The Gospel calls us to a life above labels Luke 15:1-2: Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” The Pharisees made the religious laws and the sinners broke them Luke 15:3 – So he told them this parable: Luke 15:7 – …there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:10 – Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents The sheep & the silver stories emphasize two ideas: lostness & parties Luke 15:18-19 – I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” Luke 15:21-22a – And the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said… Luke 15:28-30 – But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ One son was lost away from home (like the sheep) and one son was lost at home (like the coin) Jesus’ life was connected to broken people Jesus’ lesson is that the fierce love of God always follows us