Overflowing joy

Matthew 18: 1 - 5, 10, 12 - 14

...does he not go in search...

Jesus' parables about sheep that get lost and are found again are very comforting. I guess he realized from personal experience interacting with shepherds of his time that humans are much like sheep. Silly and easily misled, stubborn in their folly, and just frail creatures. So we are. Many if not most of us might have behaved like silly sheep and wandered off at some stage of the journey. The only reason we are still around to praise, reverence and serve God is because like the shepherds would, he made the effort to go after the stray one - even one precious creature. Even our straying does not deter a God whose first and last word is always redemption. Hope for the lost and slow to understand his voice. Healing for the wounds sustained.

And at the end of the whole episode joy is displayed for all to see. Joy and not blame, acceptance and not rejection. Homecoming to the arms of a loving God. Imagine how joyful the scene is. On the other hand imagine the discomfort and avoidance some people at church convey towards 'returned sinners' when they find out that person's past sins.

I am grateful that at this point in my journey, I am much less likely to miss the words of hope and encouragement in Scripture. I am less likely to latch on to the words that only reinforce my self- imposed judgment. Today, it is 'joy' that catches my attention. I imagine a God who invites the lost and found to a banquet - not once, not a stingy meal, but one where the food and good company will never run out. Overflowing joy!