“In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!” Luke 15:7
From the stories of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son, Jesus goes to great lengths to express the importance of just how much value our Heavenly Father places on just one. Certainly, he cares about the multitudes, as seen when Jesus feeds the five thousand with just a few loaves and fish, but it seems as though his heart rejoices even as much, if not even more, over “the one.”
It’s a concept that may seem foreign to us. If I had ninety-nine and lost one, I don’t know that I would be too worried about it. Jesus, however, communicates a different concept as it relates to the heart of our Heavenly Father.
Even in the story of the “prodigal son,” Jesus illustrates the heart of the Father. In Middle Eastern culture, even to this day, it is customary for fathers, as the head of the household, to be highly respected and esteemed. As a result, praise is given to the fathers and they themselves do not show a lot of emotion. But in this story that Jesus shares, the father runs to the son, envelopes him with love and kisses him, even in his filth. The father even goes on to show his elation that this one son has returned home by celebrating with a lavish feast and party.
Yes, God loves the world, but in that mass of love, He sees, loves, and cares so deeply about you! You, as one person and one individual, mean so much to Him! So much, that I believe without a doubt, that if you had been the only one, the Father would have sent His Son just for you!
Today, rest in the love that the Father has for you and enjoy the goodness of His love.