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God’s response to repentance is great joy

God’s response to repentance is great joy
Luke 15.

(The Parables of the Lost…Sheep, Coin and Son).

The three parables were Jesus’ response to a criticism from the Pharisees. They saw that tax collectors and sinners gathered around Jesus, and that He welcomed and ate with them (v1-2).

And Jesus likened the tax collectors and sinners who had gathered around Him to something important that was lost (v3-32).

Can you recall a time you lost something important?

I once arrived at the airport and realised my passport wasn’t in my jacket. I thought, could I have forgotten it? In the middle of the check-in area, with everyone stirring, I emptied my hand luggage; my clothes, bank cards, documents, laptop, and everything else were scattered all over the place. I finally found my passport, which I had hurriedly packed with my clothes. Out of excitement, I yelled, “Yes, found it!” A few people began to clap. It was quite a scene.

When we find something important that was lost, we’re full of joy, aren’t we?

Jesus likens that joy to the response of God and all of heaven when a sinner repents; it’s a fattened-calf-like heavenly celebration (v7, 10, 23). Sometimes we see this joy in the joyful tears of a parent who had long prayed for their child to come to faith. Sometimes it’s seen on the grin of a spouse whose spouse has finally said yes to Jesus. Sometimes it’s seen at the indescribable excitement of a teenager whose childhood friends have collectively decided to follow Jesus and be baptised.

The Pharisees were wrong, but in some sense, they were right too. It’s absurd that someone like Jesus would lavish his grace on sinners, on a wretch like me. But that’s just who God is. God is love!

To the one who fears they have exhausted their worth (v19) and the one who doubts their worth (v29), God says, You’re worth more. He offers his forgiveness. And He rejoices in your repentance (vv19-20, 28-32).

Reflect & Pray
What things may be causing you fear or doubt? How does it encourage you to know that God rejoices in your repentance?
Thank you, Father, that it brings you great joy every time a sinner returns to you and whenever we say sorry to you. May we always bring you joy and gladden your heart, amen.

God bless you exceedingly,
Sam.

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