Lost People

Jesus spoke twice about how we can make heaven a place of rejoicing in Luke 15:1-10, “Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, ‘This Man receives sinners and eats with them.’ So He spoke this parable to them, saying:

‘What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

‘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? 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!’ Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’”

I am not saying that there is no rejoicing in heaven at any other time, I think that heaven is the happiest place there is, but I believe when a sinner repents and puts their trust in the Lord, there is something like a party going on and a lot of rejoicing.  Think of this, how many angels are there?  I have no idea, but there are many, and if they all rejoice when a sinner repents then heaven must resound with rejoicing, which brings me to my next point.  There is probably not a day goes by without at least one repentant sinner repenting of their sins and trusting the Lord as their Savior, so there must be a lot of rejoicing going on, praise the Lord!  Jesus said this when He was in the garden with His disciples, in Matthew 26:53 “Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?”

These two parables talk about sheep and a coin which were very important in those days to these people and the loss of either would have been a great loss, so when they found them there was great rejoicing among them and their friends also.  Regardless of how much the people and the angels rejoiced, how much more the Lord rejoices when a sinner repents and turns away from their sins!  You might say that without the Lord no one can be saved, and that is true, Jesus said this in John 6:41-44, “The Jews then complained about Him, because He said, ‘I am the bread which came down from heaven.’ And they said, ‘Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, ‘I have come down from heaven’?’

Jesus therefore answered and said to them, ‘Do not murmur among yourselves. No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.’”

But don’t forget this, everyone has a free will and a choice, so a person can be drawn but still refuse to repent, the choice is theirs, the Lord doesn’t force anyone to repent.  What I see in both of these parables is a love story, the sheep and the coin were very important, but souls are much more important to the Lord.  They weren’t only important, but He loves people, not just the redeemed ones but those that need to be redeemed, the sinners, and He demonstrated that many times while He walked the earth.  

The story of Jesus’ birth in Matthew, chapters 1 and 2, the Christmas story, was a love story which is interwoven through the entire Word of God.  In the Gospels we find that Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice, the precious Lamb of God, who God’s Word says takes away the sin of the world, in John 1:29.  Jesus loved people so much that He was willing to give His life for them, and He did just that, He allowed Himself to be crucified for our sins when we were still His enemies, He died for us.  That was good news, but I have even better news, the grave couldn’t hold Him, and the sting of death had no power over Him so on the third day He rose again!  He suffered much pain and agony for the very people who killed Him.  He allowed these things to take place because He wasn’t willing that any be lost but that all would come to repentance.  God loved us so much that He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer and die for us, taking our place and our shame.  The blood of Jesus was shed for the sins of mankind and it has never lost its power and the stream never runs dry, Halleluiah.

So, if you would like to be cleansed by the blood of Jesus, repent of your sins and ask Jesus to forgive you and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness and come into your life and be your Lord and Savior.  If you are sincere, I believe it will happen, but take your time and let the Lord fill you with His peace, love and joy.  Then you can go forth rejoicing and be sure you thank and praise the Lord.  Find a Bible believing church and start growing in your new found faith.  Something to think about!  May the good Lord bless you and yours and may you have a super day!!