Parson to Person: Rejoicing and celebrating

I was recently at a wedding in Canada, where these words were spoken following the meal ?Let the party begin.? To many people partying can have different meanings and connotations. To most it involves alcohol; some more than others.

Did you know that there are parties in heaven? Except rather than calling them parties it is referred to as rejoicing and celebrating. But why? What could one possibly have to do in heaven that would involve rejoicing?

The answer is presented in the ?lost? chapter in the book of Luke. Luke 15 we see three parables about someone or something which was lost ? a lost sheep, a lost coin and a lost son. In each of these cases there was searching or waiting for that which was lost resulting in celebration.

?I tell 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 15:7)

?In the same way, I tell you there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.? (Luke 15:10)

In the prodigal son the father calls upon everyone to celebrate the homecoming of his wandering son: ?But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.? (Luke 15:32)

The challenge to all followers of Christ is to be searching and looking for the lost, the wanderer and even the rebellious.

We need to care enough to go and look and not just keep the doors open.

Danny Dodds tells this story:

?Theophilus Kimble was his name. He was a big-footed, clumsy, loud-mouthed mutt of a dog, smart as he was large. T.K., as we called him, had a way of bringing many valuable lessons to life.

?I remember once he got through the fence. He thought he had invented the trash can. He ran and jumped and bounded over and into everything. He was free at last! All the things that looked so alluring to him in the far regions of the other side of the fence were now his to explore, and explore he did.

?There was no sign of him for days. I kept a close watch on the local news for a report of a half-crazed, bent-on-examining-the-contents-of-every-trash-can dog, but there was nothing. Just when I thought I had lost him for good to the charms of three-ply Hefties, here he came. He had his tail between his legs, whimpering, wanting to come back home. I let him, of course. He was my dog, and I did care for him regardless of the number of trash cans I had to replace. He was home.

??Does this story sound familiar? It should. T.K. was playing the canine role of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). All of the elements were there: The enticement of the forbidden in a far-off country (the trash cans on the other side of the fence); the opportunity to leave (the open gate); the wasting himself in riotous living (one too many trash cans); the realization of mistake (probably he missed his Milk Bone); and the humble return.?

That modern day illustration invites us to look and rejoice over each one who comes to know Christ.

As there is rejoicing in heaven over each repenting sinner; let there be rejoicing in the church.