The Kiss of God

Why did Jesus tell the three parables in Luke 15 to the Pharisees who were complaining of his association with notorious sinners? In these stories, we see Jesus helping the Pharisees see something about the heart of their Father. Something they were missing in their law/works-driven morality view. The lost sheep, the lost coin, the prodigal son all describe the compassion God has for His children who are lost and don't know who they are or who their Father is. In all the stories, we see a Father who isn't angry at the lost ones, but rather goes after them; who is intentionally gathering them to Himself; who is passionately (over-the-top) loving them/valuing them, and consistently celebrating when they are found.