Spiritual Contemplations for those who serve the Lord |
“I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7). At the beginning of the New Year, this verse that transcends all understanding and cognition, compels us to meditate on the process of 'repentance' and the outcome therein and thereof. When sinners comprehend the magnitude of this verse, they will not dare live in sin anymore nor return back to it. Just contemplate the fact that all the residents in heaven are watching over us, waiting patiently and anxiously for our repentance and return. “For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot” (Psalm 91:11-13). Such a truth will ultimately lead us to consider our value in God's eyes and the joy we procure to His heart and which will be extended to be shared with the angels. The price of sinners in God's eyes is to some extent comparable to the value of offspring in their parents’ eyes. While parents eagerly watch their babies grow, keeping record of every new step taken, new hair grown, new tooth appearing and new word said, the rest of the world remains oblivious and incognizant of what parents are preoccupied with. Likewise, God sees us from a totally different perspective; not appreciated by the world but dearly valued by the angels and saints in heaven. Let us consider what repentance procures; treasuring and guarding it because it brings perpetually unfathomable joy in heaven while at the same time proclaiming and sealing our value. “I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7) The Magnitude of Repentance The magnitude of this verse is beyond our limited human understanding; and we need to ask God to help us grasp at least part of its actual meaningful content. The comparative adjective "more" for "one" than "ninety-nine" says it all; and the difference in the percentage is truly great. What a privilege to know that offering joy to heaven's residents is at our disposal; keeping in mind that humanity had previously grieved the heart of God, the Son, causing Him to weep as He did before the tomb of Lazarus who represented humanity at its worst fall which is death, “Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, 'See how He loved him! ”' (John 11:35-36). Lord Jesus Christ had to pay the heavy price in order to restore that joy to heaven. It is our duty to maintain this joy through repentance. “Surely, He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:4-6). The Consequences of Repentance King David sinned. However, once he realized what he had done, he offered a wholehearted repentance. After that he could boldly reap its fruit, “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Psalm 103:1-5). The Scope of Repentance The scope of repentance should not be limited to its efficacy in removing sin, wiping away punishment and procuring blessings; but should be widened and extended to include the joy that it brings to the heart of God and which is basically rooted in our relationship with God. The holy word of God explicates in depth our relation with God. David expressed God's utmost protection in the Holy Book of Psalm 91 saying “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.'” (Psalm 91:1-2). To abide means to dwell, remain and continue staying in a well secured place beyond the reach of any harm. That place is no more and no less than the shadow of the almighty God. Our Lord Jesus Christ summarized it all saying to Nicodemus. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:16- 17). Both the Old and New Testaments are full of God's good promises and assurance of His everlasting love. Therefore, is it not obligatory that we seek what pleases the One Who is constantly reaching out to please us? He has not asked for more than a penitent heart. Let us refrain from anything that saddens the heart of our creator. Let us follow David's example in searching for ways to reward God for all His favors, “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me? I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord now in the presence of all His people” (Psalm 116:12-14). The Value of Repentance Surprisingly enough, the value of repentance is equal to the value of the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is revealed in the Holy Book of Leviticus. God gave detailed instructions to Moses on how sacrifices should be offered, "'If his offering is a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish; he shall offer it of his own free will at the door of the tabernacle of meeting before the Lord. Then he shall put his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him. He shall kill the bull before the Lord; and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall bring the blood and sprinkle the blood all around on the altar that is by the door of the tabernacle of meeting. And he shall skin the burnt offering and cut it into its pieces. The sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire on the altar, and lay the wood in order on the fire. Then the priests, Aaron's sons, shall lay the parts, the head, and the fat in order on the wood that is on the fire upon the altar; but he shall wash its entrails and its legs with water. And the priest shall burn all on the altar as a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord.'” (Leviticus 1:3-9). The sacrifices of the Old Testament were prophesying the offering of the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, the sweet aroma that went up before God in atonement for our sins. Every repentance is a sweet aroma before the throne of God and every return is turning over the old page and starting a new page. As prophesied in the Holy Book of Isaiah, “I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, and like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you. Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it! Shout, you lower parts of the earth; break forth into singing, you mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, and glorified Himself in Israel” (Isaiah 44:22-23). God is not interested anymore in animal sacrifices, but longs for repentant hearts. As He said through Isaiah, “'To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?' Says the Lord. 'I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs or goats.'” (Isaiah 1:11). How much ought we to cherish repentance! Let us hide and find refuge in the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ who died so that we may live and instructed us that the only way to maintain this life in Him is through repentance, “From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'” (Matthew 4:17); what a great value we have been granted through repentance. The Appreciation of Repentance Not only is it important to know the value of repentance, but also to hold a deep appreciation of it. The Jews who were referred to as "the sons" by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, did not appreciate the essence and value of this sonship all because of their pride and arrogance, “But He answered and said, 'It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs.'” (Matthew 15:26). Consequently, because of their stubbornness the honor granted to sons was transferred to outsiders. A proof is found in the humble non-Jewish woman of Canaan who received healing for her daughter just because of her humility and faith, “Then Jesus answered and said to her, 'O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.' And her daughter was healed from that very hour” (Matthew 15:28). God does not know favoritism. All He requires is faith in the sacrificial lamb Jesus Christ, a repentant heart, returning feet and a professing tongue that knows how to say, “And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am nolonger worthy to be called your son.'” (Luke 15:21). After that, all things are ours; “And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.'” (Luke 15:31). Let us pray saying, “Lord, grant me perpetual repentance that gladdens Your heart. Cause it to be charged with cleansing tears and loaded with joy and gladness extended from the joy my repentance brings to Your heart. Grant me a small portion of penitence-wrought consolation and joy and that will be enough for me. ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.’ (Matthew 15:27).” “O Repentance! Who does not adore you? Everyone blesses you except Satan because you have grabbed all his spoils, wasted his treasures rendering him poor and devastated, void of all the inheritance that he has usurped unrightfully. He detests you truly because you always stand against him. For, there is no one who has fallen a victim in his hands but called upon you and was not rescued by you. There is no one who has been thrown between his teeth but called upon you and you did not hurry to his deliverance. There is no one swollen in Satan's belly but called upon you and you did not cut open Satan's belly and got him out. There is no one whom Satan tied with his ropes but called upon you and you did not sever up all those ropes and liberated him. there is no one whom Satan had hunted but called upon you and you did not hurry to set him free. For this reason, the enemy hates you because you have first detested him and have stood against him constantly. Satan abhors you because he first abhors your owner; and you are against him because your owner is first against him too” (The Spiritual Elder).
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