We started a new series at The Open Source Church this week entitled, "Shorts". The idea behind it was that we learn best through stories and Jesus was the master at teaching this way. The Gospels are filled with short stories, or parables, that Jesus taught to better illustrate truth. If that is the case, these shorts demand some careful consideration because of what they could mean to our lives. We are hitting some of the more famous ones on Sunday mornings but I thought we might look at a few of the others here on the blog. So let's have at it...
“...suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.” Luke 15:8-10
Some of Jesus' stories demand a bit of explanation. Whether because of the years removed or because of societal differences, we need to study a bit to get the meaning He was trying to convey. Not with this one! Most of us have had that "I've lost something valuable to me and need to find it immediately!" feeling. It's terrible! I have lost my wallet on two separate occasions and it was an instant anxiety attack! I felt sick to my stomach, my heart was thumping in my chest, and I could concentrate on nothing other than finding what belonged to me. I mean, my license and credit cards are in there! Pictures of my kids! I can't just lose it and forget about it. There is too much value.
I tore the house up looking for it. Was it in the laundry hamper? Did it fall out when I threw my pants in there? How about in the bathroom? I'm notorious for leaving my clothes on the bathroom floor. Maybe it's there? How about in the fridge? I could have set it down when I got out the ham. Possibly? Nope, none of those likely places. Where could it be? Turns out I left it on my dresser...where it technically belongs. You can imagine how I got confused.
My relief on finding it was palatable! I called my wife at work to let her know everything was alright. I shared the story with everyone I talked to. I touched my back pocket throughout the day to reassure myself that my wallet was still there. (I'm sure that didn't look weird and creepy) I went from crazy worry to a sense of peace in the blink of an eye, enough to give you emotional whiplash. And in the end, I had the satisfaction of knowing what I had found what I had lost.
I think we all have felt those emotions. The panic of discovering something you treasure is lost and the relief and excitement you experience when it is found. It's not a huge stretch for us to understand the point Jesus is making in this short. It is a bigger stretch for us to believe it! How can God place such value on us? It is a valid question considering that everyone of us has a some time or another felt worthless. How can He pursue us with such intensity? Especially when all of us have felt forgotten at moments in our lives. Yet here He is comparing Himself to a woman tearing the house apart to find one little coin. Here He is describing parties in heaven when one person turns away from rebellion and back to Him. That thought is life changing.
Maybe today you feel like that coin, lost and alone with no value. Let me assure you that Jesus is pursuing you with intensity. Maybe you question whether God wants anything to do with you. Let me assure you He would turn the world upside down to have you with Him. Maybe you feel so distant that you believe the search was called off long ago. Let me assure you He will never give up looking. So start a party in heaven. Call out to Jesus. It's a good day to be found!
Its even good to be the analogy for a gold coin. Me? Gold? no way! I'm not precious. I'm not worth anything. But to Him I am. You're right Aaron. let's start a party in Heaven, it IS a good day to be found!!!
Posted by: Kimmer | January 20, 2011 at 11:14 AM