Summary: The three parables are a calculated response by Jesus to two groups of doubters. There are the sinners who doubt that God could really love them and there are the self- righteous who doubt that God could really love sinners. Through a series of 4 parables (the lost son is actually two in one) Jesus employs an increasing intensity and drama to confront both our brokenness and self-righteousness with the same stunning reality of the lavish love of the Father.
