Jesus' high-level discipleship did not chase people away. On the contrary, tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear him. They knew he received them as they were and was working to heal them (5:31-32). Even though Jesus had explained it to them, the Pharisees still could not understand why Jesus welcomes tax collectors and eats with them. Jesus tried another angle: three parables to help them understand God's perspective towards sinners.

Losing one sheep out of a hundred seems like a small loss. But to a shepherd each one is precious. The shepherd does anything to find the lost sheep. The joy of finding it elicits a celebration worthy of sharing with all. God's joy for each of his righteous ones is immeasurable. Yet, his joy over one sinner who repents is ninety-nine times greater!

The woman's loss of one coin out of ten is tragic. Yet she does not despair. She overturns everything, cleaning from top to bottom until that one lost coin is found. The joy of finding it outweighs all the labor of searching and is so great that it must be shared. Likewise, God's rejoicing overflows from heaven when we repent.


Application: Father, I'm amazed at your joy at one repentant sinner. Help me to be quick to repent, and quick to share your joy when others do.
One Word: Rejoice with God when the lost are found