See how the older brother seems to be from the mold of the 1st Century Pharisees? He is so focused on the letter of the law yet misses the point – a ‘rule cop’ with no compassion. Can’t you see this older brother standing in the temple, self-righteous and acting like the Pharisee from this other story Jesus told?
“The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector!” (Luke 18:11)
Then there is the younger son. This guy seems like the ones the Pharisees would call out as the ‘sinners and tax collectors’ of Jesus’ day. After he finally came to his senses, we can see him in the role of the repentant tax collector in Jesus’ story above:
“But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’” (Luke 18:13)
Though the older brother remained with the Father, he was there only for his selfish reasons. He was close to the Father physically, but not spiritually.
The tax collector didn’t spend every day in the temple, like the Pharisee. But unlike the Pharisee, this man humbled himself, recognizing how unworthy he was in the Father’s presence. As did the young son, who humbled himself and returned to his Father, hoping to just be treated as a servant.
Both stories end much the same way, we see:
“I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14)
#LoveMatters