The Savior's Joy
"Remember you have given Jesus great joy in His saving you. He was forever with the Father, eternally happy, infinitely glorious, as God over all.
Yet out of boundless love, He came, took upon Himself our nature, and suffered in our stead to bring us back to holiness and God.
'He layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.' That day the shepherd knew but one joy. He had found his sheep, and the very pressure of it upon his shoulders made his heart light, for he knew by that sign that the object of his care was safe beyond all question.
Now he goes home with it, and this joy of his was then so great that it filled his soul to overflowing. The parable speaks nothing as to his joy in getting home again, nor a word concerning the joy of being saluted by his friends and neighbours.
No, the joy of having found his sheep eclipsed all other gladness of heart, and dimmed the light of home and friendship. He turns round to friends and neighbours and entreats them to help him to bear the weight of his happiness.
He cries, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.' One sinner had repented, and all heaven must make holiday concerning it.
Oh, brethren, there is enough joy in the heart of Christ over His saved ones to flood all heaven with delight!
The streets of Paradise run knee-deep with the heavenly waters of the Saviour’s joy. They flow out of the very soul of Christ, and angels and glorified spirits bathe in the mighty stream.
Let us do the same."
--Charles H. Spurgeon, “The Parable of the Lost Sheep,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, Volume 30 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1884), 30: 526.
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