As Kim asked yesterday: “What do we make of things that are lost?” That question convicts me when it becomes about people, their eternal souls, and how much faithfulness I can muster up into the process. Todd touched on this in the sermon this past weekend, pointing out how we get so caught up in our own lives, thinking “oh, man, that would be a lot of work to come alongside *insert name/community*.” But what does Jesus say the cost of discipleship is? And I think He means not just being one, but making one, too.

Today, though, I want to shift the focus onto the rejoicing experienced once the lost is found: What do we make of things that are found?

Ironically, this week I was humbly reminded by a long-time family friend who said that they and the youth pastor had been praying for me all throughout my time of rebellion in my teenage years. And it’s funny, as the sinner who has repented, I told them how I could not express my gratitude in this lifetime, but that one day, at the marriage of the Lamb and the feast to follow, they will finally understand how much weight that faithfulness in the lighting of their lamp, sweeping of the house, and diligent seeking for just one soul really holds--when we see that smile on the Father’s face because just one soul was found.

We can get so caught up in the process that we lose sight of the result; the celebrating with that individual, for eternity, alongside the Creator and the Savior. And the opposite is true, though difficult to digest. If we truly loved souls here and now, we would certainly treat them as though they really do last an eternity. Now we can’t save each and every soul we encounter--and it isn’t our job to hold that weight--but if we started truly interceding for people with a mindset angled towards the result instead of solely the process, I think we would get a fresh sense of faithfulness amidst discipling.

[Luke 15.8-10]

8 “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? 9 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.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ Why does this woman care so much for all ten coins? [Hint: there is speculation that these coins have something to do with marriage/faithfulness of a widow...almost like losing your wedding ring as a widow...not like losing a penny...]

+ If this is the case, then did these coins mean something to only her?

+ Did she neglect the other 9 coins?

+ What is the significance of the light from the lamp? And the sweeping of the house? How might these correlate with discipleship?

+ Think about why she had to light a lamp. At what hour was she putting all of this energy into this effort? Was she relying on her own sight to search? Or was there a secondary source that was more powerful in guidance?

+ Why does Jesus bring the sense of community into this parable? And why would that community care?

+ What did this parable mean to the Pharisees in this time who held a high and mighty stance towards salvation? How is this seen today in the 21st century global Church?

+ I am sure the woman was finally able to rest and reflect for a little bit after finding that coin. But, do you think her care for all 10 coins after this search changed at all afterwards?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ Has anyone been found that I did not react properly to? [i.e. famous people, individuals of another religion/country, atheists, addicts, criminals, etc.]

+ It's humbling to reflect on this often: Who will be rejoicing with the Father for eternity because I have been found?

+ Did the Holy Spirit lay a name or community on my mind when reading this parable?

+ How might I be able to pray in a new way for both the process and the result?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

+ As in the [HOW]: Who would you like to rejoice with the Father over in eternity?