Too Many Christians Miss This Stunning Bible Fact About “Sinners”

People love shocking Bible facts. Here’s one. Jesus is nearly 100 times more likely to pass by one who thinks they’re righteous than someone who doesn’t. Should follow His lead?

In Lk. 15:7, before getting to the parable of the prodigal son, Jesus makes a stunning statement to the self-righteous who murmur about His interaction with “sinners”. Heaven rejoices more for who?

If you’ve spent time around those who insinuate their own righteousness while hurling insults at the irreligious, you’ll better understand the parable of the prodigal. It’s not about the prodigal!

In Lk 15:1-3, Jesus addresses those who relate to others by the law, standards, and self-proclaimed rightness instead of through the gospel they so desperately need. How do you relate to “sinners”?

Jesus seeks sinners like vulnerable sheep and lost treasure. He doesn’t keep His distance or murmur about them; He invites them into His presence for a meal and meaningful conversation.

This is the context setting up His parable of the prodigal son. The pharisee sees him as undesirable, Jesus sees him as lost, vulnerable, valuable. How we treat the wayward speaks volumes about us.

The prodigal messed up, big time, and his brother couldn’t let it go. When the prodigal’s father saw him coming home from a distance, he rejoiced. That’s what heaven does – and we can too.

For every parent, grandparent, and person aching over their wayward loved one, remember that Jesus cares about them more than you ever could. Don’t stop praying for your prodigal:

Heaven is pulling for them, you’re praying for them, and Jesus is in pursuit! May you soon rejoice.

But if you’re like that brother who thinks they deserve to be treated like second class or worse, please stop. It’s not like Jesus and it hides the gospel from those who need it most.

When we encounter someone’s prodigal, it’s no accident. We owe it to them and Jesus to make it easy for them to come home. That’s what Jesus did, and we can too with every divine encounter.

We’re all capable of dismissing the pharisee within. I pray this can be a call to repentance so heaven may rejoice when one sinner repents, just like it did when Jesus retrieved and received us.

Take a moment to recall when you too were lost and in need of a Savior and let the gospel become fresh and welcoming. There’s a prodigal somewhere counting on you to be like Jesus and not the “brother”.

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