The Parables of Jesus (A Deep Dive) - The Lost Sheep & The Lost Coin
Anchor Scripture: Luke 15:1–10
Luke 15 begins with two very different groups of people. Tax collectors and sinners were drawing near to Jesus to hear Him, while the Pharisees and scribes complained that Jesus welcomed and ate with sinners.
The Pharisees knew Scripture and understood the Law, but their response revealed something deeper: knowledge alone is not enough. They had knowledge, but lacked understanding of God's heart and the wisdom to respond appropriately.
This gives us an important question to consider:
If my knowledge of God does not cause me to love what He loves, seek what He seeks, and rejoice over what He rejoices over, have I truly understood what I claim to know?
The Heart of the Father
Throughout Scripture, we see that God's heart is characterized by love, generosity, sacrifice, grace, faithfulness, acceptance, mercy, forgiveness and compassion.
This understanding of the Father's heart helps us understand why Jesus tells the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin.
The Lost Sheep
In Luke 15:3–7, one sheep out of one hundred wanders away.
The sheep can represent those times when our own choices cause us to wander from God. Wandering may look like losing focus, becoming complacent, neglecting prayer, worship or God's Word, or allowing the wrong influences into our lives.
But what does the shepherd do?
He searches.
He does not simply accept the loss. He goes after the sheep until he finds it. And when he finds it, he does not condemn it—he carries it home and rejoices.
This is a picture of the Father's grace, mercy and love.
The Lost Coin
In Luke 15:8–10, the coin is different.
The sheep wandered, but the coin simply became lost. Sometimes people are lost because of their choices; other times circumstances beyond their control leave them in difficult or dark places.
Yet the coin never lost its value simply because it was lost.
The woman lights a lamp, sweeps the house and searches carefully until she finds it.
The lamp reminds us of the light of God's Word:
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” — Psalm 119:105
God's light exposes darkness, removes distractions and helps us see what has been lost.
You Are Still Valuable
Whether it was one sheep out of one hundred or one coin out of ten, the response was the same:
Search until it is found.
Whether you identify with the sheep that wandered away or the coin that found itself in a dark place, your value in God's eyes has not changed.
Being lost does not diminish your value.
The Father's love seeks, pursues, searches, persists, finds, carries and rejoices.
And when the lost are found, heaven rejoices.
What Now?
You: What lie has the enemy tried to sell you about God's heart toward you?
Your community: What kind of heart do you have toward the people around you who are lost or far from God?
Knowing the Father should eventually cause us to reflect the Father. As recipients of His grace, mercy and compassion, we are called to extend that same heart toward others.
Prayer
Father, help me to truly understand Your heart. When I wander, draw me back to You. When I find myself in darkness, let Your light lead me. Help me to remember that my value is found in You.
Give me Your heart for those around me. Help me to seek rather than condemn, restore rather than reject, and rejoice when the lost are found.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
New Covenant Assembly Winnipeg is a church with a vision to raise a mighty people who are fully committed to Jesus Christ.
