How Much Is A Dirty Drachma Worth?

At that point you have a choice. You have to ask yourself, “how much does their soul mean to me? How badly do I want to see them back in God’s hands?” When the World Trade Center was bombed two weeks ago, I couldn’t fall asleep. As I laid in bed, I couldn’t help think to myself, “what if I was caught under that mass of cement?” Imagine if one of your loved ones was caught in that mass of rubble, and was dying, needing you to rescue him or her. What would you do? You know what you would do. You would make every effort to try and move that mass of garbage. As long as there was hope - you would keep on searching until you were sure your loved one was dead, or every stone was unturned. How is it any different when we see Christians going astray from God’s Word every day? You’ve got to go after them. Is it loving to assume that they’ll just wonder back into God’s hand? It won’t happen without God’s Word. Isn’t it more loving to use God’s Word - to put our friendship on the line - and try and bring them back? Are you willing to risk a friendship? A job? A child? A spouse? How important is their soul to you? How much is a dirty drachma worth to you?

II. A drachma is worth searching after

When several firefighters were found under the rubble at the World Trade Center, people rejoiced at the fact that were saved. Once I found where my missing check was, I rejoiced! And what is the result of the saving of a soul? Look back at the parable. 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.”

This passage takes the shade off of a window to another world. Not only does God rejoice, but so do His angels. In the book of Daniel it describes a war that was going on behind the scenes. The children of Israel had been deported to Babylon - Daniel included. They were supposed to start being deported back to the Promised Land. But the devil had sent an evil demon to influence the Persian government, so that it wouldn’t allow the remnant to return to Israel. So the Archangel Michael and Jesus fought together against the demons in Persia and Greece to make it possible for the remnant to return. This shows us that the angels play an integral part in keeping us from danger. They care for us not only physically, but also spiritually. Therefore, when one of God’s children has fallen from faith - it troubles the angels greatly. Often times we think of angels just keeping us from tripping and protecting us physically. But they are more concerned with our SPIRITUAL welfare than our physical.

Therefore, when a believer who has fallen from the faith comes back, there is much rejoicing even over ONE sinner who is brought to repentance. They realize the eternal stakes. When one unbeliever is brought back to the faith, they are saved from an ETERNITY of suffering and hell. And so they rejoice! Think about then, what a wonderful thing it is when a child is baptized - has the forgiveness of Christ and the Holy Spirit poured on him or her! Think about what a wonderful thing it is when someone comes back to worship after a long hiatus. Think about how wonderful it is when someone starts a new Bible Information Class and joins our church. This isn’t just another number on the books. We’re talking about life and death - eternal matters! What a reason for rejoicing! Another dirty drachma has been cleaned and placed in God’s hands.