What Was Jesus' Mission on Earth?Esimerkki

For whom did Jesus come?

“I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:32)

We have already read several times that Jesus came to save people and give them eternal life. At the same time, the Bible is clear that not everyone is saved. But where does that boundary lie? Did Jesus come only for a select group? Perhaps for Israelites only?

No, the dividing line runs very differently. The Lord Jesus came for sinners, not for the righteous. The context of this statement makes clear what Jesus means.

Jesus shares a meal with people whom the religious elite looks down on with contempt.Part of this group is open to listening to Jesus’ words and following Him. They realize that their lives are not acceptable in God’s sight and they can’t fix this problem by themselves; therefore they need help. And the Lord Jesus gladly offers it to them!

On the other side are the Pharisees and the Scribes, who keep a critical eye on Jesus and haughtily distance themselves from His message. They believe they are righteous and blameless, since they keep God’s laws very strictly. And so they do not accept Jesus’ offer of forgiveness. With which group do you have the most affinity? And how do you feel about that?