To Save The Lost

"The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:10

Why do we celebrate the birth of Christ? Someone may ask us that question today. To them, a child of the modern world, Christmas may be a national holiday set aside to bolster retail sales prior to the ending of the year, Santa Claus a corporate shill invented to help sell product (there's some basis for that one), and a bit of time off work for families in the capitalist state. Yes, we have a different take on this holiday, but why?

The Blue Letter Bible blog gave 12 reasons for Christmas and I grabbed number four today. To save the lost is plenty of reason all by itself for Jesus to come to Earth, and I'm glad He did. You might say that I am grateful with my very life for Jesus coming to save the lost. The problem is that those who do not believe cannot understand that reason on their own.

Many in the world are, or at least think they are, in complete control of their lives and destiny. The security they seek in life is just around the corner of one more year of work or that next promotion or perhaps a few more crunches in the gym. Worse, the religious leader tells them that just a few more good deeds will see them safely home in the hereafter. To admit to being lost and dependent upon a savior is too much of a blow to their sense of security by human effort. Like the driver who won't ask for directions because he or she does not feel lost, that person cannot admit to a need for salvation.

Praise God that we have found the need and the salvation through Christ our Lord! We know lost and we know the Lord. Christmas is that time of the year when we celebrate the arrival of our Lord and Savior.

Bucky