The Prodigal Son

Explains how the Prodigal son and the elder brother were both lost, one far off and one close in.  The contrast of the two sons is not between a sinner and a righteous person.   The younger son reaches a state of humbleness of mind and repentance, but the elder son, whose heart was still prideful and unforgiving, had not yet come to understand the father's forgiveness.
Bill Cowan

Bill Cowan is an elder serving the United Church of God congregation in Chattanooga, Tennessee.