If you’re fortunate, it’s been long enough since you’ve experienced being lost, that you’ve forgotten the sheer terror of it. Dig into your memories and find yourself there again, tucked into a clothing rack at a department store, searching for signs of your mama, or wandering through an unfamiliar city without your GPS, and allow yourself to feel it anew. The sweaty palms, the dry mouth, the disorientation that comes from not knowing which direction to go, the desperation to find yourself safely tucked back into the arms of the familiar.
We can’t fault the Pharisees and scribes, not really. They saw Jesus breaking bread with the “lost,” and they forgot, bless them, how remarkable it is to be found. “And the Pharisees and scribes were complaining, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them’” (Luke 15:2). And so Jesus lays out a series of lessons.
He starts with sheep, a relatively disposable commodity. As a sheep farmer myself, I can say with certainty that the flock matters, as do the individual hooves and horns that make it up, but a lost sheep or two is relatively minor. That is, unless you’re the Good Shepherd… or that one sheep who’s wandered off.
As the religious leaders listened to Jesus, perhaps they counted themselves among the ninety-nine, safe in the pen of rules and right thinking. And yet, whether in the pen or gone astray, the Good Shepherd deeply loves His sheep, all of them. Pay attention to the numbers in this first scene. The ratio of lost to found is one to ninety-nine, but Jesus is about to raise the stakes.
Consider a woman with ten silver coins. One slips through her fingers. It’s lost but not forgotten. She searches earnestly until the coin is in her hands. In Jesus’s second story, the ratio of lost to found is one to nine. Perhaps the Pharisees were still stifling a yawn at this point. Who cares about a single straggling sheep or even a single roll-away coin? When it comes to livestock and treasure, value is all relative.
But what about a son? Would we disregard a lost son carelessly? A loving parent would exhaust every resource to bring their lost boy home. The ratio here is intimate. One boy at home and one gone astray, one obedient and one in rebellion. Each time the Lord teaches the principle, the margins narrow. Heaven can never become so full of the saved that the Lord will cease to care about the lost.
Those who bear His image are not cattle to Him. He doesn’t think of us like pennies, barely worth being picked up off the sidewalk. We are His beloved children, the apple of His eye (Psalm 17:8). At the cross, He proved He would pay any ransom for us, even if we were the only one lost in the darkness of sin. What the Pharisees didn’t see was that Jesus wasn’t just eating a meal with the lost. He was searching for lost sheep, seeking missing treasure, and running to meet His beloved sons and daughters.
Erin Davis is an author, blogger, and speaker who loves to see women of all ages run to the deep well of God’s Word. When she’s not writing, you can find Erin chasing chickens and children on her small farm in the Midwest.
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72 thoughts on "Lost and Found"
My husband and I recently began fostering two children and I find myself taking on the self righteous attitude of the obedient son when it comes to dealing with their biological parents.
It seems that reunification is in the near future for our two children with their biological mother. She has done well with her case plan and has even become open to hearing about Christ, redemption and the power of prayer. I am genuinely happy for her and the progress she has made. Instead of rejoicing with her however, I let myself get consumed with how upset I will be when they leave our home.
Bio mom had a rough past and could be compared to the prodigal son in the case of her “ruining” her first chance at loving and providing a safe home for her children. But now she has turned her life around and truly loves her two kids. I tend to have a self righteous (obedient son) attitude towards the situation and find myself thinking “Why does she get another chance with them when she messed up so bad the first time?”. As reunification is getting closer I pray that I can rejoice with her and support her despite the deep ache in my heart when I think of them leaving our home.
Thank you Jesus for continuing to pursue and search for me despite my sinful heart and self righteous attitude. I pray I can see my own sins and need for you instead of focusing on others’ shortcomings.
I grew up in a home in which rules were held up as more godly than humbly admitting our sins and asking for forgiveness. I used to think if I could only have all of the rules given to me then I’d be able to track that I followed them- be able to pass the test. In more recent years, thankfully, I’ve been a part of a church that preaches grace, love, and the Word. I understand there is no person who can possibly keep the rules and no matter how hard we try we will never be able to and it leads us to thinking the more we keep, especially the “big” ones, the better of a person we are. It’s so far from the Truth. We need forgiveness, we need His Spirit working in us to help us see how we are in need of a Saviour. Daily we will struggle with various sins and, daily, we need His mercies.
The parables that Jesus touched on in this devotional really hit me hard. I really feel like I was lost in a way before I met my husband and God had rescued me from a life of turmoil I was living in my parents home. He gave me a man of God and who only puts Him above me. And that’s exactly how it should be.
Reading this though, I think sometimes my husband can act a little like a Pharisee. He’s truly lived a Christian lifestyle that many people don’t. He is a rule follower and adheres to what it says in the Bible. That is how a Christian should be, I’m not saying that’s bad. Yet sometimes, because of some of the mistakes I have made in the past where I messed up, my husband can make me feel like the lost sheep. I was astray about 8 months before I met him and after having a mental breakdown and a visit to the psych ward, I came out realizing I needed to change the life I was living. I still messed up along the way, but after meeting my husband and us marrying last year, I feel like I have grown more as a Christian in the last nine months than I have with my entire walk with Christ. Every day I strive to be better than I was the day before. Sometimes I fall short. But I know through Christ, He can always restore me when I do make a mistake. I am making a concerted effort to follow the Word as strictly as possible. Sin is NOT welcomed here!
Jesus didn’t die in vain. He died for all of our sins, no matter how great or small. He knows our hearts and if we have truly asked for redemption and repentance, He grants it to us. It is only through God that we have eternal life via the Son. And each day when I do my morning readings of the Bible with my husband, a personal journal devotional, the She Reads Truth devotional (that I’m behind on because of some stressors in my life), and come nighttime a couple’s devotional with my husband, I feel the Holy Spirit within me, guiding me to the truth and to answers to so many questions I have.
We are all sheep though. We all will fall away at some point to where God has to leave all of those who are in their pin (the ones following devoutly) to go rescue the one who needs Him in their life either for the first time or the fiftieth time. He is the Good Shepherd. Always watching over his flock and protecting us.
Such truth and wisdom in this passage thankyou Lord Jesus for finding us when we are lost and loving us so deeply
Jesus cares so deeply and doesn’t miss a single lost one!! I know we are part of this plan in seeking and telling but lately I feel like I have forgotten this. I hope that I can share in Jesus’s heart for the lost and do his will!
Beautiful explanation that made me rethink my rejoicing when souls are saved.
The Good Shepherd.
It’s comforting to know that despite our going astray Jesus will run after us and continue to knock on the door of our hearts until we open. Being lost whether literally or figuratively is not an easy place to be in. Trying to figure out how to right all of our wrongs on our own, only to continue to move further away from the voice that calls us home. The reassurance in knowing that He came “searching for lost sheep, seeking missing treasure and running to meet His beloved sons and daughters,” is prime example of His love for us; and why we should not forget He is the good shepherd that has come to save us from ourselves.
How often I find myself acting like the obedient son. Prideful, selfish, full of self-pity, unable to celebrate the victory of others because of my temporary blindness, be it in small or significant ways.
I’m so grateful for a father whose love has never failed me and who has been gentle in rebuking and correcting me. Lord, continue to transform me. Giving me eyes to see how you see, a heart to love the way you love.
Amen. Same here!
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him” (Lk 15:20). Oh, the amazing love of God! He sees us lost and alone. He waits for us. He calls us. He rescues us. And when we heed His voice and come to Him, He wraps us in His love and forgiveness! ❤️
This is so beautiful. What a wonderful affirmation that God never forgets about the lost. I needed to hear this today. ♥️
I am so the sheep, the misplaced coin, the lost son. I tend to get complacent with my relationship with God and drift away, before I know it I am long gone. This chapter as a whole is so humbling to me, because I have felt Him welcoming me back so many times after I have wondered astray. I am so thankful for His mercy and love, I would not be whole without it! Thank you God for your relentless love!!
I recently lost a jewelry set my husband gave me for our 5th anniversary. It was very expensive and precious. I looked for two weeks for the necklace and earrings. Finally one night, I walked into my room while my children were playing in it and discovered the jewelry randomly on the floor.
I began to rejoice. The good news was posted on FB with this passage. I told all my friends at work and church. That which I lost and sought after is now found!
I love the relentless tenacity of our Savior. He pursues His children.
Thank you, Erin, for the well-written piece. It has given me so many amazing insights! I thank God for always coming to get me when I stray. Sometimes I realise I am lost and try to find my way back, and other times I’m merrily skipping along not even knowing I’ve strayed! Either way, He always comes and gets me. And now I am asking myself, “What can I do as part of the search party for the lost?”
Love love love the prodigal son story!!
Being pursued by Jesus, we are the 1% that he is searching for.
It is so beautiful that ours is the Good Shepherd that will go after 1 out of 100 sheep’s. Thank you Lord for chasing us even when we are not deserving, thank you for your unconditional love. Thanks for giving us the Law to convict us of how much we need you Jesus.
I have been the lost sheep! God sought me out despite my sinful ways. Praise God for his unfathomable love! We are all precious in His sight.
It’s so beautiful that our shepherd is the Good Shepherd!
I’ve been following She Reads Truth for a while now but have never commented despite seeing many amazing truths coming from other readers. However today I feel The Lord prompting me to share what He revealed to me through this scripture in Luke.
I have been a believer for a large part of my life, even leading various bible studies, which has led me to inevitably hear the story of the prodigal son numerous times. It is a fantastic parable with much to offer in the form of teachings, but tonight, in complete honesty, I found myself wondering about the son who stayed home and why he never got a celebration in his honor. I mean after all, he had followed all the rules and done all his father had asked of him, so where was his reward? I began to identify with this son and allow my pride to let me believe I am a “good” christian, but in this moment I felt God whisper, “you were the prodigal son”! And with that all my pride washed away as I realized, I once was lost and continue to stray, yet God always comes after me to pull me back to the flock! This was such a sweet reminder of how much I need the Lords grace daily and how His love for me matches nothing I can comprehend! It’s so easy for us to fall into the habits that we see in the Pharisees, but if we allow Him, God will transform us to be more and more like Christ, and that is my Prayer for each of you!
Great day today and I enjoyed the testimony of the day.
Thanks again for your support and encouragement.
what an uplifting devotional today! many have said it already but i too hadn’t realized how the comparisons grew more and more intimate. keely, i can relate to your post so much!! i am so reassured by this message today.
“Heaven can never become so full of the saved that the Lord will cease to care about the lost.”
“At the cross, He proved He would pay any ransom for us, even if we were the only one lost in the darkness of sin.”
i will keep these thoughts close to heart, especially as i pray for my S/O to come to faith. <3
What a great explanation! Thank you! ❤️
Bama Girl in TN, I’m so glad you’re here with us! I’m praying for peace, comfort, and strength for you and your family right now. ❤️
Beautifully said.
Erin, your explanation of the ratios in these parables gave me greater understanding of this passage. Thanks to the SRT community for sharing your insight to God’s message for us!
I had never thought about how these 3 parables of Jesus begin broad moving to the intimate. I see them as a beautiful lesson in the importance of the daily.
Sheep. My former principal would say, “Angie, you can’t save them all (referring to my students),” and I would think, “But I have to try.” Those very tough kiddos, very tough parents, they are lost lambs. The Shepherd is allowing me to join him on a search and find rescue mission. He values each one. Who are our lost lambs?
Coins. Each part of this journey has worth and value, not just 90%. So when one part of God’s gifts/plan for me has been “lost” He wants me to search and find it. Lost reputation, opportunities, moments help me Lord to value every little part of your plan.
A son. I already place value on the intimate. It hurts when it is lost. This father didn’t compromise his values and tell the son he could live his sin-filled life at home, if he would just remain. Interestingly, the son didn’t expect that either. He took what the father gave and left. Like the father in this parable I will watch (and pray, pray, pray) with anticipation to celebrate the return of the intimate lost.
We join in the search and find rescue mission as we lift each other in prayer ,for Jesus values the 1/99, the 1/10, and the 1/1.
Thank you Lord Jesus that you teach us to value “all,” through your parables and through your sacrifice on the cross. Daily make us more like You. Amen.
My mind is blown. I’ve read this story more times than i can count. And this hit me so hard! ‘The Father didn’t compromise his values…’ YES! How often do we want to ‘follow’ God and want His blessings, but still do it our own way and then are confused by the following consequences or that God didn’t bless when we do it our way! He is perfect and cannot compromise himself. But will lovingly wait for us to come home and fall over Himself with love to welcome us back. Thank you for the insight! Giving me much to chew on…
I want to thank Annie F. Downs for mentioning SRT in her 100 Days to Brave book. I started with the Advent plan in December. I now look forward to studying the Bible. These readings and devotional writers bring so many “nuggets” of information…things I had never thought about before. I love reading the comments and gain wisdom from them as well.
My mom passed away 2 months ago. I have never been through something so painful. Getting used to a new normal is tough. But it has brought me back to God, and I praise him for leading me to this precious community of sisters. I love knowing that this is an environment where it is ok to not be ok.
Have a blessed day and know you are all in my prayers today, wherever you may be.
I love me some Annie F. Downs! Welcome to SRT. It has helped me so much as I seek to draw closer to Christ and become the person He wants to be.
My mom will have been gone 7 years on January 25. I’m praying for you during this time. It can just straight up suck.Take each day as it comes and feel what you need to feel. Jesus can handle whatever you throw at Him
I loved this today! Just the reminder I needed as I struggle with personal issues of health & weight. I can do nothing to make Jesus love me more. Yes He cares about my health and how I treat my temple but that’s because of His great love for me. Not because I must weigh a certain amount to he healthy.
Such good news, Tricia! Prayer will continue for your steady recovery at home. Such a privilege to pray for you and all the others who bring their requests to this site. It binds us sisters in Christ together. We never walk this journey alone. What a comfort!!
❤️❤️❤️❤️
“Heaven can never become so full of the saved that the Lord will cease to care about the lost.” “At the cross, He proved He would pay any ransom for us, even if we were the only one lost in the darkness of sin.” – what a beautiful reminder this morning, Jesus has saved and will continue to save. I treasure this, as I pray for so many family and friends who are lost in the darkness, and so far away.
I love the connection between this passage and the ratios. It helped me let the true meaning sink in even more. What a great way to start a fresh new week with this reminder!
Yes, new meaning that I had never seen before in these passages!
How like Jesus to establish consensus with something of relatively low value to get the ear of the Pharisees- give them something about which they agree. Thanks for pointing this out! “More rejoicing in heaven over the one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people who don’t need repentance”- may we believers always remember
I love this passage of scripture as there are so many truths and hidden gems riddled throughout. But a new one that I thought of today is this—we often put ourselves in the place of the lost sheep, coin, and son. We can also see ourselves in the remaining sheep, coins, and son. But we are also in the role of the one who has lost something—how do we receive the lost? Do we seek the lost on the behalf of the father? Should the action of the eldest son not have been to go on his father’s behalf, searching for his brother—knowing that was the heart of the father? Rather than to remain piously at home, never asking anything of his father the way his imperentent brother did.
Great new perspective… Also instead of sometimes complaining like the elder one we shud Ask of our God what we need & enjoy the resources He has abundantly given us.
Great thoughts! I have never thought about the brother in that way!
I love these devotions AND the community. Reading some of your words brings me joy, love, and sometimes it cuts to the quick. I’m so thankful for this!
Don’t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights to give you the Kingdom.
Luke 12:32
The missing coin was more than a missing nickel or quarter. In those days, women wore ten coins across their forehead. These ten dangling coins were a sign to the community that they had a husband and a family. It was a symbol of status, of belonging. Losing one of the ten coins would be seen as shameful. Now, think about misplacing your diamond ring. For most women, losing their diamond ring would be extremely stressful, and most would tear their home apart looking. Just wanted to make sure that everyone realizes that the coin was much more than a coin and we, God’s people, are much more than just people, we are His family, and He wants to expand His family!
Oh God our loving Father through the grace of Your Holy Spirit You plant the gifts of Your love into the hearts of Your people. Grant to Your servants the soundness of mind and body so that we may love You with our whole strength and with our whole heart do the things pleasing to You.
Kelly I love this!! I can’t imagine losing my engagement ring! And to think that God finds me this precious…how kind He is!
These Scriptures and Erin’s corresponding devotion are why no Christian need have low self esteem. Oh grasp this truth early, girlfriends. You are His beloved! Always and forever. You are never ‘less than’ or ‘not enough’ or ‘too far gone.’ He is crazy in love with you. His love is to infinity and beyond. Take hold of His hand. He will never turn His back on you. He will never walk out. He will never say vile or hurtful things. He will never hit you. He will never make fun of you. He will uphold, shield, honor and defend you. His opinion of you is always high and never low. Take hold of His hand. He won’t let go. He isn’t letting go. Ever. He adores you. You are precious. You are worth dying for. And so Jesus did. So that you would be forever with Him. Forever. He’s into long term relationships. Take His hand. You already have His heart.
This is so encouraging!!!!
❤️
I wish every woman could read this!
Yasss, Churchmouse!!!
Yesterday in church my pastor said , “we can’t always stop suffering, but we can make sure we don’t suffer alone. “ Tricia I will pray for you too!! Healing, peace, comfort and joy! I think we all have been lost and now we can be His!!! What an amazing Father!!
This was very encouraging to read! Sometimes, I wonder if God still thinks about me and loves me, as I’m going through the motions in life, trying to walk in His Word (failing many times). But then, this passage of Scripture refutes all those thoughts! Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who loves ALL his children, even when we’re lost or when we mess up. It’s a love so true and permanent, that leaves me amazed!
I love that – Jesus wasn’t just eating dinner with sinners. He was looking for lost sheep, searching for treasure, running to meet lost sons and daughters. In each story, He is coming after us. He’s not content to leave us lost. There is so much love coming through in this story.
I’ve been listening to Lauren Daigle’s song “SOS”, and it reminds me of Jesus, running toward the lost:
You are not hidden
There’s never been a moment
You were forgotten
…
I will send out an army to find you
In the middle of the darkest night
It’s true, I will rescue you
I will never stop marching to reach you
In the middle of the hardest fight
It’s true, I will rescue you
“All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,” but by grace….I am redeemed. I had a period in my life in the midst of raising a “perfect” family with a “perfect” husband that I failed–miserably. I wandered off and got extremely lost for a time…but Jesus came and found me and welcomed me back into His arms. But by grace, I would still be lost…Thank you Jesus for loving me so much that you came and found me.
❤️
Blessings to you Tricia! Praise, praise! Will keep you in prayer.
Thank you Father for the progress Tricia is making and that she can go home today. Please continue to do your miraculous work on her.
SRT Sisters please pray for my dear friend’s husband. He has had four back surgeries in the last few months and now is in the hospital and has a spinal and blood infection.
Praying for my loved ones who are lost and that I would be a greater reflection of Jesus to them.
What a beautifully written piece, Erin! The images, the way you bring out the ratios, and those last two lines: “What the Pharisees didn’t see was that Jesus wasn’t just eating a meal with the lost. He was searching for lost sheep, seeking missing treasure, and running to meet His beloved sons and daughters.” Thank you for this! The connections you made here allowed me to see this passage in a whole new light.
Yes, me too!
This struck me as well! We are Treasured and Beloved!
Ruth,
AMEN!
“Help me see that I am just like the prodigal son. I have spent my fortune. Lived in rebellion. Seen my mistakes and in my shame come back to you.” This could be me!!
Tricia
May you continue to feel God’s embrace. With His arms wrapped around you, His strength will carry you through what you face today and along the way. You DO have many who intercede prayers about and for you.
He is a Father who loves and loves you endlessly.
Healing, strength and hope my friend!
I’m not sure if my post went through. The verse of the day on the Bible app recently was about being made in God’s Image. I love when He does that. I’m reading, listening, or studying one things, and He reminds me through another source. We aren’t cattle she said. We are precious in His sight. We are the apple of His eye. He loves us with an everlasting love. https://www.christianpost.com/news/an-everlasting-love.html Wow! He leaves 99 to find us, in spite of all we do and say, our sins. Please help me to remember to see others as Image bearers. I don’t do that when others’ words or actions make me angry or when I’m defensive bc of insecurities or pride. Help me to treat people in ways that lead to You and give grace. ( Recently read this on grace: https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2019/01/15/when-you-need-a-little-g-r-a-c-e. Here is a good song about leaving 99: https://youtu.be/hubJshUEXP0
That was the verse of the day on the Bible app recently about being made in God’s own image! Love when God brings teachings or scriptures together. I’m reading and listening to one teaching, and He brings me back with another source or reminder. Thank you for the reminder of how precious we are to Him, His image bearers. We aren’t cattle. We are the apple of His eye. Picturing Jesus as described above, seeking to save the lost, seeking missing treasure. The King of kings and the Lord of lords, thinks of me/us as missing treasure despite of all we do and say that aren’t pleasing to Him. Who can fathom a love like that? He leaves the ninety-nine to find us. I’m reminded of this song; https://youtu.be/hubJshUEXP0 How awesome is His love for us!! Dear God, please help me to see everyone as created in Your Image, important, and loved by You. I forget this when I’m angry or set off by others’ words or actions, or when I’m defensive because of my own insecurities or pride and want to lash back. May I treat people in ways that lead them to You and give grace like you have given me. (I recently saw a devotional on Proverbs 31 Ministry about Grace: https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2019/01/15/when-you-need-a-little-g-r-a-c-e. It’s worth checking out.
I am so like the prodigal son. That my Heavenly Father welcomed me back is beyond my imagination. I am so thankful for His mercy and grace. And that his mercies are new every morning.
I would like to thank all of you for praying for me. In less than a month I was diagnosed with a high-grade aggressive tumor on my right femur, and had surgery to remove it. The cancer center location is >4 hours from home. Your prayers have meant so much. You are all such a blessing, and the whole SRT community is pretty amazing. God is good. And He hears the prayers of His people. I am being discharged home today. Praise the Lord! I still have a long road ahead, including two smaller surgeries once new bone has generated, but I know, if I didn’t know before, that God is faithful. And so are you all in your prayers.
All that to say, thank you Heavenly Father for your mercy, for giving me the strength to endure, and for hearing the prayers of your sons and daughters. And thank you SRT sisters for interceding on my behalf and for the pleasure and knowledge I receive from reading your thoughts and words daily. ❤️
Woo! Long winded! Blessings to you!
Will keep praying for you Tricia! Praying for continued strength and healing!
Praying for your healing & hope, sister!!❤️
Tricia, God is indeed with you, blessing you with His love.
God is good Trisha. I was thinking about you this morning. Thank you for the update. We will be praying for recovery and the upcoming two surgeries.
Will continue praying!
a lost sheep. a lost coin. a lost son.
…all examples of how much God values the individual that has gone astray. My favorite statement in this devotion is when it says: Heaven can never be too full of the saved that God will care any less for the lost.
I pray that I will be convicted of my righteousness and not look at anyone else less than the other — or myself.
Amen! ♥️
Thank you Lord for your grace and mercy. Thank you for this image of you like the prodigal son’s father. No matter if we are lost for minutes, hours, days or years your eyes ceaselessly search the horizon for a glimpse of US! Of ME! The one your flock is not complete without.
Lord give me the strength and faith to scan the horizon too. To help in the search. To share in your joy when one more is safely back in the fold, no matter what they have done.
Help me see that I am just like the prodigal son. I have spent my fortune. Lived in rebellion. Seen my mistakes and in my shame come back to you.
But you don’t remind me of my wrongdoing. The first thing you do is embrace me.
Thank you Lord.
Amen!