More Joy in Heaven

I remember like yesterday a desperate phone call from Lozanne informing me that Jessica Rose, our precocious two year old daughter, was lost somewhere in the neighbourhood. She had apparently taken the opportunity to explore her surroundings while mother was busy with the new baby boy who had just come without invitation into Jessica’s life. Fortunately, I was the vice-principal of a senior public school that was just over the hill behind our home. I was on the scene in just a few minutes to learn that indeed Lozanne had called the police prior to calling me and there were two cruisers in front of the house. The policemen were searching the neighbouring yards while calling out Jessica’s name. She had been missing for about a half hour that afternoon. It is hard to describe the panic a parent fights back in such a situation. I tried to comfort Lozanne very briefly and started to search the yards untouched by the concerned police officers. Lozanne had found it very difficult to search by herself while holding an infant. It was the mild spring of 1977 making temperature and weather conditions not of immediate concern.

Twenty minutes later Jess was found hiding under an overturned aluminium boat in a neighbouring yard. The continual calling of her name by strange male voices had actually caused her to go into hiding until the officer who found her had the presence of mind to visually search any good hiding places. Suffice it to say, the relief felt by Lozanne and I, can’t be described. Concern and desperation were replaced by joy. Needless to say, Jessica was welcomed home with jubilance and great relief. The two searching police officers were thanked profusely. Jesus tells us a parable in the Book of Luke that mirrors the joy felt in finding a lost child. In Luke 15: 4-7 we read:

4 "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety–nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?

5 "And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

6 "And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’

7 "I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety–nine just persons who need no repentance.

The other night as I was dozing off, I was half listening to a televangelist who was putting forward his personal theory that when a sinner is saved on this earth, his or her family and friends already in heaven are the first to be given the fantastic news. I can’t verify what he was postulating in the Bible, but I sure like the sound of the prospect. It could indeed be true, because Jesus tells us that when we accept Him as our Lord and Saviour there is great joy in heaven. It occurs to me that there may be a joyful party in heaven every time each and every one of us is saved. The ninety-nine persons who need no repentance only think they have no need to born again. All have need of repentance, because all are sinners. The ninety-nine just don’t see their need. Are you the one who was lost and is now found or are you part of the ninety-nine?

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