Old Testament: Hosea 6-8
Poetry: Psalm 78
New Testament: Luke 15:8-10
It is fairly maddening how quickly I can lose an object. I will set down car keys to load a child into the car and they are gone. I can be in the middle of a text conversation, get up for a drink, and my phone disappears. Parking passes, debit cards, proof of insurance, checks, grade verifications, etc – there is no limit to what I can lose. My students will even tell you that I don’t collect work directly into my hands because if I touch it, I’ll subconsciously place it near my next conversation. It is infuriating to lose items so important, but each time, I rise to the occasion to search with determination that matches the importance of what is missing.
When we consider those who have not yet heard the Good News of Jesus Christ, what responsibility do we have to recover the lost? If it is gauged upon the importance of the object, and we are searching for those who were paid for with the blood of Christ, then it requires all the strength we can muster. We do not sit patiently in our homes and churches, waiting for our doors to be darkened by their presence. If we do this, then the searching is being done by the wrong party. We are to turn on the light, get our butts moving, and carefully search each room where our feet land.
Fallen out and forgotten, lost in the shuffle, moved out of place, and never properly cared for are the people of God we are looking for. They are every bit as equal in value, but they need to be found with the Gospel in hand. It is possible that they choose to remain wherever they are. Unlike lost coins and keys, there very well may be a struggle. Like a teenager who slips back under the covers on a school morning, they too may crawl back into the couch cushion or make a home with the dust bunnies. No matter, our role is the same in the search, to find them and expose them to the Light.
God remains steadfast in his desire to continue the search despite Israel’s determination to commit to being unfaithful. While Israel acknowledges guilt and recognizes revival is needed, their actions do not yet match their lips,“Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.” They continue to reject what is good and are forced to deal with the consequences of a rebelling nation.
“We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done” – Psalm 78:4
Whether it is with a coworker, an acquaintance, a straying brother or sister in Christ, or our own children, we do not simply wait patiently, but continue to pursue the lost coin. We share our own experiences of feeling lost. We share the consequences of our own rebellion against God. We share our testimony and the promises of God, not hiding our faith for the sake of relationship. We cannot simply pick them up and place them in our pocket, but we can surround them in love and prayer. We extend the love of God to them determinedly and unconditionally. No one is less valuable in the eyes of God. Ultimately, we hope to rejoice and reap a return, giving praise to our gracious God who has searched for all of us with salvation’s plan.
-Aaron Winner
Reflection Questions
- What does Hosea, the woman searching for her lost coin, the writer of Psalm 78, and the heart of God have in common?
- Do you most often sit and wait for the lost to come find you and the gospel message – or do you spend time and effort seeking out the lost?
- “No one is less valuable in the eyes of God.” Do you believe this? Can you find Scriptural evidence to support it? Do you live like this is true?
- What lost coin can you pursue this week? Why? When, where and how? Pray for God’s heart, guidance, wisdom, words, and love.
Seek Grow Love 