The Rejoicing of the Rescued
Monday’s Verse:
From Luke 15:7 ESV
(Jesus said) “Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”
Performance. We live in a world of performance. Do more, be better, impress others, keep up. It’s a short jump to think that God must value that sort of thing, too—that there must be some heavenly Book of Exodus: the “ninety-nine” who are all morally successful go in one direction, and the real troublemakers—the truly wayward souls—are separated out.
Jesus turns this upside down.
Luke 15:7 is the retort of Jesus to the grumbling Pharisees, who couldn’t believe He would eat with tax collectors and sinners. In the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus lets us see the heart of God, not as a cold accountant counting up spiritual points, but as a shepherd who leaves the flock to rescue the one who got lost.
The rejoicing in heaven is not over the good-behaved ninety-nine. It’s over the one who returns. That’s what repentance is. It’s not some spiritual performance God demands we give. It’s a turning away from sin, a turning toward the Savior.
Law: We are all the lost sheep at some point. The delusion of self-righteousness is exposed as hollow. The Law shows us that even our best is not good enough. If we think we’re one of the ninety-nine that don’t need to repent, we’re only fooling ourselves and God.
Gospel: But the Shepherd comes for the lost. Jesus seeks, finds, lifts, and carries us back—by grace, not merit. And when we are found, heaven erupts in joy. Not because we’ve finally earned it, but because God’s mercy has once again triumphed.
This verse reminds us that the Church isn’t a gathering of the perfect—it’s the rejoicing of the rescued.
Prayers
A Prayer for Today:
Lord Jesus, thank You for seeking and saving the lost - even me. When I wander, turn my heart back to You. Help me never to trust in my own righteousness, but only in Your grace. And give me joy in the salvation of others, just as You rejoice over mine. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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