus humbled himself before the Lord? When Zacchaeus repented and surrendered his life to Jesus, he was a changed man. He gave away half of what he owned. He said that he would repay four times to anyone that he’d stolen from. Zacchaeus wasn’t trying to bribe Jesus or earn favor. No, he did these things because God had taken away his heart of stone and given him a heart of flesh. Zacchaeus was a new creature in Christ. His old, fleshly desires were traded in for godly desires. The desire to love God with all his heart, soul, mind and strength and to love his neighbor as he loved himself.
How did Jesus reply to Zacchaeus? This day is salvation come to this house, for so much as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Jesus said this day, Zacchaeus was saved. The Lord also said that the Son of man came to seek and save that which was lost. Jesus isn’t some wimpy “aw shucks” kind of Savior. No, He came the first time as a lamb, but He’s coming back as the lion of Judah. Jesus doesn’t just simply make a way of salvation and then stand around wringing His hands, hoping that you “accept” Him.
Jesus Seeks And Saves
No, Jesus saves! He seeks AND saves. He is a saving Messiah. A saving Lord and Savior and there is no other. Jesus said these words: No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day (John 6:44). The Lord also said: All that the Father gives me shall come to me; and he that comes to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that everyone which sees the Son, and believes on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day (John 6:37-40).
Jesus said everyone that sees the Son and believes on him, will have everlasting life. Zacchaeus saw the Lord Jesus. Do you spiritually see Jesus? Do you believe on the Lord Jesus? Folks, do you believe in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross for your salvation? Have you repented of your sins and put your faith in Jesus? For the Son of Man came to seek and save that which was lost. Jesus is a seeking Savior. The Lord is a saving Savior. Jesus came to save His people from their sins. Are you one of His? Are you truly saved? Oh, are you a follower of Jesus Christ the Lord?
Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Jesus saves! He is mighty to save. There is no other savior. Jesus is the only way to God the Father. Is God, through the power of the Holy Spirit revealing His Holiness to you? Do you see your sinfulness? We’ve all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. There is none righteous, no not one. We have all rebelled against God. We’ve gone astray from our mother’s womb. Are you still going astray? Are you still saying no to God and yes to your own, sinful, rebellious ways? Or have you recognized that you are a sinner? Cried out for God to have mercy upon you? Have you repented from your sins and utterly and completely surrendered your life to Jesus Christ the Lord?
Has Jesus Saved You From Your Sins?
Has Jesus saved you? Not just made a way of salvation possible, but has Jesus Christ saved you from your sins? Has the Lord saved you from eternal damnation? Is Jesus your Lord and Savior? Do you have eternal life? If you die today, are you sure that you would go to Heaven? Are you counting on His righteousness alone to get you there? Have you called upon the name of the Lord and been saved (Romans 10:13)?
Are you truly a follower of Jesus Christ? The only way to have peace with God is through Jesus Christ the Lord; the Prince of peace. Do you have peace with God? Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). Only those of us who are justified through faith in Jesus, have peace with God. Does this describe you tonight?
Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost. Have you ever recognized your “lostness”? Have you ever truly realized how horrific your sins are and how Holy God is and that Jesus is the only mediator between God and man? Has Jesus truly saved you? Have you repented of your sins and surrendered your life to Jesus? If no, what’s stopping you from doing so right now? The Bible says now is the accepted time; today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). Now is the time to get right with God. Repent and believe the Gospel and be saved.
(This message was lifted up in downtown Springfield, MO on December 13, 2019)