The Angels Rejoice
She calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.” Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
Luke 15:9–10 RSV
While angels will play an important role in executing the judgment of God on those who refuse Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, the Bible tells us that they also rejoice in the salvation of sinners. Jesus tells several striking stories in Luke 15. In the first, a man had a hundred sheep. When one was lost, he left the ninety-nine in the wilderness to seek it. When he found the sheep, he slung it over his own shoulders and brought it back to the fold. At home he summoned all his friends saying, “Rejoice with me: for I have found my sheep which was lost” (v. 6). Jesus said, “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance” (v. 7).
His second story is that of a women who lost a valuable silver coin. She looked everywhere. She swept her house carefully. At last when she recovered the coin she called all her friends and neighbors saying, “Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost” (v. 9). “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:10).
In these two parables is not Jesus telling us that the angels of heaven have their eyes on every person? They know the spiritual condition of everybody on the face of the earth. Not only does God love you, but the angels love you too. They are anxious for you to repent and turn to Christ for salvation before it is too late. They know the terrible dangers of hell that lie ahead. They want you to turn toward heaven, but they know that this is a decision that you and you alone will have to make. What is your relationship to the Lord?
Isn’t it comforting to know that, no matter how alone we may feel, God’s angels are watching over us?
Our Father and our God, Your mercies, kindnesses, and care overwhelm me. I am so humbled by Your constant attention and gentle dealing with me. My life is Yours to direct, Lord. Keep me safe and ever near You. I can’t make it without You. Help me to walk heart-in-heart with Jesus. In His name I pray. Amen.
Billy Graham, Unto the Hills: A Daily Devotional (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2010).