Luke 15:6 “Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’”
Today’s Scripture is one that I have heard often and never ceases to amaze me. Jesus is speaking in parables at this point, responding to the Pharisees. The parable of the lost sheep is just one in a collection of parables on the lost, all symbolizing the joy felt at the finding of what was lost.
It seems strange to us to think of a shepherd walking away from their flock in search of one lost sheep. It doesn’t make sense in our mind that one was more important at that moment in time than the remaining 99.
But that is what our great Shepherd does. He loves us each and every one, and He wants to celebrate the lost coming home. We see His love not just in the parable, but all throughout the New Testament. He doesn’t want anyone to perish and wants everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:8-9; 1 Timothy 2:4), but won’t force people to follow because it is a choice we make. But He loves us so much that He gave His Son for us. Jesus died on the cross to save us. And if just one person repents, He will be overjoyed.
Imagine the joy He feels at a lost person coming home to Him. In the parable he places the sheep over his shoulders while rejoicing and then upon getting home he calls together his friends and neighbors to come celebrate with him. The emphasis is on the JOY He feels. Joy at finding the lost. Joy at the lost being saved and coming home. He wants to share that joy with others, too! He isn’t just joyful on His own, but calls together everyone to rejoice and celebrate with Him.
Join Him in rejoicing for those who are lost being saved. Celebrate their salvation. Feel the contagious joy that flows from Him to each of us. It is beyond anything you can experience on your own.
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