Sermon Snippet – God’s Lost and Found
INTRODUCTION – As Jesus journeys to Jerusalem and to His Cross, steadfastly pressing forward (Luke 9:51), He continues His exceptional but exhausting ministry. He provides healing to those who are afflicted (even getting into trouble with the religious authorities when He heals on the Sabbath); He teaches the truth to individuals, to His followers, and to His angry and avowed opponents. Luke 15:1-10 is one example of His teaching ministry to all.
1. WE ARE ALL LOST
Five times in this passage, “lose” or “lost” is used (verses 4 – twice, 6, 8, 9). Jesus is making the point that we are all lost spiritually, for parables are familiar, common events invested with spiritual meanings. The first parable focuses on a masculine activity (for at that time in Israel, women were not shepherds). The second is definitely feminine. A Jewish woman of that era generally wore her dowry of ten silver coins in a headband. To lose one coin was thus to lose 10% of her life savings. The monetary value was great, but the coin was of greater emotional and sentimental value: the modern equivalent would be the loss of a wedding ring. The simple detail of the “light” (verse 8) is not theological (the necessity of light in darkness) but historical: most homes in Israel had either very small windows or no windows at all. Together, the two parables tell us that we are all lost – “Pharisees and scribes” (verse 2), corrupt tax collectors (“publicans” – verse 1), other overt “sinners” (verse 1), men, women. Somewhere along the way, if we are Christians, our Savior God made this sad reality obvious to us – and it has to be made obvious to us, given our absolute lostness. The sheep and the coin were not seeking to be found. He also made another reality obvious to us: He has found us: “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).
2. WE ARE ALL SOURCES OF JOY WHEN WE ARE FOUND
Five times in these parables, “rejoicing,” “rejoice,” or “joy” is employed (verses 5, 6, 7, 9, 10). The big news currently is the Middle East (which directs the thoughtful person back to the Bible and the specific prophecies involving this region); that is man’s perspective. The divine perspective is that the biggest news is the salvation of one soul. Daniel 1:1-2 helps us to understand God’s view of things. The world news, if it had existed them, would have been screaming headlines and worried commentary as Nebuchadnezzar added another nation to his empire. However, God was doing a spiritual work, purging Israel of idolatry. Nebuchadnezzar reigned for 43 years; but he died, and his kingdom ended. By contrast, God cured Israel of following false gods, brought His people back to Israel, and gave them (and us) the promised Messiah. Zephaniah 3:17 reveals the joyful heart of God. Luke 15:10 records God’s perspective about what matters most: “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Each one of us who trusts in Jesus as Savior is the source of joy echoing through the hallowed halls of heaven.
CONCLUSION – This joy is made possible only by that Cross to which Jesus was journeying. Hebrews 12:2 kindly commands, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” May each of us look to Jesus for His eternal salvation. May we then become people of joy. C. S. Lewis, in his felicitous phrasing, wrote, “Joy is the serious business of heaven.” Since it matters so much to God in heaven, let us practice joy now. We were lost; we are now found; and these words of Jesus await us: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant… enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” (Matthew 25:21).