Lessons From Lesser Knowns: Finding God In Overlooked ScriptureSýnishorn

Something of Value 

When was the last time you felt invisible?

Maybe you were dismissed as “not cool enough” in school. Maybe you’ve been passed over for a job promotion multiple times. Maybe you’ve sat in a church pew, wondering if anyone even noticed that you showed up. Most of us long to be seen, because being seen and sought after reminds us that we have value.

Sandwiched between arguably two of the most popular parables in the Bible (one about a lost sheep, the other about a lost son) is an often overlooked story about a lost coin. The parable tells of a woman who has 10 coins, but loses one. She carefully cleans her house in search of the missing silver coin. When she finds it, she rejoices and gathers her neighbors together to celebrate (Lk. 15:10). 

It’s a three-verse story that’s practically invisible, but more valuable than we realize. 

For starters, Jesus’ audience would’ve found it surprising that a woman was the main character in his parable! In a society where women were often treated like property or second-class citizens, here a woman is given recognition. She’s no longer invisible. Women matter to Jesus. Women demonstrate something about God’s character. And the example of a woman, even an anecdotal one, was used to teach men and women alike. (Side note: How great would it be to go back in time and see how Jesus’ audience reacted to the main character’s identity?!)

You might think this woman overreacted to losing and finding her coin. After all, she had nine other coins—nine times the value of what she lost. But the one coin serves as a reminder of our value and worth in the eyes of our Creator.

A coin can’t lose its value, even if it’s lost. A quarter is still worth 25 cents whether it’s held in your hand or falls out of our pocket onto the sidewalk. A coin also can’t become more valuable. No one will refuse to accept your dime at a store if it’s tarnished; they won’t demand it be shiny before it’s worth 10 cents. A coin simply has value because it has value. 

And the woman demonstrated that the coin was valuable when she searched for it. 

You are valuable because the Creator says you have value. You can’t add to that value or diminish it; you simply have value. Jesus, in His lovingkindness, stooped low to search for us. And He won’t stop searching. He will always go after His wandering sheep, His lost treasure and His broken children.

We can’t lose our value, and He won’t change His character. 

Chew On This:

• Think about a time in your life you’ve felt invisible. How did you respond to that feeling?
• What attributes of God do you see in the parable of the lost coin? What attributes have you seen recently in your life?
• How would knowing that you have inherent value in God’s eyes change the way you live?