Luke 15: The Lost Is Found!

It's difficult to over-state the compelling nature of the three (four?) parables we find in Luke 15.
Sometimes parables are given to us in the gospels without much context - just as fragments of Jesus' preaching and teaching.  Unfortunately, to best appreciate a parable and apprehend its meaning, context clues are very important.  Fortunately, at the beginning of Luke 15, we are given the context for a series of parables focusing on the lost and found: criticism of Jesus over His attention paid to "sinners."

In response, Jesus shares these stories to describe the heart of God when it comes to lost people.  He isn't looking to judge or punish them - but to save and rescue them!  Whether we can identify more with a sheep that has wandered away from its 99 companions, a coin that has dropped out of sight, leaving 9 others, or a runaway son who leaves his father and brother, these parables all emphasize the joy and rejoicing that occurs when the lost are found.

That is, until, you reach the end of the third parable.  There are some who do not rejoice, but bitterly complain about the father's celebration.  The elder brother is not a sympathetic character in the parable, but even here the father is intent on reaching out with his love, wooing him to come to the party.  There is good news in this chapter for prodigal sons and elder brothers alike.

Seriously, if you didn't get it before in Jesus' ministry, Luke 15 makes it very plain that God cares about lost people.  Jesus came for sinners - Hallelujah!