Note: This series is written as a first-person narrative to present Jesus in the context he walked in with the unknown disciple that narrates introducing my thoughts and sparking more ideas with his questions. Enjoy.
Some in the crowd were drifting away. Not all of the people, though. Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. I listened to some of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law mutter, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
Table fellowship created a covenant relationship of friendship. I’d never known Jesus to turn it down with anyone.
Jesus heard them, and looking them right in the eye, he told them a parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
So there’s a celebration when a sinner comes to Jesus. God is in Heaven rejoicing. That’s something to think about.
Did God celebrate when I repented and started following Jesus?
A Ronin's Journey 