Matthew 18:11
“For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.”
This verse is a part of a larger passage where Jesus is teaching His disciples about the importance of humility and forgiveness.
In the preceding verses, Jesus speaks about the need for His followers to become like little children in order to enter the kingdom of heaven and warns against causing others to stumble in their faith.
When we look specifically at Matthew 18:11, it is important to note that some manuscripts do not include this verse, and it is considered by many scholars to be a later addition to the text.
However, it still aligns with the overall message of Jesus’ ministry, and its content can be found in other parts of the New Testament.
The verse emphasizes the purpose of Jesus’ coming to Earth.
He refers to Himself as the “Son of man”, a title often used by Jesus to describe His role as the Messiah.
Here, Jesus states that His purpose in coming to the world was to save that which was lost.
This statement reflects His mission to bring salvation and redemption to humanity.
By saying “that which was lost”, Jesus refers to the lost souls of humanity, who were separated from God due to sin.
Throughout the Bible, there is a recurring theme of God’s desire to seek and save the lost.
Jesus, as the Son of God, came into the world to fulfil this divine mission by offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins.
This verse reminds us of God’s great love and mercy.
It emphasises that Jesus came not for the righteous, but for sinners who were lost and in need of a Saviour.
It highlights the inclusive nature of God’s salvation, reaching out to all who are willing to repent and believe in Him.
As followers of Jesus, this verse encourages us to have a heart for the lost and to share the good news of salvation with others.
It reminds us that our mission, like Jesus’, is to seek and save the lost through the power of the Gospel.
In summary, Matthew 18:11 (KJV) underscores the purpose of Jesus’ coming to Earth, which was to save those who were lost.
While its inclusion in the original text is debated among scholars, its message aligns with the overall teachings of Jesus and the theme of salvation found throughout the Bible.
