“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
– Luke 15:8-10
Jesus tells a parable about 10 coins. He says, there was once a young woman (you get the idea that she might be poor) who lost one of her 10 silver coins, and is looking everywhere for it. And she finds it. When she finds it, she pulls all her friends together to celebrate because she found this one coin. It could mean one of two things. The first could be that she was just poor and that she really needed that silver coin, which is very possible. But a more romantic option is that back in those days, a common type of wedding symbol (like our modern wedding rings) was a headdress. The headdress was a silver chain with ten silver coins on it. The women would wear it everywhere: to the market, to bed, to work, or to whatever it was they were doing. When one of the coins fell out, it was incomplete. The idea there is that when you are brought into the Kingdom, and if you’re removed from it, it’s incomplete. You belong in the Kingdom. You not being at home in the Kingdom with us is like having a headdress that’s missing a coin. In many ways, Jesus is saying, “You are that missing piece.” He is searching for you. He is calling you. There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who says on Easter, “I’m giving my life to the Lord,” then 99 who have been perfect churchgoers their whole lives. And that’s very good news. |
Prayer
Thank you, God, for seeking people who need you. When a member gets added to your kingdom, we will rejoice!
Reflection
Can you feel the effects of a spiritual war in your life?
