Lost Valuables

Luke 15:1-10

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

1 Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them." 3 So He spoke this parable to them, saying:

4 "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' 7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

The Parable of the Lost Coin

8 "Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!' 10 Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Jesus used these parables of lost valuables to demonstrate the value of the kingdom of heaven over all other possessions and pursuits of the kingdoms of this earth.  He said these truths in response to the complaining scribes and Pharisees who judged Him for entertaining sinners instead of condemning them as the religious people were expected to do.  The first parable is about a single lost sheep of great value to the shepherd who still had ninety-nine more who were not missing.  The value was on the sheep itself and not on the amount which the shepherd possessed in total.  Each one was precious to him and so he left the safe majority to seek the one lost one before it perished in the wilderness without the needed care he provided to keep it alive.  When he finally rescued it from harm and destruction, the good shepherd had a party to celebrate with overwhelming joy in the rescue and return of that sheep much like the Lord finds immense and infinite pleasure in our repentance from sin as we are rescued by Him from a certain judgment and destruction (Ezekiel 34:23, Hebrews 10:27, 1 Peter 2:25).  Yes, there absolutely is such joy in heaven over each sinner who repents, who turns from their lost state in sin to forgiveness and redemption of reconciliation in Him who is the Great Shepherd of the sheep, Jesus Christ!  The angels who did not leave their heavenly abode (Hebrews 12:22-23, Jude 1:6) and who worship the Lord God there stand in a mighty chorus of exuberance over each one of us who is delivered by grace through repentance and faith in Christ.  All lives matter to God from every people and nation and language group (Acts 17:26, Revelation 5:9, 14:6) as the sheep of His pasture (John 10:9, 14-16).  Jesus then told the second parable about a lost drachma, a valuable coin often worn in a ten-piece garland by married women which was as valuable as a wedding ring with sentimental value is today.  Without the one missing piece of the set it was as a diamond ring missing a valuable stone and leaving a gaping hole white noticeable to all, especially to the owner.  This woman then carefully and thoroughly searched all through the house with a broom on her knees until she found the valuable piece that was lost because it meant so much to her.  She also responded as the shepherd who found his lost sheep with great joy and celebration with friends and even her neighbors.  She wanted all to know the immense importance of the lost one and the joy of it being found.  This again was a picture of the angels in heaven rejoicing over a single lost repentant sinner who is of infinite value to the Lord who made us in His image when they are found by God because we are His bride (Hosea 2:19-20, 23, 2 Corinthians 11:2, Revelation 21:9) and the sheep (Psalm 95:7-8, 1 Peter 2:25) of His heavenly pasture.  We are the valuables of God who once were lost but now are found in His amazing grace!