8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Why was the woman so excited about finding the coin? For a few reasons, one possibility being a sheer necessity, as the coins might have been all the wealth she had. Another possibility might be the coins having high sentimental value to her. Traditionally, the silver coins were used in the bride’s wedding band. The coins meant a lot to her.
Similarly, Jesus sought after the sinners and outcasts as he came to save them. The Pharisees complained when they saw him dining with these people. These Pharisees were religious so they never abandoned the laws of the Lord, but they were out of sync with Christ. They were “lost at home.”
Because her coins were lost at home, the woman did three things –
1. She lit a lamp.
2. She swept the house.
3. She searched for it diligently.
We can learn from her as we try to bring back the believers who are lost and have left the faith. We should light the lamp of God’s word. By living according to the principles of His Word, we reflect His light.
We should also sweep the house – that is getting rid of whatever may make us get lost too, or give the devil a foothold.
Finally, we should also search diligently for friends that have gotten ‘lost’. This is done by praying for them, showing them love and talking to them about Christ.
The finding and rejoicing
When one lost soul comes back to the lord, we join the saints in heaven in rejoicing.
10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”