JOCHEBED’S WAGES …

On this Mother’s Day, please take a look at the following references Exodus 2:1-11; 6:20; Numbers 26:59; Hebrews 11:23. These passages give to us glimpses of Moses and his mother. Of course Exodus chapter one gives to us the setting for this beautiful story of Jochebed the mother of Moses.

A thought that has always captured my attention in this story is found in Exodus 2:9, “…and I will give thee “thy wages”.

When one reads the setting of this story one must be captivated by the entire happenings. These were very serious times in the land of Egypt and for the nation of Israel who were long time captives and slaves. Now the situation had developed to the degree that the Hebrew baby boys were to be throne into the river at or near birth. Hebrews 11:23 tells us that Jochebed “saw he was a proper child” which led to the statement, “they were not afraid of the king’s commandment. Therefore they obeyed God rather than the King.

One must notice in Scripture when the time is the darkest that God has a way of stepping up to take notice and bring about a remedy. Human nature draws our attention to the many “incidents” that came about in this great chapter in Israel’s history.

God has chosen to single out this great mother who was tuned in to God and His plan for her baby and her family and yes even for her people Israel. One must remember that not only was she the mother of Moses Israel’s greatest leader, but she was also the mother of Aaron the first High Priest of the nation as well. We must not forget the young girl who directed Pharaoh’s daughter to baby Moses became famous in her own rights. Read Exodus 15:20-21; Numbers12:1-15. Especially read from Exodus fifteen for here we find the story of the nation rejoicing over the fact that the army of the Pharaoh had been drowned in the sea. It was Miriam the sister of Moses and Aaron that led the song that was sung at this great victory. In verse 20 the Scriptures calls her a “prophetess”.

Now, the name Jochebed must become a standout to all of us. Here is a mother that takes her place in our thinking on this special day. Just a couple of things about our original thought, “I will give thee thy wages”. Of course we know that this is speaking of the fact that Pharaoh’s daughter allowed Miriam to take baby Moses to his own mother to be cared for and then Pharaoh’s daughter would indeed pay for the care to Jochebed his own mother.

But let us take this thought of Jochebed’s wages one step further. Yes, she did receive wages from the daughter for caring for Moses but Jochebed’s wages were much more.

Think with me for a moment that she was to become the mother of not one but three famous people in the nation of Israel. Like most mothers, sometimes the payday for all the labor and sacrifice comes later when those little ones mature and serve our Savior.

Moses was the great law giver of Israel and later called “My Servant” in the book of Joshua.

Aaron was the younger brother who became the first High Priest in the wilderness.

It was Miriam the sister who led the song when God destroyed Pharaoh’s mighty army.

What a great payday. What great wages. What a great mother. What a great example.

“Do not enter” sign is now “Everyone welcome”

An interesting title but a greater subject. Please read here from Matthew 27:51-53, “And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose; and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.”

Many times we speak of the crucifixion of Christ in general terms and miss many of the details that surround His death. Notice first of all in Matthew 27:45-46, “Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice…My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

In this passage in Matthew 27:51-53 alone, there are at least six things that occur and each of them would allow us to have a meaningful discussion. The first one is the veil of the temple was rent or tore in twain or into and that from the top to the bottom. The fact that this happens physically is important. It is believed that this veil of the temple was held between two great columns that were 70 feet high. We are not sure exactly how thick that the veil was but have heard estimates upward to one foot. This happened at the death of the Savior. More than the physical tearing of the veil it was the spiritual impact of this veil being separated.

Historically, as we study the veil from the first one in the wilderness that closed off the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle where only the High Priest could enter only on the Day of Atonement with the blood of the sacrifice for the sin of the Nation of Israel. It was sudden death for anyone to enter even the High Priest without the proper sacrifice. What just happened?

Now, because of Christ’s death the veil is torn and we can enter the veil to ask for the cleansing and forgiveness of sins. Hebrews 4:16 invites us to come boldly to the throne of grace because the door is open or the veil in rent. The sign which once read “Do not enter” now reads “Everyone welcome”.

The next thought is stated, “And the rocks rent…” Pause for a moment and get the picture of the scene that is happening. The sky is now in total darkness for three hours.

At the death of Christ, not only is the veil rent from top to bottom but the earth did quake and the rocks were rent or torn. I would encourage you to look at two Scriptures one found in the Old Testament in the book of Exodus chapters 19 and 20 and the other one in the New Testament that makes reference to these passages in Exodus. Look also at Hebrews chapter 12 verses 18-29. Notice like the darkness in Matthew, we also observe the darkness in Exodus and the reference to this in Hebrews. Yes, this is a little bit of Bible study for us. In Exodus at the mount, we are given the LAW but here in Matthew we are given the GRACE of God. In Exodus everyone was told to not come near the mount nor touch it not even an animal, but here in Matthew because the veil was rent or torn into we can all approach the Lord through His shed blood. Notice the similarities between the two happenings but most of all notice the differences. Because of the death of Christ the door is now open and the sign reads EVERYONE WELCOME.

LUKE 24 AND THE WORD OPEN…

I must ask you to read the entire 53 verses of this wonderful chapter. There are a number of things that were “OPENED” and you do not want to miss one of them as they surround the resurrection of our Lord. Place yourself in this chapter and this string of events that are recorded here, and it will thrill your heart and mind as you give special thought today of history’s greatest event.

• THE OPEN TOMB, “Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulcher, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away (the tomb is now open) from the sepulcher. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.” Yes, the tomb is open and the body is not present.

• THE OPEN ROAD, “And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus…” We often refer to this as the Road to Emmaus. It is on this road that the resurrected Lord appears to these disciples and talks with them on this open road of @ 71/2 miles journey. What a trip. Read the verses 13-32.

• THE OPEN EYES, verse 16 “But their eyes were holden that they should not know Him.” But you should now read verse 31. This was after He spoke to them on the open road. “And their eyes were opened…”

• THE OPEN BOOK, verse 32, “And they said one to another, did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” What a Sunday school lesson they heard that day.

• THE OPEN PROOF verse 40, “And when he (Jesus) had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.” Now Christ was showing to them the scars where He was crucified. He was showing to them the fact that He was dead and now alive. He then went on to give them fish to eat and He ate as well. Yes, His body was also resurrected as well. Christ gives to them open proof.

• THE OPEN UNDERSTANDING. Five times in the first five books of the New Testament, Jesus gave to His followers what we call the Great Commission. Here in verses 45-48, we have the account of the great commission in the book of Luke. Verse 45 states, “Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.” Christ was now leaving but giving to them the great commission. This is His plan to get the Gospel story to the world. See verse 48.

• THE OPEN HEAVEN After these encounters in this chapter, Jesus then departs from them into heaven. Yes, heaven now opens up to Him. “And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. V.51.

When one reads these 53 verses of Luke 24, one cannot but be moved to see the glory of our crucified, risen and reigning Lord and Savior.

It has been rightly said…

“Through an open tomb…

Calvary looks different.”

RESURRECTION PROOFS…

”And the angel answered and said unto the women, fear not ye; for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come see the place where the Lord lay.” Matthew 28:5, 6.

”To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” Acts 1:3

Scripture relates to us many infallible proofs pertaining to the Resurrection of the Savior.

Space will not permits us to take time to share them all; however, we will look at just six of the times or promises by the Savior himself that He would indeed be resurrected. We read six distinct statements where Jesus proposed during His life and ministry that he would be resurrected. These proposals were issued in different periods of His life, the first came early in His ministry and the last at the close of His ministry. Let us consider these six. Recorded in John 2:18-22 Christ makes His first proposal in the Temple,

“Then answered the Jews and said unto Him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? Jesus answered and said unto them, destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews (not understanding), Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body. When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus said.”

The second proposal is located in Matthew 12:38-40.

“Then certain of the scribes and the Pharisees answered, saying Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, an evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas; for as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whales belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”

Now we look at Matthew 16:21 for the third proposal by Jesus.

“From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.”

From the order of the Gospels, we read the next instance from Matthew 17:22-23.

“And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, the Son of man shall be betrayed in the hands of man; and they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.”

We read the next presentation of the proof test from John 10:18-19.

“No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.”

We now come to the last of these proposals given by Jesus in this study as we continue our remembrance of the Saviors’ resurrection. This time Matthew, Mark and Luke all record it.

For our study we will observe Matthew’s description found in Matt.20:17-19.

“And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, behold we go up to Jerusalem; and the son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priest and unto the scribes, and they condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him; and the third day he shall rise again.”

Please read Romans 10:9-10.

“THEN…CAME JESUS…”

“THEN the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, CAME JESUS and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, peace be unto you.” (John 20:19)

THEN CAME JESUS… Do you get the force of these words? A company of His disciples were gathered together in the upper room. They were fearful and downcast, for had they not seen their beloved Lord and Master die a cruel death on the cross? In their heart of hearts they thought He was still dead. It is true that there had been mention of His having been seen by one or more of His disciples, but even so they were filled with doubts and fear and were like men that dream. It was all so strange and so mysterious. It was in this strange, troubled, bewildered frame of mind that they met in the upper room. Suddenly, without any announcement, and without the doors being opened—“THEN…CAME JESUS.”

He really was alive, for here, standing in the midst, was their own beloved Lord. He had risen from the dead. He was alive—the risen Lord had come.

These three words, “Then…came Jesus.” Draw forth three questions—when? How? Why?

WHEN DID THE RISEN LORD COME?

He came when sin had been atoned for.
The resurrection was the guarantee that this work of redemption was now complete and that salvation had been provided for all who would believe.

· He came when death had been vanquished
The sting of death has been removed and our Lord Jesus Christ has completely overcome the dread of the grave for every child of God. (1 cor. 15:55-57)

· He came when the Devil and Hell had been defeated
When Jesus came into that room nineteen hundred years ago, He came as the Victorious One, for He had made full atonement for our sin, He had completely vanquished death, and he had been the Victor over the Devil and Hell itself.

HOW DID THE RISEN LORD COME?

· He came in bodily form
How did He come into the locked room? That body, which they now observed, had been crucified and buried and had now risen. It was the same body, a real body, for the resurrection of the Lord Jesus was a bodily resurrection. The part of Him that died, rose. Amen.

· He came mysteriously
Yes, there was mystery about His appearance. How could they understand it and how can we?

Just as Jesus was in their midst physically, He also comes to abide in our midst spiritually. As the Scripture states, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

· He came in the central place
It is His right to be “in the midst”. Have you given Him the central place in your heart and life, in your affairs in business, and in your pleasures?

WHY DID THE RISEN LORD COME?

What was the special object in coming just then, when the doors were shut and when the disciples were gathered together? He came to bestow upon them three great gifts…

· He came to give them His pardon
As He stood in the midst, “He shewed unto them His hands and His side.” These wounds assured them that they were forgiven; and the same risen Lord is alive today and is here now to give you His pardon.

· He came to give them His peace
As He stood in the midst He said unto them, “Peace be unto you.” The Lord Jesus is alive and is here now to give you His peace. Jesus said, “My peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth.”

· He came to give them His power
As He stood in the midst He said, “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. Amd when He had said this, He breathed on them, and saith unto them, receive ye the Holy Ghost. He commissioned them, but He also empowered them. He commanded them to go, but not in their own strength.“THEN…CAME JESUS.” How wonderful He is. He is just the same today, and what a tremendous change He makes when He comes. Let us bow at his feet and adore Him, and give Him His rightful place in our lives. He Lives. Amen.

AN EARLY EDITION OF “THE GOOD NEWS”…THE PICTURE BOOK OF REDEMPTION…BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD…THE JOHN 3:16 OF THE OLD TESTAMENT.

These are just some of the headlines that we may find in the 12th chapter of Exodus. We must consider this chapter as one of the great chapters of the O. T. and perhaps even the entire Bible. The challenge is given to you to read and study this wonderful chapter that gives us detail after detail regarding the Passover. In reading, one should consider including both chapters eleven and thirteen as well. Many of you have read these chapters before and maybe a number of times. However, please revisit them again in view of the coming Passover and the Resurrection of our Savior.

God sent Jacob and a total of 70 souls down to Egypt including Joseph and his family. Exodus 12:40 tells us that this chapter is 430 years later. Verse 37 tells us that there were 600,000 men on foot besides women and children. God had risen up a nation “The Nation of Israel” to go to the Land of Promise that He had told to Abraham of old. Many Bible students believe that there were as many as two million in this mighty march plus a great number of cattle. There was also a mixed multitude that came with them.

Most of us love a story with a happy ending then this is your story. Would you read and reread this great passage of the O. T. and look for some key thoughts and phrases to be pondered. Consider some of these phrases (1) Ex. 12:30, “A great cry in Egypt” (2) A bunch of hyssop”, (3) “An ordinance for ever”, (4) “It came to pass at midnight”. (5) “When I see the blood, I will pass over you” (6) “Borrowed from the Egyptians” (7) The Firstborn”…

Look for the development of the LAMB, first the mention of “a lamb” then the mention of “the lamb” and finally the mention of “your lamb”.

If you will go back to the heading of this article and notice the bold titles, “An early edition of the good new was chosen because it reveals to us the fact that this Bible portion does in fact present the beautiful story of the good news or as we call the good new the “Gospel” of the death, burial and resurrection as defined to us in 1 Cor. 15:1-4.

Not only does this passage relate to us truths of the Gospel it also does it in a very pictorial manner. One can picture these great scenes unfolding in such a dramatic fashion.

Again, this is the reason for the challenge to read and reread this wonderful truth painted on the walls of time for us to behold.

Many believe that the Master Theme of the Bible is the “Lamb of God”. Here in Exodus chapter 12 we have a Lamb for the family. Look for the instruction regarding the Lamb for the family. In Leviticus chapter 16, we have a Lamb for a Nation, “The Day of Atonement”, but in this chapter it is a Lamb for a family.

One of the striking things about this passage is the complete and detailed instructions given regarding the Passover. Maybe because it is to be “forever” as verse 14 states.

Great details are given regarding the “Blood” and the “Bread” that make up this ordinance. Notice also the matter of the time is displayed at the first of this chapter.

Now one should read 1 Cor.5:7. Don’t miss it. Then notice Matthew 26:26-29 and finally please read 1 Cor. 11:23-28.

Sunday, April 1st is the Lord’s supper at the 5:30 hour.

THREE PSALMS FOR US TO CONSIDER…

These Psalms are 22, 23 and 24

We are approaching the time of the year that we remember and consider the death, burial and resurrection of Christ the Lord.

In the book of Matthew chapter 26: 1&2, “And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples, ye know that after two days is the feast of the Passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.” On several occasions Christ himself told the disciples plainly that he must go to the cross, but He also told them that He was to be resurrected as well. Of course, they did not seem to get the picture that our Lord was giving to them. Later, after the resurrection they acknowledged the words He had told them and taught them. Now, the resurrection became the driving force as we read the book of the Acts.

Not only did Christ speak of his death and resurrection in the Gospels but the Holy Spirit gives to us this truth in the Old Testament as well. Please consider these passages in the book of the Psalms.

• Psalm 22, the Psalm of the suffering Savior

The opening words of this psalm are so familiar, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” We know that these are words spoken by our Lord as he hung there dying. Psalm 22:31, the last verse of this psalm ends with these four words, “he hath done this.” The English words given here are taken from the Hebrew word “asah” found here and in Genesis 1:31. The word in the Greek New Testament in John 19:30 is “teteiestai”.

As Christ hung on the cross and was giving up His life He said, “It is finished.” God finished the creation and in psalm 23 and John 19 He tell us that His plan of redemption is being completed. I would encourage you to take special notice to verses 14-18 of psalm 23 in your study.

• Psalm 23, the Psalm of the Shepherd (of the sheep)

While psalm 22 speaks to our salvation, this great psalm so familiar to us from our youth up. Psalm 23:1 may be the most familiar verse in the entire Bible. After we have been saved, the Lord has provided for us a plan and a purpose. We are His sheep and He is our Shepherd. Our Lord not only came to save us but to shepherd us through the path given in psalm 23.

• Psalm 24, the Psalm of the Sovereign (of the saints)

Please read this short and brief psalm of only 10 verses. It begins, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness therefore; the world, and they that dwell therein.” The question is asked, “Who is this King of glory?” the psalms ends by answering the question; “The Lord of hosts, he is the king of glory.” The king of glory is the crucified, buried, resurrected and coming Lord of hosts. Amen. He is our Savior, He is our Shepherd and He is our Sovereign. He died for us, He lives for us and He is coming for us.

THE BOOK OF JONAH…

Is the whale the real hero? Jonah is an unusual book because of its message and messenger. Unlike other Old Testament books, it revolves exclusively around a Gentile nation. God is concerned for the Gentiles as well as for His covenant people Israel. But God’s messenger is a reluctant prophet who does not want to proclaim his message for fear that the Assyrians will respond and be spared by the compassionate God of Israel. Of all the people and things mentioned in the book—the storm, the lots, the sailors, the fish, the Ninevites, the plant, the worm, and the east wind—only the prophet himself fails to obey God. All these were used to teach Jonah a lesson in compassion and obedience. Yes, God had to commission Jonah twice. See chapter 3:1.

The question often arises in connection with this small book of Jonah. Is it for real?

How do we know it happened? Jonah is mentioned 28 times in the Bible. Two Old Testament books and two New Testament books speak of the prophet Jonah. The crowning proof perhaps is the mention by the Lord Jesus in Matthew12:39-42 where he makes mention of Jonah. In this passage Jesus calls Jonah a prophet. He speaks of his three day stay in the whale’s belly. Jesus now uses this story to give a sign of his 3 days and nights in the earth and His resurrection. Pretty good proof for the prophet and book.

The book of Jonah has only four chapters, however; each chapter gives us a different portrait of the prophet.

• Chapter one we see Jonah protesting

Jonah boards a ship to escape God’s command to preach in the city of Nineveh. A fierce storm threatens to sink the ship. Realizing his disobedience had caused the problem, Jonah orders the sailors to throw him overboard. He is swallowed alive by a divinely prepared fish. Here we see a demonstration of God’s patience.

• Chapter two we see Jonah praying

In this short chapter, the first 9 verses give us insight into the prayer or petition to God by this disobedient prophet. Verse ten indicates to us that God has heard him and allowed the fish to deposit him to the place where he was to go originally. His prayer now brings pardon and leads us to chapter three.

• Chapter three we see Jonah preaching

This is the chapter of the “second chance”. We all must praise the lord for the “God of the second chance.” In this chapter we see three movements: Jonah has repented, and he obeys and arises to go and preached the bidding of the Lord. Chapter two demonstrates God’s pardon and chapter three demonstrates God’s power.

• Chapter four we see Jonah pouting

Again, Jonah is unhappy because God has brought a revival in Nineveh. Jonah now goes outside the great city still hoping that things would change and God could destroy this city. Now God takes him back to “school” and rises up a gourd to protect him from the heat of the sun and then kills the gourd to further teach Jonah. God now demonstrates His pity to Jonah.

Are there any lessons in this little book of four chapters for us? For me?

TALENTS…TALENTS…TALENTS…

”To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey (Matt. 25:15).

The parable of the talents is full of spiritual instructions for all those who work in the Lord’s vineyard. First of all the parable teaches us that all God’s servants are not equally endowed with certain talents.

When Christ ascended on high, He gave gifts to men, but these gifts differ in number and nature as do the stars in the heavens (Eph. 4:1-18; Rom. 12:3-8). On this entire subject one must take time to read through 1 Cor. Chapter 12 and observe the many truths the Holy Spirit has laid out for us. Among other things, we have the truth of the gifts, the diversity of the gifts and the importance of all the gifts. When we observe these gifts and talents, we begin to understand the importance of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ and we also observe that each Christian has been given a place and talents to cause the Church to function according to God’s plan and purpose for this age of grace.

The second truth to be gleaned from the parable is that the absent Master expects equal diligence in the use of unequal gifts, and that such diligence will result in an unequal reward. Think of this statement and what it is saying to each of us. The Lord has gone to heaven and given to each of us a talent(s) and He will return and expect accountability from each of us. We all have various and differing talents, gifts. They are mostly all different in number and nature but all will be asked to give an account.

In the third place, those who receive talents will be charged with unfaithfulness if the gifts are not used for the purpose for which they were given.

A key phase in the parable is “according to their several ability.” The Master does not look for more than we are able to do or give. He does, however, expect us to serve Him to the limit of our capacity. None of us is expected to do more than he has the ability to do; but neither are we expected to do less. The Lord does not look for the two-talented man to produce what the five-talented man is equipped to produce. Neither does He demand from the one-talented man what the two-talented one can give.

There are varieties of service, just as there are various qualifications and He calls us to the special service He has qualified us for. The question is have I discovered what my gifts are—or gift is—and are they being used to the limits for Him who bestowed them?

I may not be squandering my talent in any form of sin, but am I too lazy, too indifferent to the Master’s desire to use the gift He has given me for His glory? “Blessed is that servant whom his Lord, when He cometh, shall find so doing.”

Faithfulness is to be the basis of reward at the judgment seat of Christ and the words we will be looking for at that time will be, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Let us study again this parable and the admonition of the gifts and see what God will say to ME.

LOST AND FOUND…THEN JOY…

LUKE CHAPTER 15.
I have found my sheep which was lost (Luke 15:6)
I have found the piece which I had lost (Luke 15:9)
Thy brother was…lost, and is found (Luke 15:32

Many have concluded that Luke chapter 15 must be one of the great chapters of the entire Bible. It is among the mountain peaks of Biblical literature not only for its pictorial truth but for its focus on God’s eternal truth concerning God’s love for man who has gone away from Him.

Some times we refer to this chapter as having three parables however in verse three the verse reads, “And he spake this parable unto them, saying.” Then the three-fold parable is given to us in this great chapter. In each of these touching stories we see something that is lost then found and because of being found there is joy and rejoicing.

Biblically the word “Lost” is a word that is powerful and profound in our study of Scripture.

There are a number of ways one can study this wonderful chapter. There are several degrees in the relationship of each to each, leading us up to a greater appreciation of the loss: The sheep—one out of a hundred; ninety-nine left behind. The Silver—one out of ten; nine kept secure. The Son—one out of two—a far greater loss. With the sheep there were 99 that were safe, with the coins there were 9 that were secure and with the son only one was left.

Someone has suggested that of the three lost things they were all lost in a different manner.

The sheep was lost heedlessness. One hundred sheep were in the field grazing the grass and this sheep just heedlessly wondered from the flock and became lost. Many people do not mean to go away from God but nevertheless one day find themselves separated and wondering from the Lord they so desperately need. Sad to say they do not realize that God is seeking them to bring them back to the flock and the fold.

The coin was lost through sluggishness or neglect. The coin had been there for who knows how long. It was covered up or knocked from its position because the lady was neglecting it and its importance. How often we allow those who are important and valuable to us to just slip away from us because we think they will always be there.

The son was lost through willfulness. We know the story of the lost son. He made plans to go away. He was lost willfully. What a sad part of this story of Luke chapter 15.

The beauty part of this story is the fact that in the case of all three each was found because each was sought after. The first word is Lost, the second is Found and the third is Joy or Rejoice. Praise the Lord that He loves each of us enough to search for us and bring us to his fold. Another verse states, “There is joy in heaven over one sinner that repentance.” In each case in this chapter there was one that was lost but there was joy when it was found…