Another story, one we've all heard before, but maybe different side

Have you ever read something that you get one side of the story? That side was the only one you've heard all your life and soon you believe there is nothing else new in that story? I am beginning to learn, even year after you study the scriptures or a particular story there's usually always another side.

If you do not mind, I'd love to invite you to an old, old story. One even the littlest child has probably heard. It's the story of the Lost sheep. Please, join me as I write out the story.

Now the tax collectors and the "sinners" were all getting around to hear him. But the Phariseees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them"

Then Jesus told them this parable: Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not 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.

Luke 15

I have been told many times the story up to a point. So many times I have been told " The shepherd rejoiced over the 1 lost sheep over the ninety- nine who were not lost," I believe it be true.

If just one person accepts Jesus Christ, there is GREAT rejoicing in heaven. Trumpets are probably blown, angels shouts, and I have this vision of God actually getting up and dancing. I'll have to ask Him if He really does do that, but I think He does. God rejoices over just one sinner who come accepts Jesus Christ over the ninety-nine.

Here what I am trying to get to. Please take note of the beginning of the scripture and the very last sentence. Now the tax collectors and the "sinners" were all getting around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them" The last sentence, 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.

Do you see the connection? The Pharisees and the teacher's of the law were in that parable. The verse states "...There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents over ninety-nine righteous persons who do need to repent. That one person accepted Jesus who is grace. He was free to live, a clean slate wiped to start over. The ninety- nine (pharisees) who did not need to repent , there were no rejoicing over.