There Was a Party. Even Before They Arrived!

Read Luke 15:1-10

We have said good-bye to several of our precious church family in the past fifteen or so months. Including my dear husband, Fernando. We know their joy is beyond what we can imagine. After all, the Bible says that in God's presence, there is fullness of joy, Psalm 16:11. Unfathomable to those of us who have walked together down this road. Often sharing both laughter and tears. Of course, we all wonder about many details concerning eternity. Our view from earth is so very limited, and we have many questions, but may I share one that though it is unimportant to the scheme of things, still causes me to wonder. Do people acknowledge birthdays in heaven? I don't know, but as I thought about that question, I was reminded of a different and even more relevant truth. We know that "birth days" are a cause for celebration according to Jesus. Perhaps there is a celebration going on right now. Even as I type this. May I explain?

We discover this truth in Luke 15:1-10. Here Jesus was showing the religious leaders the difference between their distaste towards "sinners" and how God looked upon them. Using two simple stories to compare their thinking with God's point of view. Two points of view that were poles apart. Two parables with one message. The lost are precious. Valuable and worth finding. Not to be looked upon with contempt. Sheep and coins were something anyone could understand. Important in their world and a good illustration to portray the heart of God.

How differently Jesus' opponents looked upon people whom they believed to be greater sinners. They would never eat with people who were tax collectors or prostitutes. They believed such people would defile them. How different Jesus' heart--the heart of God-is than theirs. Jesus' every-day pictures point out the truth. God seeks those who are lost. A description of each of us, Romans 6:23. The religious person and the prostitute. No matter what label we have on earth, we each stand in need of God's grace. We each need to be born anew, and when that occurs, heaven rejoices. Why? Because when anyone turned from sin and to God, heaven celebrates a real "birth day", John 3:3.

A party goes on each time that occurs. Even though the one whose life was made new, 2 Corinthians 5:17, wasn't yet at the celebration, and the celebrations for our loved ones occurred long before they arrived. I love that. Even now, heaven waits for the redemption of more precious people. Ready to party. As occurred when each of our loved ones received Jesus, John 1:11-12. No wonder 2 Peter 3:9 reminds us that God is not slow the way man pictures slowness. It is because He longs that all will be saved. Yes, we know that many will not come to Him, but for now, heaven continues to wait and celebrate when one person trust in Jesus.

Speaking of celebrations. One year, decades ago, a friend had brought a cake to celebrate Fernando's birthday. It was a Wednesday night. As Fernando was attempting to blow out the candles, we all realized the cake was topped with the trick kind that keep lighting over and over.  As I smiled about that incident this morning, I wondered why they keep relighting. If you believe what Alexa said, it is a bit of magnesium in the wick that causes that to occur. That on-going flickering reminds me of God's love. It keeps on shining. People think it has gone out, but it keeps popping up. That will happen until Jesus says that the time for His grace has ended.

Lord, help us to know how to tell others about you so they will also have their "birth days" celebrated in heaven.