Luke 19:10 - Christ Came to Seek and Save the Lost.
Luke 19:10 (NLT) For the Son of Man came to
seek and save those who are lost.
INTRODUCTION
A person is not saved because of a good
heritage or condemned by a bad one; faith is more
important than genealogy. Jesus came to save all the
lost, regardless of their background or previous
way of life. Through faith, the lost can be
forgiven and made new. [Life Application SB]
COMMENTARY PEARL
While watching the news one night, I
heard a story about the shortage of blood across
the country. A plea was issued for donors. It
had been a while since I had donated, so I
promptly made an appointment.
Upon entering the donor center, I found
every chair filled with people hooked up to
machines that were pumping the life-giving fluid into
bags. When it was my turn, I took a seat. After
about thirty minutes, I was done. On my way out,
one of the center's employees thanked me and
pointed to a table. Navy-blue T-shirts were free to
donors. I grabbed one.
Back home, I looked at the shirt. Bold
white letters proclaimed: Just Here to Save. While
I knew the slogan was meant to let people know
I was a blood donor and aimed to inspire
others to give, I felt uneasy about wearing those
words. Yes, I'd given blood with the hope of
helping someone, but I didn't feel comfortable
taking credit for saving a life. Instead, I thought
about Jesus. He truly came to save me - and others
who are lost, trying to find their way in this
dark world.
I still haven't worn that T-shirt. But
every time I see it in my drawer, I'm reminded
that Jesus is the One who has the real power to
change and save lives with the donation of His
blood. Barbranda Lumpkins Walls
Faith Step: Think about how Jesus's
sacrifice on the cross has saved your life. [Mornings
With Jesus 2024 Devotional by Guideposts and
Zondervan]
COMMENTARY
How Do I Redeem Myself?
A troubled young girl asked a question to
anyone who would listen: "How can I redeem myself
for what I've done? I'm not religious, and I've
done a lot of bad things that I can't apologize
for."
Someone answered back, "You should do
good things in your life, help other people when
you can, and you'll set things right for
yourself."
Another person said, "Seek forgiveness of
those you hurt and forgive yourself."
These things will never win eternal life
in Heaven with Jesus Christ. Only He can
forgive and set us free. Good deeds will not bring
comfort to the soul because the bad and hurtful
things we do to others are ultimately done against
the One who created our souls.
Your soul belongs to God. He is the only
One who can redeem your soul.
God made your soul. The Lord Jesus died
to redeem your soul. And the Holy Spirit can
fill your soul with God's love and guide you
through life.
This is the way to have victory over sin.
Who brings peace to your soul? [Peace for
Each Day by Billy Graham]
CLOSING PEARL
Search And Rescue
Jesus' time on earth was a
search-and-rescue mission. He rescued a woman hiding in
Samaria. Five husbands had dumped her like the
morning garbage. The sixth wouldn't marry her.
Christ went out of his way to help her.
He rescued a demoniac in the caves. Evil
spirits had driven the man to mutilate himself,
slashing himself with stones. One word from Christ
stopped the hurting.
He spotted pint-size Zacchaeus in
Jericho. The tax collector had swindled enough people
to stockpile his retirement. Yet he would have
given it all for a clean conscience and a good
friend. One lunch with Jesus and he found both.
Jesus' ministry went on like this for
three years. He changed person after person; no
one quite knew how to respond to this carpenter
who commanded the dead. Just when he seemed
poised for a crown, he died on a cross.
All so that he could search for and
rescue you. [You Can Count On God by Max Lucado]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
Luke 19:10 - Christ Came to Seek and Save
the Lost.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230816-1027.html
Luke 15:4 - He Can or Will Bring You Home.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230723-1134.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
https://abible.com/links/