Does God run after us or do we run after God?
The American Christian culture we live in today, paints a picture using bold colors for God chasing and running after us, while subtly using its brushes to emphasize us running after God. Two examples of this tendency in songs are: Reckless Love and Goodness of God.
So does God run after us or do we run after God?
One of Jesus’ parables that is often used to stress God’s pursuit of us is the Lost Sheep in Luke 15:4-7. “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”
In this parable, it is the owner who pursues the lost sheep, not the sheep trying to find the shepherd. That would support the “God runs after us” viewpoint.
Another one of Jesus’ parables, which supports this same approach, immediately follows the Lost Sheep; it is the Lost Coin, Luke 15:8-10. “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Once again, it paints with the bold colors that “God runs after us.”
Then it seems strange that the parable of the Prodigal Son follows. Strange? Yes. In that parable, the father does not run after the lost son, but rather waits for him to come to his senses and repent and come home on his own. The father rejoices mightily, but waits on his son. That would support the “we run after God” thought. So which is it?
Look carefully at verses 7 and 10. That is where Jesus explains the meaning of both parables. The Lost Sheep is about “rejoicing in heaven”, the Lost Coin is about “rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God”; basically the same meaning. So what is all the rejoicing over? In both parables the rejoicing is over: “ONE SINNER WHO REPENTS”.
Repentance of the “lost sheep” (sinner) and “lost coin” (sinner) is the cause of the rejoicing. Neither parable is about the owner rescuing a lost sheep or the woman finding her lost coin without repentance taking place first.
Then the parable of the Prodigal Son doesn’t even mention the word “repent”, but illustrates it by the son in verses 17-21: “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20So 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. 21“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’”
God rescues no one (sheep/sinner) without “repentance.” God finds no one (coin/sinner) without “repentance”. But once “repentance” occurs, the Father says, “ ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”
So the next time you hear about “God running after us”, that is true, as long as He sees a “penitent” heart first. God bless.
Mike “Pawdad” Sublett, Pastor @ Hi-Land Christian Church, Pampa, Texas 79065, 630-730-8015
