Parable of the Lost Coin, Pt 5.
Today's Bible Reading: Luke 15:8-10
Supporting Passage: Luke 15:13-20
The other night, I couldn't find the TV remote. I wanted to relax for a bit, but instead, I ran around my living room looking for it. Then, I spotted it. There it was, hiding in plain sight on a top shelf. I laughed to myself as I thought about the parable we've been studying for the past few weeks. Like the woman who found her lost coin, I felt like having a celebration. (My joy was short-lived, however, when I soon realized there was nothing on TV I wanted to watch.)
As we close out our time with the parable of the Lost Coin, I want to compare the woman's joy to God's joy in finding lost people:
And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, "Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin." In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God's angels when even one sinner repents. (Luke 15:8–10, NLT)
Jesus says when one sinner repents, the kingdom of God throws a party. This is amazing! But the word repent sounds scary, doesn’t it? It’s one of those words that come loaded with a lot of baggage. It gives me visions of streetcorner preachers holding signs that say, "Repent or Burn!" For most of my life, I associated repentance with trying to be on my best behavior. But true repentance carries a much deeper meaning.
Repentance is about realizing that the path I am on isn't leading to life. If I continue going in this direction, I will not be at peace with God, others, or myself. So when I repent, I turn and go in a different way—the kingdom way.
The prodigal son is a perfect example of this. By the end of his adventure, the face staring back at him in the mirror was unrecognizable. He wanted freedom but lost himself in the process. And so he repented by getting up from the pig slop and going back home.
But I can't do this alone. I need Jesus. If repentance is just about "being good at being good," we're all doomed. NT Wright explains it like this:
For [the religious leaders], nothing short of adopting their standards of purity and law-observance would do. For Jesus, when people follow him and his way, that is the true repentance.
After the woman finds her coin, she throws a party and invites all her friends to celebrate. Jesus communicates something profound with this ending. He is trying to stir compassion in the Pharisees' hearts.
Jesus wants these men to know that when one messy sinner decides to follow him, all of heaven rejoices. The angels are singing at this very moment as outcasts flock to Jesus. And the Pharisees have a choice in how they respond. They can either grumble with disdain or take a cue from the neighborhood women in Jesus' story. Their joyful party gives us a glimpse at the angels' party in heaven.
I am writing today's devotional from a Panera as I sip on sweet tea. I come here most mornings. A few years ago, a group of women would meet here every Friday. Over time, I learned they were retired co-workers. The four of them gathered together every week to chat, laugh, and tell stories. Seeing them always made my Friday a little better because they were full of joy. (And sometimes they would help me get a refill of my tea, which is always cause for celebration!)
Looking back now, they remind me of the women in Jesus' parable. It makes me wonder if I got a taste of the Kingdom Party right here in an ordinary Panera cafe.
So, onto the question of the day…
What does the parable of the Lost Coin teach us about how to live out God's kingdom in a messy, broken world?
There's more to this little parable than I first thought. Here is what it has taught me:
In God's kingdom, each person has immense value simply by being made in his image.
Jesus is willing to get messy to find lost people and invite them into God's kingdom. If we follow him, we should be willing to do the same.
And in God's kingdom, those on the inside celebrate when those on the outside are found. This is a theme of many of Jesus' parables.
We celebrate when the latecomers get paid the same wage as us.
We celebrate when more chairs need to be added to the banquet table.
And we celebrate with the angels when one person decides to follow Jesus.
Questions to Ponder:
What feelings bubble up in you when you hear the word repent? How is repentance more than good behavior?
How does it feel to know the angels threw a Kingdom Party on the day you decided to follow Jesus? How can you join in the celebration when others are found?
What did the parable of the Lost Coin teach you about how to live out God's kingdom in a messy, broken world?
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If you enjoyed this devotional and would like to support my writing, you can buy me a sweet tea to keep me caffeinated. It would be much appreciated!
Making a Mess of the House
Parable of the Lost Coin, Pt 4.
Today's Bible Reading: Luke 15
In the parable of the Lost Coin, Jesus uses a woman's search of her house to talk indirectly about how God searches for lost people. Some scholars refer to it as a "how much more" parable. If a woman will tear up her home to find a coin, how much more will God go to great lengths to find us?
It's interesting to think about how each of the three items in Luke 15 got lost. Sheep are not too bright and prone to wander. Likewise, the distractions of life may cause us to stray from God. One day we look up, find ourselves lost in the wilderness, and wonder, "How did I get here?" In these moments, we need a good shepherd to lovingly carry us home.
There are other times when we defiantly choose to turn away from God. This is more in line with how the prodigal son became lost. He thought he knew everything, so he packed his bags and left home. In these moments, we need a steadfast father waiting for us when we come to our senses.
But what about a lost coin? Well, a lost coin is simply... lost. It didn't do anything in particular to get lost. And sometimes, this is how people are lost, too. No, I'm not saying they are somehow without sin or bear no responsibility. But—like the seed that fell along the path—maybe a lost coin has never been shown the beauty of God's kingdom. In these moments, we need someone to roll up their sleeves and search for us.
It reminds me of a guy I know who became a Christian in college. Up until that point, he hadn't even heard the name Jesus. Really! When he shared this with me, I didn't believe it. I thought he meant he didn't start following Jesus until college. But no. He grew up in America, celebrated Christmas and Easter for years, and yet never heard about Jesus. Thankfully, someone was willing to share God's kingdom with him.
The parable of the Lost Coin puts a big emphasis on the woman’s search. She doesn't wait for the coin to turn up somewhere. She takes action by doing three things:
Won't she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it? (Luke 15:8, NLT, emphasis mine)
The woman's house was small and may not have had windows, so a lamp was needed. As she swept every corner, I'm sure she unearthed dust bunnies and threw things off shelves. But the mess was worth it because she finally found the coin.
Jesus told this tale right after the religious leaders accused him of making a mess of the house. He was dining with sinners. He was talking to women who had bad reputations. He was touching people who had gross diseases. He was healing people on the Sabbath in God's holy house. This was messy business!
But to Jesus, the mess was worth it because he was finding people who'd been lost for quite some time. And they were joyfully joining God's kingdom. They had never felt more seen, known, loved, and—yes—aware that they did nothing to earn this invitation.
As a citizen of God’s kingdom, I want to reflect this same desire to see lost people found. But am I willing to get messy for others like Jesus did for me?
When I think of lost coins, I can't help but consider the younger generation. According to a recent "happiness study," happiness has decreased severely for Americans 30 years and younger. Another survey shows Gen Z is the most unchurched generation.
It can be easy for older generations to shake their heads and tsk-tsk at this bleak news. ("The young'uns just don't get it," says this crotchety Millennial!) But what if, instead, we saw it as an opportunity to get messy for the sake of others? Despite low church attendance, that same study also found Gen Z is the most open generation to spirituality. Imagine that!
Young people are disillusioned with this world. They may be skeptical of the church, yet they long to give their lives to something bigger. They are waiting to be shown the beauty of God's kingdom.
Reaching out to a younger generation means getting in the mess with them.
It's a messy thing to listen to their stories without judgment.
It's a messy thing to listen to their doubts and critiques of Christianity without getting defensive.
It's a messy thing to love and value them for who they are.
If my priority is to keep the house neat and tidy, this will be scary. It requires me to get out of my comfort zone and make mistakes. I can't do it alone. I need Jesus to guide me, but that is good news.
Making a mess of the house is what Jesus does for all of us.
Because he doesn't want anyone left out.
Questions to Ponder:
Think about the three lost items in Luke 15 (sheep, coin, son). What differences do you see in the way they each got lost?
Is there anyone who helped you see the beauty of God's kingdom? How did they get messy for your sake?
Do you know anyone from a younger generation who seems to be longing for a deeper purpose? How can you help them see the beauty of God's kingdom, even if it means getting messy?
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If you enjoyed this devotional and would like to support my writing, you can buy me a sweet tea to keep me caffeinated. It would be much appreciated!
The Value of Each Person
Parable of the Lost Coin, Pt 3.
Today's Bible Reading: Luke 15:8-10
Supporting Passage: Psalm 139
Over the past few weeks, we've considered the context of the Lost Coin parable. Today, we'll start looking at the story itself. It's only three verses long, so let's take a moment to read it in its entirety:
Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Won't she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, “Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.” In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God's angels when even one sinner repents. (Luke 15:8–10, NLT)
The coin the woman loses is called a drachma in Greek. It was worth about a day's wages, so it is not an insignificant amount of money.
Of the three "Lost & Found" parables, this one is probably the most relatable. I'm guessing not many of us know what it's like to lose a sheep. (If you do, please let me know!) And while many people can relate to the father's heartache over the prodigal son, not everyone is a parent. But we all know the sinking feeling of losing something valuable, whether it's cash, a phone, or jewelry.
When I was around six years old, I lost a toy I loved. I can still picture it vividly in my mind. It was shaped like the letter M (the first letter of my name!). As you moved the parts around, the shape of the toy changed (similar to a transformer action figure). It was awesome!
Losing this toy made me experience my first existential crisis. I looked everywhere for it, but it was nowhere to be found. And my little six-year-old brain started imagining what it was like to be that toy. Was it sad? Was it lonely?
Does a toy still exist if it's lost?
(Yes, I was an overthinker even as a child...)
Losing something valuable is unsettling. In that moment, it becomes your most important possession. You search every corner of the house as onlookers say unhelpful things like, "It's got to be here somewhere..." (Or my go-to phrase: "Where was it the last time you saw it?") Your mind can't rest until you find it.
So, what does all this have to do with God?
Well, imagine God having that same uneasy feeling when you are lost.
Imagine God being unable to rest until you are found.
I know this might be hard to fathom. But that's what makes God's love so awesome!
Now, remember—this is a parable, and not every detail in a parable correlates to real life. We are never truly "lost" to God. He knows where we are at all times. Psalm 139 says, "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?" (v. 7)
And yet, God is grieved when we are not in relationship with him. He longs for each of us to know him and be known by him.
It's interesting... Humans may have more in common with lost coins than we realize.
The moment a coin is minted, it has value. It doesn't have to do a thing to earn it.
You know what else? A coin doesn't lose its value just because it's lost. A quarter is worth 25 cents, whether it's in my pocket or collecting dust under the couch.
Like a coin, we don't have to do a thing to earn our value. No matter how we feel about God—whether we love him, hate him, or don't know much about him—our value doesn't change. We are loved.
But...
A quarter wasn't created to collect dust under a couch. It was created to buy me some bubble gum at the candy store! And it can't fulfill that purpose until it is found.
In the same way, we can't live out our ultimate purpose until we are found. God has given us unique gifts, and we each have a role to play in his kingdom. If we choose not to participate, it doesn't diminish our value as humans. But there is a sense in which we miss out on what God has created us for. (We'll talk more about this responsibility in the next parable we explore.)
This is a crucial distinction. We don't serve the king to earn his love. We serve him because we are already loved.
The parable of the Lost Coin is a reminder of the intrinsic value every person has. God doesn't take anyone for granted. He delights in each of us because we were all created in his image.
That changes how we see ourselves.
It also changes how we see others.
When something valuable is lost, nothing else matters until you find it.
Next week, we'll consider the lengths Jesus goes to find us.
Questions to Ponder:
Think about the panic you felt the last time you lost something. Then think about the relief you felt when you found it. Can you imagine God having those same feelings about someone who doesn't know him?
How does knowing God values you change the way you see yourself?
In what ways are you tempted to measure the value of others? (i.e., Do you base a person's value on what they believe? How they look? Who or what they support? Etc.) How can you reframe your perspective to see their God-given value first and foremost?
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If you enjoyed this devotional and would like to support my writing, you can buy me a sweet tea to keep me caffeinated. It would be much appreciated!
Defender of Dignity
Parable of the Lost Coin, Pt 2.
Today's Bible Reading: Luke 15:1-10
Supporting Passage: Luke 7:36-50
Last week, we looked at why Jesus told the "Lost & Found" parables in Luke 15. The Pharisees were not happy about the company Jesus was keeping. In response, he tells three stories about how God celebrates when lost people are found.
The Pharisees were all influential men. As Jesus told these tales, he addressed them directly. But there were also "tax collectors and sinners" in the crowd. Jesus knew they were listening, too. And it's interesting to see who Jesus chooses to spotlight in the first two stories.
In the first parable, the main character is a loving, compassionate shepherd. Although shepherding was vital work, shepherds themselves didn't have a great reputation. It was surprising to make a shepherd the center of the story—especially one that turns out to be the hero!
There may have been shepherds in the crowd of "sinners" that day. I'm sure they smiled as they heard Jesus tell this tale. This man, who didn't seem put off by messiness, was including them in what he was doing.
Jesus knew there were also women in the crowd. So in the second parable, Jesus makes the main character a woman. And he tailors the plot around something women may have experienced in everyday life.
By telling this story, Jesus communicated to the women that they were seen. This may not seem like a big deal to us. (And in many ways, I am glad it isn't!) But Jesus' acknowledgment of women (and his desire to relate to them with a parable) was shocking in a culture that often undervalued them.
This wasn't the first time Jesus elevated the dignity of women. He talked to women in public, which was not common for a man to do. He taught women the same way he taught men, knowing they were capable of understanding. And he invited women to be part of this new kingdom he was ushering in. They were not subjugated to the sidelines.
Luke, in particular, loves highlighting these stories in his gospel. A few chapters before this parable, a Pharisee named Simon invites Jesus to his house for dinner. A woman interrupts the meal to pour perfume on Jesus' feet. She understood how much forgiveness she had received from him. Simon is disgusted by the whole ordeal. But Jesus commends her beautiful act and defends her dignity.
It makes me wonder if I am willing to defend the dignity of others. When I hear a group of men talking about women in disrespectful ways, do I try to stop it? Or do I stay silent (or worse, join in) because it's safer?
What about people who are looked down on for their economic status, race, intelligence, physical appearance, or any other reason? When other people speak of them with disdain, how do I respond?
I hope I respond the way Jesus would. But if I'm honest, I don't get this right nearly enough. We will all fail at this. But we can pray to have a heart like Jesus. We can ask Jesus to help us see and elevate the dignity of each person we meet.
Next week, we will delve deeper into what the Lost Coin teaches us about each person's value. For now, I want to look at one detail of this parable that makes me smile.
The woman in the story turns her house upside down to find the lost coin. When she finally finds it, she calls together her "friends and neighbors" to celebrate (v. 9). In Greek, the word Luke uses for "friends" is feminine. Jesus is painting a lovely image of women coming together in celebration.
I love this.
The religious men grumble about the kind of people hanging around Jesus. In response, Jesus tells a story about neighborhood women throwing an epic block party. And he compares the scene to the joy God feels when lost people come home. This is quite a juxtaposition!
I wasn't there, but I bet the women in the crowd erupted in joyful laughter. Maybe some wept. Maybe some thought to themselves, "My husband isn't going to believe the story this guy just told!"
And who knows? Maybe—just maybe—some of the women glanced over at the Pharisees and felt compassion.
Because they understood more than most that a little dignity goes a long way.
Questions to Ponder:
How do you think the women in the crowd felt as they heard Jesus tell the parable of the Lost Coin?
How did Jesus defend the dignity of the woman in Luke 7:36–50?
How do you usually react when people begin talking about others with contempt? Today, take some time to ask God to help you see others the way he sees them.
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If you enjoyed this devotional and would like to support my writing, you can buy me a sweet tea to keep me caffeinated. It would be much appreciated!
The Lost Parable
Parable of the Lost Coin, Pt 1.
Today's Bible Reading: Luke 15
Supporting Passage: Luke 14:12-24
The parable of the Prodigal Son is probably Jesus' most famous parable. It is also a favorite of mine. In times of despair, I return to it and am reminded of God's deep love for me. Whether I'm acting more like the rebellious younger son or the self-righteous older son, I know God is waiting with open arms to welcome me home. It is indeed one of the greatest tales of all time.
But it is not the parable we're going to talk about next!
I know, I know. It seems weird to do a series about Jesus' parables and not include the Prodigal Son. But since many people have already written about it (including myself!), I thought it'd be fun to explore a lesser-known parable instead.
The parable I have in mind is not one of "Jesus' Greatest Hits." It's only three verses long and can easily get overlooked. But it's a story that has fascinated me over the past few years.
It's [drumroll please...] the parable of the Lost Coin!
To be fair, we will have to talk a little about the parable of the Prodigal Son to fully understand the Lost Coin. These two tales, along with the parable of the Lost Sheep, form a connected block of Jesus' teaching in Luke 15. Today, we will explore the context of these three parables before zooming in on the Lost Coin.
In Luke 14, Jesus tells the parable of the Great Banquet. In that story, Jesus reminds the religious leaders God's kingdom is open to everyone. So when they host a banquet, they should invite people viewed as outcasts.
Did the Pharisees accept this message? Let's see. Here's how Luke 15 begins:
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” (Luke 15:1–2, NIV)
The outcasts and sinners were flocking to Jesus to hear him teach. As I read this, it makes me pause to wonder why. Why did they cling to this man with all their might, weeping at his feet and tugging at his clothes? I think it was out of sheer desperation. They didn't have the luxury of debating theology from an ivory tower. These were the poor in spirit and the mournful. They needed to be near Jesus.
Meanwhile, the Pharisees muttered the same complaint about Jesus they always had: He was eating with sinners. They still hadn't grasped the beauty of God's kingdom. But remember—Jesus loved these men just as much as he loved the outcasts. He wanted everyone to be included in God's Great Banquet.
At this point, Jesus could have turned to them and said, "Hey guys, don’t be such downers. I came to welcome everyone into God's kingdom." But instead, he tells three tales. The stories all follow a similar structure: something (or someone) gets lost, it is eventually found, and there is a celebration.
The Lost Coin is sandwiched between the more famous stories of the Lost Sheep and Prodigal Son. Because of this, it's easy for the Lost Coin to get, well... lost. The image of a shepherd carrying a frightened sheep home on his shoulders is a beautiful picture of God's love for us. And when the father embraces his wayward, pig-slop-covered son, it's enough to move us to tears. Compared to these two emotional tales, a story about a woman who loses a coin seems a bit dull. For most of my life, I didn't give it much thought. It was a less exciting version of the two other parables.
But Jesus had a reason for telling it.
Yes, all three stories convey the same basic message. Jesus wanted the religious leaders to know that when broken people are found by God, the whole kingdom celebrates. God's love for lost people doesn't diminish his love for those already on the inside. There's enough love for everyone.
And yet, the three parables highlight different aspects of this truth. So as we explore the parable of the Lost Coin together, I pray we can uncover a hidden gem.
It's a beautiful tale about the innate value each person has and lengths God goes to find us.
As we’ll see, he’s not afraid to get messy!
Questions to Ponder:
Take some time to read all three parables in Luke 15. What similarities do you see? What differences do you see?
Write down any initial thoughts you have about the parable of the Lost Coin.
Why do you think the Pharisees were still angry with Jesus for dining with sinners and outcasts even after the events of Luke 14?
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If you enjoyed this devotional and would like to support my writing, you can buy me a sweet tea to keep me caffeinated. It would be much appreciated!