Who Did Jesus Come To Save?

Jesus’ message of salvation and the kingdom of God is central to Christianity. But who exactly did Jesus come to save? This question has been debated for centuries, with different conclusions drawn. In this comprehensive article, we will examine the biblical evidence to understand who Jesus intended to save when he came to earth.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Jesus came to save all people who put their faith in him, regardless of background, ethnicity, gender, or social status.

We will look at Jesus’ teachings, interactions, death, and resurrection to see who could receive salvation through him. We’ll also consider the historical context and theological interpretations on this important question.

Jesus Came for the Lost Sheep of Israel

When Jesus began His earthly ministry, He made it clear that He had come first and foremost for the Jewish people, God’s chosen nation. Though Jesus is the Savior of the world, His mission while on earth was focused on reaching the lost sheep of Israel.

Jesus Was Sent to the Jews

In the Old Testament, the prophets foretold that the Messiah would come from the line of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 12:1-3). Jesus affirmed this when He told the Samaritan woman at the well, “Salvation is from the Jews” (John 4:22).

As the long-awaited Messiah, Jesus came in fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel.

Throughout His ministry, Jesus repeatedly said that He was sent to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:24). Though some Gentiles did benefit from Jesus’ ministry, His focus was on preaching to the Jewish people.

He initially instructed His twelve disciples to preach only to Israelites (Matthew 10:5-6). Jesus came as their Messiah, in accordance with Old Testament prophecy.

Jesus Ministered Primarily to Jews

During His earthly ministry, Jesus traveled mainly around Galilee and Judea, the regions where most of the Jewish people lived. The Gospels record over three years of Jesus devoting Himself to preaching repentance and the good news of the kingdom to God’s chosen people, the Jews.

He taught in the synagogues on the Sabbath because that was where the Jews would gather to worship and hear the Scriptures read.

When individual Gentiles approached Him for help, Jesus did not turn them away (Matthew 8:5-13). But His overall public ministry was focused on Israel. He sent out the twelve disciples telling them, “Do not go in the way of the Gentiles” (Matthew 10:5).

While a few Gentiles did believe in Him, Jesus’ primary ministry was to call the Jewish people to repentance as their Messiah and Savior.

Though most rejected Him, Jesus lamented over Jerusalem, demonstrating His deep love and concern for the lost sheep of Israel (Luke 13:34). His earthly mission was to urgently call them to repentance. It was not until after His resurrection that Jesus commissioned His followers to take the gospel to all nations, expanding the mission beyond the Jews (Matthew 28:19).

But during His life, His ministry centered on the lost sheep of Israel.

Jesus’ Message Was for All People

Jesus Engaged With Non-Jews

During His earthly ministry, Jesus often reached out to those considered outsiders or outcasts in Jewish society at the time. He spoke with and healed non-Jews like the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:21-28.

Jesus praised the faith of this Canaanite woman, who persisted in asking for her daughter’s healing despite initial silence from Jesus. Though His ministry focused on Jews, Jesus made it clear that God’s love extended beyond Israel.

Salvation Available to All

The Bible teaches that salvation through Jesus Christ is available to all people, not just Jews. Passages like John 3:16 remind us that “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.”

Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, not just for the Jews. The apostle Paul wrote about how the Gospel is for both Jews and Gentiles in Romans 1:16 saying, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”

Clearly, the good news of Jesus is for all people!

Great Commission to Make Disciples of All Nations

Before ascending to heaven, Jesus commanded His followers to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). This Great Commission shows that the message of Christ is meant for people everywhere, regardless of ethnicity, language, or culture.

As the early church spread, the apostle Peter came to understand through visions in Acts 10 “that God does not show favoritism but accepts those from every nation who fear him and do what is right” (Acts 10:34-35).

Making disciples globally fulfills Jesus’ call to reach all people groups with the Gospel. Even today, Christians continue efforts to take this saving message to every tribe and tongue!

Salvation for Those Who Have Faith in Jesus

Not Based on Background or Ethnicity

During His earthly ministry, Jesus made it clear that salvation is available to all people, regardless of background, ethnicity, gender, or social standing. He broke down barriers that had long divided people and shared the good news with women, tax collectors, Samaritans, and others who were considered outcasts by the religious establishment of the day.

For example, Jesus had a well-known encounter with a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, crossing ethnic and gender barriers to offer her the gift of living water (John 4:1-42). On another occasion, Jesus emphasized that salvation was not just for the Jewish people but for all nations when He healed the servant of a Roman centurion and commended the man for his great faith (Luke 7:1-10).

The book of Acts describes how the earliest followers of Jesus came to understand that the gospel was for Gentiles as well as Jews.

The apostle Paul later reinforced this teaching by writing, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). He emphasized that God does not show favoritism or discriminate based on ethnic, social, or gender differences (Romans 2:11).

What matters is faith in Christ.

Women and Social Outcasts Included

During His ministry, Jesus consistently reached out to women and people rejected by society. At a time when women were often marginalized, Jesus treated them with dignity and compassion. He engaged in theological discussions with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1-42), honored Mary’s choice to listen to His teaching rather than help with housework (Luke 10:38-42), and commended the poor widow who gave generously in the temple (Mark 12:41-44).

Jesus also made a point of spending time with those scorned by society, such as tax collectors. His call of the tax collector Levi (Matthew) shocked the religious leaders of the time (Mark 2:13-17). Jesus emphasized that He came to call sinners, not the so-called “righteous.”

He was a friend of sinners, even those others looked down upon (Matthew 11:19).

One of Jesus’ most famous parables, the Prodigal Son, highlighted God’s willingness to fully accept those who repent, no matter their past sins or background (Luke 15:11-32). Over and over, Jesus showed that the invitation to salvation was open to all who accepted Him by faith, regardless of prior lifestyles, sins, or social standing.

Jesus Died for the Sins of the World

Took on Punishment for All People’s Sins

According to the Bible, Jesus willingly took on the punishment for the sins of all people by dying on the cross, even though he was sinless (1 Peter 2:22). This act served as the atoning sacrifice for sins, satisfying God’s wrath against sin (Romans 3:25; Hebrews 2:17; 1 John 2:2).

Though Jesus was fully God, he chose to become fully human to identify with us and died in our place (Philippians 2:5-8). His resurrection proved that God accepted his sacrifice on our behalf.

Theologians refer to this as substitutionary atonement – Jesus substituted himself in our place and took the punishment we deserved. As Isaiah 53:4-6 prophesied, “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering…the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

This demonstrates God’s immense love and grace, that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). When we repent and believe in Christ, we receive redemption and forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:14).

Though Jesus’ sacrifice was sufficient for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2), it is only efficient for those who put their faith in him. Jesus is the exclusive way to salvation (John 14:6). This substitutionary atonement is a central theme in Christianity and reflects the magnitude of Jesus’ love and sacrifice.

As the hymn “Jesus Paid It All” says, “Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe; sin had left a crimson stain, he washed it white as snow.”

Resurrection Defeated Death for All Who Believe

After dying for the sins of the world, Jesus rose victorious over death three days later (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). His bodily resurrection is a historically proven event and the foundation of the Christian faith (1 Corinthians 15:14).

Because he lives, believers also have victory over death through faith in him (John 11:25-26). While the wages of sin is death, Jesus conquered death so that we may have eternal life (Romans 6:23).

Jesus’ resurrection proved that he fully satisfied God’s wrath by paying the penalty for sins. As Romans 4:25 says, “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.”

His resurrection declared that God accepted his sacrifice on our behalf and proved that he is the Son of God (Romans 1:4). Because Christ was raised, believers can be assured of their own future resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20-22).

One day, he will return to fully establish his kingdom and abolish death forever (1 Corinthians 15:24-26).

Conclusion

In examining the biblical evidence, we see that while Jesus’ earthly ministry was focused on the Jews, his message, death, and resurrection was intended to bring salvation to all people throughout the world who put their faith in him.

Regardless of gender, social status, ethnicity, or background, anyone who believes can receive forgiveness and eternal life through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. This good news continues to spread worldwide today.