Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him.
--Luke 15:1
Ponder that statement. The worst of the worst were drawn to Jesus. Why? Because they were quietly aware of a nagging deep in their core.
They were inadequate. They lacked.
Additionally, they had a hopeful sense that the one standing in front of them was the answer to their need. So they came. They came, and they listened... and they believed.
The establishment didn't like it. They couldn't understand Jesus' openness to the undeserving. More than that, they were offended by it, and by him.
So Jesus tells three stories to describe God's heart. A sheep is lost. A coin is lost. A son is lost. Then each is found. And in each case, the finder throws a party and calls everyone around to join in.
The story of the lost son (better known as the Prodigal Son) has long been a favorite. I've always been impacted by the father's reaction; and how, against all cultural decorum he ran to his son. As a father I can understand it. But it is difficult for me to conceive that the God of the universe runs toward the lowly, the undeserving, the repentant.
God, I run to you, will you please run to me.
For now...
D
