One of the women who followed Jesus experiences his Joy:

My first reaction was not to believe what I was seeing.  How many times had I carefully counted those coins?  There were ten of them, and I knew each one with all its dents and wear marks – each one so precious and meaning so much.  They represented not just my life’s savings, but my hope and future too.  They were going to pay for my wedding!   I kept them so carefully… but now one was missing!

Hurriedly, I counted them again.  And again; each count confirming what I already knew. Only nine were there.  One had gone.  Where and how, I had no clue.  But one was definitely missing. And no, after the shock, the panic kicked in.

I looked on the floor, behind the cupboard, under the table, and in the purse once again just to be sure. Still missing.

I got down on my knees, turned up the light, swept the whole room, first with my eyes, and then with a broom to make sure it was not hiding under any dust lying in the corners.  But no, I still could not find it.

By now I was despairing, but I could not give up.   I moved all the furniture, turned out every cupboard, lifted every pot.  Checked the purse again.  Looked everywhere again.  And again!  Still no joy.

Then, as I sulkily went to plonk myself down in my chair, about to give up and cry, a tiny glint of something caught my eye.  I blinked and looked again and, yes, there was something shiny there!  Poking with my fingers, hardly daring to breathe, I stretched and, feeling something solid, flicked it out in to the open; My coin… my life… my future, found again!     

My neighbours came running at the sound of my shrieks. I’m sure thy first feared that something terrible was happening but, once they realised no immediate rescue was necessary, they relaxed.  As they listened to my story, their concern turned to joy. High fives were shared, hugs given … We did a happy dance together!   And boy did we party!  All because my lost coin had been found! 

Now, when I heard Jesus reciting exactly such a scene, I was transported right back there and then…  to the fear and agony of loss … and to the joy and relief in finding again.

Jesus told two other stories to punch his point home – one about a shepherd who went searching for his lost sheep, and the other of a father delighting at the return of his lost son. 

I think everyone of us may have lost something only to have it returned to us. If so, we know the joy Jesus was describing.  The joy, he tells, that fills heaven. The Joy in the father’s heart.

And if this is the Father’s Joy – if this is the joy that animates the whole of heaven – then shouldn’t it also be our greatest joy too?  Doesn’t God call us to celebrate with him when that which was lost has been found?

Jesus’ last story had a sting in the tail.  He introduced another character into the mix: a grumpy, sulking, party-pooping older brother, who steadfastly refused to join the celebration.  This boy’s heart remained steadfastly unmoved by the Father’s love and delight.

Jesus was obviously having a dig at those who were grumbling about the company he kept; the pharisees whose hearts were clearly several sizes too small.

“Don’t you see: this is what thrills the heart of God!?  This is what excites the whole of heaven!?  If you don’t share that same joy, you are way out of step with heaven… way out of step with God!”

I don’t think they liked that!  Their forgiveness, it appears, is much harder to earn – sometimes it seems impossible.  Honestly, I don’t think they go much for redemption, whatever they may say. It’s easier to hold on to the hurt and perpetually point the finger. “Once a sinner, always a sinner”– while they, of course, have no need to repent!   Pardon me?!  

And, if the lost are returning and being welcomed home with delight, then who do they have to compare themselves against? Who can they sit in judgement on?  Who can they condemn?  Who can they dress down in order to measure themselves well against, so as to make themselves feel good?  No-one!

But Jesus doesn’t think like them.  Oh yes, he knows how lost we all are – but that’s why he’s here; to seek out the lost, to call God’s wandering children home.  His heart breaks with the loss, but delights all the more at the return!  

This grace of His is what ignites all the parting in heaven.  It is meant to ignite us too.  If we don’t share the seeking, celebrating heart of God, then how much can we really claim to know him?  And why on earth would we pray, as Jesus taught us: ‘your kingdom come and your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven’?!