The Parable of the Lost Coin is similar to the Parable of the Lost Sheep. However, Jesus’s conclusion is slightly different. The difference is in the Lost Coin. Jesus says, “…rejoicing… over one sinner who repents.” In the Lost Sheep, Jesus says, “…more rejoicing…over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” The point of the Lost Coin is that one person repenting is very important.
Many in my society do not consider individuals important. However, Jesus considered each person important. He especially takes note when they change their ways and thinking to righteousness.
The drachma, worth a day’s wages that was lost, is an expressive emblem of a sinner who is estranged from God and enslaved to habits of iniquity. The longer a piece of money is lost, the less probability there is of its being again found. It may not only lose its color and not be easily observed but will continue to be increasingly covered with dust and dirt. Its value may be vastly lessened by being so trampled on that a part of the substance, together with the image and superscription, may be worn off. So the sinner sinks deeper and deeper into the impurities of sin, loses even his character among men. Still, Jesus finds it valuable and worth rejoicing when found.
