Sabbath: The Mission of Jesus
Read for This Week’s Study: Luke 15:4-7, Luke 11-32; Luke 16:19-31; Luke 18:35-43; Luke 19:1-10.
Memory Text: The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost
(Luke 19:10, NKJV).
Image © Lars Justinen Goosalt.com
If we were to write a mission statement for Jesus, we could not do any better than to repeat His own words: To seek and to save that which was lost.
What was lost? It was humanity itself, which was alienated from God, subject to death, and filled with fear, disappointment, and despair. If nothing were done in our behalf, all would be lost.
Thanks to Jesus, though, we all have great reasons to be hopeful.
In the apostasy, man alienated himself from God; earth was cut off from heaven. Across the gulf that lay between, there could be no communion. But through Christ, earth is again linked with heaven. With His own merits, Christ has bridged the gulf which sin had made . . . Christ connects fallen man in his weakness and helplessness with the Source of infinite power.
-Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 20.
From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is a story of God seeking after lost humanity. Luke illustrates this truth by using three important parables: the lost sheep (Luke 15:4-7), the lost coin (Luke 15:8-10), and the lost son (Luke 15:11-32).
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, May 23.
(23)
jesus is the way the truth and the life no one goes to his father without his connection to his father.
Dr Luke puts it (the truth) by using three important parables: the lost sheep (Luke 15:4-7), the lost coin (Luke 15:8-10), and the lost son (Luke 15:11-32).
God sent His only son to the world to seek the lost,and that was the His mission,and all of us who are called by His name,need to do the same by Seeking the lost as we tally together in wait for his second coming.
How much are we willing to invest to find the LOST? The mission of Jesus reveals that seeking and saving the lost can be self-sacrificing ( Isaiah 53: 3-10). If You are insulted and rediculed , imprisoned, or tortured, will you persevere in the cause of saving a lost person? Do you think everyone is deserving of your efforts to save them? Indeed, we need to be fully empowered by SPIRIT to save anyone who is lost. It's quite a task! But it is possible through Christ who gives us strength!!
In christ we are all saved,no matter the religion or race.
Nehemiah you wrote, "In christ we are all saved,no matter the religion or race."
Do you mean that even those who do not acknowledge Christ as Lord after receiving light of the gospel truth will still be saved?
John 3:16 says that "... that whosoever believes in Him (Jesus) shall not perish but have everlasting life."
I would say if you don't acknowledge Christ you don't believe in Christ. If you believe in Christ and don't take action on your belief you don't where is the evidence that you believe. The jailer and his family in Acts 16:29-33, not only believed, they took in the word of the Lord, saw the mercy and love of God through Paul and Silas. Realizing a need for Christ they surrendered, repented, and became baptized, and began serving Paul and Silas.
Jesus’ Mission is our mission by extension in that we are made co-laborers with Him and He fulfills much through us (1 Corinthians 3:9).
Sometimes there is hesitation or reluctance to do our part in the plan of redemption; among other things to share the gospel. There is the thought of possible failure, rejection, or inadequate knowledge. Yet if the Holy Spirit bids one to go out on a limb there need not be any fear. If the limb breaks the Spirit will catch. And if one hits the ground it would still be beneficial; for by it one may still learn humility and grow in character.
Remember in seeking to save others the Redeemer is also working on us. It is better to enter the kingdom embarrassed or ridiculed than to preserve self for the fire (Mark 9:43).
He who gave us the instruction to go has also promised support (Matthew 28:20). And what joy it is to see others come to know the Lord or know Him better (Luke 15:7, 10).
Christ not only had a mission, He taught us to have a mission. Why? In my humble opinion, we acomplish more. I resently read of creating a mission to live healthy, again we acomplish more. Let us learn from Christ example this week. Happy Sabbath
Hi John,
Can you elaborate, how do 'we acomplish more'?
"God committed the preparation of His divinely inspired Word to finite man. This Word, arranged into books, the Old and New Testaments, is the guidebook to the inhabitants of a fallen world, bequeathed to them that, by studying and obeying the directions, not one soul would lose its way to heaven" (1 Selected Messages, p 16)
That being said should it ever surprise us that we find statements in it saying, "The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10, NKJV)? Maybe I am just a cynical old buzzard that is nothing more than a wet dish rag extinguishing the warmth of a lively fire but I keep coming back to the point that the problem on earth is not from our own making but something that started in Heaven and came down to us - we just fell for the deception that someone else from another part of the universe proffered us.
To me the cross was never just for us, even though it certainly includes us, which I think is a very egocentric way of looking at it. It is like the geocentric theology of the middle ages that thought that the entire universe revolved around us as though we were the most important beings God ever created. Have we forgotten the great controversy? This isn't about us - it is about the war between God and Satan. It's just that we are the most miserable part of God's creation who, "have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men" (1 Cor. 4:9 NKJV) and caught in the middle of a nasty hate campaign against God.
God wants to save His entire creation. We are certainly doomed by our sin but the rest of the universe needs saving too, only in a different way. If God had not settled the controversy there would have been no end to the turmoil and agitation Satan caused and because of his lies about God the whole thing probably would have grown to the point that God would have had to reboot everything. In a very big way then, the cross saves everybody one way or another.
Do I then discard the notion that God came down to save us? Certainly not for it is the only hope I have and through it I see the God that Satan has tried to cover up. Besides, it is through us that Christ has won the controversy; we are the theater through which the controversy has played out where the entire universe got to see the real truth of the matter and confirm the fact that God really is love.
Thanks this is masterpiece and free thinking.
But suppose man had not sinned, would evil have evolved to the catastrophic level it has reached today? Why? Because there would have been no sinner on earth but sin would have been in existence through the fallen angels.
The other angle of it is, suppose Adam had refused to join Eve to sin. What would have been the status of mankind born of Adam and Eve? The 2 issues above, God would have had a complex problem to deal with much more than having our current scenario/State we just take the offspring of Adam and Eve as all sinners. Another crazy philosopher in our church has always believed that earth and mankind are God's laboratory where sin had to be tested and it's effects seen by the whole universe to prove God's inocence, hence it was completely shut out of the universe and minimise collateral damage sin would have caused.
We often gloss over these issues and just bundle them together.
Henderson, we cannot come up with anything too perplexing for God to solve. Our finite minds cannot approach His infinite wisdom, and where we see no possible solution, God sees 1000 solutions.
Without man sinning, this world would still exhibit the perfection it displayed fresh from the Creator, only more glorious. Satan would be only a faint memory and the forbidden tree no longer forbidden, unless it continued to serve a purpose only God would know of.
Jesus would have died to save Eve if only she had sinned. She would be given the chance this world has been given to repent and be cleansed from all unrighteousness. Everything else must remain conjecture.
God did not create a laboratory to see how sin would look, but did everything to give man perfect happiness and peace. MAN chose to experiment with departing from God's clear instructions and brought this upon Himself. God leads no one into sin, but will allow us to be tried that we might know and understand our true condition and feel our need for a Savior.
Satan was not shut out of the universe, but the unfallen worlds "cast him out" once he was unmasked by having put Jesus to death. (John 12:31,32; Rev 12:7-10)
What if anything did the 30+ years of Jesus' life do for us? Did it materially add anything additional to what was already said in the Old Testament? Jesus along with all of His disciples continually quoted from the Old Testament to support all the doctrines that we have. Maybe there are some things that it did accomplish but I suspect it wasn't just for us. It was for everyone to see what God was really like and at the same time to see the real objective of Satan's government.
Actually, the first advent wasn't the first time God ever came down to us. The fact is that God never really left us. He has continually been with us and has commissioned His angels to help in this mess we call home. The condescension of Christ is only the pinnacle of that revelation where, "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved" (Jn. 3:16-17 NKJV).
As Paul so well condensed in a few verses:
In other words, Christ's life on earth clarified and proved what had already been revealed.
In the verses you quote Tyler, we see that Jesus came as the Lamb of God, as well as revealing the living, breathing principles of God's Law in a human life, showing the possibility of the human agent fully surrendered to God's will, believing His exceeding great and precious promises and living by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Without Jesus' substituting death, we remain hopeless, even with His righteous example. His mission to earth of propitiating for sinners was finished on the Cross. What followed was the commission to tell the world of this good news and living hope for sinners as Jesus continues the work in heaven as our Advocate in the face of Satan's continual accusations against us.
Robert here is a quote you might find interesting that partially answers what I said:
Yes Tyler, the mission of God in Jesus is very broad, and even that quote cannot sum up the full purposes of God in Christ that will bring increased understanding throughout eternity. Yet for this world, Redemption was the mission that Jesus taught Nicodemus to understand in the most quoted of all verses; John 3:16. Redemption isn't just the blood of Jesus, but learning of Him who is meek and lowly of heart, representing the Infinite God towards His creatures, even the sinful ones. Redemption is seeing Truth in it's beauty and desiring it above all else, and being transformed by it through the power of the Creator.
This mission includes the unfallen worlds that exist and the ones yet to be formed, for whom Jesus will be as the Light that "shines more and more unto the perfect day". Why? Because every creature will always have free-will and the ability to choose to serve God or self, just as Lucifer had. When they behold the willingness of God to stoop and serve those who hated Him, kindly washing away their defilement, how could they give any further consideration to Satan's constant lies, especially when they witnessed his leading men to put the blameless and harmless Son of God to such a cruel death?
Doesn't Paul also tell us this when writing: "That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:"
But for the struggling sinner who doubts God, perhaps believing the accusations of His enemies, what Jesus did for THEM will win their trust and devotion.
Vital for us to be faithful witnesses so we don't lend support to those who misrepresent God's character.
Humankind if freed from the burden of sin; the bring to heaven -Jesus is ready.We are only required to walk through it and be saved.
Jesus came to seek the lost because he was connected to the father.we can not seek the lost unless we are connected to JESUS.
In an universal point of view: when God came to seek this lost world, He left his other children of the universe safe at home. But if something were to have happened to the Shepard what would have happened to the sheep back home? The universe must have been really interested in the outcome of this fight. I am sure we have brothers and sisters praying for us with Universal desire for the Lost sheep.
Jesus left us a command that we should go for the lost. if we don't, how shall we be happy? because happiness is good when shared. see how happiness was done when the lost were all recovered. praise be to GOD when one sinner, me, the whole host of heaven rejoices.
Y.B.if I have a calling to accomplish a particular assignment, don't you think I would accomplish more than if I didn't have a calling and assignment?
As I have seen in those three parables, in all the three accounts, non could help or save it self. It was only the work of saviour to help the lost sheep, lost coin and the lost son. The problem today when we read the word of God, we tend to look for 'what to do to get saved'. That question has been there even during Christ's time those questions where brought before him, about salvation nothing we can do to save ourselves, like the sheep it couldn't save it self but only to accept the saviour to save the lost, because He is the only one who knows the way.
We got lost because we didn't know the direction to take, the more we will try for ourselves the more we will loose the direction, unless we let the one who knows to guide and led us.
Wao, i like the parable of the lost son because it thought me alot, Firstly the son had to loose to worldly pleasure to win his father's share again and its the same with Me/You to win our heavenly share we have to let go of worldly pleasures.
Lastly above we have to learn our mistakes, see our current situation and compare with our historical life we had just after getting in touched with Jesus
Robert Whiteman, do you mean that when this world will be re created, the saved will have the right to either serve GOD or not? I am failing to connect your thought when you say,"because every creature will always have free-will and the ability to serve God or self just as Lucifer had"
In Ezekiel, can't remember the exact chapter and verse, records that God will sprinkle water to the saved, and He will remove the stone hearts and give then hearts of flesh( this to me suggests that all will be in accord with the will of God) Will have no struggle to give alligence to God. All will have been washed from sin and sinfulness.
Kindly clarify your statement. Haven will not be suitable for people with mixed feeling/ideas, will of choice.
Renford, the new heart is conversion from exalting self to perfectly trusting and obeying God, yet this does not remove our power of choice. Lucifer was holy when created, but eventually turned to exalting self. In all creation, God will have no slaves against their will. Would God have true joy if His subjects had no will of their own? Would their service be from love or mere automation? Adam and Eve were created sinless and in perfect harmony with God, but chose a different course along with Lucifer. We will always have that ability, but now we understand where it leads.
Luke 19:1-10 wow what a powerful verse. it took Zach to climb a tree just to see and hear Jesus preach. what a great effort this man had in Jesus. for him to appear to Jesus in such a scene he must have been passing through a lot of hardship. Jesus did not have to ask what this man was passing through but he straight-away used(Luke 19:10). It seems like this man wanted to find refuge but he could not seek it because of his short comings. Jesus searches the heart which is lost and he finds it. what efforts do we take when we want hear the word of the lord?, what action do take just to see the work, presence and blessings of the lord?. when he sees that you are willing to give ear to his word and able to act upon it then he shall seek thee and dyne with thee.
Robert Whiteman, I do believe that as should be here on earth, when we get to eternity we will have total relience on God. We will choose to have God rein in our free will for eternity. I do believe that means He will reign in our lives, again as should be here. God has taken all measures to never allow sin to come up again. Yes, as Paul says, we will count sin as rubbish. Not only to gain Christ, but to retain Christ forever. Thoughts taken from Philippians 3:8.
John, there is no such thing as "surrendering our free will" as it is the very way God has created us. In yielding to His government, we ARE exercising free will. What we can surrender in this life is our natural inclination to be selfish, and pray for that transforming grace to restore the very image and purposes of God in our hearts/minds. This requires free will to do, which God will never require us to surrender. God doesn't want a family made of puppets, or He would have made us that way.
When God told the serpent(Satan) He would put enmity between him and the woman, He was speaking of those who would choose to be transformed by His grace. This desire to be in the likeness of Jesus will result in enmity with Satan, rather than taking part in his rebellion against the government of God through sin. All this come through the exercise of free will. This will last for eternity.
I want God to be in control of my life at all times. Christ is represented in the Scriptures as a gift. He is a gift, but only if I give myself, soul, body, and spirit, to Him without reserve. I give myself to Christ, to live a life of willing obedience to all His requirements. All that I am, all the talents and capabilities I possess, are the Lord’s, to be consecrated to His service. I have given myself wholly to Christ, Christ, with all the treasures of heaven, gives Himself to me. I do believe I have surrendered my Will to Him. Since I have surrendered my Will to Him I now have a free will, before I surrendered my will to Him I did NOT have a free will.
John, you always have a freewill, but in Christ, you have freedom.
So if you are right, then you are saying there is a difference between surrender of free will, freedom, myself, soul, body, and spirit without reserve. The way I look at it is by surrendering all three, we are kept in good hands. As has been said of old by surrendering ourselves to Christ we appropriate His merits. From your aspect you are right. Once we surrender our freedom, free will, and ourselves, soil, body, and mind to Him, He gives us the freedom to to take them back and give them to Satan. Yes we have the choice to change. That is why to garentee that sin will never rise again God is only going to take those to heaven who have surrendered to Him soul, body, and spirit without reserve. Did the theif on the Cross do this, I believe so. You are right, another garentee is that we will always remember the things we gave up to follow Christ were as rubbish compaired with what Christ gave to us and has in store for us. Philippians 3:8. Many years ago the illustration was given of us driving down the road in a Mack truck with Christ in the passengers seat. It wasn't to long before we hit another Mack truck and ended up in the ditch . After a few wrecks we yielded to His suggestion, "why don't you let me drive. As long as I let Him drive we never had a wreck. He turned to me, "do you want to drive?" No way, you drive. God is always faithful, let us be faithful to Him. Romans 3:3-4.
Yes John, Elder Venden's parable of the 18-wheel diesel trucks hauling hay. Keep in mind a parable is never reality but teaches a truth. The truth is every decision we face during every day that involves character must be made according to God's will, which we must choose. We will never lose that choice, but following God's will keeps us free from the deception and death Satan offers us in the name of "freedom" to do our own thing. It's not a one-time choice, but a continual choosing, that is more complicated than just letting Jesus sit in the driver's seat while we just and watch the scenery going by. If Christ dwells in our heart by faith (Eph 3:17) then our choices will be in perfect harmony with His will. Our effort is to be always abiding in Him. No resting from this conflict because our choice always remains. No choice is a choice.
Psalm 16:8
Robert, I don't know what to make of your last sentence, could you please explain. The rest I pretty much agree with.
I will just add one observation for whatever it is worth. To me releasing our will to God's involves moral choices everything else we are free to do as we please. For instance we have the choice of what our education will be, He doesn't dictate that unless it is to become a criminal then He will strongly suggest but even then He will not badger us under normal circumstances. I think it is about the still small voice rather than the tempest that Elijah expected.
Another choice we have has to do with the lifelong partner we choose nor will He dictate what we are going to have for dinner. He may suggest something different if it is not a good one but basically it is our choice to make. In other words He gives us decisions to make and in doing so He doesn't expect for us to put things in neutral like flopping the Bible down on a table and whatever place it opens up to that is what we read for morning devotions. In saying that I realize that in ancient times drawing lots and the use of the Urim and the Thummim was considered the way to settle decisions but I don't it is God's ideal. He expects us to take responsibility and to make the best choices we can even if they are not the best. "And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua. 24:15 NKJV). "'Come now, and let us reason together,' Says the LORD" (Isa. 1:18 NKJV).
We can also see this free will operating in Christ's ministry.
The last sentence: "No choice is a choice", meaning that if we think to remain "undecided" we have made a choice. If we don't actively pray "Thy will be done" we are by default living according to our own will. Joshua made it clear when telling Israel; "Choose this day whom you will serve".
No choice is a choice.
Tyler I see it much the same way and also Roberts comment about we are always allowed to make choices. Choices are the expression of our will. That freedom started in Eden. Eve could make many choices, but only one was a moral choice with dire
consequences.
Good discussion, thank you Robert and Tyler for your enlightment. Getting back to Christ mission to seek and save the lost humanity. I am so thankful Christ was given a mission, and followed through with His Fathers business. We alienated ourselves from God. I praise God we have a connection with heaven through Christ. The lifeline is open to the Source of infinate power.