Paul was very proud of his achievements as a Pharisee. He had lived well and been zealous in his dedication to God. Why did he then say he regarded it all as mere rubbish?

It seemed like rubbish only in comparison to what he had now experienced - his relationship with the Lord Jesus. Everything else pales in comparison. When we have encountered the Lord, many of the things in our previous life that gave us pride and pleasure seem to fade away. They were good, but what we now have is far better.

When we encounter Christ, that relationship becomes the most important thing in the world to us.

Why so much fuss over one coin or one sheep when there were many others? Jesus was making the point that we are one people and form one body. We cannot separate or exclude any part; we cannot exclude anyone from the community or God's love. We must patiently labour to 'find' them and bring them back. The Lord leaves no one behind; Jesus never gives up on anyone of that body, for it will no longer be whole. The flock of sheep was 100; 99 is no longer a flock. Likewise, we cannot exclude anyone from the community or from God's love. We must patiently labour to 'find' them and bring them back. The Lord leaves no one behind; Jesus never gives up on anyone.