ONE SINNER THAT REPENTS

"I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance." (Luke 15:7).

As our Lord taught the people, "all the tax collectors (publicans) and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him" Lk 15:1). Appalled by this activity, the Pharisees and scribes said, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them." (Lk 15:2). Jesus did not turn sinners away, or say they were unworthy to hear the Gospel. He received them--received them as listeners. He did not receive their manner of life.

The Savior compares the response of heaven to the reaction of some of the religious elite of His time. There was "joy in heaven" over the very event that caused "murmuring" among the religious leaders of this world– "one sinner who repents!" What a contrast!

Jesus associates sinners coming to Him with repentance. In drawing near to Him and willingly hearing His words, the individual departs the life of sin! In coming to Jesus, one leaves the realm of Satanic influence–just as in leaving Jesus, one returns to that domain.

But notice another comparison. Our Lord contrasts the repentance of a solitary sinner with ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. Make sure, this does NOT assign a lesser value to being righteous–an absolute requisite to seeing God (Heb 12:14). However, those who turn from darkness to light are expected to continue there, and have been provided the resources to do so. The "sinner," on the other hand, is in a condemned state (John 3:18), with no spiritual resources whatsoever. Such an one is destitute of both life and hope. Yet, their downward spiral is arrested by their repentance, causing "more joy in heaven."

Behind this inexplicable joy is the fact that Jesus "gives repentance." He has been exalted to do so (Acts 5:31). What is more, He does this as wretched souls come close to Him. The repentance of a single sinner reveals a climactic overthrow of Satan and the superior authority of the Lord Jesus. It is, in fact, a Divine work.

Jesus is saying He found in heaven what He looked for upon the earth. The angels loved Jesus and His work, and thus rejoiced at the uniting of a soul to Him. I am going to say the comparison is more with perfection in Eden than the maintenance of righteousness by someone who was once a sinner. In other words, the restored person is elevated to a position greater than the one from whence he fell! That of course, is the point of the parable of the lost sheep that Jesus uttered immediately before this saying (Lk 15:3-6). It is surely true, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Tim 1:15)!

PRAYER POINT: Father, may I myself be the cause of rejoicing in heaven. In Jesus' name, empower me to be used to bring sinners to repentance.

-- MONDAY: New series, LED BY THE SPIRIT --