And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. Luke 15:5
God rejoices at the return of every wanderer. Why? Because He goes after a lost one. He returns rejoicing at the joy of finding the returning prodigal coming home. In the parable of the lost sheep, the shepherd even throws a party inviting his neighbors to share in the joy of the one who carried what was lost back on his shoulders. Similarly, the woman who found her lost coin parties with her friends and neighbors (Luke 15:9). And the father of the prodigal son throws the biggest shindig of them all, exuberant over the return of his lost child (Luke 15:22-24).
We too should rejoice when the grace of God brings a sinner to repent. That’s one reason that I love that my home church has a tradition at the conclusion of a baptism. When the believer comes up out of the water, we do standing ovations and stadium cheers and whistles. The greatest joy should always be reserved for the eternal work of salvation in Jesus. Let’s laugh with joy at lambs that come home on the shoulders of shepherds, rejoicing that they are safe in the fold. Let’s party over loose change recovered from couch cushions and back in circulation! Let’s feast for lost boys who come to their senses and find themselves back home embraced by family!
It is good that the lost is found.
