There are a couple options here what this coin represented to this woman. One it was worth about a day's wage and for someone living pay check to pay check that was huge. The floor of a Palestinian home was dirt covered with dried reed and rush. There would only be one small window so no matter which part of the day she was searching - it would be hard to see. Literally this is a needle in the haystack search!
Another options of what this coin may have been makes this search and rescue even more dramatic. Palestinian woman would collect 10 coins together and connect them with a silver chain to wear as a headdress when they were married. It was the equivalent to a modern day wedding ring. If she lost one of these coins her passion to search for it was surely great and her excitement to find it quite jubilant!
Its cool to think about a God who searches for us. Imagine that Ephesians 1 says, since the foundations of the world we were predestined in Christ. He has pursued us before we were born. He knew when our family tree was created when it would branch and produce us and he had a plan in place to help us find his son!
Imagine how many obstacles God has overcome to be with us. The cross is obviously the most essential obstacle and he triumphed over death. But beyond that he heard the prayers of our grandparents, he kept us alive when we were young and dumb and reckless! He brought believers and seekers into our live at just the right time. He is the woman who would not stop looking for the coin - US!
questions
1) what is something you've lost that you thought would kill you? what great lengths did you go to to find it?
2) think back to how you came to Christ - what events, people etc did God use to find you?
3) the Lord wants us to love like we've been loved. what great lengths might God be calling you to go to in reaching another for Christ?
prayer
Lord we know that you are in passionate pursuit of the lost. Forgive us for our apathy in the things that break your heart. Move in us to search for the lost with your heart. Remind us of your pursuit of us. Keep on the front of our mind the celebration that awaits for every sinner who returns home.
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