Jesus is the Master Teacher. He knows how to make connections with his audience–whether they agree with him or not–he makes his point, his truth, his explanation, or his reason clear. He gets to the heart of the matter with efficiency of word and eloquence of thought. And he often uses women in his examples and stories. One parable that is familiar to most people is the one about the woman searching for the lost coin. It is tucked into the middle of Luke 15 where we also find the parables of the shepherd leaving the 99 sheep to search for the one lost sheep and the parable of the prodigal son–or as Timothy Keller likes to call it, the Prodigal God parable. (Prodigal means “extravagant”–not “wayward” as many of us had assumed.)

I was struck recently with a realization that my own eyes and heart had overlooked. It is easy to see the shepherd looking for the lost sheep as God/Jesus looking for lost souls. It is easy to see the father of the prodigal son as God/Jesus accepting the wayward son back home. Yet, I have to admit, even I had not really envisioned the woman looking for her lost coin as God/Jesus looking for one soul worth so much. But there it is–Jesus is trying to explain to his listeners just how important each individual is to God and God is the one who initiates the search and who welcomes the return and then all of heaven rejoices. Jesus is using a woman in his parable as a portrayal of God. Hmm . . . makes you think, doesn’t it?

Well, what got me to thinking about that particular parable is my own house-cleaning project. So, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to my boxes and make another thrift store delivery. Have a great week! And don’t forget to celebrate the way God found YOU!