-THE PEREAN MINISTRY

-The Jewish Leaders Murmur Against Jesus - Three Great Parables Delivered

-Luke 15:1-32

-In this passage, we see quite a contrast in attitudes. 

            -The publicans and sinners (those looked down upon by the Jewish leaders and the Jewish

             people in general) came to Jesus to hear Him.  They were drawing near to Jesus due to the

             message He proclaimed. 

             -However, the self-exalted and self-righteous Jewish leaders came to Jesus, rejecting the

             evidence of His miraculous deeds and ignoring the purity of the truth He taught.  Instead of

             coming to Jesus            with a desire for His words, they came with the intentions of criticizing

             the words of Jesus while trying to find something in which to entrap Him.

-When Jesus was criticized for receiving sinners, He defended Himself with three parables.

            -vs 4-7 - The Parable of the Lost Sheep

            -vs 8-10 - The Parable of the Lost Coin (Piece of Silver)

            -vs 11-32 - The Parable of the Prodigal Son

-As stated more than once in this study, we will not deal with the details contained in the

 parables.  Instead, we will simply focus on the main point of each - the purpose for which it was

 given.

-In this case, all three parables of Luke 15 supply the same main point:  each and every soul is

 valuable and important to God.  (see vs 7,10,24,32)

-Rather than being like the older son in the Parable of the Prodigal Son - indignant toward

 sinners received by the Lord - the Jewish leaders should have rejoiced in that all were invited to

 come to the Lord.