“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
The parable of the lost sheep is among one of my favorite parables because it reminds me that God is never going to leave me and He loves me so much that if I were to ever get lost or wander off, He will come looking for me. If you don’t know the parable, the concept is that a shepherd has 100 sheep and when he loses one, he will leave the 99 sheep to find the lost one. Sheep wander off and are usually not able to find their way back without some assistance.
The same can be said about us at times. There are times when we wander away from Jesus and need help getting back. The wonderful news that Jesus taught those around Him was that we all have the help we need to get back. God doesn’t just let us wander until we come to our senses and decide to find our way back to Him, He actively pursues us. He doesn’t bring us back kicking and screaming but He doesn’t leave us alone or without a way back either.
When we decide to return to God or begin to follow His will, there is rejoicing in heaven because that means there is one more who will be able to spend eternity in heaven. God does not want anyone, not one of us, to be left behind and miss out on living with Him for all of eternity.
God cares about us that much, that He comes for us, not to scold us, but to bring us back to Him. Those in heaven care that much about our salvation that they rejoice when a “lost sinner” repents and comes back to live their life in accordance with God’s will. Unlike the world attitude, as Christians we are to want to help others especially help them to come to Jesus and be genuinely thankful when it happens.
Do you know someone who needs to ‘come back home’ or ‘be found’ that has wandered away? Have you wandered away and are looking for a way back? The solution to both situations is prayer. Praying to God for direction and assistance.
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for always wanting us to be close to You. Thank You for actively pursuing us and not just letting us remain lost. I pray that if there is anyone who is reading this that needs brought back to You or needs to come to You for the first time, that they will seek You out knowing that You will not turn Your back on them. I pray that they would know that You will welcome them with open arms. If there is anyone reading this that has a loved one who needs to return or come to You for the first time, that You will give this person the strength to continue praying for their loved one. For the loved one, Lord I pray that You will place obstacles in their way so that the road they are traveling on leads to You and not to the enemy. Lord, we rejoice along with everyone in heaven when a person has come to know You or has returned back to You. Thank You for never giving up on us. We pray this all in Jesus’s most precious name. Amen