Luke 15

When Jesus is criticized by the religious leaders for welcoming in tax collectors and sinners, he responded by telling three back-to-back parables.

The last parable is about a rebellious son who finally comes home, and the difference between how the father responds to him and how the older brother responds.

Jesus' point to the religious leaders is that they lack the heart of compassion that God has for sinners. His point is that if we have experienced grace, then we would be "prodigal" with that grace towards others.