Lost! The Parables of Luke 15Sample

Some people believe that the threefold parable in Luke 15 illustrates the triune God. Jesus, Good Shepherd that He is, finds the lost sheep. Father God, like the prodigal's dad, throws a party when we return to Him. And like the woman with the lost coin, our getting found by God is a work of His Spirit, not of our doing. 

A coin cannot bleat like a lamb for its owner to find it. A coin cannot return like a lost son to his father, with a speech prepared to express his sorrow at getting lost. A coin entirely depends on its owner to find it. 

Nowadays, coinage is almost becoming obsolete. But if we substitute the lost coin for a lost bank card or a lost wedding ring, we start to appreciate the urgency of the woman in looking for it, and her joy in finding it. This coin may have been part of the woman's dowry, precious to her, as we are to God. 

I find it appropriate that in Jesus' story, the coin is found by a woman. In my experience, women tend to be much better than men at finding things that are lost around the house, like the car keys for example! This story is a hint of how much respect Jesus had for women, many of whom ministered to Him during His earthly ministry. 

Some people might find it uncomfortable to associate the Holy Spirit with a woman looking for a lost coin. After all, is God not a 'He'? Yes, and Jesus became a man; but both men and women are made in God's likeness. God has the best female qualities like being able to find things, as well as the best male qualities like shepherding. 

'Holy God, thank You for finding us when there was nothing we could do to make You find us. We acknowledge that salvation is all from You, and ask You to complete the work You've begun in us, in Jesus' name, amen.' 

Do you find it hard to think you can't contribute to your salvation? Or do you find it liberating?