One day Jesus was speaking to a group of tax collectors and sinners.

The Jewish spiritual leaders, named Pharisees, though Jesus was wrong to be with people they considered to be bad.

Jesus decided to tell the leaders a story that would help them understand why He was with these people.

Jesus asked them, "What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing."

Jesus continued the story by saying, "And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost."

Jesus told them all, "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."

Jesus decide to tell them all another story.

Jesus then asked the leaders, tax collectors and sinners, "What woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lost one piece, doesn't light a candle, and sweep the house, and look till she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and her neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the silver which I had lost. "

Jesus told them, "Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents."

Adapted from Luke 15:1-8