God’s grace welcomes all who repent no matter how far they have gone.

In this passage, Jesus deals with the religious leaders' anger and annoyance that He eats with tax collectors and sinners by telling three parables. Each parable deals with something being lost, hunted for, and then found with joy and celebration. However, in verses 11-32, the focus not only rests on on the prodigal but on the elder son in verses 25-32. Rather than rejoicing, he is bitter and angry that the Father has allowed the prodigal to return home.

Jesus warns the crowd that half-hearted discipleship is actually not discipleship. Christ must be our all and have our primary allegiance.

Jesus is at a feast with the religious authorities, and there have been some awkward silences due to Jesus condemnations of them. Then after another one, a man shouts out “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” Jesus then gives a story that shows that not all who think they will be there will be, but in fact many they assumed never will be there are invited and come.

Jesus has been teaching and calling for repentance, and one man asks if Jesus is saying not many will be saved. Jesus does not directly answer this but instead focuses on making sure you are part of the group (large or small) that will be saved. The narrow door of repentance and faith will only open for a short time and then it is too late. Jesus does not say this in anger though, for He is determined to go to His death to save those over whom He weeps.

Jesus compassionately heals a woman, but all the religious leader can see is that He did this on the Sabbath. Jesus uses this demonstration over Satan’s power to discuss His kingdom and its power.