Heavenly Joy

Luke 15:6b-7

When we think of "joy", even in a Biblical context, we rarely think of God being one who is joyous. Yes, we experience joy in our own salvation. Joy is even a fruit of the Spirit which we are able to bear as part of the Body of Christ. But in our reading today, we get a rare glimpse at the Lord Jesus describing a time when God Himself (and possibly the angels in heaven) experience joy. The Shepherd in Jesus' analogy to the Pharisees and sinners has sought after, located, and carried home the sheep that was lost from his flock. Now, once returned home with the Shepherd, (don't forget, the rest of the sheep are still out in the grasslands, not at home with the Master), the Shepherd calls together His friends and celebrates the salvation and restoration of the lost sheep. clearly, Jesus is speaking of the tax collectors and sinners half of His audience. He is teaching them that no matter how "lost" they think they are, their Heavenly Father is more joyous over their turning to Him and being restored. Notice Jesus also addresses the self-righteous religious crowd. The "ninety-nine who do not need to repent" does not mean they are actually righteous in God's sight. Rather, Jesus is sarcastically pointing out their twisted view of themselves as already righteous and unlike the "little people" do not need to repent. In actuality, all the sheep are lost until the Shepherd carries the one home. Praise God we live in the age of the Church when the Good Shepherd has already bought our freedom from sin and will one day be returning for His Church! 

Prayer: 
Gracious God in Heaven, please help me to be humble in my understanding of Your grace. You did not save me because I was worth more than anyone else, but because Your love with worth more than we could ever know. Thank You Lord. Amen. 

Reflection: 
Which group do you see yourself in? Are you in the "righteous club" of people who do not need to rescued by the Savior or the one who realizes how lost you are without the grace of God?