Calling all Friends
Luke 15: 8-10
Our text today comes from a familiar chapter where our Lord shares three different parables – The Parable of the Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, and the Lost Son. These parables were given in response to the Pharisees criticism of His interaction with sinners. Jesus offered these parables to reveal His commitment to saving the lost, and His love for them.
We have set aside today as Friends Day. I found the woman’s response very interesting, once she had found the lost coin. She called her friends and neighbors together in order to celebrate. I can think of nothing better to celebrate among friends than the grace of our Lord that brings salvation to us.
As we examine the insights of the parable of Jesus, I want to consider the thought: Calling all Friends.
I. The Reality of the Parable (8) – Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? As Jesus begins this second parable, He reveals the reality of the woman’s situation. Consider:
A. Her Possession (8) – Jesus reveals that the woman in the parable had ten pieces of silver. Each piece represented a day’s wages. This may have been money she had earned, or some believe it may have been from her wedding dowry, given of her father. In this case the coins were strung together on a headpiece. If the woman was ever unfaithful, one of the coins would be removed, declaring her adultery. It is easy to see the value of the coins to her. They provided security and brought her glory. Each coin was of equal value and precious to her.
Jesus was seeking to make a point about the value of each individual. They were all valuable to Him and precious in His sight. A single coin may not have created much concern for others, but it concerned her. The Pharisees saw little value in sinful people, but Jesus cared for them, just like He did the religious.
B. Her Panic (8) – At some point, the woman discovered one of the coins was missing. Although a great majority remained, she valued the one that was lost. Even though she still had nine left, she desired to recover the lost one.
Jesus emphasized the concern He had for one lost soul. While others had believed on Him as the Christ, many had not. There were still those who needed to hear of His great provision and receive Him by faith. We need to share His concern for those who have yet to be saved. I am thankful that my immediate family is saved by His grace, and yet I know many others who are not. We cannot be complacent with those who are already saved at the expense of those who have yet to hear and believe!
C. Her Pursuit (8) – Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? Upon realizing the coin was lost, the woman immediately lit a candle and swept the house in a diligent search for the coin. Unlike the sheep lost in the wilderness, the coin was lost in the security of the home. However, there were aspects of the situation that made the search somewhat difficult. The coin was lost in darkness. She had to light a candle. The coin was lost among the dust and dirt within the home. She swept the floor seeking the coin.
This reveals much about our condition prior to salvation. We discover that lost people exist everywhere, even within the homes of believers. In order for us to be found, literally saved by grace, we needed the Light to reveal our position, being apart from Christ. We too were lying among the dirt and filth of sin, desperately needing to be lifted from our sinful state.
Like the woman, Jesus was passionate and committed to finding and delivering the lost. The Spirit revealed the Light of the Gospel to us, and the Lord lifted us from our depravity, saving us by His marvelous grace!
II. The Rejoicing in the Parable (9) – And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Consider:
A. The Discovery (9) – Jesus revealed that her persistence paid off. Through her diligent search, the coin was eventually found. The coin of great value, that had been lost, was now found and restored unto the place from which it fell.
Again this portrays the miracle that takes place in the life of a believer. We too were lost and undone before the Lord. He was committed to providing the means of our deliverance, offering Himself as the atoning sacrifice for sin. He pursued us by His grace, saving us from sin, and restored us to favor with God. Like the coin, we were helpless to do anything about our lost condition. Sin had created separation from the Lord. With the fall of Adam in the Garden, humanity now stands fallen from the place God desired. In Christ, we are found, set free from our guilt and sin, being restored to a place of fellowship and acceptance with the Father.
B. The Delight (9) – And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. When she found the coin, she called her friends and neighbors to come and rejoice with her. The long, diligent search was over, and the coin had been recovered. This was reason for celebration, and she wanted to share her joy with others.
Surely you will agree that those who are delivered from sin and restored to the Lord in salvation deserve our rejoicing. A sinner that was undone before God is now saved from the wrath to come and restored to fellowship. Through faith they have received the gift of salvation, made available by the gracious sacrifice of Christ on the cross. If that doesn’t create an attitude of praise and rejoicing, I don’t know what would.
I remember the joy I felt when I received salvation. I wanted everyone to know what the Lord had done for me. Other than my own salvation, there is no greater joy than seeing someone come to Christ by faith and receive salvation. That is the mission of the church – to proclaim the Gospel that brings salvation to those who are yet apart from Christ.
III. The Reflection through the Parable (10) – Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. Here Jesus provides application for the parable as it applies to our lives. Consider:
A. The Jubilation (10) – The rejoicing of the women is representative of what actually happens in heaven when someone comes to Christ in salvation. The angels rejoice before the Lord when a lost sinner is saved by grace. Many on earth may overlook such an event, and some could care less, but it makes headlines in heaven. No doubt the Lord is pleased when souls are saved. He came to earth to die for our sin so we could be saved. If salvation was important enough to Him to die for humanity, you can rest assured He is pleased when folks are saved.
There is much that creates excitement in our world today, but the majority of that excitement is short lived. It is generated by temporal things that please the flesh. Salvation is eternal in Christ. One who once was separated in sin, and destined for an eternity in hell, has received eternal life in Christ. If the angels rejoice, we too should rejoice when one is saved. Each one matters to the Lord, and they should matter to us!
B. The Salvation (10) – Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. The angels rejoice over the sinner who has repented. This speaks of their salvation in the Lord. The angels are aware of the importance of salvation, and rejoice each time a sinner is saved. The plan of God is being fulfilled as one receives salvation in the Lord.
Again I want to emphasize, this was the purpose of our Lord coming to earth. Mark 2:17 – When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. I pray that we will do all we can to seek out those who are lost, sharing our faith, and praying for their salvation. We are commissioned of the Lord to reach the lost and disciple them in the faith.
Conclusion: This has been a simple, but profound parable. We all were born in sin, separated from the Lord, in need of restoration. I am thankful the Lord found me in my miserable state, loving me enough to take my place and provide for my salvation. He came where I was, revealed His great love for me, and saved me by His grace. Have you received Christ as your personal Savior? He is the only means of salvation, and there is hope and eternal life in Him. He loves you and wants to save you by His grace. Come to Him if He is dealing with your heart.
It is good to be able to worship and rejoice with friends today. Church, I pray we will develop a burden for the lost like the woman in the parable. May we share the Light of Christ, and diligently seek out those who stand in need of salvation!
