Articles
The Joy Of Repentance
uke emphasized that tax collectors and sinners were included in those who were drawing near to Jesus to listen to him (Lk. 5:30; 7:34; 15:1). In first-century Jewish society, these individuals were considered to be outcasts. The category of ‘sinners’ encompassed people like murderers, robbers, deceivers, and those of dishonorable vocations, who were perceived as being separated from God because of their unfaithfulness. Tax collectors, who worked for the occupying Roman Empire, were often seen as dishonest and were regarded as robbers due to their potential for extortion and collaboration with the enemy. These people flocked to Jesus because they perceived that he cared for them. And he did!
The religious leaders of Jesus's day, the Pharisees and scribes, were critical of his actions, grumbling that he received sinners and tax collectors (Lk. 15:2). But Jesus explained his mission clearly: "It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance" (Lk. 5:31, 32). His care and concern for those who were sick is highlighted in three parables—the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. These parables share common themes: something or someone was lost and then found, there was a diligent search for what was lost, and great joy followed the discovery. The joy expressed in these parables stands in stark contrast to the grumbling of the Pharisees and scribes.
The grumbling of these groups revealed two key truths about their spiritual state. First, they were not truly listening to Jesus’s message. According to Leon Morris, the placement of the chapter division obscures the immediate context. Jesus had just issued a demanding call for wholehearted devotion (Lk. 14:25-35), and the very individuals the Pharisees scorned were then shown to be eager listeners (Lk. 15:1). Second, their response showed a fundamental misunderstanding of God’s character: God rejoices when the lost are found and repent. What should have been a joyful occasion was instead met with criticism and disapproval because of their spiritual blindness.
As we reflect upon this passage in Luke, let’s ask ourselves: are we more inclined to grumble like the Pharisees and scribes, or do we celebrate like the shepherd, the woman, and the father when someone repents and returns to God? The joy of repentance should fill the heart of every disciple. We rejoice because we have a loving Father who seeks us. We rejoice because we have a caring Physician who heals us. And we rejoice when people (ourselves included) conform their hearts and actions to the will of God. Let’s strive to repent when needed and be filled with joy when those who were lost are found.
