Jesus told three parables that have been referred to as the “Parables of the Lost”:

• The lost sheep
• The lost coin
• The lost son (Luke 15).

The lost sheep was without direction, the lost coin became without purpose, and the lost son lost his identity. The lost sheep apart from the care of the shepherd is in peril from predators, typifying those apart from Christ in peril from evil forces that destroy the soul. The lost coin was not fulfilling its purpose while hidden on the dirt floor, as man is not fulfilling his purpose without God and in the mire of sin. The lost son was cut off from his father, as one dead, until he “came to himself” and returned in repentance, signifying man’s separation from God by sin (Isaiah 59:2) until he repents, and in faith receives the grace of God and is then alive (Romans 6:23; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-4).

Friend, do any of these describe you?