"What Does a Lost Sheep and a Lost Coin Have in Common?"

N.T.#595 "What Does a Lost Sheep and a Lost Coin Have in Common?"

 July 22, 2025 

Luke 15 

LET I T GLOW

Sometimes you wander if it is worth the time and energy put into a project when there seems to be no results. Last year, I felt that way until a boy came to Jesus after my testimony. This year I felt the same way, but a girl came to Jesus after my husband gave his testimony. We never know what God will use to reach children. It can be a hug, a smile, a sharing. 

Jesus challenged the hypocrisy of the religious leaders. We read it time and again in Scriptures. He distinguished Himself from the temple leaders while maintaining a high standard of righteousness. The Savior knew how to put them in their place, for He knew their short comings.

Here are three stories or parables with a common theme which are recounted by Christ in this chapter to illustrate His love, kindness, and concern for sinful men and women. 

Who was in the crowd? So the outcast publicans and sinners came to hear the Messiah. What was it like to listen to Jesus verbally? Do we listen to His Holy Spirit speak to our heart? 

Publicans were tax collectors (who selfishly took more for themselves) and sinners were those who missed the mark, trespassed (didn't meet God's standards). Now that was a crowd. No wonder they were grumbling and murmuring among themselves in a low tone. Faultfinders, I would call them. They were trying to catch Jesus in breaking the law. (Good luck with that, guys, because Jesus made the Laws of Moses.)

Who else was there? Why none other than the Pharisees and scribes, who were murmuring. Can you hear their deep voices whispering, "This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them." (verse 2)

In my books, Jesus was to be commended for that. The Holy, Son of God bent down to show love to the imperfect ones, societal outcasts. All those people Jesus touched and changed in their lives, don't you know they never forgot it for the rest of their lives?

LET IT GROW

What can we learn about these 3 parables?

• In these three parables, there is an innocent sheep lost, a carelessly lost shekel, and a willful son that was lost. 
• When the lost thing was found, there was rejoicing.  
• There was a percentage of loss involved grows, too. The lost sheep was 1 out of 100 (1%), the coin was 1 out of 10 (10%). and the son was 1 out of 2 (50%). (Falwell)

Just like the shepherd who wasn't willing to regard the lose of one missing sheep acceptable, our Good Shepherd places value on each individual soul. Even one who wanders from the fold, He goes to get it and bring it back. Keep praying for the wandering ones. 

The woman looking diligently for a lost coin (a day's wage) show us God treasures the repentance of lost sinners because He loves people. Are we looking for the wandering soul back in sin or the lost soul who has not come to Jesus? The Father rejoices when just one lost person is found.

LET IT GO

Keep us focused on Your love and compassion, Your mercy and grace, Sweet Jesus.

May our cup run over to those around us.

Help us share what wonderful things you have done for us, Savior.

To You be the glory forever.