Bible Reading: Luke 15
Luke 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
Luke 15:32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
Jesus told three parables because of the attitude of the religious leaders of his day. He was eating with sinners and publicans and they were critical of him. These three parables tell of something that was lost and then found by the owner. First, a lost sheep was found. Next, a lost coin and finally a lost boy returned home. The point of the first two stories is to show the value of the lost one and the search that took place to find it. There is no search in the last story, just an expectant waiting on the part of the Father.
Please notice what the response in heaven is when a sinner repents. There is joy in the presence of the angels of God! But the last story has one is not joyful. The elder brother is quite upset because he thinks the younger brother’s reception is too lavish. He has been faithfully serving the father and not out wasting the family inheritance on harlots!
The religious leaders of the day had no room for repentance. They saw themselves as good people who were getting better! They looked down on others who were ‘sinners’. They needed no repentance and therefore they didn’t need the forgiveness that Jesus offered. This is the attitude of the Pharisee. This attitude is still present in the church today. People who have lived a sinful life are shunned instead of being welcomed and discipled.
No one is saying it is ok to stay in sin. But Jesus invites all to come to him as they are and learn of him. As we learn of him, he cleans up our sinful lives. The lost boy remembered how good even his father’s hired servants had it because the father was good and kind. This thought of the father’s kindness is what drew him back home. The Bible says:
Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
People who know that God is good will know they have a place they can return to. We all need to have joy when a sinner repents. I pity the person who is like the elder brother. He has no joy when the younger brother returns. The things that make heaven joyful should make us joyful!
In Christ,
Rody
