Who Did Jesus Come to Save?

After he's pronounced salvation for Zacchaeus, for the son of man came to seek and to save the lost. So just consider this, this section of Luke's gospel- not much more than a chapter, you have this: you have a tax collector crying out, God be merciful to me, a sinner. And Jesus saying, I tell you, this man went home justified rather than the other. We see that we're to receive the kingdom of God like a child, simply receive from the father; trust. Jesus making it plain to a man: you have not kept the law that you think you've kept. To which his own followers say, "Who can be saved then?" And he says, well, with men it can't happen, but with God it can. He then tells his disciples pointedly, I'm going to suffer and die in the place of my people. Then we have a blind beggar crying out, "Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me." And his response is recover your sight. Your faith has made you well. And then the pronouncement: today's salvation has come to this house since he also, a tax collector and a sinner, is a son of Abraham, for the son of man came to seek and to save the lost. Now, that's gospel if I've ever heard it. I don't know about you. As we often say here, thanks be to God for Jesus Christ, for his death in our place, for his fulfillment of the law. He is the only hope for sinners. He is our surety. He is the guarantee of our final salvation, and we will stand covered in his blood and righteousness. We will stand wearing his very garments as we stand before him on the judgment seat. And so, we can have peace. So as you depart today, I'm not sure what you're going to do this afternoon, but whatever you do, enjoy your forgiveness. Love each other. Everyday Grace 050