God Rejoices Over…

‘I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.’  Luke 15:7 (NIV)

Self-righteous men cannot understand why Jesus would be found around people renowned for their shady character.  Do we think we are better off than the common sinner?  Do we think for all our pious acts and religious position we stand in a better light than a person gone astray?  With this kind of jealous thoughts, muttering against the Lord begins.  But does Jesus know what we are thinking?  Does He use this chance to tell us what happens in the Heavenly realms?  Does He use a beautiful illustration of how the flock is left as He goes in active search to recover a precious stray?  In the same way does Jesus use another illustration of the Woman Who loses one of Her coins?  Is Jesus gently leading us His flock as He herds us ever Heavenward?

What do we really get from these stories?  Have we asked ourselves this question?  Have we taken the time to let their significance sink in?  Are we doing it now?

Where do we go with the instructions of the Lord?  Are we like the pious few who mutter against Jesus for hanging out with people who fall short?  The tax collectors and “sinners” of Jesus´ day, who are they?  Could we normal people be included in that group?  Or are all of our dealings as white-washed as the Pharisees?  Have we never fallen short ourselves?  Is it easier on the conscious to just hear the stories and appreciate them for their poetic beauty?  Are we able to hold them somehow at arms-length and not let them touch us?  Can we read these stories and keep them detached from us like they were never meant to accuse us, teach us and heal us?

If we are able to open ourselves to the Lord´s care as if He were herding us, do we find an immense blessing within His description of the Lord?  Do the words of our Saviour place us directly within contact with the great heart of God?  Do we see Him leaving those who have not needed Him to come and personally find us?  And when He is found unto us, do we see what joy He has?  Does He describe for us what happens in Heaven as our wandering ends and we are brought safely back to Him?  Are we merely ushered back into the fold or does He take us up in His arms?  Are we lifted to His capable shoulders?  Are we together with Him?

If we are unable to picture the celebration in Heaven, can we at least warm ourselves to the fact that it pleases Him greatly to be truly reunited with each of us who falls short?  Can we come to terms with the fact that we all have somehow short-changed God at some point?  Can we embrace His reassurance now that He is giving through His stories?  Will it lift our hearts today to know that the Lord is actively seeking to be with us right now?  Will our spirits soar to realize that God will rejoice and want to throw a party when our souls are truly restored unto Him?  Will all heaven break out in rejoicing when our hearts are once more found in our Lord?  Some may never let themselves think that they have cause for the Lord to seek them and bring them back from their wanderings.  But if we are honest, can we make room for ourselves like we were the lost coin and the lost lamb that are sought and found?  Could we find it in our hearts to be one of those described as one who repents?

Dear Jesus, help us repent.  We may not know how we have let You down, but we bow our heads to You.  Come to us!  Find our hearts wherever they may be and rescue us!  Restore us as we turn our wandering hearts to You!  Then when we are brought together in truth, let all heaven celebrate our joy!

Amen