Luke 15 contains three parables which answer the objection of the Pharisees and scribes that tax gatherers and sinners were literally “drawing near” to Jesus to “hear” Him. Their response was  grumbling. Luke uses a word that is directly from Numbers 14:27 and other OT passages where Israel “grumbled” at God’s provision. Not only did Jesus fail to reject such sinners, Luke tells us He “welcomed” them using a intensified term used elsewhere in Luke/Acts for “warmly receive” as in table fellowship. This repeated theme lays the groundwork for interpreting the three parables in Luke 15: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the two lost sons. The first two parables are covered in this message. The theme for all of three parables is found in this verse: “I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7). There is irony here because the “righteous who need no repentance” do not exist. The Pharisees and scribes are opposed to God’s purposes and grumble that Jesus finds the lost. Thus they refuse to understand their own scriptures such as Psalm 23; Isaiah 40:10, 11 and others which say that the Lord will come and shepherd His flock. These parables tell us that God in Christ, came to find and save the lost. The leaders of Israel were offended by this and grumbled at God’s provision. The audio of a 2009 sermon is the main part of this class.