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10 Pieces of Silver
Today we are going to explore the second in our
series of three parables which clarify how much the Lord loves each and
every one of us. Our last lesson opened up the idea that there is an
equal opportunity for each person to repent and that chance is ongoing
until the very day we stand before the Judgment Throne of God. For that
is when He “separates the Sheep from the Goats”. Just as He knew Satan
would choose to sin, He knows if a man’s heart is going to change into
the new creation that Paul speaks about. God already knows, HE IS
GOD! God is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent (God the
Father, God the Son ‘Jesus Christ’, and Holy Spirit). God’s desire is
that “NONE SHOULD PERISH, BUT ALL SHOULD COME TO REPENTANCE”.
Yet, He allows each of us to accept or deny His gracious gift of
salvation through His Son Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice. Remember, in
Peter’s second letter;
2 Peter 3:9: The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as
some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not
willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Christ said at the end of the last lesson;
Matthew 18:14:
Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that
one of these little ones should perish.
(Could it be any clearer than that?)
Let me continue, Christ gave in Luke 15:8-10 the
parable of a “Lost piece of silver”. Just as the first parable
(The Lost Sheep) was meant to show the opportunity and equality, freely
given to any and all who would accept the offer of Christ’s sacrifice,
this parable emphasizes the significant value of each individual one
that is “Lost”. It starts;
Luke 15:8:
Either what woman
having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light
a candle, and sweep the house, and seek
diligently till she find it?
Although, there are likely to be many reasons
Jesus chose to use the “Lost coin” symbol, here are the two
I see most often referred:
First, Christ uses “money” as the picture of value.
Because of this symbol, it became timeless and universal in its
application. If we look at the mindset that common man has today we can
see that money is one of the most important possessions mankind wants
and needs. Since its creation, money has been the instrument used to
secure necessities of life, identify status, and fulfill fantasies.
Without it, we are reduced to beggars—dependent on others, vulnerable to
the elements and all our enemies. Who doesn’t panic when a wallet or
paycheck is misplaced and searches without stopping until they are
found? Yes, in fact this was the perfect archetype for every man to
demonstrate a loved item that was lost. Let’s look at what Paul said to
Timothy about it;
1Timothy 6:10: For the love of money is the
root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred
from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Paul said that the love of money was the root of
all evil. So without coming to a full understanding of what this
symbol meant they would still see the great value, even just as
monetary. Mankind is born evil and sinful by nature and this is their
persuasion, “Selfishness”. Is there anything that a man wants (Lusts
after) that he cannot buy? No. Therefore, the LOVE OF MONEY is the ROOT
of ALL EVIL. Simple and to the point…
Second, much more importantly, I would like you to
try to focus on the time of Christ and the mindset that each individual
person had. This parables begins with the word “either”, which shows a
reference to the previous example given. The Greek used for the English
word “either” here is “Ay”;
Greek word:
ἤ
Pronounced as ē, < “Ay” >
“Ay” defines as such; A primary particle of distinction
between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than:
- and, but (either), (n-) either, except it be, (n-) or (else),
rather, save, than, that, what, yea.
By using this word, the Lord signifies that this next
parable is a continuation of the previous lesson being taught.
(This next part is very critical and essential in
understanding the need to find the “Lost Coin”)
Next, notice the focus was distinctively on a
“woman”, not man. Ever since the first day out of the Garden of Eden,
woman has had it embedded in her heart with a need to please her
husband.
Genesis 3:16: Unto the woman he (God) said, I will greatly
multiply thy (Eve) sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring
forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall
rule over thee.
God said to Eve that she would have a yearning for this, and ALL
WOMEN still carry this desire in their hearts today!
Christ specifically said, “What Woman having ten
silver pieces”. This was very significant for the Jewish people
because this symbol meant something far more valuable than just common
currency. In Jerusalem, when a man “betrothed” a woman, she vowed her
allegiance to her man from the acceptance of the shared cup of wine. He
then gave the woman “Ten silver Coins”. These “ten pieces of silver”
were woven into a piece of jewelry and worn on the veil of her
headdress. The woman wore this symbol (Kessef) as a bold
statement to the world! The “Ten silver pieces” on the head band not
only showed the world that she was spoken for, but that she was worth
“great value” to the man who claimed her. It was a symbol of unity with
esteem merit which could not be taken from her, only freely given to
another by her choice. Losing one of these coins would be comparable to
a woman misplacing her engagement ring. Christ touched on this because
these people, in this time, would easily understand that it was of the
most importance for the woman to keep them safe. In this parable the
woman did just what we would expect. She lit a candle, swept the house,
sought diligently and persistently. She did not wait patiently for the
coin to reappear. This is a needed point to ponder over as we conclude
this wonderful lesson…
The parable goes on in
Luke 15:9:
And when she hath found
it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice
with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
Now, take it one step further… Christ often referred
to His followers as the “Bride” and Himself as the “Bridegroom”. We can
start to see the need for our spotlessness and faithfulness being the
“Bride of Christ Himself”. There are many incidences where Jesus
emphasized this point, we should hold to our virtue and reframe from the
ways of the world.
For instance, the parable of the “Ten Virgins”, again
this is a picture of ten “brides” waiting for the coming of their
bridegroom.
(Matthew 25:1:
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins,
which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Notice here that only “Five” of the “Ten” Virgins
were laudable and dedicated to their groom while He tarried, the other
five fell away and gave up their purity for another love… one of the
world instead. When the call rang out ahead that the groom was coming
for them, five of them were not reputable or adequately ready. Defiled
by their worldly lusts and absent in their sincerity to their “marriage
vow”. When time came to trim their lamps and light them, they could not
see because their lamps were out of oil. Please take note of what
happened to the unfaithful virgins…
Matthew 25:10:
And while they went to
buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in
with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Matthew 25:11:
Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord,
open to us.
Matthew 25:12:
But he answered and said,
Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Matthew 25:13:
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the
Son of man cometh.
When we accept the Lord Jesus Christ to be our
“groom” (our true Savior), we are born again in the Spirit; we put away
the old creature within us and put on the new body in the likeness of
Christ. We become “new creatures” as Paul said.
2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a
new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all
things are become new.
Our lives become pleasant apparel to our Father in
Heaven. We become worthy through the “Justification” of Christ’s
sacrifice, because the Son (Jesus Christ) says to God the Father,
“Father, this one is mine. I’ve paid the price already.” We are
transformed into the likeness of His glory. When our Father in Heaven
looks at us He sees His Son Jesus Christ! We put on a spiritual crown of
His glory, a spiritual headdress (like “ten silver coins”) of a
betrothed woman. Paul said, “He bought us with a price”.
1 Corinthians 6:20: For ye are bought with a price:
therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
We are His! If and when we stray from our dedication,
it is committing “spiritual adultery” against the Lord Himself!
Many times through the Great Holy Bible this expression is used to show
the unfaithfulness of His “bride” to be.
Hebrews says that to know better and to perform
ungodliness is like trampling on the blood Christ spilled for our sins.
Hebrews 10:29: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he
be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God,
and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified,
an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of
grace?
Is there a limit to sin? Sin is sin, don’t get me
wrong, but there is undoubtedly a level of consequence that comes to
play for intellectual, knowledgeable sin. I would have to say there is
definitely a limit to God’s tolerance for a conscious, repetitious
sin.
Hebrews 10:26-27: For if we sin willfully after that we have
received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more
sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment
and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Besides, if one claims to be a new creature in/of
Christ Jesus, wouldn’t the sin nature be identified? A changed person
will steer clear of sin as much as possible and desire to walk according
to the truth. Would this not be obvious with our daily activities? Just
something to ponder over as we rear towards the end of the second part
of this three-fold lesson.
Christ said that there is greater punishment for one
who knew better and failed to follow righteousness.
Luke 12:47:
And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not
himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many
stripes.
This parable is truly about the bride of Christ and
the desire that Jesus has for His beautiful bride. There is no other way
into Heaven that is mentioned. I find it very hard to believe that we
can boastfully claim His eternal sacrifice, wearing His name like a name
tag that identifies us as “Christians”, claiming our desire to serve him
(Jesus Christ)… And continuing in a filthy sinful existence! As if there
is no effect in store for this devious and wicked lifestyle. “Woe unto
the wicked servant…” Again, Jesus finishes with the joy that is clearly
shown in Heaven when a person is truly converted into the Holy image of
Christ, all the hosts of Heaven rejoice over that “ONE” repenting
sinner…
Luke 15:10:
Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels
of God over one
sinner that repenteth.
My conclusion; when a soul is lost, Christ
encourages, pleads, instructs, and shows us the way to come back. He is
not sitting idly by. He brings opportunities, learning experience, and
even mortal “angels” into our lives to help us find our way home and
back from our “lost” status. Just like the woman in the parable striving
for her need for completion, the Lord never stops yearning for our
return to His “fold”, even when we have erred from His great truths.
Please join us as we conclude the three part parable
lesson with the “Prodigal Son”. The Lord Jesus Christ combined these for
a definite reason and we will explore the fullness thereof. Jesus wanted
to show us that we are “all lost” at first, in the beginning, and we
“all have a need for a Savior”! There is NO other way into Heaven. It
really is ALL about the Lord Jesus Christ and what He did for the “Whole
World”…
I pray that each person would take the time to
study this sermon and please ask your pastor or contact us, if there is
any part that you need further guidance. May the Lord bless you and
keep you under His glorious wing. To God be all the glory and to God be
all the Praise! In Jesus Christ’s Holy name I pray, Amen.
Your brother in Christ Jesus,
J. Charles Roberts
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