”Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15.8-10
I’m not the worst at losing things. Sometimes I will misplace my keys, or a phone or coffee, but only for a few minutes until it’s found. I am never far from finding things I have “lost” or simply misplaced.
Apple, INC, recently created a device for finding lost objects. It’s call the Apple AirTag. This device as advertised, will help you “lose your knack for losing things.” It’s a small Bluetooth device that hooks onto a key chain, slips inside a computer bag, or looped around a purse. When within a few meters of an apple product (not just your own) it allows you to find your device. It relays the signal from other persons Apple products to yours via Bluetooth and then cell or WiFi connection. It genius! (For more visit https://www.apple.com/airtag/).
But I’m not writing today to sell you on the Apple AirTag, they don’t need my help with that! I’m illustrating the parable Jesus told about lost things. He’s just taught about the the 99 sheep and the one that was lost, now, he’s continuing the point with the woman who lost a silver coin. Jesus says that suppose a woman has ten coins and loses one. “Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?” Obviously! It’s something of value. I’ve searched for lost items, especially those of value, until they were either found or forgotten. And when this woman finds her coin she “calls her friends and neighbors together saying, “Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.”
The parallel Jesus is making is this — “In the same was, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one lost sinner who repents!” This is the point. Just as the shepherd searches for his lost sheep, the woman for her lost coin, so God searches for us who are lost, lonely, separated by our sin until we are sanctified by his grace.
I once was lost. When I was a teenager, I did not know Jesus. A leader saw within with me eagerness to learn about and love God. He lead me into a saving relationship with the Christ. I surrendered my heart and life and made my heart his home. I trusted that he died for me upon the cross and rose again for my salvation. I chose to follow Christ that day and decades later, he still harbors safely within my soul.
Sometimes we can be lost and not know it. The coin had no idea it was lost, probably neither did the sheep. And people who haven’t experienced the grace of God are not always aware of what they are missing. This is the point of evangelism, of sharing, of love. It is our role to help those who are lost be found.
If you have been found by the Creator, tell someone else about your experience. Lead others into a saving grace with Jesus that they might know the power of his love and the beautiful of his cross.
”O Lord God, you are good. When my love fails, your love remains steadfast. When I fall a part, stumble and stammer, you are there for me. Come now, Holy Spirit, fill me with your grace and strength. Help me know the joys of being discovered by you and to share that hope with the world. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen