When Jesus was teaching, He often spent time with people who didn't know God and do what was right.  He taught them what they needed to do and change in their lives so that God would accept them.  However, the Pharisees and teachers of the law Jews were unhappy with Jesus, because He spent so much time with these sinners.

They complained, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."  So Jesus answered their disapproval with this parable which showed how much God cares for lost sinners, and how He wants them to be saved and have their sins forgiven and their lives changed.

"What person," asked Jesus, "Who owns one hundred sheep, and having lost one of them, does not leave the other ninety nine sheep safely in the pastures, and go looking in the mountains for the one that was lost until he finds it?  And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it over his shoulder and goes home.  He then calls his friends and neighbours together, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'"

Jesus said, "In the same way, there will be joy in Heaven over one sinner who repents, more than over ninety and nine righteous persons who need no repentance."

God sees each one of us as a very special person, who He loves very dearly, just as that shepherd cared for his one lost sheep.  In 2 Peter 3:9, the Apostle Peter wrote:

"The Lord ... is patient with us, and is not willing that any should perish,
but that all should come to repentance.

To "repent" means that you turn away from doing sin and wrong things, and decide that you never want to do them again, and ask Jesus to forgive you.  If you really mean it, Jesus will forgive you and wash you clean inside from all your sins with His precious blood.

And then you need to ask Jesus to come into your heart as your Best Friend, Lord and Saviour.  You will become one of God's children and you will now have everlasting life in Heaven when you die.  Jesus will change you in side so that you will want to serve and please God in all you do and say.

And then there will be great rejoicing in Heaven for you by the angels!

God bless.