”Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners —of whom I am the worst” (1Tim 1:15).
Last Sunday we reflected on the fact that the Son of Man – Jesus came to seek.
The fact that He came to seek (the lost) allows us to see the measure of God’s love for us. The lost…in the sense of no hope of recovery; no hope of finding the way back; no hope of getting it right; no hope of mending the broken relationship. Today we will reflect on the fact that He came to save us.
The core purpose of Jesus’ mission:
-was announced before His birth by the angel.
“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21).
Here we note that His name reflects His mission and his mission reflects His name. “Jesus” means “the Lord saves.” The name Jesus means “Savior” and is a Gk. version of the Heb. name “Joshua.” In the OT, there are two well-known Joshuas: the soldier who led Israel into Canaan (see the Book of Joshua), and the high priest mentioned in (Zechariah 3:1-10).
-was preached by Jesus Himself.
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” (Luke 19:10).
“As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. (John 12:47).
-was proclaimed by His Church.
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst” (1 Tim 1:15).
Paul’s words show that it wasn’t just something he came up with…but was in circulation at the time as “a saying”. He reinforces it as trustworthy and adds the confession/admission that he may be the worst of the sinners that Jesus came to save. That is debatable…
Jesus came to save us – sinners, one worse than the other. Be thankful!