Heaven’s Perspective
“Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10)
Main Point: Our response to repentant sinners should mirror the joy of heaven, not the grumbling of earth.
When one sinner repents, heaven erupts in celebration. The angels rejoice! This gives us the proper perspective on how we should respond when the lost are found, when the wandering come home, when the broken seek restoration.
The joy that fills heaven when one sinner repents should fill our hearts too. Not because we’re better than anyone else – we’re not. We’re all sheep who have wandered. We’re all coins that were lost. We’ve all been carried home on our Shepherd’s shoulders.
When the prodigal son returns, when the wayward daughter comes back to church, when the neighbor who’s been living a hard life shows up in our pew – do we rejoice like the angels in heaven? Or do we cross our arms and grumble like the Pharisees?
The difference between heaven’s response and earth’s response often comes down to this: Heaven remembers that all were lost and all needed finding. Earth forgets and starts thinking some deserve grace more than others.
Reflection: Heaven’s joy over one repentant sinner should be our joy too. Questions for Meditation: How can I align my heart more closely with heaven’s perspective? What would change in my attitude if I truly remembered that I too was once lost?
Prayer: Father, tune my heart to heaven’s frequency. Help me rejoice with the angels when sinners repent, remembering always that I too needed Your gracious rescue. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.
Responses