Joy in Heaven

Challenge 24 - Joy in Spite of Stoopidity

Apr 20, 2026

I know we have all experienced losing something, or someone even, and searching for it. Being glad and thankful when we find what was lost. Or sometimes feeling foolish because the “lost” phone was in our hand. Or the glasses on our head.

The people being addressed in this chapter, the scribes and Pharisees, are upset Jesus is spending time with who they deem unworthy; they also should be able to relate to what he is saying about how they care for their livestock or their money – they would search for what was lost. They would rejoice at finding it. This is how one should shepherd the people. Go find the lost, whoever they are, and bring them home. And rejoice as heaven rejoices. My brain also wonders if Jesus is wanting them to discover that they are missing their own unrighteousness held in hand while looking for it in others. Because other Scripture verses tell us that “none is righteous, no not one” (Romans 3:10 ESV).

Jesus came to call people, all people, to repentance (Luke 5: 32) - the changing of the mind of those who have begun to abhor their errors and misdeeds, and have determined to enter upon a better course of life, so that it embraces both a recognition of sin and sorrow for it and hearty amendment, the tokens and effects of which are good deeds. He did this by spending time with the lost, which included the Pharisees and scribes as He took opportunity to teach them while they disdained to learn from Him. And in doing so missed His point: He came for them too. He will die for them too. And all of heaven would rejoice over them too.

That is truth for all of us. Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus died on the cross and rose again. Those who acknowledge Jesus before men will be acknowledged before the angels of God (Luke 12: 8 ESV). And upon learning of the lost soul being found in Christ, all of heaven will rejoice!

Find the Challenge post for these verses here.