38 The Savior's Object
The Savior’s Object "For the Son of Man has come to seek and save those who are lost!" Luke 19:10
Zaccheus the Jewish tax-collector, appears to have been a great sinner. His curiosity was excited by what he had heard of Jesus, and he was desirous of seeing him. As he was to pass near where he was, he ran and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up, called him down, went to his house, brought salvation to him, and accounted for his conduct in so doing, by saying, "The Son of man has come to seek and to save those who are lost." This passage is full of encouragement to poor sinners, to all who desire salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. He did not come into the world to call the righteous — but sinners to repentance. His eye was upon sinners, his heart was upon sinners, his thoughts were engaged about sinners — and his one fixed determined purpose was, "to save sinners."
Here is man’s natural condition pointed out.
He is LOST. Lost, for he is a criminal under sentence of death. His crimes are great, they are numerous, they are aggravated; and the justice of God has passed the righteous sentence of condemnation upon him.
He is inexcusable, for he has sinned against Heaven and before God. He has sinned against light, though frequently and kindly warned, knowing that the end of his course was death.
He is helpless, his crime has generated disease, in consequence of which he can do nothing aright, nothing good, nothing that will recommend him to God. He must be saved by another, or perish forever.
He is lost — like the sheep that has left the fold, wandered into the wilderness, and is exposed to beasts of prey and a thousand other dangers.
He is lost — like the poor slave pining in the dungeon without light, pure air, or wholesome food; before whom there is nothing but the horrors of starvation and a lingering fearful death.
He is lost — like an exile, perishing in the land of strangers unpitied, uncared for, and in the greatest destitution.
He is lost — like the prodigal in the distant country, far from his father’s house, and sent to feed the swine.
He is lost — like the mariner fast asleep on the top of the mast in the midst of a dreadful storm — there he lies careless and unconcerned, the sport of the winds and waves, while the yawning gulf below is just ready to swallow him up!
He is lost — like the careless traveler, who passes heedlessly along, though a dreadful precipice is just before him and a band of hardened murderers behind him. "Evil pursues sinners."
He is lost — like the new-born babe, cast out into the open field without anyone to pity, or do anything for it.
He is lost — like the corpse that lies corrupting in the tomb, dead in trespasses and sins; or like the dry bones in the open valley, which the prophet Ezekiel saw.
O sinner, sinner! Your is a miserable case. You are in a most dangerous condition. No image will accurately set forth your danger, no language describe your state. You could not be in a worse condition — unless you were in Hell!
You are DEAD. Dead to God. Dead in sin. Doomed to everlasting woe! But there is good news for you. The gospel brings glad tidings to you. Hear, believe, embrace Jesus — and your soul shall live.
Here is the Savior’s object. "The Son of man came to seek and to save those who are lost!" He came from the celestial world. He came from the bosom of his Father. He came from the throne of glory. He came into our world. He took our nature. He appeared in the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of man. He came unsolicited, undesired; of his own infinite love and grace, and he came to seek and save us. As the shepherd goes after the wandering sheep,
as the philanthropist seeks the emancipation of the perishing slave,
as the father runs to meet his prodigal son,
as the friend endeavors to prevent the destruction of the careless traveler
— so Jesus came to seek and to save those who are lost. He sought out sinners personally when here below, and he still seeks them out by his word, his ministers, his providence, and his Spirit. He seeks them — for they never seek him until he has done so. "The Lord looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God. But no — all have turned away; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not a single one!" Psalms 14:2-3. Can language be plainer? Can any fact be stated more strongly? Not a single person seeks after God. And when we were all in this case, Jesus came to seek us. As he had said by the prophet, "For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search and find my sheep. I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day!" Ezekiel 34:11-12.
He came to seek us — that he might save us. Save us from . . .
the desert of our crimes,
the sentence of divine justice,
and the wrath of God forever! In order to save us, he spared no expense. He thought nothing too hard. He became our Substitute, to do what we had not done, could not now do — and he obeyed the whole law for us perfectly, gloriously. He became our Sacrifice, and suffered and died in our stead — to expiate our iniquity, to make atonement for our sins.
Upon him the curse of God alighted,
by him the wrath of God was endured, and
in his death God was reconciled and pleased.
He is now ascended to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the Holy Spirit as promised, he exerts his power and brings sinners to repentance.
He saves sinners, and he does it graciously — in the most free, generous, and befitting manner.
He saves cheerfully — there is no reluctance. He never appears backward — but in the most ready cheerful manner he saves the vilest of the vile!
He loves to save sinners.
He lives to save sinners.
He rejoices to save sinners.
It is his very glory to save sinners.
He saves eternally. If the soul is once truly committed to him or if he once undertakes our cause — he will never relinquish it. Every sinner, who trusts in his blood, who ventures on his word, who depends on his perfect work, may say with the Psalmist, "The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me! Your love, O Lord, endures forever — do not abandon the works of your hands!" Psalms 138:8.
Beloved friend, do you know that you are a lost sinner? Do you feel that your danger is imminent? Do you perceive that without Jesus — you must perish forever? Do you realize the dreadful doom of the sinner who dies without a saving interest in Christ? O that you did! O that the Holy Spirit would now open your eyes to your danger, and quicken you to feel your condition! But do you desire to be saved? May the Lord be praised, if this is the case. The Lord has done great things for you, if you really desire to be saved by the Lord Jesus. He came on purpose to save sinners. That is, to do just what you require to be done. Just what you desire. He came to save the lost. Without him you are lost — and will be lost forever. But by him you may be saved with an everlasting salvation, so that you shall not be ashamed or confounded, world without end. He came to save just such sinners as you are! Sinners, who have nothing to bring to him as a price or a plea. Sinners, whom no one else would notice, much less die to save! Sinners, who are as weak as water, viler than the earth, and unworthy of his regard. "Herein is love, not that we loved God — but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins!" 1 John 4:10. Has Jesus found us? If so, let us cleave unto him, walk closely with him, and endeavor to glorify him. "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope — the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good!" Titus 2:11-14. May you know him, commit your soul to him, enjoying a present salvation by him, and in the midst of opposition and suffering, say with the apostle, "I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." 2 Timothy 1:12.