Savior

The ministry of Jesus was to seek and save that which was lost (Luke 19:10).  Jesus brought life and salvation wherever he want.  His objective was to turn back the curse of sin and its consequences of death, sickness and suffering.  There was virtue that flowed from His words, His touch and merely His presence.  Jesus had a highways and byways ministry in that everywhere He went, He was out looking for the downtrodden, the hopeless, the bound, the confused and the tormented to set free and release into a new way of thinking, living and being--that of wholeness, satisfaction, stillness, and peace. What a contrast to our adversary, satan, who is out prowling like a lion looking for people to devour (1 Peter 5:8).  His victims are the ignorant, the prideful, the deceived, the weak, the separated, and the wandering.  His tools are to bind, to steal, to destroy, and remove people from the life they can find in God.

It is interesting that Jesus did not remain in His realm of glory but He ran to the people and the places that had need of Him.  The church, as His body, should take His example and begin their own highways and byways ministry to seek out the lost.  The church house is simply a place for believers to gather to encourage, edify, instruct and equip its members but many have become comfortable in its walls and have forgotten that they are to share the mission and mandate of their Savior to seek out and save the lost.  There are at least four areas where Jesus operated to release the good news although I am sure there are many more.

Jesus spoke to the traveler.  Travelers are individuals on their way to another destination and away from home.  Often people that are on physical roads are also open spiritual to take new directions for their spiritual life.  These could be people at rest stops, bus stops, in planes, on subways or other areas of traffic.  Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-34 when He said:
“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.

This parable shows us a picture of people we will find on the road of life.  Many are broken down on the side of life's road by divorce, a job loss, abuse, unbelief, sickness, or drugs.  The religious spirit some people adopt blocks them from having compassion and helping these individuals.  The churchy priest says   "I don't want to ruin my reputation." "They might get me dirty." or "When will they ever get with the program?" The legalistic Levite operates strictly by the rules and does not have time for the downtrodden either.  They say "let someone else do it." "That's what the shelters are for."  "They are just wasting our tax dollars." "They got what they deserved." People like this may even call themselves Christians but they do not have the heart of Christ for the lost. The Savior came specifically for the undeserving and those who could never pay Him back because He was moving by love and mercy.

Jesus also spoke to the talented.  The talented are people that have achieved great things in the earthly life.  This could be a business owner, a celebrity, a real estate tycoon, or a public speaker.  In Mark 10, 17 As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments, ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 20 And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.”21 Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22 But at these words [a]he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.

This exchange shows us that many have used their accomplishments in life to substitute their need for spiritual riches in Christ.  The vacations, houses, cars, popularity, prestige and position feed into their self-made image of independence apart from God.  They believe can use their position or money to buy their way out of everything or get whatever they want.  The rich young ruler wanted God's blessing and tried hard to please Him but he did not want to go all the way with God.  Jesus asked the ruler to give up his riches because He knew that was the one thing that had become more important to Him than following God.  The young man could not part with his substance which he had begun to hold so dear.  This is why Jesus said it is hard for the wealthy to inherit eternal life because often those things become the idol and take priority over their relationship with Jesus however, Jesus shared Himself with those individuals none the less.

Next, Jesus spoke to the troubled.  The troubled are those that have fallen into the gutter of sexual sin, substance abuse or other addictions in an attempt to find fulfillment that only Jesus can bring.  These people often have "a reputation" and do outlandish things to get thrills or attention.  They have no peace in them; they are greatly troubled.  This was like the woman at the well in John 4 who had gone through multiple husbands and was in fornication.  While Jesus was traveling he came to a public water well and sat down asking this lady for some water.  It came about that he told her her life story, having never met her before, and told her that the thirst that she had was spiritual and He alone could meet it.  This opened her eyes and gave her the passion to tell everyone in the village about Jesus.  Often the radical sinner becomes the radical Christian once they encounter the mercy and love of Jesus. This is what happens when we lead the notorious sinners to Christ and are not intimidated by their lifestyle, shocking attire, or tough front.

Finally Jesus spoke to the truth-seekers.  Some individuals are very analytical and have to understand for themselves who Christ is and why He came.  These people are full of questions and want to know the whys and hows about everything.  This was like Nicodemus the religious leader who came to Jesus by night, most likely for secrecy, in order to find out more about Him.  In that blessed conversation, Jesus shared with him His mission to bring life and salvation to the world.  He shared with Nicodemus that true truth-seekers will come to the light and love the light because that is where revelation is and that is where those who want what is good will find their reward because they have nothing to hide.  At the end of the talk Jesus told him:
John 3 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned,but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

Do not be afraid of the scholar or intellectual or cult follower that pounds you with questions.  Jeremiah 29:13 says that those who seek God with all their heart will find Him.  There are answers scientifically, historically, archaeologically and in nature for the skeptic.  If that person is willing to lay aside personal prejudices and pet paradigms, Jesus will show Himself to them  and bring them to the knowledge of Himself who is Truth.  Find some arguments in the Case for Christ, recommend some apologetics materials, pray and do not argue...then watch to see what God will do!!

In conclusion, on the highways and byways of life you will come across all of these examples: the travelers, the talented, the troubled and the truth-seekers.  These are all people Jesus died for!!! Let us be like Jesus and seek out these lost to bring them the saving message of Jesus so they too can turn from darkness to light, from deception to truth, and from despair to hope in His name.