Today we start worship with:
Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinnerwho repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need norepentance.
This parable was addressed to quote-unquote righteous persons, or at least to ones that thought they needed “no repentance”. The Pharisees and scribes had been grumbling because Jesus would spend time with sinners (Luke 15:1-2). Jesus was addressing them.
We know now that everyone needs repentance.
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
This was a lesson that Abraham had to learn. He pleaded with God to save the city of Sodom for the sake of his nephew Lot. Even as the number decreased from 50 down to 10, God’s answer was always the same. If righteous were found, God would withhold His wrath (Genesis 18:22-33). In the end, righteous were not found and only a few were found willing to leave. Only Lot, his wife, and his two daughters took advantage of the angel’s warning and his wife famously turned back and received the just penalty (Genesis 19:15-29).
Heaven rejoices when the warning is heeded, when the sinner is rescued.
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