Luke chapter 15 has been called “the gospel in the gospel” because it contains the very essence of the good news in which Jesus came to tell. Jesus tells three parables from situations that have come about. Three words summarize the message of this chapter: lost, found, and rejoice. Jesus spoke these parables to answer accusations of the Pharisees and scribes who were sickened by Jesus acceptance of sinners. Even so these parables are meant for us to be participants, characters in the story…