Matthew 18:10-14, Why Jesus came?

We have recently, in our regular blogs, posted on this passage.  It is not our intent to repeat that today, but only to emphasize v11: For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost!  “Son of Man” places the emphasis on the Incarnation.  It was required that the “Lamb of God,” who would be instrumental in saving the lost, required that He make a complete identification with the “lost”.  In other words, He must be one of them; not lost but a brother to them, “Man”.  Thus He had to be born as they are born, He must live as they lived (without sin, of course). 
We have come to the Galilee.  Today we plan to go around the Sea of Galilee.  Every sight will be connected to the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth.  This is always an exciting day, to so vividly remember the One who came to seek the lost.
Let me make a few brief notes concerning yesterday’s events.  First, all six of us made it to David Falls at En Gedi.  It is not so much in the category of climbing Mt. Everest, although at least one of us was tired when he finished.  But with the friends we have brought to Israel this is the first time the entire group made it to that point.  We had gotten an early start so there were lost of pictures of the site without people in their bathing seats enjoying the lower falls.  We had the places to ourselves.  On the other hand, as we started back, there was wave after wave of school classes of Israeli young people headed up the trail.  Good timing!  It is always a joy to see the Israeli’s making good use of the sites we consider to be so wonderful.  En Gedi was a blessing of the Lord to David when he was hiding from Saul.  Great water, lots of shade, etc.
We had a short stop at Qumron, then went on to the baptism site (near where Jesus was baptized).  The thing of interest was that the Jordan River was in flood mode.  For those who have been there, the various stations that groups can use for baptisms were covered with water.  The groups had only 2 sets of stairs, where they could stand in the water.  The rains have been a blessing this year.
From their we ascended towards Jerusalem and, for the first time for me, turned off at Wadi Qelt.  This ravine is the pathway from Jericho to Jerusalem in Jesus’ day.  We were at a spot where we had a great view of St. George monastery.  After leaving there we took the turnoff a little further up Hwy. 1 (the modern route to Jerusalem) on the Allon Road where we actually crossed Wadi Qelt.  The first stop is at the location of the lowest of three springs that fed the river and refreshed travelers.  Where we crossed as near the middle spring.  There is another closer to Jerusalem.  Jesus walked this road many times, we are sure.  It was the common route from the Galilee to Jerusalem, going along the Jordan River to Jericho and then “up to Jerusalem.”
We made a little change in our usual itinerary.  We went to Mt. Gerizim yesterday, something we usually do on the day we head to Jerusalem.  By doing this yesterday we are hoping to get to Jerusalem earlier in the day so we have access to our vehicle a little more in Jerusalem before we return it the night we arrive.