THE LORD’S LOVE FOR THE LOST (LUKE 9:51-56)

Dear Members in Christ,

The Lord’s love for the lost (Luke 9:51-56) 

We have often heard in mission and evangelism work the oft-repeated phrase that “Christians ought to have love for the lost”. This idea of loving the lost is very well exhibited by the Lord Jesus when He spoke to the disciples about the Samaritans. All this happened while the Lord Jesus was about to go to Jerusalem.

“And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.” Luke 9:51,52

When the Lord Jesus “set His face to go to Jerusalem”, it meant that He had to face His crucifixion. The Lord had earlier said, “for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.” (Luke 9:44). The Lord’s ministry was about giving Himself as a sacrifice to save the lost. He was about to be crucified. He was determined to “set His face to go to Jerusalem” to accomplish salvation for those who are eternally lost.

On the other hand, we know that the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans, so the disciples had no interest in ministering to the Samaritans. Despite that, the Lord Jesus was ready through a village of the Samaritans. Let us as Christians learn the lesson of loving and saving the lost.

A. Rejection by the Samaritans

The Lord had sent people ahead of Him to prepare the Samaritans to receive Him. The response from the Samaritans was hostile. The realization that the Lord Jesus was going to Jerusalem was an offence to the Samaritans.

“And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?” Luke 9:53,54

The Samaritans rejected the Lord because they found that He was set on going to Jerusalem, the traditional place of worship for the Jews. In John 4:20, the Bible tells us about the perennial dispute between the Jews and the Samaritans over worshipping at Jerusalem versus Mt. Gerizim.

The disciples were offended by the Samaritan’s rejection. The disciples asked if the Lord will punish the Samaritans with fire just like Elijah did in his time. This showed their response was fleshly and vindictive.

Dearly beloved, we must not be vindictive of take offence to those who reject the Gospel. The lost soul can never comprehend spiritual things. Like the Lord, we can expect the lost ones will continue to pose reasons and excuses for rejecting the Gospel.  We must exhibit the same love and zeal in our evangelistic effort. Despite inconveniences, and sufferings of any kind, we must follow our Lord in His love and zeal for the lost.

B. The ministry of the evangelist is to save the lost, not to punish the unbeliever 

The disciples had wrongly urged the Lord to punish the Samaritans by calling fire upon them. Just as Elijah had God’s power to call fire from heaven upon the enemies of God. The punitive fire was called upon those who oppose God’s Word. However, this feeling of the disciples is a fleshly response. The true believer, a new creature in Christ should see the rejection as spiritual blindness which needs to be addressed by prayer and the work of the Holy Spirit.

“But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village…” Luke 9:55,56

The Lord Jesus rebuked the disciples for they “know not what manner of spirit” they are of. The Spirit of God indwelling a believer ought to bring about love and compassion for the lost, not hostility.

Dearly beloved, our evangelistic zeal must be accompanied by the spirit of love and compassion for the lost. It is not our ministry to engage in hostile arguments over religious or theological issues with the people to whom we are sharing the gospel with.

In our evangelistic effort, we must remember to follow the Lord’s example to love the lost, and we must not be upset by any sign of offence or rejection. We must remember that the fruit of the Holy Spirit includes longsuffering and love. Therefore, we evangelize with the spirit of love for the lost and may God graciously reward our labour for saving the lost souls. Amen.    

In His Service,
Rev. Lim Seh Beng, Pastor