In Luke 15, Jesus tells another “parable of lost things”—this time about a woman who loses one of her ten silver coins and searches tirelessly until she finds it, rejoicing when she does. The coin likely represented something deeply personal and valuable, perhaps part of her marriage dowry or future security, making its loss more than just financial. Through this story, Jesus shows us God’s heart for the lost: every single person matters, and heaven rejoices when even one sinner repents. Just as the woman lights a lamp and sweeps the house until her treasure is found, God never stops searching for us. We’re reminded not to forget what it felt like to be lost, nor to lose the joy of being found. The gospel isn’t a test of goodness—it’s a rescue story of relentless grace, where God celebrates every soul that comes home.

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Well, good morning! It’s good to be with you on this Thursday morning as we continue together in our time in Luke’s Gospel.

We’re still walking through what I like to call “the parables of lost things.” Yesterday, we looked at the parable of the lost sheep—how the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to go find the one, and how that one sheep represents us. We’re the lost ones whom Jesus comes to find.

Today we move to the second story, the parable of the lost coin. Jesus says:

“Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 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 in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Now, I wanted to dig into this one a little bit because I’ve heard it preached in a lot of ways. You’ve probably heard different takes too—everything from the coin being part of a dowry to it being part of a bridal headdress. I did some reading this morning, and while not every scholar agrees on the details, most seem to think these ten silver coins were connected to marriage in some way. Losing one could have been a big deal—something that threatened her future, her identity, even her security.

So, when this woman loses that coin, it’s not just pocket change—it’s a piece of her life, her promise, her hope. No wonder she lights the lamp, sweeps the house, and searches high and low. And when she finds it? Oh, it’s time to celebrate! She calls her friends and neighbors and says, “Rejoice with me!”

That’s exactly what Jesus wants His listeners—and us—to feel. He wants us to understand the joy of finding something precious that was lost, and then realize: that’s how God feels when one sinner comes home.

See, one sheep out of ninety-nine doesn’t seem like much. One coin out of ten isn’t much either. But when it’s yours—when it’s something that matters to you—its recovery means everything.

That’s how God feels about us. When one of us who’s wandered off comes back home, all of heaven throws a party.

Jesus says it plainly: “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Now, remember the context from yesterday—the religious folks were grumbling that Jesus spent time with “sinners.” So He’s telling these stories to help them see God’s heart. The shepherd rejoices over one sheep. The woman rejoices over one coin. And the Father rejoices over one sinner who turns back to Him.

There are a couple of takeaways for us.

First, don’t forget what it felt like to be lost.
For those of us who’ve followed Jesus for a long time, it’s easy to forget we haven’t always walked this way. We weren’t always found. Remembering that helps us stay humble—and gracious—toward those who are still searching.

Second, don’t lose the joy of salvation—yours or anyone else’s.
If the angels in heaven rejoice over one sinner who repents, shouldn’t we? There’s nothing better than seeing someone find their way back to the Father. And honestly, sometimes we make faith look more like a morality test than a rescue story.

But the gospel isn’t about being “good enough.” None of us are. It’s about a God who keeps searching for us, sweeping the house, lighting the lamp, calling out our name until we’re found.

I love that picture—the woman searching, not giving up. That’s what grace looks like. God doesn’t quit on us. He searches and calls and shines His light until we’re brought home.

So today, may you remember the joy of being found—and may you share in the joy of heaven every time someone else is.

Tomorrow, we’ll move to one of the greatest parables in all of Scripture—the story of the lost brothers, or as we usually call it, the Prodigal Son. Can’t wait to unpack that one with you. Have a great day, and I’ll see you in the morning.