Without Jesus, We are Lost!

Last week in Iceland, a woman tourist was reported missing after she supposedly failed to return to the tour bus. The driver waited for an hour and then notified the police. Search and rescue teams were sent to the area, but the rescue efforts were called off at 3 A.M.

It turns out the missing woman had been on the bus the whole time. She even participated in the search for herself. Apparently, before re-entering the bus she changed clothes and freshened up so the other passengers didn't recognize her.

The local chief of police said that she didn't recognize the description of herself and she "had no idea that she was missing."

Did you know that a person could be very religious, but still very lost? Did you know that everywhere churches are filled with people who come each Sunday thinking they are going to heaven, but in reality, they aren't? These people are like the elder brother in the story of the Prodigal Son. They have never truly been born again, but are religiously lost!

On this note, allow me to submit the following questions to you. What motivated Jesus to save the lost? What prompted Him to come to this earth? What drove Him to go from city to city with the gospel of the kingdom? What motivated Him to endure the shame and pain of dying on the cross?

Several factors could be listed:

a. His strong sense of purpose (to do His Father's will) - John 6:38
b. The Father's love (which He wanted to share) - John 1:9; 17:26
c. The potential condemnation those He sought to save (of which He warned) - Matthew 10:28
d. The joy set before Him (helping Him to endure the cross) - Hebrews 12:2

Each of these factors can help motivate us as well.

Let's take a closer look at His compassion for the lost. This is mentioned on numerous occasions, for example:

a. The crowds in Matthew 9:36
b. Prior to feeding the five thousand - Matthew 14:14
c. Prior to feeding the four thousand - Matthew 15:32
d. Toward various individuals, such as:
1) A leper - Mark 1:40-41
2) A demon-possessed man - Mark 5:1-20 (cf. verse 19)
3) The widow of Nain who had lost her son - Luke 7:11-15
4) Two blind men - Matthew 20:30-34

He was moved with compassion when He saw people weary and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd, and suffering from diseases, demon possession, and hunger.

His compassion moved him:

1. To heal the sick and demon-possessed, raise the dead, and feed the hungry
2. To personally teach those in need of a Shepherd - cf. Mark 6:34
3. To call upon His disciples to pray for more laborers - Matthew 9:37-38
4. To send out His disciples as laborers - Matthew 10:1-7

Clearly, Jesus was truly moved by compassion for the lost. Thus motivated, He did what He could to meet their needs, especially their need for salvation!

Prayer: May the example of our Lord Jesus, the true Word of God, whose
compassion moved Him to save us, burn in our hearts. Amen

Have a blessed week,

Mary Beth