“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
Jesus is trying to get our attention. This chapter includes the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. The common theme is clear: God finds what is lost.
In this parable, Jesus tells of a woman who has ten silver coins. These are likely all she possesses—not a fortune, but each coin matters. She had counted them, so when one went missing, she searched thoroughly. She lit a lamp, swept the house, and looked carefully until she found it.
What do you do when you lose your car keys? We’ve all been there—turning over papers on the desk, checking the car, jackets, and backpacks. We know we put them somewhere, and we don’t stop until we find them or grab the spare.
The point is the searching. God actively looks for us. If we care about those who do not yet know Jesus, imagine how much more God cares. It is like the difference between a parent’s love for their own child and a nursery worker’s care for random children. One cares far more deeply. God cares for the lost—the wanderer, the stray. The coin that falls under the bed is found only when its owner takes intentional time to search for it.
“In the same way,” Jesus says, “there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Rejoicing in the presence of the angels! That is what happens when a sinner confesses, meets Jesus, and turns their life over to God. Heaven celebrates. It throws a party. The angels stop whatever they were doing—which, according to Scripture, is primarily worshipping God. What if heaven’s worship pauses, or at least shifts, when a lost person is found? Some angel must announce it. The news must ripple through the heavenly host: “Another child came home tonight at the Revive Leadership Conference!”
The lost coin is not the main point. The lost sheep is not the main point. Lost sinners who are found—that is the point. And that is exactly what happened last night at camp. Someone (or several someones) met Jesus during worship at the Revive Leadership Conference, and heaven stopped to celebrate. Shouldn’t we do the same? If we want to bring the Kingdom of God to earth, we must imitate heaven. And more will meet Him this week for the very first time. Praise be to God! Hallelujah! He is risen!
“O Lord God, use Your people to find the lost. Use this camp to create a space where people can meet Jesus, find hope, renewal, rest, and reward in You. Thank You, Jesus, for doing among us what only You can do. Save us, Lord. Redeem us. Help us walk according to Your ways. Give me the strength, the power, and the love to help lead Your people to the throne. For You are good, and Your love endures forever. Amen.