"Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn't she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?

And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.'

In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

— Luke 15:8-10 (NIV)

This is the second in Jesus' trilogy of "lost" parables, following the Lost Sheep and preceding the Prodigal Son. Jesus continues to defend His ministry to tax collectors and sinners, using everyday examples His audience would understand.

Diligent Seeking

Intentional Methods

Shared Joy

Parable of the Lost Coin

Then Jesus told them this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?

And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.'

I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."

— Luke 15:3-7 (NIV)

Jesus shared this parable in response to the Pharisees and teachers of the law who were criticizing Him for welcoming and eating with sinners. It's the first in a series of three parables about God's heart for the lost.

seeking

Parable of the Lost Coin

Parable of the Lost Sheep