THE PARABLES | The Lost Coin (Luke 15:8-10)
THE PARABLES | The Lost Coin (Luke 15:8-10)
In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God's angels
over one sinner who repents.
Luke 15:10, The NET Bible
over one sinner who repents.
Luke 15:10, The NET Bible
Context: Luke 15 is the chapter about the search for lost sinners: a lost sheep, coin and son. A drachma coin was almost a day’s wages. However, this lost coin may have had special value perhaps as an heirloom or part of a dowry, therefore holding a sentimental value like that of a wedding ring. In this second parable of chapter 15, more detail is given regarding the search effort than in the first parable of verses 4–7.
Meaning: The Jews taught that men may crawl to God, but never that God would seek out sinners! Light ... sweep ... search - these three verbs indicate God’s holy zeal to find each lost soul - leaving no stone unturned to find us in the dirt! Each individual is precious to God. He grieves over every loss and rejoices whenever one of his children is found and brought into the Kingdom.
Application: Jesus came all the way from heaven to earth to search for His lost ones, pursuing sinners into every dark corner, and then shining the light of the glorious Gospel on them (2 Cor 4:5-6). “There is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.” Who is present before the angels? God. It is God, first and foremost who rejoices to lavish his love on those now turning to Him. He does not offer them some kind of ‘he loves me, he loves me not’ relationship dependent upon their impeccable behaviour. They have the security of being His children (1 John 1:12).
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Joy Over One.
Joy Over One.
