I love Luke 15. It is a wonderful chapter of grace, mercy, and relentless love. It begins with an acknowledgement that all sorts of undesirable and unsavory characters were moving close enough to hear what Jesus would say. His demeanor and attitude were so welcoming that the religious elites complained about His willingness to “welcome…and eat with sinners.” He knew what the elites were thinking and discussing, He responded by telling three stories.
He told of a shepherd who left ninety-nine sheep in an open field while he searched for and found the lone, lost sheep. Then He told them of a woman who had ten silver coins. She lost one, so she “tossed the house” until she found the lost coin. He ends this session with a story about a prodigal son, a loving father, and a narcissistic older brother. You know the type. Those who think everything is about them! That was true for both sons. The difference is that the prodigal came to his senses, humbled himself, and turned back to his father, who restored him to the family.
Far too often, when we read, study, or preach this chapter, we tend to glance over the first two stories to zero in on the prodigal. Many of us can identify with him and some can identify with the loving father. I want you to focus on the first two stories briefly. In Luke 15:7 and Luke 15:10, we get a little glimpse of Heaven. Jesus said after each of the first two stories that the reactions of the shepherd and the woman represented the boundless joy and celebration in Heaven over even one sinner who truly repents.
Jesus Himself tells us that the residents of Heaven are more concerned over the salvation of a single lost soul than a church filled with religious folks. He also tells us that there is extraordinary joy over every single sinner who truly repents and turns to Jesus. When the prodigal returned stinking like a pig stye and disheveled in appearance, his loving father threw him a welcome home party. After telling that story, Jesus said, “…In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents. Do you see that? Joy in the presence of God’s angels! That means it is God Who is rejoicing, just like the loving father in the story.
Far too many of our churches have become respite homes for religious folks. Too many have become the ninety-nine who raise a veil of religious traditions and cultural exception to keep out those who do now measure up. Many take possession of a church that rightfully belongs only to the Lord Jesus and restructure it into a bunker to escape and hide from the world. The telic purpose of this article is to propose that the Lord Jesus gave birth to the Church and local churches to be Heavenly Party Planners. In everything we do, every dime we spend, and every event we are planning, we should be asking, “What will this do to inspire great joy in Heaven?” That is my prayer for my church, your church, and the global Church. Lord, help us to faithful party planners. Help us to do the things that keep the streets of Heaven filled with song, dancing, and joy. Help us to redirect our focus from the ninety-nine to the ones who are lost.
