Leslie Koonce served as a financial advisor in the San Francisco Bay Area for many years. Now retired, Leslie Koonce serves as a deacon in Menlo Church and as a group leader at Bible Study Fellowship (BSF).

One of the best-known parables found in the New Testament is that of the lost sheep (Luke 15). Jesus had gained popularity and new followers, including sinners and tax collectors. This caused the Pharisees and teachers of the law to comment that Jesus was consorting with unwelcome members of society.

Addressing those critical of his actions, Jesus described a hypothetical shepherd who owned 100 sheep, with one going missing. In this situation, the shepherd left the 99 sheep safely on the open range in order to track down the single sheep that had strayed from the herd. Finding it, he carried it on his shoulder all the way home and communicated to his neighbors and friends the joyous news. In the same way, Jesus described much more rejoicing in heaven over a single sinner who has repented than 99 righteous people who are not in need of repenting.