Luke 15:32
Luke 15:32
It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
When a sinful son repented and came back home to his Father, the Father ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him with great joy. He forgave him even before the son confessed, and he celebrated that his son was lost and found, was dead, and is alive again. Jesus used the parable of the lost son (Luke 15:11-32) to teach us the greatness of our Heavenly Father. No matter who you are, God loves you unconditionally. There is a massive celebration in Heaven, God's house, when we repent from our sins and ask for the Father's forgiveness. While his Father celebrated his brother's return, the older brother didn't forgive his brother and was bitter about it. As Jesus demonstrated, his older brother symbolized the Pharisees, who were angry and resentful that sinners were being welcomed into the Kingdom of God. It must have seemed to the Pharisees that after so much service and sacrifice for God and for so long, they deserved more love than the sinners who were far worse off than themselves. Neither the Pharisees nor we are different in that we allow our self-righteousness to prevent rejoicing when others come to Jesus. As brothers and sisters to our fellows in church, we should celebrate in great joy when one of God's lost children is found. Our life is not about us; it's about what God can do through us. Obedience is great, but repentance is better. The joy of the Lord is our strength, and the source of joy is the Lord's amazing grace.
Luke 2:10
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Ecclesiastes 3:4
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
2 Corinthians 6:10
As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
Psalm 68:3
But the righteous shall be glad; they shall exult before God; they shall be jubilant with joy.