Parable of the Lost Coin, Pt 2.
Today's Bible Reading: Luke 15:1-10
Supporting Passage: Luke 7:36-50
Last week, we looked at why Jesus told the "Lost & Found" parables in Luke 15. The Pharisees were not happy about the company Jesus was keeping. In response, he tells three stories about how God celebrates when lost people are found.
The Pharisees were all influential men. As Jesus told these tales, he addressed them directly. But there were also "tax collectors and sinners" in the crowd. Jesus knew they were listening, too. And it's interesting to see who Jesus chooses to spotlight in the first two stories.
In the first parable, the main character is a loving, compassionate shepherd. Although shepherding was vital work, shepherds themselves didn't have a great reputation. It was surprising to make a shepherd the center of the story—especially one that turns out to be the hero!
There may have been shepherds in the crowd of "sinners" that day. I'm sure they smiled as they heard Jesus tell this tale. This man, who didn't seem put off by messiness, was including them in what he was doing.
Jesus knew there were also women in the crowd. So in the second parable, Jesus makes the main character a woman. And he tailors the plot around something women may have experienced in everyday life.
By telling this story, Jesus communicated to the women that they were seen. This may not seem like a big deal to us. (And in many ways, I am glad it isn't!) But Jesus' acknowledgment of women (and his desire to relate to them with a parable) was shocking in a culture that often undervalued them.
This wasn't the first time Jesus elevated the dignity of women. He talked to women in public, which was not common for a man to do. He taught women the same way he taught men, knowing they were capable of understanding. And he invited women to be part of this new kingdom he was ushering in. They were not subjugated to the sidelines.
Luke, in particular, loves highlighting these stories in his gospel. A few chapters before this parable, a Pharisee named Simon invites Jesus to his house for dinner. A woman interrupts the meal to pour perfume on Jesus' feet. She understood how much forgiveness she had received from him. Simon is disgusted by the whole ordeal. But Jesus commends her beautiful act and defends her dignity.
It makes me wonder if I am willing to defend the dignity of others. When I hear a group of men talking about women in disrespectful ways, do I try to stop it? Or do I stay silent (or worse, join in) because it's safer?
What about people who are looked down on for their economic status, race, intelligence, physical appearance, or any other reason? When other people speak of them with disdain, how do I respond?
I hope I respond the way Jesus would. But if I'm honest, I don't get this right nearly enough. We will all fail at this. But we can pray to have a heart like Jesus. We can ask Jesus to help us see and elevate the dignity of each person we meet.
Next week, we will delve deeper into what the Lost Coin teaches us about each person's value. For now, I want to look at one detail of this parable that makes me smile.
The woman in the story turns her house upside down to find the lost coin. When she finally finds it, she calls together her "friends and neighbors" to celebrate (v. 9). In Greek, the word Luke uses for "friends" is feminine. Jesus is painting a lovely image of women coming together in celebration.
I love this.
The religious men grumble about the kind of people hanging around Jesus. In response, Jesus tells a story about neighborhood women throwing an epic block party. And he compares the scene to the joy God feels when lost people come home. This is quite a juxtaposition!
I wasn't there, but I bet the women in the crowd erupted in joyful laughter. Maybe some wept. Maybe some thought to themselves, "My husband isn't going to believe the story this guy just told!"
And who knows? Maybe—just maybe—some of the women glanced over at the Pharisees and felt compassion.
Because they understood more than most that a little dignity goes a long way.
Questions to Ponder:
How do you think the women in the crowd felt as they heard Jesus tell the parable of the Lost Coin?
How did Jesus defend the dignity of the woman in Luke 7:36–50?
How do you usually react when people begin talking about others with contempt? Today, take some time to ask God to help you see others the way he sees them.
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