For what reasons do you rejoice? Do you rejoice when something good happens for you? Do you rejoice when something good happens for your family or friends? Do you rejoice when something bad happens to your enemy? That’s a bit different, isn’t it?
Rejoicing is a tricky thing. Many times, we rejoice for the right reasons. However, there are times when we rejoice for the wrong reasons. Even when we rejoice for the right reasons, are we rejoicing for the best reason? That is something for us to ponder.
Jesus tells two parables and ends each one with the same statement. In the first parable, He talks of someone losing one of their sheep in the wilderness and they leave the ninety-nine to go find the one. In the second parable, He talks of a woman who loses one of her ten silver coins, and she cleans the entire house to find it. At the end of each parable, He makes the same statement.
We rejoice for many reasons. The best reason to rejoice, though, is when someone comes to Jesus and gives Him their life. Jesus says the angels rejoice. We should rejoice with the angels. If the angels find it a wonderful thing to rejoice about, shouldn’t we? Rejoicing that another soul has been saved is a great thing to rejoice about.
Sure, there are lots of things to rejoice about. Rejoicing for birthdays, weddings, accomplishments, and promotions are good. But they are nothing compared to the joy we should have for someone who has accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, being blessed with eternal life with Him.
I pray we all rejoice when good things happen. I pray we are joyful when someone accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I pray we rejoice with the angels when one sinner repents. Rejoice for good. Be joyful. Rejoice with the angels. Rejoice with those being saved.
Luke 15:10 “Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Marty Pressey 