THE FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND

Jesus looks up and takes a deep breath. He particularly enjoys a breezy day sitting on the mountainside, fresh air fills his soul. Overlooking the vast lake from his view, he orders his disciples to sit down and rest a while. “Look, Master!” Peter points to some distance away. Jesus turns around and sees a crowd heading towards them. The disciples groan at the lack of privacy, especially when they want the Messiah to themselves. As their Master’s fame being reported far and wide, to every nook and corner, they know this will be inevitable. How they wished that today they would just rest and reflect of all that have happened. It has indeed been fast and furious. The disciples have seen how Jesus never shows signs of fatigue or apathy, like this is his cup of tea. Like he is born to serve, heal and deliver.



Looking at the people’s faces, Jesus senses physical exhaustion but definitely not the enthusiasm. They may have walked few hours to reach where he is and way past lunch time. “Teacher, perhaps, we should send them away to get food,” Peter suggests. The rest of the disciples nod in agreement. It is perhaps a good excuse to dismiss the crowd on a tired day.


“Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” Jesus turns to Philip. Philip looks at his Master stunned, as if he did not hear that. The control in Jesus’ tone of voice makes it even scarier. “He doesn’t seem like joking. Or maybe he doesn’t know that we are not that rich,” Philip thinks to himself.


“Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” Philip reminds his Teacher of the herculean task ahead. Even if they had enough money, the logistic would be incredibly hard.


“You have to give them something to eat,” Jesus speaks compassionately to his disciples. He knows that sending them away at this hour would be disastrous in this remote region. Furthermore, with such a huge crowd, about 5,000 men alone, it can even cause a riot.


All of a sudden, Andrew jumps up, “I have an idea. Let us ask some people to share their food that they brought for the trip.” He gathers the rest to look for willing donors. Hungry people can become selfish people they soon found out. Only Andrew’s enthusiasm got him a small lunch pack. And that is from a young boy whose heart of sacrifice is larger than so many grown men and women. “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” he turns to Jesus dejectedly, his plan failed miserably. Jesus pats him on the back for trying.


Finally Jesus stands up and tells his disciples to arrange people to sit on the grass in orderly fashion. He takes the loaves from the small boy, looks up to the clouds and prays “Father, thank you for your provision.” Right in front of thousands of prying eyes, the loaves which he breaks miraculously whip back to their original shape. Then he proceeds to break the fishes and they appear again whole. The crowd roars in rapturous awe. Their hunger temporarily forgotten!


Jesus signals to his disciples to feed the crowd and let them eat as much as they want. With awe and disbelief, the disciples quickly dispense all the foods to the people. They cannot imagine that they can ever witness such 'hand of God' at work. Everyone, from young to old, eats to their hearts’ content. The boy who gave the initial lunch is surrounded by people thanking him for his generosity. When the disciples collect the leftovers, it fills twelve baskets full. God always leaves no one unsatisfied when He blesses.


One man from within the crowd shouts, “Jesus, you are the Prophet who is to come into the world.” He whips up a commotion, people shouting on top of their lungs for the Miracle Worker to be their King. When they start to stand up, Jesus quickly withdraws into the other side of the mountain. He has a plan far greater than what men conceive in their mind.


The disciples crave for the day that Israel will become a proud nation again. Their Master must be the One to lead them after what he has done today. Nothing is impossible for him. The well-fed crowd want not only food today, but someone from God to help them all the time. Jesus must be the One, compassionate yet invincible. The young boy walks home with a great story to tell. Suddenly he is reminded of the story of King David. “With a small stone and a sling, he killed Goliath. I gave away a small pack of lunch and it fed thousands. It must be God! And…..Jesus is …..”


The above story is taken from John 6:1-15. (See also Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:32-44 and Luke 9:10-17)


Next: Walking on Water
http://psbible.blogspot.com/2011/06/jesus-walking-on-water.html

HEALING AT THE POOL OF BETHESDA

Jesus shakes his head with deep compassion. “What a broken world!” he laments. The disciples cautiously walked through hordes of disabled souls, the blind, the lame and the paralysed. “Sorry, I got no money,” Peter shakes off the wrinkled hands of a blind man that hold on to his foot. “No, no, keep watch on the water for me, please!” the old man, with white spots in the pupil of his eyes, pleads. Peter has heard of the purported healings of lame people in the pools near these covered colonnades.


Occasionally, when the water ripples, it would create a commotion of a rushing throng into the pool. The belief is that whoever gets into the water first will get healed. Invariably, most if not all will climb out of the pool disappointed. Perhaps, once in a while, there would be a shout of joy of one lucky soul at the feeling of getting better. The pain relieved and a seeming pride of being the first to get into the water.


Jesus stops for one guy whose eyes are fixed on the water in great expectation. He has that, ‘the-next-time-the-water-is-stirred, I-will-be-the-first-one-to-go-in’ attitude. Eagerness is one thing but being able to do so is completely another. Paralysed from his waist down, he has been in that condition for the past thirty-eight years. He prays that the next time when the 'angel' comes to stir the water, it will also help him to be the first among the rest to taste the water. That is his only hope and prayer. But waiting for so long has sapped his confidence and now he finds excuse for his predicament. He even blames his sins for this hopeless situation.

Jesus bends down and taps his shoulder. “Do you want to get well?” he asks gently. Sensing hope at someone who is willing to help him into the water, he pleads that Jesus will watch the pool for him. “Sir, I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me,” he shrugs. “Can you help me, sir?”


“Get up! Pick up your mat and walk,” Jesus commands. Instead of seeing a stirring of the pool’s water, he feels the stirring of the inside of his body. He hasn’t felt this kind of sensation for God knows when. Both of his feet grow strong at an instant, those bones and muscles making a strange sound from within his body. At first, he kneels with his new found strength, and then rises to a brand new world.


Mat in hand, his only possession, he dances like a madman. “Hey, I am healed!” he shouts incessantly. Before he can leap on to proceed to the temple further south, the place he has always wanted to go, a man violently takes his mat and slams it to the ground. “It is Sabbath: the law forbids you to carry your mat,” he lashes out. Taken by surprise, the healed-man utters, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’” He is shocked that there are people who are not shocked over such marvellous wonder of healing. And moreover, that healing is wrought just by some spoken words!


“Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?” another man angrily asks. “Oh! It was so exhilarating that I have forgotten to even thank him,” the once paralysed-man suddenly realises. He tries to look for this ‘Healer-Man’ but the crowd is just too big. “Excuse me!” he quickly dashes out of the compound to proceed to the temple to praise and worship God!

At the temple ground, he quickly kneels down and utters a thanksgiving prayer. “God, thank you. I know I do not have the offering right now but I will do that as soon as I have it!” When he finishes praying, he looks up and sees Jesus staring at him. “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you,” the Son of God speaks authoritatively, words that are as effective as the healing earlier. “Yes, Sir! Thank you! Thank you! Jesus, you must be the Messiah we are all waiting for. I will shout of your Name from now on!” the scrawny man replies with tears in his eyes.

The disciples now know that Jesus deliberately stopped by the pool for this man, hopeless if not for a divine intervention. Sometimes they wonder why Jesus chose this particular invalid for healing to be performed. Perhaps the man wanted the healing more than the rest! Or maybe he is ready to follow Jesus all the way after the healing. That’s why they reason that their Master searched him out in the temple ground in the midst of a huge crowd. They put their faith in him even more, not only as the Son of God who heals but also One who knows everything!

The story above is taken from John 5:1-15

Next: The Feeding of the Five Thousand
http://psbible.blogspot.com/2011/05/feeding-of-five-thousand.html

HEALING OF THE ROYAL OFFICIAL'S SON

Jesus smiles as he sees a friendlier crowd greeting him. He is glad of some breakthroughs he experienced a few days ago. Yes, he has performed some miracles but what makes him happier is when people believe who he is just by what he says. Like the Samaritans the other day or the famous lawyer, Nicodemus, a step closer in believing him. But when people ask him for signs to prove himself as the Son of God, he will be agitated. Worse still, some just want to watch and wonder and that’s about all. The Messiah is cautious about the hearts of men even though their faces speak of warm welcome.

“Remember, John, about the wine, whew! Excellent wine,” Peter nudges his friend. How could Canans forget that incident, the water changed into wine. Ever since that first miracle, Cana has become a tourist spot for weddings and wine. “Hey, can you not think of wine in noontime?” John elbows his side. “I was thinking about our Master, the miracle working Messiah,” Peter quickly chips in. “I wonder what will be the second miracle he would do here in Cana," he adds.

“Jesus, please heal my little boy, please, please,” the well-dressed man kneels beside the Son of God and holds on to his cloak. The disciples afraid to get near him, knowing that this man is a royal official. The Messiah helps him up and turns towards the crowd, “Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders, you will never believe.” The people’s heads bow in silent embarrassment. They have heard and some had seen of what Jesus did in the temple at Jerusalem. He would not mince his words. Then the cries of desperation punch a hole in the air of silence. “Sir, come down to Capernaum before my child dies,” the highly-positioned man cries unashamedly. His young son is much too precious in comparison to his dignity. The man knows that time is not on his side as travelling to his hometown takes one full day.

“You may go. Your son will live,” Jesus answers his request. Those words resonate deeply in the soul of the desperate man. Jesus is his only hope! “Eh…Master, you mean you don’t need to..,” Peter gestures with his hands, trying to get Jesus’ attention. The question of ‘seeing first then believe’ or vice versa not only needs to be addressed by the masses but also by the disciples of Jesus. The Messiah grins in satisfaction when the man hurries off believing his son will indeed live. “At least one man believed my words without seeing a miracle first,” Jesus thinks to himself.

The man's heart thumps like mad when he takes the ride home in his donkey. The encounter with Jesus has built in him a bed rock of faith. There are some things he sees in the eyes of Jesus, the compassion and the authority. He looks to the heavens and utters a praise, “Thank you God, for sending Jesus to my path.” As he travels a considerable distance, he sees a servant of his on the opposite direction

“My lord, I am so glad I got you!” the servant speaks excitedly, gasping for breath. He explains to his master how his bed-ridden son just got up and asking the mother’s permission to go outside and play. Everyone in the house broke down and cried except the kid. The royal official hugs the servant, both of them in tears. “What time did the boy get up?” he asks. “About one in the afternoon,” the servant remembers vividly. It dawns on him that it was the exact time Jesus spoke those miraculous words. “Let’s go home and I will tell everyone in the house the whole story,” the man speaks enthusiastically.

When Jesus and his disciples finally arrive at Capernaum, news of the healing has been reported far and wide. The man who works in the palace has become the spokesman for the Messiah that one can trust Jesus without seeing a miracle first. That day, the second miraculous sign in Cana leads the man and his household to the Saviour. The wonder of that miracle leads them to worship the true and living God. He would not have imagined how a sickness could lead to salvation for the whole family! Indeed, Jesus deserves all the glory and honour!

(The story above is taken from John 4:43-54).

Next: Healing at the pool of Bethesda.
http://psbible.blogspot.com/2011/05/healing-at-pool-of-bethesda.html

THE CHANGING OF WATER INTO WINE

“I love weddings!” shouts Peter. “I love joyous celebrations!” he continues while the rest of the disciples gobble down some traditional wedding food. “Here, have some wine,” Andrew tries to calm him down. Mary smiles at their playful attitude. “Hey guys, don’t drink too much, it's dangerous!” Jesus raises his hand in a relaxed mood.

An attendant rushes to Mary and abruptly takes her to one side. John tries to listen to what he is whispering about but he cannot make up the words. Jesus turns his face towards his mother. He sees Mary looking at him while the attendant keeps on mumbling.

“What?” Peter blurts, like someone steals that moment of joy from him. Mary goes closer to her son and says, “They have no more wine.” Moans can be heard from some followers of Jesus. She has always believed in Jesus as the Christ. Yes, miracles have not been performed yet by her Messiah son but how she prays that he can just start it off right here. “I know, son, this is just a wedding, nothing spectacularly spiritual,” Mary thinks to herself. Women always have that gentle nature of not wanting to spoil a happy occasion. On this day, to avoid a great embarrassment for the host too! That look of genuine concern of Mary can melt any heart.

“Dear woman, why do you involve me? My time has not yet come,” Jesus protests gently. But Jesus’ eyes give him away and she knows that he will do it anyway. The disciples may not understand the communication style in this intimate relationship between the mother and the son. “Okay, do whatever he tells you,” Mary speaks boldly to the servants. Do what? Peter and Matthew shake their heads while the rest of them look confused.

Jesus takes charge and the disciples look on curiously. “Fill those jars with water,” he orders the servants. “Master, those were for washing…” Peter gestures to get his attention. The attendants fill each of the six jars with water in obedience, not knowing what they are for. Jesus loves to see servants doing their work in such an obedient manner. I know what I am doing, Peter. This is better than outward wash. This is going to be inward joy! One day, you will understand.

“Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet,” Jesus gives further instructions. While they pour out some water, something has changed. The colour and the smell are surprisingly different. It just doesn’t look like plain water anymore. Their faces tell of awe at what has taken place but Jesus just waves them on. “What?” Peter blurts again, uncomfortable at not knowing what’s happening.

The ceremony head is seen pacing up and down looking for the servants. “Hey, there you are! The guests need more wine.” One servant passes that ‘Jesus water’ to the banquet master and he tastes it. He has drunk all kinds of wine before and when this wine touches his lips, he cannot even believe how exquisite it is. Where does it come from? He reasons in his mind. This is incredible!

He quickly takes the host aside, “My man, the bridegroom, king for the day, everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” The bridegroom looks puzzled. He takes one sip and he let it slip down his throat slow and steady. “I can rest assure that every guest tonight is so privileged to be invited. Tell me, man! Where did you get that wine from?” the astonished master of the banquet asks. “Honestly I didn’t know anything about it. I leave everything to my relatives and friends to handle my wedding. Ask this woman named Mary,” the bridegroom replies promptly, he himself wants to know.

The lowly servants get the privilege to work for Jesus, the miracle performer! The disciples get the glimpse of what is to come in following the Son of God! The bridegroom gets the honour of providing the best wine ever in a wedding, a talk of the town of Cana for some time to come. The guests get to taste a miracle. Mary gets the satisfaction of her Messiah son doing the first miracle at her bidding. And Jesus Christ gets all the glory!

The above story is taken from John 2:1-11

Next: The Healing of the Royal Official’s Son
http://psbible.blogspot.com/2011/04/healing-of-royal-officials-son.html

THE PARABLE OF A SHREWD MANAGER

Inside me, I was mixed. On one hand, I was happy at my grand birthday party thrown in for me by my colleagues but on the other hand, I was sad at the thought of leaving them soon. I helped them all get hefty bonuses and none of them knew how it came about. Apparently, they were stunned by my gesture more than the fat cheque they received and some almost worshipped me for that. I was hoping they would do something more for me than just organising a birthday party. How I wished they knew what transpired between the boss and me.

All the marketing staff knew all about my relationship with the Boss and how I used to boast of having large amount of bonuses from him. Envious of my success, they often showed their displeasure with me. That was egoism at the heights for me. 'Better than the rest' was my motto. When they found out I used unscrupulous means to fish for business and bonus, they hated me even more. Everyone knew what I did but I didn’t care a bit! I was taught to soar no matter what. I figured that a football squad must score to win even if they had to play rough.

Then the crushing blow came! My Boss told me to say my last wish in the company. All along he knew I was playing tricks in doing business and he kept his eyes closed. This was because I brought in loads of money to the company. “I cannot cover for you anymore as too many people knew of your dealings here,” he said softly to me. It was not my style to beg but that day I was desperate for the job back. Yes, I did earn loads of money but much of it went out to girls, wine and travel. In fact, I had yet to settle the loans for my house and cars.

He stood adamant however much I pleaded and reasoned. He kept on saying, “Say your last wish as your parting gift.” I had to be quick because he gave me two minutes to say my last piece or forever hold my peace. The first thing that came to mind or rather, the only thing that came to mind was the money. Perhaps one last big fat bonus! That’s when the Boss came in and gave me a shock of my life. “Oh, I forgot to tell you that your wish must not be for your own. You have been selfish enough. Two more minutes,” he uttered and left without mincing his words. I protested loudly and then went blank.

The Parable of the Shrewd Manager is only found in Luke 16:1-9. Jesus tells this parable to the disciples whom he knows one day will assume leadership in the Church and they need prudence in dealing with money.

First of all, this manager in the story is both greedy and selfish. His master finds out and subsequently fires him, asking him to give his last account. In the last day of his work, he goes around changing some amounts of the debtors since whatever he does is still legally binding. Perhaps there is a plot between the debtors and him, agreements that will help the dishonest manager gain friends. That is exactly what he has in mind, to at least get help from new happy debtor friends (these debtors are rich business people considering large amounts of commodities they needed – vv 6-7) when he leaves his job the next day.

The master commends this shrewd fellow as he could also be a shrewd fellow himself, albeit, a bigger one. As far as Jesus is concerned, he will never condone dishonesty. But the key principle he wants to share with his disciples is using the power in hand for a purpose. Shrewd here in the ancient Greek literally means prudence. Therefore they need to use discretion when comes to having position of influence or usage of material wealth. The shrewd manager uses his position for his own selfish gain when he is at his job and when he is about to be fired. Remember, Jesus shares to them that the manager is fired for his greed (v1). He has squandered the master’s wealth. He strongly implies to his disciples to be ‘shrewd’ for God’s purposes or to put on their thinking cap when they have the influence (v8b). The key idea here is prudence when dealing with worldly wealth – do you use it to gain eternal friends (evangelism) or do you use it for own pleasure?

There are two main questions concerning money in a Christian’s hand..1. Where did you get your money?; 2. How did you use your money?

The disciples in the early church did practice the teaching in this parable where many followers of Jesus gave what they possessed for the poor!

Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need (Acts 2:45).

Christians sometimes are not too keen in talking about rewards in heaven. That is why many righteous people of God will be surprised when Jesus sees them and rewards them for doing things to him. Yes, to him and not only for him (Matthew 25:34-40)!

Money is a test of faith and faithfulness of a believer in Christ! Yes, there are rewards in heaven await those who work for His kingdom! God is no debtor to anyone!

NOTE: The above parable ends the series - The Parables of the Radical Gospels. There are some parables I did not put into this blog because of their self-explanatory messages.

THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SON

“You should go back to where you belong!” Joe kicked me softly as he uttered those words. I hated it whenever he pushed me. Our crammed dirty one-room apartment was all we could afford at that moment. My male ego would never ever allow me to even think of going back after the failures to get the contract. Nevertheless, the last time our demo disk got thrown out, I did remember the words of my dad, “Hip Hop doesn’t suit you. I heard about the gangs, drugs and all.” But I was more determined, not because of him but another brother of mine. He rolled his eyes at me that day and seemed to say, “You won’t amount to much. Just go.”

We lost count how many rejections of our demo song with the record labels, even those non-reputable ones. And band leader, Joe, was getting frustrated over the group. My dough was almost spent, mainly on getting connected with insiders and on drugs. Desperation led to mistrust between us. Petty issues would grow into huge arguments. At the later stage, I felt they had used me to achieve their own ambitions. Carl and George left to form their own partnership. The last I heard of them was they got a contract with a record label I paid so much money to connect.

The one thing Joe still hung on to me was drugs. He promised me dreams I couldn’t resist, about becoming popular and so on and so forth. That was until he had seen my last account in the bank. No money even for food, let alone drugs. We fought real hard that day after he spoke those words and then he too left. I had to find a way to survive. The urge for drugs was intense. It was all doom and gloom.

The drug pusher told me to get dough from my dad, so that I could go on pursuing my dreams. I bluffed them that I would and they had to trust me by giving me some stuffs first. When they left, I could not help myself but sobbed. The first thing that came to my mind after sobering up was resisting on going back to my father’s house. I had broken the old man’s heart. I didn’t want to shame him in front of his many associates, spoiling his reputation. Perhaps I could ask him to send me to Siberia to work, as far as possible from him. And as far away from that brother of mine as possible!

My former band members didn’t even pick up my frantic calls for help. That night I feared the drug gang would come knocking on my door. They might even kill me for cheating on them. I quickly packed and left in the middle of the night. Every little sound sent shivers up my spine. Just having enough money for the bus back to my hometown, I sat there dejected and completely worn out. Thoughts of playing with my loving dad when I was young came flashing back. Tears flowed freely. Bad son! Bad son! I was in torment.

And then I heard something extraordinary. It was almost unbelievable. The TV on the bus was displaying a photograph of a handsome young man. And then an old man appeared on screen, pleading with such pitiful voice urging the young man to return. With hands over my face, I sobbed. What kind of a man is he? Then I heard my dad cried on TV and said, “I have been waiting for you every day since the day you left.”

The parable of The Lost Son is only found in Luke 15:11-32. It was the longest parable in the Bible and the last of the three ‘Lost’ parables.

This story arouses many hearers to anger as asking inheritance from a father who is still alive is considered a deep disrespect. And then the anger may turn towards the father as he is willing to give it to the younger son instead of reprimanding him. The religious Pharisees of the day will certainly disapprove of such grace given. But the father knows that inheritance is meant to pass on, sooner or later, unless he wants control like the religious leaders of the day.

Young and immature, he squanders his wealth in wild living (15:13). Only in complete desperation, he thinks of coming back. Not as a son but as an ordinary servant. He gives up hope for restoration into the family because of his great sin. He reasons he could at least get back some dignity of a normal human life. To his surprise, he sees his father running towards him in a far distance.

At this time, the hearers of this parable are in a state of shock. How could Jesus tell such a story? How can a father run in such an uncivilised way towards a way ward son? The Pharisees could have lost their heads here when the father reconciles and restores the younger son to the family. He deserves to be ostracised or even beaten for bringing this shame to the village.

The strong emotions that emanate from this story are exactly what Jesus intends for his hearers. The party to celebrate the long lost son may be the last straw for the Pharisees and the teachers of the law. And then Jesus brings out the older brother in the story. He is angry with the father just like those religious Jews. How could you, dad? This is super not right! Did you ever hold a party for me for what I had worked for you all these years?

The father treats his sons as sons and never ever as slaves. They are forever his flesh and blood, no matter what. When the older son was with him, everyday was a party for the dad! But whenever he thought of the lost younger son, he longed for him to come back. He could not celebrate yet with him because he was lost.

At the end, Jesus in essence asked these Pharisees and religious teachers, are you slaves or sons? Is God your Father or you are just His hired servants?

Obviously, there are two responses from the hearers. First response, the poor and the marginalised sinners rejoice at the grace of their heavenly Father. The religious Jews on the other hand, are angered by grace shown to these messed-up people. They may think that they should receive more than all these dirty people.

Today, God’s grace and compassion still usher in souls into His kingdom. Some of these people are murderers, cheaters, prostitutes and gangsters! And heaven celebrates when they repent and accept the Lord Jesus as their Saviour!

Do you have problems with this?

Next: Parable of the Shrewd Manager
http://psbible.blogspot.com/2011/03/parable-of-shrewd-manager.html

THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SILVER COIN

I jumped like crazy after I got the call. My close buddies jumped too, not as high but I believe it was contagious. The laughter on my face gave them relief after they had seen how desperate I was before. The stale drab college dorm room where we stayed turned into cheers of victory. I could also hear applause outside for us even though they knew not what we were doing. Some even knocked on our door as they went pass to see what had happened. Bet they wanted to share in our celebration. Or I guessed just to quiet us down.

Before that awesome call, I was looking dejected and empty. I almost lost it if not for Becky who lent her broad shoulders for my head and her Tee for my tears. She did not shun me like the rest. Becky even influenced some friends to console me. “Why? I cried without shame. “Why am I so careless?” That day, news spread about my case at the college and how people changed their perception of me. Everywhere I turned, I saw cheeky smiles and shaking of heads at me. How terrible? I already knew they could not understand how I felt. Except Becky, thank God.

Both Becky and I came from broken families. My parents’ divorce had taken its toll of me. Like most children of divorced family, I put the blame of their breakup on my attitude. I tried hard but still they gave up. My single mom gave me everything she could but most of all, she gave me assurance that I was not to blame for her predicament. That was a great relief for me. I felt lighter after that and made up my mind to take care of my mom someday. Perhaps someday take care of my dad too, if I could see him again.

Life was difficult for us as my mom had to sustain us with two jobs. At one point, I was contemplating coming out to work myself. My mom detested that idea and assured me of her support all the way to college. Everything turned up as planned until that awful day I lost a hundred-dollar note meant for part of my fees. Some friends were like, “Come on, grow up! It’s just 100 dollars!” But Becky knew what hard-earned money meant. Her mom worked as a nanny and she grew up staying in someone’s house all her life. Although the owners did not treat them bad, money was hard to come by. Thank God that her mom was able to save for Becky’s education in college.

With the help of Becky and my roommates, we searched frantically all over the college. When you lost something valuable, sometimes there would be hundred of places that popped up in your mind. After a long time and some weary faces of my friends, I called off the search party. As my friends went back to rest, I continued the search. “What would my mom think of me now? Oh mom, I let you down again?” Sweat and tears streamed down my tired face. It was a terrible feeling.

Head hanging low, I walked back to the dorm slowly. I whispered a faithless prayer, begging God to send his angels to find it for me. My three friends were in the room to console me when I opened the door. It was a well-rehearsed choice of words but it was better than nothing.

My world seemed to crumble apart until that phone rang. “Joanne, I picked up a 100-dollar note on my way to class and I thought it must be yours. I saw you and your friends searching everywhere for something. And…” Before this guy could finish, I trumpeted a high-pitched shout to my roommates. “Where did I lose that and thank you, thank you,” I blurted excitedly. “I would bring it over afterwards. I found it outside the lecturers’ office. Oh well, I thought I was lucky but anyway, it’s yours!”

Wild celebration erupted right after that. I could hear someone commented loudly, “Come on! Grow up! It’s just 100 dollars.”

The parable of the lost silver coin is only found in Luke 15:8-10. This parable Jesus adds on to the first one (the lost sheep) to get emphasis in regards to the mercy of God culminating in the parable of the Lost Son. The three parables back to back make reaching out to the poor and marginalised sinners, a major focus in the heart of Jesus!

It is as usual, sinners who have been marginalised and condemned by others will always have the soft spot in the heart of Jesus. Those lost souls wandering aimlessly, looking for God to just look at them with mercy. They know they will never get help from the religious elites. But Jesus stops for them. He has dinner in their houses and embraces them as friends.

One silver coin may not mean much for rich people but this poor woman saves up for her future. This silver coin may mean food or hunger. This silver coin may deliver medication for a sick member of the family. Or even part of the dowry for her future husband. She looks frantically everywhere, forgetting all the dust on the floor which sends flying all over the place as she sweeps and swipes.

Yes, a small silver coin is just a day’s wages during that time and when Jesus talks about it, many poor people know its value and importance. The rich will ignore and could not be bothered about the lost coin. That woman represents a God who knows the value of a soul, no matter how rotten or how nutty they may be. God looks into the heart and knows that all these people just need a loving acceptance touch of a Saviour. Just a genuine care by someone like Jesus, will impact them for eternity!

The greatest lesson from this parable is how God will stupendously search for the lost until He finds them! One soul is such significant to God and how heaven even rejoices for even one of these who comes and embraces the Creator!

Do we search out the lost or do we just shrug them off?

Next: The Parable of the Lost Son
http://psbible.blogspot.com/2011/01/parable-of-lost-silver-coin.html