Jesus understood that part of his ministry was to teach those around him about pleasing God. To accomplish this, Jesus often used parables as a teaching tool. Parables are stories whose characters and events convey a greater lesson to their audience. 

Jesus’ use of parables served several purposes. By using stories that featured situations the people around him could relate to, Jesus was able to hold their attention perhaps better than if he directly lectured them on the principles he was trying to teach. 

Jesus also knew that the crowds who gathered to hear him were of all different backgrounds. Some were sick and in need of help (Matthew 14:2), some were “publicans and sinners” who were not well-regarded by some groups at the time (Luke 15), some were Jesus’ disciples (Luke 16) and some were Pharisees, who were part of the religious leadership of the time (Luke 14:3, Luke 15:2). While Jesus generally had a primary lesson in mind when speaking, the use of parables allowed members of these diverse groups to all receive some manner of lesson, and thus a blessing.

Throughout the centuries between then and now, Jesus’ parables have been read, heard and treasured by a much wider and diverse audience than the crowds of Jesus’ time. As was true in Jesus’ time, different audiences have understood different lessons from his parables. Jesus told his disciples he spoke in parables because the lessons he taught were not always meant for the wider audience of the time (Matthew 13:10-17). In order to find the lessons Jesus would have his audience learn, parables require study of the context in which they were given, the intended audience of the parables, and how they fit together with the greater teachings of the Bible. 

Luke 15 is part of a larger account that begins in Luke 14 and continues for several chapters. Luke 15:1-2 establish that a group of people that included publicans and sinners gathered to him, and the Pharisees disapproved that Jesus was interacting with those who they felt were “unworthy.” Noticing their reaction, Jesus proceeds to deliver a set of parables, one after the other. The fact that Jesus strings these parables together implies that, although he was aware that the entire crowd would hear them, the parables were mainly directed at the Pharisees. Thus, although many lessons can be gained by studying and reflecting on these parables, the primary lesson Jesus intended is related to the Pharisees and what Jesus saw in them.

Luke 15 records three of these parables:

Luke 15:3-7 records the Parable of the Lost Sheep, in which Jesus describes a man owning a hundred sheep and losing one of them. The man leaves the ninety-nine other sheep to search for the lost one, and when it is found, he rejoices. 

Luke 15:8-10 records the Parable of the Lost Coin, in which a woman who loses one of the ten pieces of silver that she owns. She goes through a great deal of effort searching for the lost coin, even though she has her remaining nine pieces, and when she finds the missing coin, she rejoices. 

Finally, Luke 15:11-32 records the Parable of the Prodigal Son. This parable describes a man having two sons. One responsible son stays home and helps his father run their estate. The other son takes part of the family’s assets and leaves home to live a reckless life of luxury. When the assets run out, the reckless son regrets his decision and returns home. He asks his father to take him back as a servant. The father instead rejoices at the return of the son he thought lost.

The Pharisees were among the most well-educated people of Jesus’ time. They claimed to be ardent followers of God’s laws. They devoted their lives to studying the Scriptures. All of these pursuits contributed to their respect and prestige among the people they interacted with. The understanding and respect enjoyed by the Pharisees also carried a responsibility that Jesus found, for the most part, lacking in the Pharisees he encountered. Instead of being glad the poor and the sick were being healed and shown mercy and love (like a “lost sheep” being found or a “lost coin” being found, or a “prodigal son” returning home), the Pharisees were critical of Jesus for associating with those they considered “unworthy” (Luke 15:2, for example). 

Jesus taught that to please God, an attitude of humility, servitude and love is necessary. This lesson was so important that he spent a portion of his final hours providing an example of serving others (John 13:12-17). Instead of condemning or disregarding the poor and the sick and the outcast people he encountered, Jesus responded to them with loving hearts and healing (Matthew 8:28-33, John 9:1-41, Matthew 15:22-28 and Luke 8:43-56, as examples). Like the Pharisees, Jesus’ followers today have been richly blessed with an understanding of the Scriptures and the opportunity to understand God’s will and plan. More than the Pharisees, Jesus’ followers have also been blessed to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, and to understand that the path to pleasing God is by following Jesus’ example with all of one’s mind and heart. Like the Pharisees, Jesus’ followers carry a responsibility to that blessing and understanding. Jesus is “found” in Matthew 15, in part, by seeing the example of love and servitude that he lived and taught. In harmony with the lessons of the parables in Matthew 15, we can see the lesson of devoting one’s life to developing the same heart and attitude of love and servitude for those who we encounter. In so doing, we are privileged to help our Lord “find” those who are lost and in need of comfort and healing, and not exclude or push away any who we, in unreasonable arrogance, may unfairly judge.

Additional Resources:
Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1079: “Does God Really Love Humanity? (Part I)” 
How the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin stories teach us God’s character
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes

Episode #1081: “Does God Really Love Humanity? (Part II)”
Prodigal Son/Unjust Steward – teach us what NOT to do with God’s favor
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes