The Elder brother

Luke 15 is the epicentre of Jesus' message. It contains 3 very famous stories.

A lost coin, sheep and son.

Jesus established a pattern to those stories. 

Something is lost (coin or sheep), someone searches and finds it and a celebration ensues.

By the time we get to the third story Jesus' audience know the drill. 

The son is lost... 

Someone searches...oh wait no one searches in the story of the lost son.

Recent research by the likes of Kenneth Bailey tell us that it was the responsibility of the elder brother to go in search of the lost sibling.

He doesn't. Why? Because he's a pharisee caught up in judgmentalism and religious arrogance.

But Jesus tells the story to remind his hearers that he himself is the elder brother. He has taken the responsibility to search and reconcile the lost son. 

That's what grace does...goes on a relentless pursuit of this who are lost and refuses to give up or let go.

Though this has not been my experience of church people I still trust in the true elder brother who has refused to give up on me. 

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