November 23, The Parable of the Lost Coin, Luke 15:8-10

November 23, The Parable of the Lost Coin, Luke 15:8-10

Some of my comments on these three lost parables are influenced by Bill Hybels, founding and Sr. Lead Pastor of Willow Creek Community Church. I have heard him speak on these parables. I have also have taught the Contagious Christian series several times which uses a video clip of Bill commenting on these verses.

From all three of the lost parables in Luke 15 (Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, and Lost Sons), we learn that something of tremendous value was lost. The parable of the Lost Sheep emphasizes its value by comparing one lost sheep to 99 sheep left in the open country. In this parable, the value is ten silver coins, and one is lost. The nine coins are not at risk, but the value is emphasized by the lost silver coin. In the original language of the New Testament, the coins were 10 drachmas, each worth about a days wages. I guess the value of a days wage today could vary from minimum wage to lets say a union carpenter’s wage, $70 to $200. Taking the midrange that coin today might be worth about $130. If we lost a coin worth $130, we would search very hard for it.

A second point is that an intense search was conducted. God so loved the lost, that He came to earth to redeem us. This intense search should be a priority of every church. This search and burden are near to the heart of God.

A final point: there is great rejoicing when the lost is found. Both the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin parable have the explanation included in the parable. In the Lost Sheep, “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent” (Luke 15:7). In this parable, “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10).

⁸“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins 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