There would be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Despite how the foregoing statement sounds, it would be inaccurate to conclude that God doesn’t care about righteous men and women who day in and out carry out the commands of God. It would also be inaccurate to conclude that God is happy when we persist in sin. Sin puts a wedge between God and us, and by so doing, deprives us of the life-giving closeness to God that we cannot do without. Sin blinds us from walking the path that God has set for us, and when we do so, only one thing is certain: our end will be destruction (death). Such an end is not the one desired by God for us, and it becomes a cause of hurt for God. 
When Jesus allowed the tax collectors and the other perceived sinners not only to draw close but also to commune with him, it was the joy of their returning to the Lord that drove him to do so. For Jesus shares in the Father’s desire that none of the Father’s creatures should be lost. The prospect of even only one of those who were separated from God coming back to God gave Jesus much joy and excitement that he didn’t “care” about what his tradition says about communing with such people. He did not mind the grumbling of those who considered themselves righteous as he reminded them that God loves his sons and daughters in the same measure they love their things. Just as a missing single sheep causes the owner a sleepless night, so does a straying son or daughter of God cause the Father sadness and anguish. This is what causes rejoicing in heaven when a son or daughter of God who had persisted in sin decides to come back to God. For with those who have strayed coming back to the fold, the fulfillment of God’s plan for creation inches closer.