“Rejoicing in heaven”

Read Luke 15:1-10

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The three parables in this chapter have a common theme, summed up by a later verse: “The Son of Man (Jesus) came to seek and to save the lost” (Lk.19:10). The parable of the lost sheep is also recorded in Matthew where it illustrates God’s pastoral concern for his “little ones” (Mt.18:10-13). But there too Jesus adds that God is not willing that any of those little ones should be lost (Mt.18:14).

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The context once again is the Pharisees’ disapproval of Jesus welcoming and eating with “sinners” (1-2; 5:29-31; 19:7). All these stories are a rebuke to them. God values and cares for everyone, including those who are most lost – just as a shepherd seeks a lost sheep (3-6), a woman seeks a lost coin (8-9), and a father grieves over a lost son (15:11-24).

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So when any sinner repents there is rejoicing in heaven (7,10). Jesus eats with sinners so that they know they are valued and that God will welcome them joyfully. But there can be no heavenly joy over the Pharisees who self-righteously refuse to repent. They too are just as lost and in need of saving. Jesus is the good shepherd who reaches out to all, “sinners” and Pharisees (such as Paul) alike (Jn.10:11; Ph.3:5; 1 Tim.1:12-15).