Christmas Joy: Jesus' Salvation, Pt. 3

Christmas Joy: Jesus' Salvation, Pt. 3

Merry Christmas! Praise the Lord, the Savior of the world has come.

Christmas Joy: Jesus' Salvation, Pt. 3

"So He spoke this parable to them, saying: 'What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?'"

(Luke 15:3-4)

Merry Christmas! Praise the Lord, the Savior of the world has come. This Christmas week, we are focusing on the theme of "Christmas Joy", and the thing for which we as followers of Jesus are most grateful is the salvation He gives to all who believe in Him and turn from their sins to follow Him. Yes, the same tiny infant born in a manger or feed trough is the same Jesus we read about in the Gospels. He is the Son of Man who came to seek and save the lost.

Before we go any further, I have to tell you about my favorite song currently. The song is "Here I Am" by JWLKERS Worship, featuring Ashley Hess. I love this part especially: "Oh, in joy, fill me with joy; restore what was lost a hundredfold, God." You can listen to the song here.

Within the story Jesus told in Luke 15:3-7, we see the three characters illustrated in a powerful way by Jesus, the Savior of the world.

First, Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and what a wonderful metaphor to describe Him. In one of His seven "I am" statements, Jesus says He is the good shepherd. "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep." (John 10:10-11)

In Luke 15:4, the shepherd in Jesus' parable leaves the 99 and pursues the one lost sheep. One commentary reads, "Jesus was not saying the other 99 sheep were not important. Instead, He was emphasizing that the one sheep not in the fold corresponded with the sinners with whom Jesus was eating (vv. 1–2)." (Source: Martin, J. A. (1985). Luke. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 244).)

Remember Jesus' purpose statement He gave in Luke 19:10; He came to seek and save the lost. Jesus did not come to coddle and appease the religious crowd; He came for the lost sheep of Israel, and He lived His life in such a way as to attract the lost.

The good shepherd in Jesus' story seeks, then finds, and then rejoices over what was found. In verse 4, He goes after the wayward sheep until he finds it. These are words of intensity and passion. He invites others in verse 6 to rejoice with Him in the finding of the lost sheep. If you have ever lost something and then found it, then you know that sense of joy and euphoria, do you not? We lose our cell phone, our keys, or maybe even a child in the store, and we are frantic until we find the lost item or child. And when we do, we want to do what next? We want to tell someone so they too can join in the celebration!

On this very day, Christmas, let us pause and ponder for a few moments how wonderful Jesus is. He left the glory of heaven to be born in a stable. He lived a humble life of service. He loved people and laid down His life for the sins of the world. He arose from the dead three days later, and one glorious day, He will return to earth. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Partner with us in spreading the Gospel!


Will you help fuel our efforts to spread the Gospel
and equip and empower other Christians to do the same?
Count me in! ▶

Podcast of the Week

 
Christmas Joy!

Pastor Danny shares a special message for Christmas!
 

Listen on your preferred platform:
 
Facebook
Facebook
Twitter
Twitter
Instagram
Instagram
Website
Website
Share Share
Tweet Tweet
Fwd Fwd


Copyright © 2024 Danny Forshee Evangelistic Association, All rights reserved.


Chris Williams