Passion for Souls

Luke 9:56 “For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them”.

Here in Dr. Luke’s account of Samaria’s rejection of Christ he records a declaration of our Lord that sums up the purpose of the Church.  We have to keep in mind that Christians got their name for acting like Jesus.  If we then are going to be Christian than we need to resemble him.  To do this nothing represents the motive of our Lord more than desiring the salvation of men.

In this text Christ is denied reception among the Samaritans because Christ would not entertain their idol worship.  Instead Jesus had as the scriptures described “set his face to Jerusalem”.  This means that Jesus was focused.  He did not look around or in other words compromise.  This is important to note because we see clearly in scripture that men should have compassion for the lost but abstain from the sins of the lost.  Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem but his mind is on the cross.

What a picture!  Our mind needs to be set on the cross.  If the ministry of Christ is focused on the souls of men how much more should ours be?  After all he offered salvation and we have experienced salvation.  The disciples wanted Jesus to destroy those who rejected him, but Christ has compassion for the lost.  He does not see them as an enemy but instead those who have been blinded by the enemy.

We have a job to do.  We are to be the light in a dark world.  We do not need to request God’s judgment on others but instead lead others to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  May God use you for the glory of his kingdom!

Jesus Saves,

RR