You say love is not based on reward? Is not love rewarding? How many people would go to church if they thought all this is for nothing? We could count the number of people in all the churches of the world on the fingers of one hand, maybe.
You expect 'unconditional love' from sinful, fallen humans because God's love is unconditional? Can you match anything God is capable of?
The fact is the younger son was an irresponsible, self-loving, I don't care punk who sauqndered his father's money and 'repented' only when he was out of it and had nothing to eat. The older brother was the kind of a kid everyone would like to have. Instead of punishing the younger brother for his irresponsability before being restored to his fathers hiome, he get's a party! There is something seriously wrong with that picture.
You are missing the intent of repentance. The intent must be genuine and uncoditinal. The younger son did not yearn for the comfort of his father's home when he had money and was engaging in fun things. It's only when he hit the rock bottom that he 'repented.' False intent, dear Sir, does not make an act honorable.
I understand the intent of repentance. It is a change of mind, which results in a change of life direction. The younger son had been previously motivated to move away from his father and family. In the end he was motivated to move toward his father and family. Such is an example of repentance.
It doesn't presume that the young man was now a saint, ... only that he was now moving in the right direction.
God drives many persons to rock-bottom ... so as to get them moving back in His direction.
Once they arrive home, He can begin to work on making them honorable.
You say love is not based on reward? Is not love rewarding? How many people would go to church if they thought all this is for nothing? We could count the number of people in all the churches of the world on the fingers of one hand, maybe.
You expect 'unconditional love' from sinful, fallen humans because God's love is unconditional? Can you match anything God is capable of?
The love that God desires that we demonstrate is not based upon reward.
It may initially be reward-based, but God desires that we grow to give love like He (our Father) does.
Obviously few of us have arrived at that point ... but God continues to mature us as we are willing.
The fact is that parents exhibit fairly (not perfectly) unconditional love to their children even now. It is not so impossible as it might seem.
The fact is the younger son was an irresponsible, self-loving, I don't care punk who sauqndered his father's money and 'repented' only when he was out of it and had nothing to eat. The older brother was the kind of a kid everyone would like to have. Instead of punishing the younger brother for his irresponsability before being restored to his fathers hiome, he get's a party! There is something seriously wrong with that picture.
Of course it is Jesus' parable. Perhaps you should try to approach it from His point of view.
Let's take a look at the text ...Luke 15:11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:How is it that you think that the younger son should have been punished ?
12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
You should note that the older son had no love for his own brother. I would rather deal with a bit of young foolishness, ... than such lovelessness as the older brother demonstrated.
Who do you think that Jesus is advocating that we emulate ... the Father ... or the older brother ?