From John to Pentecost: A Timeless Savior

Jesus Christ loves sinners and wants to save them, but we must come to Him in humility.

"But He gives more grace.  Therefore it says, 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
-James 4:6


Image by James Chan from Pixabay

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The last two episodes have dealt with the front end and tail end of Jesus’s ministry from the pen of Luke:  First John the baptist and then later the apostles; they all preached a message of repentance (and baptism).  But right in the middle of those two bookends was the great volume of work done by Jesus.  So, what message did He convey?  While a lot could be said, there are a lot of misconceptions about Him and His mission. 

And in chapter 5, we see His mission.  He said, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Luke’s gospel has a reputation for showing how inclusive Jesus is toward overlooked and disliked groups.  But what is often unsaid is how those groups would humble themselves to receive God’s grace.

For instance in chapter 7, a woman with a sinful reputation approached Jesus with a jar of ointment in front of a large group. Weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed His feet, and anointed Him with the ointment.  This shows not only a sorrow for sin, but complete humility and submission to His will.

So this woman came to Jesus as a sinner, but she came to Him remorseful for her sinful life.  Jesus at this point showed her grace and forgiveness.

This message of salvation extends to us today:  The risen Christ later told His followers that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations.

John and the apostles framed Jesus’ timeless message of repentance and redemption, and today, you can come to Jesus through humble repentance.  Don’t let pride get in the way.