He Came to Seek and to Save What Was Lost

 Main Idea

This lecture revolves around the Gospel verse: “The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost,” explaining that the purpose of Christ’s incarnation is the salvation of humanity that fell under the judgment of death and corruption.

🔹 The Goal of the Incarnation and Salvation

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that the divine incarnation was not merely an appearance, but a true redemption, where Christ took our human nature, carried our sins, and died on our behalf to save us from eternal death.

🔹 Divine Hope for the Lost Human Being

This verse gives great hope, because Christ did not come only to save those who sinned, but even those who reached the state of perishing. No matter the human condition, hope remains.

 God Is the Initiator of Salvation

The teaching clarifies that God seeks the human being even if the human does not seek Him, as happened with Adam, Zacchaeus, Matthew the tax collector, Peter, Saul of Tarsus, and others.

 The Meaning of the Title “Son of Man”

Christ’s use of the title “Son of Man” declares His true participation in our human nature in order to accomplish redemption, without denying His divinity, uniting humanity and divinity in one Person.

 Salvation Includes Redemption and Renewal

Salvation is not limited to the forgiveness of sins, but also includes the renewal of the corrupted nature through baptism and the renewal of the mind through repentance, so that the human being may live a new life in Christ.

 Salvation through Teaching and Grace

Christ also saves humanity through His divine teaching and through the work of the Holy Spirit, who grants strength to fulfill the commandments and grace that works in the believer’s life.

 The Call to Respond

Although God desires the salvation of all, repentance is essential to accept this salvation. Salvation is a divine gift, but it requires a free human response.

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