Parables of Lost Things

Have you ever lost something valuable that caused you to go into a frantic search?  Recently I was reminded of the Parable of the Lost Coin. I was picking up a prescription and the pharmacy “lost” my insurance information in their system.  The retail price was ridiculous so I politely said I would return with my insurance cards. What ensued was a frantic search for the cards! They were not where they should have been.  I tore apart my pantry bin where all of the important cards are kept, checked my old purse, my desk and other spaces they shouldn’t be.  I finally looked (twice) in our security box and found them tucked inside my passport.  I had pulled them out for a cruise we had taken and somehow that’s where they were mistakenly tucked away.

My mother in law once “lost” her engagement ring. She was so sure it went down the kitchen sink that she called a plumber.  Since it wasn’t in the drain, she called a septic truck (yes she really did) to no avail.  Much later the ring was found in the china cabinet where it was placed for safe keeping.

 

Jesus told three parables about lost things. The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin  and The Lost Son are all recorded in the book of Luke.  A parable is a simple story that conveys spiritual truth.  Each item lost was common to every day life but of deep value to the individual owner.

 

Luke 15:8–10 (ESV)

“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it?  And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

 

 

Scholars suggest this lost coin may have been part of her dowry and vital to her survival if anything happend to the husband. This woman swept and scoured every corner until she found it. She announced loudly and with great joy to her friends when the coin had been found.

Jesus told these parables to share God’s love for lost people. Sheep need a shepherd to protect them from predators, wandering, and health issues but one had wandered away from the flock. Fearing for its safety the shepherd went out searching for it. The lost coin was irreplacable to the woman and she needed to find it.  The lost son, better known to us as the prodigal son, left home and squandered his inheritance.  Every day the father watched and waited for him to return.  All human beings are valuable and our Heavenly Father is waiting for people to come to Him.

 

Luke 19:10    For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

John 3:16   For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

 

Here are three questions to think about today from  www.allgodswomen.com

 

1.  Have you ever lost something that was dear to you?

2. Have you ever felt lost and worried that no one cared?

3. Do you have a heart for the lost world?