Luke 15:7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
Can you imagine the rejoicing in heaven that happens when sinners repent? Jesus spoke of this great joy in heaven at the change of heart of one who has been living in sin and finally repents. His statement can be found in the book of Luke where we see Him conversing once more with the judgemental Pharisees. We know the story as the Parable of the Lost Sheep.
Once again the religious leaders are being critical as they judge Him for eating with social outcasts. His response is given in the form of a parable where He explains that God rejoices deeply when a lost soul repents and is turned to Him. We see the joy of our Father while the Pharisees stood before Him with their self-righteous attitudes, looking down on Him and the tax collectors and sinners He ate with.
The parable is simple. A shepherd leaves 99 sheep behind knowing they are safe and goes to find the one stray that has wandered away. Once the shepherd has found the lost sheep he has a massive party to celebrate the one lost sheep having been found.
This story mirrors our own Shepherd. He actively pursues the lost and then rejoices and celebrates with all of heaven when that soul repents. The heavens erupt in praise and rejoicing over just one, single soul. Imagine how much more there would be if more lives were changed and people came to real, heartfelt repentance?
But what of the other 99, the ones who are righteous? Is there no celebration of their lives or choices?
We are all sinners and we make poor choices daily. None of us is truly righteous. We all fall short. But when we turn from sin, repent and seek God’s forgiveness the heavens rejoice.
The 99 righteous in the story likely referred to the religious leaders who assumed they were morally correct already and did not need to repent. They falsely believed they were living a proper, righteous life and would be rewarded for it. They did not see their own sin and their need for repentance.
Have you become like the Pharisees, blind to your own sin? There is no justification for doing what is contrary to God’s will. Confess your sins before Him, ask for forgiveness, and then make the change necessary to live a life for God.
Prayer: Lord, Open my eyes to the sins in my life that I am living in. Let me confess and repent of them and turn back to You. Amen
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