-December 14, 2022-
Good morning, happy Wednesday,
“When Jesus heard that, He said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance’” (Matthew 9:12-13).
“The thief does not come except to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that may have more abundantly.” John 10:10).
In Part I, we considered how Jesus came to seek and save those who are lost and to serve and give His life a ransom for many. Today, in Part II, we will look at how Jesus came to call sinners to repentance and to give us an abundant life. Both of these are essential to true life: spiritual, eternal, mental, emotional, and physical. The Lord Jesus changes our lives in salvation, and gives us a holy and godly life through sanctification.
Jesus came to give the gift of forgiveness and eternal life to those who come to Him. The renowned author and pastor Max Lucado once said, “If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. But since our greatest need was forgiveness, God sent us a Savior.”
• Jesus came to call sinners to repentance – The Pharisees, scribes, priests, spiritual, and political leaders rejected Jesus, even though there was dramatic, overwhelming, and conclusive evidence that He was the long awaited Messiah, the Christ. They turned a blind eye, deaf ears, and a closed and hardened heart to Him. It really took more faith to reject Him than to believe in Him. The great exception was Nicodemus who came to Jesus by night and spoke to Him and listened to Him. He belived in Him and helped Joseph of Arimathea take down His body from the cross and lay it in Joseph’s garden tomb not far from Calvary.
In order for anyone to get saved they must sense their need of Jesus. Until they do, they will never be saved. Those who are well don’t go to a physician but those who are sick or injured. Jesus is the Great Physician, for He can heal the spirit, soul, and body. Every human being is a sinner by birth and by practice. Only Jesus can save, heal, and restore us. Romans 3:23 says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Sin is missing the mark, like a target in archery. We not only missed bullseye, but our arrows never even hit any part of the target, let alone the center.
• Jesus came to give life, and life more abundantly – For most of us our lives were in shambles before we came to Christ. There may have been a few who were rich, successful, prosperous, and influential; but though they may have it all in the world’s eyes, they were sad, lonely, and depressed on the inside. They tried their utmost to hide it, but down deep they knew it. God created us with a heart shaped vacuum that only He could fill.
Jesus came to give us not only eternal life in heaven but an abundant life here on earth. The joy and peace He gives us is incredible, unbelievable, and rich. The Christian life is abundant not because it is easy or carefree, on the contrary we experience many of the same trials, afflictions, and troubles the unsaved face. The difference is we have the Lord Jesus with us and in us. We have the Holy Spirit to convict us, teach us, lead us, and empower us. The song writer James M. Macintosh wrote, “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy down in down in my heart to stay. I’ve got the peace that passes understanding down in my heart to stay. I’ve got the love of my blessed Redeemer down in my heart to stay. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and strength.”
Are you living the abundant life? Or do you sense Jesus far away? If we are not walking with Him we are walking alone, trying to make it on our own. He came to us, now we have to come to Him in confession and repentance. He wants to share His life with us, and for us to share our lives with Him!
Let us thank God that He sent His only and well beloved Son to call us to repentance and give us an abundant life. Have a blessed day and Christmas season. Stay safe and healthy.
Living joyfully and peacefully in Christ,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 