How did Saul of Tarsus demonstrate the older brother's self-righteous mentality?
Saul of Tarsus demonstrated the older brother’s self-righteous mentality by angrily opposing believers who embraced Christ as Messiah, thinking he could stamp them out by putting them to death and in prison. Like the older brother, he was typical of the self-righteous Pharisees, seeing no need and resisting the father’s grace.
Les teaches that the older brother is typical of the Pharisees in Israel. They had been under the covenant promises, just like the other brother, but they were so self-righteous, filled with their own importance and pomp and circumstance, they saw no need of anything. When they saw the little element of believers embracing Christ as the Messiah, it made them angry. Saul of Tarsus is typical of that same mentality: he thought he could stamp them out by putting them to death and putting them in prison. That is the mentality of the other brother—self-righteous. Les also points to Jesus’ words that the well person does not need a physician, but the sick person does. Paul makes it plain that you cannot be saved or enter salvation if you think you will make it on your own; you must come as a sinner, which is mandatory.