Joy is an indescribable feeling that everyone can experience. For an individual, getting engaged is a moment of joy, and marriage brings happiness to both partners and family. Achieving recognition or success brings immense joy to some, while parents find great joy in seeing their children blessed with grand kids and all worldly blessings to live a peace filled life. Around the world, people are often willing to spend a lot of money to seek this joy—whether traveling to new places, throwing parties, or indulging in celebrations. However, worldly joy is temporal, it lasts only for a few days or weeks before fading into memory, leaving us searching for the next event to recreate that feeling.
Joy is a big part of heaven, and the good news is we can share that same joy here on earth. While there’s nothing wrong with enjoying the temporary joys of this world, we should focus on seeking the everlasting joy that truly matters. The struggles of world will be replaced by Joy when we go to heaven - Revelation 21:1-4 'Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” '
The joy of heaven can be expressed in this simple formula:
Joy (Rejoice) = Lost + Found
Luke 15 brings out the themes of being lost, found, and rejoicing. Jesus shares three parables to illustrate these truths:
In Luke 15:7 '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. '
In Luke 15:10 'In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” '
The parable of the prodigal son beautifully captures the essence of being lost and found. Jesus concludes in Luke 15:32 '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.’ ”'
There are three types of joy that cause heaven to erupt in celebration, much like the way we shout and cheer during a joyful party.
1. The joy of Finding
Luke 15:3-7 'Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 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. '
Jesus talks with a parable of Lost Sheep in Luke 15:3-7
When observing a flock of sheep, you’ll notice they always recognize and follow the voice of their shepherd, trusting his guidance. Similarly, the shepherd is constantly vigilant, protecting the sheep from various predators that might attack. Over time, the sheep learn to distinguish between the shepherd’s call to gather and warnings of danger, enabling them to respond appropriately.
Jesus compares us to sheep, reminding us that while we often hear His voice, we can still stray, drawn away by the pleasures of the world. It’s similar to a child at a fair, distracted by all the exciting sights and sounds, losing focus on their parent’s voice. Many times, we find ourselves acting in the same way as we walk with in our spiritual life. Its confirmed by Prophet Isaiah 53:6 'We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
We stray because of the sins we commit, becoming distracted and lost along the way. The Pharisees and scribes had no difficulty recognizing the lost sheep, yet they chose to ignore it. Similarly, we can often be like them—turning away from those who are lost and continuing with our own lives, unaffected.
In Luke 15:4, Jesus leaving the ninety-nine sheep to search for the one that was lost demonstrates His deep love and care for each sheep. Many times thats how he looks for the one who is lost in here, he waits to see what opportunity he can bring back by giving the grace to us, where we recognise his presence and return to him.
A lost sheep or coin holds little value to its owner until it is found. Similarly, a person who is spiritually lost cannot experience the enriching fulfillment that comes through knowing God in Jesus Christ. To be “found” (saved) means being restored to your rightful place (reconciled to God) and stepping into a life of purpose (serving Him).
Jesus actively seeks out lost sinners because this reflects the heart of God, a heart full of love. The same love He shows for the ninety-nine is also extended to the one who is lost.
Few joys can compare to the joy of finding the lost and bringing them to the Savior.
Reflect back
If you feel lost, know that God’s love is reaching out to find you, restoring you from being out of place to being in the right place. He often does this through evangelists or churches or saved people like you and me, who share the love of Christ.
If you are saved and walking with God, do you carry a burden like Jesus for the one who is lost? Perhaps it’s a neighbour or friend who doesn’t know Christ. They are lost because they don’t know the way. Can you be the one to show them the way?
2. The joy of returning
The Story of Prodigal Son in a short video -
The Story of two Sons as in Luke 15:11-19 'Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’
We look at the Side of Rebellious Son to learn key spiritual learning on his return
The story of the Prodigal Son gets its name from the word “prodigal,” which means wasteful.
There are three experiences of Younger Son that made him realise Father’s goodness
Coveting
The son was driven by a strong desire for worldly pleasures, valuing material things more than relationships. A covetous person is never truly satisfied, no matter how much they accumulate, and this lack of contentment ultimately leads to disappointments in life.
Jesus warned two disputing brothers of Covetousness Luke 12:15 'Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” '
The prodigal learnt this in a hard way, you cannot enjoy the things of money can buy, if you ignore the things money cannot buy.
Sin Promises freedom
The Son asked his father his share of money so that he can be free to live the life he wanted, he wants freedom.
Sin promises freedom from outside, but it brings failures and it leads only to Slavery. e.g., a person enjoying a beer bottle feels he is free and enjoying the drink, soon this turns to 2.. on to 3.. on to 4.. later he is lead to slavery, no more joy just drinking 1.. drinking 4 gives that joy.. and he is a slave and addicted. (I was like this..)
The wages of Sin is death Romans 6:23 'For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.'
Repentance
Luke 15:15-17 'So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! '
Repentance means a change of mind, and this is exactly what happened when the son found himself feeding pigs.
“When he came to his senses,” that points that he has really not “been himself”. There is a “insanity” in sin that seems to paralyse the image of God within us and liberate the “animal” inside.The young man had a change of heart about himself and his situation, acknowledging that he was a sinner. He recognized that his father was a generous man, and life at home was far better than the so-called “freedom” he had in the distant country. It is God’s goodness, not just man’s sinfulness, that leads to repentance, as stated in Romans 2:4: “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”
True repentance involves the will, mind, and emotions—“I will arise… I will go… I will stay…”
If repentance is truly the work of God, sinners will respond in obedience, placing their saving faith in Jesus Christ, with no turning back to their old life.
Fathers Goodness
Luke 15:20 'So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. '
In this passage, Jesus shows that the father not only ran to welcome his son but also honored his return by preparing a grand feast.
The father didn’t allow the younger son to finish his confession; he interrupted him, forgave him, and immediately ordered a celebration.
The father’s actions reflect the attitude of our Heavenly Father Jesus toward sinners who repent. He is rich in mercy and grace, and His love for them is immeasurable.
This would not be possible without the sacrifice of His Son on the cross. We are saved by God’s grace, and grace is love that pays the price.
There is only one way to come to the Father, and that is through faith in Jesus Christ.
The younger son experienced something different: instead of saying, “Father, give me,” he said, “Father, make me” (v. 19). He was willing to be a servant, and that humility earned him forgiveness (Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:3-7).
Reflect back
Are you a prodigal son who once experienced the Father’s goodness? If so, remember the care He showed you, the richness of His mercy, and how He treated you.
Take a moment to reflect on any rebellious attitude within you that resists God’s work.
Repent and rejoice as you say to the Father, “Father, make me a servant” to regain what I have lost.
Let there be godly sorrow that leads to true repentance.
If you are not a prodigal son, thank God for His love and grace that has kept you in His hands. The enemy is like a roaring lion, but by His grace, we are saved—not by our own good works.
Summary
We are saved to save others. We are Christians to lead others to Christ. We are born again to bring others into the Kingdom. We are God’s children to welcome others into His family. We are disciples of Christ to make more disciples. We are part of the Church to reach the unchurched. We are sanctified to show others the way to holiness.
We are on our way to Heaven, and we cannot meet our Lord empty-handed. Just as you bring a gift when visiting someone’s home, we must go to the Lord’s house with the souls He desires.
In some churches, there is a lack of joy—people wear long faces, and there’s no excitement, enthusiasm, or exuberance. The answer is simple: there is no soul-winning. When the shepherd found his lost sheep, he called his friends and neighbors, saying, “Rejoice with me!”
Baptism with the Holy Spirit is not just a ticket to enter the Kingdom of God, but an ordination for soul-winning, to seek out those lost souls who don’t yet know God’s love.
The devil will fight tooth and nail because soul-winning depletes hell and fills Heaven. Seek the Father’s strength to share His love with the lost, so that they may be saved and found.
Amen