Well, apparently, the younger son didn't have much love for his father or brother. The only reason he came back was the thought of his father's servants eating bread. At that point, even being his father's servant seemed like a 'reward.'
He approached with 'humility' knowing that he had no leg to stand on and he hoped that his father would have enough mercy to take him back as a servant (he really just wanted to get some bread!). It was false humility and opportunistic 'love.'
Earlier, you said something interesting: It doesn't presume that the young man was now a saint, ... only that he was now moving in the right direction.
An honorable act must be based on honor or else it's an empty gesture. I don't see it in the intent of the younger son. I wouldn't call it the 'right direction.' It's called opportunism.
Earlier, you said something interesting: It doesn't presume that the young man was now a saint, ... only that he was now moving in the right direction.
An honorable act must be based on honor or else it's an empty gesture. I don't see it in the intent of the younger son. I wouldn't call it the 'right direction.' It's called opportunism.
You're opining on motives.
Even if there was anything other than opportunism mixed in with the young man's motivations, ... it is a start.
His father now has the opportunity to teach honor to his son.
There was no chance of this so long as he was in the world.