Luke 15-16

“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them ...” (15:4). Remarkably, Jesus told this parable as an answer to Pharisees who complained that he welcomed sinners and ate with them (15:1-2). Jesus was making the statement that the wicked “tax collectors and sinners” – known to break Jewish law, known to behave badly – were precious “lost sheep” of the Father. The lost coin and finally, even more, the lost son, emphasized further the Father’s extraordinary love for individuals headed toward destruction.

“For this son of mine was dead and is alive again” (15:24). From God’s perspective, every human being is a beloved lost child, with potential to be found and redeemed.