Today's message revolves around three events. The common theme among these three events is "salvation." Each event focuses on the role of Jesus and faith in achieving salvation. What passion did Jesus show for salvation? It also illustrates the faith and passion through which salvation was obtained. Through today's message, we can learn about the faith and passion for salvation in each event. Therefore, the title of my message today is:

 

Faith and Passion for Salvation

 

Passion of Jesus for the Salvation Ministry (31)

Prophecies in the Old Testament about the Messiah are divided into advents: the suffering and the glorious. The suffering Messiah must endure hardship and death. The glorious Messiah will come gloriously to rule over all the earth. The Jews did not recognize the suffering Messiah. They did not acknowledge the Messiah's suffering and death. However, there are many prophecies in the Old Testament about Jesus' suffering (Genesis 3:15; Psalms 22; Psalms 41-49; Isaiah 53; Zechariah 9:9; 11:11-12). Jesus did not align His life with the thoughts of the Jews at that time. Jesus willingly went down to Jerusalem to fulfill the prophecies of the suffering Messiah. Jesus' passion was in enduring suffering and death for salvation. Many prophecies in the Old Testament were about Jesus' suffering, and Jesus went to Jerusalem to fulfill these prophecies. This is Jesus' passion for salvation.

 

Teaching Passion for the Disciples (32-34)

Jesus taught the disciples about the ministry of the suffering Messiah. The Messiah, Jesus, would be delivered to the Gentiles, flogged, mocked, crucified, and rise again after three days. This is to grant His people forgiveness of sins and eternal life. However, the disciples could not understand Jesus' teachings. Only in the Gospel of Luke did Jesus repeatedly teach His disciples about His suffering and death (Luke 9:20-31; 9:43-45; 13:33-35; 17:24-25). However, the disciples did not understand Jesus' teaching. On one hand, we can understand the disciples. The disciples were all Jews. They were also influenced by Judaism. The disciples were not ready to accept something new. Nevertheless, Jesus taught the disciples. He had a vision that they would understand at some point. The disciples understood Jesus' words and devoted themselves to the ministry of salvation. Jesus taught the disciples about the plan of salvation, but they did not understand at first. However, Jesus patiently taught the disciples with deep love and waited for their understanding. This was a passionate ministry for salvation.

 

Passion for Waiting for the Messiah (18:35-43)

Example of Blind Bartimaeus

When Jesus was near Jericho, there was a man begging on the road. According to Mark 10:46, his name was Bartimaeus. He probably knew well about "Jesus of Nazareth." When he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by, he immediately shouted, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Meaning of "Son of David": The Old Testament states that the Messiah will come as a descendant of David (2 Samuel 7:12, Isaiah 11:1). Furthermore, the people knew well what the Messiah would do when He came (Isaiah 61:1-2; Luke 4:18). According to Luke 4:18, one of the Messiah's ministries is to restore sight to the blind. Therefore, "Son of David" is the name of the Messiah. Requesting "mercy" is to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah and rely on Him. Despite being stopped by people, he shouted even louder to call Jesus. At that time, many people did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Even the disciples did not fully understand Jesus' words. However, this blind man, though unable to see, heard the news about Jesus and recognized and believed Jesus of Nazareth as the "Son of David" Messiah. And when the opportunity came to call the Messiah, he shouted with all his might. Jesus restored his sight. Jesus saw his faith in recognizing and believing in Him as the Messiah and gave him salvation. What is the faith and passion for salvation of Bartimaeus? It is about hearing the news about Jesus and acknowledging and believing Jesus as the Messiah. At first, the blind man probably did not believe everything. However, as he listened to various events, thought, pondered, prayed, his faith gradually accumulated and grew. And when the Messiah came, he overcame the "restraint of people" and went out to tell his wish to Jesus.

Example of Zacchaeus

The second example of waiting for the Messiah is Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10. Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector. Tax collectors were tax collectors. When the annual tax was auctioned off by Rome, they acquired the right to collect taxes and collected taxes from the Jews to dedicate to Rome. They also collected their fees. As a result, tax collectors were a group resented and criticized by the Jewish people. Although they were branded as traitors to their own people, they were rich. People pursue money. It is because they believe that money will protect them and make them happy. Zacchaeus was rich. Yet, there was an unfulfilled void in him. Zacchaeus wanted to "see" Jesus. Meaning of "want to see": The Greek word ζητέω (zeteo) means to thoroughly investigate something to produce a result. It means digging into a problem to reach the bottom. It means researching and researching until you know. The tense of "want to see": The tense of "want to see" uses the 'past form' tense, which means that an event or action occurs repeatedly and habitually. Based on this tense, we can see that Zacchaeus thought, pondered, and prayed about who Jesus was. Whenever there was an opportunity, he wanted to know about Jesus. 'Who is Jesus, who appointed the tax collector Matthew as a disciple?' 'Who is Jesus, who became friends with tax collectors and sinners?' 'Who is Jesus, who eats with sinners?' Zacchaeus probably thought a lot and pondered. While he was thinking about this, he heard that Jesus was passing through Jericho. The obstacle for Zacchaeus was that he was short. Zacchaeus overcame his physical handicap and came up with a creative solution. He climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus. Jesus already knew Zacchaeus well. By His divine power, Jesus knew what Zacchaeus was thinking, what he was worried about, and what desperate wishes he had. Jesus called Zacchaeus by name. Zacchaeus' passion for salvation is his passion to know who Jesus was. It is a faith to overcome his handicap and go out to Jesus. Blind Bartimaeus and Zacchaeus showed their faith and passion while waiting for Jesus. They sought Jesus and made efforts to overcome their obstacles to meet Jesus. With such passionate faith, they obtained salvation.

In this way, today we can learn about the faith and passion for salvation shown by Jesus and His disciples. And through such faith and passion, we too can receive salvation.