HEAVEN'S JOY

LUKE 15:8-10 NKJ 
8 "Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?  9 And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!' 10 Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." 

OBSERVATION:

This entire chapter is about the lost being found. Lost sheep, lost coins, and the famous parable of the lost son.   

What sets up this chapter is the scribes and Pharisees complaining that Jesus receives sinners and eats with them.  

In the Jewish mind a meal with someone was a show of respect. The Jews had absolutely no regard or respect for tax collectors and sinners. In fact, all they gave this group of people was their religious scorn and contempt.   

But once again, Jesus presents an opposing narrative. He brings God's perspective into the light, and it contrasts with the religious attitude of the Pharisees and scribes.   

What is important is the lost. When a man finds his lost sheep, he rejoices. When a woman loses a coin, she searches the whole house until she finds it. When she finds the lost coin, she rejoices. 

When a man has his son leave the family and lose his way, he keeps looking for the boy. When the prodigal son returns home, the father throws a party.   

Heaven is concerned about the lost. Heaven rejoices when the lost are found. Heaven rejoices when those away from God come back. Heaven knows the stakes of a lost condition, so heaven rejoices.   

APPLICATION: 

Heaven's joy should be our joy as well. 

We cannot get so happy with church and church people that we forget a lost and dying world.   

It takes effort to reach the lost, and too often people can mirror that Pharisee attitude. Why would we do things, spend money and make an effort to reach people who are away from God? 

Because the lost matter to God, and they matter to us. Eternity is long. We want to take as many as we can with us.   

So, when heaven is rejoicing, we are on the right track.   

PRAYER: 

Dear Father, thank You for sending Jesus. I am no longer a lost sheep. Help me do my part to reach others who are lost.