In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of Godʼs angels over one sinner who repents. (Luke 15:10)
Gaunt buffalos flaunted their holy status by heedlessly blocking rickshaw traffic. Arching palms cordoned flooded rice paddies, and in the center of it all, a purple and red tent fluttered over hundreds of worshipers in Andhra Pradesh, India.
Dani noted that during all our time in India she never saw duplication between saris. On this day, the ladies didn’t hold back on their vermilion, chartreuse, and tangerine. Worship music pulsed with the rattle of metallic shakers and the thromb of a lap drum.
“You, and not the many shrines around you, are the temples of God. Let Jesus cleanse you now, so God can enter his temple.” As I spoke, the Holy Spirit ignited the crowd.
At the invitation, the entire congregation came forward and mouthed prayers of repentance. Tears ran and they pressed up on their toes, closer to God. There is nothing so pure, so attractive as a repentant heart, and here were hundreds.
Repentance cracks a whip that purges my temple of pride. It drives out the rabble of self-rule to leave me cleansed, quiet, and sacred again. It’s into this space that the Spirit of Jesus rushes.
Humility, not great features, and brokenness, not firm skin, are the marks of true beauty. The repentant heart is an irresistible attraction to jubilant angels. The human that admits errors and lays down earthly claims is such a rarity that Yahweh ranges the earth seeking them. When he finds these precious ones, he proclaims a celebration in heaven. And I know he found plenty in India that day.
Prayer: King Jesus, make me beautiful in your sight through repentance.