In Luke 15, Jesus reveals the very heart of God, and what should be at the heart of our Christian faith. People matter to God. You matter to God!

The setting: Jesus is responding to the complaining of the Pharisees and teachers of the Law. What about? Jesus' eating companions - tax collectors and sinners. He shares three parables to make His point, and they have a similar structure.

The lost sheep: Foolishness, the cause - shepherd searches, sheep found, celebration;

The lost coin: Carelessness, the cause - woman searches, coin found, celebration;

The lost son: Willfulness, the cause - longed for, son found, celebration minus one;

Scene 1: The younger son's request, vs. 11-12; Scene 2: The younger son's rebellion, vs. 13-16; Scene 3: The younger son's return, vs. 17-20; Scene 4: The younger son's reception, vs. 21-24; Scene 5: The elder son's rejection, vs. 25-32.

A final word from the father, vs. 31-32: There is something worse than death; it is being lost. There is something better than life; it is being found.