Searching, Sweeping, & Running

Mike Patz • Mar 9, 2026

In Luke 15, Jesus tells three parables: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. At first glance they seem like stories about people who have done something wrong. But what if “lost” doesn’t primarily mean bad — what if it means not where you’re meant to be? A sheep belongs with the shepherd. A coin belongs with the others. A son belongs in the father’s house. Sin isn’t just rule-breaking. It’s misplacement — living outside the place we were created to belong. But the heart of these parables isn’t actually about lost things. It’s about a searching God. A shepherd leaves the 99 to find one. A woman sweeps the whole house to find a coin. A father scans the horizon and runs toward his son. God is not indifferent toward the lost. He is actively searching, sweeping, and running to bring people home. And when what was lost is found, heaven throws a party. This message reminds us that Easter isn’t just about a service or a moment — it’s about joining God in His mission to seek and restore what’s been lost. Because nothing matters more to God than bringing His children back home.