Joy in Repentance.

Luke 15: 4-7 "4 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? 5 When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 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!' 7 I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance."

This is first of three parables in Luke 15, all with the same central theme that God rejoices when a sinner repents. Each of the parables addresses the people in the audience; sinners and social outcast as one part of the audience, and the Pharisees on the other (v 1,2), as well as Jesus and God.

Key characters to keep in mind here are the shepherd representing Christ, who actively seeks out the lost sheep, or the sinners. A thing to note here is that the rabbis taught that God forgives those who seek after Him, but here Jesus is clearly showing that He is seeking after the lost. The Pharisees are mentioned in the last part of verse 7 "ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." This isn't mention of people who are already saved, but those that are self-righteous.

The biggest thing for us to get out of this is what happened when the shepherd found the sheep. He gathers his friends and neighbors and rejoices with them because he has found the lost sheep. Now notice what Jesus says next, "I tell you in the same way there will be more joy in Heaven over one sinner who repents." There is joy in Heaven when a sinner repents. It is God rejoicing. The same thing happened when I came to a saving knowledge of Christ, and you as well. God rejoices when sinners repent and put their faith in Christ for salvation.

The reason why I mention this, is because while listening to "Free for All Friday" on Wretched Radio a man called up announcing that he got saved while listening to the radio program on Monday, and later that night his wife did as well. Please rejoice with over the salvation of Trevor and Jessica, and pray that God grows them in holiness.

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