I say to you, in the same way exists rejoicing in heaven over one sinner repenting than over ninety-nine righteous who have no need of repentance.*
What is repentance? In context of this scripture the Pharisees were grumbling about Jesus who was hanging out with tax collectors and sinners, the unclean. So Jesus perceiving, spoke this parable in their presence, in which the shepherd leaves the ninety nine to look for the one lost, and that there is joy in heaven over this one who was lost but now is found. Earlier, Luke writes Jesus said he did not come to invite the righteous but sinners to repentance.* We see in this verse that the ninety nine had no need of repentance, this word for need means "a necessity, a requisite." So we can say the sinner repenting has found a need for repentance. And because they have a need they are coming to Jesus, considering his words. So we can define a sinner repenting, as one who finds themselves in need of a savior.
As it is written, no one exists righteous, none exists understanding; none exists seeking God. All turned aside; all together worthless; no one exists good, not exists even one.*
All inclusive, all together like filthy rags, all existed unrighteous, all existed sinners. This is what the Law should have pointed out, that they were in need of a savior. The Pharisees thought themselves righteous justifying themselves by works of the Law but as Paul writes no one is justified in the eyes of God by works of the Law. Though they had cleansed the outside, also judging others by appearances, Jesus pointed out their adulterous and murderous hearts, thus they were "cut to the heart" guilty of breaking the Law, the very thing they had justified themselves by. Those who come to Jesus, "have come to the end of themselves," which we can also be said as they have found a need for a savior. These came near to Jesus listening to his words. In the story of the prodigal son, we also see this concept, the prodigal son came to the end of himself, reasoning he was in need. Also we see the Pharisee in the older son, guilty of hating their brother and found no need of repentance having justified themselves by works.
On the other hand, all the tax collectors and the sinners existed near him listening to him.*
All the sinners and tax collectors came near to Jesus listening to his words. To the sinner the Mosaic Law had fulfilled its purpose, exposing sin, increasing sin, saying none were righteous. No not one could fulfill or meet the righteous standards of God. These sinners had found this to be true and that they were in need of a savior. Of course the wisdom of God is of foolishness to those who are perishing but it is power to those being saved. We can ask this question, are the righteous ever without the need of repentance? Surely those who think themselves righteous by works are in need of repentance and truly those saved boast in Christ having received freely abundant grace and the gift of righteousness. In Christ we are no longer unrighteous, but we exist righteous, born of Spirit, thus we no longer exist of sinful nature, we are spiritual and as the Law was spiritual we can now fulfill the laws of God. God condemned not man but sin in the flesh, how? by putting His Spirit within us, writing His laws on our hearts and putting them in our minds. Though we exist in a corrupt body we have power in our weakness to triumph over sin and death. Thanks to Jesus our savior.
For this is the will of my Father, that all who consider the Son and believe in Him has eternal Life.*
This word for consider means to contemplate; to behold, view with interest and attention. Jesus said one must labor not for earthly food but for food that endures unto Life, which he gives.* Peter considered the Son and believed finding that His words existed Eternal Life.* The sinners and tax collectors "existed near him listening to him."* We can feel their excitement, and hear their thoughts, is this the Messiah, is this the Christ, is this our Savior? They recognized a need for a heavenly savior, not an earthly one, so they came to him and listened to His words. Those in need of a savior, those weary and heavy burdened, come near and listen to His words.
What is repentance? In context of this scripture the Pharisees were grumbling about Jesus who was hanging out with tax collectors and sinners, the unclean. So Jesus perceiving, spoke this parable in their presence, in which the shepherd leaves the ninety nine to look for the one lost, and that there is joy in heaven over this one who was lost but now is found. Earlier, Luke writes Jesus said he did not come to invite the righteous but sinners to repentance.* We see in this verse that the ninety nine had no need of repentance, this word for need means "a necessity, a requisite." So we can say the sinner repenting has found a need for repentance. And because they have a need they are coming to Jesus, considering his words. So we can define a sinner repenting, as one who finds themselves in need of a savior.
As it is written, no one exists righteous, none exists understanding; none exists seeking God. All turned aside; all together worthless; no one exists good, not exists even one.*
All inclusive, all together like filthy rags, all existed unrighteous, all existed sinners. This is what the Law should have pointed out, that they were in need of a savior. The Pharisees thought themselves righteous justifying themselves by works of the Law but as Paul writes no one is justified in the eyes of God by works of the Law. Though they had cleansed the outside, also judging others by appearances, Jesus pointed out their adulterous and murderous hearts, thus they were "cut to the heart" guilty of breaking the Law, the very thing they had justified themselves by. Those who come to Jesus, "have come to the end of themselves," which we can also be said as they have found a need for a savior. These came near to Jesus listening to his words. In the story of the prodigal son, we also see this concept, the prodigal son came to the end of himself, reasoning he was in need. Also we see the Pharisee in the older son, guilty of hating their brother and found no need of repentance having justified themselves by works.
On the other hand, all the tax collectors and the sinners existed near him listening to him.*
All the sinners and tax collectors came near to Jesus listening to his words. To the sinner the Mosaic Law had fulfilled its purpose, exposing sin, increasing sin, saying none were righteous. No not one could fulfill or meet the righteous standards of God. These sinners had found this to be true and that they were in need of a savior. Of course the wisdom of God is of foolishness to those who are perishing but it is power to those being saved. We can ask this question, are the righteous ever without the need of repentance? Surely those who think themselves righteous by works are in need of repentance and truly those saved boast in Christ having received freely abundant grace and the gift of righteousness. In Christ we are no longer unrighteous, but we exist righteous, born of Spirit, thus we no longer exist of sinful nature, we are spiritual and as the Law was spiritual we can now fulfill the laws of God. God condemned not man but sin in the flesh, how? by putting His Spirit within us, writing His laws on our hearts and putting them in our minds. Though we exist in a corrupt body we have power in our weakness to triumph over sin and death. Thanks to Jesus our savior.
For this is the will of my Father, that all who consider the Son and believe in Him has eternal Life.*
This word for consider means to contemplate; to behold, view with interest and attention. Jesus said one must labor not for earthly food but for food that endures unto Life, which he gives.* Peter considered the Son and believed finding that His words existed Eternal Life.* The sinners and tax collectors "existed near him listening to him."* We can feel their excitement, and hear their thoughts, is this the Messiah, is this the Christ, is this our Savior? They recognized a need for a heavenly savior, not an earthly one, so they came to him and listened to His words. Those in need of a savior, those weary and heavy burdened, come near and listen to His words.
I take him at His word and deed
Christ died to save me: this I read
And in my heart I find a need
Of Him to be my Savior
Christ died to save me: this I read
And in my heart I find a need
Of Him to be my Savior