Notes of Faith December 23, 2024
Seeking and Saving
For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Luke 19:10
Countless paintings show Jesus holding a lamb in His arms. Other paintings show Him approaching an individual sheep that He, the Good Shepherd, sought out after it became separated from the flock. This latter image comes from the parable Jesus told about a man who owned 100 sheep but discovered one was missing. He left the 99 and searched until he found the lost sheep (Matthew 18:12-14). In His words to Zacchaeus, the tax collector, Jesus summarized His mission: “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
The premise behind seeking is an acknowledgement that something is lost. In Romans 3:10-18, Paul cites a litany of Old Testament verses showing that man is lost and in need of being found. The problem is that man is not inclined to seek after God: “There is none who seeks after God” (verse 11). And no one can be found who does not first acknowledge he is lost.
The first step in being saved is admitting one is lost—separated from God. The good news is that Jesus came to seek and save all who need to be found.
Thou didst seek us when we sought Thee not.
Augustine
Rom 3:10-18
"THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;
11 THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS,
THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;
12 ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS;
THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD,
THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE."
13 "THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE,
WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING,"
"THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS";
14 "WHOSE MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS";
15 "THEIR FEET ARE SWIFT TO SHED BLOOD,
16 DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ARE IN THEIR PATHS,
17 AND THE PATH OF PEACE THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN."
18 "THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES."
This unbelieving in this world want no God, no authority above themselves.
Heb 4:7
TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE,
DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS.
Matt 11:28
28 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
We all need rest from a wearying, dark and lost world.
Come, Lord Jesus!
Pastor Dale