In Luke chapter fifteen, verses eight through ten, Jesus relates a parable of a woman who has a measure of wealth which we may assume is visible to others. Yet when she loses control of one portion of her wealth, she does not remain satisfied that she still has ninety percent of what she had before. She immediately seeks to recover that which is lost. In these few short versus Jesus teaches much more than a desire for worldly possessions. It is not merely a worthy piece of silver but a peace of being worthy.
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 has found it, she calls her friends and her neighbors 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 repents.
And although Jesus uses an earthly example of something His listeners might be keenly aware, He does so with the intent that they would gain a spiritual understanding of Heavenly things. That is the definition of a parable. It is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. Primarily and most importantly, Jesus always drew people toward the spiritual relationship He intended His creation to return to. Secondly His examples were always presented in terms of what they were familiar with. To the farmers He spoke of grain and crop life cycle. To the shepherds He spoke of the care and concern for livestock. For those who might today be bankers or lawyers He addressed the treasures of this life. While to the religious or spiritual leaders He spoke with authority from the Scripture which was the basis for all they believed and practiced while confronting hypocrisy.
This woman had great wealth. Having ten could be considered as having sufficient for all her needs and probably an abundance. Enough perhaps to provide for her even in the event of a calamity. It would be ten tenths. When confronting the reality that her treasure was not what she had assessed it to be, she shined the light of truth on it and examined within her own house diligently until she found it. Some might say she had to have it all. Some would say she was the good steward who was accountable for what had been entrusted to her. In either case, she was determined to recover it. Wealth is not always monetary. In this parable it is. We who are blessed with health of strength or spiritual gifts and talents are wealthy also. Some of us have great friendships, some wisdom far above the norm. And we are responsible for what we do with what we have been given. This parable shows that the woman recognized something was missing. It also shows she understood what needed to happen to restore what was lost. And it shows she was determined to make things right. Finally when she was successful, she shared the victory. Her heart was again at peace.
Someone who has a gift of interpreting and sharing their understanding of scripture has a responsibility to maintain their close relationship with the bible. When they stray either through excessive comfort or laziness, they have lost perhaps that tenth coin. Others may see in them the lack before they discover it themselves. Whatever the case, an effort is made to restore that which is lost. The level of effort often reveals the value of the treasure. A tenth is a huge chunk. In fact it is the total amount of the increase which the Lord ascribes as Holy unto Him. Had she lost that worthy portion which was dedicated unto the Lord? Was her extreme effort due to the anticipated wrath of having misplaced that was not just in her charge but His given to her stewardship?
Being a believer with a Christian testimony may cause us to judge ourselves with a performance based relationship. If we, as Cain and Able, do well will we not be blessed? Having been in that condition allow me to propose that there is nothing on our part which can please the Lord more than obedience. Likewise there is nothing which will incur His wrath more than disobedience. Motives are always more than actions. She intended to recover all. Whatever the cause, she set her course to restitution. She swept away all that might hide it. A candle was lit. I doubt it was a tea light candle. It would have been a bright light, one able to reveal everything. As the Holy Spirit is our helper to reveal in us the hidden treasures, so she would have lit a sufficient light that nothing could be hid. She cleaned as a woman might cleaned before the Passover season, searching any bit of leaven which might hinder the good peace of His provision.
Lighting and sweeping and seeking are the inquisition. Finding and rejoicing and sharing are the consequence. Proverbs twenty says that even a child is known by their doings, whether their work be pure or whether right. It is not the maintaining of that which might not have been lost but the restoration which is given highest accolade her. Likewise in the well known parable of the prodigal son, the father states “It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad”. The reason for the celebration declared to the faithful son who kept all and lost nothing is that “this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found”.
There is an assumed word in the midst of this. Between the discovery of loss and and the sharing after finding is the rejoicing brought after repentance. Repentance is a necessary element of restoration. That treasure which is found in the filthy corner of the dirty floor cannot be put on display as a dirty thing. But just as the prodigal son, it must but properly adorned for it’s worth. The coin was cleansed and held high for all to see. The son was shod and robed and bejeweled as is fitting for the son of a king. The angels rejoice over one sinner that repents. There is no joy in declaring the loss. There is no joy in having to spend the candle and the effort of sweeping. I would even dare to say there is no joy in the discovery of the location of that which is lost. Until there be a thorough cleansing through repentance for having allowed it to ever get in that condition. Then the angels rejoice. Then all things are as they once were. The cleaning is made in the shedding of the blood of Jesus on Calvary’s cross. The stripes were for the healing of the nations. The joy that was set before Him allowed Him to endure the cross while despising the shame. His part was to to provide the restoration, ours is to repent and believe we are restored.
She rejoiced and celebrated the restoration of all her treasure. The angels know joy in their presence when one sinner repents. We seek the peace of God which passes all understanding. It is His peace which is restored. Even if it is over just a piece of silver.