“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” — Luke 19:10
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Before race day, NASCAR mechanics look under the hood to check every aspect of their team’s car in order to maximize its performance. They make sure the vehicle has the proper amount of brake fluid, transmission fluid, oil and antifreeze. They look at and feel every belt and hose to make sure everything is in proper working condition. They also test tire pressure. Plus, the car is washed and waxed until it sparkles like a jewel in the sunlight.
When Jesus walked on the earth, He had no beauty or majesty according to worldly standards. Yet He shined like a perfect diamond because He had no blemishes on His record. He did good in every way and at all times. Even though Jesus lived a spotless life, He didn’t hoard it for Himself. He took the time to reach out to all kinds of people — kind of like a famous racer — and give them His righteousness. If we stop and think about the greatness of Jesus, it’s amazing for Him to be our friend and Savior.
Jesus’ disciples were sinners like us. Yet Jesus spent a lot of time with them. After Jesus revealed His supernatural powers by showing the disciples where the fish were under the water, Peter knew Jesus did a miracle and felt unworthy. “When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, ‘Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!'” (Luke 5:6-8).
We can rejoice in our Redeemer who reaches down to where we are and cleanses us of all our sin. Though we are undeserving, Jesus does not despise us. He loves us and offers forgiveness and eternal life with Him. Many people rejected Zacchaeus, but Jesus accepted him when he turned to Christ with a tender heart. Jesus accepts us when we come too.
“Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost'” (Luke 19:9-10).
— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Georgia
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