Joy in Heaven
Request: Lord, open my eyes as I read your word, my ears to hear, my mind to understand, and my heart to be filled with your love. Amen.
Read Luke 15
Record your favorite verse and comment if you want to share.
Respond with a prayer to God.
The thought of the joy in heaven by both the Father and the angels over a repentant sinner just thrills me and warms my heart (vs. 7, 10, 32). There was a celebration for each one of us who has come to Jesus!
The Holy Spirit hunts sinners down in every place imaginable, using every tool and resource He has, going to great lengths to find them. He has sent His people into prisons, hospitals, schools, offices, overseas or just across the street to reach them. He has trained some to preach, teach, counsel, heal, or to be helpers. The list goes on and on. In fact, He has used the most unlikely people to serve Him in helping to find them, delighting to use one of His own who is willing.
Now the pursuit of a lost soul is over. At just the right time, they are found! Their ears and eyes have been opened, and they have come to their senses and returned, after striving so hard to find hope, peace and joy on their own. They have finally discovered that these things are found in Christ alone.
Yes indeed! There is cause for great joy and celebration in heaven over one repentant sinner! They were dead in their sins; now they are alive. The 99 who have previously repented should ALL be rejoicing right along with the Father and the angels in heaven!
My verse: Luke 15:28, “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So, his father went out and pleaded with him.”
The older brother is jealous, which leads to anger and refusal to join the celebration. He asks, “What about me? I have been responsible and faithful all these years, and you never threw a party for me and my friends.” He’s missing out and will wind up on the outside looking in, unless he changes his attitude. Jesus was telling these three parables in the presence of the Pharisees and teachers of the law (vs. 1). They were disgusted that sinners and tax collectors were gathering around Him. He knew their thoughts about these sinners and tax collectors. Through these stories He was letting them know that they should be celebrating the fact that sinners had come to Him, and not complaining about them coming to listen to Him.
My Response: Oh Lord, may my attitude always be the same as that of heaven in participating and pursuing those who are lost so I may rejoice also when they are found. I can’t imagine the celebration that happens in heaven when someone comes to Jesus, but I’m quite sure it’s far better than any I’ve experienced thus far. I love to celebrate and don’t want to be left out!
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My verse: Luke 15:25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house,”
My response: Father God, there could not be a clearer assurance than this. When we go astray and get ourselves into deep trouble, when we walk away from Your love and Your truths, we never need to fear being “too far gone” to return. Your response to repentance is not a long, stern lecture reciting our faults. If we’ve repented, we know them full well. When we come home – You throw a party. The welcome is HUGE. Help those I love who have wandered away to recall this parable … and come home to Your welcome and forgiveness!