Sunday, September 12, 2010

The Joy of Recovery

In Luke 15:7, the Lord said, "Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance."

It is a principle of human nature that the "recovery" of an object in danger of being lost, affords much more intense joy than the quiet "possession" of many that are safe.

This our Savior illustrated by the case of the lost sheep. It might also be illustrated by many other things.

Thus we rejoice most in our health when we recover from a dangerous disease; we rejoice over a child rescued from danger or disease more than over those who are in health or safety. We rejoice that property is saved from conflagration or the tempest more than over much more that has not been in danger.

This feeling our Lord represents as existing in heaven. "Likewise," in like manner, or on the same principle, there is joy. -- Barney

No comments:

"Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me; for he who is least among you all is the one who is great" (Luke 9:48).