Chestnut Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church

Archives By Month

God Ran

Nov 23, 2008

In Luke 15, Jesus tells three stories about things lost, beginning with a lost sheep and a lost coin, and concluding with a lost son. This son is rebellious and he disgraces his father, takes his money and wastes it in a distant land. A severe famine hits the land and as he’s serving slop to the pigs, longing to eat what they’re eating, he suddenly “comes to,” as if waking from a dream or coming out from under anesthetic, and realizes what he needs to do.

Luke 15:20-24

So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

“But the father said to his servants, ’Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it.

Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

My question is not, do you believe in God, but what kind of God do you believe in? Do you see God running to you, embracing you, loving and accepting you just as you are?

Jesus told us these three stories in response to a certain understanding of the day that God only cared about those on the “inside,” the ones who are following God. The accusation of Jesus from those on the inside was, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” They were uncomfortable with the way Jesus was hanging out with those whom they thought were unworthy.

In reply, Jesus tells these stories to illustrate what God is like. In other words, if you want to know what God is like, look at this father in this story. And what does this father do? He runs, embraces, kisses, holds, welcomes… restores. This is what God is like.

This is the truth, and it is this truth that changes everything.

- Pastor Tara VinCross