Like a rabbit out of a hat, I tell you, like flowers from an illusionist's sleeve....
There I was unpacking my suitcase from a previous trip, only to fill each pocket again and put miles on its wheels, when I noticed an odd bulge at one of the zippers. I reached in and there they were, souvenirs I had counted as lost. I had looked everywhere months ago to find them. I thought I had combed every corner of my luggage, but they were no where to be found, until now. What was gone was once again held joyfully in my hands!
I could not help but think of the parable of the lost coin; and as the realization that my delight pales in comparison with the joy in heaven when a sinner, like me, is repentant the most splendid happy washed over me. Had I misunderstood the story? Could it even be possible that bouncing, smiling, joy is on the face of our Savior when our hearts are submissive and repentant. I had to read it again; read with me, won't you:
"Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost!' In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (John 15:8-10, NASB)
According to the study notes in my Zondervan study Bible, Near Eastern houses often did not have any windows and had only dirt floors. Can you imagine the difficult search this woman faced? We might ask why she would go to so much trouble for a single coin. One drachma was about a day's wages. The coin was both valuable and useful, thus she calls for celebration when her precious coin was no longer away from her. So it is with our loving God, who not only delights to forgive for His own sake, but invites rejoicing in Heaven when repentance in Christ returns those who are away from Him.
Call the neighbors, invite your friends! His marvelous works are infinitely worth celebrating.
