Gilad Shalit was delivered today from five years of captivity. He was a prisoner who did not see the sunlight for 1,941 days. Though I’m not in Israel and I have not lived in Israel for four years now, I feel a great relief and joy at Gilad’s homecoming. I imagine that it must be many times greater for those who have lived so much closer to the hellish reality.
As I think about the rejoicing, it calls to mind Jesus’s parable of the lost sheep. When the shepherd found the lost one, he called his friends and neighbors together and said, “Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.” Jesus said, “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent” (Luke 15:6-7).
As great as the rejoicing is today in Israel to see this loved one return home, so much greater is the rejoicing in heaven when one turns from his sin and embraces Christ. This comparison helps me to understand the nature of the heavenly rejoicing. I think I’ve tended in the past to compare it more with the rejoicing of a birthday party. The rejoicing over Gilad and over repentant sinners is so much more sober and profound.
I couldn’t agree with you more,Todd. Thanks!
Thanks for the thoughts, Todd. It is helpful for thinking about that parable with this