In the three most famous parables of Jesus, we are taught that it is good to seek for what is lost. In the parables of the lost sheep and lost coin, the heroes of the parable leave aside all there work and everyday duties to restore the missing sheep and coin. The missing items are valuable and precious to their owners and the effort is worth while.
In the parable of the lost son, we do not find the same heroic search. The father stays at home waiting for news from his youngest son. Where is his active and devout concern that is taught in the previous parables? The search is the key lesson and yet there is no searcher to be found. Or is there?
The oldest brother was supposed to be the one who had his father’s heart. The oldest had the energy and resources to rescue his younger brother. Was he meant to be the searcher?
In our father’s kingdom, we who responded to God’s loving invitation to come home have become older brothers. Are we willing to express the Father’s love and compassion to those who remain distant? We need to consider our responsibility in leaving the fold of 99 safe sheep to find the one that is lost. We need to lay aside the 9 coins in our bank and find the one that is missing. We need to be compassionate older brothers.
