The verse "For the Son of Man came to save that which was lost" (Matthew 18:11) is a concise statement of the central mission of Jesus Christ. Let's break it down:
"For the Son of Man..." This refers to Jesus himself. "Son of Man" was a title Jesus frequently used to refer to himself. It connects him to both his humanity and his divine role, as it echoes the Messianic figure described in the Old Testament book of Daniel.
"...came..." This emphasizes that Jesus' arrival on earth was intentional and purposeful. He wasn't here by accident; he had a specific mission.
"...to save..." This highlights the act of rescuing, delivering, or preserving from harm. It speaks of salvation from sin, death, and eternal separation from God.
"...that which was lost." This is the key to understanding the verse. What does it mean to be "lost"? It refers to people who:
Are separated from God due to sin.
Are spiritually blind and unaware of their need for God.
Have strayed from the right path.
Are in danger of eternal consequences.
Feel hopeless, abandoned, or without purpose.
In essence, the verse means that Jesus Christ, with full purpose, came to Earth to rescue and restore those who are separated from God and in danger of eternal loss.
Context within Matthew 18:
This verse is often omitted in some modern translations of the Bible because it may not have been in the earliest manuscripts of Matthew's Gospel. However, whether or not it was original to Matthew, the verse reflects the themes that are clear in the broader context of Matthew 18.
Matthew 18 contains several parables and teachings about the importance of humility, forgiveness, and caring for those who are vulnerable or have strayed. It follows the Parable of the Lost Sheep, where a shepherd leaves 99 sheep to find one that has wandered off. Matthew 18:11 serves as a summary statement explaining the reason for that extraordinary effort: Jesus, like the good shepherd, seeks out and saves those who are lost.
In summary: The verse is a powerful reminder of God's love and concern for humanity. It emphasizes that Jesus' mission was to seek out and save those who are spiritually lost and in need of redemption.
The verse "For the Son of Man came to save that which was lost" (Matthew 18:11) is a concise statement of the central mission of Jesus Christ. Let's break it down:
"For the Son of Man..." This refers to Jesus himself. "Son of Man" was a title Jesus frequently used to refer to himself. It connects him to both his humanity and his divine role, as it echoes the Messianic figure described in the Old Testament book of Daniel.
"...came..." This emphasizes that Jesus' arrival on earth was intentional and purposeful. He wasn't here by accident; he had a specific mission.
"...to save..." This highlights the act of rescuing, delivering, or preserving from harm. It speaks of salvation from sin, death, and eternal separation from God.
"...that which was lost." This is the key to understanding the verse. What does it mean to be "lost"? It refers to people who:
Are separated from God due to sin.
Are spiritually blind and unaware of their need for God.
Have strayed from the right path.
Are in danger of eternal consequences.
Feel hopeless, abandoned, or without purpose.
In essence, the verse means that Jesus Christ, with full purpose, came to Earth to rescue and restore those who are separated from God and in danger of eternal loss.
Context within Matthew 18:
This verse is often omitted in some modern translations of the Bible because it may not have been in the earliest manuscripts of Matthew's Gospel. However, whether or not it was original to Matthew, the verse reflects the themes that are clear in the broader context of Matthew 18.
Matthew 18 contains several parables and teachings about the importance of humility, forgiveness, and caring for those who are vulnerable or have strayed. It follows the Parable of the Lost Sheep, where a shepherd leaves 99 sheep to find one that has wandered off. Matthew 18:11 serves as a summary statement explaining the reason for that extraordinary effort: Jesus, like the good shepherd, seeks out and saves those who are lost.
In summary: The verse is a powerful reminder of God's love and concern for humanity. It emphasizes that Jesus' mission was to seek out and save those who are spiritually lost and in need of redemption.