Jesus, The Son of Man
Luke 19:10 - “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Luke presents a distinct portrayal of Jesus as the "Son of Man" in his book. Interestingly, Jesus favored this particular phrase to refer to Himself. One of the most well-known individuals who are exclusive to Luke's gospel is Zaccheus, a tax collector. Zaccheus, being of short stature, had to climb a tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus in the midst of the crowd as He approached his town.
After Jesus encountered Zaccheus, he shocked the local religious leaders by accepting an invitation to dine at his house. During the meal, Zaccheus expressed his regret for his past actions and promised to make restitution. In a profound response that would later become the central theme of Luke’s gospel, Jesus declared, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).
In Luke’s portrayal, Jesus embodied God’s ideal Man, extending salvation to all people regardless of their social status or ethnicity. Through his teachings and actions, Jesus demonstrated that salvation is available to all who believe.
The way Luke depicts Jesus has immense implications for our relationship with God today. Throughout the gospel, Jesus demonstrates his deep and abiding care for people, regardless of their background, status in society, or the wrongs they may have committed.
What's truly remarkable is that Jesus, as the eternal Son of God, chose to humble himself, take on human flesh, and subject himself to all human limitations. Despite this, he never lost sight of his purpose – to show love and compassion to all he encountered and offer them salvation and hope.
He demonstrated perfect compassion and forgiveness towards all, regardless of their social status or background. Some of the most profound examples of this unprejudiced love can be found in the stories of the prodigal son, the rich man and Lazarus, and the Good Samaritan.
These stories not only showcase Jesus' teachings but also inspire many to believe in the power of love that transcends all human limits. Despite this, some still struggle to accept this mindset of acceptance and compassion towards others.—especially the religious leaders—challenge and oppose the claims of Jesus.
Luke, being a Gentile, has not made as many references to the Old Testament as compared to Matthew's gospel. Instead, most of the Old Testament references in the gospel of Luke are found in the words spoken by Jesus himself rather than in Luke's narration.
Luke's gospel is a testament to the love and mercy that Jesus had for all people, regardless of their social status. It is of utmost importance that we spread this message to those in our community who desperately need it.
As followers of Jesus, we must follow His example and bring the good news of salvation to those spiritually impoverished and in need. The kingdom of God is close at hand, and with each passing day, time grows shorter. Let us work together to bring hope and light to those most needing it.
Our Prayer for today:
Dear God, we humbly ask for Your guidance and blessings as we strive to do Your work here on earth. We know that You have already chosen those You want to save, and we ask for the strength and compassion to reach out to them with love and kindness, just as You would. Help us to be faithful in this task, even when it is challenging. We are grateful for the opportunity to be Your witnesses and ambassadors in this world, and we pray that You will continue to guide us always. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.