Jesus talks about being Joyous when teaching to the people in his parables:
Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." Then Jesus told them this parable:
"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (Luke 15:1-7)
This parable is about a shepherd who loses one sheep (only one) out of 100. He then goes to all efforts to find that lost sheep, when he could have just left it, and attended to the 99. Once he finds that sheep, Joy then fills his heart at being reunited with that lost sheep.
In relating this to us and our lives, we can see that Jesus is our shepherd and we are the sheep. When one of us sins and is lost in that sin and darkness, what does Jesus do? He immediately stretches out His arms to bring us back! He would never abandon us! So if you feel lost in the darkness, know that Jesus is looking for you, calling your name, and saying how much He loves you. It doesn’t matter how lost you are. Jesus still loves you. And so when you come back into His embrace, He is filled with Joy, just like the shepherd in the parable, rejoicing over finding you have come back to Him.
"Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (Luke 15:8-10)
God weeps when we go astray. But great is His Joy when we repent! Jesus said even the angels rejoiced in Heaven! And do you notice how it says "over one sinner who repents?" Will you be that one today?
Note also in the parable of the prodigal son, how overjoyed the father was to see his son again. The brother grumbled however, until his father explained how his brother had been lost, and dead, but now he was found, and alive. (Luke 15:11-32)
The father (like any other parent) would have been sad his son left home. He may have been angry at his son, but would have realized how precious his son was to him, and how his joy at his return overcame his anger and disappointment. Have you ever been away for a long period of time? If so, have you ever noticed how overjoyed your family or friends are when you return? Thus is it with God. So don't continue to run in the dark. Don't feel if you return you will be rejected. God will be overjoyed you came back! Jesus said that He did not come into the world to condemn it, but to save those who were lost. (John 3:17)
To conclude, take this fruit, this Joy, and add it to your life. May you be filled with Joy at knowing how much God Loves you enough to come and take you back under His wing. Isn’t that just amazing? Even though we don’t deserve it, He still forgives us. He is overjoyed, and so will you be also.
So run to Him, and His Joy will light your path back to Him.*
Filled with Joy,
Whitney
