One day, an unkempt drifter blistered by the sun, barefoot and bloody staggered into the town center. His father, the CEO of a successful company, recognized the staggerer, got up from his desk and took off running toward his son. As he ran, the father's expensive shoes kicked up dust onto his designer suit.
The father's assistants gazed at the scene from the windows of their posh offices and sighed.
"The old man's lost his mind," one said.
"He's a fool for that no-good kid of his," said the other.
The father opened his arms and embraced his rebellious son. "At last you've come home," he wept on his shoulder. Before the son could say he was sorry, the father forgave him for squandering his money and living like an idiot. He even forgot the hurtful words the son had said to him years before when he took off for a better life, words no parent wants to hear - I wish you were dead.
Jesus told this father's story to answer the question 'what is God like?' An assortment of losers, thieves, low-lives, dummies and rebels (just like us) needed the answer to that question.
And they got it. God kisses sinners with forgiveness. He loves to the point of foolishness. He watches for our return long after everyone else has given up hope. He forgives before we ask. He loves us before we are able to love Him.
Look up, God is running toward you.
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2 comments:
Thank you, Rose, for this compact piece.
It very beautifully brings out the love and forgiveness of our Heavenly Father's reconciling, restorative grace!
Thanks Peter - this parable fascinates, so many layers of meaning
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