HEAVEN REJOICES WHEN ONE SINNER REPENTS

Luke 15:7 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 15:10 There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

Please note: We are all sinners. We all fall short of the holiness of God. The Pharisees didn’t believe this. They thought the law made them perfect, holy.

Here’s the context of these two verses in Luke 15:1-10 NASB

Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming to Him to listen to Him. Both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable, saying, 

“What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' I tell you that in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine persons who need no repentance."

So the tax collectors and the sinners were listening to Jesus and the Pharisees and scribes grumbled about Jesus being friendly with sinners. Jesus then addressed the Pharisees and told the above story of the lost sheep, followed by the story of the lost coin and the story of the Prodigal son. Jesus let them know in each story that there was joy in heaven with God and the angels whenever a sinner repented.

Barclay says the Pharisees tried to avoid all contact with people who did not strictly obey the petty details of the law. They looked down on all who didn’t keep the law even to the point of rejoicing in their destruction. The Pharisees thought these sinners were deserving of nothing but destruction. In contrast God is overjoyed when a lost sinner is found. Many give up hope for the lost, but God doesn’t. God is kinder than we are.

This is awesome to ponder. God cares about each individual person – just as the shepherd cares about each sheep. He is a personal God who cares for each unique person. And he rejoices when the lost return to Him. The Pharisees were shocked that Jesus welcomed sinners. They didn’t understand how he could welcome sinners, even sinners who repent and follow Him!

Dear Father,

We thank you for your great Love and kindness for us - for every person. We thank you that you are a loving personal God and that you yearn to share your love with all mankind – one life at a time. Help us accept all people as you do. Help us share the Gospel and witness for you. Thank you for the vision of the great party in heaven that occurs every time a sinner comes to You. Your exuberant, rejoicing Love thrills us.

In Jesus mighty name we pray, Amen.