Chapter 26

The Parable of the Lost Coin

Luke 15:8–10

Who: Pharisees and scribes

Where: Galilee

Why: They murmured, saying, “This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them” (v. 2)

Luke 15:8–10

Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?

And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.

Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

Commentary

This is a short parable, but it demonstrates the power and color of Jesus’ teaching. One writer commented, “This story, because of its brevity, sparkles with beauty. It reveals all the emotions of anxiety, worry, elation, and joy in only a sentence or two. Yet the story is complete” (Kistemaker, Parables, 174).

The theme of “lost things” continues with the parable of the lost coin. Modern readers might think that the loss of a coin or two isn’t so bad. We could probably find ten coins in the couch cushions. However, this coin could have been part of the woman’s dowry and her personal ornamentation. It would be like someone in our day losing an engagement ring. One can only imagine the emotions it would produce to lose something so important and then, after diligent searching, find it again. Certainly a cause to celebrate.

Many years ago, I remember working in the Deseret Book offices in downtown Salt Lake City. Suddenly I heard shouts of excitement down the hall. Later, there was laughter and even some tears as exciting news spread like wildfire throughout the building. A highly publicized kidnap victim, whose whereabouts and condition were unknown for several months, had been found.

Apparently, similar joy and rejoicing occur in heaven when the spiritually lost are found. Jesus related the joy of retrieving precious material things to the joy of angels over a sinner who repents.

Therefore, What Do I Do?

First, we can recognize that we are all “lost and fallen,” and thus guard against Pharisaical self-righteousness. Second, we can assist the Lord in seeking the “lost.”

The lost sheep and lost coin required searching, going into the wilderness and holding up a light. Today, we refer to certain military and recovery operations as “search and rescue.” These are contrasted with Satan’s efforts, which we might call “search and destroy.” As we serve as home and visiting teachers, or as advisers to young men and young women, or as full-time or member missionaries, we assist the Lord in his “search and rescue” missions, and we can experience the joy described in this parable and in the Doctrine and Covenants, “And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!” (D&C 18:15).

Coming Up . . .

The lost sheep and the lost coin required diligent searching, because coins and sheep cannot find themselves and have no independent will. But in the next chapter, something else—or someone else—is lost. And he doesn’t want to be found—at first. He has to do some soul-searching and find himself, then come home to face the consequences.