Jesus attracted sinful people who felt confident in His presence, as He spoke and ate with them. Many repented and were converted. He also attracted those self-conceited religious leaders who were eager to criticize Him. In recording these parables, Luke illustrates God's love for sinners through the examples of a man and a woman. The shepherd left his flock to search for the one lost sheep till it is found and brought home. The needy housewife turned her house upside down to find the lost coin, a pittance no doubt, but enough to buy food for a few days. Both rejoiced with their neighbours when their property was found. Jesus tells us God and the angels rejoice in the same way when sinners return to His mercy and forgiveness, but He is the one who must search for them and associate with them. Each one of them is precious in God's sight!

All of us have sinned and been "found" by Jesus and rescued through baptism and repentance. If only the religious leaders realized their need to be "found" and rescued from their arrogance, injustice, and lack of love! Paul tells us that Christ died and rose for all of us, and so none of us should judge or criticize others.