THE LOST COIN---(Luke 15:8-10)
INTRODUCTION
Our previous parable introduced the context in which this parable is found
The tax collectors and sinners had drawn near to hear Jesus -Luke15: 1
The Pharisees and scribes were murmuring because Jesus had Received them and ate with them -Luke 15:2
In response, Jesus told three parables as recorded in Luke 15 "The Lost Sheep" Luke 15:3-7. "The Lost Coin" “Luke 15:8-10. "The Prodigal Son. "Luke 15:11-32. As noted in the previous lesson these three parables have the same central theme: "The Father’s Yearning love for the lost" (Hendriksen). They also reveal what our own attitude should be toward the lost
In this study, we shall consider the parable of "The Lost Coin" (Luke15: 8-10). Let’s begin by reading the parable and then taking a closer look "Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbours 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."
THE PARABLE ANALYZED
The silver coin, like the Roman denarius, was equivalent to a day’s wage and represented great value to the poorer classes. There homes were usually small and quite dingy and the floors were made up of compacted dirt. There houses had very few windows so trying to find a lost coin in such a dark and probably dusty place would not be easy.
WHAT DOES THE PARABLE MEAN
William Hendriksen, in his commentary, relates some Interesting "explanations" The Son was symbolized in the parable of "Lost Sheep" That the Father would be featured in the parable of "The Prodigal Son" and having the woman represent the Spirit would complete the trinity also that the lamp represents the gospel and the broom signifies the Law. [Imaginative allegorising I think]
As with most parables, there is only one point, just one central lesson and Jesus own explanation makes it clear what the parable is designed to teach. The parable simply reinforces the main point in the previous parable Luke 15:7 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.
But here in this parable, the expression is Luke 15:10 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." So does this mean to say that angels rejoice when a sinner repents? well they certainly take a deep interest in our salvation. Lets take a look at some interesting scriptures 1 Pet 1:10-12 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. He 1:13-14 to which of the angels did God ever say, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet" 14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? Mt 18:10 "See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.
The Angels have been and always will be, involved in carrying out God’s plan of salvation Luke 2:10-14; Mt 25:31; 2 Th1: 7-9
We need to note that Jesus said "in the presence of the angels". So who is in there presence? GOD! And we can read in many of the scriptures “He who dwells in the presence of angles will greatly rejoice! - Cf. Ezek 18:23,32; 33:11; Zeph 3:17; 2 Pet 3:9
Again, this parable’s theme is similar to the others in this chapter: "The Father’s yearning love for the lost". Such love is evident by the joy "in heaven" and "in the presence of angels" when just one sinner repents.
THE PARABLE APPLIED
What should be our attitude towards the lost? I believe there are four different attitudes we could adopt. Hate them (self-righteous individuals may have this attitude), Regard them with indifference (some Christians have this attitude), Welcome them when they come to you (the Pharisees and scribes considered Jesus guilty of this one), and finally Seek them
From the first two parables and the setting, which precipitated their telling, we learn that Jesus not only "welcomed" them He "sought" them! Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." Jn 10:16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. So our attitude should be one of both welcoming and seeking those who are lost!
WHAT OUR ATTITUDE SHOULD BE
Both parables ("The Lost Sheep" and "The Lost Coin") describe the heavenly joy when a sinner repents - Luke 15:7,10 So what is our attitude when a sinner repents? Do we act indifferent ("Ho hum, so what...") Are we sceptical? ("I wonder if they really repented") Are we judgmental? ("Shame on them for sinning in the first place!") Or are we full of joy? ("That’s wonderful! Praise be to God!") What we must always remember is that when a soul repents, it should be an occasion of great joy! e.g., 2 Co 7:4-9 I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds 5 For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn--conflicts on the outside, fears within. 6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever. 8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it--I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while-- 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us.
CONCLUSION
The parable of "The Lost Coin" should serve to remind us that God not only welcomes sinners, He goes out of His way to save them! He rejoices when sinners repent and it is important that we posses these same attitudes toward the lost...
First, and foremost, because we are to imitate our Father and our Saviour - Ep 5:1-2 and secondly, Jesus felt it important enough to tell two parables that are virtually identical. He seems to have wanted to emphasise the same point, perhaps on the one hand to strike home to the men ("The Lost Sheep"), and on the other to drive the point home to the women ("The Lost Coin")
But it didn’t end there, because Jesus went on to tell another parable that will make the point even stronger! I.e. the parable of "The Prodigal Son",
And it is that parable we will look at in our next study.
If you are in need of repentance, why not answer the call of the Father who is seeking you today? He calls you through the gospel (2 Th 2: 14), and He is calling you into His kingdom and glory (1 Th 2:12).
Not only will there be Joy in Heaven, but in our own hearts as well
