Luke 15:1-32 gives three parables to give us an idea of how important a single soul is to God. The first parable which is the parable of the lost sheep narrates how a shepherd who owns a 100 sheep leaves the rest behind to search for any single sheep that goes missing. Even if it is just one sheep that goes missing, the shepherd leaves the 99 to go in search for the 1 and when he finds it, he gathers his neighbours to rejoice with him. And Jesus said in verse 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over 99 just persons, which need no repentance.
The second parable is that of the lost coin. It goes thus, that if a woman who owns 10 pieces of silver loses one of the coins, she lights a candle and sweeps the whole house, carefully searching for the one coin that went missing. When she finally finds it, she calls her friends and neighbours to rejoice with her. And Jesus repeated, likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
The third parable is a popular one. The parable of the prodigal son who collected all his inheritance from his father and went out from his father’s presence to squander it on senseless living after which, he was finally reduced to eating food meant for pigs. When he finally came to his senses and went back home to his father, even before he near the house his father ran out to him and hugged and kissed him. He dressed him in his best robes and threw a huge party in his honour to celebrate his return, for he said, this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost and is found.
Yet these parables are but a mere shadow of how much the heavens rejoice over a single soul that is won to the kingdom of God. A God that loved us so much that He sent His only Son to reduce Himself to flesh just so we can be saved. Not only did He become a human being, He was born into a humble home, not the home of a king or ruler or even a rich man but the home of a carpenter. Even at birth, He was born in very humble surroundings.
And even those He was sent to didn’t welcome Him. Some didn’t believe Him, He was persecuted, beaten, pierced, humiliated and crucified. He bore all this in silence just to ensure that we are saved. 2 Peter 3:9 KJV says The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. That is what God wants, that none of us should be lost to destruction but that we all should repent and be saved. This was why He sent Jesus, that all of humanity will have a chance at returning to Him.
And guess what? God is still waiting for you. The Bible describes Him as long-suffering. This is why despite the number of years you have spent outside of Him, living your life your own way, He is still waiting for you, ready to welcome you and rejoice over you just as the father welcomed his prodigal son with open arms.
Not only will God welcome you with open arms, but your past life of sin will be remembered no more. The day you receive Jesus and return to God, you will stand washed and purified before Him because Hebrews 8:12 says, “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” The day you surrender your life to Jesus, you begin afresh with God, He gives you a clean slate, He writes off your sins and you start a new life in Him, free from all encumbrances. In place of your filthy garment, a garment whiter than snow will be placed on you.
And do you know what? The rejoicing when you give your life to Christ isn’t restricted to heaven alone. Even you yourself will rejoice. Acts 8:5-8 KJV says, “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city” (Emphasis added).
And there was great joy in that city! Because they had been taken out of darkness into God's marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9b). Because they had been liberated from sicknesses and diseases (Isaiah 53:5). Because they were no longer at the mercy of demons, demons had been subdued (Mark 16:17). Because they were no longer doomed to an eternity of sorrow and gnashing of teeth. Because that void in their lives which they didn’t even realize existed, had been filled. Because they had been introduced to the love of God (John 3:16).
Oh what great joy will there be among the hosts of heaven when you turn away from the path of destruction. Oh what great joy will there be within you when you come into God’s kingdom, when you make up your mind that you don’t want to live in sin anymore, that you don’t want to live your life chasing things that don’t have eternal value. Oh what great joy will there be within you when you realize that you are now on the path of life. Just like the thief that accepted Jesus even at the point of death and his fate was immediately turned around for the better. Luke 23:43 says “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Jesus is waiting expectantly for you. Open your heart to Him today.
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