Read Luke 19:1-48

August 2, 2010, 33 Chilean miners were trapped 2300 feet in the dark underground, for more than two months when the San Jose mine collapsed.  For the first 17 days nothing was heard from them and most assumed they were dead. On October 13, 2010, all 33 miners were rescued one-by-one in a capsule called the Phoenix. This was a rescue that was dramatic with a joyful end to a tragedy. 

However, it’s not the largest or most difficult or most critical search and rescue effort.

The most critical search and rescue effort was initiated by the incarnation of Jesus Christ who said,

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Luke 19:10

We Have a Seeking Savior who Searches for: The Lost “one” (Luke 19:1-10)

Zacchaeus was a wealthy chief tax collector. He was a Jew who worked for the Gentiles, and was despised by both. Jesus, who was traveling through Jericho, knew there was one who was seeking Him.  Zacchaeus had climbed a tree in hopes of seeing Jesus.  Jesus looked up and saw him in the tree and went to his house. Jesus pronounced that salvation had come to Zacchaeus’ house that day.

Have you made solid plans to seek our Savior? Zacchaeus had a plan, and he executed that plan. If Zacchaeus had procrastinated, the opportunity would have been gone.  You have an opportunity right now to seek the Savior.  He is waiting and looking for you.  He gave His life for you, what will you give to Him today?

We Have a Seeking Savior who Searches for: A Faithful Few (Luke 19:11-27)

Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover and told a parable. A man goes to a faraway land to receive a kingdom and gives his servants 10 mina, telling them to put this money to work. The parable tells us about 3 servants and how they managed the master’s money: 1 servant made 10 more, another servant made 5 more, both of which were rewarded.  The last servant hid his share out of fear for the master, his mina was taken and given away. 

If you know Jesus as your Savior, you’ve been given a treasure – a mina – from the Master.  How are you investing in His Kingdom? He’s looking for a “Faithful Few.” Are you one the “Few?”  The servant who tried to avoid the risk was singled out as unfaithful. However, the servants who made another 10 and 5 mina pleased the Master.

Investments made in faithful service to God, whether or not they achieve their intended payoff, please Him.

We Have a Seeking Savior who Searches for: A Nations Acceptance (Luke 19:28-48)

As Jesus approached Jerusalem, the crowds praised and honored Him, and the Pharisees opposed Him. This celebration of Jesus fulfilled prophecy and forced the Jewish leaders to act.  God’s plan was that His Son would be slain on Passover as the Lamb of God (John 1:29). His death would bring peace between God and man (Romans 5:1). As Jesus got closer to Jerusalem vs 41-42 tell us that He wept. He wept because of the nation’s unbelief and rejection.

Peace with God is not possible for those who reject Jesus.

If Jesus searched your life today, would He see anything that would cause Him to weep?

Have you personally accepted the peace that is offered to you through the “Seeking and Searching” Savior’s death on the cross?

The “33” were trapped in a dark world and had to wait until another found them to experience freedom and life.  We too are trapped in a dark world, but we have a Savior who came to seek and to save those lost, in a dark world, to provide, freedom, life and peace.

Janene Nagel