Folks don’t seem to do it any more, but I remember the celebrations of new car purchases when I was a child. It was customary in our neighborhood for people from up and down the street to gather around the shiny, new vehicle as the proud owner let this one and that one sit behind the wheel, poke around under the hood, or run their hands along the shiny chrome. It wasn’t boasting or showing off. It was shared joy.
Jesus gives an example of the joy of salvation in this section of Luke. What has the woman lost? What does she do to find it? What is the first thing the woman does when she finds her coin?
In the verses just prior to this passage Jesus tells of a shepherd who recovers a sheep. Following this passage is the familiar story of the prodigal son. All three are examples of people who celebrate the recovery of what was lost. All three stories result in that celebration being shared with others.
These are stories of joy. They are meant to explain the joy that God feels when people turn from the sinful nature and establish a relationship with Him. Salvation, turning from sin and walking in step with the Spirit, is indeed a reason for joy. Our salvation brings God joy.
But, we should also be experiencing that same joy in our hearts. We should feel joy not only when others turn to God, but when we remember that the salvation Jesus offers is given to us. As Christians we are in step with the Spirit and we should be joyous in our attitude at all times. We have reason for constant joy.
And like the woman who found her lost coin, like the shepherd who finds his sheep, like the father who regains his son, our joy should be shared with all of those around us.
The joy you feel for your own salvation is not something to be hidden, but something that should flow from you into the lives of others. Let your relationship with God bring you joy, and let the light of your joy shine into the dark world.
DAILY CHALLENGE: Is there someone you know who can be invited to rejoice with you?
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