Luke 15:8 (ESV) “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it?
Jesus turns from talking of 100 sheep to 10 coins, of which one was missing. What was missing was something of value, a silver coin. Undoubtedly the woman had plans for what that silver coin could provide. But somehow, we are not told how, it had been lost in her home. So, the woman turns on all the lights and begins to use a broom to sweep the entire house. She searches for that lost coin diligently and doesn’t give up until she finds it.
Luke 15:9-10 (ESV) And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
When she finally finds the lost coin, life does not just go on as normal. She calls all her friends and neighbors to a party of rejoicing because the lost coin has been found. Jesus then tells us that the angels in heaven rejoice over every sinner who repents. We learn that the angels in heaven are aware of what is going on in the earth.
It’s like they are watching a baseball game and they cheer at every run scored. Well, life is much more important then a baseball game. The angels erupt into rejoicing every time a sinner repents and crosses the plate into eternal life. Joy comes by finding the lost.
In this story, the woman diligently searching for the lost coin is an example for us. As believers, God desires for us to be diligently searching for the lost to be found. To seek for the lost to be saved is not just for the church to do, it is for every believer. To have a priority of seeking the lost is not just one of many priorities. It should be the top priority in your life as a believer.
Each of us has different areas of responsibility in our lives. We have our families and relatives, our jobs and workmates, our homes and neighbors and friends. Are you sure that everyone in your circle of influence has been saved? Just because they think they are a believer does not mean they are. Every day, wherever you go, God desires to work with you to reach the lost.
When you find them, when they believe in Jesus, there will be joy for all, extending into heaven. Our greatest responsibility in this life is seeing the lost saved. If you are saved, then you know enough to help someone else be saved. Joy comes by finding the lost.