Scripture to Read: Luke 15:8
When Jesus taught, He often used more than one illustration to make sure people completely understood the lesson He was teaching. So, after Jesus used the lost sheep as an illustration, He then shared this in Luke 15:8, “Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?” To fully understand why this lady searched so carefully for one silver coin, we need to know that in the days of Jesus, a silver coin like the one described (often identified as a drachma in the Bible) was worth about a day’s labor. Imagine losing a full day’s wage; it would be devastating for most people. For the woman, this would have meant that losing that one coin would have had a major impact on her and her family’s ability to pay for food, housing, clothing, and the other needs of life. For this woman to be able to find her lost coin would result in restoring what was lost and preventing any financial burden. So, just as the woman diligently searched for her lost coin, because of the value of that coin, God the Father, through Christ our Lord, also seeks and cares for every lost person because each lost person matters deeply to Him. Jesus wants us to know that the grace, mercy, love, forgiveness, and full redemption He offers through His death, burial, and resurrection are freely offered to all mankind. That is why He came to “seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).
Challenge & Application
How does the lost coin illustration show us the value God places on every lost soul?
How do you view every lost soul, and are you seeking to share the love of Christ with them?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!