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 inDaniel 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 Saves1. 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.
