Post by Les Brewer on Dec 13, 2023 15:23:17 GMT
Much Rejoicing By: Tanya Marlow
Click here for the Audio Message
In the same way . . . there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
Luke 15:10
Today's Scripture & Insight :
Luke 15:1-10
The cuddly monkey lay in a tree, dirty, dishevelled and sodden. Spotting the lost toy, Rachel was determined to find its young owner. She posted pictures on social media—Monkey eating sweets with Mr Elephant, taking a bath, and being tucked up in bed. “Monkey has been a great house guest so far,” reported Rachel. Monkey’s adventures soon went viral.
Distraught, fourteen-month-old Amalia hadn’t slept well since her beloved companion had gone missing in the park. But after a few days, her mum spotted the posts, made contact with Rachel, and returned the monkey to a delighted Amalia. “They’re now both fast asleep, cuddling tightly,” reported Mum.
Jesus tells two parables about individuals who rejoice when they find what was lost. God, as shepherd, “joyfully puts [the lost sheep] on his shoulders” (Luke 15:5). It’s an image of tenderness and intimacy, of a God who cares deeply for us. Likewise, the woman who finds her lost coin is so excited that she invites her friends to a party. “Rejoice with me,” she enthuses (v. 9). That’s how much God loves us and how precious we are to him. There is a celebration “in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (v. 10).
Sometimes we forget this. If you’re feeling low or abandoned today, meditate on God’s unbridled joy at being reconciled with you.
Reflect & Pray
To what extent do you see yourself as deeply loved and precious? What difference does it make to remember that God rejoices over you?
Loving God, thank You that You rejoice when anyone is reconciled with You. Please help me experience Your exuberant love today.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Throughout Scripture, people are frequently referred to as sheep (Psalms 79:13; 95:7; 100:3; Isaiah 53:6; Jeremiah 50:6; Ezekiel 34:17–22; Micah 2:12; Matthew 9:36; 10:16; John 21:15–17). One characteristic of sheep is that they tend to wander and are incapable of taking care of themselves (as we see in Luke 15:1–7 ). They need a shepherd to guide them to pasture and protect them from predators and thieves. Yet throughout the Bible we also see that sheep were highly valued. They provided food and clothing for the people and sacrifices for the temple. Sheep know their shepherd and respond to the shepherd’s voice. John 10:3–4 describes how the Good Shepherd—Jesus—calls His sheep individually by name and leads them.
Alyson Kieda
Luke 15:1-10
King James Version
15 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
Click here for the Audio Message
In the same way . . . there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
Luke 15:10
Today's Scripture & Insight :
Luke 15:1-10
The cuddly monkey lay in a tree, dirty, dishevelled and sodden. Spotting the lost toy, Rachel was determined to find its young owner. She posted pictures on social media—Monkey eating sweets with Mr Elephant, taking a bath, and being tucked up in bed. “Monkey has been a great house guest so far,” reported Rachel. Monkey’s adventures soon went viral.
Distraught, fourteen-month-old Amalia hadn’t slept well since her beloved companion had gone missing in the park. But after a few days, her mum spotted the posts, made contact with Rachel, and returned the monkey to a delighted Amalia. “They’re now both fast asleep, cuddling tightly,” reported Mum.
Jesus tells two parables about individuals who rejoice when they find what was lost. God, as shepherd, “joyfully puts [the lost sheep] on his shoulders” (Luke 15:5). It’s an image of tenderness and intimacy, of a God who cares deeply for us. Likewise, the woman who finds her lost coin is so excited that she invites her friends to a party. “Rejoice with me,” she enthuses (v. 9). That’s how much God loves us and how precious we are to him. There is a celebration “in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (v. 10).
Sometimes we forget this. If you’re feeling low or abandoned today, meditate on God’s unbridled joy at being reconciled with you.
Reflect & Pray
To what extent do you see yourself as deeply loved and precious? What difference does it make to remember that God rejoices over you?
Loving God, thank You that You rejoice when anyone is reconciled with You. Please help me experience Your exuberant love today.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Throughout Scripture, people are frequently referred to as sheep (Psalms 79:13; 95:7; 100:3; Isaiah 53:6; Jeremiah 50:6; Ezekiel 34:17–22; Micah 2:12; Matthew 9:36; 10:16; John 21:15–17). One characteristic of sheep is that they tend to wander and are incapable of taking care of themselves (as we see in Luke 15:1–7 ). They need a shepherd to guide them to pasture and protect them from predators and thieves. Yet throughout the Bible we also see that sheep were highly valued. They provided food and clothing for the people and sacrifices for the temple. Sheep know their shepherd and respond to the shepherd’s voice. John 10:3–4 describes how the Good Shepherd—Jesus—calls His sheep individually by name and leads them.
Alyson Kieda
Luke 15:1-10
King James Version
15 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
