Are You Lost?

By Bailey Maycumber

As children, we often have stories read to us not only to entertain us but to show us a deeper message or meaning.  Sometimes we may not realize what the author is portraying until we have grown and matured, but it is there for us to learn.  Even as adults, there are stories being shared in hopes that we look deeper into the meaning and gain knowledge from it.  Such are the parables. The Jews at this time were very well-acquainted with this type of learning, so Jesus shared parables. We continue to learn from the parables that we read in the Bible today.  

In Luke 15, Jesus shares three parables.  One about a lost sheep, one about a lost coin, and finally, one about a lost son.  At first glance, with the Pharisees grumbling that Jesus keeps company with sinners and tax collectors, we, too, may believe that those are the ones considered lost.  If we aren’t careful, we focus on what others should be learning from the parables…or from Bible classes or sermons. Why is the assumption made that the meaning behind this parable is about someone else and not in fact ourselves?  By examining these relatively simple stories more carefully, we uncover a mystery of the kingdom - a similarity among them.  In all three instances, the lost item is returned to its original place. This can lead us to infer that Jesus is referring to those who were once believers and have been led astray but eventually are found again. It is His diligent search for us - the lost - that reveals His great love.

Parables can hold many meanings but this thought is the one we will be evaluating. 

In the parable of the lost sheep, we see a shepherd who has one hundred sheep but leaves ninety-nine of them in an open field to find the one that was lost.  Once the sheep is found, the shepherd gathers it close to him and rejoices.  On the surface, one main point to take away is the fact that the sheep was once a part of this shepherd's herd, but either it got distracted or fell behind and was lost.  Rather than figuring it a loss and buying a new sheep, the shepherd goes out of his way, leaving those he knows will be safe, to find the one that has disappeared.  Shepherds knew each and everyone of their sheep and called them by name.  They even had a special call so that the sheep would know that it was their shepherd. We see evidence of this in John 10:3.  

There are times when we as Christians feel distracted and may feel confused causing us to lose focus on where we are going, and we end up being lost.  We know God is always with us as our Shepherd guiding us, but it is our responsibility to answer His call and focus on following Him so that we may not be lost. This being said, understand it is natural for sheep to get confused and need protection, so we need to recognize that we need a Shepherd, and not just any shepherd; we have to be able to discern our Shepherd’s voice.  We have to hear His “special call” so that we don’t get turned around by the messages of the world, finding ourselves stuck and away from the flock. We put our faith in Him that He will protect us with our best interest in mind; He is the Good Shepherd. 

I am the Good Shepherd; I know My sheep and my sheep know Me just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father and I lay down My life for the sheep.  I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen.  I must bring them also.  They too will listen to My voice, and there shall be one flock and one Shepherd. - John 10:14-16

Similarly, in the parable of the lost coin, we see a woman who had 10 coins but loses one.  In response to this she lights up the area and diligently scours her living space to find it.  Once it is found she not only rejoices herself but shares the celebration with her friends and neighbors.  Staying on theme we see that the lost coin was once hers but has disappeared to be found again through her diligent and tireless searching.  She did not find a random coin on the road to add to her other nine but rather found the exact one that was lost. 

This parable is interesting in the fact that while sheep have value, we see the precise value of the thing that is lost.  For many of us, coins are a nuisance.  We don’t stop to pick up a penny or even a dime.  Perhaps this coin would have escaped our attention.  Maybe it held value that was more symbolic.  During this time period a coin that Jesus is referring to in this story would have probably been equal to a day's wages, but that isn't the only value that the coin could have represented.  There is a Jewish custom that when a Jewish girl is to be married, she will save coins until she has ten silver pieces.  She strings them together and wears them in symbolism of her being a married woman - the silver adornment being equal to today's wedding ring.  The lost coin, while it has its original value, is held in higher admiration due to the sentimentality that is attached to it. While we may not stop to look for a coin, most of us would turn the house upside down searching for a valued piece of jewelry. 

Consider the value that is placed in this one lost coin and consider that the value we have in God’s sight..  He loves us so much, and He will show us the light so that we might shine in it and be gathered to Him and represent HIm with our lives. In His great love, “While we were sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8).

So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer,  Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you.  The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.  While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” - John 12:35-36

Finally, in the parable of the lost son, we read that there are two sons.  One asks for his inheritance that he may go and live how he seems fit which then leads him to lose everything in spoil.  When a famine comes, he finds himself starving and unfit to be called his father’s son.  With this recognition, he goes back to his father in hopes that he may be one of the hired servants.  Before he even gets to make this request, his father sees him and runs out to greet him.  He clothes him and orders that a celebration be held to recognize his arrival back.  When the elder brother sees this, he is hurt and confused on why his father is treating the younger son in such a way.  He believes he is more deserving of the celebration since he was the one who stayed and followed his fathers commands.  The father pleads with him to see that while the elder brother was always with him and has everything, the younger one was lost and was considered dead but now is back, and even better he is alive.  

This is one of the more popular parables and is oftentimes referred to as the parable of the prodigal son.  In this story, we can clearly see a difference from the previous two.  Not everyone is celebrating when the lost son is found.  The younger son, while living independently from his father, comes to realize that he is miserable.  The world, that seemed to offer pleasure and promise ease, hasn’t delivered.  He is destitute and alone.  With this realization, he returns to his father in hopes of being a hired servant.  A hired servant of this time was the lowest rank of servant, for they would be hired by day and could be dismissed at any time.  Instead of rebuking the son, the father is overjoyed to know he has not died and has come back to him.  The son needs not grovel or apologize; the father forgives all his shortcomings and rejoices at his return.  It is a representation of a fathers love, our Father’s love. Not only do we see the example of love and forgiveness in this parable, but the father expects that all who love him will join him in feasting and rejoicing at his son’s return. 

Unfortunately for us, it’s all too easy for us to fall into the same misunderstanding of forgiveness and love as the elder brother.  The Jews and the Pharisees didn’t understand this mystery of the Kingdom. They were taught throughout the Old Testament that God is the King.  When someone disregards the king in such a manner, they should be dealt punishment for their actions.  While God is the King, we also are introduced to His representation as a Father.  This is a Father who sees our hearts and chooses to forgive us, who searches us out when we have been lost by our own foolish lack of focus, by the inability to see ourselves as valuable to God, or by allowing ourselves to be enticed by the world’s lies.   

Certainly, there are other lessons to be found in these parables.  As we read and study God’s word it is important to not only look at it through a magnifying glass, but also hold it in regard when we look into a mirror.  These lessons aren’t solely for the Pharisees or the sinners and tax-collectors.  They are for all of us, for once, we were lost.  There may be times in our lives when we again feel lost, but we know that there is always one all-powerful God watching us and wanting us to call out to Him so that we may be found again.  We must listen for His voice, look for His light, and know that to be a servant in His house is better than anything the world has to offer.  And even if we don’t feel lost, we must recognize that there are those who are lost.  As ambassadors of Christ, we must bring them the call of the Shepherd, show them His marvelous light, and once they come back, we must rejoice and embrace them, for just as we once were, they are now found.