Salvation, 6

Why did He come? Who are His people?

Today – let's examine “Why He came to earth and Who He came for.”

A well known verse will answer, why He came to earth; Lk 19.7-10, the story of Zaccheus; “And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.

8And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Remember Adam in the garden of Eden? (Gen 3.9) Adam and his wife, Eve had disobeyed the Lord in only one commandment. They were told they could eat of any other tree that gave fruit but one. They disobeyed and were ashamed of their nakedness. What changed? They had been without clothing all that time and didn't realize it until they disobeyed. Shortly after that the “voice of the Lord God (came walking in the garden in the cool of the day...and called unto Adam, and said...”Where art thou?”

Was God really “seeking” Adam? If He placed man on earth, do you really think He didn't know where Adam was? Of course, He did. But God wanted Adam to know where he was spiritually. Because of sin, Adam was no longer in fellowship with the Lord. Further, the Lord killed an innocent creature to make “coats of skins,” (Gen 3.21) to cover their nakedness.

• The truth is, without His righteousness on our soul – we are naked before God and destined for destruction because “our righteousness is as filthy rags.” (Isa 64.6)

This is a picture of what Jesus came to do. That is, “clothe” His people in His righteousness and to be an offering for our sin. Isaiah 61.10 reads this way: “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.”

You see, “to seek and to save that which was lost,” is a phrase for our benefit. God knows where you are in your relationship to Him.

So, let's examine again, Why did Jesus come? To save the lost

The answer begs the question, “Who are the lost?”

We are told in the most read verse from the bible; (Jn 3.16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Addtionally; 17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

When studying the bible, you must understand text, context and “who is being spoken to.” (watch your pronouns!)

If you take a word out of context, the entire meaning may be changed. Thus, you will be in error of the intent of the Holy Ghost when He gave scripture to us. (2 Pet 1.21 – holy men of God...)

Who did He come to save? “that which was lost, the world.”

Are you sure?

Let's review another passage in answer to this question. Jn 1.10, 11 says “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”
If His chosen earthly people did not “receive Him,” and of course, He knew this, then Who did He come to save?

Look again at John 3.16; Who is doing the believing? “whosoever.”

Obviously, I don't know who that is and you don't know who that is but He does.

One more verse to keep the “who” of salvation in perspective:

One of the most misinterpreted verses is found in 2 Pet 3.9: “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” “All”does mean all but it has a qualifier – Who is the Lord “long-suffering” towards? “us-ward”

I understand that much of this explanation sounds overwhelming and incomprehensible but it is necessary in order to answer the questions for today's lesson.

1. Why did Jesus come? To save the lost from their sins.
2. Who did He come for? “whosoever believeth, us-ward” (Jn 3.16, 2 Pet 3.9)

Bro. Davy will be with us this week, Lord willing and He sings a song that says, “I am one of them.” Are you?