22 "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.
In our verses for today, lavish grace along with loving forgiveness mixed with exuberant joy is displayed by our Father who anxiously waits to bestow upon His prodigal a new life and one that is great in abundance. Remember, friends, Jesus tells us:
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 (NIV)
He offers life which is not constricted but one that is overflowing:
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Psalms 23:5 (NIV)
Our verses for today remind me of yet another passage of Scripture where joy plainly gets physical. The seventy-two had just returned from casting out demonic activity and were filled with joy and excitement over their newfound power yet Jesus in full blown joy points them back to what should be their ultimate motive for leaping joyful excitement:
18 He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." 21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. Luke 10:18-21 (NIV)
Our cause for joy should always rest in our personal relationship with Abba Father through Jesus His Son. We are children of the King through our faith in Christ. Our names, which are written in heaven, show we are His beloved and that we shall never perish. This had Jesus dancing with joy. As believers, Scripture states we are now His brothers (sisters):
10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. Heb 2:10-11 (NIV)
“From God’s perspective, one hidden act of repentance, one little gesture of selfless love, one moment of true forgiveness is all that is needed to bring God from His throne to run to His returning son and to fill the heavens with sounds of divine joy.” Henri J. M. Nouwen
God loves celebrations with feasting and dancing and laughter. He is a very gracious Host providing lavish hospitality. This invitation from God to a meal is actually an invitation to intimacy with Him. Nouwen goes on to say:
“I realize that I am not used to the image of God throwing a big party. It seems to contradict the solemnity and seriousness I have always attached to God. But when I think about the ways in which Jesus describes God’s Kingdom, a joyful banquet is often at its center. Jesus says, ‘Many will come from east and west and sit down with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven.’”
I am reminded of the prophet Isaiah’s words:
6 On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine-- the best of meats and the finest of wines. Isaiah 25:6 (NIV)
I don’t believe heaven’s banquet will be a place for plain grilled chicken or butter-less biscuits! Lavish sounds like cream to me – Divine dining like we have never experienced before. Laughter and joy filling the banquet hall with our Host providing what we mere mortals are unable to even conceive of as yet– it is no wonder Jesus leaps for joy over His follower’s names being written in heaven. We ignorant mortals know not of what awaits us! If we had even a glimmer of a clue of what we have been saved for, we too would be relishing in exuberant joy! It would behoove us all to dwell on the following verse:
18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Cor 4:18 (NIV)