"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."
{Luke 15:7} (NIV)
The Pharisees lived in contempt of God’s kindness, forbearance and patience. They rebuked our Lord for welcoming and eating with “sinners”. They couldn’t wait for God to bring destruction upon the “sinners”, and they would never lift a finger to help the “sinners”, for surely they deserve everything they are getting.
These three famous stories were told by our Lord to correct their contempt problem. He points out to them that we rejoice over finding lost things that have value to us, and God rejoices over lost people who have value to Him. God said the same thing to Jonah about the city of Nineveh; Jonah was angry that God spared them, and God simply pointed out that He has every right to be concerned over the lives of 120,000 people.
God cares about people. He wants them to Live, and repentance is the only way to Life. We wonder at these 99 people who didn’t need to repent; what does He mean? Who are these people who don’t need to repent? He identifies them in the last story as the older brother who wanted the father to write off his brother. He is talking about those who write off “sinners” and who justify themselves. Those people who act in such a way, spit on God’s kindness, forbearance and patience. May we have the attitude of God! May we welcome sinners and eat with them, all for the purpose of leading them to repentance.
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