Luke - The Son of Man Seeks and Saves

The author, Dr. Luke states that this book records an accurate account “so that you may know the exact truth” (Luke 1:4), of Jesus Christ. He is portrayed as one who seeks out those who are searching for Him and saves them.

Snapshot

  • Introduction
  • The Son of Man
  • Came to Seek
  • And to Save
  • The Lost
  • Discussion

Purpose

This book was written to record an accurate account so that you may know the exact truth” (Luke1:4), of the life of Jesus Christ as the perfect Savior of the world.

Luke was a Roman lawyer who later became a doctor. He was also a Roman appointed by Theophilus a Roman Senator who in turn was appointed by Caesar to write a report about Jesus. The book of Luke is his official report. He:

  • Wrote the book around 59-61 A.D. Needless to say, somewhere along the line, he himself becomes a believer.
  • Was the only non-Jew writer in the New Testament
  • Accompanied Paul on mission journeys, as described in the book of Acts, which Luke also wrote.
  • Acts was also another official Roman report he was assigned to write on Jesus’ followers. [1]

Event Timeline of the New Testament

Emphasis

The emphasis of Luke is:

  • Parables. It contains more than any other Gospel (19 total).
  • “Son of Man” which is used 80 times.
  • To present Jesus for everyone

Emphasis

Luke emphasizes that Jesus values character vs. background, race or nationality.

  • Jesus sends out the 70 (72 in some versions) . In the Jewish Torah, 70 refers to all nations of the earth. In Greek it is 72.
  • Traces geneology to Adam as opposed to Abraham (Matthew)
  • Certain instances of Christ reaching non Jews are talked of only in Luke
  • Highlights instances of Jesus reaching Jews as well 
The Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost

 

Context

Luke 19:1 He entered Jericho and was passing through. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.”

So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”  – Luke 19

From historiacal records [1], Zachaeus was one of, if not the wealthiest man in Jericho with a then networth of over 100 million dollars. On encounter with Jesus, he gives back what is estimated to be over a 40 million dollars. He later on supports the building of several churches in the area. By choosing Zacchaeus, Jesus would no doubt have more than disappointed many whom Zachaeus took advantage of. But no one is excluded from Jesus’ salvation. Jesus reaches out and Zachaeus responds

 

The Son of Man

The term:

  • Occurs more times in Luke than any other Gospel (80 times)
  • Beautifully depicts Christ’s combined deity and humanity
  • Describes Him as fully God yet fully man
  • Occurs in Daniel, Acts (Stephen’s speech), Gospels and Revelation

 

Son of Man

  • Jesus reaches out to anyone who needed and sought him.. Jews and non Jews alike.
  • He sets out a new relationship protocol – that “My mother and my brothers are these who hear God’s Message and obey it.“ Luke 8:21
  • Luke also covers many details not otherwise covered in other gospels particularly in his choice and communication with various people.
  • Jesus, as a man seeks one individual through the milling crowds.

The Son of Man

Christ became completely man to reach all mankind.

The perfect bridge between God and man

 

Came to Seek

In Luke alone we find:

  • The parables of the Good Samaritan
  • the Publican and the Pharisee (praying)
  • The rich man and Lazarus
  • the lost coin
  • The prodigal son
  • The unjust steward
  • The rich fool (build greater barns)
  • Incident of Zacchaeus
  • The conversation with the thief on the cross
  • Jesus applauding Mary’s (Martha’s sister) better choice
  • And many more…

Do we see a pattern in Jesus’ choices on who he came to seek as in the previous slide?

Came to Seek

Christ takes the initiative:

  • With his disciples
  • With those outside his kingdom

He goes the extra mile to reach them

He is never too busy to personally connect

Came to Seek Outside his comfort zone

Luke 9:58 And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” 59And He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.”60But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead;

Discussion

Are we going outside our comfort zones, to seek and connect with those who need God?

In Luke 8:26-39 Jesus goes through a storm just for one person..

If we are not prepared to go outside our comfort zone what can we infer from Luke 9:58-60? 

Came to Seek

He is still searching today

And to Save

  • He transforms lives
  • He associates with rejects
  • He assigned women a position as co-labourers (Luke 10:42)
  • No one is excluded
  • Not only does he reach out, he saves and gives hope of eternal life.

And to Save..

The biggest and primary act of salvation is through Christ’s death

Luke 13:23 “Lord, someone asked Him, “will only a few” people be saved? Jesus answered, 24“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able.

 

Saved by Christ, Lived for Christ

  • The paralytic, Lucinious Appelonious,  who was let down through roof (Luke 5:17-39) was second in command to Caesar He also led the procession of the widow of Nain’s son and probably invited Christ. Both these men where huge witnesses for Christ and played a role through the ages in many ways including preserving the library of Bible writings (when Nero was destroying the data) among other things.[1]
  • The forgiven adulteress the (John 7:53-8:11) was again a highly influential lady who built a church which exists even today known as “the Church of the forgiving Lord”.[1]
  • The disciples (men and women) were the little band who brought Christ to the world

 

 

Saved by Christ, Lived for Christ

These examples from the bible are of people who were touched and saved by Christ. They, in turn touched others for Christ. Their influence benefitted generations.

When God blesses us, it is with full faith that we in turn go the extra mile to share the blessing to others

Have we fully leveraged His blessings?

 

The Lost

Jesus reaches:

  • Everyone – irrespective of caste, creed, gender, religion
  • Those who sincerely know and acknowledge their need for Him
  • He fills every loss and most of all, renews fellowship with God/

He set a benchmark that everyone is our neighbour (Good Samaritan – Luke 10)

The Lost

The Pharisees charged that Jesus was “a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Luke 7:34).

We often ask the question – what about those who have never heard Christ?

What are we doing about them?

Even today, Christ is reaching out to them. He is looking for labourers to go out into the harvest

The Lost

Jesus could restore in a way no one else could. Eg. Widow of Nain’s son (Luke 7).

  • Distinguished soldier marched for final military honours
  • Embalmed – i.e. no organs – heart, brains, eyes Blood drained and body filled with  fluid.
  • Jesus restored non existent organs and gave him life

Ref:Dr. Ron Charles

Discussion

  • Christ has blessed us in many ways. Are we using the blessing to bless others? Please share.
  • What are some challenges in “seeking” out the lost outside our known territories. How can we overcome them?
  • Share some ways in which we are/ can “seek” out the lost, and help them to receive Christ’s salvation outside our comfort zone.

References

  1. Dr. Ron Charles

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