As we begin the new year, I would like for us to consider a hymn we often sing, “Why Did My Savior Come to Earth?” Our Lord answered the question in Luke 19:10, “to seek and to save the lost.” In other words, to be a soul winner. As Christians, we cannot be a follower of His and refuse to keep His mission alive (Luke 6:40); The two are inseparable (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15- 16). Let’s consider how our Lord accomplished His mission and learn how we can be a soul winner like Him.
Through Christ’s sacrifices, He provides restoration to “whoever desires” to follow Him (Rev. 22:17). For Jesus to die the cruel death of the cross, first, He had to sacrifice the glory of heaven (Phil. 2:5-7) and come to this world as a mortal man (Heb. 2:17). After these two sacrifices were made, He offered the ultimate sacrifice by being crucified (Acts 2:23). By His all sufficient and perfect sacrifice (Heb. 9:14; 10:1-14), every sin ever committed can be cleansed. Therefore, even as Christ came to serve and give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45), we keep His mission alive by informing the world of the payment for sin that was given one time for all time.
Additionally, Jesus came to make His plan known. In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus went into a synagogue to make His intentions known; He stated His mission as a soul winner. Again, He made His purpose known, “I must preach the kingdom of God… for this purpose I have been sent” (Luke 4:43). In Luke 5:31-32, He stated His mission in calling the sinners to repentance. Finally, in John 18:37, He made known to Pilate His purpose in preaching and bearing witness to the truth. Therefore, even as Christ made His eternal plan known, we clearly preach His kingdom, repentance, and the truth.
Finally, Christ came to earth to offer reconciliation to God. By obedience to His gospel (Rom. 6:17; 2 Thess. 1:7-9), He provides all redemption, a renewed fellowship, and every spiritual blessing (Eph. 2:13- 17; Col. 1:20; Heb. 2:9). Though Jesus came to be the Savior of all people, the great struggle of being a soul winner is knowing that everyone could be saved; Yet many more will be lost than saved (Matt. 7:13-14). Therefore, even as our Lord offered reconciliation to those lost in sin, we offer His gospel of peace to all, and consequently, win the souls of whoever desire to submit to the blessed Lord Jesus Christ.