The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind 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."
Jesus provided a comparison parable to describe what it is like when a sinner repents by placing his faith and trust in him. Just as when a woman loses a coin and then finds it and asks her friends and neighbors to a party to celebrate and rejoice the find, so it is in heaven. Clearly, those in heaven look down upon earth in expectancy and anticipation. "Rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God" inspires such a fascination! Heaven looks on. Heaven reacts! The picture Jesus provides is not simply of a stately smile of satisfaction and approval of those in heaven to the events here on earth… it is a picture of joy and excitement! I see thrill here! I see those in heaven raising the roof!
As I think of this, it causes me to think of all heaven watching as Jesus carried on his earthly ministry. He reminds us that at any time he could have called upon the resources of heaven while here, "Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?" Matthew 26:53. Heaven is very connected to earth. Clearly, all heaven must have been watching in anticipation. They must have watched when Jesus performed his many miracles. They must have watched his precise manipulation of events as he unfolded his offer of the kingdom to Israel. I wonder how those in heaven felt as they watched Jesus being nailed to that cross and suffer such a miserable death?
Heaven watched, heaven observed, heaven anticipated. Imagine the fascination of the angels as they witnessed, first hand, the overwhelming mercy of God in the expression of his loving kindness as he had his Son die in our place! Peter says, "Even angels long to look into these things." 1 Peter 1:12. They do not have a simple passing interest in God's redemption of mankind, but a longing to look into these things! A longing!
The focus of heaven upon the events that take place on earth is cloaked from us. We rely on what we are told and what we are told is simply amazing. Heaven watches, heaven observes, heaven anticipates, heaven reacts! When speaking of our need to humble ourselves as children, Jesus said of these children, "See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven." Matthew 18:10. The involvement of heaven with earth certainly transcends anything we are able to sense in any way.
I suspect we would all be astonished if one day our eyes were opened and we were able to witness that which we are told surrounds us in the spiritual realm as we live our lives today. I am certain I would be!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
"In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Jesus provided a comparison parable to describe what it is like when a sinner repents by placing his faith and trust in him. Just as when a woman loses a coin and then finds it and asks her friends and neighbors to a party to celebrate and rejoice the find, so it is in heaven. Clearly, those in heaven look down upon earth in expectancy and anticipation. "Rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God" inspires such a fascination! Heaven looks on. Heaven reacts! The picture Jesus provides is not simply of a stately smile of satisfaction and approval of those in heaven to the events here on earth… it is a picture of joy and excitement! I see thrill here! I see those in heaven raising the roof!
As I think of this, it causes me to think of all heaven watching as Jesus carried on his earthly ministry. He reminds us that at any time he could have called upon the resources of heaven while here, "Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?" Matthew 26:53. Heaven is very connected to earth. Clearly, all heaven must have been watching in anticipation. They must have watched when Jesus performed his many miracles. They must have watched his precise manipulation of events as he unfolded his offer of the kingdom to Israel. I wonder how those in heaven felt as they watched Jesus being nailed to that cross and suffer such a miserable death?
Heaven watched, heaven observed, heaven anticipated. Imagine the fascination of the angels as they witnessed, first hand, the overwhelming mercy of God in the expression of his loving kindness as he had his Son die in our place! Peter says, "Even angels long to look into these things." 1 Peter 1:12. They do not have a simple passing interest in God's redemption of mankind, but a longing to look into these things! A longing!
The focus of heaven upon the events that take place on earth is cloaked from us. We rely on what we are told and what we are told is simply amazing. Heaven watches, heaven observes, heaven anticipates, heaven reacts! When speaking of our need to humble ourselves as children, Jesus said of these children, "See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven." Matthew 18:10. The involvement of heaven with earth certainly transcends anything we are able to sense in any way.
I suspect we would all be astonished if one day our eyes were opened and we were able to witness that which we are told surrounds us in the spiritual realm as we live our lives today. I am certain I would be!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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