Found Sheep

July 8

(Luke 15:5-7 NIV) ““And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders {6} and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ {7} 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.””

(Matthew 18:12-14 NIV) “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? {13} And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. {14} In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.”

(Matthew 21:31-32 NIV) ““Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. {32} For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.””

The Bible says God is joyful when sinners repent and that all heaven rejoices with Him. God parties when lost sheep are found -- when wayward children come home. Can you imagine what joy in Heaven sounds like? What is it like when God celebrates and all Heaven rejoices with Him? What a party that must be! While God is happy that the "ninety-nine" are home, there is "more joy" over one sinner who repents. This is because God understands the horrendous consequences of remaining lost. Do you? Some may criticize the term “lost”, but Jesus used it to describe those outside His grace. We should have the same attitude as Jesus toward those who are lost. God’s people should derive joy from that which brings God joy, and God loves for lost people to be found. As believers, we ought to love that too. Will you be part of the reason that God celebrates? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day