Dear church,

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” – Luke 19:10

The mission of Jesus Christ is to seek and to save the lost. This was the animating force of his ministry on earth, and it remains the animating force of the church that now serves as the “body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:27). Just as Jesus came to save you – a lost person, a “sinner” and undeserving of grace – so Jesus’ disciples ought to have their sights set on the same types of people. 

Zacchaeus was an outcast. You perhaps were one, too. Zacchaeus was a hated tax collector. On top of that, he was rich – an ominous place to be if one wants to be saved (Luke 18:25-26). And he apparently was a cheat. And yet Jesus sought him and saved him. The passion, joy, and repentance from Zacchaeus – indeed, the faith – was obvious.

We ought not to forget what it means to be lost, and what it means to be found. That first instant when we realize we’ve been found should take our breath away. To look for a person like Zacchaeus, someone hopelessly lost, is to look for someone you’d least expect. You’ll know him when you’ve found him. Is there anyone who comes to mind today?

Chris