THE FAMILY ALTAR
July 6.
"I say unto you that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one
sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons,
which need no repentance." Luke 15:7.
The holy angels know our heavenly Father's good and gracious
will that no sinner should perish, but come to repentance and be
saved. They therefore rejoice when they see this will of God
accomplished in a sinner on earth. Above all do they know how
much it cost God's dear Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
to save us lost sinners, how He suffered and died for us. They
know that He is the Good Shepherd who seeks the lost, straying
sheep by calling them in His Gospel-word, shirking no pain, no
trouble until He finds them and brings them into the protecting
fold of His Church. They rejoice when His labor is rewarded
by the saving of one single soul. How that blessed truth ought
ever to encourage our faithful missionaries and pastors when it
seems to them that all their labor in the Lord's Gospel-cause is
in vain or brings but very little fruit. How precious one soul
is in the sight of God, if all heaven is filled with joy at the news
of a sinner's conversion ! . And now we know that God's saving
Word is never preached in vain by His servants. — By the ninety
and nine just persons that need no repentance the Lord evidently
refers to the scoffing Pharisees, to all self-righteous persons, who
think they do not need to repent, nor need to be forgiven, and
want to know nothing of Jesus as their Savior. What blind people
they are ! But how about us ? Have God's holy angels ever re-
joiced over us because we have learned to repent sincerely and
believingly over our sins? May the great love that Jesus has for
all lost sinners and in which He even died for them melt our
hearts and draw us daily to Him in loving and adoring faith.
Sheep that from the fold did stray
Every faithful shepherd seeketh;
Weary souls that lost their way
Christ the Shepherd seeks and taketh
In His arms that they may live —
"Jesus sinners doth receive!"
Now my conscience is at ease,
Now I fear no condemnation.
He who grants me full release
Hath atoned for my transgression.
In true faith to Him I cleave —
"Jchuh sinners doth receive!"
